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https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/405/Bethune.pdf 4874ea5184ac1a8b81811debde07b4c3 PDF Text Text HISTORY OF BETHUNE \r.i t-al -,u:J I \PA @ t& T24l | :6J Fa3 ii* zltydoa /rbrry (Z€45e) t4GCog t/ C. 17'/- lt-{z';<z l, t& /) I l'2 t^ \ a) *; A--' \./rt | :a - --J- B-:- lrf HISTORY OF BETHUNE tu .'t:' :1;i. /6 i j"t ' ,'€cus to Indianole, Nebraska stopping at the old Benkelman Ranch near the present town of T242 a 640 l- &sl*& ,?efce - : )- -*-- I Aas/tn w :!.:: &'a :r/@ I | Taurbu4 I I t6a 3\ ?40 Aaa F€, ,t& &tlet .{& -( G,-L; ',*h"fr Satah R nr*fAleaza 82d I '% /-tzz" fi fu4'/2. ,1 lecunlu ,/ny 6, Ctaner ,6d /60 ; T/te Eelhune Iou Ca u*,r, "eQ.ge ./60 L jao n /Ya4 A -l$ 'fugerze t60 5E l4amer #v;r \1@ YunzgSo f.*ry/A ./@ lol/izs I /t)//tbaza '-;;; z (/tnlen- I ":{:'4 :{-l | ["* ^rt't q5rt Chzs $_ a. /uo/i, fpabr ffi f. klt .': - ,/f\ : -_ : -_ +_ -:; t& .J@ F.n h? t$o , lii*". b/ler.$i -{60 ?..F€ frank L1", 32O -, -u.6t 160 t.f 6jc 77?lmer rc cr-\r L(J .i. .:.. ..'-dtli... t t t.,'O.: lt24 r I 4/66;r l"ftxtzvaod '.1 I Bethune, Bethune being French for farmer or farming. Dutch Jake shot Buffalo and also trapped fur animals. He would take the hides tt// Ri/4r Schoa/ land 35 634 fup.-"* ,*._ I 36 64a , \ 1908 water tower serving the Rock Island R.R., Bethune. St. Francis. Kansas. He would visit with Mr. Benkelman. Mr. Benkelman would say "Vee 3ehtz Laundsman?", which became the name Part 1 Bethune first got it's name in 1886 from the first settlers and first trappers. Dutch Jake, an indian who lived in a cave Northeast of Bethune, used to tell people he lived by Lost Man Creek (presently called Landsman Creek). It was to French trappers he told of lor "Landsman Creek", October 3, 1928, the United States Geographic Board rendered this decision regarding the creek in Kit Carson County to be the "Landsman Creek". When the Rock Island Railroad was built through Bethune in September 1888, railway sectionmen built a section house just West of town. The section foreman, J. B. Pfaffley, moved into the house in 1897 with his wife and daughter Erma. Erma later became Postmaster from 1920 to 1962. An Indian burial ground was located Northeast of Bethune on the Landsman �.: now lives on First Avenue and Main Street. In 1932, Bank failure and depression caused the bank to close it's doors. Later a store was run in the bank building by Arthur Cassen. Mr. Kingsbury ran the store later, and Walter Seelhoff after him unitl it closed it's doors and was torn down. Across the street and to the North, Mr. Carr and Bill Stutz also had l a store. Among the businesses built in Bethune in the early 1900's was a lumber yard opened by Carl Alexander. A hardware store owned by Carl Alexander, was located west of the lumberyard. These were located across the street from what is now the Bethune Grain elevator. A Farmers elevator was built by the 'l1l'i t. ,: ,t;., farmers and run by Tom Dillon; It burned in 1925, was rebuilt in 1926 and enlarged in 1936 and again in 1949. Cora Lovelace opened a Cafe in her home, which operated until 1940. This was located next to the Yersin store. On the north side of the Cafe, a pool hall was opened. Jim Erveu built the Hotel in 1920. This was next to the pool hall and Bank building. Bill Chapman bought it, later his son Earl bought it. Ethel Smith ran a Telephone office and soda. by Clara Mayers Aerial photo of Bethune about 1950. Several graves were explored in 1920 by several pioneers. They found Indian blankets, tomahawks, knives and various trinkets. In 1889, Elbert County was divided and Bethune fell in the portion forming Kit Carson County. Bethune established the first school district in Kit Carson County in 1889. The first school board members were Sam Beidelman and Dr. C.A. Gillette whose office was located in Bethune. The school house occupied the Southwest corner of the present school grounds. A well there supplied water for all the town residents. Mrs. Della Hendricks, who later became County Superintendent, was Bethune's first school teacher. In 1926 a new school house was constructed on eight acres purchased from Mr. Delaney. The HISTORY OF BETHUNE townspeople and those of surrounding areas decided to add two years of high school to the curriculum. Luella O'Hare and Ray Boggs taught the first high school classes in the T243 school year t927-28. The school had six teachers and 90 students. .U,r.. l:i:t. :irtlr.' ::l'i Bethune's first store was a combination General Store and Post Office owned by William Yersin in 1910. It was a small sod building located south of the present townsite on the south side of Highway 24. "fhe ,"'i "li' _r l.t ..- ':.. store was moved in 1916, it was then located where the Duane Monroe home now stands on the corner of Pikes Peak and Main Street. The Bethune State Bank opened it's doors in 1916. The Bank president and owner was J.J. Delaney with William Steur, cashier. It was located where the Dean Fisher familv '::l', aiti,',,%. )....,:tat: \"1 1i,: ::.:. ,''rl .:.i..r,. :l:ltil lri.l.. r'r:l .,::1..'\liili: :li, ']]:: . ::ir::,,i,.'::ii'. 2 lt::i:l '::,;:l t,* ,.,.,ti! ryl Earl Chapman's first garage 1925. t -.# Part 2 Fountain in the Chapman Hotel. Tom Davis started agarage in 1920 on what is now Pikes Peak Avenue West of the Monroe ,i; First store and post office in Bethune, Yersin Store. home. It had living quarters above it at the time, it still stands. The Barber Shop was built by Everett Blackburn, it was on First Avenue and Main Street across from the first Post Office. In 1921, the livery barn was built. �rtr::i:.r li:.t. rt }till&.iitr, '; ',11. ';1,;1;11; twice a day. Mail was hung so a catcher on the mail car of the train could pick it up as the train went by. Ted Knodel, who had been carrying mail as a tri-weekly on the south route since September 1924, took over Route 1 and carried until July 1965 when he retired. Albert Amman carried Route 2. the triweekly route since 1936. The routes consolidated in 1966 to an 86-mile route, which covered both the north and south routes. Albert Amman continued to carry until 1971, when he retired. The route was then changed to a Highway Contract Route and Carl Adolf Jr. became the mail carrier. Bethune has again grown in the last few years from a population of 52 in 1962 to around 200 in 1985. It has one garage owned and run by Johnny Johnson, the Bethune Grain Co. owned and run by Charles Schulte, Onahue Trucking Co. run by Bill Powell, and ofcourse the Post Office and school. Bethune has an accredited school with grades ranging from Kindergarden through twelve. James Poole has been the superintendent since 1964. The following is a recollection of some Celebrating Armistice Day in the 1920's on Main Street in Bethune. It was where the David Richards home now stands on Second Avenue and A Street. The Baptists held Sunday School and Church services in the school house until 1924. Then they had Mr. Arnet build the church. In L927 it was purchased by the Evangelical Congregation. The pastor from Stratton held services. The town of Bethune was incorporated in L926. ln t924, The Post Office was built. Erma (Pfaffley) Cordonnier was the first Postmaster until March 1962 when she retired. Clord Meyer built the present Post Office in 1962. Clara Meyer served as Postmaster from April 1, 1962 until April 1985, when she retired. Kathy Witzel is the new Postmaster since April 1, 1985. The townspeople built a City Park by their water tower, later a new park was started northeast of it's former site. The townspeople called their growing town "The Land of Opportunity" and put up a sign proclaiming that fact West of town. It drew customers and visitors. But the depression and bank failure in 1932 brought a marked halt to Bethune's upward climb. People were forced to sell out and move away, rapidly decreasing the population. By 1936 Bethune still had a hardware store, lumber yard, general store, two cafe's, a railroad depot, two grain elevators, a filling station, and two garages. Because the County seat was in Burlington, most people went there to do their trading. Eventually most businesses went out of business. The first mail carrier was Jesse McFarland. He carried Route 1 starting in July 1911, a 36 mile route by one horse and top buggy. Later a regular mail wagon such as was in use at that time, was used and drove two horses. He resigned in 1915. Tom Dillon carried until 1920. Roy Smith took over and carried until his death in 1935. In the early years, it would take two days to get mail delivered if there was a lot of snow. Mail came by a fast train people, and their families, who might not now have any connection in Kit Carson County. John & Gladys Argebright, Orla Anderson, H. H. Ernest, "Billy" Lamm, John Robinson, C. C. Tony, Mike Golden, Hugh Rouse, Charles Hopson, Dr. Dickey, L. Youtsey, L. Doughty, Ed Chipman, "Shorty" Stephen, Bertha King, Harry Roberson, C. L. Spahr, Dvoraks, Charles & Johnny Day, Noah SydeBotham, Fred Kasten, C. W. Sawyer, Fred Buchholz, Roy Smith, John Burns, Debakeys, Amos & Ida Holland, Charles Chandler, Walt & Anita Baer, Charles & George Baer, Thomas Davis, Elwood Richards, Cora Lovelace, Bill & Norma Negus, Art & Mary Haviland, Bruce Davis, Bill ZiegIer, Fletcher Vilott, Austin Johnson, Truman Hightower, B. K. Springer, Bill Stutz, Balls, Carl Mitchel, Harry Brogun, Jake Gramm, Charles Evens, Robert Wilburn, Critchfields, Leo & Nan Kindsvater, Floren Kuhn, Ralph Humrick, Henry Fanslow, John & Jesse Thomas, "Shorty" Stockwell, Henry & Esther Daum, Preston Simer, "Swede" Johnson, Iver & Ever Iverson, Eugene & Iris Taylor, Claude Zimmerman, Clark Rutter, Logan Stitt, J. J. Delaney, Charles Short, Bob Gaddy, Ericksons, Brownawells, Sanstedts, Lynns, Art & Fern Cassen, Millers, Clotiers, Henry Kline, Herb Kukuk, Glen Chapman, Ed Bower, Truman Hooker, Emil & Pauline Knodel, Fred Rock, E. H. Mitchel, Harold & Velora Hopkins, E. L. Kingsbury, Floyd Mills, Bill Ratuke, Oscar Olson, Ira Rowbothan, Chance Humphry, John Halter, John Kible, Mrs. Connor, Joe Reese, "Rusty" Evans. I'm sure that being gone from Bethune for over 30 years has dimmed my memory and some have been forgotten. by Clara Meyer and Donald L. Chapman Bethune Lumber Company. In the 1920's when Bill Stutz worked there. �across from Hotel and a little south. On the south side of the building it had a hitch rack, where farmers gathered. Also there were horse shoe pits on the south side. The farmers BUSINESS IN BETHUNE T244 These are memories of Dean A. Chapman, 2nd son of Earl & Blanche Chapman born in Burlington in 1921. Grocery Stores: Dan Carr, east of Main St., Bethune Grain Co. owned by Charlie Schulte,1988. came in from the settlement and south of town. They would arrive at about 10:00 AM and leave around 3:00 to 4:00 PM. They traded produce, eggs, chickens and cream. This store was later run by August Helcher, who after a couple years moved across the street west. Art Cassen purchased the store from Helcher's widow. He later moved the store to the Bethune State Bank Building. This store was then run by Mr. Kingsbury during W.W.2, then was sold to Walter Seelhoff, and then closed in 1954. W. T. Chapman ran a store in the front of the Hotel from 1920 till 1935. Bill Yearsin ran a store just south of the Post Office, later sold to Bill Stutz, later sold to Charles Helcher, brother of August Helcher, who later changed it to a Shoe & Clothing store. This building was later used for a residential use. Black Smith Shops: O. J. Speaks due west of Bank building. J. G. Walgamott built his shop just east of Earl Chapman's Garage on *w,*"*Enm srnr,slB ",*iryFj, . .,),,, Elevator. Creameries: The first Creamery was next door, east of Tom Davis Garage. Art Gramm ran one across the street, south of the Davis Garage. Kingsbury built a creamery between the Bank and the Hotel. Elevators: The first was the Robinson elevator across the street, south of the Davis Garage, run by Ben Pyle, later leased by Henry Daum. The Farmers Elevator was on the south end of Main Street, first run by Thomas Dillon, then owned by Henry Daum, later sold to the Bethune Co-op. The East Elevator was built in the late 1930's by O. E. Powell, run by Preston Symer, later sold to Bethune Co-op. Garages: The first was built by Tom Davis, probably built in the late teens, who had Walt Baer as a partner, with Charles Dvorak as salesman and mechanic. They sold ChevroIets. This garage closed in 1934. The second garage was built by Earl Chapman (who was a mechanic for Evans Brothers in Burlington, later Sim Hudson Motor Co.). This small building was just west of Post Office. Earl's second garage was built in 1925 across the street east of the lumber yard, on the north side of the old highway. Along with his garage, he furnished electrical power for the Town of Bethune. Each home was allowed one sixty watt bulb. He would at 5:00 P.M. fill and start the generator and it would run until it ran out of gas, which usually lasted dkmo,., from 9:00 to 10:00 in the evening. Each family helped pay for the gas, this was a one cylinder Delco plant. In 1931 Earl built the building on US 24. In 1956 Earl and his sons Dean, Vernon, Donald and son-in-law Neil Springer, moved this business to Paonia Co. The Bethune business was sold to Bill Storrer. This building later burned. Filling Stations: Both garages sold gas. In 1932, Tom Davis built a new station on U.S. 24, on the south west edge of town, later run by Fred Kasten, Bill Wilcox and others.. In 1932 Glen Chapman opened up a station in the old barber shop across the street from the Post Office. Bethune had the oldest Conoco bulk gasoline agency in CO in numbers of years. Earl Chapman was the agent from 1924 Bethune State Bank check, 1920's. i to 1956. {F,r"*- The poolhall, recreation parlor and barber shop was just south of the Nebraska Hotel and was run by Bill Evens. The Bethune State Bank was started by J.J. Delaney in 1916. William C. Steur was the last cashier, and the bank closed in 1931. EA,ffiH ': i,:.,, . t :t.: the old highway, just across from the East i. :... ,e4* by Don Chapman : BETHUNE POST OFFICE T245 Route 1 started in July 1909 as a 36 mile Route with Mr. Jess McFarland as carrier. He carried the mail in a top buggy pulled by one :::it .. e.. -# horse. Later, he got a regular mail wagon. These wagons were in use at the time and were pulled by two horses. Mr. McFarland resigned in April of 1915. Tom Dillon started carrying the mail and continued until 1920 *%*{-q - when he resigned. Martin Stahlecker was the temporary carrier taking over the duties until Chapman Garage. Don Chapman, Leo Kindsvater and Vern Chapman. Roy Smith took the route on. He delivered �Yersin, September L2, t9L0; Edward L. Newton, June2,l9ll;Albert L. Bell, January 18, 1917; William H. Yersin, April 20, 1917; Erma Cordonnier, October 18, 1920; Clara Meyer, April 1,1962;and Kathy Witzel, April covered by insurance. The Burlington Call, November L2. 1925. by Anna Strobel 1, 1985. A poem composed by Mrs. C. W. Sawyer of Burlington paid tribute to Mrs. Erma Cordonnier, retiring postmaster at Bethune. Mrs. Cordonnier recently retired after 42 years service in postal department. The Poem follows: RETIRED In eastern Colorado in the town ofBethune In the year 1920, two months after June, A new postmaster started her career, Her name - Mrs. Erma Cordonnier. At that time the mail had to go Thru rain. sleet. hail or snow. Smith, Knodel, then Amman, on the RFD Carried the mail to and from the country. When Erma wished to take off a day or more Thru 41 years she had subs galore. Pfaffly, Ardueser, Evans and Casten, Woods, Chapman, Helscher and Batson. Klein, Knodel, Springer and Taylor. The last two, Bucholz and Sawyer. March 31. 1962. Erma retired. 41 long years she had worked and perspiRoy Smith delivering the mail out of Bethune, Colorado. about 1935. red; So, Erma, it's time to say adieu And all our best wishes go with you. by Clara Meyer FARMERS ELEVATOR T246 i"%.*;". \d! *- New Bethune Post Office opened in October of 1986, Kathy Witzel Postmistress. the mail until he died in October of 1935. A fire Wednesday morning completely destroyed the Farmers Elevator at Bethune, Colorado. The building caught fire from a stove in the office and as there was no water system in the town the flames made rapid headway. A call for help was phoned to Burlington and the fireman with both trucks left at once, but the damage was wrought when they arrived at the scene of the fire ten miles away. About ten thousand bushel of wheat stored in the elevator was practically all damaged. It was reported that the loss was Claude Zimmerman was temporary carrier for a year, then Ted Knodel took over the route on September 8, 1936. The route had been extended to 43.6 miles by that time. T247 In 1899, Bethune Colorado organized the first school district in Kit Carson County. The original school was located on the west side of County Road 40, directly west of the present school grounds. Dr. C. A. Gillette and Sam Beidelman were the first school board members. Mrs. Della Hendricks was their first teacher. In 1926 it was decided to purchase eight acres of land from a Mr. Delaney, and it was on this land that the present schoolhouse sits, being completed in 1928. It was decided that there would be two years ofhigh school taught in this new school, so they began to teach Freshman and Sophomores along with the grade school. Luella O'Hare and Ray Boggs taught the first high school classes in 1927-28. At that time there were a total of 6 teachers and 90 students. The first class to "graduate" from Bethune School was in 1930. A basement was dug east of the school and this was used as the cafeteria for many years. Later, the old Prairie Star School from south of Bethune was moved onto this basement. The upper floor was used for a teacherage, the basement for the cafeteria, and the middle floor as the Superintendent's home. In 1955 the cafeteria was moved to the main school building, and a beautiful large gymnasium was added to the west side of the original schoolhouse. InIg74,a separate shop building was added, also on the west side. Mr. Orin Pankratz was the first to call this "home". Kindergarten was instituted in 1g74. The year 1978 saw Bethune School become accredited, under the direction and guidance of Mr. James Poole. Bethune School fielded its first football team in 1983 to add to the volleyball, basketball and track programs already in progress. New additions to the school also include a . Route 2 started on Septembet L7,1924 as a 36 mile tri-weekly with Ted Knodel as carrier until September 8, 1936 when he was transferred to Route 1. Albert Amman who was the temporary carrier, took on the route and delivered the mail until May 7, 1966 when the routes were consolidated. Albert continued carrying the mail until September 30, 1971. Albert Weiss was temporary carrier until the Star Route was established on November L, 1972. Carl Adolf Jr. was awarded the contract for the Star Route and is the present mail carrier. Postmasters through the years were Sam- uel Beidelman, January 1889; Josephine Parody, July 23, 1890; Emma Mutchmore, September 19, 1890; John Griswold, December 8, 1891; Mary E. Braden, September 27, t892; Margaret Gruwell, June 4, 1896; Nancy Root, April 5, 1899; John Lamb, October 15, t901; William Blake, September 17, 1906; Iohn McFarland, March 1"5, 1909; William H. BETHUNE SCHOOL Farmer's Elevator at Bethune, burned to the ground. �Humrich, Don Noxon, Arthur Adolf, Eugene Rowbothem, Mary (Smith) Stahlecker, Maxine (Helcher) McCoy, Ethel (Kasten) Dragiff, Irene (Adolf) McAuliff; 1937 - Aletha lll'i (Woods) Taylor, Delores (Chapman) Grant, Raymond Ray, Iris (Rouse) Taylor; 1938 Gladys (Adolf) Patterson, Nina (Dunlap) Lanham, Harry Olson, Anna Dvorak, Dean Chapman, Stanford Ernest; 1939 - Hilda (Ratenka) Vilott, Loren Ardueser, Fern (Knodel) Gremm, Norman Meyer, Mary Louise (Dillon) Schemfsll' 1940 - Wallace Eslinger, Gladys (Schaal) Byington, Harold Rouse, Stanley Sydebotham, Virgil King; 1941 - Robert Knodel, Blanche (Stolz) Beckstrom, Vernon Chapman, Janet (Dillon) Toland, John Burns; 1942 - Velma (Eslinger) Sweet, Sylvia (Kiebel) Malone, Mabel (Meyer) Bishop; 1943 - Raymond Knodel, Doris (Gulden) Travis, Helen (Gulden) ,r;*1r;l111,.;r,11, .,.1.11.:.,11'' 11'.1 Schaal, Eleanor (Ardueser) Dreitz, Dixie (Wood) Conkey, Ruth (Spahn) Jensen, Rueben Zeigler; L944 - Alvin Buchholz, Steve Sydebotham, John Critchfield, Owen Powell; 1945 - George Baer, Viola (Humrich) Critchfield, Lewis Parsons, Elsie (Miller) Powell, Dr. Earl Berens, Thelma (Kirkendall) Young, .'.''.'l:.'.::..il'rr' I:":,l Mary Louise (Dreitz) Waechter; 1946 - Bethune Public School, grades K through 12. 1988 Joanne (Guy) Wolf, Russell Knodel, Peggy (Wood) Jensen, Ardith Gulden, Rona (Spahr) Shaner; L947 - Donald Chapman, William Stolz, Roberta (Guy) Kindred, Eleanor (Knodel) Thomas; 1948 - Norman Kramer, Marge (Chapman) Springer, Lorena (Kramer) Buchholz, Ivan Amman, Ruby (Buchholz) Butterfield;1949 - Gene Amman, Jeanette (Knodel) Amman, Henry Stolz, Melvin Berens, Della (Adolf) Pugh; 1950 - Max Kramer, Clarine (Stahlecker) Fergus; 1951 - Eva (Adolf) Wood, Marvin Buchholz, Maureen (Amman) Felger, Ernest Ziegler, Gerald Johnson. Paul Knodel: 1952 - Lucille (Schlichenmayer) Krnmer, James Miles, Esther (Richards) Young, Bob Young, Vernon Stolz, Ed Kramer; 1953 - Wesley Eslinger, Eilert Weiss, Willard Stahlecker, Delos Amman, Irene (Kramer) Hilt, Bill Stewart, Allan Adolf, Ernest Adolf, Hazel (Hicks) Adolf; 1954 - Lela:rd Ernest, Loyd Knodel, Lester Powell, Aldene (Weiss) Beringer, Bethune School looking east. large library, computer room, upgraded office space, and an addition on the Superintendent's home. A large grassed area was made into a new playground with new equipment installed in 1984. It should be noted that Mr. James Poole, Superintendent, and his wife, Nora came to the Bethune School District in 1964. a position he holds to the present day. In 1988, there are 105 students attending Bethune School with 12 teachers on the staff. The school board consists ofFrank Ruhs, Art Waitman, Pat Williams, James Cummons, and George Stahlecker. by Marylyn Hasart BETHUNE SCHOOL GRADUATES T248 1931 - Hilda (Adolf) Ziegler, Agnes (Dvo- rak) Berthiaume, Janet (Mitchell) Moore; L932 - Amanda (Adolf) Richards, Leona (Adolf) Hefner, Harold Chipman, Crystal (Hartsook) Schlosser; 1933 - Ethel (Chipman) Pearce, Dallas Chipman, Howard Rouse, Carlos Dillon, Lillian (Dvorak) Wil- der, Pauline (Sandstedt) Dillon, Dorothy (Erickson) Rictichy, David Richards; 1934 Earl Perry, Lester Mitchell; 1935 - Marie (Perry) Hasenbalg, Alvin Ernest, Eleanor (Ernest) Varce, Dale Chapman, Opal (Esling- er) Schaal, Melvin Eslinger; 1936 - Dale Geraldine (Schlichenmayer) Carter, Duaine Richards, Phyllis (Waitman) Brown, Narieta (Ziegler) Hines, Kenneth McArthur, Darlene (Ziegler) Hendricks, Paul Jacobs, Edna (Schall) Fross, Bonnie (Johnson) Moorhead, Alfred Schritter; 1955 - Philip Stolz; 1956 Phyllis (Schlichenmayer) Hall, James Schlichenmayer, Donna Kay (Richards) Powell, Barbara (Schick) Briggs, Viva (Eslinger) Witzel, Margie (Stahlecker) Schneider, Leo Rutter, Geraldine (Zieeler) Weiss, Eileen (Waitman) Wahl, Leroy Arends; 1957 - Alice (Knodel) Gramm, Verlin Taylor, Louise (Adolf) Schlichenmayer, Rose Marie (Leik- am) Gwinn, Dorsey Carroll; 1958 - Iva (Stahlecker) Crist, Elaine (McArthur) Taylor, Donald Ziegler, Norman Arends, Arlene (Waitman) Nider, Bonnie (Matthies) Covey, Leona (Leikam) Brunmeir, Arthur Waitman; 1959 - Delmar Zeigler, Beulah (Stahlecker) Lambert, Mary (McArthur) Harris, Jerry Meyer; 1960 - Charlene (Taylor) Robinson, Roy Schlichenmayer, Jerome Warner, Maryln (Schick) Tofoya, Dr. Larry Weiss, Doris (Kramer) Barchanger, Ralph Stolz, Nolan Carroll, Judy (Schlichenmayer) Carroll, Clord Adolf, Virgil Eslinger, Celestina (Leikam) Brown; 1961 - Wilford Adolf, David Corliss, Darlene (Ruhs) Yates, Sue �(Dower) McDonald, Betty (McArthur) Barker, Annette (Stahlecker) Scherre, Ivan Stahlecker; L962 - Art Taylor, Marie (Schaal) Eslinger, Clord Meyer, Ruth Corliss, Julia (Leikam) Fox, Joan (Adolf) Carroll; 1963 - Linda (Taylor) Barnhart, Evelyn (Ruhs) Kelly, Ruby (Eslinger) Hundertmark, Mary (Richards) Colglazier, George Gramm, Dennis Moore, Paulette (Powell) Brachtenbach, Phoebe (Schauer) Friston, Jerry Jenkins; 1964 - Jane (Guy) Downing, Margaret (Kaplan) Stripes, Dorothy (Meyer) Soward, Elizabeth (Blagg) Wolfe, Frank Ruhs, Dennis Arends; 1965 - Gerald Ardueser, Annabel (Eslinger) Nickolson, Edwin Guy, Jerry Guy, David Hillman, Peggy (Matthies) Clark, Rick Young, Fred Zeigler; 1966 - Linda (Moore) Stolz, Fred Shauer, Marsha (Carroll) Rau, James Rau, Timothy Ardueser, Jean Stahlecker, Elaine (Weiss) Morrow, John Kuhn, Dale Schlichenmayer; 1967 - Grant Guy, Dianne (Stolz) Cox, Virginia (Leikam) Wright, Carl Schaal, Tom Rau, Troy Williams, Allan Weiss, Fred Matthies; 1968 - Janis Ardueser, Linda (Guy) Rau, Linda (Matthies) McDaniel, Linda (Schlichen- mayer) Coles, Everett Matthies, Eric Martell, Roy Williams; 1969 - Art Martell, Carolyn (Matthies) Martell, Terry Young, Rita (VanTassel) Hendon, Joe Leikam, Kathy (Dreitz) Hermann, Arlinda (Adolf) Thomas, Ronald Gramm, Anne (Guy) Cody, Don Kraus; 1970 - Velda Adolf, Karen (Adolf) Baird, Dale Jenkins, Lynne Powell, Jackie (Williams) Critchfield, Terry Weisshaar; 1971 - Loraine (Ardueser) Beeson, Judy (Dreitz) Garrison, Carl Jenkins, James Dobler, Bill Kraus, Victor Bill Powell, Fred Gramm, Roy Schlichenmayer, Beverly (Weiss) Ruhs; 1972 Nina (Elsey) Powell, Ellen (Guy) Eastin, Dean Matthies, Gene Matthies; 1973 - JoAnn (Gramm) Barber, Kathy (Kramer) Jenkins, Sherry (Kramer) Friesth, Pat Williams, Eugene Weiss, Ernest VanTassell, Verlin Corliss, Doyle Adolf; 1974 - Judy (Kramer) Whipple, Betty (Matthies) Ganser, Randy Dreitz, Tom Schlichenmayer, Raymond Dobler; 1975 - Mark Beringer, Curt Graham, Trudy (Elsey) Powell, Sandra (Hardwick) Wade; 1976 - Nadine Corliss, Lacey (Hansen) Stokley, Dalene (Knodel) Enyart, Glen Heidschmidt, Kerry Stahlecker, Millie (Leikam) Brawley, Steve Kramer, Kathy (Adolf) Witzel; 1977 - Wayne Adolf, Ronnie Dreitz, David Rutledge, Vicky (Crouse) Cox, Ralene (Dobler) Adams, Carol (Kindred) Keil, Shelly (Powell) Mangus, Karen (VanTassel) Loganbill, Pam (Kramer) Mills; 19?8 - Pam (Adolf) Burton, Connie (Beringer) Peterson, Brent Crouse, Scott Crouse, Lisa (Hardwick) White, Cecilia (Leikam) Criswell, David Poole, Dan Wahl; 1979 - Scott Powell, Barry Crouse, Stanley Kramer, Lori (Brown) Nordorf, Janet (Poole) Cure, Tammy (Crites) McGuire, Brenda Hanson, Maurice (Dreitz) Weyerman; 1980 - Tryn (Hendricks) Pizel, Dora Crouse, Sharla (Beringer) Troyer, - Charlene (Adolf) Flock, Lisa (Beechley) Mullis, Lisa Monroe, Lora (VanTassell) Burnet, Robin (Smith) Smith, Kenneth McArthur, Dawn (Harrell) Kramer, Matt Corcoran, Rick Monroe, Jerry Loeffler; 1985 - John Stolz, James Eslinger, Rhonda Waitman, Greg Zieglet, James Stolz, Mike Price, Nancy Weiss; 1986 - Angie Davis, Deanna Stahlecker, Debra Waitman, Michael Crites, Deanne (Dreitz) Heskitt, Darron Lightle, Dawn Adolf, Esther Schlichenmayer; 1987 Shelle Davis, Deanna K. Stahlecker, James Stahlecker, Scott Webb. by Amanda Richards INTRODUCTION TO BETHUNE CHURCHES T249 the pastor, and served until November 1902. Rev. Newman H. Hawkins served for the year 1903. On March lst, 1094, B. S. Hughes came as pastor, and served for six months. On account of removals it was thought best to suspend all services at Bethune and the few members left attended S. S. and church at Claremont until the Spring of 1906. When the community began again to be resettled the Sunday School was reorganized. In September 1906, Rev. J. L. Read who was pastor at Claremont and Seibert was called to become pastor of the Bethune Church and regular services were resumed. How long the work continued is not known. The Congregational Church at Bethune, like the one at Claremont and Seibert was destined to not make a go of it due to the lack of financial help from a Conference or General Church which would have enabled the work to have kept going Iong enough to become strong enough to be Bethune are the Evangelical United Brethern Church in Bethune. now abandoned, Imman- self-supporting. The Colorado Conference of the Evangelical Church had a number of school house congregations to the south and west of Congregational Church both located north of Bethune. There was a Nazarene Church located on the correction line south of Bethune. The site Central, Bethel and Smoky Angle, and was attracted to Bethune as hopeful territory for missionary operations. However, before it became possible for them to enter the field, the Baptist Gospel Car was taken in for a The churches included in the history of uel Lutheran Church and Hope United Church of Christ formerly know as Hope consisted of the church building and a cemetary behind the church yard. Agnes Beeson remembers attending some of the services held there when she was a girl and lived about five miles away. There is a fence around the graveyard and may be a grave left there. The church was moved off in about 1950. Immanuel Lutheran Church is mentioned in the book "White Churches of the Plains" by Robert Hickman Adams. Hope United Church of Christ and Immanuel Lutheran Church are still active serving the community and drawing members from Burlington and other towns near them. EVANGELICAL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH T250 Church work was started in the Bethune Community on October 19th, 1900. A Congregational Church was organized in the school house by Rev. Sanderson with five charter members, five more soon thereafter Adam Burkey, Bill Crites, Douglas Stolz, Mary (Campbell) Holcomb; 1981 - Todd Hendricks, David Price, Danny Leoffler, Allan Matthies, Monte Arends, Sandy (Atkins) Adolf, Gina (Crouse) Hines, Teresa Crouse, Sharon (Poole) Greene; 1982 - Deb Yates, Margaret (Meyer) Robben, Monte Carroll; 1983 - Deb (Arends) Miller, Penny (Zieglet) Aeschilman, Rita Leoffler, Tim Campbell, Patricia McArthur, Kristy (Poole) Liming, Mark Crouse, Roger Stahlecker, Nathan Kramer, Carla (Eslinger) Foth; 1984 joining. The Rev. M. A. Bevier was called as Bethune E.U.B. Church. 1940's. Bethune such as First Central, Second special meeting, and pursuant thereto regular services were held. A baptist minister was stationed to the place, though there were less than a dozen charter members, and as far as is known, never any more. These people soon undertook to build a new church in Bethune at a cost of $3,000, soliciting aid in the community and where funds were available. Because of local conditions the Baptist friends felt necessitated to withdraw from the field, leaving the town without a pastor and open to any Protestant denomination ready and willing to take up the work. For a while there were no services of any kind conducted in the church. Less than two years after the church was built, The Colorado Conference of the Evangelical Church was asked to place Bethune on their list of appointments. This urgent invitation was accepted. The Bethune people again organized a Sunday School in the consolidated school building with the Evan- gelical Church representatives including President Elder B. Barthel present. The people were very anxious that they be served regularly provided such arrangements could be made in the interim of conference sessions. Consequently the Brethren R. D. Dexheimer and Leslie E. Gabael of Seibert were asked to serve this new point for the remainder of the year as time would permit. In the spring of 1928 these same brethren were by Conference appointed to serve Bethune in connection'with the Seibert Charge. In about six months it was considered expedient that the Services of Worship be changed from the school house to the church building. This permission the Baptist headquarters in Denver cheerfully granted. Initial steps were taken January 1, 1929 in a regularly announced meeting, with the thought of receiving members and effecting an Evangelical Organization. Subsequently 32 charter members were received. Later the Colorado Conference Trustees purchased the church property from the Baptist State for �the consideration of $850.00. On Sunday February 24,L929, this commodious building was dedicated by President Elder B. Barthel as an Evangelical Church. The Pastor's assisted in the services. Though the weather was cold and stormy was the attendance good. More than 9400.00 was secured in cash and pledges that day toward the purchase price of the property. At conference in the Spring of 1929, Rev. Leslie E. Gabel was appointed to serve Bethune along with the school house congre- gations to the southwest such as First Central, etc. The next year this circuit was without a pastor. In the Spring of 1931, Rev. Edward J. Ness was appointed to serve the south country school house congregations, and Rev. Wm. R. Van Devender was appointed to serve Bethune and Stratton, living at Stratton. In the Spring of 1935, Rev. J. Ness was assigned the Bethune and Stratton Congregations in addition to the South Country School House Congregations. One pastor continued to be appointed to all these churches including Bethune until 1945-1946. That year the Rev. Delbert C. Paulson was appointed, and the churches at First Central, Smokey Angle and Bethel discontinued. Annual Conference in the Spring of 1946 ordered these churches liquidated. Membership was transferred to either the Stratton or the Bethune Churches, depending on the wishes of the members. The membership of persons who could not be contacted were transferred to the Bethune Church roll. In 1952-1953 the Bethune Council with the Pastor V. J. Lamm removed 21 of these names "without certificate" when they were unable to contact them. From the Spring of 1946, Bethune has shared with Stratton the services of a pastor as a charge with the minister residing at Stratton. During the pastorate of Rev. Francis M. Bayles, Jr. from 1949 - 1952 great improvements in the physical property were made. The flat roof was removed and built up to a peak which improved appeilances and stopped leaks in the ceiling. Also the interior ofthe sanctuary was completely redecorated. A gas fired heating system has replaced the ineffective coal and oil units. The basement was plastered and decorated and modernized with cesspool, gas range and kitchen cabinets so that an adequate room is now available. The entire exterior was painted and the windows reputtied. Sidewalks were laid and the stairs repaired. Rev. Edward J. Ness directed a week of meetings in December of 1949 after which a number of members were received. Rev. B. Barthel came to lead in a week of revival prior to Easter in l95L and our hearts were made to rejoice in the Lord. Rev. Marvin M. Hudson conducted a meeting to strengthen the Sunday School program in the fall of 1952. Rev. C. P. Gates of the Oregon-Wash- ington Conference was to have come for meetings in the Spring of 1.953 but due to ill health couldn't and Rev. C. G. Bartsch held a weeks'meeting in March 1953. In February 1955, Rev. Ralph C. Hiness held a weeks' meeting. During Holy Week the last of March 1956, Rev. W. C. Lasater preached. Due to drought conditions it was not attempted to hold a revival meeting each year. The physical property was further improv- ed in the winter of 1952-1953 with the purchase and installing of six pews for the sanctuary to replace the chairs previously use. The floors were sanded and refinished before the pews were installed. Plans were made to build on a four room Sunday School addition north of the church during 19b41955. These plans were not carried out due to the drought which not only made it impossible to raise the needed money but caused a number of our church families to move from the community. This drought continued until the summer of 1957 when rains came and a good feed crop was raised which however did not help the farmers in their need for cash. The moisture in the Spring of 1957 caused plaster on the ceiling to fall. This was repaired and the entire sanctuary re-decorated. Mr. Ammonn who lives west of the church deeded the two lots north ofthe church to the church as a gift. This was much appreciated as more space was needed if it becomes possible to build onto the church for Sunday School purposes. Friendly relations were established with our sister church, The Hope Congregational Church north of Bethune, in 1960. The two women's groups invited each other to a meeting for fellowship. January 1st and Good Friday in 1961 and 1962 were utilized to have Union New Years and Good Friday Commu- nion Services, one at one church and the other at the other, alternating. October 25-29, L96l "Four Days for God" services were held under the leadership of Rev. Carl Anderson, Pastor of the Ravenna Blvd. United Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington, with an average attendance of 38 and 6 conversions, 1 dedication and 1 reclamation. As a result of these meetings, 8 new members were received into the church and a mid-week prayer service was started with an average attendance over the following months of 17. In January and February 1962, the pews were removed from the sanctuary and the floor sanded, then 10 coats ofseal and 3 coats of wax applied. Carpeting was laid on the chancel floor. The basement walls and ceilings were painted and plans made to put tiling on the basement floor. Annual Conference Session, June 1964, transferred Rev. U. J. Lamm and family to the Peetz congregation, to assume his duties there on July lst. In the reading of the assignments by Bishop W. Maynard Sparks, Stratton-Bethune was left "to be supplied", due to a serious shortage of ministerial supply in the Rocky Mountain Conference. This caused much concern for the Bethune congregation, as well as Stratton, as no indication could be given when the pulpit could be supplied with a regular minister. Mr. Lorin Lindstrom of Sterling, Colorado supplied one Sunday; Rev. Harold Maxwell, Professor of Religion at Westmore College, working on his PhD in Denver this summer, supplied on Sunday. Dr. Wm. L. Young, Conf. Supt. supplied several Sundays. Finally, after consultation, the decision was made by the Conference Cabinet to transfer Rev. David B. Finley from the Niwot Congregation to the Stratton-Bethune charge, to take over his duties here, August 1, 1964. This left Niwot to be supplied. October, 1965, saw the church building reshingled. This was a very much needed project. November 1, 1967, Bethune Church was re- aligned on a circuit with the Methodist Church of Burlington. The Rev. Ole Aarvold, Pastor. Thus ended a long history of alignment with the Stratton Church. Stratton was re-aligned with Zion Church of Kirk. This change was made necessary because of the severe shortage of ministerial supply in Rocky Mountain Conference which left Kirk without ministerial supply until this arrangement was made. This continues a policy in our Conference that has seen several Methodist - E.U.B. yoked circuits, as the Union of the two churches approaches. In June of 1969, Rev. Willis C. Wisehart was appointed to the Burlington-Bethune charge. Some consideration had been given to closing the church at a Church Conference in May 1969 due to declining population. It was decided to continue for another vear and then evaluate this situation. A speciai congregational meeting was held on September 10, 1970 at which time it was voted to close the church as of October 1, 1970. The last service was held at 9:30 A.M. on September 27 and, a basket dinner was served at noon. The Trustees were authorized, to dispose of the property under the direction of the Rockv Mountain Conference Board of Trustees. This brings to a close a spiritual pilgrimage and ministry of more then forty years of service, by Betty Guy IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH T25l The pioneers who came to live north of Bethune and Burlington establishing the "Settlement" community soon gathered to worship and have christian fellowship because they missed their religious services, needed instruction for their children and there were babies to be baptized. They gathered together and arrangements were made to start worship services in the home of Mr. Christian Dobler which was located near the center of the community. Because there was no pastor, one was selected to read a sermon using their books and Bibles that they brought with them. These services were held every Sunday and were called "Lesegottesdienst" or reading services. The fathers Dobler and Strobel took turns reading the sermons and leading the meetings. These services did not satisfy these people; therefore, they called Rev. Maier who served another church 15 miles northeast called the Evangelical Lutheran Salem Church in the summer of 1890. Rev. Maier served them every third Sunday and they held their Lesegottesdienst on the other Sundays. This was the official beginning ofour congregation. The first child baptized was A. W. Adolf. Mathis Schaal and Eva Baltzer was the first couple to be manied and Daniel Adolf was the first person buried in the summer of 1892 and Rev. Leupp was called that fall. The following are some of the families that settled in this community: Baltzer, Stutz, Bauer, Dobler, Schaal, Strobel, Adolf, Win- ters, Haefner, Fanslau, Bauder, Jacober. Kramer, Wahl, Stahlecker, Schmidke, Gramm, Weber, Zeigler, Weisshaar, Amman, Knodel, Weiss, Stolz, Schlichenmayer, Gowagner, and others that came later. �Iw fl:l:::. ,it.'] call and came in January, 1930. He also served St. Paul's in Burlington and because he chose to live in town, the parsonage was now vacant. One bright event came to the congregation in 1932 with the ordination of Rev. Ernest Stolz, a child of the congregation. The church remained strong despite the difficult times brought on by the depression and drought. They were able to maintain t. .A '6.lhl li:':lll er€ w I rs* a{tl .f9r ffi : their pastor by sharing food etc. The sunday school was conducted in two languages, the German consisting of three classes and the American with five classes along with a large Bible class which were held each Sunday. *s. 3iil & I Worship services were conducted in German for many years with the transition to the English services being made in the 1940's. Activities and special events were the annual ( I 3t'4&) Children's Day with the making of homemade ice cream in huge wooden freezers, the church picnic, the annual Mission Festival held in the fall, and the Children's Christmas program held on Christmas eve. The last two Immanuel Lutheran Church located north of Bethune. This picture shows the group that gathered to celebrate their 90th anniversary in July of 1980. in July of 1909 and was followed by Rev. Martin Jensen. Recorded in the Dakota Free Press, November 8, 1909, Immanuel's congregation had 17 voting members and a total membership of 287. In 1911 congregational differences brought about the separation of several members and they established Hope Congre- gational Church located 1 mile north of Immanuels. Rev. Jensen left during the summer of 1912 and Rev. V. Brun came in 1913 and in the spring of that year Immanuels bought their first organ. Rev. G. Adolf came in the spring of 1916 and was followed by Rev. Otto Kloeckner in 1921. The 1920's were prosperous as a nation and April, 1985, after worship services. In the spring of 1893 these pioneers decided to build a church, 24'x40'x10', out of rock. Each married family had to haul eight loads and the single members had to haul four Ioads of rock. Mr. Dobler was the carpenter and all work was donated. Rev. Leupp laid the corner stone and in the latter part of October the church was dedicated. Rev. Leupp and Rev. Jansen officiated. Sam Schall Sr. was confirmed on Palm Sunday in 1894. This was the first confirmation class in the rock church. The church was incorporated on September 7, 1902. In the spring of that year the congregation decided to build a new parsonage, 30'x 30', one story with four rooms. The dedication was in the fall and Rev. Jansen was the first pastor to live in the new home. He went to St. Francis, Kansas and helped start Salem Lutheran Church north and west of St. Francis in 1901. He left in May of 1902 and was succeeded by Rev. Robert Ackerman who came in the summer and remained until May of 1906. Rev. Stein was called and he left community with many changes coming about. As the congregation grew in number it was decided to build a new larger church. It was to be 32' x 60' with a steeple 55' high. Mr. Schmidt was the main contractor and was finished at a cost of $7500. The alter, pulpit, and lectern were hand made by Mr. Schmidt. Thorwald's statue of Jesus was placed on the altar and the spun brass bell, cast by Stuckstede and Bros. of St. Louis, Missouri, 1926 was hung in the bell tower. The benches were hand made by Jacob Hasart Sr. The congregation supplied much of the labor with Mr. Zeiglet, Mr. Adolf, Mr. Hasart and Rev. Kloeckner in charge. The day of dedication was well attended with pastors A. Bishop, G. Bergstrasser and O. Kloeckner presiding. Rev.. Kloeckner was given a gift of gold coins from the congrega- tion for his untiring efforts in getting the project completed. When the church was completed it was debt free and valued at $10,000. The dedication was on September 26,1926 and the offering was over $360. The first couple married in the church was Daniel and Naomi Adolf on the following Wednesday. events being a part of the congregation's activities as long a can be remembered. Immanuel Lutheran church celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1940 and during these past 50 years in this congregation 531 were baptized, 231 confirmed, 64 couples married, and 109 died. On January 1, 1940 the church had 63 voting members, 241 souls, 60 sunday school children, and 145 communicants. The church council consisted of six members as follows:: A.W. Adolf, Jake Hasart, Fred ZiegIer, Crist Kramer, and George Wiedman. Organist for the English service was Mrs. Woebler and Ed Stahlecker played for the German service for the last 29 years. There were about 25 to 30 men from the congregation who were drafted into the military services and all returned. In 1944 the church remodled the sanctuary consisting of the removal of the arches and the round dias. The metal wall panels were removed and replaced with new wall siding along with new drapes being hung. In 1945 they enlarged the basement by excavating under the building and adding much needed fellowship space, sunday school area and kitchen facilities. That year the old organ was presented to Mr. Ed Stahlecker for his many years of faithful service as a new piano was purchased. Mr. Rudolf Schlichenmayer became the pianist. By this time worship was conducted in English to meet the needs of a changing congregation. Rev. Woebler left after serving faithfully for 17 years with Rev. L.C. Johnson coming in 1947 to serve Immanuel and St. Paul's. Many changes were made while he was pastor. The brown hymnals were purchased, Vacation Bible School was started, Luther League for the youth was organized and the Ladies Aid was started. The Brotherhood was organized in the 1950's. New altar hangings were made of wine velveteen with gold fringe. May 21, 1950 finds the congregation cele- brating their 60th anniversary with guest speakers Rev. H.L. Woebler of Loveland, Colorado addressing the afternoon service in 1928 and died August 17, 1931 and was laid German and Dr. E.G. Fritschel, District President. Special music was presented by the choirs from neighboring Lutheran congregations from the Tri-State Conference the church. The congregation was without a pastor until Rev. H.L. Woebler accepted the note that Immanuel Lutheran Church of Bethune was the oldest active American Rev. Kloeckner also served St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Burlington during his pastorate here. He resigned in November of to rest in Immanuel's cemetery just west of and our own choir. It is of special interest to �Lutheran Church in the State of Colorado at that time. The Central District of the A.L.C. of which Colorado is a part, presented a bronze plaque to the congregation to memorialize their 60th anniversary. There were 50 active families in the congregation with a total of 198 souls. Improvements and changes made during this time were the connecting to the REA and improving the electrical system in 1951. The League had the candle holders and Communion ware gold plated. In 1953 the church was enlarged with bathrooms and sunday school rooms being added. Rev. Johnson left in June of 1954. The congregation decided that they needed to be independent and could support a pastor of their own so in 1955 they built a new parsonage south ofthe church and called Rev. A.F. Boese who came in 1955 and served the congregation through the drought of the 50's. The interior of the church and the furnishings were painted and the wood floor refinished. Due to the involvement in the Korean War several members of our church went to serve their country and all returned home. Two sons of the congregation joined the ministry of the ACL with Ivan R. Amman being ordained in 1956 and Henry Stolz was ordained in 1957 with services being held at Immanuel. Pastor Boese died in 1960 and his loss will be remembered as he served for six years and was our first pastor to live in the new parsonage. Rev. Herbert Schauer came in June of 1962. At this time church records show that in 1964 we had a baptized member- ship of 231, and 166 confirmed. During the 50's and 60's many of the young people left the community to find employment as farms were getting larger and fewer people were needed to till the land. Many members now Iive in Burlington and faithfully come to worship services and in 1960 the Ladies Aid became the American Lutheran Church Woman with all confirmed women as members. This was brought about with the merger of the American Lutheran Church with several other Lutheran bodies creating the new organization. The red hymnals were purchased in 1963. Immanuel celebrated their 75th anniversary on May 9, 1965 with guest speakers: Rev. Henry Stolz, Minden, Nebraska and Dr. E.G. Fritschel, President of the Central District. A taped message from Rev. Ivan Amman, Missionary, Territory of New Guinea was purchased a used organ in 1978 from the church in Benkelman. Nebraska and the new green hymnals were bought. Jean Weisshaar is providing music and guidance for the men's choir with Lois Jacobson as our organist with younger members assisting in the music for worship. The basement was remodled and redecorated during the winter of 1979 and the church and steeple were painted on the outside. As of January 1, 1980 membership consists of 63 active families, 228 baptized. and 178 confirmed. We began 1980 by celebrating our 90th anniversary with our first day of celebration on May 4 with Rev. Ivan Amman, Randolf, Nebraska as guest speaker for the morning service. Music for the day was provided by our own men's choir and a German Quartette from St. Francis, and by the Hope United Church of Christ choir. Mr. A.W. Adolf shared some memories from the past. A reception was held in the afternoon for the friends who were able to come and share in the fellowship of this event. Attendance for morning services was about 188 and 258 for the afternoon program. On July 27,1980, Immanuel held its Heritage Day Celebration. Bringing us the message for the morning service was Pastor Henry Stolz with Pastor Henry Thorburg and Pastor Howard Jacobson conducting the German and English worship service commerating our past. Many worshippers arrived in their buggies and wagons and riding horses and driving old cars with many people dressed in period clothing to help set the atmosphere for the day. The church was overflowing with worshippers numbering over 350 for the morning and afternoon services. Everyone gathered on the south side of the church where a group picture was taken. The afternoon program consisted of special music and a slide presentation covering events from the past 90 years and special historical events of interest were shared. Everyone shared in a huge basket dinner with the crowd overflowing outdoors as the weather was just perfect. Events held were the horseshoe games and the beard growing contest with refreshments of homemade ice cream and cookies being served and enjoyed by all creating a warmth of christian fellowship that was shared by all and will be remembered and cherished for years to come. Pastor's Fred Schauer and Greg Adolf visited us in August and our annual Mission Festival was held on September 28 with Bishop Archie Madsen, President of the presented. Mrs. Eulalia Schauer was pianist with music by several choirs from the community. Our congregation was once again called to supply young men for service in the Vietnam War with all returning home safely. The church steeple was repaired and painted Central District of the ALC bringing the morning message and the afternoon slide in the late 1960's. Rev. E. Martell came in 1967. New carpeting was purchased to cover the sanctuary windows were replaced with colored glass and the sound system was updated. As ofJanuary 1, 1988 we are a part of the new Evangelical floor and the living and dining rooms of the parsonage. New altar paraments were made ofraw silk in the colors ofthe church year and the red velveteen backdrop was hung in 1968. Rev. Henry Thorburg came to Immanuel in 1973. In 1974 Fred Schauer, former member, chose Immanuel for his ordination. In 1976 the congregation held a special service celebrating the Bi-Centenial of our nation. Pianists were Louise Schlichenmayer, Karen Ziegler and Janet Weisshaar Willis. In 1977 Rev. Howard Jacobson accepted our call and arrived in Januarv. The church presentation on his trip to Africa. Rev. Michael Greenwalt accepted our call in September of 1983 and left in the fall of 1987. During this time the upper part of the Lutheran Church in America due to the merger of three large Lutheran bodies. Membership consists of 2l9baptized and 162 confirmed members. Pastor Dennis Mueller is serving as supply pastor and pianists are Jean Weisshaar, Gladys Stolz, Eulalia Mueller and guitarists James Lightle and Roger Weisshaar providing music for our services. If those first pioneers could be with us now, they would see that their dream of freedom and a home of their own became a reality in the presence of this congregation and com- munity today. May our God who has so faithfully showered His blessings upon us be Praised! by Marlyn Hasart HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST T252 Hope United Church of Christ was organized in a School house 11 miles north and 1 mile east of Bethune, Colorado, on Aug. 31, 1911 in what was then called Yale, CO. At this time a group of 11 families gathered with the Pastors F. Sattler, G. Schmidt and J. Wagner who helped with the organization of the "German Evangelical Congregational Hoffnungs Church" as it was originally named. The names of those charter member families were: Andreas and Beata Bauer. Margareta, Martin and Mathilda; Christian and Christina Gramm, Gottlieb and Eliz- abeth; Jacob and Emma Gramm; Gottlieb and Christina Knodel, Edward and Gottlieb; Gustave and Christina Paster, and Katherina; Matthias and Eva Schaal, Edward and John; Anna Magdalena Schmidke and Emma; Samuel and Bertha Schmidke Jr.; Christian and Dorothea Strobel, Lydia, Emil, Pauline and Christ: Friedrich and Maria Stutz, Lydia, Ida and Whilimina; Joseph and Margareta Weisshaar. On January 18, 1912 the congregation voted to build a church and this task was undertaken immediately. The first church building was a small one-room frame structure which stood some 250 feet west and north of the present brick church. It was completed and dedicated, together with the cemetary, on Feb. 18, 1912, only one month after it was started, on land donated by John Dobler Sr. In 1923 he added to this parcel so that a parsonage could be built adjacent to the church. The details of the construction are as follows: Building funds were obtained in the sum of $150.00 from the Congregational Building and Loan Association; member donations were collected in the sum of $316.75. This was a total of $466.75 which was also the construction cost. Needless to say, many hours of dedicated volunteer labor went into the building. Christian Dobler was the carpenter. A pump organ was purchased on November 20,l9l4,atacost of 975.00. The first organists were William Stutz and Doro- thy Schaal. For several years the congregation was served by student pastors during the summer months, and the rest of the time reading of sermons by the elders of the church for the worship services. The elders and older members also helped conduct the Sunday School for the children which always preceeded the morning worship service. The afternoon hours were devoted to Christian Endeavor for the Youth and immediately following an hour of prayer and singing. Christian Endeavor especially gave the youth the opportunity to use and develop their talents, formulate and express their thoughts on a given subject, based on the study of the Bible. The prayer meeting or hour of prayer was an outgrowth of the revival meetings conducted by the Evangelist Rev. John Schwabenland. This filled a real need and the deep spiritual longing of these first pioneer families. The �able at that time. Rev. J.P. Flemmer was then called to Hope Church and he was the first to call the new parsonage "home". This was erected on a site north of the present church in 1923, being dedicated on July 15 of that year. Rev. Flemmer came direct from Redfield, So. Dak. Seminary in the summer of 1922 and boarded ,t\ at the home of the Jacob and Katherina Strobel family until the new parsonage was completed. Rev. Flemmer was married to Marie Fahrenbruch on May 16 and so he and his new bride began their life together in the new parsonage and served the church until L925. ;)!.::: t :1:l . *.-'I . &:Ws'ry' -i ,, " " ::6 Hope United Church of Christ formerly Hope Congregational Church, 1912 student pastors that served the young church during the first six summer months from 1912 to 1917 were: John Rothenberger, Karl Haemmelmand, J. Peter Wagner, R. Otto, A. Selmikeit and V. Pietzko. Then in 1918 Rev. Karl Haemmelmann was called to serve as the first full-time pastor. He remained to served the church until 1922. During his ministry, the yearly salary paid was $500.00. It is also interesting to note that the first Mission Fest offering was $50.50. A joyous occasion took place when Rev. Haemmelmann and Minnie Stutz were married here at Hope Church as Minnie was a charter member of the new church. They lived approximately three miles south of the church on land they purchased, which had an adobe house standing on it. The church came together and helped them set up housekeeping since no parsonage was avail- The brick church was built in 1928, a beautiful sight on the plains north of Bethune. During the ministry of Rev. C.E. Maedche the congregation voted to erect a new church. The basic contract was awarded to Mr. J.A. Haughey of Burlington, Colorado. He completed this work for $5,494.00. The total cost of the finished structure was $7,500.00 in- cluding furnishings. The new church was dedicated to the service of the Triune God on September 2,1928. Present at this dedication were Rev. Mssr. J. Peter Wagner, J.P. Flemmer, J. Rothenberger, H.J. Stroh and Theodore Strobel, all of whom assisted in the dedication service. Present also were pastors from Burlington, Co. churches who brought greetings in the English language, Rev. Alley, Methodist Church and Rev. Tyner, First Christian Church. Rev. Maedche served Hope Church longer than any previous minister, 8 years, terminating his pastorate in 1934. Rev. and Mrs. Maedche lost their oldest son during their tenure here and he is buried in Hope cemetary. On a more joyous note Rev. Maedche had the privilege of officiating at the marriage of John and Margaret Weisshaar, being the last couple married in the little frame church, and John Gramm and Frieda Adolf, the first couple in the new church. In a note which was found written in John Strobel's personal handwriting, some of the costs of the church were broken down as follows: Brick (25,000)-$29.50/thousand- $73?.50. Tile-$90.00/thousand-$94.00. Cem- ent for basement, side steps-$320.00. Seats (each)-$4.25. 3 Art stained glass windows- ;r;t .rlilijr,rrj.!:!1i..'::l:r:,., ],:tl ll::.:. l.ltl,.. ,,1., :l':],.' :r':,,':, :ti.::; .' a)a',,,a: : ::,.,:,t;. i . ,,,:t,, . ,:::, l.',,.. ",,]j,' $402.00. In 1935 Rev. John and Julia Hoelzer came to Hope Church and they ministered through the difficult depression and dust-bowl years. A number of families left during this time to find better opportunities to make a living, which made it more difficult for those that remained to maintain the church. However, the Ladies Missionary and Aid Society was organized the first year the Rev. Hoelzers were at Hope, and the 25th Anniversary of the church was celebrated the following year, August 29-30, 1936. Rev. J.F. Reister filled the pulpit from 1939 to L942. Rev. H.G. Pfeiff began his ministery in 1943 and it was during this time the church became self-supporting. Previously, the church had received financial assistance from the Board of Home Missions. In 1944-46, during the ministry of Rev. D. Schurr, the church came very close to being consumed by fire. Lightning struck close to the church and the wiring carried cunent to the furnace room where a fire was started. Fortunately, this was discovered and did very little damage. Student Arthur Siewart served during his Christmas vacation from Yankton College. Rev. J. Rothenberger called Hope The parsonage, church and cemetary of Hope United Church of Christ, 1950's. Church his home from 1947-1950; he had �previously served as the first student pastor in 1912. In 1951 Rev. Wm. R. Schafer came to serve the church and was ordained here. He served the church until 1953. During the ministry of Rev. H.E. Wilske, (1953-1959), the parsonage was moved to Burlington, Co. It was completely remodeled and still remains at 325-16th St. During 1960 and 1961, the church was served by several supply pastors including students E. Schoessler, Rev. B. Barthel, P. Kreuzenstein and V. Schively. On Aug. 26-27,t961, Hope Church celebrated its 50th Anniversary. There were over 250 members and guests present for this occasion. It was during this same year that the congregation voted to accept the constitution of the United Church of Christ. Rev. John Eversole was at Hope from 1962-1963. Rev. Arthur Hoffman served from 1964 to 1968 and during this time (1967) a new organ was purchased by Mr. Jake Schaal. This was a surprise to everyone when they came to church for Mission Fest Sunday that year. During the ministery of Rev. Virgil Kellogg, it was voted to build an addition over the south entrance of the church. This also provided an extra Sunday School room. This was the year 1970. Rev. Kellogg became ill and passed away during his calling at Hope Church. Students R. Freeman, Ron Wunsch and Rev. H. Griffith then filled the pulpit. Rev. Ruben Isaak came to the church in 1971. At this time extensive remodeling was undertaken with carpet being Iaid in the sanctuary and side room. Linoleum was put in the basement. Rev. Isaak eventually left Hope Church due to the prolonged illness and death of his wife, Alta. Under his ministry, however, many new members were added to the role of the church and many were baptized in the name of the Lord. During Rev. Isaak's absence, Rev. Howard Johnson filled the pulpit. Rev. Isaak returned to the church in 1978 retiring as a full-time pastor at the end ofthis year. Rev. Loren Swanson served Hope from 1979-1981. The Dr. Rev. Albert Wetzel was called to the church in 1982 and served the church through 1986, along with his wife Rosemary and daughter Julie. In 1982, during his installation as pastor at the Hope Church, he was also recognized for serving 25 years in the ministry. It was under his direction and guidance that we celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Hope United Church of Christ. It was noted that in celebrating this joyous occasion, new pews had been added to the sanctuary and remodeling of the kitchen completed. Two of the charter members are still living. They are Christ Strobel and Mathilda (Hohn) Mitchell, as well as 8 of the charter family's children, who were Sunday School age and under at the time of the organization. They are: Eva (Knodel) Schaal; Margaret (Weisshaar) Strobel; Pauline (Gramm) Schaal; William Stutz; Emil Schmidke; Emma (Schmidke) McDowell; Anna (Bauer) Hays; and Edward Bauer. On Easter Sunday, April lg, 1987, Pastor Ted Meter first served Hope Church. He and his wife, Betty, arrived from North Dakota and were surprised to be greeted by an extensively remodeled and modernized parsonage. At this writing, Meters are actively and busily involved in the work ofthe church serving the Lord. Registered thus far in the church records: 255 Baptisms; 183 Confirmations; 73 marriages; 88 Funerals; and 104 Families. OUR CHURCH SCHOOL- The purpose of the Sunday School is to teach the children the Bible stories that would mold their lives into law abiding and God fearing citizens. In the beginning it was conducted in the German language and children were taught the German ABCs and how to write in German. The memorizing of Bible verses and studying of Bible stories taught them about the love of God and singing the song "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so," has helped them to love God and also to love their fellowmen. The first week in June a week of Vacation Bible School is held and children bring their money for a missionary in a foreign land, and a program at the end to tell what they have learned during the week. One of the highlights of the year is the Sunday School picnic on a Sunday in July in a grove of trees by the river and singing of the hymn "Shall We Gather at the River" and an open air church service. After the service we share a potluck dinner and freezers of homemade ice cream. Also games and visiting makes for a day of good Christian fellowship. Near Thanksgiving time, recitations and parts for drills are handed out for the Christmas program on Christmas eve. The program ends with a pageant and a nativity scene to commemorate the birth of the Savior of the world. PAIRS & SPARES- Pairs and Spares was organized in 1982, under the direction ofRev. and Mrs. Albert Wetzel. The group is open to anyone, and presently consists of the younger married and singles of the church. Meetings are held in various members'homes on the third sunday evening of the month. Fellowship consists of Bible study and sharing views on controversial issues concerning Christian living. During the summer months we take advantage of the various outdoor activities. Our goal is to further our education in Jesus Christ and His teachings, and use it to walk closer with Him in our everyday lives. THE MUSICAL DEPARTMENT- It ap- parently started as a mixed choir in the early years (1912-13), and later Rev. Flemmer started a men's quartet, consisting of himself, John Dobler, Bill Stutz, and Ted Knodel. From there it has blossomed into a larger men's choir that has lasted until the present time with various choir directors through the years. The church has been fortunate to always have two or three, or more, accompanists available. There is also a host oftalented singers as demonstrated in the congregational singing each Sunday. At the present time there is a men's choir that sings in the winter months. In the summer and fall a mixed choir sings, or special numbers are provided by various members of the church. There have been cantatas and concerts performed at the church. Most of the cantatas were performed with Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Hope Church combined. A lot of dedication and hard work have made the music at Hope Church an important and necessary part of the church and has been very instrumental in the growth of the church. MISSIONARY AND AID SOCIETY- The first official meeting was held on July 1, 1935, at the church. Some of the highlights of this meeting are: The name of the organization shall be called the "Missionary and Aid Society". Meetings shall be held the first Thursday of the month. The motto will be "Alle Eure Dinge Lasset in der Liebe Geshehen" (Let All Your Efforts Be Motivated bv Charity and Love). The present motto is "Wi No Longer Strangers Are". All 2l ladies present were recognized as "charter members". They were Christina Gramm, Magdalena Dobler, Julia Hoelzer, Carolina Schaal, Emma M. Schaal, Lena Strobel, Emma Schaal, Edna Dobler, Pauline Schaal, Martha Gramm, Margaret Strobel, Lydia Gramm, Frieda Gramm, Christina Knodel. Pauline Stahlecker, Martha Adolf. Anna Strobel, Martha Schlichenmayer, Pauline C. Schaal, Lydia Adolf and Rev. John Hoelzer. The first meeting held in English was on Feb. 2, 1950. This group was organized to be mission dedicated to help the needy in the community and foreign missions. The aid celebrated its 25th Anniversary in June 1960 and the 50th Anniversary in June 1985. AND THEY WENT FORTH- Three young men have gone forth from the Hope Church into the full-time service of the Church. THEODORE. C. STROBEL graduated from Redfield Seminary and was ordained in 1921 in Canada, where he served a church parish for about three years. Ted also served churches in Colorado and the Dakotas, as well as on the West Coast, for the past 50 years, the last 10 years as interim pastor. DR. WALTER E. DOBLER graduated from Yankton School ofTheology, Yankton, South Dakota. He then attended the Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Cen- ter, Mass. where he completed residence requirements for his Doctorate degree. He was ordained in 1942 at the American FallsTwin Falls, Idaho parish. Dr. Dobler was appointed to the faculty of the Yankton School of Theology as a Professor of German Language and Literature. He served several churches throughout the Northern and Eastern areas of the United States. Dr. Dobler was Associate Conference Minister for the western area of the Missouri Conference. HERBERT R. SCHAAL graduated from Yankton School of Theology. He was ordained in Crook, Colorado in 1966. In 1958 he was commissioned as missionary to our work in Concordia Entre Rio Argentina, South America. He served as Superintendent ofthe work there, including the School of Theology in which ministers were trained for both Brazil and Argentina. He and wife Doris served in Argentina f.or L2 years and then served several churches in the United States. In addition to these persons, yet another young lady from Hope Church has served for many years as a ministers wife, namely, Minnie (Stutz) Haemmelmann. Two of her sons and a daughter, as well as a grandson, are also in full-time christian service. AND THEY FOLLOW AFTER- Dr. Robert Strobel, son of Rev. Theo. Strobel was Professor of Religious Education at United Theological Seminary for 25 years from the very beginning, and his wife, Alice, as Admis- sions Secretary during those years. Robert also served in the Air Force as Chaplin for many years, and Betty, daughter of Rev. Strobel also was active in church work for many years as the wife of Rev. Ernest Sprenger. Rev. David Dobler, son of Dr. Walter Dobler is also in the ministry and presently serving in Alaska. Patty (Schaal) Browning, daughter of Rev. Herbert Schaal and her husband, Steve, are scrving in the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (College Campus Ministry) presently at Seattle, � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bethune Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource The history of the Town of Bethune as recorded in the History of Kit Carson Count book. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:407 2020-03-23T10:20:00Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/407/Businesses.pdf 03dd4dbd03db888ac7dfd0ba054723b8 PDF Text Text GREAT WESTERN TIRE CO. B1 The Great Western Tire Company was purchased in L977, from Keith Bracelin and Warren Cook, by Jerry Arendsee. Some of the past managers were Ken Moddlemog and Don McCune. The new and present manager is Dan Spain from Rapid City, South Dakota. Jerry Arendsee added 2 bays, one a line bay and the other a service bay in 1980. The office, showroom and warehouse were added later. They primarily sell Goodyear tires, but also sell Michelin and Dunlop and other tires and auto service. They employ about 6 employees on the average. A change of the time is the in this territory. The company also had a well-equipped retail station on Main Street, next door to Orin Penny. P.J. Remington was the local agent, who assumed control of the business on Januarv. 1929. D.G. LIQUORS/ROADRUNNER BAR AND CAFE 83 The First National Bank at Burlington new idea of the Radial tractor tire. This provides for a large tire business and the quality is good. Another sign of the times is the introduction of the computerized equipment on line, for the last ten years. is.s . by Marilyn Hasart OLD OIL BUSINESSES B2 In the van of the rapid advancement of Burlington's business interests was the White Eagle Oil Corporation, located in the northern part of the city, just east of the depot. This firm was exclusive distributor in this territory of the far-famed White Eagle gasoline, kerosene, and Keynoil and Mobiloil motor oils and greases. These products had been sought after by discriminating motorists. The local bulk station supplied the Bur- Iington retail station, also a number of independent dealers and large consumers in this locality, deliveries being made to all parts of the surrounding territory. R.E. Hook was the agent for the company. The Continental Oil Company was located on North Main Street, opposite the then City Hall. This company operated a modernly equipped filling station, and also had a large bulk station here. They handle Conoco gasoline, kerosene, motor oils, greases, and Esco and Germ processed oils, which had few equals on the market. The business was managed by R.W. Plummer. The Sinclair Service Station No. 1 was located on Main Street. This station made a specialty of the famous Sinclair gasoline, motor oils and greases. It was on April 1, 1929, when this company assumed control although it was originally established some time before that date. E.E. Hoskin was the manager. The history of the Sinclair Refining Company dates back to March 28,1923. The local bulk station, which is situated east of the Rock Island depot, handles the entire Sinclair line of petroleum products, which comprises Sinclair gasoline, Sinclair High Compression gasoline, kerosene, distillate, Opalene and Mobilene motor oils and greases. These products have been on the market for years. The Burlington station covers Kit Carson county, making deliveries by truck to a number of dealers as well as large consumers D.G. Liquors and Roadrunner Bar and Cafe in Stratton. . ahistoriclandmark Donald D. and Patricia C. Guernsey at present are conducting business as the Roadrunner Bar and Cafe, 2L7 Colorado Avenue, and D.G. Liquors at 211 Colorado Avenue, and live above the businesses at 2l7Vz Colorado Avenue. We purchased the Roadrunner May 1, 1980. Since we have moved to Stratton, we have sandblasted the exterior ofthe building, painted and remodeled the upstairs and downstairs, updating the electricity and bathrooms. The abstract of the property is quite interesting as it goes back to the 1880's, we presume, based on the abstract, the north half of our building was the first bank of Stratton. We still maintain the vault. The The First National Bank at Burlington, Drive-thru Facility. still holds, Mr. Harker has given direction to a growing viable bank which has helped finance the growth of irrigation, dryland farming, cattle feeding and the many service related businesses. More than twenty-five new businesses have received their financing original vault inspections were 1911 through 1922 and, are still on the vault doors. from the First National Bank. Drive-Up facilities were provided in 1980 to add more convenience for the customers by Patricia Guernsey by expanding the business hours. On line wire service for money transfers were also provided by the bank. In 1973 Mr. Harker was elected to the THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK AT BURLINGTON B4 The First National Bank at Burlington was organized and chartered in 1963 to meet the needs of a growing agriculture community. John E. Harker, a farmer and rancher of the area, saw the need for an additional financial institution to provide credit for this progres- sive industry of agriculture. A feasibility study made by the Denver University indicated that this assessment was correct and Mr. Harker then filed for a charter. It was granted by the Comptroller of Currency in August of 1963. Assuming the office of Chairman of The Board. an office which he Colorado Bankers Assn. representing District C-3. In 1976 he was elected to serve the office of President for the Association. During this time the EFT Bill became an Act. This was after many Iong hours from the beginning of the Task Force study to the final lobbying. Officers of the Bank have continued their education through attending The Colorado School of Banking, Colo. Agriculture Lending Forum, American Bankers Assn. Agriculture Meetings and various seminars given to update them in new banking regulations. The present officers are: President John E. Hark- er, Vice-President and Cashier Jimmie L. Jones, Vice-President Tim J. Weibel. The current directors are John Harker. R.C. Beethe, Jimmie L. Jones, Harold McArthur and Ray Rhoades. The First National Bank is the only locally owned financial institution in Burlington and has fifty local shareholders who have supported the bank �over the years and have seen it grow to totals of over thirty million. by Norene Harker A stockholders meeting was held in June of 1918 for the purpose of organizing a bank in Stratton, Colorado. Mr. E.W. Tarrant was the new building with an open house in October of 1962. In 1965, Mr. J.W. Borders Secretary, and they were employed to Iook H.E. Clark, President and Mr. Bob Best, Vice President. Through the remainder of the 60's and ?0's the Bank remained under the capable direction of Mr. H.E. Clark seeing its 50th anniversary in July of 1968, and continued to grow and prosper. Mr. H.E. Clark and stockholders sold the Bank in September of 1981. Mr. Robert L. Todd became President and Chairman of the Board upon the sale of the Bank with Mr. H.E. Clark remaining on the Board of Directors. The Bank continued to grow from its asset size of $18,000,000.00 through the early part of the 80's to approximately $25,000,000.00 before encountering named Chairman and Mr. M.E. Denver, after the affairs of the bank during its ORIN P. PENNY HARDWARE B5 formation. The Federal Reserve Bank Charter was issued on November 4, 1918, making official the creation of The First National Bank of Stratton. From the first meeting of June of 1918. Mr. E.W. Tarrant continued to watch the affairs of the Bank until his resignation in 1923 at which time Mr. J.W. Borders was elected President, Mr. D.E. Davis, Vice President and Mr. J.G. Ford as Cashier. In that same year Mr. R.H. Calverly was appointed Vice President and Director B&on, Orin P. Penny; Hardware, furniture, Undertaking; Burlington, Colorado The Burlington business was one of the largest and well stocked retail houses of its kind in eastern Colorado. The business was located in a modern brick structure which is finely adapted for the purpose it was intended and contains dimensions of about 50X140 feet with a basement half the size of the building. The stock was comprised of staple and heavy hardware, farm implements, cream separators, gasoline engines, Delco light plants, Frigidaire refrigerators, furniture, stoves, ranges, household necessities, rangers' supplies, and sporting goods. Orin P. Penny also ran a funeral parlor. with active management being tendered to Mr. R.H. Calverly on January 8, L924. In April of 1924 a call to raise money for STRATTON, coLoRADO 80836 L.L. Pugh was Chairman of the Board, Mr. the tough conditions of the agricultural economy in the'83-86 period. the purchase of shares through assessment of the current shareholders was not met by all of the stockholders and subsequently several of the existing bank officers and directors acquired additional stock of Mr. E.W. Tarrant. In June of 1926 Mr. Ford resigned from his cashier duties and Mr. R.H. Calverly was elected as Cashier. In October of 1926, total assets of the bank were $157,018.00. Today the Bank continues to grow and flourish and provide a stable source of funds and deposits for the community of Stratton and its surrounding territories in Kit Carson County. The Bank has seen both good and bad times but continues to be optimistic for the future of this fine community and the eastern plains of Colorado. The First National Bank of Stratton proudly claims its from the Director's minutes "We felt that it was better business to liquidate the by Mr. Robert L. Todd The bank continued to run through good and bad cycles during the L929 and early 30's culminating on May of 1934 with an excerpt Bank as the Bank was over capitalized now for the size of the town and the burden of taxes would be too great for a Bank of this size; but under general conditions it seems that there is no way but to take preferred stock" and hence was born a request for a Reconstruction Finance Loan to see the Bank through the dark days of the early 30's. In place as a cornerstone of Kit Carson County and will continue to provide a stable building base for the years to come. SOMEPLACE SPECIAL 87 December of 1936, the balance of the monies borrowed under the Reconstruction Finance Act were repaid to the U.S. Treasury and by L944t}ire Bank was once again free and clear. In 1940 deposits totaled $203,000.00. Significant growth in 1944 and 1945 resulted from the largest wheat crop the community had ever seen. Deposits had grown from $203,000.00 in 1940 to a little over THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK was the honorary Chairman of the Board, Mr. * - ::rl!:r -i'ir!irqix;;4; ., .- :-t:rr,:& ._ '...-.. 'trf.qs. " ll..:, liry,i ##n f* $2,233,000.00 by the end of L947. In January of 1946 Mr. H.K. Clark was elected Director and was further appointed to the position of Vice President in 1948. Mr. R.H. Calverly became President of the Bank in January of 1951 with Mr. H.E. Clark coming on the Board at the passing of his father in 1952. In 1955 Mr. H.E. Clark was elected as Vice President of the Bank and shortly thereafter Mr. Calverly resigned. Years 1955 and 1956 were some of the toughest years brought on by drought conditions in the local area and the Bank once again endured the rough times until some relief was provided through the ASCS Soil Bank program in 1957. Mr. Bob Best was elected Assistant Cashier along with Wanda Sweet in January of 1957. In early 1960 John G. Clark was elected as President of the Bank with J.W. Borders as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Clark resigned effective January 10, 1961, with Mr. L.L. Pugh being elected as President, Mr. H.E. Clark. Executive Vice President and Mr. Bob Best, Cashier. Savings interest was raised to The First National Bank, Stratton, Colorado 37o at that time. In November of 1961 discussion was undertaken concerning the building of a new bank building in Stratton. Dedication was made of Someplace Special, a Stratton clothing store Someplace Special is a clothing store in Stratton located in the same building at the corner of Colorado Avenue and Main Street which has housed a number of previous clothing stores within the past 40 years. The present owners, Dischners IGA, have been in �business there since the November. 1984 opening. by Marlyn Dischner STRATTON UPHOLSTERY AND SPORTTNG GOODS"TO OLD DRUG STORES IN BURLINGTON B8 The Busy Corner Fountain was located on L92L. now in what a modest way this tremendous industry was started, of how great its ramifications had become. This theatre was modern in construction; its equipment was the latest and was adistically decorated throughout. The house seating would accommodate 400 or more persons. The Midway theatre was an old established enterprise and in 1929, had been under the management of Orin Milburn and V.S. Hennen for about four years. They exhibited the latest in All Talking Main Street. This firm served all kinds of refreshing temperance beverages, ice cream, frozen dainties, sandwiches, light lunches, etc., also carried a line of druggists'sundries, toilet articles, stationery, fine candies, cigars, tobacco, cigarettes, kodaks, films, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, etc. Starting in business on Sept. 10, 1928, the Fountain was owned by E.G. Ormsbee. The Rexall Store had been located next to the Stock Growers State Bank, and met every requirement in its growing field. The place provided with specially designed fixtures and all stock was kept under glass and free from dirt, soot and moisture. They dealt in pure drugs, allied specialties and also did kodak developing and printing. A feature of the store was the up-to-date fountain. This firm consisted of E.L. Weinandt and J.D. Brown, both registered pharmacists. The only registered pharmacists in the city. One of their special lines was the famous Rexall family remedies and druggist sundries. The firm had been established since grown so rapidly that one seldom remembers Pictures tobe had from leading studios of the world, and no picture shown that could possible offend the most refined. Stratton Upholstery and Sporting Goods in 1988 STRATTON LIVESTOCK, TNC. Br2 To make a long story into a few paragraphs, we started out with a used furniture store and upholstery in the mid 1940's in Burlington. In 1951 we moved on a farm 13 miles north of Vona. When farming began going down hill, we decided to try our hand at upholstering again on the farm. In 1957 we set up our shop (across the street from our present location) in with the Red's Body Shop owned and operated by Red and Nita Lindsey. We drove to and from the farm each day. In 1958 we moved into Stratton and continued our upholstery in with the body shop. As our business grew too large for the same building, we moved across the street in BURLINGTON AUDITORIUM a building just south of our present location. At that time the building was owned by Bob Miller. At one time it housed a liquor store B9 The homestead boom of 1902 to 1906 was a reality, and more community activities were thus possible. Following the successful 1908 festival in the Auditorium were Shakespearean plays, roller skating and other projects until it was bought by Louis Vogt and the lumber used to build his new Midway - the present movie house, which still stands on Fourteenth Street. Most memorable event besides the first Fair in the auditorium was a huge land sale by A.W. Winegar, a well known early community Realtor and builder, who brought a train load of buyers from the east, importing rented cars from Denver to take them into the country. Hot winds curled the crops between the time the land sale was planned and the time the Easterners arrived, so only moderate returns were gleaned for his efforts; but some new settlers were coming all the time. Thus the need for events to keep them here. such as the Fair. operated by Charley Scholz. The old American Legion Hall used to be where Millers used car lot is located now. In 1962 we purchased the building to the north from Joe Evans who had a pool hall. When this building was built it was a bakery. There were brick ovens out behind where they baked their bread outdoors. Some of the bottom part is still visible today. The north part was a living quarters. At one time it was Phil's TV operated by Phil Helsel. We continued with our upholstery and added used furniture. In 1967 we got our first firearms license. Soon we added archery equipment. In a few years, by Ray selling archery equipment and trading for firearms, our store was built into what it is today "The Biggest Little Sporting Goods Store -in Colorado." by Ray and Lila Jones MIDWAY THEATRE COMPANY Btr Not many years ago, when the moving picture show opened its doors timidly, offering its exhibitions for an admission of not more than five or ten cents, one was inclined to laugh at its pretensions as a surveyor of public emusement. But the business has 1988 view of Stratton Livestock. Inc. In the spring of 1976, various individuals of the Stratton community agreed that the community needed a livestock market, and agreed to assist an individual in the construc- tion of a facility. Richard C. Engel was contacted and agreed to be this individual. These various persons, nineteen in all, agreed to finance $200,000.00 for the construction. Total cost when completed was $240,000.00. It was built during the year 1976, the first sale was in September 1976. Richard "Dick" Engel designed and oversaw the building of the facility. Much volun- teer labor went into the construction of the barn and corrals. Nearly all of the materials were purchased locally, most of them at cost. The businesses in Stratton knew they would also benefit greatly from this new business. The facility consists of a cinderblock building containing a sales pavilion which seats 221, office space and a restaurant which seats 45. A shed attached to the north contains the scales and some small pens. There is pen space for 5000 cattle, three main loading chutes, 3 pick-up loading chutes and an adjustable chute for loading hogs or calves. Dick owned and operated the business, known as Stratton Livestock Marketing Center, Inc. (changed in 1983 to Stratton Livestock, Inc.) from 1976 until June 1984. Elizabeth Engel was the office manager. From July 1984 until the end of December 1984 it was owned by Bill Hornung and managed by Harold Adolf; office manager was Donna Gwyn. In January 1985 LeRoy Herndon bought Stratton Livestock, Inc. and still owns and operates it at this time. Eleanor �Herndon is the office manager. The largest number of cattle for any one sale was in October 1980 when 4336 head were sold. The largest number for any one year was 1981, with 75,16? head of cattle sold. Records aren't available for hogs, horses or sheep. 1980-1982 were the years when the livestock numbers were at an all time high in this area. Since then, many people have sold their cow herds and run just calves and yearlings. Many of these cattle are brought in from other states such as Montana, Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas because there aren't enough in the local area to supply the needs of the area feedlots and grassland. When the barn first opened, the sale was on Monday. Later this was changed to Tuesday, with hogs on Wednesday. At the present hogs are sold on Tuesday at 10:30 This is the grocery store that was run by Chris & Myrtle Buchanan back in about 1930 to 1933, located at what is now 1461 Senter Street. a.m. and cattle Tues. at 12:30 p.m. There is a horse sale once a year and sheep sales about every two months to accommodate the growing number of sheep producers in the area. Auctioneers have been Pete Schlichenmayer and Tom Westrope assisted by Lyle Garner, Dick Engel, John Nichols, Bob Gates, Dick Homm and Ed Herndon. Veterinarian is Dr. Joe M. Bohnen, DVM Brand Inspectors are Les Davis, Paul Scott and Jim Palmer. Previous Brand Inspectors have been Don Pursley and Ed Humphreys. Present employees are: Office: Eleanor Herndon, manager; Donna Gwyn, assistant; Audrey Eisenhart; Rene Weibel; Virginia Malone; Charlene Gorton By 1923 his own order slips said "strictly cash" but we do not think that was adhered to closelv. Bringing the cows to the meat market for butchering. by W.H. Yersin. By the fall of 1929, it was about seven years old. and Susan Corliss Block: Tom Westrope, auctioneer; Lyle Garner, penback and auctioneer; Ed Hern- don weighmaster and auctioneer; Dick Hcrfrm auctioneer - hog sale; Sharon Powell, deighmaster and clerk. Ringmen: LeRoy Herndon, owner and operator; Wil Adolf Yards: William Cure; Beulah Garner; Gregg Laybourn; Charlene Mills; Leland Monroe; Loran Moore; Steve Stegman; Connie Stegman; John Hoyda; Albert Warkentine; Rueben Schreiner, Bud Matthews. Cafe: Cecelia Fox' manager; Gladys Beeson; Marilyn Pottorff; Trudy Herndon; Angela Isenbart; Dorothy Lucas. Custodians: Richard Flageolle and Kathy Herndon Field Representative: Joe Bohnen DISCHNER'S IGA 814 r,T:Wr, GEN$RAL MPR A.J. (Tony) Dischner entered the service in World War I. A few years after he returned, he purchased the N.H. Fuller general store located on the northeast end of today's Colorado Avenue in Stratton in 1921. At that time prices were not marked on items but carried in a clerk's head. Tony or a clerk wrote up all orders on a pad, and they would round up the requested items for the customers. Tony used many suppliers and was in effect a small wholesaler. There was no refrigeration in those days. by Eleanor Herndon OLD GROCERY STORES 1920's Bacon came in a slab; sugar, beans, dried fruit, cookies and vinegar came in bulk. Folks brought their own vinegar jug. Flour was in 50 pound cloth sacks. . . the source ofevery kitchen's dishtowels. Bulk cookies were a big item. Ed Dischner recalls the buying of eggs which were then traded for groceries and household items. At that time there were three or more cream stations in town, and most families were fed with cream and egg 813 The following is a listing of some of the past and present grocery stores in the Burlington vicinity. The Buchanan Cash Store is one of these, owned by C.J. Buchanan. One of the stores featured the famous Solitaire groceries exclusively. It was the grocery store of Carl Hamilton, owned by Mr. Hamilton. He had been in the grocery and meat business since 1918 or 1919 and was located at the location of Main Street for two years in 1929. Also located on Main Street, was The Red Front Grocery. This business was managed A.J. would love Dischner's IGA at 216 Colorado Avenue, Stratton Tony Dischner must have used N.H. Fuller order pads for a time. money. Tony extended a great deal of credit and he was able to operate with credit from the ware houses. In 1936 Dischner's dropped clothing from the general store line and became a grocery store strictly. In 195L much remodeling was done to accommodate the new innovation of carts for customers to �choose their own groceries. A new counter and shelving made the store like all new establishment. In 1963 Tony sold the store to his son, Ed, but he continued to work in the store until he took sick in 1964. Shortly, he passed away in January 1964 at age 75, after forty-three years ofserving Stratton households. In 1966 Dischner's moved to its present 216 Colorado Avenue site after buying the grocery business of Mel Hatfield, who had procured the grocery of John and Dick Buhr. Today Dischner's IGA is a very large grocery serving customers from a very wide area. by Ed Dischner AMBULANCE OF STRATTON Mary Schulte, Jan Halderman, John O'Brien, Greg Engle, and Rev. Bloomer the others are still active. Many people have helped in the support of our ambulance service, with money making projects, and money gifts which have helped to gain equipment and allowed continuing education. Things have changed a lot in the fourteen years of service, from our old stations wagons to our newest ambulance. We have also added a Fire/Rescue vehicle and extrication equipment. We sincerely apologize if we have missed any one that was associated with the ambulance. Your time and effort were appreciated. We would like to thank the community for its support. D&D CLEANERS 815 ness for ourselves. There wasn't much business, Burlington was just coming out of the Dirty 50's. The cleaners in Cheyenne Wells was closing so we started a route to Cheyenne Wells and Kit Carson. We also had a route to Stratton, Vona, and Seibert. About 1960 the Flagler Cleaners was for sale, Dean, Freda and family moved to Flagler and we bought the Flagler Cleaners (I had lived and worked in Flagler in 19b4 at this cleaners.) Dean operated this plant for m€rny years. In 1958 we were charging about 600 for a pair of pants, 91.25 for a suit. Hangers, In 1973 Stratton got its first ambulance, and we became a part of the Kit Carson County Ambulance Service. The first one was an Oldsmobile station wagon. It was graduated to yet another station wagon, which was followed by a van. It was eventually replaced by a Cadillac, which was replaced by a Type I ambulance. It was first housed in the old fire house on Colorado Avenue, and later moved to the new fire house. Our first EMT's were Ace Woller, Louis and Lynna Pugh, Dick Wheeling, and Sherry Monroe. They were followed by Mrs. Harley Pottorff, Mrs. Bob Pottorff, Evelyn Schmidt, Joni Pottorfi Karen Fehrenbach. Marv Havens, Nona Woller and Janet Carnathan. As the years went on they were followed by KentJostes, Ron Curry, and Kevin Hubbard. In 1983 a new group took up the reins with Rev. Don Bloomer, Jim McConnell. Cindv McCombs, Marjo Shean, Janet Halderman. We continued to add to our ranks with Sonia Schuman, Mary Schulte, Melody Schulte, John O'Brien, Rob Coles, Greg Engle, and Ed Herndon. We have several drivers who help out: Kathy Woller, Rod Blackwelder, Don Peters, Pam Smith, Vern and Betty Dresher, and Mike Dreher. With the exception of of school look good. The future of our business depends on the economic condition of the area. by Dallas Stevens GAMBLES STORE Bl7 816 In 1958, I, Dallas Stevens, Doris. and our two daughters Dana and Debbie were in Brush, Co. I was working at Stars Cleaning Shop there. I had been in dry cleaning since 1952; my brother Dean was in construction in Brush also. A cleaning shop was for sale, Jack The Cleaners, and I talked Dean into coming with me back to Burlington and going into busi- Max Toland administering oxygen well groomed in 1987. Our young people out supplies, and cleaning fluid have gone up 700% since 1958. We had a period in the 60's when coin-op dry cleaning, polyester hurt the cleaning business (selling point for clothing stores, as polyester cleaned beautifully) but since those have passed, the materials popular in 1987 are about as they were in 1958, wool, silk, cotton, and rayon. Some of our early employees at the D&D Cleaners at 470 14th St. were my Mother, Alberta Sevens 1960-66, seamstresses were Mildred Bishop, Carrol Kosch, Reta Loun- ger, and my wife Doris. Over the years we have been a family business, and our children have all been trained and worked there through school years. Dana, Debbie, Diane, Devona, Dee and Derek. In 1975 we bought Felzien's Cleaners and moved to present location at 260 14th St. Irma Robertson worked for us 1975 -'82 as a seamstress. Devona Jensen, has worked since 1980-87. She, my wife and I operate it at this time. Over the years we have done cleaning for many generations, some of our customers have been with us for 30 years. Our trade area reaches from Arriba to Goodland and from Wray to Cheyenne Wells. The future looks good for our business, wool, silk, cotton are back, and people are Gambles Hardware, Stratton, celebrating 25 years in 1988. The Stratton Gambles Store was started bv Mr. and Mrs. George Heid around 1g48 in thl building south of the B and B Drug Store. Mrs. Heid sold the business after her husband's death to Mike and Alyce Lewis. In June 1963 Gene and Rosemary Jostes purchased the business from them. In 1966 thev purchased the building the store is presently in. It was formerly a dry goods store started in the 1920's by George Waters. He later sold this business to Bernard Waldron. who later sold it to Les Hatfield, who later sold the business to Leonard Dischner, who later sold it to Virgil Pugh all of whom in the many years operated it as a dry goods store. Virgil sold the store to Gene and Rosemary Jostes, who remodeled it and moved their hardware store there. This year of 1988 Gene and Rosemarv are celebrating their 25th year as owners and operators of the Gambles Store in Stratton. by Gene Jostes LIGHTLELOG Br8 James Lightle and his wife, Joyce, were involved in a cattle operation and managing a custom haying operation when an article appeared in the High Plains Journal which caught their eye and changed the direction of their business and life. This article explained a revolutionary process for converting the straw of cereal grains into a clean-burning material for fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. Lightle was impressed with the new process and recognized the marketing possibilities for a product that would contribute to the agricultural economy while it helped to keep the environment clean. After much research, it was decided to pursue this business. The couple was able to convince a banker and enough investors to support their venture, and by January of 1987, the Lightles had the money needed to �Dave's Brand Inn Iron J.B. Automotive in Stratton at a site with a colorful past Johnsons. Then after, it was the "Supper Club" until around 1975. At that time it became the Brand Inn lron. In August of 1985 it was changed to "Dave's Brand Inn Iron" and is presently owned by Dave and Marcia Eder. by Marcia Eder James Lightle, president of Lightlelog, Inc. of Burlington displays a bag of the finished product his firm is manufacturing. open Lightlelog, Inc. for business. Lightle says the biggest obstacle the business faces is the fact that the consumer knows very little about alternatives logs. However, he believes once they are educated about the benefits of burning straw logs, and more logs are circulated in the marketplace, the demand for the product should soar. Some of the major selling points of straw logs are their ability to burn cleanly, producing very little smoke. They leave a clean ash, high in potash, rather than the messy charcoal ash left by wood. The straw logs leave absolutely no creosote buildup in fireplaces and stoves. The current market price for a 40-lb bag of Lightlelog straw logs is $9.99. The 20-lb boxes sell for $6.99. Lightle points out the price is another area where straw logs have BURLINGTON FLOWER SHOP business that can benefit the consumer, the farmer, the processor and the local community. "Now, we just have to be patient and try to build interest." by James Lightle DAVE'S BRAND INN IRON 819 "Dave's Brand Inn Iron" was originally built in 1947 by Bill and Glen Holloway, Lewis Beck and Nick Stoffel. It was owned by Al and Lillie Young and named "Al and Lil's Bar and Cafe". In 1950 Charles Sholes 820 building and the long time ago post office was then an automotive mechanic's shop. Along with the automotive work he also ran a wrecker service. After his death, the business was purchased by Everett H. Duncan, who then sold the business to ArDale and Janet Schulte in 1980. The business was called D&S. JB Automotive is now owned by Jack A. Burian who purchased the building in 1986. The business employs three full time mechanics. It offers automobile repairs, tire service, and a 24 hour wrecker service. by Julie Smith KENNY'S SEED AND SUPPLY Christmastime at the Flower Shop Ba2 The Burlington Flower Shop has been in business for 25 years. It was started by Jim and Dixie Johnson in 1961. Some of the first services were the flower shop, greenhouse, and landscaping services. It is still located in the same location, on the north end of 14th Street. The business was sold to Evelyn Busby in 1977. Jean Swafford and Jatta Miller purchased the business in May of 1983. It is no longer a nursery as the green house was destroyed by a hail storm in 1981. The landscaping services were ceased when the Johnsons sold the business. by Jean Swafford built an addition on the south side and living J.B. AUTOMOTIVE quarters in the back. The bar was then moved to the south side and has not been changed since then. Dorothy Lucas who still resides in Stratton was one of AI and Lil's long time employees. In 1956 Al and Lil's Bar and Cafe was sold to Fay and Maime Jones. In the 1960's it was called "Johnny and $150.00 for the land where J.B. Automotive now sits. The office of the building now was once Eva Hamilton's post office from downtown. Byrd Cassity ran his station for many Betty's Supper Club", and operated by the famous customers: E.A. Richardson, Indiana poet laureate and Mr. Red Skelton. Byrd died in 1960 and his wife Dessie kept the station for several years after his death having others runs the business for her. In 1964 Anthony J. and Dolores K. Liebl bought the business and it became Joe's Used Cars. In 1969 Robert M. Miller owned the building which he used for storage. He sold the building and land to Gary and Diane Salmans in 1974. Gary added on to the the advantage over wood. The Lightles feel this is definitely a penny candy and pop. They had several BzL In 1936 Byrd and Dessie Cassity paid years. Cassity's Service Station sold gas, Kenneth Pottorff handles his dealership of several agricultural necessities of today from his Stratton Iandmark office. In 1964, Kenneth Pottorff became a Dekalb Seed Dealer, and like many seed dealers, operated the business at his farm southeast of Stratton along with his cattle and farming interests. In 1968 Kenny purchased the building on Colorado Avenue. The earliest business in the building that he has knowledge of was the Holloway Chewolet Garage. Then Shell �Grain had the building, using it for Grain storage until their business closed. Robert Miller then bought the building, which he sold to Kenny in November 1968. Kenney's seed business increased and foreseeing the opportunity to expand his business, he moved his seed and chemicals up town, opening up the business as Kenny's Dekalb Seeds. Mrs. Bob Pottorff was hired to work in the office in the south side of the building. The business was only open during the planting season, which was March through July. In March of 1969, Dorothy Lucas was hired to work in the office, as receptionist and salesperson until 1982, when she had to quit due to the illness of her husband. Myra Davis was hired to replace her. In 1971 Kenny's brother Loren Pottorff started working and is still working for his firm today. Late in 1969 the new office on the north side of the building was completed and we moved into it in the spring of 1970. Then additional offices were added int974, adding a bookkeeping office and an office for Kenny. The name was then changed to Kenny's Seed and Supply. In 1971 Kenny expanded the business, taking the dealership to sell Arcadian Fertilizer. He was the first to sell Liquid Fertilizer in this area. Kenny bought the lots on the corner ofFirst St. and Colorado Avenue from Andrew Selenke to put up storage tanks for fertilizer and the liquid feed. He then bought move was needed and Langston Style Shop CENTER north of the Midway Theatre and was B23 The Burlington Home Center opened its high school. The business grew and Al retired to become full time builder and retailer passing the services and knowledge he had on to the people in the area. the added storage area for a growing business. by Al and Norma Bandel LANGSTON STYLE SHOP 824 Kenny has seen many changes in the economy of the country that affects farmers and Businessmen alike. At the present time Kenny employs 5 people through the business. They are Loren Pottorff since 1971, Jo Bauman, bookkeeper since L977, Jan Schulte, receptionist and salesperson since 1985, Harry Fox and Jim Fox since 1986. by Dorothy Lucas The Orth's, Helmuth, Francis, Dennis, Jean and Sterling, 10 months. Taken in front of Orth's Department Store on their 28th anniversary. Orth's Department Store celebrated it's 28th anniversary in June of 1987. Helmuth, Francis, Dennis and Jean have, over the past 28 years, made their department store one of the largest independent stores in the tri-state area. The family opened its store 28 years ago in the building formerly occupied by J.C. Penney's. A modest store with only 2,b00 ployed for parts, sales and service of Zimmatic Sprinklers. In 1979-1986 Marc Pottorff worked as Zimmatic service man. In 1982 the business was closed in Burlington and the parts department was moved to the Stratton store. In 1978 the Richardson Farm Machinery During the past 20 years in business, B26 and in 1983 another 6,500 sq. ft. was added to house the mill shop and receiving dock and Burlington. Jo Bauman was employed as the bookkeeper and Royce Roemer was em- Avenue was purchased in 1981 from Jenny Zurcher and is used to display new and used machinery that is for sale. DEPARTMENT STORE enclose the building material and to add a drive through custom service lane. ln L977 Burlington Home Center, as it became known, joined Our Own Hardware ln 1977, Kenny became a dealer for In 1981 Kenny purchased the south halfof the lots where the old high school stood. In 1982 he erected a large Butler building to use for storage. The corner of 4th and Colorado ORTH'S The 40'x100' sq. ft. building was enlarged Lindsay Zimmatic Sprinkler systems, and bought the Gigot Valley building west of rzet, by Vanetta Pottorff to include a 11,000 sq. ft. warehouse to 1977. ammonia along with selling the liquid fertil- operated until 1973 when the store was closed after 25 years of business. Bandel for the purpose of supplying the specialty items he needed for the custom homes he was building during his summer break from teaching Industrial Arts at the replace the Tyro. The dealership of Compensator Liquid Feed was added this year also, along with adding a fertilizer blender building on the corner of First and Colorado in at his farm and began selling anhydrous found its home in the Hamilton Building, doors in the fall of 1974. It was started by Al a Tryco flotation applicator to apply the fertilizer. In 1973 he purchased a Big A to and Big Ox dealerships were added to the business. In 1986 Kenny put up storage tanks Again, because of more growth, a third BURLINGTON HOME Hazel and Walter Langston In 1948 Langston Style Shop had its beginning with Hazel working for Ed Hanten's Mens Shop, located north of Penny's Hardware. Mr. Hanten agreed that she could buy some dresses and sell them while working for him. She used racks made out of old water pipes to hang 12 dresses on. She added to her stock and in 1950, after Mr. Hanten closed his store, Hazel moved her merchandise across the street into a little shop in the front end of the north side of the present Burlington Record on Main Street where she had her first exclusive shop. At this time, Walter Langston retired from his job with the State Highway Department and became involved in the business. They were at this location for about three years, but because of growth another move was needed and they enlarged their stock and moved to the Hammond Building on Senter Avenue where they operated their business for the next six years. square feet, the store now consists ofapproximately 8,000 square feet. The Orths purchased the old Safeway store 25 years ago as they began to expand their operation to accommodate the people of the trade area. Approximately 14 years ago, they opened the basement of their structure which now houses mens and boys clothing. Continuing with their expansion 1? years ago, Orth's purchased the building formerly occupied by Western Auto and put in a complete fabric department. Helmuth and Francis originally opened as a Skogmos store 28 years ago. After being in business for approximately three years, they decided they could offer their customers a better line of merchandise at low prices by going independent. Their son, Dennis, joined the business 18 years ago. The Orth's moved to Burlington from St. Francis, Kansas 28 years ago with little clothing experience. Their operation now requires that they spend about 25 days a year doing nothing but attending various markets and purchasing merchandise for their customers. In a joint statement, the family said, "We certainly do appreciate the excellent response of all of the many people of our trade area. We have strived to give the people a complete department store that stresses quality merchandise at reasonable prices. In addition, we have made our store a'complete �family store where you can purchase all of your family's needs'in one facility." Helmuth continued, "We will attempt to give the people an even better department store over the next 20 Years." by Dennis Orth K-G ELECTRIC HATCHERY B26 The K-G Electric Hatchery, was a compar- atively new enterprise, having opened for business in February of 1930. The plant was modern in every detail, with Buckeye incubators. brooders and other requirements. They had a capacity for 50,000 chicks. A specialty was made of purebred stock and their aim was to raise bigger, stronger and better, grades of chicks at moderate prices. The Hatchery also carried a complete line of poultry supplies, with Purina Chow being the best. This business was run and managed by Mr. C.G. Gould. FLAGLER NEWS B27 the competing newspaper' The Flagler Progress, in 1918 and merged it with the News. The Borland's sold The News in 1923 to Philo F. Falb who published the paper until 1927, when the Borlands bought it back. They continued to publish it until 1931, when they sold it to T. and Grace Gaurd of Breckenridge. Mr. Gaurd had published the Summit County Journal and Mrs. Gaurd had taught school. After selling the Flagler News, Will Borland became a clerk in the Flagler Post Office and was active in the Democratic politics in the county. The Gaurds published The News until 1948 when they sold it to Clyde and Ruth Coulter, who came to Flagler after working on newspapers in the Chicago area. The Coulters are continuing to publish the paper in this their 40th year. The Gaurds relocated The Flagler News office twice, first in the its 75th year of publication. Flagler News files date back only to 1915 but it is believed the newspaper was started in 1913 as a Democratic paper to compete for legal publications with the existing weekly paper, the Republican Flagler Progress, a primary source of revenue for early newspapers was pubtishing legal notices regarding homesteads and it is probable that the News was founded to get a share of those legal notices. Founder and first publisher was E.H. Kruchten. He published the paper for a year and sold it to J.D. Heiny, who sold it to H.E.Wetherell, who operated it until 1915' when Will and Sarah Borland. Mr. Borland had worked as a printer in Brush while proving up on a homestead located south of Brush. (Will and Sarah Borland were the parents of Hal Borland, who graduated from Flagler High School in 1918 and became a nationally known journalist, columnist, and author. He is particularly known for his nature writings.) The Borlands purchased BATT REALTY B29 the newly built "Theatre Building" now occupied by the Witts Family Store. In about 1940 The Gaurds constructed the present building being occupied by The News and moved there. They also developed one of the most modern small town newspaper plants in the area. In 1938, they installed a photo engraving plant. After World War II, they put in a new Model 31 Linotype and a rebuilt 4- page Miehle newspaper press. The Coulters recently donated the press to the Old Town Museum in Burlington, where it can be seen in operation. The linotype is still being used for commercial purposes in the News office. New technology in recent years has revolutionized the printing of newspapers. Instead of hand set type and "hot metal" linotypes, newspapers now use "cold type" computers phed and printed on "offset" presses at a central printing plant. The Flagler News is now being prepared in Flagler but the actual printing is done at the Burlington Record. A second weekly newspaper, The Flagler Progtess, was published in the community from about 1908 until 1918, when it was The town of Flagler will be celebrating its 100th year anniversary in 1988 and its weekly newspaper, the Flagler News, will be marking 1920's. early 1930's from the basement of the "Bank Building" (now the "Otteman Building") to to set type. Pages are "pasted up", photogra- Flagler News, building constructed in 1940 by T. Guard. Burlington Ice and Bottling Co. (foreground) in published by the Will Borlands. There are no file copies of The Progress available in the community except for a few copies which have been saved by families of early residents. It is believed to have been founded and published by Charles E. Gibson. Its office was in the original Odd Fellows Building, on the south side of the building. BURLINGTON ICE AND BOTTLING CO. 828 Batt Realty dealt in real estate and oil leasing. This real estate office actually originated as Rose and Wall by Claus Rose, Jr. and Charles S. Wall. The office was in the old building owned by the Stratton State Bank, North 20 feet of lot 7, block 7, original Stratton. These two men purchased the building on August 19, L942. Claus Rose was elected County Treasurer and moved to Burlington. Charles Wall operated the real estate office from that time until it was sold to George Batt on September 9, 1946. George Batt immediately went into business with Swidbert A. Hornung, who purchased the building from George Batt on August 21,L952. "Swede" Hornung operated the business until his death on January 16, 1970. "Swede" was responsible for the influx of families from the Dodge City - Spearville, Kansas, area who still live in the Stratton area. Some of these families are: Cures, Downey, Bill Hornung, Schulte, Conrardy, Stegman, Torline, Grasser, Rueb, Kliesen, Pottorff, Shean, Warner, Dvorak, etc. Swede was a community-minded man and was into many projects, such as REA, the Stratton School relocation to the present site, the building of the present Catholic Church, the Post Office. He was an eternal optimist and a great believer in the future of the Stratton area among other things. The Burlington Ice and Bottling Company' was an institution that had a broad and steady growth from the date of its inception. The ice plant was established in 1922. It had an icemaking capacity of six tons evety 24 hours. The bottling plant was added in 1925' it was devoted to the manufacture of a full line of high grade soda waters, including all popular flavors, one of their specialties being lcal-Aid", (an orange drink). They were also the distributors of Hamm's, and Windsor Club Beer and Oxford CIub Ginger AIe. H.A. Keese, was the proprietor. by Edith Hornung �VANCE'S DECORATING CENTER crockery, variety goods, paints, oils and couNTY, P.C. B30 In June of 1983, Dennis and Dianne Vance decided to open a new business in Burlington, Colorado. Dennis had been a carpet installer and painter for 20 years. Dianne is a hairdresser by trade, but shared an interest with her husband to start a new business, thus Vance's was begun. From June 1983, to March 1985 the business was located at l46t Senter in Burlington. In this store the Vance's carried a line of unfinished furniture, carpet, and a unique gift section. In October of 1984 the Vance's added the Cook Paint line to their store. They remained at L46l Senter until March 1985. Even though these were stressed economical times, the Vance's had done fairlv well in their little store and decided to makl a move to a larger building, in a new location. They moved to 314 14th Street which many years ago was the old Red Front Grocerv Store. Shortly before Vance's moved to this location it was a T.V. repair store. The new business location was leased from John Penny. At the time of the move the name of the store was changed to Vance's Decorating Center. Moving from a very small location, to one almost double in size, Dennis and Dianne had room for expansion. From March 1985 to the present date, Sept. 198?, they are a full Iine decorating center. They carry in their store, Cook Paint, floor coverings, wallpaper, PANGBORN'S PHARMACY, PHOTO AND SOUND CENTER, INC. B32 Pangborn's Pharmacy was founded February 4, 1966, by Bill and Penny Pangborn at 347 - l4th Street, Burlington, Colorado. It began as a family business and remained one. Bill was the pharmacist and Penny helped with the clerking, was the bookkeeper, and managed the office. In 1975, following college graduation, their son, Tom, returned to Burlington and expanded the electronic section into a full service Sound Center/Radio Shack. Bill incorporated his hobby of photography into the business and "Pangborn's Pharmacy", Photo and Sound Center, Inc. was born. The business prospered and on April 1, 1987, twenty-one years after it began, the store was sold. by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Pangborn Times are still not as flourishing as everyone would like, but the Vance's have managed to keep the business going, trying to please the public with their merchandise and their services. by Dennis and Dianne Vance VARIETY GOODS STORES IN 83r C.J. Copeland was located on Main Street. He had been established here eight and onehalfyears in 1929, and carried a well selected stock of variety goods. Goods of every kind including hundreds of articles that were both useful and ornamental, such as crockery, glassware, tinware, china, kitchen utensils. books, stationery, toilet articles, school supplies, radios, stoves, and ranges. Prominent among the number of business enterprises of Burlington was Ed. Purinton, whose neatly arranged store on Main Street was well stocked and well arranged. Mr. Purinton had been connected with the commercial life of Burlington for six years in 1929. The stock he carried comprised of furniture, rugs, linoleums, stoves, ranges, household necessities, kitchen utensils, Certified Public Accountants The business had its start in 1g6? when Larry Mich and John Lindell bought the tax practice of Bob Shamberg. The Burlington Record printed a story regarding the purchase and establishment of a new busineis to be operated under the name of Mich and Lindell, CPAs. The newspaper article indicated that Larry Mich would come down from Wray two days a week to manage the office initially but that the plans were to hire a full time accountant to man the office. I became a Certified Public Accountant in 1965 and at the time the article appeared in the Record I was employed by the U.S. General Accounting Office as an Auditor. That job required a great deal of travel so I was looking for a position with little or no travel. Burlington was my hometown so when I saw the article indicating that an accounting position was open I was very interested. I met with Larry Mich and, after some soul searching about the job and salary, accepted the position as office manager for Michand Lindell, CPAs. Our business then was much the same as nesses. 833 home. B34 it is today only not quite so complicated. We prepared tax returns, did bookkeeping and performed audits of a few towns and busi- STRATTON SPOTLIGHT NEWSPAPER window treatments, and custom draperies. Dennis still does his own carpet installation. The gift line is not as big now, and they carry mainly decorating accessory items for the BURLINGTON WINFREY AND varnishes. Home of the Golden Plains Insurance and Stratton Spotlight. The Stratton Spotlight, Stratton's weekly newspaper, began business on November 2b, 1982. Rick and Beverly Gaddy along with their son Travis moved to Stratton from Simla, Colorado to publish the new newspaper following the termination of the Stratton Press, which ceased publication on November 11, 1982. The Gaddy's attempted to purchase the Stratton Press, but decided a new publication would best serve the Strat- ton community. The Stratton Spotlight is located at L25 Colorado Avenue in the building owned by Ken and Pat Stegman, who operate Golden Plains Insurance from the same location. by Bev Gaddy In July 1969, Larry Mich bought out Mr. Lindell's interest and I bought into the business. The name of the business was changed to Mich and Winfrey, CPA's. The business was located at I4b7 Martin Ave. which is the office building across the street South of the Post Office. We occupied two rooms in the middle of the building. In 1980 Jerry County came to work for us. He became a CPA in 1981 and in December of that year he became a partner with me. We gllanged the name to Winfrey and County CPA's. In 1982 we formed a professional corporation to be known as Winfrev and County, P.C. Certified Public Accountants which is how we operate today. During the years we have expanded our business by buying other practices. In September 1980 we bought a practice with offices in Limon and Cheyenne Wells. Mr. James White became associated with me and he managed the Limon and Cheyenne Wells offices. Then in June 1981 we bought a practice in Flagler. We closed the office in Cheyenne Wells and moved everything to Flagler. We bought another practice in Hugo and combined that into the Limon office.- In July 1983, Jim White left us and we brought all three offices together under the Winfrey and County name with employees managing the Flagler and Limon offices. On December 1, 1985 we moved our office to 593 - 14th St (the old Esch Lumber Co. building). This move gave us much more room for expansion in the future. Our work continues to be primarily the preparation of income tax returns for people in the area. We also do bookkeeping and perform audits ofvarious schools, towns, and businesses around the area. In the future we plan and hope to continue �to serve the people in the area with the same services as we have provided in the past. the local manager was Dick Hendricks of by Noel Winfrey North 14th (Main) Street. This firm made a specialty of the popular Seiberling Special STRATTON SALE BARN 835 Burlington. The Gassner Tire Shop was located on Service Tires and tubes. Seiberling tires were sold with a one year guarantee. They also did steam vulcanizing, dealt in batteries, furnished tire service, and did car washing greasing. As of 1929, the business had been established ten or eleven years and had been under the ownership of R.I. Gassner for three years. Zimbelman's sponsor a soft ball team and is a member of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. by Calvin Zimbelman FLAGLER MILLINERY SHOP 838 The Flagler Millinery Shop was owned and ZIMBELMAN'S JEWELRY STORE 837 Calvin Zimbelman opened his business "Zimbelman's Jewelry" on June 17, 1960 on 14th Street in Burlington, Colorado. He located in the building south of the Midway Theater where Willies Flower Shoppe is located now. In 1964 Calvin with the help of family and operated by Bertha (Biggs) Nourse, the widow of Frederick Ray Nourse, Jr. He was the sister of Maude Williams, wife of Ellis Williams, son of Andrew and Alma Williams. The picture was taken in the twenties. Treva Williams, the daughter of Maude and Ellis, said she made beautiful hats. Treva graduated from Loretta Heights Academy in L922. While attending school there, she said her hats, made by Aunt Bertha, were the envy of many. by Margaret Clark friends built his present building with a lovely show room to display beautifuljewelry, distinctive gift ware, dishes and silver, watches and many other items. Robbie Lehnherr designed the building and Albert Zimbelman and Mr. Krien layed the blocks Stratton Sale Barn in the 1950's and bricks. Albert and Elmer Zimbelman helped finish the construction of the building. Calvin and family all helped to do the STRATTON SALE BARN finish work. In 1964 Zimbelman's Jewelry was robbed with $10.000 worth of merchandise stolen. Stratton Sale Barn Letterhead The Stratton Sale Barn, Iocated across the railroad tracks north, was owned, operated and built by Swede Horning and Lloyd Pugh. The Sale Barn was Iater sold to Bill Peters who operated the market for several years and closed it in 1955, due to the drought and low cattle numbers. Bill and Jean Scheopner bought the mar- HEINZ OFFICE SUPPLY, INC. 839 Melvin J. Heinz, and wife Frances, owners of Heinz Office Supply, Inc., founded the business in 1958, during a time when farming was poor and he needed another income to support his family. He wanted to create a The crime still remains unsolved and none of the items that were taken were recovered. There were no clues to be found and the crime was investigated by Roy Doughty. Calvin moved into the new place of business 1964. Employees over the years have been Maxine Andrews who worked here for 23 years and Cindy Kemp has been here for the cities. Melvin had, at one time, been a salesman for Monroe Calculator Co. in Wichita, KS, so he was familiar with the office supply business. He started out with a small shop in his 8 years. garage in Cheyenne Wells, Co. Melvin and his business that would enable his children to work and remain a part of the rural community, instead of having to find employment in ket from Bill Peters and had their first sale May 8, 1956. They operated the Stratton Sale Barn until April, 1968. Some of the employees who worked at the market for several ye€us were: Peter Schlichenmeyer, auctioneer; Kenny Scheierman, clerk, Mabel Scheiei.rnan, bookkeeper, Herschel Salmans, weighmaster, LeRoy Herndon Foreman. Others known to have worked at the sale were: Jim McConnell, Boots Wilson, and James Havens. Calista Swogger operated the cafe. f,* by Bill Scheopner TIRE SHOPS 836 "Keeping pace with the progress of the community" was the motto of the Hendricks Tire Shop, located on Main Street in Burlington. The business was established in June, 1927, and featured the well known Diamond tires. The general manager of this business was S.E. Hendricks of Denver. while lt i:'j'ii i,i** ":.;,,"iutif and Lyle Garner, ringmen, Chuck Fox, The Flagler Millinery Shop in the 1920's. �ity through the years. We will continue to try to serve them in the best way we can. by Kathy Killian OLD GRAIN COMPANIES IN BURLINGTON Heinz Office Supply, Inc. HAROLD McARTHUR APPRECIATION DAY B4l 840 "With a view to faithfully portraying the present development of Burlington, and in order to fully set forth the advantages with which our community is so richly endowed, we may be permitted to call special attention to the character and magnitude of a few representative concerns. In this connection it is fitting that we devote some space to the Swenson-Tooker Grain Company, which was established over three or four years ago in 1929." This advertising promoted Burlington. This firm was located a short distance east of the depot on the Rock Island tracks. They were wholesale and retail dealers in grain, feed and coal. They also had an elevator at Peconic, six miles east of Burlington. The Melvin J. Heinz and Jerry Heinz son, Jerry Heinz, sold typewriters, calculators and a small line of office supplies. They also repaired and served the machines they sold. They serviced most of the typewriters for the schools in the area. As the business grew, and Jerry finished his schooling, they decided to move the business to Burlington, CO in 1963. They started in a small store shared with another business in Burlington and eventually moved into a rented building on main street, and finally purchased a building on main street, where the store is presently located. Jerry Heinz managed the store until 1983, at which time Kathy (Heinz) Killian, daughter of Melvin Heinz, took over management. Kathy has been working for the business since 1973. Olympia, Royal, Underwood, Victor and Sharp are some of the main brands of machines sold and serviced by Heinz Office Supply over the past 30 years. After the move to Burlington in 1963, office furniture was added to the line, both new and used. In 1973, Melvin started another store in Goodland, KS. His daughter Sharon and her husband Mike Houk operated that store for him until 1983, when they purchased the store from him, and now they own and operate it. Between the two stores, Heinz Office Supply, Inc. has supplied employment for the support of 8 to 10 farnilies at a time in this area. In 1982, Melvin started his own leasing company, called Big H Leasing Co. He leases office equipment and furniture in Colorado and Kansas. The customers of Heinz Office Supply over the years have been from many communities in Kit Carson, Cheyenne and Lincoln Counties. They are greatly appreciated and have been responsible for our growth and prosper- business was under the management of R.V. Tooker. The Burlington Equity Exchange Company had an implement department and an elevator department. The implement dept. was located opposite the City Hall, on North 14th Street, and the elevator being located on North Main Street, near the depot. The organization came into being back in 1915. The two special lines of equipment featured at the implement dept. were: Massey-Harris and Minneapolis-Moline, with this department being managed by R.A. Hedding. The elevator dept. was devoted to the buying of grain and the sale of flour, commercial feed, bran, shorts, fence wire and posts, steem and domestic coal, all kinds of grain, seeds and salt. This dept. was under the management of D.H. Loomis. Very prominent among the grain dealers of eastern Colorado was the Roller Grain Company, located on the Rock Island tracks east of the depot. It was founded in about 1922 ot 1923. Their principal business was the buying and selling of grain, although they handled flour, feed and salt as a side line. The Roller Grain Company was managed bv C.E. Roller. The O'Donnell Grain Company, which was organized in July, 1927 was located just east of the depot on the tracks of the C.R.I.&P. Railway. F.J. O'Donnell was the manager. The O'Donnell Grain Co. dealt in the wholesale and retail sales of grain, livestock, flour, Forrest Miller as he presented Harold with his plaque citing him for his many "outstanding contributions for the city, county and the entire area." Forrest was the prime organizer for Harold McArthur Appreciation Day. Saturday, January 24, L981, was a very special day for a man who has devoted most it was Harold of his life to helping others McArthur Appreciation Day.- Harold and his wife, Ines, moved to Burlington from Flagler in 1945. There he was operating a John Deere dealership before assuming ownership of the one in Burlington which he purchased from Jack Chalfant. He also kept the Flagler facility open for a short time. The business was operated for many years where the City Hall is now located. In 1964 Harold moved to 2181 Rose Ave. and became one of the largest independent John Deere dealers in the United States. In 1984 he moved to his present location at 17777 Hwy. 385. This was accomplished by becoming a service center, a parts center, and a new farm equipment center for an area encompassing a radius of 100 miles. He has always kept up with the latest technology, and he has also helped several and feed. They also manufactured high grade feed. A few of their special lines were Purina Chows for livestock, hogs, and poultry, and other dealers in the area get started by providing them with financial assistance. One might think that accomplishing such Pure GoId Flour. a task would take all of one individual's time. Not so with Harold McArthur. He was mayor of Burlington for 12 years, has been on the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital board for 25 years. Harold is an original member of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Burlington, is on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Boys Ranch, and an original member of the East Central Activities Center, now known as Dynamic Dimensions, and the list could go on and on. �Harold has helped many young farmers get started by loaning them equipment and money, and offering advice when asked for. As Jerry Brenner says, "I thought I knew a lot about farming when I took over the farm, but it didn't take me long to realize I needed a lot of help. Harold was always ready to help, not only myself, but all of the farmers". He has proven over the years that he is never too busy to help, no matter how large or small the task, such as helping someone who needs a fork lift to unload a truck or a railroad car. Kermit Buol, representing the Burlington Rotary Club, expressed the Club's gratitude for being an outstanding member. Carol Dvorak, representing the Board of Directors of the East Central Activities Center, expressed his gratitude to Harold for his generous assistance in making the center a reality. Not only giving money to the center, but by his personal presence on the board. Ted Wickham said, "I have been told several times that we would not have a hospital if it were not for Harold McArthur." Russ Wilcox also said, "He has donated a lot of the 'long green line' to the hospital, and I don't mean John Deere farm machinery. He has given thousands of dollars to the hospital over the years." Now it is six years Iater and we still find Harold contributing in many ways to the betterment of this community through con- tributions of the building for the Senior Citizens Center in Burlington and in helping the town get "Old Town" off to a great start. As long as he is able, we will see the imprint of Harold wherever there is a need. January 9, 1988 - Harold McArthur honored for being John Deere Dealer for 50 years. Last Saturday, January 9th, was a special day for the people of the area and for McArthur Implement Co. of Burlington. Saturday was the annual John Deere Day, and it also marked the 50th Anniversary of Harold McArthur being a John Deere Dealer. Harold was informed that he was the only dealer in the Kansas City division of Deere and Company (and quite possibly in the United Stated) that had been affiliated with them for 50 continuous years. "There are several dealerships that still retain the same name; however, none where the contract with Deere and Company was with the same man for 50 years," stated a spokesperson. Over 1000 people attended the free lunch provided by McArthur Implement Co. It was followed by a joint program (John Deere Day and recognition of McArthur). A crowd in excess of 700 filled the Burlington High School auditorium. McArthur expressed his gratitude to the firm's many customers over the years. "Without you (the customers) we certainly would not be here. We have appreciated your fine support over the past 50 years." Harold started as a John Deere dealer in 1938 in Flagler. His first location was where the present Case-IH dealership is located. He then moved to where the John Deere dealer in Flagler is now located. Harold moved his dealership to Burlington in 1945. The firm was located at 480 - 15th St., which is now serving as city hall for Burlington. The firm then moved to Rose Avenue in 1964 at the corner of Rose and Lincoln. In 1982, McArthur Implement Co. moved to its present location. Over the 50 years, McArthur has continued to expand, providing additional services for farmers over a wide area. Without question, Saturday was a very special day for McArthur. He has been affiliated with John Deere for one-third of the years the company has been in existence as Deere and Company celebrated its L50th anniversaryjust last year . . . The Burlington Record, Jan. 14, 1988. by Marlyn Hasart SNELL GRAIN CO. B'42 J.W. Borders began buying grain in 1910 in the days when horse and wagons were used to haul the golden berry and employees were paid one cent per bushel for hauling wheat coal an automatic fuel and which reduced to % the cost of coal in a home or business house. The Iron Fireman is also especially adapted for schools, churches, and public buildings. This business was originally established about 30 years ago in 1929 and had been under the present ownership about 10 years. John J. Esch was the president and manager, of this local enterprise. THE BANK OF BURLINGTON B'44 from the grain bins and loading it into boxcars for shipping. Borders was a buyer with the Snell Milling Co., Clay Center, Ks. for a period of approximately 10 years. The elevator at Stratton was built in 1912 and later one at Vona and then one at Flagler. In about 1926, The Snell Milling Co. decided to go out of business and the Snell Grain Co. of Colorado was organized and purchased the interests of The Snell Milling Co., in its Colorado elevators at Stratton, Vona, Flagler, and Arriba. Mr. Hillenkamp passed away around 1944, and at that time Floyd Borders, H.C. Harrison, and J.W.'s son-in-law of Arriba, then became active owners in the grain firm. The firm then purchased the two elevators at Hugo, which had been idle for a few years time. At this point, Ugene G. Brown and Richard Borders became active members of the firm. In 1954, the concrete elevator at Arriba was enlarged and a modern concrete elevator was built at Genoa and the Snell Grain Co. took over the three small frame elevators at that time. Bank of Burlington, 1930's. Mr. Borders had noted many changes during his 50 years of active management. New modern mechanized machinery has taken the place of the horse and buggy. OLD LUMBER COMPANIES IN BURLINGTON Bank of Burlington, 1956. 843 The Foster Lumber Company's yards and sheds cover about a half of a city block in Burlington. The Stock comprises of lumber, shingles, roofing, sash, doors, windows, brick, lime, cement, plaster, sewer pipe, drain tile, paints, oil, glass and anything necessary to build a house. The Burlington yard was managed by P.L. Bruner. The main headquarters were maintained in Kansas City, with yards in Kansas, Eastern Co., Oklahoma, and Wyoming. The Esch Lumber Company Inc. was located on 14th Street, opposite the City Hall. The stock in addition to lumber for buildings also carried fence posts and fencing wire. They had the exclusive agency in Kit Carson, Lincoln, and Cheyenne counties for the lron Fireman, the machine that made Bank of Burlington, 1988. The progress of the Burlington community and the success of The Bank of Burlington have moved forward together for 56 years come December 5, 1987. Eventful years, through bad times and the good, have taken place since the fall of 1931 when there were no banking facilities in Burlington. Realizing the need for such a service, George D. Tubbs, H.W. Gleason and his father, John E. Gleason, Benjamin B. Foster, George W. Foster, John M. Foster, Mrs. Anna Foster Ford, together with local �businessmen Orin Penny, P.L. Bruner, J.D. Brown, Ned R. Brown, E.L. Weinandt and John S. Boggs, organized and opened the bank at its present location. General conditions were not encouraging in the thirties, and the beginning was very modest, but by careful management and following of conservative banking principles, the bank has shown a steady growth. On opening day, its total assets were approximately $93,000. Thirteen years later it was $1,500,000. On December 5, 1956, when the bank celebrated its 25th anniversary, its assets were $2,800,000 and on its 50th anniversary they were $22,000,000 and are presently over $25,000,000. Following the death of H.W. Gleason in January, 1983 the bank was sold to Gary Brooks who became president and Leo Van Dittie who became chairman of the board. Mr. Brooks and Leo Van Dittie, along with his brother Jim. became directors of the bank, replacing 3 members of the Tubbs family. The Brooks and Van Dittie families are well known in Colorado Banking circles. The efforts to provide a safe and sound banking service to the people of this territory have been accomplished by the loyal support and friendship of the people of our community. This patronage is deeply appreciated by every officer, director and employee. From depression years, through cycles of good times and difficult times, the bank has kept its steady gain. With the rapid changes 1940, John Ellis, who was then serving as assistant cashier. was elevated to cashier of in agriculture, the money needs of both farmers and businessmen have increased the bank. He held this position until 1943 when he entered the military service, along with assistant cashier Bob Montgomery. At this time, L.L. Reinecker joined the bank as cashier and in 1949 was named executive vice immensely and the bank has strived to meet these needs. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have made The Bank of Burlington what it is today, and the officers and personnel president. George D. Tubbs, Jr., was elected president following the death of his father in look to the future with confidence and high resolve to continue to serve this community to the best of their abilitv. 1949. The Bank of Burlington has been in the same location for 50 years. It started out in the building that was the quarters of the former Stockgrowers Bank. In 1950 the building was remodeled inside and out and expanded in size. Its present building is now considered one of the most modern and beautiful buildings in Burlington. Consider- gasoline pump. His was the first pump in town. His first six week's business was a total of 50 gallons of kerosene. But Ray, the young man with a vision and the forward look, had gotten on the right track. From the single team and rattling wagon, he progressed. He added a few barrels to the cream cans. Then a tank wagon drawn by horses, of which he now had a dozen or more. Next came a truck with a tank, a somewhat crude affair minus a top to the cab, but it served. From the modest beginning has evolved the widespread business located in Vona since 1925, with the most modern tank trucks, a well equipped office, with branch offices in Kirk, Joes, and Cope. From that a 8-gallon-per week record he has gone to one-half million gallons in one year. He now takes the route to Kirk, Joes, and Cope in 2% hours where in the horse-drawn days it took 4 days. He built the tanks used by White Eagle and Conoco in Seibert. and took the first load of gas to Joes, Kirk and Cope. Mr. Ray A. Roberts married Leona Bell, daughter of early settler, Stephen Bell. They have two children, a son Lloyd and a by Willard Gross daughter. Ray is the son of George Roberts who came, with his wife and two sons, from Missouri to Colorado in 1908. They homesteaded four miles south of Seibert. Lloyd is in partnership with his father. RAY A. ROBERTS AND by Janice Salmans SON OIL CO. able new modern equipment has been added so that the bank can better serve its custom- B'45 ers. The bank is proud of its past and present employees, most who served for many years. Leland Reinecker served the bank as execu- STRATTON HEALTH CENTER B'46 tive officer for 38 years. He retired in January, 1981 and the following June was awarded a 50 year plaque from the Colorado Bankers Association for his 50 years of service to banking. He continues to serve on the board of directors, a position he has held for over 44 yearc. Willard Gross joined the bank as assistant cashier in June 1945. was named cashier in 1949, and executive vice president in January 1981, a position which he presently holds. He also has been a director of the bank for 42 Ray Roberts Oil Co., Seibert location. years. "Bud" Boyles, became associated with the bank in 1965 and was elected vice president and cashier in 1981, a position he Stratton's health care facilitv held until his retirement in January, 1986. Irene Wilcox served as assistant cashier for nearly 28 years, until her semi-retirement in January, 1981, and then continued as a parttime employee until March, 1987. Jerry L. Gross, son of Willard Gross, joined the bank in June, 1981 as assistant cashier Doctor Richard D. Ramos, Denver born, doctor of Chiropractic, came to Stratton in January 1956. Until this writing, he has practiced in Stratton continuously for thirtytwo years. He married Lolita Klotzbach, a Stratton born lady. They had five boys, and was named vice president and cashier in January, 1986. Other officers are Connie Witzel, assistant cashier with 31 years of service, Carol Zimbelman, assistant cashier, 14 years, and Rick Haynes, assistant vice president and ag loan officer, about 2 years. Other faithful employees are Margaret Smith, 19 years, Margie Mersch, 16 years, Mary Sue Woodrick, 8 years, and Carol Lucas, 6 years. Newer employees are Charlene Flock, David Carter, Tara Duerst and Fae Mehling. John and Gene Penny have served as directors of the bank for over 25 years. George D. Tubbs, Jr. was the bank's nresident and director for 34 vears. In Ray Roberts Oil Co., Vona location. Back in 1912 there were not many automobiles in Seibert, Colo. People had not begun to think much about them. "Filling stations" were hardly known. But a young fellow with 'more imagination than sense', some said, got the idea that after all, the horseless buggy might grow. So he decided to go in the business of furnishing fuel for motors. His first "equipment" was a team, some milk cans. and finallv an old Howser "blind" Richard, Michael, James, Ronald, and Daniel. Dr. Ramos also had two children from a previous marriage, Randlyn and Donald. Dr. Ramos started practice in the old Collins Hotel. Then he bought the old bank building on Colorado Avenue and practiced there for 16 years. At present he owns and operates the Stratton Health Center (pictured) which houses Dr. Cockerham D.D.S., Dr. Ramos, D.C., and Dr. Warwick, M.D. This health care facility is rare for a small rural community. For thirty years Dr. Ramos was the only doctor in town and provided much of the Drimarv care for the communitv. When asked �by big city colleagues why he would stay in a small community where there are no recreational facilities, he pointed out that "There are a lot of things Stratton doesn't have: smog, traffic problems, drugs in our schools, and crime on our streets." UNITED FARMERS MARKETING CORP.N' by Donna llake THE COLLINS HOTEL by Dr. Richard D. Ramos LTZ'S LITTLE BIT the ornamental concrete, other landscaping items will be offered in the future. B50 It was "the best hotel between Kansas City and Denver," wrote on local historian. Its beautiful landscaping, its fountains and its spacious accommodations attracted famous world travelers and local cowboys alike. It was the Collins Hotel, in Stratton, B'47 Colorado. The hotel was named after its builder and first owner, Joe Collins, an early day, Eastern Colorado "mover and shaker" who learned at The facilities of United Farmers Marketing Corp. west of Burlington. United Farmers Marketing Corporation is wholly owned and operated by dry bean growers in eastern Colorado. After several months of organizational meetings and Liz's Little Bit, near I-70, Stratton To begin with, I began by researching convenience stores over the country. The thought of building a convenience store, with the selling of gas, was taking shape in my mind. Then I drew up plans as to what would be suitable. but the location was another thing. I contacted our local banker and talked with others to find property available in the area near I-70. I found it was not as easy as I had thought it might be, but the proper place was found and purchased. Then the ground work began: upgrading and leveling done, the gas tanks were put in, followed by water and sewer lines. Then the concrete was poured for the foundation and floor. The building was purchased and it took about a month to arrive. While the building was being put up, the work went on measuring for gas Iines from tanks.to dispenser, getting the pumps in before the weather got too cold and bad; the island around the dispensers was poured with concrete. Then the weather began to get pretty cold and bad. So we were delayed in getting to finish all concrete work, but between snows it did get done in February. Inside work was being done and in the searching for finance, UFMC was established in October L7 ,t978. Through the sale of stock to bean producers in Yuma and Kit Carson counties and a construction loan from the First National Bank at Burlington, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, enough funds were obtained to start con- struction in April of 1979. During that same year UMFC handles approximately 60,000 cwt. The corporation has grown steadily in both storage capacity and processing ability Collins and some of his brothers homesteaded in Colorado. Making good in horses and cattle, Collins went into the hardware business, and selling that, he began dealing in real estate as a specialty. In 1917, he bought out the Square Deal Lumber Co., and in its place Joe Collins built the Collins Hotel. According to Dessie Reeves-Cassity, "He hired a landscape gar- dener to landscape the surroundings created a sunken garden set out beautiful flowers, kept a professional caretaker and made it the show place of both Kansas and Colorado." Nor did he scrimp on the interior; the linoleum was brought from England. There was hot and cold water, and all electric lights. The hotel was big. It had 104 doors with by Gay Cure numbers on them, but only 80 were 9x12 bedrooms. The rest were chutes and closets. The hotel boasted three public bathrooms, THE LEISURE GARDEN B49 and two of the rooms had bathrooms, as well. The halls were 10 feet wide. In the attic, space was sold to cowboys who wanted a spot to roll out their bedrolls. For 75 cents a night, cowboys could rent curtained cubicles, and one retired cattleman, Lloyd Pugh, recalls "some real parties" in that attic. When the hotel sold in 1966 the wires which held the curtains were still there. In the east wing was a large dining room, which could seat 72 persons, and a smaller cafe with 18 stools and two tables. Meals were cooked on coal stoves. The cooks were particularly busy packing lunches when the waiting to be brought down from Denver and installed. We opened the 26th day of April, 1980. In early June the black top went in, after a very moist winter. Other restrooms were added in July. Diesel has been another product that has been added plus the making of a rest room back of our lot. Thus you have by Liz Coulter would lead to success. A Wisconsin Native, Collins bought and sold his first farm - for a profit - at the age of seventeen. Fifteen years later, in 1906, and in 1986 - 305,000 cwt were received and processed, making it the largest single Pinto Bean facility in the country. meantime all equipment for the store was the history of Liz's Little Bit. a tender age that buying and selling land survey crew (working on Highway 24) stayed at the hotel. Loretta (Pelle) Ehlers, a former waitress and cook in the hotel, said a T-bone steak dinner sold for 60 cents, in the 1930's, The Leisure Garden, one of Stratton's newest businesses The Leisure Garden was opened in Nov. 1986 by Jim and Donna Hake. Its primary and the luncheon special usually went for around 45 cents. A cheap lunch, including roast beef, potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coffee and a roll, could be purchased for a quarter. Mrs. Ehlers said about 35 drummers (salesmen) stayed at the hotel each week. While they all enjoyed the hospitality and the business is the retail sales of ornamental concrete to be used in decorating homes, comparative luxury, at least one salesman had cause for irritation. Mrs. Ehlers said a precasted and the painting and detail work is finished at the Leisure Garden. Over two hundred different items are available with new ones added periodically. In addition to ketchup - yards, and gardens. Items are purchased ketchup salesman arrived in the dining room one day, only to find some other brand of in his company's bottles! To appease the salesman, and keep him as a customer, the hotel removed the offending ketchup from the premises. �ETRATTON FIRE DEPART!@NT CONsTITUTION ARTICIJE t. Tltle and Object. SECTION l..-Thefe lr horeby croatcd o,n orgonlratlon wbtch rball be known oE "Stratton Flre D€partmcnt." SECTION 2.-- The object ol thla Dopartm€nt ghall be to creat and malntein I spirlt of frlendshlg and lraternal loellng b€twe€n ltE m€mbers; to meet and egsemble ln reSiular stated conventions. and tbere devlse wa,ys and m€aDs to lmprov€ the flre-flghtlng servlce; to combat and extinguish nres, end at ell tlmes to do tts utmost in the savlug ol property from destructloD, and the llvee of persons ondanger€d by flre. AII,TICIJE 3. Clagses ol Membershlp. SECTION 1.- The membershlp of thls bepartment shall conslsl of volunteerg clasaed as lollowe, vlz: "Active",. "Assooiate", "Honorary" Collins Hotel, the best hotel between Goodland, Kansas and Denver of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Among the famous names who registered and stayed at the Collins hotel were Babe Ruth and Jack Dempsey, Paul Harris (founder of the Rotary Club, from Chicago), Paul Whiteman, Marian Davies and Governor aud "Llfe" members. SECTION 2.- Actlve memberg sball be aselgined to duty with any flre equlpment by the Chlef ol th€ Flre DeDartmeDt, or by tbe Asststant Chlef ln the abeeuce of tbe Chtet. They shall be eutltled to vote ln ConYentlonB, and to hold olllce, SECTION 3.- Assoclate member8 shall be those who wlsh to Jol[ the DepBrtmeut lor th6 general good and ghall be subject tor th€ payment ol dues, but shsll not be entltled to vote In cotrventlons nor to hold ofilce. SECTION 4.- HoDorary memberrhlp may be attalned only lD recog- Johnson. Although there were a number of hotel managers, Joe Collins owned the hotel until he died in 1949. He continued to deal in real estate, however, and is credited with bringing many new residents to the area from across the nation. The hotel was willed to five heirs, upon Collins' death, and one of them, Frances Van Ness, bought out the interests of the other four. She and her sister Rose Huber, operated the hotel until Mrs. Van Ness died in 1965. Mrs. Huber and another sister, Isabel Ross, then sold the hotel to Harley and June Pottorff in 1966. The Pottorffs have remodeled the old hotel, now known as Twin Oaks. The 18,000 square feet of floor space received new Moon Theatre competes with today's high tech, remaining one of a few small town theaters. Stratton Fire Department Constitution, Feb. 4, calibre movies for the area. Stratton should be very appreciative of the fact that in this day of more theaters closing than remaining to fight the inroads of high technology and high costs that this small town still has a quality movie theater. Stratton Fire Department was organized in February 4, L924 according to the written constitution which gave membership in the Colorado State Firemen's Association. The carpeting, although the English linoleum was "still in good shape," and the walls received more than 100 gallons of new paint. The wide halls were converted to bathrooms. A portion is now used as the Stratton Senior Citizens Center. Since Collins died, the gardens and fountain have made way for a paved parking lot. STRATTON FIRE DEPARTMENT B52 The dining room and kitchen are no longer in use. But in a casual glance from across the street is still looks much as it did, 60 years ago. by Terry Blevins MOON THEATRE 86r After purchasing the Moon Theatre from E.J. and Betty Buhr, Melvin and Dorene Koonn had their first movie showing on June 3, 1977. For two years they commuted from their Denver home to open the movie each weekend. They now live in Stratton. Although this is a very trying period in time for the promoters of movies and theaters because of cable, satellites, and VCR inroads, the Koonns staunchly continue showing high 7924. equipment which consisted of two hose carts and twelve buckets were stored in the old town hall. An informal membership for each volunteer cost $10.00 for life. In 1926 a chemical truck was acquired. On December 29, L952, the Stratton Fire Protection District was formed and board members were named: Lloyd Pugh, president, and Ernest Pottorff, Lawrence Dasenbrock, G.L. Hatfield, and Joe Droste, the directors. In 1953 a new 500 gallon Ford pumper truck was purchased. The purchase of a 1949 Chewolet pumper truck from the Burlington Fire Department for 91.,250.00 on September 15, 1962, by the Stratton Fire Department provided a gift to give the city. In 1976 a new 1,000 gallon prtmper truck was bought. After construction of the new building to house the fire equipment, provide office space and an area for the am[ulanss service equipment, the move was made to that building in 1983, and in 1984 the department received a 2,000 gallon water truck. Present home of the Stratton Fire Protection District Headquarters. by Ron Wolfrum �KUKUK BLACKSMITII AND MACHINE SHOP 853 Modern equipment, scientific methods and efficient service were characteristic of the Kukuk Blacksmith and Machine Shop in Burlington. The business was first started by F.W. Kukuk back in 1913, and he operated it under his own name until 1921, at which time his brother bought an interest and took an active part in its operation. They were prepared to take care of any- thing in the way of blacksmithing, woodwork, machine work and acetylene gas welding. In the welding department they could weld anything made of metal, including articles from the size of a teaspoon to a heavy pump or engine cylinder. STRATTON DONUT SHOP B64 Stetson hats and Florsheim shoes. This business w{ut owned by Frank E. Koenig and Orville Swain was the manager. Originally Lloyds Clothing and Cleaning Shop, owners were Mac and Clara Lloyd. They were located in the north half of the building. Cecil Felzien purchased the cleaning shop and moved it to the Satin Petticoat location (1987 store). Mabel Davis and Les Sutton were employed by Mac Lloyd. Overalls were sold at $1.98 a pair. C.E. McCartney and J.J. McCune pur- chased the Men's Shop and Les Sutton was the manager. Employees were Doris Hawth- orne, Virgie Luecke, and Cleo Gipe. Later Mabel Davis joined the staff replacing Virgie Luecke. Levis were $3.98 a pair. In 1962, Robert E. and Bonnie Baker purchased 7s interest and Bob became the manager when Les Sutton moved to KLOE in Goodland, Ks. Cleo Gipe joined the Navy. Later David McCune joined the staff and eight years later moved to Arizona. Levis were $4.29 and a shirt was $4.00. In 1965, The Men's Shop purchased the J.C. Penny Store and doubled the size of the business and Bob Baker purchased C.E. McCartney's interest in the business. Later Lori Witzel joined the staff and married and moved to Tex. and her mother Barb Witzel replaced her. 1987, the present staff in the Men's Shop are Doris Hawthorne, Mabel Davis, Barb Witzel, and Bob and Bonnie Baker. Levis are nor $20.00 - $29.00 and shirts are $16.00 and $22.00. The Burlington Cleaners and Clothiers was situated on Main Street. This firm operated a thoroughly modern dry cleaning and pressing plant. They also carried a stock of men's clothing, furnishings, hats, caps, shoes and made suits to otder in the latest weaves in spring and summer woolens. This firm was established and managed by rad's, Jim Hake's and Dale Courtright's. With lot's of hard work and planning, we opened the door as a donut shop on Novem- necessities for a well-organized sale ring. Cressie Seal was the original initiator of the business and he and his wife Merna, assisted by Gladys and George Quinn and Frances Van Ness in the office, ran the establishment that had quite a reputation in the area. Leonard Beeson who worked there from 1934 to 1948 vividly recalls the many sales. Sometimes a miscellaneous sale preceded the regular cattle sale. Special horse and mule sales were common and these sometimes lasted until 2 a.m. Trucks were small in those days and it was the time when machinery pulled by tractors was taking the place of horse drawn machinery. Leonard recounted that his father sold 40 head of horses once at $f6.00 per/head. Auctioneers through the years were Claude Irwin and later the Peters Bill, Roy and Bud. At first Harley -Greenlee clerked the sales, but when he was unavailable Leonard Beeson was called into service from his work in the yards and did such a fine job that he became the sale clerk. In the mid-40's Bill Peters and Swede business the D&D Cleaners. In 1975, they purchased the Felzeins and moved to the new bunches as space allowed. In 1958, Dallas and Dean Stevens bought The Stratton Donut Shop opened November 4, 1980. The Stratton Press building was purchased early in 1980 by the Steve Con- self storage building. Hornung took over the sale barn and operated it until it closed in the early 1950's. It seems hard to visualize a large number of cattle or other animals right in town, but if the pens on either side of the building grew too crowded the overflow was taken to the railroad stock pens and driven back in small M.M. Lloyd. Stratton Donut Shop: a center of morning and afternoon gathering in Stratton "The Barn", Stratton's first sale barn site, now a the Jack The Cleaners and called the new location at 260 14th street. In 1987, the business has been going for 28 years. In 1929, the Golden Rule Dry Goods Today this historic site is a community storage rental establishment owned and managed by Joyce and Gene Clark. Company could be counted as a leader of its line. This firm was incorporated in 1912 and was moved to the city in 1919. This business was located in a brick building. It was ber 4, 1980. managed by Joseph Floyd. They dealt in dry In 1986 the Jim Hake's choose to leave this business to start their own. ery, men's and boy's clothing, and furnish- goods, notions, ladies' ready-to-wear, millin- COUNTRY CRAFTS AND GIFTS 867 ings, hats, caps, and shoes. by Irene Courtright The Eastern Colorado Cleaners was prepared to remove soiled spots and give the cloth that freshness and newness of new CLOTHING STORES IN BURLINGTON goods. The business was established January 20, 1930, by W.L. Willis, manager and he was ably assisted by his wife Mrs. Willis. B56 Koenig's store was modern in point of equipment and completely stocked with clothing, men's furnighings, hats, caps and shoes, in short they were "Outfitters from Lad to Dad". They carried one of the best selected stocks of its kind in eastern Colorado. Among the high grade lines featured by the concern might be mentioned Wilson Bros. Haberdashery, Hart, Schaffner and Marx and Kuppenheimer clothes, John B. STILL "TIIE BARN' 856 An interesting Stratton landmark is the building known today as "The Barn" on the south side of the post office on Colorado Avenue. It began in the early 1930's as a sale barn with an arena and scales, holding pens, and a snack shop with offices and all the ro Countrv Crafts and GifLs at Stratton �On October 17, 1987, Larry and Rhonda Shutte opened a new craft store in Stratton next to the Dischners Grocery called Country Crafts and Gifts. At the time this book was published it was one ofthe newest businesses in town. The Shuttes both enjoyed doing woodworking and various other crafts and with the growing interest of crafting in the surrounding area, they decided that it might be a good business for Stratton to have again. REAL ESTATE OFFICES B60 The installation of electrical comforts and The Bently Land Company, Iocated in the Winegar building, Burlington, was prepared to furnish interested parties with the most authentic information on all subjects pertaining to farm land in eastern Colorado, western Kansas, and Nebraska. The active head of the concern was Mr. C.B. Bently. Mr. F.E. Winegar, located on the ground floor of the Winegar building on North Main Street, had been engaged in business in this locality for the past 20 or 25 years, in 1929. He made a specialty of improved and unimproved farm and ranch lands in this part of the country. He also wrote insurance and surety bonds. necessities and the handling of supplies for this purpose was the line in which Guthries' Electric Shop was engaged. It was opened for business in Burlington on Jan. 1, 1930. They took care of anything pertaining to electrical construction or repair work and also carried a line of electrical appliances. A specialty was made of house wiring and the installation of any kind, from the smallest town lot to the by Rhonda Shutte Marion, "Emp", Carolyn (Mrs. Justin Williams), GUTHRIE'S ELECTRIC SHOP 858 complete electric light plants in country homes. The business was owned bv J.S. Guthrie. WILLIAMS PHARMACY and Lawrence, "Larry", Williams. 859 The rapid development and consequent increase of real estate transfers. fostered the need for a well equipped abstract plant. The Baker Abstract Company was situated on Main Street. Their records showed in whom the title to all real estate in Kit Carson county is vested, and the abstracts of real estate of Lawrence, "Larry", Williams Dr. Harry L. Williams purchased the Flagler Drug Company from a Dr. Charles Schroyer on November 28, 1906 with a payment of $50.00 on stock and fixtures when he and his family became snowbound in Flagler on their way from Denver to Illinois. (No record of Dr. Schroyer is available. His letterhead on the bill of sale lists him as Physician and Surgeon and Manager of the Flagler Drug Company.) The family moved into the building, dividing it into home, store and Dr.'s office. Jennie raised the boys, Marion, Justin and Lowell, managed the store when Dr. was out on calls and nursed patients. The first patient was brought into Dr.'s office one night by his friends. In addition to being drunk he was more dead than alive having ridden his horse through newly strung barbed wire fence. His recovery took three weeks. Marion, "Emp", graduated from the Denver University School of Pharmacy. He took over management of the new store, built in Williams Pharmacy, built in 1915 or 1917, at its either 1915 or L917, after having served in the present Flagler Iocation. Army. (Marion said the family home and new store were both built in 1915. However, the Assessor's Office shows the house built in 1915 and the store in 1917. In 1969 Marion received a certificate of recognition signed by Governor Love and members of the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy for having been a registered pharmacist in Colorado for 50 years. His The original drugstore purchased by Dr. H.L. Williams from Dr. Schroyer in 1906. registration number was 2518 and registration date was May 24, 1919. Marion's only son, Lawrence chose not returned from World War II and-'11411y", to return to Denver University where he had been studying Chemical Engineering. Instead he attended Capitol College of Pharmacy, and joined his father in business in 1947. when Larry retired it will be the end of an era; his only child chose not to carry on the family tradition. by Vivienne E. Tfilliams largest tract of land. They also wrote fire insurance and surety bonds. The Baker Abstract company was organized in 1907. It was managed by E.C. Baker. Another worth mention in the Real estate business is Mr. Wm. Wilkinson. Mr. Wilkinson sold Real estate and Insurance in the two- story brick Wilkinson building. Later on to have housed Thomas and Thomas, Attorneys at Law. Located on Main Street is the office of The Kit Carson Abstract Company. This com- pany was organized back in 1916, and was very ably managed by H.G. Hoskin. He was one of the most widely known and progressive men of the community and his name had been prominently identified with the growth and development of the county for 42 years. (1929) Another of our real pioneers in the business world of Burlington is Burt Ragan who specializes in Insurance and has other busi- ness ventures to add to his name. He was also Special Deputy Tax Collector for Kit Carson county; bought and sold horses, mules and all kinds of livestock; took care of rentals; was a Notary Public, a dealer in Real Estate; and engaged in farming. He operated one of the largest general insurance agencies in eastern Colorado. Among the companies represented were: Aetna Insurance Co., Home Insurance Co., Commercial Union Fire Insurance Co., Hartford Insurance Co. (writing all lines), The Franklin Life Ins. Co. Queen Insurance Co., Colonial Underwriters, Fidelity-Phoenix Insurance Company, Liverpool, London, and Globe Ins. Co., and others of more or less importance. He had been in the fire insurance business here for thirty years in 1929, and added Life ins. a little over a year ago. He also wrote surety bonds. �STRATTON EQUITY COOPERATTVE CO.r*, In 1914, fifty seven interested persons purchased shares of stock dated December 16, 1914 and the Cooperative was born. It was named and formed the Stratton Equity Exchange, now known as the Stratton Equity Cooperative Co. During the formative years the company had the usual ups and downs of a new business with the position of manager being changed quite frequently. During the years 1918-22, fle managers were hired. When the business was organized R.M. Farquhar was the first manager and started operating the business with a grain elevator and attached corrugated metal shed, which served as the office. The first board of Helen Kerl, bookkeeper, Stratton Equity Exchange, in the 1930's. directors were, O.L. Boone, D.S. Manley, J.J. Harris, U.S. Clark and Arthur Radspinner. The manager and four employees operated the new business in 1914. In 1934 Dick Rose was hired as manager. : t;i :,: i.rt?'t: ttr Stratton Equity Exchange when Dick Rose was t manager. 4 rl t, ::"..:,: Lumber yard and Elevator in early days. During the hard years the board of directors saw the need for a capable manager with experience and determination necessary to pull the business out of financial trouble. During Rose's long tenure as manager many improvements were made. First, a 60 ft. scale was installed. two steel bins were erected with approximately 36,000 bushel grain storage, Iater on adding an expansion to it,22'x40' more steel bins. This gave them storage capacity of 510,000 bushels. In 1929 the first service station was added in 1959 for the cost of$35,000.00. It featured the latest in equipment to service automobiles, truck and farm machinery. The fertilizer plant was built in 1964. At this time the Coop had 650 shareholders. In 1968 Dick Rose retired as manager of the Coop. Ben Davis was hired as manager on May 1, 1968. During this time the Coop has added more needed service. The Coop added grain storage at the Kirk Coop of 1,000,000 bushel for corn and wheat, and added a new service station at Kirk, built a new hardware store with new office spaces and added grain &. I t t h storage at Stratton. A new feedmill was installed that services the county with feed being delivered when needed. Transport trucks were purchased to deliver fuel and grain. The Coop now has 4,266,000 bushel of grain storage to serve its members. The Coop now has 1582 share holders in 1988. The present directors are, Jim M. May, President; Jack Shafer, Vice President; Ron Richards, secretary; Charles Clapper and Dale Conrardy, directors. Bennie C. Davis is presently serving as manager. The Coop employs 63 employees to service their members. Elevator and Feedmills, 1988. Stratton Equity Exchange. �STRATTON BARBER SHOP B62 Otte Collier and wife Birdie Sholes Collier operated the barber shop and beauty salon in Stratton about the years 1928-1930 before moving to Yuma, Colo. to operate a shop there. The barber chairs were in the front part of the building with the beauty shop booths further to the back. Short hair styles became popular in the 1920's making heated curling irons the latest in hairdressing. Small irons for the small curls and larger heated irons for longer hair came along with the waving iron. Mrs. Collier was a sister to Charles Sholes. The shop was located in the building where Ray Jones has his present business on Colorado Avenue, Stratton's main street. One of the customs at that time was at the death of anyone in the community the Marshall of the town would go down one side of the street and up the other side stopping at each business informing them the time the funeral was to be held. and the merchants would close their doors for that hour in ft. building owned by Jack and Maurine Mauch. Later it became a family corporation, including John, Ron and Cheryl. In July of 1968, a big fire caused by an electrical short at night almost destroyed the building. The remains of merchandise was sold for salvage to a Denver dealer and the fixtures were replaced and cleaned. The reopening happened 6 weeks from the day of the fire. Loyal customers returned and enabled the corporation to double the building size to 17,000 sq. ft. in L974. In December of 1981, the business sold to a life long competitor Safeway, Inc., who leases the building from Jack and Maurine, now retiring in Sun City, Ari. of the framework and sides to the floor, the cabinet installation, enclosure of the unit, a wood sealer coat followed by much sanding and two coats of varnish. Then water lines and electrical components plus refrigerator and stove were added. Insulation and tinning followed with much crimping. Then at the finish station, windows, a ventilator, door, interior lights and clearance lights, curtain rods and curtains, and table preceded the precise sealing of all seams with a liquid sealer. A serial number for identification was stamped on the unit in the final manufactu- ring step. A thorough checking of all operative components was made before any unit left the factory. by Jack Mauch This is a partial listing of the persons known to have worked there during the peak years: Richard Ellsworth, Virgil Pugh, Weldon Vance, Shorty Vance, Muriel Lindsey, Oral May, Walt and Leona Meyers, Marvis COLORADO MOBILE HOMES Husler, Mary Flageolle, Loretta Ehlers, Jerry Shean, Sarah Campbell, Lola Gramoll, Mar- . qrll Joe Dvorak, Larie (Bauman) Smelker, Doris (Thyne) Boes, Ab and Dorothy Lucas, and 864 Urban, Alvin and Millie Menke, Gladys tin Bauman, Robert Gerke, Leota Mitchem, Dean Campbell. In 1965 Rex Zurcher took over manage- ment and production was done on order only. On June 19,1972, Rex Zurcher and Mrs. Lee respect for the person that had died. If anyone came to town they would know why they couldn't get in the store. Zurcher disposed of all equipment and materials at a public dispersal auction. by Stella Sholes Arends SAVE U MARKET by Dorothy Lucas STRATTON REALTY 863 865 Colorado Mobile Home production line. Palamon (Pal) Hornung owns and manages the Stratton Realty. A little over two years ago he studied for his sales license and then he decided he would go ahead and get his broker's license. He passed both tests the first time he was given the test. Pal's Father, Swede, was also a realtor. His office was on the opposite side of the street and on the northeast corner - Batt Realty. Batt Realty was the former bank in Stratton and the old safe is still in the building, which is now a liquor store. (1988). Pal and Shirley Hornung bought the Finished pickup camper units ready for delivery, peak production 1961. Grocery store on Highway 24 owned and operated by Jack Mauck. Lee Ellsworth founded the 1800 square foot grocery store, called Save U, south of Hwy. 24, in the late 1940's. It was founded because of a need for the Bonny Dam employees, and Hwy. 24, fiaffrc customers. Lee and his brother, Carrol, built the building and operated it until they leased it to Bill Dittmore, who later declared bank- ruptcy. The White House Market Inc. of Goodland, Kansas re-opened it and operated it a short time. In 1953, one of their officers, Jack Mauch, purchased it from them and operated it for over 30 years. Then, in the year 1964, the business moved across the highway to 111 18th Street in a new 8,000 sq. Colorado Mobile Homes was a late 1950's to early 1970's business in Stratton producing long and short base pickup camper units and some pull type mobile units from a site on First Avenue across the street south of today's Stratton Equity Coop loading dock. The business was originated in 1957 by Lee Ellsworth, Burlington, in association with "Shorty" Vance. Peak production years were 1960-62 when as many as 26 people worked on the production line, completing two units per day. The mobile trailer factor enjoyed a reputation of having the best constructed mobile camper unit of that era, boasting top grade full dimension lumber, glued and nailed joints, well insulated walls and custom cabinetry made at the factory. A production line process started with the lumber precisely sawed, placed into jigs for nailing and gluing, following by attachment building from the Town of Stratton in 1987 for Pal's real estate business and Shirley's floral business and travel agency. The building was the former City Hall for the Town of Stratton. It still houses the original Stratton jail. The south side of the building housed the fire truck and the maintenance equipment for the Town of Stratton. Pal and Shirley just had a bathroom, walls, and a new front window and door put in the building. They plan on doing few major alterations from the original look of the building for historical purposes. Shirley and Pal enjoy history and one of their family hobbies has been stopping off at museums and historical sites wherever they travel. Pal is using his father's desk and chair in his office, and Shirley is using the old Stratton Credit Union roll top desk. The Credit Union was in the Batt Realty building, also. Lawrence Torline managed the Credit Union. by Shirley Hornung �tions in the town. The following list of Vona businesses was originally compiled by J. Carl Harrison. The names of businessmen are not necessarily in chronological order. The list VONA BUSINESSES B66 covers business from 1889 to 1988. Auctioneer: J.R. Taylor, Claude Irvin also worked in the Vona area. Bank: Vona State. A.V. Jessie - Pres., S.W. Abbott - V.P., Warren Shamburg - Director, Marc Waynick - Cashier 1923, J.J. Delaney, and Leon Snyder. Barber Shops: Guy Gingles, Mr. Melen, Harry Lambert, Doran Alexander, Jack Cottrell, Vic Gagnon, Bruce Teetters, Mr. White Eagle, Ray Roberts in Vona Bean, and Russell Sawyer. Blacksmith Shop: Mr. Cooper, CIem Borah, Al Martin. Bulk Oil Plants: Ray Roberts, Norris Merriweather, Orval Burd, and Will Odle. Butcher Shop: Paul Wilson, Nelson, and Inside Vona State Bank. Marc Waynick, Herk Hill and Mrs. Waynick Dean Dew. Clothing: Stover Bros., Doles, Mrs. Effie Helderman, and Bernard Waldrons, Hayes Clothing Store. In the years between the inception of Vona and somewhere in the thirties or forties, Vona was considered somewhat of a boom town. During the time called the homestead days, there were probably a hundred families in the Vona trade area which was about 6 miles wide and extending to Yuma county line north and south to the Cheyenne county line. There were. at one time, about 35 business institu- Construction: Glenn Edmunds Cream Stations: Fred Mohr, Bernice Carlstedt, Bill Hartsook, Fanny Thompson, Mrs. Foxworthy, Louis Schiedegger, John Kerl, Mae Chester, and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Palmer. Dairies: E.H. Haynes, Mr. Carey, Roy John Kerl's Creamery, Perl and John Kerl George, Ernest Elsey, Mr. Howell, and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ford. Dance Halls: Dr. Hewitt. Bill Harsook. and Homer Bridge. Depot: Henry Wallace, Mr. Blakeman, Mr. Folaom, Mr. Henry Weikel, Mr. Liggett, Mr. Jeffers, John Hale, Mr. Tracy, E.G. Monroe, Harry Rice, and Fern Carpenter. Doctors: Dr. Whitaker, Dr. Leslie, Dr. Fencedamocker, Dr. Thomas, Dr. Myers, Dr. V.M. Hewitt. Dray Line: Walt Bridge, Terry Atkins, Roy George, Leo Gagnon, Chester Burd, Nels Iverson, Leonard Dawson, Carl Remmick, and Homer Bridge. Drug Stores: Edgar Thompson, S.J. Brown, Edgar Ancell, Kougers, Art Krier, Steve Neil, John Cochran, Dr. and Mrs. Hewitt. Electric Repair Shop: Rex Howell Elevators: The Vona Equity Cooperative Assn. - Tuck Anderson, Snell and Farmers: A check drawn on the Vona State Bank Elmer Ferris, Floyd Borders, Hal Borders, Max Deakin, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Ancell, A.W. Morgan, and Snell Grain: 1931: E.B. Wilson; J.W. Borders, Joe Doughty, 1964, Smoot Grain: Leo Gurley managed from 1961-1979; Vona Grain: 1979 Schultes. Filling Stations: Newt Howell, Adam Elsey, B.H. Williams, Ray Roberts, Loyd Roberts, Clint Wilhite, C.L. Snyder, Orville Atkins, Buck Weaver, Clyde Coleman, Dale Courtright, Bob Baker, Leo Gagnon, Leland Kibbee, Norris Merriweather, Paul Klassen, f:' ,:llrl: ";;" Edna Monroe. Mabel Fuhlendorf Neva Monore taken in the summer of 1930 in Mick Monroe's Model T Ford in front of the Vona State Bank Frank Wilson, Jim Camp, Louis Scheidegger, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Burian. Garages: Maxwell; Millard Harrison. Chevrolet: Ezra Harlan, Adam Elsy, B.R. Baker. Ford: Buck Weaver, George Moyes, Earl Webb, Mr. Madison, John, Barney, and Lou Thompson, Louis Scheidegger, Charlie O'Neil, Bates and Howell, Ralph Meisner, Leon Blystone, Jim Millerand, Joe Oliver, Leland Kibbee and Carl Woller, Kemper Brothers (Jim, Bill, Art, Roy) 1931 - Farmall Tractor: Pat Murphy; East Garage: Frank Brugman; Willeys Cars: J.O. Bates, 1933; in the late 1940's: Jim and Joes Garage and Body Shop: Jim Miller and Joe Oliver �purchased some property from Mabel Harlan and Ottis Hubbell worked for them part time with Wanda Miller as the bookkeeper; Camps Service: Jim Camp, Diltz Fix It Shop; Ronnie Diltz. Shops: Orval Burd; Hydraulic Fix It Shop Liquor Store: 1988: Lone Pine Liquors and VCR Tapes, Frances Camp by Janice Salmans VONA BUSINESSES flr,ro:Ltoyi Bill Harper, Sam Lloyd, ? Lloyd, Bert Kvestad, 867 Fred Flanagan, Nelson, and Burcar digging potatoes. in 1909. Roller Skating Rink Homer Bridge. Second Hand Store: S.P. Townsend, Bob Miller, and Zella anci Lester Yonts. Section House: John Delanev. Archie Doc Hewitt, Bill Eaton, Walt Proctor, Joe Burian. Pat Murphey, Herschel Salmans, and Bill Anderson in front of the Vona Drug Store. Ferris, Harry Shepard, Clyde Mullis, Allie Ferris, and John Hendricks. Section Crew: John and Earl Webb. Archie Ferris, Ben Borders, Bill Borders, Charles Howell, Harrison Schultz, Sam Lloyd, Mr. Elevators in Vona, Colorado Ledbetter, and Pete Groves. iis '{ $ . utl::r.tri:.. ..,t:,,ti.... i ....,. .-:.t:1.::i'l Taxi Service: Will Odle. ::f ut: l::t,:: rrrla:lr: Telephone Operators: Roxie Gray (later Kvestad), De Etta Mohr, Katy and Clara Boese, Mabel Harlan, Mr. and Mrs. Clvde Coleman, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Palmer. Telephone Repairman: Ed Sparks. Upholstery Repair: Mrs. Schiffner, and Kathy Thorson. Well Drilling: Clem Borah, John Puirshon. Mr. Densmore, and A.V. Hardin. Windmill Dealer: S.L. Howell. Woodwork Shop: Mr. W.E. Melling. Telephone Operator: Charles George. Vona Inns: Adams Always Inn: Shirley Adams, Ginger's Place: Ginger Sechrist. Hill- Top Inn: Dan Hubbell. Grocery and General Stores: Red and White Grocery - 1931 - Fred J. Adams; and Cary Mercantile - 1933 - E.H. Carey. Erastus Johnson, I.D. Fuller, Fred Adams, Newt Howell, Emmit Carey, Charley Carey (1g11) W.A. Cottrell, Mr. Mccorkle, Jim and Lee Erskin, Mark Crocker, Claude and Viv Brantley, Mr. Frye, Jim Stover, Charles Foster Lumber Yard in Vona Alexander, John Collins, Ollie Bates, Roy George, Park and Sadie Bonham, Mr. Hayes, J.J. Gladden, Pat and Merl Ford, Gust and Helen Herrell, John and Evelyn Hendricks, Mr. and Mrs. Rayrnond Monroe, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Zimmershied, Lillian Sechrist, Mr. and Mrs. �Rex Regnier, J.J. Elliot, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Estin, and Scotty Elliston. Hardware Stores: Harlan Haynes, Leon Snyder, Emmett O'Brien, and Charlie Davis, and A.L. Hitchcock. Hotels: Mrs. Becky Stover, Mrs. Laura Alexander, Mrs. Kunkel, John Webb, Edd Gagnon, and Joe and Syble Burian, T.S. SEIBERT EQUITY COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION erected across the railroad tracks to the north in 1986. This increased the total storage capacity of 2,633,000 bushels. B68 The Seibert Farmers Equity Exchange was organized August 9, 1915 by a group of prominent farmers, J.O. Hendricks, W.J. Stover. Insurance Agents: Herschel Salmans, Ronald Stone. Jewelry Store: A.A. King, and Mr. Warren. John Deere Agency: Fred Adams Livery Barn: Newt Howell, Jim Cannon, to G.W. Klockenteger. The amount of origi- Millard Harrison, Earl Webb, and Mr. Mat- nal Capital Stock was $5,000.00 divided into teson. 200 shares of $25.00 each. Lumber Yard: Z.J. Kiser, Harlan Haynes, Carl Alexander, Phil Bruner, Gib Anderson, Oscar Strehlow, John Hendricks, Hamy Burd, Foster; Paul Rauseur, and Norris Merriweather, Phil Bruner 1935-37. Peterson, Thomas J. Jones, James O. Parnell, and Alva J. Smith. The first stock was issued The first elevator, with 10,000 bushel capacity, was purchased from B.E. Roller. Gus Fuhlendorf, Chauncy Webb, and Homer The original set of scales was ordinary wagon scales with a capacity of 8,000 lbs. In 1924, the capacity of the elevator was raised to 20,000 bushel by remodeling. Later, a warehouse was built and coal bins were added. Bridge. County Deputy: Herschel Salmans. Meat Market: John Dennis, Paul, Wilson, and Mr. Nelson. Millinery Shop: Laura Alexander, Mrs. Webb, and Olive Harrison. hides and feed were handled along with grain. A cream station was operated for many years. The company was reorganized and changed the name to Seibert Equity Cooper- Marshals: N.E. Sharp, Morris Thompson, Newspapers: 1889 Will Rogers, Orville Rogers (not related), 1908 Vona Enterprise: Wiley E. Baker, and Scheidegger Bros. Nursing Home: Blanche Howell Photographer: W. C. Taylor, and Dale and Margaret Felix. Picture Show: J.O. Bates, Fred Flanagan, and Jim Hurd. Pool Halls: Harry Lambert, Musselman, Garnhart, Mr. Martin, Jim Cannon, Guy Gingles, George Moyes, Jack Cottrell, Joe Burian, Martin Matteson, Pat Murphy, Mrs. Hal Borders, and Homer Bridge. R.R. Pumpman: Mr. Brink, Harry O'Neil, and Roy Mussleman. Real Estate: Paul Wilson, S.L. Howell, E.H. Haynes, and Gus Herrel (Violet Edmunds tells us that Mr. Howell measured the land by tying a rag on his wagon wheel and figuring so many wagon wheels per mile.) Restaurants: August Carlstedt, Ma Haxtun, Mr. J.G. Brookshire, Lena Jensen, Mrs. Molly Ancell, Lena Alley, Mrs. John Tyron, Hubert and Rachel Dawson, Colemans, Martha Roberts, Hazel Wilhite, Irene Courtright, Fred Harper, Guy Youtsey, Lyle and Pearl Snyder, Tex Furguson, Isabelle Monroe, Vera Waterman, Frances Camp, and the Vona High School. South of Vona Blacksmiths: Al Tilbury and Alton Hardin. General Stores: A.S. Baker, and Bill Goff. North of Vona Blacksmiths: Frank Boger, and Abe Klassen. Cream Separator Agency: Ed Sparks. General Stores: Mr. and Mrs. Brownwood, Dick Roorda, Fred Loopstra, and Will Weisshaar. by Janice Salmans Produce, chickens, hogs, flour, salt, fruit, ative Association in 1935. In 194?, a 60'scale with capacity of 105,000 lbs. was installed. A bulk gas and filling station was operated from 1947 through 1954. In the spring of 1950, a 250,000 bushel capacity concrete elevator was constructed. In 1957, following several years of drought, the country was blessed with sudden moisture. Because the wheat had already blown out, the farmers planted milo. Therefore, a new grain dryer was installed to accommo- The Co-op takes prides in the speed in which grain can be unloaded to enable trucks to return to the field in record times. The access to 5 dumps and 2 sets of scales makes this possible. The record number of bushels received in one day is 235,081. During the wheat harvest of 1987, the oldest set ofscales collapsed and was replaced by a new 80's scale to weigh the longer semi- trucks of the future. The first manager of the Co-op was Ross Lowe. Other managers in succession have been, Charley Barber, A.L. Carpenter, E.M. Short, Henry Daum, Lloyd Murphy, Jack Allen, Martin Rasmussen, B.D. Hargrove, Eugene L. Hase, Robert Schmitt, B.D. Har- grove, John Keener, Bill Stramek, and Eugene L. Hase, who is manager to this time. Net sales: L927, $244,374; L937, $44,487; t947, $505,322; 1957, $197,171; 1967, $L,028,342; t977, $2,813,088; 1987, $4,858,490. by Carla Herman STATE BANK OF BURLINGTON B69 date the big milo crop. An office building, annex, cleaner and more concrete storage were added increasing capacity to 960,000 bushel by 1960. At this time the 60's scales were moved to the front of the new office building. In 1970, the Co-Op purchased some inventory from Gorton's Hardware and Kliewer's Hardware of Flagler following the closing of both businesses. A hardware department was set up in the basement of the office building. Later in 1976, a 240'x30' building was built to provide a new hardware store, a feed warehouse. and new offices. Things got very hot down by the railroad tracks in 1979! A fire broke out in the frame elevator, the original building acquired by the Co-op, which was presently being used as a grain roller. The adjacent warehouse, containing hazardous chemicals, burned also. Therefore, the Town of Seibert was evacua- ted for a few hours as a precaution. This building was replaced by a new feed mill in 1980. In that same year, a warehouse was attached to the cleaner to store bagged seed. Also, a warehouse was congtructed south of the main location to store oil and supplies. Due to increasing crop production, it was necessary to add to the concrete elevator. Four concrete tanks were constructed in 1980. This increased the storage capacity to 1,609,000 bushels. In 1983, a set of 70' scales with capacity of 120,000 lbs. was installed parallel to the 60' scales as a backup in case of break down and to avoid long lines at harvest. Because of good weather conditions and good farming, crop yields increased. The board of directors made the decision to build additional storage. Three steel bins were The first bank in Burlington in 1887-88. The first bank in Burlington was called the State Bank of Burlington. The building was first located about where Lee's Barber Shop is now. In 1888 the bank moved to the building where The Corner Cut, operated by Dean Sailer, is now located on the corner of Senter and 14th Street. The bank was later sold to W.D. Selder who then organized the Stockgrowers State Bank in about 1901. The year of establishment is not known but it must have been late 1886 or 1887. by Willard Gross �PEOPLES NATURAL GAS they serve and plan to be a part of these communities in the future. B70 Plateau Natural Gas Co. operating in Southwest Kansas and Southeast Colorado including Lamar, Eads, Limon and small MONTEZUMA HOTEL 871: communities around Colorado Springs in 1960 and 1961, arranged to bring natural gas into the communities east of Limon and Hugo. Their plan was to supply natural gas service to these areas and also to serve the irrigation wells being drilled in east central Colorado. The experience in southeast Colo- The lovely dining room in the hotel. 1900 - Minnie Kuker is girl in photo. The administrative office, at first, was real estate dealer and promoter whose surmise proved correct that the Rock Island railroad would be coming this way. It is on Newell's land that Burlington platted in the rado in serving the irrigation development proved to make this investment possible. operated out of a mobile home until the present office was completed at 304 14th Street in Burlington in the fall of 1962. The first service was, of course, natural gas service to residential and commercial customers and then to the irrigation wells, as this industry was developed. The price of natural gas was very low at the beginning. The irrigation rate was 370 per 1000 cu. ft. ofgas. year 1888. His hotel was a thriving, vital establishment a year before that, and well able to take care of all the business incident A crowd gathers on the north side of the Hotel as a salesman extolls the virtue of "Buster Brown" to the long awaited coming of the rails in September of '88. shoes. The Montezuma was not located in its present site in those early days. Its first location was in the block near where Grace Manor now stands, at 5th and Senter. A sparse settlement from west of the main part Duane Ply was the first manager in the Burlington area. He was replaced by Olen Brown in June of 1963. In the early years, Curtis Moran served in the Stratton area, Everett Adolf was one of the construction workers along with Asa Clark and Everett of present Burlington had moved to a Johnston as construction foreman. The present district manager, Ray Snodgrass was transferred to the Burlington area in July of 1963 and has served in several management assignments in the Burlington area in July of 1963 and has served in several management assignments in this area. He became District The alley view of the Montezuma where the cow Manager of the Burlington Area in 1982 when and "facilities" were placed. Brown retired. During the depression, the natural gas business was a new business and was just coming into being. Because of the hard times, its growth was quite slow. After World War II, it really came to life with the help of John L. Lewis and the Unions making the cost of coal so high. During the energy crisis the prices really were increased too fast and the industry found that the customer would only pay so much and something had to give. The price of natural gas never reached the high price crossroads in the eastern section and the two story farm building formed the first community center. Freight wagon operators, homesteaders, explorers prospectors - brave travelers all - making up the traffic of this pioneer period, headquartered there. The main supply points for this area were Haigler and Benkelman, Neb., and Julesburg. Nearest west, Hugo and the Kit Carson County came into being in the year 1888. In an interview before he died, Elmer Harrison recalled that he charged hay haulers 25 cents per night, but fed traveling men a bit fancier so he could get 50 cents per room. Most of the hay haulers slept in the Harrison livery stable anyway. Boarders who forgot to wash up with bowl and pitcher in their rooms could use the kitchen pump. But this often ran dry as did the town well, a block up the "I was born in the Montezuma, just a couple of years before the turn of this century," this from Hobart Harrison, retired Burlington Mercury dealer. His parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Harrison were the second owners of the hotel buying it September 3, 1897. The builder was R.S. Newell, a predicted. Most of the residences of the towns in East Central Colorado. as well as the business places have been the customers of the Company since it began business in 1962. During the first 10 years of operation, the Company ran many miles of pipeline to serve more and more customers. In 1968, Plateau ran a line into Yuma and Washington Counties and in 1970 a line from the south was installed to Cheyenne Wells, thus offering these areas natural gas service. In 1970 our Company was merged with Northern Natural Gas Co. Distribution Company, which was Peoples Natural Gas Co. The Company is now owned by a Corporation called UtiliCorp United Inc. of Kansas City, however, the headquarters for Peoples Natural Gas is in Omaha, Nebraska. Their plan is to serve their customers with good service in the future. Our Company, over the years, has participated in many activities in the communities rt;l,.tt',1 ,*i.,:"; 'il Main Street late 1890's, looking south on right side of street is the Montezuma Hotel. �the sequel to the hanging! Not long after the lynching, a Cheyenne Wells woman, taking her cows to pasture across the railroad tracks one early morning, alerted the town with piercing screams. Two ghastly corpses swung from the same water tower. It is surmised that some irritated resident has hung a couple of barking hound dogs. One of the most public spirited citizens of early times was the late A.W. Winegar, whose search for settlers involved elaborate promotion. It was even more intensive in the first years of the century than is the present Lake Havasu campaign, or those of other land promoters who give free dinners and pitches at local cafes, even offering "no obligation" plane tickets to prospective buyers. Enlisting the brand new Pullman cars put on the smooth, just lain Rock Island tracks, Winegar and his agents (only one prospect of each agent) would bring Easterners to Burlington. The aim was for permanent settlers, not investors. 'ri::rr::i ].it,.' ;:;:;:1;1;,::: -":,q,* l;r:t The Montezuma Hotel in 1956 which was rebuilt in 1950 after the devastating fire that destroyed it in 1945. street in the center of a square. After three years the Harrisons built a home on Eleventh street which is the present William Peters home. There could be little effective law enforce- ment in those days where the passport was a six-shooter, backed up by a rifle. The wild kind of effervescence of "devil may care" characters had brought them to the frontier in the first place. No jails nor court rooms existed. After all, there was not even enough lumber to put with the sod for settlers' houses. So it was in the Montezuma in February of 1888 that a murder's victim died. The story goes that a homesteader named Franklin Baker, who was proving up on his Iand about six miles northeast of town, where the C.H. Bollwinkel farm now is, decided that he would no longer allow trespassing. So he put up a "no crossing" sign on his south fence. Baker, an ex-buffalo hunter, was no relative of families by that name who later came to Burlington. According to an account, kept by C.A. Yersin, late grandfather of Burlington's Henry Hoskin, this sign could not be seen by three men in a spring wagon coming from Haigler. They were astonished when Baker and his two sons accosted them and an argument ensued. Baker ordered his wife to fetch his shotgun and he filled two of the men with buckshot, a trunk protecting the third. The wounded ones were T. McConnell and John Morrison who had homesteads southeast of town and were well liked. Of course there was no such thing as a hospital, and so the wounded men were rushed to the Montezuma for care by the early day medic, Dr. would be held in the butcher shop down the street from the Montezuma. Then the prisoner, Baker, would be slipped out the back door of the butcher shop. The idea was to get the killer to the Union Pacific train at Cheyenne Wells where he could be sent to Denver for safe keeping. Enroute there would have to be a fresh team for extra speed since threats of lynching were heard all up and down the board walk in front of the hotel. Not long after this a scout came with news of Baker's removal from town and an angry mob did form in the lobby. Then, hot on the trail of the sheriff, his deputy and the prisoner, men took to horseback, carriages and buckboards to give chase southward. The second team of horses, no longer fresh after their share of the 44 mile journey, galloped into Cheyenne Wells. They were just ahead of the angry Burlingtonites. Since it was found the train was an hour late, the prisoner was hastily locked in the only available "jail", which was an empty box car on the siding near the coal chute water tower used to supply the steam train engines. While part of the Burlington men argued with the sheriff, short work of the lock up was made by others wielding a railroad tie. Soon the body of Baker was swinging by a rope in the chilly winter air. There was not a single tree in those days, so the water tower served the purpose. A greenhorn traveler, one Scott Vitatole from Kansas City, making his first trip to Colorado, arrived on the UP train that fateful morning. Later, in the Montezuma he told Barnes could arrive. He and his local deputy, the story of now deathly quiet greeted him as he stepped off at the station. It was evident that shocked Cheyenne Wells citizens had hidden after the vengeful Burlingtonites had departed. Glancing around, the third traveler found nothing greeted his eyes excepting the sagging body of the hanged homesteader. He was so appalled that he frantically grabbed his two grips and ran down the track after the butcher. It was decided that a hasty trial departing train in an effort to get back on. Nels Larsen, another early day resident who served in the Colorado lesislature told Paul Godsman. However, in two days, McConnell died and it was not long afterward that Morrison also died as a result of his wounds. This shooting roused the frontier, where news spread like wildfire. Feelings ran high even before Elbert County Sheriff Jerry Frank Mann, consulted the justice of the peace and Bud Page, who happened to be a However, the boom was on, and other promoters wanted land buyers of any intention. One prospect to one agent, Winegar believed would prevent the "sidewalk leeches" from stealing away any potential resident. For a time the Rock Island would allow the Pullmans to be set out on a siding in Burlington so that while trips for land buying were made roundabout the country, lodging and board for the visitors could be supplied. But it was soon evident that the Montezuma could serve better. Since the Harrisons wished to sell out, Winegar imported Mrs. Martha Coakley from Omaha to run the hotel. The Montezuma was moved to new Burlington, its present site, renewed with paint and soon "no vacancy" signs could be penciled on placards. Winegar reserved rooms in the hotel for specialists he had enlisted from Colorado's agricultural college, whom he implored to improve the strains of grain grown locally. The flint corn variety, with two foot stalks and nubbins only, was only a little worse than the type of early day wheat. Corn was found in Peru to cross with that of Eastern Colorado and wheat test plots were begun. These were to result in the world records possible in fields here today. Winegar's vital ground work, combined with a concept by Powell, a later Montezuma owner, of how to pioneer in irrigation from wells, all saw birth in the halls of Montezuma. "While campaigning or visiting the country every governor of Colorado from 1905 through 1944 stayed at our hotel" states Burlington's Mrs. Pearl Schell, daughter of Mrs. Coakley. In subsequent years, Mrs. Schell's husband, the late Henry Schell, assisted and then took over the Montezuma operation until August l, 1944, when it was sold to Earl Powell. Mrs. Schell remembers when she was a young, impressionable girl, that the famous Commodore Vanderbilt made the Montezuma his overnight stop as he paused enroute to Reno to get one of his divorces. When the hotel was moved. Mrs. Schell remembers, back steps were reinforced for the considerable traffic necessary for clients to reach the outdoor privy. It was not until 1909 that the first bathroom drew tourists from miles and miles away. What an improvement since the days when two horses and a milk cow were permanent residents - in an �attached shed in back! But problems beset quest in those days, as well as hotel operators. Wainscoting was fashionable, so in the high style re-do, the rooms afforded extraordinary comfortable breeding grounds for bed bugs. These reddish brown vermin, their color suggestive of the nightly banquets of human blood, spent daytimes in the wooden up and down grooves. With such halcyon food and lodging, these couch masters became so hale and eupeptic that "corrosive supplement," mixed with gasoline had to be dribbled down the wainscot crevices regularly to route the scourge. A popular pastime for travelers was to compare the bed bug population of various hostelries. It is a fact that in Brewster, Kansas, all legs of beds stood in cans of coal oil. This was either to prevent the arrival of lower floor newcomers or to cause a wretched demise for any bedbug inadvertently dropping from a mattress. In Colby, this old timer remembers, in second story rooms, coils of rope lay in corners. The ropes were attached to hefty rocks. Thus fire (or bite victims) were encouraged to escape by pitching the rock out the window and climbing down hand over hand. In spite of tall tales heard frequently, there is no record of any bed bugs growing to sufficient strength for this feat. But many renovations later, the Montezuma was free of multi legged pests and it was felt safe to build on a new third story. No end of dismay resulted when it was learned that in those days the bugs often were found in new lumber! So eradication had to begin all over again up there. With the coming of modern sanitation, no bed bug had registered in the Montezuma since before World War I. Something of a different nature, however bugged the owner who built on a third story. The difficult job was done by propping up the roof, sawing off the eaves and building underneath. Rains were problems during construction. The late J.A. Haughey, well known early day artisan, was in charge of the work. When taxes were raised to what the owner considered exorbitant heights because of the improvement, and no relief granted, the owner hired the construction crew to take the third story off again! Progress brought it back eventually and then came the only elevator - "lift" - between Norton and Colorado Springs to delight travelers and townspeople. Burlington's William Haughey, installed this first Otis elevator in the 1920's, after his father. J.A. Haughey, engineered the shaft. Bill also remembers that along about that time another famous visitor, the noted author, Ernest Thompson Seton, was a guest of the Montezuma. A northwest wind blew bitterly cold the night of December 16, 1945. Pheasant season was still on in Yuma County and those staying in the Montezuma had to be kept warm. So the coal furnace clinkers had to be removed, as stoking was done by hand each evening. That fateful night Owner Powell sat late in his office off the lobby, pondering his dream of beating the drought, and carrying on his office work until almost two in the morning. He did not smell smoke coming from the ignited wooden basement stairs, where, it is believed, the clinkers had been placed too close. But his daughter, now Mrs. Weidman was alert. Lockingthe hotel money and all her good clothing, including a brand new coat, in a closet which she never saw again, she turned in a fire alarm and quickly proceeded to rouse all the guests. This included 21 permanent residents. Horrifyingly soon, tongues of flame came up to the stairwell, and even though by the time the outside walls have been covered with concrete, the disaster was nearly complete. Roaring into the pre dawn pitch black sky, the blaze could be seen 25 miles away. Only Powell's files and business records were saved, even the register of guests becoming a cinder. Insurance covered only a fraction of the loss. Performing feats which reached the foolhardy at times, Burlington's fire department rescued people and battled the holocaust for hours. It was the most spectacular fire since the school had been destroyed in 1924 and Gold Bond Hatchery had burned in 1936. Commended for heroic efforts were Lester Sherman, Fire Chief; Martin Furuseth, Pat Andrews, Red Pugh, George Cockrell, Clay Gould, Bill Hendricks, Jack Chalfant, Ted Backlund, Luther Mangus, Shirley Standish, Hank Stevens, Beryl Springer and others. Further tragedy was averted as the roof began to smoke on the old square wooden resident which at that time housed Mountain States telephone company. This was just across the alley east. Onlookers got peppered with window popping out of Stevens cafe just south, although a25 foot court separated the two buildings. Following the fire, after a long time of staring at the ruins, a corporation was formed which was able to make the Montezuma block the great community improvement it has been for the past twenty-one years. The rebuilders included C.D. Reed, Harley Rhoades, Bill Jacobs, Albert Crouse and Floyd Whitmore. Harold McArthur bought out the Whitmore interest later. After a year and a half of building, and an expenditure of $300,000, the Montezuma was as nearly fireproof as it could be made. Lower outside facing was green terra cotta, the concrete above being painted desert green. Frontage of 75x100 feet included space for the J.M. McDonald store, which resident Hotels Company hopes will remain. Besides the lobby, coffee shop, large kitchen, cocktail lounge on the main floor, there is a banquet room in the basement. Fifty rooms, all carpeted, with bath and phones, plus outside ventilation, even include a bridal suite. Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Crouse took over from the corporation. Besides McDonalds, for some years the Federal Crop Insurance office was located in the hotel offices east of the lounge. Mrs. Dorothea Hammond operated the first of several beauty shops that were there. Seismo- graph crew headquarters, irrigation firms and other companies have been tenants. Maybe some octogenarian spirit lingering through the years, is chuckling in the halls of Montezuma at the thought of how the pendulum has swung back again. Nostalgic and oddly comforting is the thought of bed and supper all of a price. "Condividual" is a 1971 word. It could have been coined because there's still a little of the same lonely living as back in pre-homestead days of 188?. But the old ghost surely could appreciate the modern cure - Resident Hotel. The English author, Bacon said, "If a man be gracious to strangers, it shows that he is a citizen of the world. and his heart is no island, cut off from other islands. but a continent that joins them." Well, situated near mid-continent, our town's oldest hospitality house has been gracious a long time indeed. Without reservations, it can surely be said, the best is yet to come! Mr. and Mrs. Don Downen are the present owners and WB Drug, Inc. and Burlington Book & Music occupy the ground floor. by Bonny Gould PEARL'S GARAGE AND CAFE 872 On August 16, 1985, a frightful fire destroyed a historic building at the edge of the town of Flagler. This building was conceived and built by a man who had farmed 14 or lb miles north of Flagler, Pearl Lord. His vision of service stations, cafe, bar and some rooms was realized in about 1931. The size was great enough to house a repair facility along with a service station, cafe and bar. The economy of this day was very depressed and ali activities were graduated to fit this uneasy time. After much debate and assessment, adobe blocks for the building was selected, Robert McCurdy agreed to make the adobe blocks and to lay them into the walls. Concrete piers were used to support the massive domed roof at intervals along the adobe walls. Roof trusses, made by Olaf Olsen and other builders in the town, were constructed of one inch lumber, laminated for strength. One thickness of one inch lumber criss-crossed the trusses for the bridge-work to cany the load of the roof of one inch sheeting, roofing paper and tar. This roof proved to be the buildings demise for it burned like tinder and of course, collapsed into the interior, burning everything in the building. Under the south end of the building, near center, was a partial basement, dug by hand by many members of the community who showed up to work after doing their farm chores and other duties in order to make a dollar or two in spare time. John Shulda told me of hurrying through the work on the farm to make a trip to town to help with it. He said the dirt was removed on a 1929 Chevrolet Truck which was driven out of the basement area on a dirt ramp. He said he remembered so well how hard it was to remove the dirt ramp when the truck would no longer be used; the dirt was pitched out of the basement by hand. He said no one would believe the massiveness of the footers that were installed under the building and basement. Bob McCurty lived eleven miles south, a little over a half mile east on the correction Iine, one and one half miles south, one mile east and about a quarter mile north on what was later the Harris-Davies ranch. His place was about a mile northwest of Conrad Stone who had located in the expanse of buffalo grass and the cactus, constructed a home and even a barn of the fabulous adobe blocks made in the area. I can attest to the warmth in winter and the coolness in summer. the roof of the "Connie" Stone house was one inch sheeting, tar paper and a generous layer of sod. This sod was always placed on the roof with the grassy side down to discourage �growth of the grass; some persistent prairie plants, including cactus soon appeared in areas over the roof. Pearl Lord eventually contracted with Bob McCurdy to make the adobe for his building near Flagler and to lay them into the walls. This gave Bob an opportunity to make a little money and provide some work for his neigh- bors in making the blocks. The process of making adobe blocks began with a circular area on the prairie that was gone over with a disk harrow pulled by a team offour horses. It was disked over and over until the top layer of the soil, grass, roots and sometimes cactus was loosened. A fresno, an earth moving device of that day, was used to scrape the Ioosened area into a pile at the center. The fresno had a four foot blade between two runners. a metal area where the dirt was collected, a long handle at the rear which raised to dump the load of dirt, pulled by four head of horses. After the pile was formed, the area previously cleaned was used for the base of the forms 1X4 inch lumber. nailed and sawed by Lyle Stone In high gear the "T" moved at about five miles per hour. Bob came to a hill and even with the advantage of the gearing, the "T" wouldn't climb a hill he encountered on the trip, causing him to push the low pedal. He spent several hours getting over the hill; he said it moved so slowly one almost needed to make a line to see any progress!! After the blocks were made, the task of hauling them to the building site began. Wagons with two horse teams were loaded for the long trip. Two trucks were used, both 1929 vintage. One ofthese trucks belonged to the Hyde family. Bob and his crew, along with the various carpenters and builders from Flagler then ran the concrete pillars, foundations and layed the walls. When the walls and domed roof were in place the adobe portion was covered with chicken wire, applied to the exterior. Although the cost of material for the building was held in check, the amount was tremendous because of its size and the expenditure of labor was momentous but so very welcome at this time of few jobs and relatively hard times. Mr. Lord should have been commended for his foresight and courage. PEARL'S GARAGE AND CAFE having geared teeth on the wheels. Two gears were installed where the "T" rear wheels had been and these ran on the gear in the wheel. Pearl had previously operated an oil 87S into squares the size of the blocks desired. It took a large number of these forms to accommodate a day's run of blocks. A mixer which Bob had made from a threshing machine blower, smaller paddles installed, driven by a Model T engine was used to mix the mud. The radiator of the engine was a 30 gallon barrel, fitted with hose connections to the cooling system. The barrel was then filled with water. A trap door on the mixer was hinged to a handle near the lower portion of the blower assembly. It opened to allow the mud which had been whipped within, after station at what is now the Tip Top Corner, the south end of Main Avenue, where he had learned the ins and outs of the oil business. He earlier operated a station near where Arthur Gaines house now stands. He had experienced a Spring Auction when his farm equipment had been sold and chose the oil business when he moved to town. During the operation ofthese endeavors he had accumulated quite a large amount in his accounts receivable ledger which came in handy when the adobe building was erected. Many of these accounts were settled at this time in the form of work performed in constructing the building. by Lyle Stone dirt from the pile and water had been added, to be released. The mud was then moved in wheel banows to the forms which were filled, skreeded and given a slick finish with a trowel. Next day, the forms were removed from the blocks; sometimes this could be accomplished on the same day if it was hot enough to cause the mud to crack away from them. The forms were carefully lifted and the blocks left to bake in the sun for a number of days. Other area were disked and this operation continued on for days. After the desired number of blocks had been made or had sufficiently baked they were trimmed and stacked to protect them from rain; this happened so rarely at this time but when it did rain, it came in downpours. When the blocks were raised from their position on the ground, often clumps ofthe under earth stuck to them and had to be cleaned off. This proved to be a man killing job. Bob devised a trimmer made from a disk of an implement which he belted to the "T" engine. A trough or slide was made where the blocks could be pushed through under the spinning disk. This proved to be a great device. Bob moved the equipmentone day to a new area. He had converted his Model T Ford to a tractor with a kit called a "pull-Ford". It consisted of a pair of tractor-like wheels PEARL'S GARAGE AND CAFE 874 When he was barely old enough to lift a scoop, Pearl became a miner at mystic, Appanoose County, Iowa. He did not like being a miner and left as soon as possible, setting out west to escape this occupation as a means of livelihood. He helped in the construction of the Cog Way Railroad at Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs. He later worked for Bob Lukow near Arriba, Henry Brown of Flagler area and then began farming for himself north of Flagler. In 1905 he married Mina Young. She was only a year old when her parents arrived at Otis by rail, the first to come in this manner, to take up homesteads in the area. Mina was born in Missouri from where they began the long trip west. "Pearls" became an instant success. High- way 24 ran close to the south frontage. Travelers from the east and west were aware of Pearl's station as they arrived in town and with the increase of automobiles and travelers, business was good. First operator of the new cafe was Waddey Butler who may have come from the Vona area. John and Beula Bower ran a good cafe that benefited from the visiting tourists, as well as the local clientele. They resided in the living quarters located on the second floor; several of the waitresses roomed there also. During the time Johnny and Beula ran the cafe, the doors were never locked, the service continued 24 hours a day, never a shuffle to find a key. The bar was a success with good business, not without an occasional problem, Pearl was usually able to keep order or had those in his employment who could. During the hours of the big flood of 1935 the establishment had standing room only for many days as travelers waited for washouts to be repaired. Locals engaged in helping where possible took meals there, one of the assiduous times in the history of the building. Operators of the cafe maintained on hand a large inventory of food and supplies, not only to reduce the cost of supplies but because of the slower supply routes of this day. Many residents of the town called to buy food when local supplies ran low. The flood stopped the normal supply to the local grocery stores. Gasoline prices challenged any in town; Pearl shopped for it at various refineries, taking the best buys. It may have smelled different but it burned fine in the cars. The cafe was operated very successfully by several operators, one of these operators was B.K. Moss. The Moss family ran the cafe for many years, living for a time in the quarters provided there. They ran a successful business with Mrs. Moss doing the cooking for halfofthe day and Zenelda the other, a night and day operation as the business was seldom closed. I do not know the reason, but I suppose it was the times, the building changed hands and became agarage operated by Millard Petersen who obtained a dealership for Chrysler-Plymouth. When he started the business he needed a name. chose to conduct a contest where people of the community picked names; at the special day of the naming the lucky contributor would receive $25.00. Mrs. Moss, who was so very familiar with this old building, submitted the winning entry, the M&S Garage. One of the cars sold went to C.G. Dorsey, a Plymouth; it returned to the building recently and met its demise with the building as it burned. Mr. Petersen operated the business for a number of years with much success and turned the operation over to Rhynold and Crystal Fager who continued the dealership, serving the customers of the business and selling Chrysler products. Two Plymouth station wagons were delivered to the writer of this history. There are many memories and bits of history this old building could tell; as a young boy my memories were probably different. Uncle "Bill" who embarrassed me at times. called me "Bub" and was so very good to all of by Lyle Stone �I am very sure a volume could be written of the humorous, sad and important happen- PEARL'S GARAGE AND CAFE 875 us children. He insisted that I should play the slot machine that was located in the cafe. He provided me the quarter I needed; it was rare I ever had more than a dime to spend when we ventured into town. I put the quarter he gave me into the slot and pulled the handle. You might imagine the thrill I felt when I hit the jack-pot and quarters rolled all over the cafe. Uncle Bill insisted I keep all of them, got a paper sack for me to put them in; what a happy kid I was that afternoon! While in high school, several of us used to hang out at the cafe at times, a nostalgia of this time of growing up I shall never forget. Years before, I understand, that one evening a fight developed here. During his fight Bruce Bradley suffered a knife wound in the abdomen; luckily, Flagler had a few very adept doctors who treated him and saved him. Wilbur and Norman Haeseker made a necessary trip to town. Before going home they decided to visit the cafe. They parked the old car around back in the dark area. When they left, they found the spare, which was mounted outside on the rear of the car, missing. They returned home to find their father seriously ill. Dr. Reed checked him over and sent him to a specialist in Denver who treated him but he never returned. Father never knew about the lost spare. In later years, during the time of the Chrysler Dealership, many stories appear. Jerry Amos was serving as a mechanic; this day he removed the drive line and repacked the universal joint bearings on a Plymouth. This is quite a task and requires some finesse. Others waited until he had tightened the last bolt on the rear joint, layed two tiny rollers from another car in the place where Jerry had reassembled the joints. This oversight was pointed out to him. "And some Kill-joy has to come along and find the little rollers!" Jerry sputtered. All had a good laugh when they told him what they had done as he began to remove the drive line. Millard planned a special showdate when the newmodels would be shown, a general clean up was in progress. Jerry disappeared; Millard searched the area for him. Jerry was on the west side with paint brush in hand painting a silhouette of a hand, pointing to the door with the lettering "DOOR". Sylvan Morris was among the crew that worked for Millard at the M&S Motor Company. I believe Ken Goin, Pat Burgess and Virgil Fager, worked here also at this time. A new Plymouth was sold; Sylvan and others worked frantically on it to make it ready for delivery. When it was road tested, the speedometer made erratic excursions over the dial. Millard was informed of the difficulty. He said, "Finish getting the car ready. Take the speedometer out and bring it to my office. I'll fix it and have it ready by the time you finish the car." When the crew finished, Sylvan went to the office for the speedometer, Millard said, "We will deliver it without the speedometer; a new one will be here in a day or two." As Sylvan left he noted a few gears, odometer, pointer, dial and case strewn over the papers in the wastepaper basket. In this writer's years of repairing things, I understand! ings in this building. It is unfortunate that they could not be written at this time. Perhaps, this short record will be of use to preserve some of the history of the building. It has certainly been a land mark for those who grew up around Flagler. Already I have experienced its loss as I turned off I-70; for a fleeting moment I thought, "Is this Flagler?" After Rhynold moved from the building, Richard Petersen operated an implement agency in it for a time, dealing also in automobiles, gasoline and other services. In time, Richard was able to build a fine new station by Lyle Stone PEARL'S GARAGE AND CAFE 876 more accessible to I-70 and move into it. It is then that several others operated various businesses in the building, woodworking, cabinetmaking and others. The last business was that of Mark Amos who turned the area into a fine machine shop. He was able to do almost anything needed in the way of fabrication of metals, installed some of the very latest welding apparatus. Mark was enjoying a well established and successful business when a welding accident caused a fire in a vehicle within the shop. The fire spread so rapidly that in few minutes the rear area wErs engulfed in flame. Within minutes the roof was ignited and when this happened, there terrible toll. Written by Lyle Stone and published in The Flagler News, February 20, 1986. by Lyle Stone RED FRONT GROCERY 877 On Sept. 19th, 1910 W.H. Yersin opened a combination general store, post office in Bethune, Colo. W.H. Yersin did business in Bethune until 1914 when he and his wife. Alta B. Yersin, purchased the Red Front Market on main street in Burlington, Colo. From there the Red Front Market moved in 1968 to another larger location on Burlington's main street, which was formally occupied by an implement dealer. Then in 1976 the Red Front Market moved again to a new location, east highway 24 in Burlington, where it still remains today. by Ken Yersin BACKLUND 878 was little hope, for the one inch lumber, tar and tar paper burned like tinder. The Flagler Fire Department arrived in good time and water was immediately applied. The fire had already grown in size; the hope of saving anything was growing dim. It took some minutes to tap a fire plug about a block and a half away, string the hose and couple it. Backlund Garage on south end of 14th St. 1956. When this water was applied to the fire through two lines, a four inch and one inch and a half tap, along with the water from two other trucks, a pair oflines on the truck which arrived from Arriba. the fire was so immense that all that water hardly dented its furor. During the fire, the red fire truck was stationed between the M&S building and the LP Gas Company's Gasoline storage tanks. As the fury of the fire continued, these tanks became hotter and hotter. Due to the concern of the fire department for spread of the inferno to these tanks the red truck played streams of water upon these tanks to attempt to keep them cooler. Occasionally the mechanical pop off valves a-top these tanks released the vapor building within. At a point when the heat was at its maximum, fear for the firemen manning the red truck, caused a change in location of the red truck when it was moved west and played water through the air to these tanks. There existed a grave danger should the tanks blow. Luckily, as the fire began to abate, the tanks were still intact. It is very difficult for anyone who serves a fire department to give up, and losses such as this leave an emptiness hard to describe. With all the preparation for such emergencies, there are those that even then take a T.W. Backlund featuring Case Equipment, 1956. On Jan. 1, 1920, T.W. Backlund, began business in Burlington with his brother, Al, under the firm name of Backlund Co. He purchased the interest ofhis brother in 1930, and has been the. sole owner since that time. The original agencies were the lines merged into the Oliver Corp. in 1930. He has been the J.I. Case dealer since 1934, the agent for several short line implement agencies, and Goodyear Tires. In 1939, he becane the agency for Dodge cars and trucks. During the 46 years, Ted has operated in three different locations. Originally, the firm was located in the building now occupied by �On June 7,I9L5, a group ofwell known and progressive farmers of the Burlington and Idalia area came together and formed the Burlington Equity Exchange. The motivating factor in forming this Co-op was to try and receive more of the spoils for their farming efforts. Prior to the June 7th date, one thousand shares of stock had been sold for $25.00 per share to raise seed money to get the Co-op off and running. The first board of directors were: W.M. Kreoger, President; C.D. Munter, Secretary; David Byer, Vice-President; and Directors: A.W. Winegar, W.A. Walters, G.W. Broadsword and Wm. Byer. It is also thought that John Lengel was one of the directors. This group ofpeople purchased the grain elevators at the north end of Main Street, near the Rock Island Depot. This was a familiar landmark until it was torn down several years ago. About this time, the Burlington Co-op along with several other Co-ops in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska formed the Equity Union Oil Company which later combined with Consumers Co-op Association to form Farmland Industries. Backlund Machinery Co. This picture was taken in 1920. Note advertisement on the side of the building' Machinery consists of threshing machines, grain drills, and tractors. ::i:1 , :,::i' Sometime after, the new elevator was built along the railroad in the N.W. corner of town, the water pipes froze and broke. This flooded the basement of the office building where many of the records were kept. As a consequence, all of the old records were destroyed; therefore, writing the history of the Co-op has been more or less a process ofgetting bits and pieces of information from here and there. I believe everything is accurate but I can't be 100% sure. The new elevator was built in 1951. In 1953, due to the Building Contractor's insistence of using substandard materials, one of the big concrete silos broke open, spilling wheat across Railroad Avenue. To solve this problem, the Co-op hired another contractor to pour sleeves inside the silos at a huge irril:,:':itl li:,:,,ll.,iri expense. In the early years of the Co-op the annual meetings were a social event for the farm people that were it's members. Many of the founding members and other farmers hauled their grain to the Co-op from north of town and the Idalia area. In 1935, the name was changed to Burlington Equity Co-op Exchange. A line up of "Hart-Parr" tractors with threshing machines behind lead tractor. Circa 1920. Backlund Machinery Co. the Burlington Locker Service. Later he moved to the old Hainline garage building (at the site of the new Safeway store), and six years ago erected the new building on Highway 24. The above was found in the old 1966 paper. by Janice Salmans BURLINGTON EQUITY COOPERATIVE EXCHANGE 879 At one of the early annual meetings of the Burlington Equity Exchange, the wife of the manager, Mrs. Edith Hedding, read a poem that ended with this verse: "Its fun to be a farmer And get out and till the soil, But the one who farms the farmer Is the one who gets the spoil." by Author unknown I remember that during the 1930's when I was a young boy, weekly trips to town on Saturday were not complete without a stop at the Co-op for supplies. Supplies ranged from axle grease to flour in pretty colored patterned sacks so the women could pick out the material they wanted and make dresses out of them. For a time the Burlington co-op had an elevator and a branch business in Bethune. I think this was from about 1956 to 1965. It was at this time many of the people in the Settlement, north of Bethune, became members of the Co-op. The managers of the Bethune branch were in order: Don Vallin, Ruben Zeigler, Curt Wood and Buster Jenkins. For about ten years, we also had a fertilizer plant west of town. This plant was sold to the Stratton Co-Op in 1982 or 1983. In 1897, we acquired 7a interest in the G.W. Sugar Factory west of Goodland along with the Kanarado and Goodland Co-ops. This facility will be used for extra grain storage. Many well known farmers of the area have through the years served on the Co-Op Board. Space and the fact that I don't know �Burlington's flour mill. l, u,1i $ &,# Y * wa" iai=-r'l' Present day Burlington Equity Co-op who they all were doesn't permit me to list them. I do have a list of the managers which I will list in order: Rinehart Hedding, W.W. Lumis, Herb Johnson, Walter Bauder, Fern Farnsworth, Bruce Channel, Oliver Service, Elmar Wilson, Otto Weiss, Arvard Burges, Dale Kelly, Curt Wood, Charles Bush, Joe Hughes, Don Berggram, Bob Peterson and supplies for its many members and commu- Tom Redman. From this humble beginning in 1915 and along with the cooperation of the members, 880 employees, management and the community, the Co-op has grown through thick and thin. Today it is a major business in the Burlington area with facilities to store 2 million bushels of grain, sell feed, fuel and many other nity. by Russ Davis FLOUR MILL November 25, 1903. Ten years ago this Thanksgiving day the Burlington Roller Mill first started. On November 8, 1893, J.L. Eaches arrived in our little town to start the new mill. After getting all the machinery in shape and everything ready, the first grist was manufactured on November 26, 1893. A run oftwo days each week during the first year was all the trade then demanded: but it had increased steadily, year by year until in 1901 new machinery was added to meet the increasing demand and capacity increased 40%. Opposition arose against its fast increasing trade, but like the swelling tide against the sturdy vessel, it had little effect - only to prove the old saying: "opposition is the life of trade," Renewed and strenuous efforts on the part of the faithful manager to introduce an unequaled quality in grades of flour to please the patrons had now brought the mill to what it was, running day and night that they might fill the orders ahead until the last of thc vear. Have our business men ever though how much they are indebted to the mill lor the growth in trade in our town? When the farmers receive cash for the produce they bring to the mill, they buy lumber, hardware, furniture, groceries and general merchandise, were it not for the mill the trade would go where they take their wheat and corn. We hope that the next ten year's trade will not only come to the mill from Tri-Milling Co. of Tenn., for several carloads, but also from many parts of the U.S. and while we do give thanks, at this time for other prosperity, do not let us forget to unite in a hearty good wish that long may be heard the whistle from the flour mill in our little town. (signed) A patron of the mill. Source not known but contributed by Lucy Russmann. HOTELS, MOTELS, CAMPS AND CAFES B81 fQU,rY ir : l There is no class of institutions throughout the whole category of business concerns which has so important a bearing upon the general character of a city as its hotels. These establishments have an individuality and to ';.;t.,,,,.' t,'i,,,iilt ':a::,,.:t Early day photo Burlington Co-op, taken about 1g21 Yarnell Hotel also known as the Hotel West. �the vast majority of traveling fraternity, a city is just what its hotels make it. In this connection special mention should be made of the New Burlington Hotel. This hotel was located one block west on Main Street. It was a substantial three-story stuccoed building, containing a number of neatly furnished and comfortable rooms all of which are provided with running water, steam heat and other conveniences. Bath accommodations had also been provided. A special feature of the house was the dining room, where they served choice, regular meals for fifty cents. The daily rate for a room was $1.00. The hotel was owned by R.C. Yarnell. Quick to take advantage of a new idea that would add to the comfort and convenience of his guests, and a man of wide experience of catering to the public was Harry L. Shank, the proprietor of Shanks Cafe and Rooms. Shank's Cafe and Rooms were located on South Main Street. The place was provided with both tables and a lunch counter, also Bill Hudler ran the paper until his death in 1956. Then his son John took over. Born in Iowa like his father, John attended the University of Iowa journalism school and THE BURLINGTON RECORD 882 Iowan. In1944, he bought the Record's competing paper, the Burlington Call, and the two paper's merged. He lived in Burlington for 62 years until he died in 1981. The Record moved from its original home in 1946, and has twice doubled its space; the first time with the purchase of an adjoining building, and the second with the construction of a new shop area in 1971. This year the Record building underwent lr a facelift as its entire exterior was remodeled. The Record was a pioneer in roll-fed offset for weeklies between Kansas City and the West Coast in 1965. The paper is currently run on a four-unit News King, along with two other eastern Colorado papers printed at the Burlington plant, the Flagler News and the Office of the Burlington Record in 1956. Wray Gazette. The Hudler family maintains a commercial booths. Frigidaire equipment throughout and every other equipment that was necessary to a first-class establishment of this printing business besides publishing the Record. John Hudler's wife, Maxine, at 73, remains kind. the head of the Record accounting department. Her son Rol and his wife Joy are They also had a number of comfortable rooms, which were rented at the rate of $.75 a night. currently co-publishers/editors of the paper, which has expanded impressively over the Shank's Cafe and Rooms was also the years. headquarters for the Atlantic and Pacific Stages, Inc. who operated two buses per day. Sunset Park Camp is located in Sunset Park, in the western section of Burlington, on U.S. Highway #40 North and State Highway #51. It was formerly operated by the city but was leased by Mr. O.A. Ross. It was situated on a beautiful elevation and was equipped with a number of semi-furnished cabins, the rooms having beds, springs, mattresses, tables and chairs, and in close proximity to these cabins is a cook house, shower bath and toilets. In connection with this camp is a filling station where they carry the famous Powerine gasoline and Power-Lube motor oils, also fancy groceries, cold drinks, cigars, tobacco, and confectionery. Although Mr. Ross had only had charge a short time in 1929, he was not new to the area, he had lived here for ten years prior. A publication professing to mention the resources and business interests of Burlington should contain mention of the East Side Tourist Camp, located in the eastern section of the city, on United States Highway 40 North and State Highway 51. The place contained 15 cabins, 8 of them with running water, and all partly furnished. It was originally established around 1925 and underthe ownership of C.F. Langendorfer for a year in 1929. He built a number of additional cabins and added the most mod- ern conveniences. He also operated a service station in connection, where he carried gasoline, motor oils, greases, fancy groceries, confectionery and campers' supplies. A man of philosophical mind once said that he could judge the character of the people by the restaurants of their city, and if this be true the people of Burlington have reason to be proud. One ofthe best equipped and most sanitary eating houses in eastern Colorado was Beatty's Cafe, situated on Main Street. This business was owned and managed by Mrs. Millie Beatty. worked as an apprentice printer for the Daily While the Burlington community has tripled in population since 1930, the Record's subscription list has gtown 51/z times, and its number of pages has grown eight times. Rol Hudler, perennially active in civic affairs, has served as mayor of Burlington for 20 years. Rol and Joy's oldest son John, 27, is Owner, John Hudler in 1956. advertising manager of the Record. Another son, Adrian, is a student at the University of Nebraska and works during vacations at the As part of the celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the National Newspaper Association, Publishers' Auxiliary has contacted newspapers around the country that have a long history of family ownership. These are the families that have carried on family business. the newspaper tradition for four or more generations or for more than 100 years. reported by David Van Pelt - When A.W. "Bill" Burlington, Colo. - Burlington RepubliHudler purchased the by Maxine lludler SCHAAL DRILLING COMPANY 883 can and Kit Carson County Record in 1928, the first thing he did was shorten its name. The paper became the Burlington Record, and it remains so 58 years and three generations later. Hudler was born in Audubon, Iowa, and entered the printing business at age 20 in the employ of the Audubon Republican. He later moved to South Dakota, and with his wife Martha, ran a homestead and published a claim paper. They came to Burlington in 1919 with their son John. Bill worked briefly for a land company and then as a printer before purchasing the Record, which had been in existence since 1889. Ruben Schaal owner of Schaal Drilling Company. tion to the weekly paper, which consisted of eight pages, four printed at the home plant Ruben Schaal Jr. married Linda McKinney in 1971 after serving two years with the U.S. Naly and working in various capacities in both the oil field and water well industries. In L972 they obtained financing to purchase the necessary equipment to pioneer what is and four of boiler plate printed in Denver by the old Western Newspaper Union. They have since constructed and equipped The Record survived the Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s by consolidating with two other papers in the area. In those days $1 bought a year's subscrip- now known as Schaal Drilling Company. �over 1000 water wells for farmers and businesses in the Colorado and Kansas area. in addition to servicing domestic, irrigation, and municipal wells. Today, Ruben and Linda continue operating the family business with the active participation of their two sons, Warren, born in 1975, and Aaron, born in 1976. Perhaps the following poem written by Linda commemorating their 10th anniversary in 1982 best expresses what living and working in Kit Carson County has meant to the Ruben Schaal Jr. family: There are many fine professions that a man might choose to seek, but none of them could offer him a challenge so unique - for it has been a pleasure serving this community, providing top notch service through the drilling industry. - Growing with you farmers, our neighbors and our friends. has shown us more than anything, where life really begins. - We're proud to live in Burlington!, We're proud of what we do! - We say, in all sincerity, we're proud we work for you! by Linda Schaal COLORADO - KANSAS GRAIN COMPANY 884 the company has elevators in Lamar and Carlton, Colorado as well as Burlington and Idalia. The company is licensed and bonded automobile technicians and consultants. thus being required to be able to obtain certain high-tech models. Corn, wheat, milo and barley are all stored for both the government and area producers. As $15,000.00, therefore leasing has become more popular and will become tomorrow's automobile business. in accordance with the State of Colorado Agricultural Department and the U.S.D.A. well as elevator storage, Colorado-Kansas Grain Company has been instrumental in merchandising grain off area farms offering Incorporated, June of 1982, Colorado-Kansas Grain Company is wholly owned by William Pictured, an aerial view of Colorado-Kan- sas Grain Company, Burlington facility, taken in the fall of 1987. Built in September, 1985 with storage capacity well over two million bushel, by Fall, 1987, had increased their capacity in Kit Carson County over two fold with the use of contemporary ground storage. The land, purchased from the City of Burlington and financed with Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, is located in the industrial sub-division of Burlington along the Kyle Railroad. The City of Burlington built the unit train trackage which extends beyond the company boundaries. In August, 1986, Colorado-Kansas Grain Company purchased g acres of land and scales at ldalia, Colorado from Great Western Sugar Company, increasing their total storage capacity to over 8,000,000 bushel. With headquarters in Lamar, Colorado, B86 O. Broyles of Lamar, Henry A. "Shay" Mockelman, Jr. of Cheyenne Wells, William D. Grasmick, Inc. of Granada, and Larry Hostetler of Burlington. by Sandy Harmon VINCE'S CHEV - OLDS - cAD, rNC. 885 Sim Hudson Motor Co. became the first Chewolet dealership in Burlington, Colorado in 1923. Prior to that, Sim Hudson owned his first automobile garage at 463 13th St. which is currently Duerst Machine Works. At that time, a small portion of the existing building were the only improvements, that of which originally was a livery stable. There he had automobile storage and sold Whippels. In 1923, Sim moved his business to the Sim was always a great promoter, such as the Knee-action parade ofthe 1934 Chevrolet automobiles, introducing their new suspensions. Also the celebration after the Roosevelt Logo for Colorado-Kansas Grain Company. CALDWELL'S INC. is Delmer Zeigler of Bethune, Colorado. Burlington. Petroleum products also became a large part of his business. 1987. by Jana Schreivogel the farmer additional competitive marketing for farm stored grains. Branch manger for the Burlington facility current location at L332 Senter Ave. in Pictured, an aerial view of Colorado-Kansas Grain Company, Burlington facility, taken in the fall of The average automobile today is election in which Sim and Ed Weinandt wagered $4,000.00. The money was used to throw a big party for everyone in the area. This included free lunch at noon, a free picture show from noon until midnight, a parade featuring four bands from around the area, and two free dances . . one at each armory. Eldon Snowbarger was hired by Sim Hudson in 1948, and later became a dealer partner with Sim's wife, Hazel, in 1960 following Sim's death. The Cadillac and Oldsmobile lines were added in the early 1960's. On July 1, 1984, Sim Hudson Motor Co. was purchased by Vince and Jana Schreivogel and became Vince's Chev-Olds-Cad, Inc. Through the years the automobile business has changed a great deal. Todays business requires a larger staff with great qualifications because of high technology. Now, in 1988, our business requires features such as: Telemarketing - telephone communica- tions directly to the manufacturer without the use of traveling representatives. In-house computers - used in the bookkeeping and parts departments and includes vehicle locator, vehicle ordering, service bulletins, and warranty claim submis- sion. Video Network - training and testing of Caldwell's Inc. 1988, the store has been operating since 194?. ',t k I Caldwell's in 1956. J.M. Caldwell, owner of Caldwell's Inc., made his way through high school by working nights at the Goodland, Kansas, power plant in the early 1920's. The knowledge and experience gained there enabled him to do a great deal of wiring when the rural areas began to acquire electricity. In 1928 he was able to open his own store in Goodland at the age of 25. Shortly after World War II, Dick Brock was hired to construct a 1300 sq. ft. building at t7L2 Rose Avenue in Burlington and in 1947 it opened for business selling appliances, butane and propane. The first manager was Bill Robinson followed by Wes Heinrich and Gene Wilson. In the fall of 1954, after serving in the Korean conflict, Don Caldwell, his wife Jeanne, and their year old daughter, Debbie, moved to Burlington and Don took over the managerial duties. Another daughter, Dawn Ann, was born in December 1955. A drive-in cafe west of the original building was purchased in the 1950's and in 1959 Charlie Sholes built in between and connec- ted the two buildings, and furniture was added to the appliance business. Another addition was then added to the west and the square footage was increased to just under 10,000. Ron Wendler has been emploved with �Caldwell's since 1958. There have been many changes since the first store opened sixty years ago, but one thing that has not changed over the years, according to Don, is the friendly, caring people of Burlington and the surrounding community. by Don Caldwell KNAB RADIO KNAB Radio went on the air on JulY 11, 1967. Thus began a new era for Eastern Colorado and especially Burlington, Colorado, for now it has it's own local radio station. Progress has come to this area thanks to Mr. Al Ross who started this station as owner and operator. The call letters of this station were derived from the following. The letter K signifies west of the Mississippi and the letters NAB stand for the National Board of Broadcasters. The signal begins at sunrise and ends at sunset for this 1.000 watt AM station' In 19?4 Al Ross sold the station to KNAB' Inc. In 1980 KNAB FM began it's broadcast day at 6:00 a.m. to midnight. It first age{ on March 7, 1980. On April4,L972, Good Friday, a tremendous ice storm did $26,000 damage to the lines and buildings. The tower was blown down due to the collection of four inches of ice and accompanying winds clocked at 60 miles per hour. KNAB went back on the air by the use of copper wire strung between two telephone poles. The signal had to be adjusted constantly due to the stretching of the copper wire due to the temperature variations throughout the day. The present tower is 406 feet high' Miss Betty Bailly came to Burlington in 196? to operate the station. In 1984 Betty Bailly bought out one of the three remaining stockholders of the station. In September of 198? Betty and Mr. Lockhart purchased the remaining shares. Ray Lockhart has interests in KSTC in Sterling, Colorado, and KOGA in Ogallala, Nebraska. The format of KNAB programming provides a variety of music and news to maintain a middle of the road format with an emphasis on agriculture concerns and news for the industry of the area. agribusiness -KNAB is an affiliate of the ABC network. BURLINGTON CENTENNIAL PARADE 1988 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Businesses Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A history of local businesses within Kit Carson County as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

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https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/408/Burlington_1.pdf 083a638f79792f48f279ea0279d16959 PDF Text Text treasury. The state's general school and county tax amounts to only fourteen mills. Wash. The church has continued its strong missionary program and Mission Fest is always a highlight of the church year. Hope Church still has a strong commitment to the work of the Lord and this we will pass on to future generations in the hope that a small bit of this history will bring them closer to the origins of their church and the dedication needed to work together in God's family. by Mrs. Emil Strobel BURLINGTON T253 It is 38 miles from Burlington to Sherman Center; 35 mi. to cheyenne Wells; 60 mi. to Haigler, Nebr.; 55 mi. to Wallace, Kan.; 168 mi. to Denver. It is plain to be seen that Burlington is the only town near the center A view of l4th Street looking north with the old Christian Church building (the IOOF Hall) to the far right. This picture is later because of the water tower far center. of this vast tract of tillable land. Elbert county is in good condition financially, in fact it is in the best condition of any county in the state. The county's paper sells at par, the county is out of debt and has money in the Every officer in the county, except sheriff is a Democrat. One thousand people depend upon Burlington for a trading point. There will be five times that number before the "leaves begin to turn" this fall.-May 20, 1887 Colorado with her gold and silver mines, her coal, her iron, her wood, her stock interests, and last, but not least, her undeveloped agricultural resources will in a few years become one of the richest states in the Union. No place astonished the traveler so much as Burlington. Only four weeks old and today almost every branch of business repre- sented, but sti[ there is room for more. Travelers and land seekers dailey crowd the shops and eating houses and many others undergo the painful task of standing up all night or holding down the soft side of a pine floor. Land is going fast and in a short time the area of government land in Elbert county will be of very small proportions. The bounteous rainfall we have enjoyed this spring has virtually made the road to success a solid stone and the tread of progress more than sure. Labor and capital move hand in hand, and their social union the joy of all. Everybody is satisfied. No one is grumbling, and east Elbert county's boom will continue.June 3. 1887 The following information was obtained from copies of the Cheyenne Wells Gazette as notated below. The paper was issued on Saturdays. Mail Route Information: June 4, 1887: "A new Post Office has been established at Burlington in Elbert county." State News. August 6, 1887: "Burlington gets a carrier with mail but once a week. The contract has been let to a Mr. Watters of that place." December 22, 1888: "The mail route from this place across to Burlington will be discontinued after Jan. lst." Stage Line Information: March 24, 1888: "The daily stage line between Cheyenne Wells and Burlington is now in operation. The time is Mayor and Town council, city of Burlington, 1889, L. to R.: E.T. Lemieux, T.G. Price, R.L. Hubbard, T.J. Jones, Mayor, Robert Clark, D. Kavanaugh, and George W. Talley. reduced an hour and the driver doubles the road, making seventy miles in twenty-four hours." April 7, 1888: "The daily hack to Burlington is a great convenience to travelers to the inland queen." May 26, 1888: "Joe Burger is now driving the Burlington hack." September 22, 1888: "The Burlington stage line is reduced to a one-horse concern in a very delapidated condition." Freighting: Panarama view looking north and a little west. Far center is the depot with it prominate chimney and railroad boxcars on track. The house in center would be located just north of Neil's Furniture Store building. �w4. W. {4 1;r '..l"Yrt :J .1.s..,,, iW..., .,i Burlington, very early 1900's of 14th Street, notice the windmills and board sidewalks. Photo is taken looking south with Montezuma Hotel on the left. January 14, 1888: "Last Wednesday afternoon Jake Pierce, a freighter living 20 miles north, was on his way to Burlington with a buffalo calf was shipped to Denver Sunday by a Burlington farmer." load of coal. Going down a grade at Wells and Cave kept by John B. White, in attempting to set the brake on his wagon, he was thrown off the side; his left arm catching the wheel by Janice Salmans was badly broken near the shoulder. The fractured member was set by Dr. Crum, and Pierce departed for his home the following morning." Note: The Wells and Cave mentioned were in Sec. 28-13-44 of Cheyenne county. John B. White ran a store there. Prior to the county divisions in 1889 this would have been in Elbert county. Citizens: "A live l4th Street, early 1900's, building on left could be where the Burlington Bakery is now with narrow board walks. �:a, rr.,it r, ,ri:.l1i:::,,, I ,:l'::t::t . .i:t,:t, i One of Burlington's first hardware stores was operated by D. Kavanaugh. lr.:r)i: The good old day's of a cow in every back yard even on l4the Street. Notice the Courthouse just left of center in background with newly planted trees around it. PIONEER LIFE ON THE PRAIRIE Later small buildings were erected and The creamery, notice bare light bulb hanging from ceiiing. now known as "Old Burlington," but for- office. settlement made just east of the main street of Burlington, about three-fourths of a mile, T254 merly called Lowell. 'Ihe first store in this settlement was owned by Charles Lamb; later Abe Hendricks started a small store in a building which he had erected and which was moved to New Burlington in 1888, and is now occupied by the Burlington Call printing HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BURLINGTON The first settlement was mostly a tent city about one mile west of the present city limits, and on what is now the John Lueken farm. *"-,d$ .$rx! The first school in Burlington was held in a small vacant building on what is now North Main Street. The teacher was Miss (Molly) Daves, who had a homestead adjoining the town. The first Postmaster was E.T. Lemieux, '' This picture was taken in 1905-06, shows a complete view of Burlington at that time. The photo was taken from the roof of the schoolhouse facing west. The street on the left is Senter Street. Do you recognize the lovely old homes? Part 1 see part 2. tn :.,r..**.aa--a Ill L- ^dr+Y-"{ [-.s $q Part 2 Notice the windmills and the small trees. At the extreme right you can see the depot and the only elevator ,Q!. �appolntect rn May, IUU/. Eugene Worcnester was the first editor, printing the "Burlington Blade" the first newspaper in Burlington. The Printing shop was in a building located where the Sim Hudson Garage now stands. R.S. Newell and associates bought the school section in which New Burlington is now located, and which was the expected Rock Island Depot site at that time. When the Railroad was built through the County in 1888. all the business houses where moved from Old Burlington to New Burlington, and rebuilt along the intersection of Senter Avenue and Fourteenth Streets, the present business section. Daniel Kavanaugh was the # ;j ,.,,$ {t I ,,,' v L,'_ ;$ c, ,u :, q{ first Hardware merchant; T.F. Sutton was the first Mayor, and the Board of Trustees were: T.G. Price, H.E. Neal, Daniel Kav- anaugh, H. Wilson, M.E. Cook (who operated the first drugstore) and G.W. Talley. The first physician was Dr. C.A. Gillette, who rode horseback for many a mile over blizzard swept prairies to care for the sick and suffering, and often times bring to the world another "pioneer" who was to carry on the work of building a new community. by Della Gamble Hendricks BURLINGTON, T255 T-8, R-44, both tracts of land being in Elbert County, Colorado. These were both preemp- tion filings, and after six months residence both men proved up on their claims, their final receipts being dated February 23, L887 and February 15, 1887 respectively. Other parties, who were located on land near what rfe tl i a:@ r.*tl: hardware, Skyland Beauty Shop, Lee's Barber Shop and Marion's. the tract just west of the golf course, Rachel E. Van Winkle on the present golf course, Ed. F. and George Bevelhimer on the half section across the road to the south, S.M. Mayfield on the quarter section south of the Court House, and P.A. Troutfetter on the quarter north of Mr. Kavanaugh. In July, 1886 Dan Kavanaugh filed on the SW % S-31, T-8, R-43 and about the same time Chas H. Dicks filed on the SE 1A S-34, -- About 1910 with McCurdy's meat market and the Record Printing Office on left of picture. This is the block which now holds Zimbelman's, Gracie's, The Prescription Center and Sound Center, Snyder's in now Burlington were A.L. Teagarden on TOWN OF COLORADO "..'-. At this time the surveys for the Rock Island Railroad were still being made and no one knew just where the new railroad would go. About September in 1887 the line of the new railroad was determined and a town was laid out in the SE % of S-34, T-8, R-43, where the John Lueken farm is now located. Quite a little city sprang up with a few frame buildings and many tents. Among those located in tents was Mavnard E. Cooke who operated a drug store. This store was later the moved to Old Burlington, then to the present site of the Dunn Garage and later to the Weinandt and Brown building, where it is still continued. This is probably the oldest business in the county and during the fifty years has had only four different managements. The men in control of the Rock Island Railroad (or Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad as it was the known) decided that a town should be located where Burlington is at present and purchased a tract of school Iand from the State and laid out the town. The town was platted and owned by Mr. R.S. Newell and C.F. Jilson, Trustee. Mr. Jilson was trustee for a group of Rock Island officials and controlled 51 percent ofthe town site. Previous to this time the town of Lowell had been laid out in what we now know as "Old Burlington" and by a compromise :rilrrl 'i*,,,.. ',:,)a?;:. r:i'], ::li. fll!:ll i**"@' This picture was taken in 1902 of the Burlington, Colorado town band. The large 2 story building in backcentei of picture is the Stockgrowers Bank building. Left to right: 1. F.N. King, 2. Hainline, 4. Harvey Cluphf, 5 Hubert Buchle, 9. Firm Moore, 13 Harrison, 15, Roy Hills. arrangement the settlers on Sec. 34 moved their business establishments to Lowell, which was replatted and the name changed to Burlington. This proved to be a very short lived affair as the town of New Burlington, with its depot, drew all the business houses from Burlington. Among the buildings moved to the new site were the Montezuma Hotel, the Ned Brown pump house, Buchanan Cream Station, Wilson Printing office and the corner building adjoining, and the Dunn Cream station. At first the business houses were arranged along Senter Avenue and a line of small buildings occupied by cafes and small stores fronted the main stem where the Vogt residence and the telephone office now stands. For a long time the Block from the Montezuma south and that across the street were the principal business locations. The Ned Brown building was one of the first pretentious buildings erected and that was practically the only building on that side of Main street north of Senter Avenue. Eight separate plats have gone to make up the building of Burlington. First was the plat of Burlington on the present Lueken farm �lL&l. ::t, r lt il'f.a.& *.1" that he "was a wolf'and it was his night to howl. He generally would end up in the city Bastille repenting at leisure. During the year 1887 while Lowell, afterwards Burlington was growing up there were about forty buildings in the town. The Burlington Blade was the first newspaper and was owned and operated by the Townsite Company in the name of Senter and Donelon and with E.P. Worcester as Editor. The first issue came out on May 13, 1887 and was printed at Eustis, Kansas on the press of the Eustis "Dark Horse". This paper advertised the town of Lowell as the "future County Seat of Eastern Colorado." The Rock Island railroad was , *tt;s?6r.6c.uo, Burlington, Colorado, May 19, f 9f 5. The Montezuma Hotel is on the left. The F.L. Aten building on the right us now occupied by Marion's Shoe and Dress Shop. west of town, which was abandoned and consolidated with (Old) Burlington, second was the platting of Burlington as "Lowell". Later this was replatted and Burlington was consolidated with it. Cleveland Addition was platted between the Railroad track and Burlington. New Burlington was laid out and covers the present business section of Burlington. First Addition was laid out on 240 acres to the west of New Burlington. Brown's Addition runs for a half mile along the west side of Highway No. 385 and north of the Railroad. Burlington Annex was laid out south of the highway. When the Town was incorporated the quarter section including the cemetery were included but were later separated from the corporation. by H.G. Hoskin TOWN OF BURLINGTON, COLORADO from Cheyenne Wells and from points on the B. & M railroad. Mail came from Cheyenne Wells and later from St. Francis, Kansas. The big event in the life of the town was, of course, the completion of the railroad and I believe that the first regular train went through sometime in September 1888. Some of the early merchants were Charles Lamb, who operated a general store, D. Kavanaugh, who had a hardware store about where Snyders hardware is now located, and the lumber yard, which is now the Herman Lumber Company, and others whom I will already on its way and the B., & M. Railroad was to pass thro'the town on its direct way from St. Francis to Pueblo. Surveys had already been made and there was no question but that Burlington would be a railroad junction. People coming to the New Eldorado were advised to take the B. & M. to Haigler, or the U.P. to Cheyenne Wells and then come overland. Three hack lines brought people and supplies to town. The line to Haigler, operated by G. Dederick, who made daily trip, taking ten hours; Fry and Smith made daily trips to Sherman Center, Kansas (near the present town of Goodland) taking seven hours, and Bridge and Waters who made daily trips to Cheyenne Wells. E.T. Lemieur was appointed the first Postmaster, receiving his appointment in May, 1887. I am inclined to believe, that the first mail came from St. Francis, Kansas or Haigler by stage. Burlington is too young to have gone Among the leading business houses of the new town were Hubbard and Donelan, Real Estate, Insurance and Locating: Webb and Johnston, Real Estate, Insurance and Locating. Thomas Reed, Locator; Neal Brothers and Teagarden, Loans and Real Estate; Page through the old wild west days when cowboys and Leal, Real Estate and Locating. Kirk enumerate later. shot up the town and spent the years' earnings in a few hilarious days. From the first it was a very decorous community and only occasionally did some man get the idea Hiskey and Company, Real Estate; Frazer and Cunningham, Livery (Star Livery and Feed; H. Wilson, Flour and Feed; Barlow Bros., Banking; A.J. Carpenter, carpenter; D. T256 Before the railroad was completed goods and materials were brought to Burlington First Trades Day in Burlington, June 2 thru the 14. A gathering seeking shade under the porch of the Montezuma, early 1900's, note the fabulous hats the ladies are wearing. Trades Day looking south with Aten's Store on the right. �Kavanaugh, Hardware; Joseph Eck, Liquors, Northrup Brothers, Groceries; Charley Lamb, Groceries; Page and Leal, Burlington House, A.J. Senter of Colby, Kansas was President and H.E. Weld of Candy, Kansas was Secretary of the Townsite Company. The first Hotel was a two story affair 30 x ll,ri., :,],::]'ll r.. .:.::1r., 600 feet, but I have no record of the landlord. So far as I know, this building was afterwards moved to Burlington and became the Montezuma Hotel. On May 17, 1887 the first traveling man reached the town of Burlington and sold a bill of goods to Abe Hendricks, who opened a General Store. On May 30, 1887, E.F. Bevelhimer, living west ofthe town, celebrated the first anniversary of his locating in the new country and thus gives us the date of one of the very first settlers on the Divide in the neighborhood of Burlington. Nearly all of Burlington helped him celebrate this occasion. Among business men who located within the next two years we find the following: G.W. Talley, Livery; S.K. King, Land and Loans; Bent and Mettev. by H.G. Hoskin ,:;:.., .::)aaaa:.rl *,rx8lr. l!,ri: r.r::::i;:- This is the old livery barn in Burlington which was operated by Elmer Harrison and Uncle Bud Yarnell. Photo was taken on July 4, 1900. Lt'*. .,::i1 ry% .:rp. '":: "'-. 3r ?r,ry ,"r lff . { Forth of July parade in Burlington, early 1900's. .a_ :> rb -.- ... l ,!a -.i ', lj t/: I i,l ""' a; Ir,'1 ..t I :lf t trl 'Jr 4, --/- ".t": 'l -/i\r\(/1, ,r.,. ;r\'")r-. �1920's, inside the livery barn, your favorite garage. p i,3 Main Street (14th St.) F.L. Wren, Spot Cash Store on left with Les Gain's Drug Store and Hainline's Barber Shop. To the right, A.L. Anderson's Garage and the Montezuma Hotel. TOWN OF BURLINGTON, COLORADO ::i!; :; t1 i-$ with Mayor T.F. Sutton presiding. The Trustees were T.G. Price, H.E. Neal, D. Kavanaugh, M. Wilson, M.E. Cooke and C.W. Tallev. The Armory built in L927, is standing today. Remember the dances held here? T257 Their first action was to elect the following city officers, to wit: T. Ellis Browne, Recorder; S.K. King, Attorney; A. Douthit, Marshal; I.D. Cary, Treasurer and M.P. Worcester, as Farm Loans, Burlington Lumber Company; Neal Brothers and Cement, Attorneys; Northrup and Penfold, Groceries (Change from Northrup Brothers) I.B. Cary and Company, Land; Bean, Jeweler; City Drug Store; Palace Saloon; B.F. Kaiser, Blacksmith; T.J. Jones, Attorney; Clements and Edwards, Attorneys. The State Bank was organized with the following directors: R.S. Newell, President; D.S. Harris, Vice President; J.E. Barlow, Cashier; C.H. Brown; F.K. Brown. On August 16, 1888 the first Board of Trustees of Burlington met in regular session Big snow in 1923, Della Hendricks writes on back of photo, "I could not visit schools until April." Magistrate. Three Ordinances were passed, the first referring to City officers, their duties, salaries and bonds; the second relating to animals running at large and the third as to the meeting of the Board of Trustees. At the second meeting held on August 27, 1888, ordinance No.4 relating to misdemeanors and ordinance No. 6 relating to drays, hackmen, etc, were passed and Ordinances No. 5 and 7 were laid over. Dog tags were ordered. At the third meeting held the next day, Ordinances No. 5 and 7 were duly passed. The first related to saloons and the second to nuisances. The town marshal, A. Duthit, w ttzr 11 * I:1 : resigned and was allowed his salary of $5.00 which was the first money paid out by the city. E.P. Worcester of the Burlington Blade presented a bill for printing in connection with the organization of the city, in the sum of $48.45; T.G. Price presented a bill for $23.80 for services as election judge and for carrying ballotbox and returns to Kiowa; J.E. Barlow presented a bill for $42.00 for funds advanced to the County Judge of Elbert County at Kiowa, and dl bills were allowed. On September 11, 188, a saloon license was granted to C.H. Mattox and on the next day one was granted to W.T. Campbell. On the 17th of September Trustees Price, Cooke and Neal were appointed a Committee to see about a cemetery matters. At the same time they were instructed to look into the matter of a calaboose. On the 22nd of September the Cemetery Committee was authorized to employ a surveyor to lay out the ten acres in the Northwest corner of the NE % of Sec. 36, T-8, R-44, which had been given to the City by the Townsite Company, to fence the seme to see to the title. Armistice Day Parade with the American Legion marching by, 1936. The first relief expense paid by the City was on November 19. 1888 when the Trustees �Charlie Davis pool hall in Burlington. Davis is identified as the middle man in the group of three gathered around the pool table. If taken during Prohibition days 1918-1936, bottles on right contained only soft drinks or near beer. trough to be installed. The new Board elected in 1890 composed of C.A. Gilmore, Mayor; D. Kavanaugh, Richard Clarke, B.S. Barndollar, M.E. Cooke, W.W. Paisley and M.S. Murphy as Burlington City Park in the 1920's, remember the "fountain" in the center of the park? Trustees. allowed a bill for $7.00 for board, lodging and telegrams for two boys who had been on the the town under the neme of First Addition On September 9, 1890, 240 acres on the west side of New Burlington were annexed to city's hands for three days. At the next meeting, as the warrant had not been issued, the City fathers apparently thought better about the item and instructed the Clerk to turn the bill over to the County. A variety of matters came before the Board of Trustees in the next few months, among which were the following: Asking the different fraternal orders about having a part of the cemetery set aside for their use. Petitions for a new County, which Burlington wished to be 30 miles square; adopting the name Fair View for the Ceme- tery; setting a price for cemetery lots and setting aside a Potter's Field. Securing a site for a calaboose, etc. At the election in April 1889, a new Board was elected consisting of D. Kavanaugh, G.W. Talley, G. Myers, Robert Clarke, LB. Cary and T.G. Price as Trustees and T.J. Jones ag Mayor. As this time bids were asked for the construction of sidewalks and the successful bidder agreed to build sidewalks for 22 cents a running foot for sidewalks 2 feet wide and 29 cents for walks 3 feet wide. At a meeting on September 17, 1889 bids for city printing were received from the Kit Burlington in the early 1930's. Taken from the water tower, notice the newer buildings. Carson County Advocate, the Burlington Bommerang and the by II.G. Hoskin TOWN OF BURLINGTON, COLORADO T268 Burlington Blade, and the Blade, backed by the Townsite Company, took the job. Mr. G.W. Talley presented a bill for services as Marshall and the clerk shows in his records that the bill was sent back to Mr. Talley with a request that it be "itemized". In April 1890, the Board made arrangem- ents with the Railroad Company to secure water from their well and ordered a city horse View of Burlington from the top of the courthouse. Left the John Guthrie home, Burt Ragan home, chautauqua tent. 2nd row: John Esch, J. Upton, Grant Mann's barn. 3rd row: E. Hoskins Sr. home, Roscoe Hotel and the Frank Mann Building. �to Burlington. A part of this tract had been homesteaded by Rachel Van Winkle and a part had been purchased by the Townsite Company from the State of Colorado. This Iand was sold at first for $3,000 and by successive transfers to different parties fi- nally reached a price of $50,000. This was laid out in 83 blocks containing approximately 2500 lots and the owners began an intensive campaign to give away the lots. Advertisements were run in the Police Gazette, and lots were given to people in every section of the Union. An additional tract was laid out in the E Vz of t}:,e E % of Section 36, and was given away under the same plan. An Abstract of Title was furnished with each lot free of all charges but was incorporated in the deed of conveyance to the victim. All he was asked to do was to have the deed recorded in the office ofthe County Recorder. The advertising consisted of letters from parties who had been given lots and which they had later sold for as much as $250 per lot. For a while business was good. Something over a thousand lots were given away and each party getting a lot paid the promoter $5.00 as a recording fee. He then split with the other promoters. About this time the Postal Department began to investigate the matter and the whole thing collapsed. Along in 1890 and for several years there after the town adopted a unique method of killing two birds with one stone. The Rock Island was asking an annual payment of from $125 to $150 for water supplied to the town and the funds to pay the railroad the town would authorizethe sale ofa warrant for $250 to the highest bidder and the saloon keeper usually bought it in for 50 cents to 60 cents on the dollar. Then the town accepted the warrant at face in payment of the saloon license fee. This was regularly done up to 1897. Warrants were sold to John Hiller. E.E. Bevelhimer and Carter Gutshall and others. At the election held on april 8, 1898, Mrs. Annie Newell and Mrs. P.B. Godsman were elecf,ed as Trustees, and Mrs. Jennie Long was elected by the Board as City Clerk. In TOWN OF BURLINGTON, COLORADO T259 and several horses were destroyed along with the barn. During this year the windmill and water tanks were removed from the middle of Main Street. A well was dug and the windmill was placed over it and the first efforts made to improve the cemetery. Also at this time, the Town Council started on an orgy of spending by raising the Town Clerk's salary to 95.00 per month. Every indication pointed to the fact that the town was growing up. Cement sidewalks, quarantine regulations, ordering all hogs out of town, taking the windmill and tank out of Main Street, all pointed to some kind of a new birth. A new and modern Hotel was projected to built by a group of citizens and the town was asked to deed the two lots that had been obtained from Mr. Newell to the Hotel Cooperation and take stock in payment. A The depot in the 1940's. The newly Organized Stock Growers Bank was named as the meeting place. The Town Clerk received a tremendous salary of $2.00 per month. On May 11, 1903, the Town bought 300 feet of 1 % inch fire hose and a cart and this was the beginning of the world famous Fire Department. In December, 1903 an epidemic of scarlet fever ravaged the country taking several lives, and the Mayor of Burlington issued a proclamation forbidding any person who had been exposed to the fever from entering the town and appointing a special officer to enforce the order. In the spring of 1904, an epidemic of small pox broke out and raged for several months. At the 1906 election, George O. Gates was elected Mayor and during his administration the first cement sidewalk was laid. Also. the Town had its first serious fire when the old Boyles Livery Barn, which was located on the corner just south of the John Penny home, was destroyed. Much valuable equipment call was issued for a special election for waterworks bonds. Mr. Winegar offered to trade block 8 to the town for the two lots owned by the town, and after some argument the offer was accepted. Waterworks bond was carried by a decisive vote. Apparently Burlington was no longer a train stop for the Rock Island railroad. It had grown up. by H.G.Iloskin NEW BURLINGTON BUSINESSES T260 April 1961, activity reached a peak in Burlington during the past week. In addition to the new businesses, several new homes are under construction in every section of the town. T.W. Backlund announced this week that he would open Thursday March 20 at his new location just east of the V.F.W. Post Home on Rose Ave. Backlund's formerlv located on May, for some reason, Mrs. Godsman resig- ned as trustee and was immediately reelected to the same place by the board. The Townsite Company deeded the two lots north of the present Winegar building to the city as a site for town buildings. These are the lots later traded to Mr. Winegar for the '' city park site. Apparently no election was held in the years 1899, 1900 and 1901. There were no meetings of the Board of Trustees from April 2, 1900 to October 1, 1900. At the election held in April 2, 1900, Mrs. Boyles and Etta Rogers were candidates for a position on the Board of Trustees and the election resulted in a draw. The two ladies drew straws for the office and Mrs. Boyles was the lucky party. The other members of the Board were J.W. Sparks, Mayor; A.W. Winegar, A.V. Jessee, J.S. Penfold, J.L. Eaches and Mrs. Maggie Sparks. W.D. Selder was elected as Town Treasurer. E.C. Baker as Town Clerk. by H.G. Hoskins Burlington Depot built in the 1890's. The ladies of Burlington would carry their lunches and wait for the trains to come in so they could visit with the passengers while the train filled with water. This way they kept up with the news of the world around them. �Celebrating the end of World War II in August of 1945. View taken from top of elevator, many new cars were damaged in this accident. 14the St., will continue with the Dodge line of trucks and cars with Case, Farmhand, and Oliver farm equipment as well as complete maintenance. The new structure, a Stan- Steel building, was constructed by Wes Holmes Const. Co. of Burlington. The parts department and offices are Iocated in the south of the building along with the showroom and the shop is located in the rear with access doors on the east. King Motor Co., too will move in the near future from its present location at 502 14the St. to the building formerly occupied by Jack's Body Shop at 1700 Rose Ave. "The move amounts to better service to customers as we will have a much larger working space," Gathering scrap for the war effort. Perry Wilson and John Esch are on the right. said V.R. (Bud) King, owner, earlier this Train derailment near the Burlington Co-op in the week when questioned about the construc- 1950's. tion. On to the front of the large quonset structure. Charlie Sholes and the Foster Lumber Co. have begun the erection of a super structure 70 feet by 36 feet, which will house the show room and offices. The rear quonset, where the parts department and shop will be located is approximately 40 feet by 80 feet. King Motor Co. offers Buick and Pontiac cars and GMC trucks as well as irrigation motors. The move will enable the firm to keep the used cars along with the rest of the business, instead of seperated as in the past. King reported that the switch in business address should be completed by May 1. Construction was begun early Mon. morning, March 27,by a crew from the Burlington Building and Supply co. at a site just east of King Motor Co. to house Jack's Body and Repair Shop. Jack Cheslock, owner and operator of the shop, reported the building; 36 feet by 80 feet to be finished by May L. Work also began Mar. 20, on a new office A "dirty thirties" dust storm is moving in. You are looking north on rnain street. Note the Bank of Burlington on far right of photo. Exact year is unknown. building for R.C. Beethe, M.D., who is presently located in offices at 411 14the Street. The site of the new office which will be at the corner of 15the and Lowell, in the lot just east of the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital. Dr. Beethe stated that he �,::i,rrtta :r- .rt rai ,.:: ..:,..,a:.,..,:a.,::: w &i*;, . 'r:., ,:. I -"t -r" Burlington Golf course and Prairie Pines Country Club. Late fall of 1987. From the period of time starting about 1910 through the 1920's we can see the development of Burlington move forward rlii. r,ri 1; :i',,.,: .r, . ... .,t:; ,;,;1.., 1::,,.; ,:l rl: ....r 'r,r. .1. . .... ;:.y; and climaxing during the 1920's. The construction of the buildings that are remaining today such as the buildings on the four corners of 14th and Senter Street and the Winegar building, the Davis Garage where Ben Franklin Store is now, the Penny Burlington's first swimming pool on the corner of Senter and 18th Street built in 1935-37 as a WPA project needed a new office with better lighting and BURLINGTON HISTORY newer facilities. The building is being built by L.C. Kelly and Sons of Denver. Another new establishment which will be open to the public soon is the V and L DriveIn Cafe, owned and operated by Virgil Dixon, and located at the corner of Highways 24 and' 385 in Burlington. The building and the booths were constructed by the Colorado Mobile Homes of Stratton, with Dixon doing the finish work himself. The drive-in will celebrate its grand opening this Sat. April 1, with free coffee and doughnuts to adults and free ice cream cones to the children. The drive-in will seat 20 people inside, will feature everything from steaks to sandwiches with fountain service as well. The establishment will be open from 6 am. to 10 pm. each day and the phone number is 271. by Janice Salmans T261 sURLINGTON aleurag lo Colorado rAMOLjS w, . FqN IHTAT ..C AT TLT . b:, Welcome to Burlington' 1956' . t: building where Vance's Decorating is pres- ently located and most of the other buildings up and down "Main Street" as it was called then were constructed during this period. What a legacy of that time is left for us. 1917 brought on the threat of the first World War and the registration lists that were published were a reminder of the population that was present in the county and towns in this area. The rural population was much higher in proportion to the cities than it is today proving that if the agriculture industry prospered the towns prospered too. That can be proved today. Fun activities were the annual County Fair, Chautauquas, community variety shows and productions, and the movies. Saturday night band concerts came into being sometime during this period of time as Saturday was always the day to go to town bringing people into Burlington to conduct business and purchase needed items and recreation. There were two newspapers in town at this time owned and operated by George Wilkinson and Pat Wilson. They were always taking on the "Devil's Advocate" with each other and during this time the activities of the Ku Klux KIan were taking hold in the area causing a lot of division in the community even having political repercussions which took years to heal. The coming of Louis Vogt to Burlington early in this century, brought an era of culture that Burlington had not had before. 1926 Feb. 9 "Othello" 1927 Feb. 7 "Hamlet" 1928 Feb. 23 "Comedy of Errors" 1929 Feb. 14 "The Merchant of Venice" 1930 Feb. 26 "Macbeth" :r:.:ii, rl],!1.r;ial t ,....t::..: 1931 Feb. 19 "Othello" (at Colorado Springs) 1932 Feb. 10 "As You Like It" The above plays were well attended by people all over the county and beyond. Mr. Vogt built a two-story house east of the Montezuma hotel and the building now called "The Midway". 14th Street in 1956 looking north, taken by Willard Gross. �,a;ii. i.lr::) :l:irrr .: i.r,.i, ili i"* l::'6 Ss r- !!i i;; r.:;.11i* This picture was taken in November 1957. Looking south over the Town of Burlington. Fair grounds are in the lower right corner of the picture. The wide street with all the cars parked on it is 14th Street (Main Street). Note old water tower at north end of street. ffi'*v'' ;**' x:w a \*e . :a" * '=.--;-".-l f. .,..:',' ,:,: *Jei ':'*'lo 74t_:7, -1 nl'J. tj. I - r'.r:' '.a �*,,*,"sfflT' ': #ft+fl; ii, l;l \-*"' This picture was taken in October, 1g58. Vantage is looking north with Highway 24 in foreground. 14th Street is in center of photo. Note the K.C.C. Memorial Hospital and the Armory in middle of picture. BURLINGTON HISTORY The County Commissioners bought the T262 Carousel in 1928 which proved to very detrimental to their political careers at the time and under circumstances bevond their control. Today proves that there is always a rainbow after the storm with the counties Carousel recognized as an Historic Landmark of the nation. It's location in Burlington has helped the town as well as the county. The 30's will always live in the hearts of those who lived through them with the f financial losses from the closing of the Stock Growers Bank as well and the drought that set in this area. Even small towns suffer when there are national disasters. In this area the loss of revenue from the agriculture sector made for hard times on "Main Street" too. With the price of corn going to an all time low of 25 cents per bushel - and some only received 10 cents per bushel - it was no wonder that people burned corn instead of coal. For entertainment many people went out to the country and hunted rabbits and also looked for arrow heads and other Indian artifacts that had been uncovered by the raging winds removing the soil from the plains surrounding Burlington. Some people traded arrowheads for groceries. Politics, of course, can always provide us with entertain- . ,::,:' r.ii{i :i:r l;,i$': ti:a, .:.!irr,,, r,:i*l':' ,t,t:l ment and in 1936 a bet was made concerning the outcome of the 1936 election. As a result the town and community was given a gteat celebration with a barbeque, parade and dance. For more insight read about it in this * :r.' --'';. ''i::'' ''r.1:''r' East side of 14th Street with the Winegar building on the right. The Bakery, the Satin Petticote, Midway Theatre, Willies Flower Shoppe, Sears and the Bank of Burlington at end of block. February 1988. section. WPA projects in Burlington consisted of construction of the curbs and gutters in New Burlington. The Community Center with the gym was built and "out houses" were built �The Abbott House This is the largest home in Burlington, Colorado. It was built by the late William Abbott at a cost of $10,000 in the early 1900's. Nine apartments with two baths, heated by a Holland furnace. The house has 2t/z stories with a basement. A strictly modern home. If you buy this you are sure of living for life. It is completely furnished. Beautiful blue grass Looking south we find W.B. Drug, Mode-o-Day, Homm-Attorney, Coast to Coast, Heinz Office and Supply, The Family Practice, Vance's Decorating, and Peoples Natural Gas Co. on the east side of the street and Marion's, Lee's Barber shop and Skyland Beauty Salon, Snyder's Hardware, The Sound Center and The Prescription Center, Gracie's Crafts, Zimbelman's Jewelry, The Burlington Record and Equitable Savings, on the west. and given to the country schools. There were other small projects too but the best one was would be used. Everyone felt a part ofthe war effort. the construction of the swimming pool in 1935-37. This provided the town with lots of enjoyment for many years until the new pool was built in the 1960's. The 1940's found us again preparing for yard and hundreds of perennial flowers, shrubs and trees surround the house. A three apartment garage is adjacent to the house. Will sell on terms or take smaller house or clear land for part payment on same. This is a very desirable apartment house or would make a wonderful hospital. This ad was found in 'oHenry's Scrapbook." We do not know the year but this house is still standing and now owned by Mrs. Orma Turner. It is still a very beautiful home. war and do you remember hearing the sirens and pulling all the shades so that the town was all dark? Our imaginations went wild. Everyone helped with the scrap drives, gathering newspapers for the paper drives, Old Historic Building Changes Hands Penny Bros., became the owners of the building, just north of their store, which now houses the creamery operated by C.J. Buchanan. The purchase was made from Jacobs and Milburn, who bought the ancient landmark smashing cans and saving anything that at a land sale, held by the county. The history of the building, which is to be raised, to make roorn for an implement department of their store, is varied indeed. According to historian, H.G. Hoskin, it was a store operated bv C.A. Lamb, from 1887-1892. John Hillers took over the place for a saloon from 18931895. Later, Roscoe made it into a hotel, pool room, and soft drink parlor; from which status, it began to be leased as apartments, and cream stations. Several operators of cream stations preceded Mr. Buchanan, who has been there 3 or 4 years. This building was one of Burlington's first buildings that was erected in June, 1887. But it's passing will likely cause little regret, since l:]l;ltr.r',, 'rr. '.:i;;t{;a.i... . ' l|r.i .:ll;l:,' : r":i];r:r'ltlii]l I f''.'t-t ' ;' 't--;',,t,,''t",'ctt**;. *:i:.lt,., ,. t,' ., ',r ":"r'' " " "'' '" : i, :r,r";i;iti:i..rir:.. . '. t.:.1,r, '11,11, . ,.:,3rll' The west side of the street showing Ben Franklin, Men's Shop, Orth's, Nunn-Attorney, and The Corner cut. Februarv 1988. the Penney's will build a modern store adjoining the brick building now housing their hardware and implement building. Old Burlington Business Dr. H.M. Hayes purchased the two-story brick building on 14th St., last Saturday, in which the Burlington Hospital is located. The building also contained the Burlington Bakery, and the Red and White Grocery Store. Feb. 10. 1944. �Reed Motor Co., tractors and farn equipment Looking north we find many of the same buildings as seen in the 1940 but fronts are kept up to date and several new buildings Heritage Savings, are seen along with stop lighLs. We have come of age! Dave's Welding Shop, owned and operated by Dave Sielsky. $Yr l "'r1.,,1l.:, C.D. Reed, owner and operator of Reed Motor Co. : r1,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,1.l ,',l',:.l *l ',r',ir ;f$;f,' @ .:.- il "\ '-i ;tit ..i, ;d1 ' , |,@t"'rt' 1fr:'.,,,1i ti::r!i:,i, ,'11 The Bank of Burlington with its new exterior and the potted trees give 14the Street a prosperous look. BURLINGTON HISTORY Burlington Construction Co., Guy Ancell, operator. T263 Going to the movies at the Midway Theater and munching popcorn from the sack and watching the newsreels reporting on the war will never be forgotten. It seemed that most everyone attended them and remember the Saturday Afternoon Matinee watching Roy Rogers movies. Those were the days and the cost was 12 cents at one time. Remember the bon-fire celebrating the end of the war? Tradgedy hit the community with the disaster striking the Smoky Hill Community when the tornado destroying homes, schools and crops. The town of Burlington pitched in Sim Hudson Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Cadillac. Christenberry's Welding and Radiator Shop. �re il Marinello Beauty Salon. Dorotha Hemmond, owner, Located in Montezuma Hotel. Burlington Telephone Office, located behind Montezuma Hotel. Guthrie Electric Shop, owned and operated by John Guthrie. This building was the original schoolhouse for the Burlington area. Carter's Produce, owned and operated by Floyd and Estie Carter. Buyers of cream and farm fresh eggs. Hotel West, located on Senter Street was once a thriving hotel and later on, a restaurant. Cowan's Produce, located on Senter Street, buyers ofcream and eggs. Lowell and Fern Cowan were the proprietors. $ {si Local Telephone operators at work. Behind the desk is Elsie Nass, and operators from left to right are marie Wood Smith, Peg Roberts, and Bonnie Warren Shamburg Real Estate, later managed by son, Bob Shamburg. Kit Carson County Abstract Co. Henry Hoskin, Abstractor. Also the home of Twrell-Hoskin Farnsworth Hendricks. Insurance. -'l Rose's Beauty Salon, operated by Rose patterson. Ebert Lynn, one ofthe original barbers in the town of burlington. He also bought animal hides during the earlier days of the town. and gathered together and helped clean up after the storm. With the dry 1930's behind them the farmers were experiencing good crops and with it brought better times for the towns. Land prices which saw a bottom of $1.50 were now bring $40, $50, and even $60 per acre. New homes were constructed and business could afford to renovate their stores and build new fronts so that main street really took on a new look. Albert Kirshmer built a one-half million bushel elevator which we thought was huge. Thomas & Thomas, Attorneys at Law. Thornton H. Thomas and Richard D. Thomas. Combine crews filled the town during harvest through July and we wondered if it was safe to go out at night with so many people about. The late 40's saw the building of the Kit Carson Memorial Hospital in Burlington which has served the community very well all these years. This was a great community effort with farmers donating wheat, clubs donated money and labor for furnishing the rooms and lots of labor in the actual building was donated, a really wonderful coming together of individuals to provide a needed �Hendricks Mortuary, Wm. R. Hendricks, County Coroner. Chuck's Service, Mobil Service operated by Chuck J.C. Pennev Co. Siehr. resource in the county. Burlington became the headquarters for many of the construction personal who were involved with the building of Bonny Dam. This influx of people made a housing shortage and the construction of houses on Bonny Drive remain with us today reminding us of this time. The Kit Carson County Courthouse was renovated and an addition added in 1950 at the cost of $190,000.00. This was a beautiful building after the construction was finished and is serving us well in 1988. The grandstand at the fairgrounds was also constructed we'e*% wwwwtrv&&&K. ITTT iih .,ffi Fl ,r MW :,:.'1'.':rllll U.S. Post Office Neil's Furniture, Neil Willirms owner. during this time and has been used for the fairs and other activities through the years with 1988 seeing the area in front of the grandstand landscaped to compliment Carousel park and provide a very attractive area for everyone to enjoy. BURLINGTON HISTORY T284 Safeway Store, Don Thompson manager. Harrison's Ford and Mercury, Hobart Harrison, Owner. \-sv :.@j f :'':,,,,{ &.' re. ; i"-;. :;__ , .,...t,,.,t ..,::.,:. ..;;:.;.* K, n dll ,ra I ffi Esch Lumber Company, owned and operated by John Esch. Tom Ambler Hardware, owned and operated by Tom and Midge Ambler Loyd's Cleaners and Clothiers, Mac Loyd, owner. Office of R.C. Beethe, M.D., Physician and Sur3urlington Locker Service, owned and operated by lliff Hoschouer. Wilbur Larson, manager of J.C. Penney Co. Where do you go today for a display of hats such as this? geon. �''H$t H! W-B Liquor in the Wilson Building on main street. Ben Franklin Store, managed by Petty Family. DeHollander's Shoe Store. G.E. DeHollander, owner. The Burlington Record, John Hudler. ''' ,,::':a: :.-:.'al ,, .: ':: Publisher. .,::: :::: :::ai -4 Standish Drug Co., John Standish, owner. ,.f A.B. Morrow, Appliances and Propane Gas. Knapp's Plumbing, Doren Knapp owner. Ww l;* Gnmbles, owned and operated by John and Faye Dr. H.M. Hayes, Physician and Surgeon. Brvner. Wilson's Gift Shop, Bessie Wilson owner. The most frightening happening was the return of the dry years to Eastern Colorado. It brought back fears of the drougth of the thirties. 1954 was the dryest year ever recorded in the history of keeping precipitation records. With the drought alway comes the horrendous winds that whip the soil into the air and create dust clouds that spawn so Kelly's Pool Hall. Williams Cafe, Lon Williams, Mgr. Recreation Basement was teen gathering place managed by Shorty Vance. {*LALVI t4 %up from Goodland, Kansas or picking up a station if the clouds were just right and ,ti. watching wrestling on Saturday nights? The changes of social habits brought about with the coming of television were never contemplated at the time. Remember Jim Gernhart .:;:;i*: ::t:.:tg. xH* .tttllt ii:i]il:1: a.::.,.ta:::,L -:.. '"t' Calvin Supply, Asa Calvin, owner. much emotional havoc and physical discomfort, that they are is never forgotten. Thanks to more advanced technology and the advent of irrigation and better farming practices and regulations this dry period did not leave the scars of the thirties for most people. The advent of television coming to town was really exciting. Remember watching the screen waiting for something to be broadcast Hayes Building conducting and celebrating his own funeral and then advertising it? The 1960's rang in a new era with so many advancements and the new crop of sugar beets that would create an environment that brought great expansion of implement dealerships, irrigation equipment and building of new businesses in Burlington. In 1965 Plateatr Natrrral Gas Oomnanv camc to town and �constructed pipe lines to serve the town and rural areas. They built a new office with the "Blue Flame Room" adjacent the business area. This was a community room and was used by the community free of charge for many years and filled a need that existed for family gatherings as well as public meetings. Word was received that our cherished Rock Island Railroad was taking out bankruptcy and would be no more. The end of what was our beginning, became a redity. After much work and hopes of keeping the rail service active the end came for the Rock Island. Later thanks to the hard work of many businesses in the area, Kyle Railroad was organized and purchased part of the track serving this area and once again in the 80's we see boxcars filled with grain moving on the rails. The completion of I-70 was realized after years of bumper to bumper traffic out here on the plains. The new high school was built in south Burlington and the new swimming pool and Parmer Park became a new source of enjoyment. Pralle Electric Shop Jack's Cleaners, owned and operated by Jack and Eunice Boyles King Motor Co., V.R. King owner. BURLINGTON HISTORY Langston's Style Shop, Walter and Hazel Langston. owners. T286 State Farm Insurance Office, S.T. Jarrett, Agent. Adolf Shoe Shop, Emmanuel Adolf, owner. Park's Jewelry and Watch Repair, H.H. Park, owner. Dunn Motor Co, A.B. Dunn owner. gaiiidi. ,..,-:.. Burlington Bakery, Harold and Gladys Clouse, rtt.r, .l.i.r. I ..:i!*u:r r, . t' 1 .,._,r. ownerg. Midway Theatre, Neil Beezley, owner. Lusch Cleaning and Laundry, alongwith Milestone giving altitude of Burlington The Middle school was built in 1971 on the west side of town. The Prairie Pines Country Club and new gold course made their appear- ance along with many new homes and a greatly expanded business community within the town. New residential areas were being filled on all sides of Burlington. New buildings were now being constructed on 14the Street changing the skyline of town making it have a up and coming look yet still having some of the old landmarks visible as you glance down the street. The 70's saw the peak of agri-business in Red & White Grocery Store, Earl and Albert Zick, owners. Burlington Dress Shop, Pauline Kloeckner, owner. �65 HAOO263!. 93 263 2A L 607. PAGE It PICTURS * grss. 63 tclPanng Halduare, Appl{a Red Front Grocery, owned and operated by the Yergin Fnmily. Park's Barber Shop, Charlie Park, barber and owner. -{f} ".k''i Penny Bros. Hardware, Appliances and Implements. Bill Yersin, owner and operator of Red Front Market. Dr. Glenn S. Flatt, Dentist, Hemmond Bros. Real Egtate and Insurance, and Harold Boland, Insurance. Masonic Hall, former building occupied by First Christian Church. this area. Land prices were at an all time high and housing costs climbed as well as interest rates in the late 70's. As we look back over this period of 100 years we see a similar pattern that has a habit of repeating itself but we can never believe that it will happen again and so in the 1980's we find that many reversals have visited us but many new things have come into being by the foresight of men and women who have a persistent belief in this community. The joint effort of town and county W-B Drug Store. Duckwall's, # 'tii'i:r brought about the Burlington-Kit Carson County Airport which culminated in a huge grand opening in the fall of 1984. Much effort was put in this project as well as in the courting of the State of Colorado for the construction of a prison facility in the community. The greatest "party" was held when Bur- J.M. McDonald, Burlington's first Department Store. Located on the ground floor ofthe Montezu- D.D. Lahey, M.D., Physician and Surgeon. ma Hotel. lington opened all doors and celebrated "Mike Lounge Day'in 1985. A hometown boy makes good is indeed reason to have such a gala occasion for everyone to participate in. The parade was one of the best in history as well as the tremendous turn out for the barbeque at the High School grounds. Truly a day to remember. The idea of "Old Town" was conceived and acted upon and today we see a fabulous tourist attraction that will hopefully provide lots of enjoyment for the community as well as visitors from around the world. It is hard to write that the stress of the agriculture industry has greatly effected this Wj.r:l% Carper's Cafe, George and Frances Carper owners. -....:.,.-r..,.i...:. . . Felzien's Cleaners and Clothine. Harold and Cecil Felzien. owners. community as well as the farmers and ranchers surrounding it but it must be noted that this areir on the great high plains has given birth to a populace that is very tough and persevering and we just don't give up �very easily and hopefully the fall of land values and real estate in Burlington has seen the bottom and is on the upswing again soon. We have experienced some of the worst blizzards and hailstorms in history these last few years and yet we repair our homes and businesses, try new ideas, reorganize, try new ventures, and take the challenge of the future with new hope. t w it*,::l;*i''i'*';qt'P: .i:.ata BURLINGTON HISTORY Strobel's Texaco, A.E. Strobel manager. Sloan's Motel, Everett and Eunice Sloan, owners. Hi-Lo Motel, J.M. Powers, manager. Miller's Phillips 66 Service. RyIe Walters Garage Fonest Miller, owner of Miller's Phillips 66 T266 The Rock Shop, owned and operated by Ralph Binard. Later became W-B Liquor, owned and operated by Cecil and Harold Felzien. Service. 'lr.'.,i.,''.l i.,:i.li.iiilll'iil..i',,i ' ,. ,',,,.r.'.:,,t,i:.i;.,irlrl.,;r., ,,,. .-r'$ Binard's's Conoco Service, Ralph Binard owner. Highway Cafe and Service, Thelma and Kenny Gray, operators. Stevens Cafe, managed by Mrs. J.V. Landers. Ellsworth Pontiac, Lee Ellsworth owner' Stevens Motel, also managed by Mrs. J.V. Landers. Chat'n Chew Cafe, Freda Schlichenmayer proprietor. It is my hope that this short overview of this community will bring back memories to you and that you will fill in the many blank spaces that have not been recorded. Time is always a factor and we do the best with what we have and hope that you will forgive us for our failings as we know that there were some very important events that have not been recorded because they have not come to mind or have not been recorded by someone over the years for our use. Without ths sqmpilation of newspaper �clippings, pictures, and other articles and the writings of Henry Hoskin, Bonny Gould, Mable Park, Irene Boger, and many others who have opened up their picture albums, keepsakes, and have shared them with us, this history could never have been accomplished by this writer. Many happenings that were not mentioned is this writing may be found in the pictures accompanying this article. We are grateful to Willard Gross and the Bank of Burlington for the record of the town in 1956 that we are sharing with you. Pictures can say so much more than words. V.F.W. Post Home. Burlington Liquor, Arthur Wittmuss proprietor. Sinclair Service, Bud Bolin manager. Dairy Queen, R.V. Johnston, owner. BURLINGTON MAYORS T2B7 Dillon Oil Co.. H.C. Dillon owner. Busby's Frontier Service Skelly Service, Junction of Highway 24 and Lincoln. Hi-Lo Jr. Motel, J.M. Powere, manager. Lyle Busby, owner of Busby's Frontier Service. Smith's Service, E.H. Smith owner. H.G. Hoskin 1912-13 T.G. Price 1914 F.L. Bergen 1916-18 Hank Schell 1919-20 George O. Gates 1921 John S. Boggs to Sept. 1922 F.W. Kukuk from Oct. tg22 to Mav 192b C.D. Reed 1925 C.E. Roller 1926 O.H. Loomis 1927 Beeson Oil Co. T.F. Sutton 1888 T.J. Jones 1889 C.A. Gilmore 1890 H.E. Metting 1891 J.W. Sparks 1902-03 Wyatt Boger 1904 William Abbott 1905-06 George O. Gates 1908-10 Burlington Building and Supply, Kenneth Bishop and Wesley Holmes, owners. J.M. Swenson 1928 R.E. Hook 1929 Orin P. Penny 1930-31 J.W. Alexander 1932 J.D. Brown 1934 T.W. Backlund 1936 Wm. H. Jacobs 1938 J.M. Chalfant 1942 �Henry Hoskin 1946 R.W. Plummer 1948 Harold McArthur 1950 R.C. Binard 1956 Harold McArthur 1958 Gene Williamson 1960 Harold McArthur 1964 Bill Yersin 1968 Rol Hudler l970-Currently mayor in 1988 and serving the longest term in the history of Burlington. Hart-Bartlett Sturdevant Grain Co., Carl Bauder, Burlington Livestock Sales Co., Ditus Brox. owners Manager. and operators. Gassner's Conoco Bulk Delivery R.I. Gassner, Aerial view of Burlington Basebal Park and Kit OUTLYING BURLINGTON BUSINESSES T268 owner. Carson County Fairgrounds. New Burlington Equite Co-op Elevator, located on Railroad Ave. Standard Oil Co., Bill and Russ Wilcox, owners. Dickineon's Grocery Store, Wm. Dickinson owner. G.R. Schlosser of Schlosser's Concrete. Gold Bond Hatchery, C.G. Gould, owner. Plains Grain Co., Jim Rawson, Mgr. Skate Bowl, skating rink and bowling alley, owned and operated by C.G. Gould. Standard Milling Company built by A.G. Kirschmer. Old Burlington Equity Co-op Elevator and Feed Facility at the north end of 14the St. �--g %" The Country Ware House owned and operated by the Fundingsland farnily. This building was the original Fost€r Lumber Company building. Foster Lumber Company near the downtown area. Gordon Hamit, Mgr. fi Baker-Pischke Ford, owned and operated by Bob Baker and George Pischke. Kit Carson Motel, located on Highway 24 in east ... - -.- t\: t- . i r,r i. it&r ir i L i t: l ltl ti ,{,., l:, .ii !' .L tl 1r.., 1l -- l: ::t:t - - : _:a:'' 'I li,.i il :i: ;ll : ii T269 Burlington. I iii CURRENT MAP OF BURLINGTON lr. _:i: �tl IIOLD BURLINGTON I MAP BURLIIiIGTON Furnished by 6 R. L. WILKINSON COUNTY ASSESSOR Kit Carson CountY c! cl'Rso[ cffiIY FAIR MOUtr}S ffiffiffi ffitrif', Wffi HH FllF=1 F44 EA wl,ffi brs Effi wFe ffiH :tZE Wffi ffiffiffi ffi AB "ffiffi ffi ffiwffiffi :HH' i- Old Map of Burlington - 1920's MUNICIPAL POWER PLANT T27r Prior to the year of 1920, the town of Burlington was served electrically by a franchise gas and electric company which was privately owned. Carbide gas was used for Burlington Light and Power Plant as it was in 1956. some street lighting and cooking. Electricity was used for main street lighting and some residential lighting. In 1920, the consumer demand for electric- ity had increased tremendously and the privately owned franchise asked the town to assume control of the operation as it was not possible for them to keep up with the demand. Pete Cha-bers, left and Frank Sulivan stand by boiler for first steam engines in the Burlington Power Plant. The plant had two Corliss steo- engines to produce electricity installed in 1920. In January of 1920, the town installed two Corliss steam engines with coolers. Cost of the two engines totaled $44,493. In 1921, the town completed the building which now houses the generators we use for stand by purposes only. It was constructed at a cost of $14,604.92. Two additions have been added to the building since it was completed. The steamers purchased in 1920 proved to be adequate until 1933 when the town council purchased two Fairbanks Morse diesels at a anst nf IRAO OOO Onc diasel wns s f.wo cvlinder �140 horse power and the other a four cylinder, 180 horse power engine. In 1937 a 6 cylinder Fairbanks Morse was installed at a cost of $38,900. and in 1947 another Fairbanks Morse unit was purchased for $82,000. A switch board was purchased for $25,000. In October of 1950 another Fair- banks Morse unit was purchased for $151,500. In March of 1960 a White eight cylinder was bought for $233,137. The city purchased an Enterprise 12 cylinder at the cost of$405,000 with the present switchboard being purchased at the same time. August of 1969 saw another Enterprise installed at a total of $4357,310. Burlington is one of six towns and cities in Colorado that own their own electrical facili- ties in the 1960's. The late 70's brought changes that resulted in purchasing power from Public Service of Colorado. by Les Mclain BANKS IN BURLINGTON This picture was taken around 1912-15. The gentleman is Henry G. Hoskin, father of Henry Y. Hoskin who owns the Kit Carson County Abstract Co. The bank was the Stockgrowers State Bank. T272 One of the first "classie" buildings on Main Street, Organized in 1901. Bert Ragan, right, in tellers window. This is the State Bank Building where the Stock Growers bank moved into after the Stat€ bank closed. Now Bank of Burlington. Stock Growers State Bank Earlv 1900's Burlington State Bank - organized in 1908 Officers: Frank Mann - President Wyatt Boger - Vice President Geo. Gates - Cashier Bank failed December 1922 Stock Growers State Bank organized by Winegar and Weare in 1901 W.D. Selder Cashier. At first a private Bank. In 1910 named Stock Growers. Warren Shamburg came from Goodland in 1915, to be the cashier. Bank failed October 3, 1931. Bank of Burlington organized by a group of citizens and Mrs. Tubbs. The Earliest Banks were: Bank of Burlington 1887 The Bank was owned by parties from Illinois. It voluntarily suspended in 1890 and paid depositors in full. The Robert Clark Bank was the first Bank after 1890 and after Robert Clark became ill, Albert Clark paid depositors in full and closed the bank. The former Hainline building occupies the site of Clark's Bank. The First National Bank organized by E.G. Coombs in 1919, suspended and accounts transferred to Stock Growers. no losses. by Editors The Stock Growers Bank was located in the building on the corner of Senter and 14 Street where The Corner Cut is now. Standing at the counter is E.C. Baker on the left and W.D. Selder on the right. Others are unknown. �WINEGAR BUILDING T273 Iowa. After Selder sold out, Winegar continued under the name of A.W. Winegar Real Estate Company. The company was one of the oldest business firms in town and operated out of the Winegar Building until 1928. the Fundingsland Real Estate Office, and Dr. Courtney's office. Later during the 1940's the The First National Bank of Burlington, run by Winegar's son-in-law, Edwin S. Combs, was located in half of the ground floor space when it opened in 1907, and the Penfold in the building. Grocery Store, one of the first grocery stores in town, occupied the other half. In 1917, Winegar added on to the rear of the building for apartments. A second alteration in 1920 resulted in the front portico and The Courtney (Winegar) building in the 1950's. The Winegar Building is significant for its association with A.W. Winegar, one of the original settlers in Burlington, and a prominent businessman, and as a landmark struc- ture in Burlington. Burlington, located on the outermost eastern edge ofthe state was incorporated in 1888 and is the largest town (1985 population: 3116) in Kit Carson County. It is located in the heart of deep well irrigation, and is a trade center as sell as a center for agriculture, enclosed second story porch. No further alterations occurred on the building, and except for the replacement of some window panes with glass brick, the building appears exactly as it did during the 1920's. The Real Estate business became poor during the late 1920's, and in 1928, the Capital Life Insurance Company was forced to foreclose on A.W. Winegar. The building Selder and others, he started the First Emmigration Company in the county for the purpose ofacquiring land cheaply and selling to immigrates from kansas, Nebraska and by M. Hasart THE BURLINGTON SCHOOL SYSTEM T274 founded in 1901 by H.G. Weare, W.D. Selder, and A.W. Winegar. The bank was the first eastern Colorado, namely the town of Burlington, school opened on Dec. 26th of 1887. One of the rooms of the Montezuma Hotel served the purpose with Mary Davis as the business in Burlington and remained a private bank until 1910. The Depression was hard on the residents effects of the Dust Bowl Era. As was often the case, businesses closed and banks failed. commercial district. Built in 190 by A.W. Winegar at the cost of $30,000, the building is unique with its classical detailing and light colored brick. A.W. Winegar was instrumental in the establishment of Burlington. along with W.d. years, the building has served as apartments for Mexican immigrates. The building is now vacant and has been vandalized. Following a meeting to organize a school district in the newly established area of economically depressed, Burlington has nev- largest and one of the oldest structures in the to Daniel McCraken who in turn sold the building to Gray Hooper in 1978. In recent two local businessmen. Shamburg was the manager of the Stock Growers State Bank, and businesses in Burlington, as it came at the same time the farmers were fighting the er grown into a major city. It's three block commercial district is dominated by small, plain, one and two story brick structures. The Winegar Building occupies a corner location at the center of town, and is the Dr. Courtney continued to own the build- ing and operate his doctor's office on the second floor until in 1970's when he sold it was sold to C.D. Reed and Warren Shamburg, cattle, medical services, education, and recre- ation for the eastern plains. While not VFW held its meetings and activities in the basement of the building. During the 1950's, the National Farm Loan Office was housed The Stock Growers State Bank failed in 1931 and Warren Shamburg was forced to convey his share of the Winegar Building to the State Bank commission who was in charge of the liquidation of the bank. The Deputy Banking Commissioner turned around and sold the half interest to C.D. Reed for $500 in 1932. During Reed's ownership, Doctor Robinson operated a hospital on the second floor of the building. Reed sold the building in 1943 to Dr. Roy F. Courtney who had moved to Burlington at the start of World War II. At the time, occupants of the building included J.A. Ragan, who ran a cream station, first teacher. Thirty-five youngsters were "herded" to school that opening day by their parents in hopes that it would, to dome degree, curb the "prairie wild spirit". At least they would know the children's whereabouts, and by chance something useful might be taught during the duration of the term. Ranging in ages from six to sixteen, most of them came from the small town, with a few coming from the homes of settlers around Burlington. The school was established under very trying circumstances. Burlington, located in the eastern part of the state, was over one hundred miles from the county seat, which was then Kiowa, Colorado. There was no direct rail lines, and the wagon roads were poor to say the least. Laws at this time did not provide for the building of schools, the payment ofsalaries, erpenses, and free books in the same manner as later became law and 1::" .rllfr.fiit,'iii..l '. Main street in the 1920's with the Winegar building at left of picture. rule. Nevertheless, the children were present in numbers, every settler and town resident providing their full quota, and the children did need some education. A small frame building was built in 1890, measuring about 18x30 feet. Rows of pine desks, extended in one piece clear across the room, with a bench built on the front for the next row of students. It took a teacher of more than average ability to manage eight grades of children, fresh from the prairies, many with cactus in their shoeless feet. The playground was an open lot with unlimited amounts of buffalo grass, laced occasionally with a cactus or two. Many modes of entertainment originated from this "lot", such as show and tcll with your favorite pet prairie dog, someone else bringing their pet coyote pup, or sometimes an owl or even an occasional rattlesnake. Since many of the children rode their native ponies to school, an occasional pony race during recess was not uncommon. A wise, teacher, while not approving, had to look upon these things with apparent interest, and await the time when the objection could be eliminated. This mode of education sufficed until the � https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/408/Burlington_2.pdf 197c3bd517666d3feecfe85ccaad75ec PDF Text Text students were already meeting in other meeting places in the town. The north half of the school building was erected in 1916, with another similar half being added in 1919, under the contractor of the late J.A. Haughey. This addition doubled the capacity of the building, as well as modernized it to the tune of $150,000. The building now housed all 12 grades, Home Economics, as well as a gymnasium. After only 2 years of use, in January of 1923, it was destroyed by fire. The books and equipment from 3 of the 26 furnished roome were saved. Many of the townspeople, as well as the local fire department, answered the alarme thatwere sounded, helping in any way possible. Since there was no pumper available, with the low water pressure they were unable to get water to the top floor, and by morning the magnificent structure was de- Burlington School before it burned in 1924. stroyed. However, the pioneering spirit of the community was still alive, and school reopened on January 14, with classes being held in Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railroad announced that the Rock Island route would build their line through Burlington to Colorado Springs and Denver. After much surveying, the route was set to run just north of the old town of Burlington. When the county was organized on May the District Courtroom of the Courthouse, the Methodist and the Christian churches, 3,1889, an election was held. The issues were building a courthouse for $5,000 and/or a schoolhouse for $4,000. Both measures passed. Free lots had to be given for schools, churches, as well as a courthouse. Roff & Roff were the contractors chosen to build the two-story building our of brick. C.A. Eatinger, who had filed a homestead southeast of Burlington on the Beaver Creek, was one of the workmen hired to burn the brick on the south side of Beaver Creek south and east ofBurlington. In later years he wrote, "I feel I have an interest in your school. The contractor dsqemped without paying his help." The first record of a graduation was in 1908, being from the eighth grade. by Bonnie Witzel BURLINGTON SCHOOLS During the school year 1911-1912 the total enrollment was 129 students, with 13 eighth grade graduates. Highschool students numbered 15, but no graduates as yet. The next year enrollment reached 155 with 7 students completing the eighth grade and 3 graduating from highschool. Highschool enrollment climbed to 26. 1914-1915 brought a total of 173 students with 30 of them in highschool. In a period of 5 years the school enrollment had increased more than 50 percent. Upon consolidation of districts 16 and 18, it was determined that a larger facility was certainly needed, as some of the gradeschool Co. purchased 4 new schoolbuses to transport rural children to school. By 1930 the enrollment had climbed to 348 student. During the 1930's the Mabel Parke family donated a block of real estate to be used as a football field and for the vocational Agriculture Department. This property was used until the new highschool was built, and was known as Walters-Hudson Field. December 20, L945, brought about the only serious bus accident in the history of the school. A 1941 Chevrolet cloth topped bus with 13 children and a driver rolled south of T275 The first school b0ilding at Burlington, was later the Guthrie Electric Shop, located east ofthe Hotel West. One of the first four school buses used to transport the students from rural areag. They were furnished by C.D. Reed of Reed Motor Company. the Odd Fellows and American Legion Halls, The school was rebuilt and opened the following fall. Enrollment had grown to 400 students, and was taken care ofwith a faculty of 16 teachers. A new superintendent, N.N. Stevenson, was hired at a salary of 92600. September of 1923 introduced Physical Training into the regular cirriculum with a regular teacher. All students were required to take the course. This same year C.D. Reed of Reed Motor The first half of the school building was erected in 1916. This facility replaced the 2-story brick building which was built for $4000. �tary force behind this construction was the five ladies on the Library Board whose determination made a dream come true. Carolyn King, Pearl Schell, Estella Penny, Bessie Wilson and Minta Coleman worked tirelessly on the board for many years. The first Burlington Public Library was established by the Inter Sese Club in 1921 and was located in the old school building near the current sight of the Community Center and Elementary School on 11th Street and Senter. It was operated there until a fire burned the school over Christmas vacation in 1923. Most of the books were saved. It reopened in 1924 in a city owned structure once used as a power house located at 608 l4the Street near the old train depot which is now the Radio Room and City Police Department at the north end of 14th Street. The remains of the school building, following a late night fire in January of 1923. The completely remodeled school had only been in use for 2 years at the time. Burlington on then Highway 51 (now 385), injuring several of the children. Fortunately all recovered. The contract for bus transportation was to Sim Hudson Mtr. Co. The fall of 1960-61, the school was changed from a Class B school to Class A through state reorganization. In 1961 the district became District RE-6J with the final consolidation of the districts. In 1965 all class A schools became Class AA. A special bond election was held in May of 1963 with the proposal of a new grade and highschool facility of $895,000. Maher-Bonny Construction of Aurora was the successful bidder. The highschool was relocated south of Highway 24, and was put into operation in January of 1965. in 1971 the bid for the proposed Middle School, to be located in west Burlington, went to Carson-Crider & Speicher of Wray. Hobart Harrison, through contract with the Burlington School system, furnished bus transportation from 1946 until 1971. Follow- Program. Our community has indeed been fortunate in the past, to have had people who were able to see the possibilities and the capabilities of children. We have educated future businessmen, farmers, doctors, lawyers, secretaries, homemakers, and yes, an astronaut. Does this make any one of them more special than the rest ofthem? Certainly not, because each has excelled in their own realm in their own way. Why? Because our forefathers had a vision, and they pursued it. Yes, they felt we all needed an education to face the world. by Bonnie Witzel BURLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY T276 1959, Quo Vadis club with president Crystal Schlosser was in charge of the program and hostess for the day. Accepting the building for the town was Mayor Harold McArthur. Mrs. Esther Winfrey was the librarian, preceeded by Mrs. H.G. Hoskin serving as librarian from 1923 until 1945 and Miss Phyllis DeHollander who served in this capacity for several years. Since 1975 the library has improved with help and ideas from librarians, their assistants, the Library Boards, state and public. several grants, individual and club donations as well as money making activities. Fannie Hoschouer took over as librarian after Esther Winfrey retired in 1962 and served until 1984. Della Yersin was appointed and approved by the Library Board and City Council at that time. Special programs for adults are planned through out the year. Some of these are By 1973 enrollment had reached 1011 students from kindergarten through 12the grade. Through 100 years, the cirriculum hag The old Library at the north end of 14th Street. The l5the day of February marked the laying of the cornerstone at the new home of the Burlington Public Library on the corner of 15the Street and Senter. Ethel Sloan, president of Zonta Club, was master of ceremonies and responsible for the program for this cornerstone ceremony. This club also provided the contents of the time capsule that was to be placed inside the cornerstone that day. thanks to the dedication of their directors. The Zonta Club joined all other service clubs ofthe area along with private donations the need, as has the Gifted and Talented contributing funds towards the construction of this fine library. The single most contribu- Special Education has been developed to fill In 1958 with little help from the City of Burlington and only a handful of interested people, the five ladies on the Library board did everything necessary to secure construction loans for their dream project, "A new Library". William McKinnley helped draft the plans for the building with the Burlington Construction Company actually doing the work. At a cost of $20,000.00 the new Library was finished. The furnishings cost $4,700.00 and the time to move in was here. Dedication of this new facility was April 12, with thank yous to the City Council, state, hired. Model U.N. teams have entertained and excelled beyond their greatest expectations, to expand and upgrade books and materials. The budget has grown through the years ing negotiations with him, a contract was drawn and the district purchased 13 buses and 1 wrecker for $45,000. In 1972 a Bus Garage was erected adjacent to the High School, and a transportation director was changed somewhat. Not only are the 3 R's still being taught, but a variety of other classes are being offered. Recess pony races have changed to athletics, and group singing has become concert band and choir. Burlington High School has had the honor of being State Football Champs in 1940, 1945, 1946 and 1947 and then again in 1976; State Basketball Champs in 1948; and State Wrestling Cha-ps in 1973 and 1974. This channeled lots of energy in right directions, thanks to the dedicated coaches. Band and Choirs have performed throughout the state and have received outstanding ratings, thanks to dedicated musicians. Drama, speech and In 1925, the town counsel and the Library Board agreed to let the city support the Library through taxation - so a mill or two was set aside for this purpose which helped National Library Weeks, displays, club meetings and book sales. The section which used to house museum items has been turned into the childrens reading room. It now has a weekly story time and there is a special summer reading program. Both are very popular and well attended. New check out opportunities have been added. A few of the ones now available are large print books, music and story tapes, cake pans, games and cameras. The typewriter and copy machine are available for public use. You are all invited to come in to brouse around. Look at the aquariums and talk with Dell's bird Dewey. Perhaps you may even find a book that you would like to check out. Our gratitude goes out to those who worked �Burlington Post Office 65 Year* Xgo* . ,'.:..: . ,1:: . .t;.'.A74.X F ..:,::.:.a:.:;:.,:;r.t-?a:".::.:,at:.::., Early Post Office was located in C.A. Lamb's Store. Ihe first regular train service began in Sep. of 1888. Mail service by trains continued until the early 50's, when conveyance was changed EURI"IIICTOI{ to truck and highway contracts. In the early IIBRARY 1960's, contracting was given to the air lines 0RcANllfD t92l tRfcTtD ts59 and Airmail was the mode of transporting mail 200 miles or more away from major airports. Mail inside of the 200 mile radius was by Contract Highway routes. In April 1887, a Post Office was located in the OId Burlington cite, (about where Hitchcock's is now located. at the time the site was *.'.. tl&aa:;:t:,t* known as Lowell. When the two towns . ......44.,.. ".,tle;:nr\e' .a,. 7t'f't 1,*ttir i l:,!a€:i l;;d6tr *tz ti:iiL|.:: Zonta Club officers and members, L. to R.: Mabel Park, Zonta speaker from Denver, Mary Vogt, hazel Hudson, dorothea Hammond, Ella Farwell, Ruth Morrow Billenwillms, Hazel Langston, Davie Powell, Ethel Sloan and Clara Lovd. merged the name of Burlington was given to the new township.) The Honorable Eugene T. Lemieux was commissioned to serve as the first Postmaster on April 29, 1887, and he served until May 15, 1889. The Post Office was moved to New Burlington in the month of August. During the early days Burlington was supplied and serviced nine other offices, Bonny, Newton, Norford, Wallett, Yale, Hale, Hermes, Beliot, and Cole. Only one of .^:)";,;*; these towns still exist today. This being Hale, in which the Post Office closed in 1984. Mail for those offices was delivered by horseback and buggy. Carriers of that day were: Frank Little; Berton Little; Earl James; John McCracken; Bud Yarnell; H.O. Brown; V.O. Corkly and Robert Boyles. One of the carriers is remembered as having an enclosed brggy, painted white with the wording "U.S. MALE", painted in red lettering on both sides. Joe Boyles remembers sorting mail at the "Tuttle Post Office" into pigeon holed cases open on both sides, so that the postal patron could help themselves. The location of the new Post Office was in the l\{orrow Appliance Building, (known today as 347 l4the St.) In 1890, under the postmastership of David Carnahan, the Post Office was again relocated to a cite on the east side of Main St. (near Carper's Cafe), now known as 372 14the St. February 15, 1959, Laying of the cornerstone ceremonies. L. to R.: Carolyn King, Pearl Schell, Estella Penny, Bessie Wilson, Esther Winfrey and Ethel Sloan. so hard to establish this Library that serves this community now and in the years to come. by Carolyn Sloan Hansen and Betty Nider BURLINGTON POST OFFICE T277 In the beginning of the establishrnent of a new township in the year of 1887, the first Burlington Post Office was established under Postmaster Charles a. Lamb was instrumental in relocating the office in 1894, to 340 14the St. in an old frame hotel, called the Girard-Ross building, (present day Coast to Coast). Then in 1897, Postmaster Fred A. King moved it to the Wilson Gift Shop, now 2430 Lowell Ave. Annie Newell was the first woman to be commissioned as Postmaster, to serve in August 21, 1897, she served until Aug. of 1901. The office was then housed in the Dunn's Creamery. the administration of President Grover A. During the term of Postmaster Charles Greglow, the office was again moved, to the old Odd Fellows Hall and remained here until Cleveland and Postmaster General William 1915. F. Vilas. Transportation in the early years Postmaster Rhoda Yersin, accepted and moved into the first building specifically built for Postal use in 1917. "Another first for was by stage coach and wagons, later on it was transported by the railroad, around 1887. �women!" The Post Office remained at this location until 1922, when growth again necessitated a larger office space. The contract was awarded to Louis Vogt, for the construction of a new building to house the Post Office and it's employees. The building was erected at 474 t4the St. (Burlington Bakery now), and the office remained here for 26 years, with Robert L. Wilkenson as the Postmaster. Rural Free delivery was established in the area in 1917, during the tenure of Mr. Wilkenson. The first Rural carriers were: Hugh B. Morgan, Ed O. Smith, and A.E. Calvin. Rural delivery has grown from humble beginnings to 601 families, as indicated by records still available. Today the rural delivery system has 446 families. In 1948. the office was moved across the street to 451 14the St. (Men's Shop) under the Postmistress Mary E. Vogt. It remained at this location for 10 years. The Post Office was elevated to Second Class, Jan. 1, 1948. The Post Office was relocated in 1958 to its present location at 1490 Martin Ave. The building was erected by C.D. Skoles, in 1958 and was then leased to the Post Office Dept. It was dedicated on April 11, 1959, during the Administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield. Dedication address was given by W.D. Brewer, Regional Operations Director, USPO Dept. Denver, Co. Keys and Flag were presented to Postmaster Mary E. Vogt. The Burlington Post Office, under the administration of Dale E. Pralle, Jan 1, 1969, was elevated to First Class. Mr. Paralle served until 1976. Revenue for the year of 1968 was $79,179.26, and grew to $171,406.96 during his tenure. The revenue is a very good indicator when the growth is such that it should trigger a new review of space needed and this began in 1977. Revenues grew to fiscal year 85 to $306,858.00. Plans for a new building which started in 1977 still have not come to pass. In 1980, Postmaster Melcher, concluded the crotiminous boundary program which then changed the delivery system to include all of the State to the Kansas border, starting from Rd. 41 to Rd. 60. Rural routes are now traveling 129,048 miles annually. RRl, 142.7 miles, RR 3, 143.0 miles and RR 4, t40.6 miles, 303 delivery days a year. City delivery has grown to 1449 deliveries, served by 2 city carriers, present day: John E. Perry 701 and Clyde Schaal, 702. During the tenure of Postmaster Albert "Al" Melcher, from 1977 to 1986, 10 years of effort have not seen the goals set for this new facility. In April 1, 1984, the contract and lease for the old Safeway building, 270 l4the St., set the remodeling and completion by the glow, Rhoda Yersin, Robert L. Wilkenson, Michal Vogt, Mary A. Vogt, Dale Pralle, Albert Melcher, and Joe Rosengrants. Officers in charge who have served during PM. vacancies were: Lowell "Bud" Hartwig, Wayne F. Wilcoxen, Micheal Grossman, Keith Bowhan, Larry Schweers, and Maria Dollar. Employees of the Burlington Post Office from 1977 through 1988: Retirees: Eugene Williamson, (Dis) Earl Perry, Shirley Fundingsland, Laurel Alleman, Howard Pickerill and Cecil Felzien; Promoted: Geraldine L. Troyer, S.P.O. 1984 and served in that capacity until 5-01-84, when she wa promoted to Postmaster Stratton, Co.; Linda Boyd, promoted to S.P.O. 1984, presently serves in that position; Kathy Witzel to Postmaster Bethune, CO. 1985; Terri Billemwillms, to serve as Officer In Charge, Cheyenne Wells, Co. April 1986 through Sep. 1986; Transfers: Cathy Minter to Loveland, Co.; Michelle Gergen to Estes park, Co. 1983; Sandra Schmatjen to Colorado Springs, C. 1986; Pam Morrell, resigned. New Hires 1977 thru 1988: Cathy Minter, Debra Knapp, Michelle Gergen, Sandra Schmatjen, John Perry, Clyde Schaal, Terri Billemwillms, Charles Turner, Alan Billemwillms, Daniel R. Thompson, Bernie Collette, Linda Boyd, Aaron Nutter, Steve Chalfant, and Tom Cash. Present day employees and job titles: Linda Boyd, S.P.O.; William Stolz, Dist. Clk; Terri Billemwillms, window clerk; Charles Centennial celebration set for May 7, 1988. Cancellation for that day, plus running the Cancellation Burlington, Co. 'A Century of Pioneers'from Jan. 15, 1988 to June 15, 1988. Postmaster of Burlington Post Office from 1887-1986 were: The Honorables Eugene T. Lemieux, Joseph M. Leal, Robert L. Hubbard, David Carnahan, Charles A. Lamb, Fred W. King, Annie Newell, Charles Gre- appointed. December 6, 1908. The constitution and by laws were presented and adopted and two new members were added, B.B. Landers and Albert Real. A committee was appointed to appear before the city council and ask their approval of the new organization as the official fire department for the city. The city council unanimously approved the action and took steps toward buying equipment. The first dance by the department was held in May and netted the department the sum of $31.30 which was set aside for the purpose of aiding the town in buying the needed equipment. On July 4, 1909, the department took charge ofthe celebration and pulled offa very creditable days sports. The election for the issuance of water bonds to build the water supply system was held on april 20, 1908 with the result that the bonds were voted by 47 to 18 against. In July, the city council authorized the sale of 97,000 in bonds and the erection of a steel tower and tank. The top of the tank was to be 100 feet in the air and the tank was to hold 60.000 gallons of water. The 7,000 bonds were sold to the Central Savings Bank of Denver for 97 cents on the dollar and the contract for the tower tank and distributing system was given to the Des Moines Bridge and Iron Company on their bonds. Carriers: Larry winslow, RR 1; Cecil Felzein, Retired, Peter Thompson, RR3; Leonard Koop, RR 4, Rural Subs. Alan Bellemwillms, RR 4; Gordon Hamit, retired, Tom Cash, RR 3: and Steve Chalfant, RR 1. As the town had no fire fighting equipment, the council bought 800 feet of hose at 36 cents per foot and a two wheeled cart for $80. A hose house was erected in the rear of the Montezuma hotel and on July 19, 1909, the hose cart was installed in its new house. Burlington now had a fire department, hose Debra Knapp, PTF carrier 701; Bernie Collette, PTF carrier 702 retired; Rural bid of $8.800. The town then sold 94,000 more house, hose cart and everything a city had except a fire. We should add that the hose house cost $41.75. BURLINGTON'S VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. T278 A rather interesting incident happened in August 1909 when the city council ordered the city water commissioner, who had charge of the pumps, tanks and mains, that he flush both tank and mains as soon as he had received a new barrel of gasoline. Evidently the city was out of gas. As the consumption of water for domestic purposes was very light in Burlington. There was very little circulation on the riser pipe, and in December 1909, the riser pipe froze up and the city was out of water for several days while the repairs were being made. In the spring of 1910, the fire department was given some new material by the city and a fire bell was purchased by the city. The old bell was located on a tower just east of the present Sim Hudson garage. Two taps on the Oct. 1987 on the remodeling of the Safeway The Burlington Post Office will have a special the next meeting and a committee was Turner, PTF window clerk; Gwen Chalfant, PTF window Dis. clerk; John Perry, city carrier 701; Clyde Schaal, city carrier 702; fall of 1985. After many delays, construction began in store at 249 14the St. The work is being done by Rhoades Construction of Castle Rock, Co. Completion date is set for early in the spring of 1988. It is to be completed in time for the H.G. Hoskin are still active after 50 years of volunteer service. Frank Boldt elected sec. at bell called the city council together, three Burlington Fire Department building, 1956. taps called the fire department to a meeting and a continuous ringing meant a fire. Later the calls for meetings were dropped and a system of taps that designated the The organization meeting of the Bur- location of hydrant nearest the fire was adopted and was very successful. This old lington's fire Department was held November 18, 1908. Those present were: J.G. Upton, Phil Reichard, Frank Boldt, Albert Guthrie, Walter Clark, H.G. Hoskin, O. Rogers, W.H. Yersin, Art Abbott, R. Wilkinson and Ed Hoskin. Of these. Albert Guthrie. Ed Hoskin and bell served for many years and rang continuously on the first Armistice Day. As soon as one ringer retired, another took his place. Later the bell was sold to Kanorado and now serves them. There never was a more hair raising sound heard in Burlington than the boom of that old bell in the middle of a dark �night. At present the fire alarms are sent out by a siren on the city clerk's office. The present -1938- equipment consists of the red Reo truck which carried 800 feet of hose with ladders, hooks hand extinguishers, helmets and various types of equipment; the Ford truck which canies the pumper and small quantity of hose which can throw water over any structure in town, and the chemical speed wagon, which is intended more for county fires than for other purposes. For a small city this is a well balanced equipment, although many of the firemen feel that a new truck combining the features of the three now is use would be very fine. Among the early spectacular fires was the one at the old Coakley auditorium, which stood where the new armory now is. Lightning struck the buildingjust over one corner ofthe stage and ran down inside the building. At the time a traveling company was putting on one of their plays and they simply waited until the firemen put out the fire and then went on with the play. Another memorable fire was the old red brick school house. A janitor had left a bucket of hot ashes in the hallway and the floor caught fire from it. While the fire was not very bad and was easily extinguished, the firemen pulled the hose cart through an eight foot drift of snow to get to the school house. The storm was so bad that walking was difficult, but to bull the narrow tired hose cart with 400 feet of hose through the drifts was real labor. The three worst fires in Burlington's history were those at the court house, December 1907; the school house, January 8, L924; and the OK Barn on the corner north of the E.C. Baker residence. Several horses were killed in this fire and it was a heavy loss to the owners. The present organization consists of twenty six active members, with John Guthrie as chief and four honorary members. The honorary members are E.C. Baker, Arthur Wilson. W.A. Hudler and G.S. Flatt. These men pay $3.00 a year dues and are guests at all the dire department functions. The functions are the annual ball on St. Patrick's Day, the banquet in the winter and the picnic in the mid summer. More businessmen tainer out of Denver. The program included a vocal soloist, a ballroom and acrobatic dancing duo and a magician. Later the firemen and guests went to the firemen's hall, where coffee and doughnuts were served, equipment inspected, and the firemen, some of them tragic, some of the equipment. On December 16, 1945, The Montezuma hotel fire kept the firemen busy for several hours. The hotel was full that night, but all escaped. One person was unaccounted for, but later it was found that he had simply gone comical. home. old timers enjoyed fighting fires all over again. Many fond memories were recalled by Give List of Charter Members Of the original 13 charter members. only two, E.E. Hoskin and V.O. Coakley, were there for the 50the anniversary. According to the firemen's minutes books. the charter members were J.G. Upton, Paul Reichart, Albert Guthrie, Frank Boldt, Walter Clark, H.G. Hoskin, C.G. Wilcox, O. Rogers, W.H. Yersin, A. Abbott, R.L. Wilkinson (first chief, Mr. Hoskin and Mr. Coakley. The department was organized November 8, 1908. A history of the Burlington volunteer fire department is also a history of the town, for the growth of one demands the expansion of the other. Danger of fire in the early days of the town necessitated the formation of a department of combat the flames, usually a severe fire emphasizing the need for additional members or equipment. In 1906, before the department was organized, the livery barn located where the the town has ever had. The first water supply with which to fight fires was furnished from two cisterns, one located on the Standish Drug corner, the other in front of Carper's cafe. Water was pumped by hand with two men on either side of the hand car arrangement. Water was also carried by bucket brigade. County Court House Burns in 1906 the county court house burned, with very few of the records being saved. Water was carried from a well. located on the Fred Kiefer corner. In 1908, the fire department was organized, with the motto "we never lose both the house and the lot." The fire bell was located east of the Sim Hudson Motor company garage. The first annual firemen's ball was held May 4, 1909, and showed a profit of $31.30. purchase of a new fire truck was being 1957 considered. department celebrated their 50the anniversary Saturday night, when they gathered at the high school gym for a banquet and program. Approximately 100 firemen, their ladies and guest attended the event, with special guest being the three top officers of the state fireman's association, Judge and Mrs. Neal Horan; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Becker, and Ernie Anderson, all of Denver. Appearing briefly on the program, the state officers commended the local department for their fine organization, pointed out some of the problems of the state group, and outlined future plans now under coneideration. Chief Russell McArthur introduced several of the guest, while Don Chadwick acted as master of ceremonies and read a history of the department. Following the banquet and program, the firemen and their guests enjoyed several numbers presented by professional enter- July 13, 1946, the firemen made the last of several runs to Shank's Cafe, with a loss estimated at $7,500. The rural fire protection district was formed in 1952, and what is known as the red truck was purchased. The new firemen's hall came soon afterwards. Perhaps the most outstanding civic improvement made by the firemen, in addition to their regular responsibilities, was the installation of street signs for the town. Other projects which the firemen have sponsored for year to year are first aid, water fights and contest, and the annual life they give to Santa. by Myra L. Davis BURLINGTON FOLLIES 1926 Plains Equipment Company now stands, operated by Uncle Billy Boyles, burned, and was considered by many as the hottest fire should be honorary members as we feel the present members get more than their money's worth. Firemen Observe 50the Anniversary 1907Members of the Burlington Volunteer Fire In 1942 the department bought another truck, this time a Chewolet, and the following year a resuscitator was added to the Fire signals were adopted in L923, and the On January 7, L924, the school house burned to the tune of $150.000. Firemen thought later they might have saved the school, if they had had enough water pressure. The department stated to grow, with the (See photo next page.) T279 1. H.D. Klinker. with doll 2. E.C. Baker. with doll 3. Whitey Harry Yount 4. Frank Weber 5. Gordon Burr 6. Ralph Boggs 7. Mac McFadden, Charlie Chaplin 8. John Askey, Fauntleroy 9. Bruckner 10. Frank Spahr, Bridesmaid 11. Donald Smith, Bridesmaid 12. George Haywood, Chorus Girl 13. Roy Romberg, Chorus Girl 14. Dr. E.J. Remington 15. Alfred (Pete) Jennings, Baby 16. Richard Floyd, Mammy 17. Director 18. 19. Royden e. Hook, uniformed 20. Robert L. Wilkinson 21. Dr. O.M. Cassell 22. Lester Goins 23. Grant Stettler 24. Dr. Frank L. Bergen, Father of Bride 25. J.R. Walter 26. Ear. J. McCarty, Bride 27. Pawin Penny, Groom 28. Orin Milburn purchase of a Ford pumper, and then a White 29. J.M. Heffner chemical truck. Pumper Helps Rock Island The year 1929 was a busy one for the firemen. The Rock Island had a wreck near Flagler, and the pumper was sent over for two or three days. In August of that year the DeHollander Produce experienced a bad fire, "Dutch" later giving a banquet for the firemen in appreciation of their fine work. The White Eagle oil fire also occurred that year, with $10,000 damage and loss. The fire at the old hospital building was the next important event in the firemen's history, 30. Clyde Guthrie 31. A.W. Winegar 32. William Hendricks 33. Sidney P. godsman, uniformed 34. 35. Dr. Glenn S. Flatt 36. Rev. Benjamin Eitelgorge 37. Ted W. Backlund 38. Henry J. Wagner 39. Edward Hoskin, Jr. 40. Frank Williams. Tom Mix 41. Orville Swaim 42. George Cockrell 43. Mel Beidelman, in kilts 44. George Danforth, Jr. followed by a response to an alarm sent in from the town of Vona in 1936. �.l ! * ,:.S" Cf,r,1g.,'.r::,,.';' ll:.'l,1,::,''.,:l11,,,:.,,t'!tt:t,.:tl:i :,,r:ll:la . ,i::ll.ll f :,'r' }:rl:;,;'l -,1 * glil, ,,\ll:;l 22. Billy Marquis 25. Roy Upton 26. Sm. Boyles 23. 27. Nanny Hoskin 24. 28. Maxine Abbott 21. Hugh Marquis 45. 46. Fred Goldsby 4?. Lonnie Sturdivant 48. John Guthrie 49. Cecil D. Reed. BURLINGTON CORNET BAND CIRCA L9T2 1. Helen McCloud 2. Vince Ruddell 3. Verda Cook 4. Nelle Burr 5. Allice Mae Bogart 6. 7. Dorothy Bergen 8. Macil Roberts 9. Marjorie Abbott 10. 11. 12. Lorene Baker 13. Ila Castle 14. Amber Hudson 15. Dolly Barker 16. Ora Baker 17. Martha Abbott 18. 19. Russell Brand 20. "Bus" Rhule T280 �29. 30. Harriet Bassett 31. Puts (Clifford) Rathbun 32. Alin Stevenson November 14the Burlington Colorado. "BRING TIN CUPS Starting with a big FREE LUNCH at noon, then . . "FREE PICTURE SHOW-From Noon 33. Jimmy Barker until Midnight, Featuring, 'The Devil is a 34. Sissy' 35. "FOUR BANDS-Parade at 2:30 P.M. Four bands-St. Francis, Kansas 55-piece band, Goodland band, Stratton band and Burlington band "TWO FREE DANCES-One at the New Armory, with music by Jerry Petty's orchestra of Denver. One at the Old Armory, with music by Russ Stone's orchestra, featuring both old time and modern music. "Come One, Come All for a Good Time - 36. Bandleader (Abbe) 37. Park Guthrie 38. 39. Frank W. Winegar 40. Luben Guthrie 41. Carl Pearce 42. Jim Upton 43. Jack Rulison 44. Mrs. Reece 45. Ed Hoskin All Free!" 46. All day long, automobiles streamed in from farms and surrounding towns both east and west along Highway North 40, which ran 47. 48. Rev. Brand 49. 50. Frank L. Bergen 51. Shirley Castor 52. Rev. C.A. Yersin and Henry Y. Hoskin through Burlington. DJ. for the occasions, to hordes of hungry rev- 54. elers. 55. Bro. W.H. Tipton 56. Frank Mann At noon, Hudson's free lunch was served in his garage - turned into an impromptu cafeteria serving hot dogs, specially ordered The free lunch problem almost got beyond BURLINGTON DAY FETE, NOV. 14, 1936 control. While 500 pounds of hot dogs had been provided by the sponsors, early in the game it was seen that these were not going to go around, so every store in town was called upon to supply lunch meats and an additional 200 pounds was secured and served. An S.O.S. call was also made to a neighboring town for more. Election Bet Payoff Results in Kit Carson County's Biggest Party in lfistory buns and after those gave out, the diners had to be served with bread. Estimating the day's crowd at between 5,000 and 6,000, it was also The Burlington Record which came up with the above figures T28r Bizaare election bets. . . and their payoffs . . have enjoyed a special place in America's history since our young country's first straw vote was taken. And no history of Kit Carson County would be complete without a detailed description of what has been dubbed "The Biggest party in the History of Kit Carson County" . . . because Sim bet Ed that Roosevelt would take Kansas from its native son Alf Landon in the presidential election of'36 . . . and won. . . along with anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 revelers who made Burlington Day, Nov. 14, 1936 . . . a date to remember. It all dated back to the national election of Nov. 3, 1936, when Burlington automobile dealer Sim Hudson bet Burlington druggist E.L. Weinandt that F.D. Roosevelt would carry Kansas in the national election, despite the fact that Republican Alf Landon was the neighboring state's native son. Reportedly, the bet was for 94,000; and after the bet was made, the two got their heads together and agreed the winner, whichever he was, would keep only 9500 for himself. The rest would be spent in giving a real party for the countryside. "All For Fun and Fun For All at Burlington Day on Saturday, November 14th" read headlines in the local newspaper, while a special robin's egg blue handout (flier flyer) was emblazoned: "Sim Hudson and Ed Weinandt will be hosts at a . . . BIG FREE DAY. Saturdav. The Burlington Bakery supplied 6,000 for the lunch. But 'guestimates' varied, depending on the reporting broadsheet. Pat Wilson's Burlington Call tended toward the superfluous: 12,000 buns, 3,000 at the free picture show, etc. But it was The Denuer Post that waxed eloquent: 10,000 to 12,000 people cheering from the sidelines at the parade, which lasted an hour and a half (30 minutes, said a local journal). No matter how long, it was certainly the parade that was the hit of the day, making national media . . . including photographs; and a Universal newsreel camera team was also in Burlington to record the event, showing it in movie theatres across the United States to an estimated 50 million people. "Parade Caused Many Laughs", The Record recounted, with the following: "The parade brought out a good laugh as had been expected. Entries in this included a car full of 'G-Men' with Sheriff Gates leading the procession. The color bearer, and the two sponsors (Hudson and Weinandt) of the day, each astride a donkey, then followed. "Represented in the parade were the Statue of Liberty, Co. I., the Volunteer Fire Department, Joan of Arc, a number of the boys about town wearing barels since they had lost their pants in the election, and a float on which was carried on of the 'glorified' privies of the new Deal, with the country project supervisor demonstrating its use. "W.P.A. workmen on a truck carrying a small pile of dirt exemplified the 'speed' of the W.P.A. Ex-President Hoover, with his lawn mower cutting the 'grass which had grown in main street' and carrying a kettle containing the chicken for every pot'were well done, and Al Smith, derby and all,'took a walk.' "The Burlington pep squad, high school football team and the B.H.S. state champion girls' basketball team all took part in the parade. One of the stunts which made a hit was the manure spreader which contained a load of straw and was labeled 'Straw Vote'. "A group of the younger generation riding Shetland ponies represented George Washington, cowboys and other characters. One pair of the tiny folk carried signs in the parade announcing that they had voted for the old age pension. "The four bands also marched in the parade and again made a decided hit with the public with their bright colored uniforms, splendid music and fast-stepping drills. "The fire department created no little excitement when the antiquated automobile they had entered in the parade caught fire (accidentally, of course) and was badly damaged by the time the bucket brigade had finished with it." Free movies were also part of the day. From the time the Midway Theatre opened at noon until late at night, people were in line waiting their turn to see the show. Manager Hughes of the Midway estimated the number attending the six shows at 3,000. In the evening, the dances at the new and old armories were jammed. There have many events that have taken place in Burlington and Kit Carson County. Without question, Sim Hudson's "Burlington Day'is either the biggest or right near the top. Party lines were not drawn and everyone extended a full measure of cooperation. Perhaps no other stunt could have been pulled that would have gone over with such a success and gained for Burlington such nationwide exposure. "We congratulate Sim and Ed, and appreciate, as do all the citizens of Burlington, their ideal and untiring endeavor in staging this successful climax to a one-sided national election," praised a Burlington broadsheet. "Republicans have only the satisfaction that they won out in Kit Carson County." While both Sim and Ed agreed that the $4,000 spent was well worth it, no doubt Sim enjoyed himself just a tad more; after all, he won the bet. But the real winners were the celebrating citizenry of Kit Carson County, where . . in the year of 1936 . . . nothing could top "Sim Hudson Day". by Hazel Hudson ASTRONAUT JOHN MICHAEL LOUNGE COMPLETES SPACE MISSION ABOARD ..DISCOVERY'' T2a2 The third time was certainly the charm for the launch of the "Discovery" space shuttle, following two disappointing delays because of weather conditions and computer problems. �somewhat quiet." Don Clamp, Mike's science instructor at Burlington High School, said, "It's been Mike's dream . , . to be an astronaut since he was in high school." When asked, "Did you think Mike would ever become an astronaut?", Clamp responded: "Back then it was an entirely new field. I think the primary objective of several people in the educational and business community was to assist Mike in getting into the academy." Mike enrolled at the University of Colorado in Boulder as a freshman. After completing his first year. he was appointed to the ii: aa' i United States Naval Academy. Upon graduation from the academy, he completed naval flight officer training at pensacola, Fla., and took advanced training as radar intercept officer in the F-4J Phantom; he completed a nine-month southeast Asia cruise aboard the USS Enterprise, participating in 99 combat missions; he transferred to Navy Space Project Office in Washington for a two-year tour ag staff project officer; then resigned his U.S. Navy commission in 1978. \, . '&, Astronaut Lounge has a bachelor ofscience '.' ': )::Y degree in physics and mathematics from the Naval Academy and a master of science degree in atrogeophysics from the University of Colorado. Mike has been employed at the Johnson Space Center since July of 1978. He was lead t*n odS,a; Astronaut John Michael Lounge Fisher accomplished several missions during their flight, and set "a new world's record" with the launching of two satellites, first double deployment from a space shuttle in one day. Lounge's duties were deployment of the Aussat-l satellite, already released the first day when a sunshield would not close properly and work had to be completed quickly; maneuvering the remote manipulator arm; Mike Lounge Day on reviewing stand, featuring his family. Tuesday, Aug. 27,1985 was the culmination of a hometown boy's dram to become an astronaut, a goal which John Michael (better known as Mike) set as a youth and pursued throughout his career to its accomplishment' Mike, along with flight commander Joe Engle, pilot Richard Covey, James Van Hoften and fellow mission specialist William and flight engineer during the ascent and reentry portion of the mission. Following a perfect "touchdown" on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the mission was heralded as one of the most ambitious shuttle flights and one of the most successful. Mike was born in Denver June 28, 1946, the first child of Percy and Reta Lounge. The family moved from Denver to the family farm north of Flagler in 1949, and moved to Burlington in 1951. Mike graduated from Burlington High School in 1964. He was described by one of his teachers as "being an excellent student, who was very serious and engineer for integration of spinstabilized upper stage payloads into future shuttle flights and served as member of the Skylab re-entry flight control team. he was selected as an astronaut in 1980 and since then has served as launch support team member at Kennedy Space Center for the first three shuttle missions. He has specialized in the shuttle's computer system. Mike and his wife, Kitty Haven, have three children: Shannon, Kenneth and Kathy. His parents, Reta and Percy, are well known throughout the entire area. In addition to Mike, they have three living children: Lana Sue Teman, who resides in Burlington; Joe Lounge, who has received his doctorate in education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley; Cindy Lounge of Fort Collins. Kathy Lounge Erker, their oldest daughter, died in 1972. Mike was scheduled for his second space flight, which has tentatively been postponed until the summer of 1988, following the tragic flight of The Challenger cew. "Dreams Do Come True" was the theme for Astronaut Mike Lounge Day which was held in Mike's honor on Oct. 12, 1985. A parade with an excess of 100 entries was the largest and best parade in Burlington's history. Following a football g'me with Sheridan High School, a barbecue was served to a crowd of approximately 2,000 people. In the evening Mike presented a slide show in the gymnasium of his trip into space. The response was so great that a second showing had to be added at the last minute. Mike presented the City of Burlington with several items which are on display at the Old Town Museum in Burlington,including a flag which accompanied him on his space flight. by Reta Lounge �guards, along with representatives, Lt. Governor Nancy Dick, and Senator Jim Brandon, were all greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of an excess of 5,000 people from the entire area. A barbecue was served at noon with an air show following. The Burlington City Council began working on the new airport approximately 11 years before when a meeting with the Federal Aviation Administration was held in the city hall. At that time, the FAA informed the city officials they needed a new airport as the old one was extremely dangerous. The council then began the long process of screening firms to prepare a master plan for a new facility. On May L2, 1975, council passed a resolution authorizing the acceptance ofa planning grant from the FAA for the airport master plan. An agreement with Nelson, Haley, Patterson and Qurik, Inc., was signed for the master plan in June of 1975. The FAA approved land acquisition funds in 1980 and the ground was purchased in August of 1981. The city had two separate grants from the FAA for the land, one for 80 percent participation from the federal government and 20 percent from the city; the other for 90 percent and 10 percent. Land acquisition was $178,920 from A.F. Antholz and $190,613.40 from William Peters. Total land cost was $369,533.40. The city then signed an agreement with Isbill Associates, Inc., ofDenver for engineering for a new airport. Float featuring Mrs. King, Mikes teacher, and his classmates. BURLINGTON-KIT CARSON COUNTY AIRPORT Sight preparation was completed by Boyer Construction for $166,169 in March of 1983, with the FAA paying for 90 percent of it. On July 18, 1983, Mountain States Paving was awarded the contract for the runway at a cost of $770,504.50. At the same time, T283 Saturday, October 13, 1984, proved to be another historical happening and very special event in the life of Kit Carson County. It was the day of the grand opening and dedication of the Burlington-Kit Carson County Airport. The day dawned gray and cloudy, but by noon the sun appeared and helped to make this celebration a huge success. Hot air balloonists, bands, aircraft displays, color Taylor Fencing received the contract for $13,804.20 for fencing around the property and $68,038 went to Acme Electric for runway lighting. All of these were on a 90 percent federal grant with the city paying The old Airport north and west of town in 1950. tr ,llr,';,,,'rli .i:ii:r .:ir.: iail:r: ..:ri, '.H' i I ,'1,*?*,ilt by Bonnie Witzel '/ ., .- :..r:l o..*' An airport advisory board was named by the city to assist with the overall planning of the structures. John Swick was the chairman and was assisted by Harold Caroll, Harley Hahn and Don Downen. Total expenditures for the city for the airport are approximatley $400,000. The county contributed approximately $80,000. Most of the city's money for the airport was derived from the sale of the building sites near the Burlington Middle School. The airport was opened in July of 1984. S |'., " only 10 percent. Herman Construction Co.. Inc. of Burlington was the general contractor for the fixed base building at the airport and the two hangars, which house 16 airplanes. Total cost for the three structures was $314,600, all of which was paid for by the city as the FAA does not participate in buildings on airports. '.2:, -: -"'r Burlington-Kit Carson County Airport at Grand Opening and Dedication, 1985. �BURLINGTON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH T284 either side of the receding culprits. It is doubtful if the Rock Island Limited ever made faster time from Burlington, to the Kansas line at Carlyle. Every time the officers would shoot. the men would hit their horses and lean forward for more speed. When I heard this I told the people I would take Burlington, if old Goliath himself should To the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Burlington, Colorado. Having been informed by your pastor, Rev. Gray, that you are building a church house, I feel somewhat reminiscent and would join you in your laudable enterprise. It takes me back to the years that flitted by like the happy birds that came to those plains at spring time and then sought the southern climate at the first blast of winter. It was in the fall of 1887 that myself and brother-in-law, Edgar Gilmore, left Furnas County, Nebraska for Elbert County, Colorado. We drove via Haigler, Nebraska and thence to old Guy, or Jaqua, on the Republican River. From there we started for a Mr. John Lewis, whom Mr. Gilmore had known back east, and who lived near old Carlyle, Colorado. Stopping once in a while to inquire the distance to Mr. Lewis' home, we were invar- iably asked the number of his claim. After having traveled about 20 miles up on the Jaqua-Burlington road, we came to where three men were digging a well near the roadside. We asked them where John Lewis lived, and the two men above ground, repeated his name over, two or three times apiece to each other, and then asked the man in the well if he knew. We heard him say that he did not know any such person, but he asked the number of his claim. We told him the NE of l9-7-42. Then both men above, said, "Oh! He Iives in that little shack you see about a half mile yonder. We didn't know who in the dickens did live there." And he had been there about one year. When we reached the little shack, we found that Mr. Lewis had gone back to lowa, to get him a cook, but had left Elmer Hicks and Jacob I. Love to settle down for what proved to be a hard winter. Here we met the Rev. D.W. Burt, whom we had met on occasion of a ministerial meeting a few years before, in the Northwest Kansas Conference. He wanted us to help him in special meetings, for he had learned that we had evangelistic gifts. We conducted a meeting at Carlyle, and from there we went to old Logan, near where Idalia now stands, and conducted a meeting. After closing this meeting, we stopped at Bro. Burt's home for a day or two and he said, "Brother Thomas, I wish you would try Burlington. You are more than welcome to it. I confess I can not make an impression on them, but I think with your musical talent, you may be able to handle these people." I made inquiry as to the morale of the place, and was told that conditions had grown so bad, that the legal officials were not able to cope with the situation as the county seat was at old Kiowa, 150 miles to the west. But I was also told that members of the Masonic order had determined to not let the foot pads and scarlet women run their fair little city, and he proceeded to test like members and they gave notice for all undesirables to leave within 24 hours. The result was that Frank Walters' fastest team was not fast enough for them. Especially when Frank Bevelheimer, deputy sheriff and an assistant began shooting on meet me on the outskirts of the city. I therefore gave an appointment and on a cold, late winter Sunday morning, I drove from Carlyle in time to open the house, cut some wood and start a fire. This was the old Burlington that stood about one half mile east and a little south of the present site. There were six persons at the service. Four women, one man and a boy, Master Frank Swayzee, constituted the congregation. The man was noble Joe Leal, assistant postmast- er, but unfortunately a tubercular. He became a charter member of your church, then went to Colorado Springs in quest of better health, and failing in this move, he concluded to try the old home where friends and loved ones could give him cheer, but like Rev. Sam Jones, his spirit traveled faster than the brain of time, and he went hence. After meeting the people a few times in a two weeks' appointment, we announced a special meeting, which many termed a revival. We used the old Gospel Hymn number 1,2,3, and 4. And I think we had the use of Abe Hendricks'organ, which the Evangelist promised to clean, and repair all defects, as that was a part of his musical life, for the use of it. The revival was held in an empty store building that belonged to the Townsite Company, standing on the west side of Main Street (This was old Burlington) and only one building north of it and that was a one room shack, which was occupied by an atheist carpenter, for rooming purposes. We had obtained absolute control of the building, in which we held our meetings from Mr. A.J. Senter, the secretary and Judge Newell, president of the Townsite Company, who resided back in Kansas. For the first few nights of our special meetings the young folks, mostly the young men, would say, "Let's go down to the Methodist circus." And they would come filing into the room with confusion enough to distract one, unless he were a thorough Westerner. Being seated in a back corner, they would assume the air, now turn on your circus, we are here. But the only monkey they saw was the little bald headed preacher, who was used to that kind of monkeying, and he started in with a thirty minute song service. We would use some display songs, Iike, "No, Not One." etc., and some times would divide the house into three divisions. When it came to the division these young men were in, they would sure sing, or holler, "No, Not one." We had singing that would give credit to any community on God's footstool. It was not long until that band was broken, and the young men would sit where they could avail themselves with a book, and sing with an earnestness that showed they were not bad fellows after all. One incident is worth mentioning. There were a few people in town and they feared we were going to break up their dances, etc. The leaders determined to pull off a big dance in the same building in which we were holding our meetings. They concluded it was a public hall, and could be used for all public occa- sions. The hall which had been used for public gatherings before that, had just been changed into the old Montezuma hotel. Our meeting was the first occasion after that change. The merry dancers sent word to Goodland and Eustis, Kansas, and quite a number of joy seekers came over from this occasion. They could not wait for us to fully conclude our services that night. But bounded into the room in one body and began to throw our improvised seats (lumber from the Neil Brothers lumber yard, with nail kegs and boxes for supports) in every direction. It made so much noise in that large empty store room, that we could not hear ourselves sing. But we had written on the walls, with colored crayon, these mottoes. On the south wall was: "What Shall I Do to Be Saved?" and on the opposite side was the answer, "Believe On the Lord Jesus Christ." And at the front. where all the people could see was "Thou, God Seest Me," and "Give Me Thine Heart." For some cause the terpsichoreans could not get up steam. The evangelist requested his workers not to say one word in criticism, but to go to their homes and pray God to work the matter out. The dancers did not hold one hour. One lady from Eustis, said she would have given a quarter section of land if she had stayed at home. The next night Bro. Ed Neil and I went to replace the seats. This atheist carpenter came in, although he had an antipathy for preachers. If he saw me in time, when about to meet, he would step to the outside of the sidewalk and look across the street. And if he did not see me in time to do that, he would simply grunt in response to my "Good morning." But on this occasion, he was quite friendly and helped to replace the seats, and gave the use of his tool chest for the support of the end of two seats. And when all was done, he stood in the doorway and addressed us. He said, "Well, gentlemen, I have been roving about this world since I was sixteen years old and have been in all kinds ofsociety. I have been in the camps where they have a green light burning in the gambling halls, but I have never seen anything that would come up to that affair last night." And he vanished into his shack. He told a comrade in the carpenter work, that he had not heard such good singing since he was a boy at his mother's knee. Every night he would sit in the door ofhis shack and listen to the singing, and then would "turn in" when the minister would start the sermon, Another incident of that meeting is with me yet. We held for about one week and the interest seemed to be growing all the time, but some of the attendants would drop off a night, if it got too serious for them. One of these was David E. Swayzee, who was connected with the Burlington Blade, which was edited by Gene Wooster. He was deaf to his wife's entreaties, and would come only about every other night. But being a good bass singer, he could not stay away all together. And just as all the people began to consider the matter deeply, this Swayzee received a letter from his sister in Ohio telling how much she had been concerned about in the last few days. There had been no correspondence between them for years. But she stated that he had come so vividly before her, and she wondered if he was not going to live a Christian life, so that they might meet up yonder, since the were not likely to meet again here on earth. This was too much for David, and he came to the front ranks that very night. �At one of our testimony meetings in the afternoons, Brother H.L. Page, a seeming very unemotional man, was seen weeping, and in his testimony he remarked that no one had ever seen him weep in a church service before. but he reflected that he had not been concerned in the condition ofthe lost. before hearing Bro. Abe Hendricks tell his touching experience. Brother Hendricks was a member of the Baptist church. At the conclusion of this meeting, we organized with 36 members, counting probationers and all. We held our first church social and praise meeting at Sister French's home. Then came the scramble of moving the town to its present site. And also Mr. J.F. Doty, of Beloit, Kansas came to represent the Rock Island as right of way man. The Townsite Company and the railroad company concluded to get out a thousand extra copies of the Blade and the Boomerang, each week. We were employed to help the eccen- Thomas, is now at Rennes, France, in the transportation service. Our sympathy was deep and sincere for these brave pioneers, who went to that evening land with the tinsel fringed hopes of a conqueror but the different minion of the isothermal, blighted and wrecked the fond the Rev. Franklin Fonester Thomas, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Martha Gilmore hopes of most of them. We were on the plains to become a preacher, and then began his at old Floyd when the great blizzard, of January 12th, 1888, whacked so many lives. The Misses Etta Shattuck and Minnie Freeman, school teachers in Nebraska, save their school children, but both of them lost their feet. The next night after the blizzard, Prof. C.V. Dilts of Canada, and myself, stayed with Brother Mayfield, and glad we were to get into his sod house. Personally, we had many joyous visits with the Mayfields. And we could add many incidents and smiles to this article, but it is already too long. Wishing your enterprise great success, and hoping we may be able to visit your country, we bid you God speed and good-bye. tric J.F. Murray of the Boomerang, as local Fraternally, editor. Mr. Doty also requested us to help him F.F. Thomas hunt the claim owners, where his company was interested in the right of way. There was Mr. Brady who had a preemption about four miles west of town where the railroad makes a curve to the south and then back to the original line. This was to avoid the deep fill. The company wanted a two hundred feet right ofway, the standard being one hundred feet. Brady had been absent from the dining room at the Montezuma hotel, we saw Mr. Brady washing in preparation for breakfast, and as he came toward us I introduced him to Mr. Doty. Mr. Doty said, "I believe you have land that our railroad wants to run through?" Taken from the Kit Carson County Record, July 31, 1919, Burlington, Colorado. by Rev. F.F. Thomas BURLINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH T285 "Yis sor," said Brady, "Oi have a thune, Claremont, Vona and Avondale. And the next year, Kingston, Idalia and Friend were added to the circuit. For the last year we received $7.50 from the people. And this was a dressed hog quoted at $3.50, a pair of shoes $2.00 and $2.00 in cash. It was our good fortune to help organize Kit Carson County then; and it is our good fortune to show the tourists the grave of that same Kit Carson now. We were also prime movers in organizing the first county fair, and Kit Carson County sunday school Association: The first convention of said association was held in Burlington on the 22nd and 23rd of June, 1889. Mr. Peter Winner, superintendent of the Trinity M.E. Sunday School, was with us. On the evening of the last day, Sunday the 23rd, Dr. C.A. Gillette came into Burlington from Bethune, and told us we were once more the proud father of a bouncing boy. And this same boy, Fred G. but he felt the call to preach, so he studied career as a circuit rider. Like others, he came to this country from Nebraska. The first newspaper in town, the Bur- lington Blade, notes that Rev. Thomas preached his first sermon here January 15, 1888. There were six persons a the service Joe Leal, a tubercular who was assistant postmaster, 4 women, and a boy; Frank Swayzee. It is believed that this and other meetings held during the next two weeks were held at what was later to become the Montezuma Hotel then located in Old Burlington which was somewhat east and south ofthe present day city. A.J. Senter and Judge Newell gave Thomas permission for the use of an empty building belonging to the Townsite Co. on the west side of the main street, and a series of revival meetings were begun on February 16th. For the first few nights, some of the young men joked about going to the "Methodist circus", but they came. Rev. Thomas agreed to clean and repair all the defects for the use of Abe Hendricks' organ, and with his fine tenor voice, he led the hymn singing for 30 minutes before the preaching and said, "We had singing that would be a credit to any commu- nity on God's footstool". On February 25, 1888, the Burlington Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by the 33 year old remaining 14 were probationers, possible youngsters not quite old enough for full membership. Others believe to have affiliated Brady. "Yes, we can give you $40", said Doty. "All right," said Brady, so quick that Doty dropped the rubber band from his mouth, which he had taken from his check book, because of his surprise at Brady's willingness took up a circuit consisting of Beloit, Be- Rev. Thomas had college music education, and had intended to make music his life work, preacher with 36 members. Mary Cain Pearce wrote in her diary that she and her husband Carman Pearce signed the charter. Joe Leal, Mary Wilcox and David Swayzee are known to be among the 22 charter members, and the 'presumption' out west of town." "Well, we are paying on an average of $35 to the claim," said Doty. Ond caunt yez give more an thot?" said to sell. Doty had determined to give him $100, if he required it on account ofthe double width and rainbow shape of the right of way. After the town was moved, we turned the work over to Rev. Willis of Wallet and we Lundy, he was fired with determination and set forth to bring religion to Burlington. with the group at that time were Mrs. Swayzee, Mr. and Mrs. L. French, Mr. and Mrs. H. Ed Neal, A.J. Carpenter, and H.L. Page. The first church social and praise Burlington United Methodist Church, 1956. A history of the Burlington Methodist Church from 1888 to 1987. With the passage of the Homestead Act in 1862, settlers were allowed to claim unoccupied lands by a short residence and payment of $1.25 an acre. Any citizen over 21 or head of a family could acquire 160 acres of public land by filing a claim and "proving up" on it. The first of these homesteads, which were to open up the vast western territory for development, was taken up, a few hardy individuals pushed on west into Colorado by 1877,but it was not until the building of the railroad in 1887 from Omaha to Denver that the attention of the landseekers was called to the homesteads available here. At that time, there were in the town; 6 saloons, 4 livery barns, 2 stores, a print shop, a bank, and 2 or 3 cigar making places and a few houses. This was a missionary field for the Method- ist Church, but attempts to convince the people of Burlington to mend their ways had been anything but successful. When word of the unsavory reputation of the town reached meeting was held at the home of sister Ettie French, and Sunday church services were later conducted at the D.E. Swayzee home. In April, an advertisement for sealed bids for the erection of a church appeared in the Blade. On June 4th, Mary Pearce noted that the lst Quarterly Conference of the church was conducted by Elder Merritt of Denver. After the town was moved to its present location, the work was turned over to Rev. Willis, and Rev. Thomas who had a tree claim at Bethune, took up a circuit of Beloit, Bethune, Claremont (Stratton), Vona, and Avondale to which Kingston, Idalia and Friend were added the next year. That year he received as his pay, a dressed hog amounting to $3.50, a pair of two dollar shoes and two dollars in cash. Rev. Thomas also organized the Kit Carson County Sabbath School Association which held its first convention in Burlington the 22nd and 23rd ofJune in 1889 with Mr. Peter Winnie, superintendent of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Sunday School in Denver as the speaker. An election held in 1889 to determine the county seat resulted in Burlington being selected by a vote of 451 to 170 over Claremont. The third marriage to take place in the county, that of Elmer Castor and Mary �Mrs. Annie Newell donated some land for a parsonage, and September of 1899 found Burlington United Methodist Church 1988 celebrating their centennial this year. E. Rice, was performed by Rev. J.N. Willis. Grant Stetler brought his bride to his homestead. and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Guthrie and family came to make their home. Four lots were on the corner of l1th and Lowell, were donated by R.S. Newell and C.F. Jilson as a building site for a church. A trust bond for $250 to the Church Extension Society was signed by Trustees S.K. King, J.E. Leal, Thomas Seaman, and C.C. Gilmore. Enough money was then raised to put up a 24x40 foot frame building in May and June, 1889. This was Burlington's first church and the original Methodist church. The ladies of the church held a strawberry and ice cream supper and had a "fish pond" and "post office" to help pay off the debt. The first twins in the county, Clyde and Sarah M. Guthrie were born. Rev. Willis organized a church Sunday School. The extreme drought forced many to give up their homesteads and go back east to make a living. People would go miles to hear a sermon and enjoy Sunday School and services were held at school houses and little churches all over the country. When there were to be baptisms at the Landsman Creek or the River, the whole family would pile in the wagon and taking a basket dinner they would be off on a holiday. In 1894, the Burlington-Lansing Circuit was created. It was a 5-point circuit, and included Lansing, Browning and Liberty, all north of the Republican River, and Plainview, east of Burlington. It took a week for the minister to complete the circuit. He usually rode horseback or in a two-wheeled cart, but the Rev. Mitchell, who bought and repaired bicycles to sell to the boys, rode the circuit on a bicycle. During the winter and spring everyone worried about the preacher when he was riding the circuit, because ofthe treacherous blizzards and swollen streams that became rushing torrents after the spring thaws. One Easter, some of the ladies spent days and nights making lilies, and then hours decorating the church. On Sunday morning no one could get to church because of the tremendous snowdrifts, but the minister's family looked in the window to see the Easter decorations. Our Sunday School records for January 1895 show that there were three officers, two teachers and a total of thirteen present with a collection of six cents. Fred Buchele was reelected superintendent; C.A. Yersin, assistant superintendent; Mertie Case, secretary; Mrs. C.A. Pearce, treasurer; Mrs. Stella Wilson, chorister. About 1930, with Mrs. Fannie Ross in charge, the Cradle Roll was established and babies whose names were on the roll were "rocked" in a little service on Children's Day. Vic Whitmore has been responsible for the Cradle Roll since 1936. The Rev. B.H. McCoy stayed with the Carman Pearce's family and tells of writing a letter and laying it aside until they had enough money among them for a stamp. Mr. Pearce always did the best he could to collect money for the church and the preacher's salary, but it was a hard job. Cripple Creek's boom brought sometimes as many as twenty "Prairie Schooners" a day to Burlington on their way to the hills to make their fortune, and before long, many came through on their way back in disappointment. Answering roll at the 1897 November Quarterly Conference were Wm. Aten, C.A. Pearce, Grant Stetler, Pastor L.M. Potashinsky, Presiding Elder B.T. Vincent, C.A. Peterson and Mary Fleming from Plainview; Mrs. Greatslinger, Fred Jenkins, carpenter Buchele at work on it. The Ladies Aid was organized about the 20th ofFebruary 1900, and shortly thereafter, they had a supper which brought $36 for the parsonage. Mrs. Mary Pearce was chosen to be the first president. The Ladies Aid met in the homes and sewed or mended whenever they need help. The highlight of the meetings was trips to the farm homes of members. Mr. and Mrs. Carman Pearce, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Guthrie, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Stetler and others were farm hosts. On one very happy occasion, Mr. Peter Guthrie cnme for the ladies. There had been a deep snow, and he had a big team of horses hitched to a sled that took them all to his home for a big turkey dinner. The Aid gave a cake and ice cream social in the basement of the Winegar Building to get the first dishes for the present church. Everyone was invited and asked to bring what ever dishes they could donate. Following the reunion of Methodism in 1939, when Episcopal was dropped from our church name, the unification program combined the Ladies Aid, home and foreign missionary societies into the Woman's Society for Christian Service, and Rev. A.W. Lenz chartered the local W.S.C.S. on September 21, 1949 with Anna Buol as president and 80 charter members. Ruth Holland helped to establish a circle which met in the evening, and Alene Morgan assisted in the forming of Jeanne Nave, Brinton, and W.F.C. (Women for Christ) circles in 1960 and Hoepner in 1961. Among the many accomplishments of the W.S.C.S. and its circles are parsonage im- provements and the furnishing of a complete set of dishes to be used in serving banquets to groups of a hundred. W.S.C.S. has become United Methodist Women. Through the efforts of Rev. Shea and Rev. Potashinsky, Dr. Ammi Bradford Hyde was secured to deliver the oration for the big Fourth of July celebration in 1902. For a quarter of a century, Dr. Hyde had written notes on Sunday School lessons for the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate, and his book the "Story of Methodism" had a circulation of something over 300,000 copies. A severe epidemic of scarlet fever struck in December of 1903 followed by an epidemic of smallpox in the spring. Many died. Rev. Mcleod's daughter, Mary Strawson, tells how her father would visit whenever a child was sick, then came home to bathe and change clothes before joining the family, and and R. Cassin of Lansing. The Pastor repor- they were spared, but Nellie Thompson, a little girl from the country who was staying preached 20 times, held 2 funerals, made 130 pastoral visits and organized a Sunday School at Browning. At one of the homes where he in their home, took the fever and died. Mrs. E.C. Baker sat up all night to make a little white dress for her to be buried in, and came ted that he had traveled 1,086 miles, spent the night, he remarked at dinner that the coyotes were a bad lot, destroying many chickens. "Yes", said the little six year old boy, "but they ain't half as bad on 'em as preachers." The District Convention of the W.C.T.U. was held at the church on November 20th, and Mrs. Telford, the state president, filled the pulpit on Sunday morning the 21st. L.D. Browning was elected president of the Epworth League. The church made preparations for a grand Christmas entertainment Christmas Eve with good music, good speaking, and a surprise for the children from Santa Claus to remind them that "One came to bring'Peace on earth, goodwill to ment.tt bringing it the next morning along with a bouquet of geraniums. In those days, people who butchered brought the minister fresh meat, potatoes, and other vegetables, and they would give Pound Parties with each person bringing some kind of food and sometimes a pound of money dollars. 16 silver It was about this time that the church acquired its first organ. The town's fraternal organizations all met at the old Odd Fellow hall, where the Record Office is now. The lodges had all gone together and purchased a reed organ, and when it was replaced with a player piano, the organ was taken to the church. Among the possessions of the late Dr. �F.L. Bergen, it is now the property of the Henry Hoskin family. Ruby Aten, Mabel Boger and others played it for many years at the little church and later when it was moved to the new building. A good piano was eventually purchased and then a magnificent pipe organ, followed by the Hammond organ and the fine piano obtained when Dr. Henry Beatty was pastor, which we still use for our worship services. A movement to erect a new church building was begun during the pastorate of Rev. Boner. A real estate boom was being enjoyed and several large contributions were made by promoters. Substantial nmounts were sub- scribed on a three year plan, and a lot of material and labor was donated. The 1916 "Booster Edition" of the Kit Carson County Record published by R.L. Wilkinson stated that, "[t is pleasing to note there is not a single saloon, dive or gambling den in operation in our town. The Christian influence is felt strongly in all circles. What we are particularly proud of, and for which we are becoming quite noted, are the moral and Christian influences of our city. A more clean minded, a more moral God loving and God fearing people cannot be found in all America." Rev. J.A. Moorman furnished the cornerstone for the building we now occupy, and it was laid by Bishop Mead in 1917. Everyone was anxious to see the building completed. Arthur Wilson writing in the Burlington Call said, "Of light, pressed brick, the edition will be a magnificent and stately addition to the city. Being built at an estimated cost of from $18,000 to $20,000, its magnitude and gran- Nelson McCormick of Cedaredge, Colorado, the Burlington Methodist church reaches yerus, many appropriate and useful gifts have around the world and ministers from all over the world have stepped into our pulpit. At a special session of the Quarterly Conference in 1957, the church gave approval to plans for a new Church School Educational Unit which was built at a cost of $32,000. A building committee was appointed with J.V. Brown, Chairman of the Board of Trustees as chairman; Kermit Buol, Sunday School superintendent as Financial chairman; Mrs. Tom Ambler, Treasurer; Lay Leader, Howard Stewart, John Bryner, Sam Hendricks, Willard Gross, Walt Bauder, Clark Hammond and the Pastor Paul Holland. Ground breaking ceremonies the following year with committee members taking part along with E.C. Baker, the oldest member of the church; Nancy McCartney, M.Y.F. president; and Iva Olson, W.S.C.S. president, were a milestone in the history of the church, this being the first addition made in 40 years. On Palm Sunday, 1959, special services during the Sunday School hour, when the children each carried a chair from the old building to the new, signalled the educational unit's completion. Formal consecration was conducted by Bishop Glenn R. Phillips and District Super- been added to the attractiveness of the church sanctuary and contribute to our worship experience. We use the Hoskin family Bible on the altar and lecterns. The three piece set of oak pulpit furniture was given by his family in Memory of Peter Guthrie. To this was added the oak altar set, consisting of the cross, two candle holders, and the oak panel reredos given in memory of Clementina Guthrie by her sons and daughters, and wrought iron candelabra dedicated to the memory of Peter N. Guthrie by the Guthrie family and in memory of Ed E. Hoskin by his family; and the oak table, a memorial to little Sandra Rae Tallent by her friends and relatives, presented by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Dale Tallent. The "Last Supper" tapestry was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Hammond. Like Pearl Morgan, who was married to Clyde Guthrie by Rev. Moorman at the A.S. King home on August 3, 1918 and bid her new husband farewell the following day when he answered the call to the colors, the women of the church have kept the vigil at home with busy hands and prayerful hearts as their men have fought in two wars for the cause of freedom. Rev. Harold I. Wollard held the first Honor Roll Service on February 7, 1943 as a tribute to World War II servicemen. with the families of 33 members and constituents as special guests. For a number of years this Memorial Service took place on the first Sunday of February, and an impressive Service Honor Roll plaque listed the names deur surprises even those through whose efforts its construction has been made possible. The people of Burlington honor and appreciate the efforts of such progressive of 100 from our church, among them 5 citizens." The money raising efforts of Rev. "In answer to President Wilson's request for the co-operation of all the civil and W.L. Botkin proved to be quite successful, making slmost debt free occupancy possible by 1919. The little churchwas sold, with some of the material used in the construction of the Hudson residence. The parsonage was moved to the corner and with borrowed money paid off by the Ladies Aid Society, it was enlarged. In recent years, other improvements have been made to make it a more comfortable home for our ministerial families, and an asset to the community. The treasurer's books for January 1929 show that $2,239.22 was paid for pews and other fixtures, and from time to time, various improvements have been made on the church itself. After extensive repairs and redecoration in 1941, October 12th was celebrated as a day of re-dedication for the church, with hundreds in attcndance. Participating in the different events of the day and evening were Dr. A.P. Gaines, superintendent of the Greeley District; E.C. Baker for the Board of Trustees; Sunday School Superintendents A.V. Halsted and Iva Olson; Anna Buol for the Youth Fellowship. Lois Halsted's church school choir sang and graduation exerciseg were held along with a pageant, "The Golden Chord" costumed by Lorene Baker. Special music was presented by the vested choirs, Betty Harrison, Ora Baker, Bonnie Gould, Avalon Guthrie, Nell Hayes, Dr. F.L. Bergen, Walter Hem6qn6 and Minta Coleman, Elva Mae Lundy and Jackie Hendricks at the organ. Following the acceptance of an alabaster altar set to the youth group and the communion table, gifts from Mr. and Mrs. ka and our home missions, the influence of communion was observed. Through the women, who served. Durward Ray Dunn made the supreme sacrifice for his country in World War II. commercial enterprises in the furtherance of the war". The Epworth League president asked "co-operation in the study of the most vital subject,'Co-operation with the Sunday School' " on a Sunday evening in June 1918 at a big open air meeting on Grant Stetler's lawn with special music rendered. The Epworth League's modern counterpart, the M.W.F. (Methodist Youth Fellowship) conducts business, holds diseussions and gets together for breakfast meetings. Our own Joan Harker is sub district president. Kenneth Ancell attended the Youth Convocation at Purdue University as our delegate in 1959. Cathy Penny, Norman Reinecker, John Chapin and John Buol were our representative to the first Washington D.C. - United Nations Peace Seminar in 1962. For the Seminar in 1963, the church helped sponsor Barbara Brown, Joan and Jean Harker. Miss Anna Adkisson's Sunday School girls organized a group they called the Sunbeams in the spring of 1918. They had a Missionary box, and saved money to buy Bibles printed in Chinese to be sent to a Methodist Missionary in China. Members of that class were Gladys Parsons, Oletha Eicher, Henrietta Lidke, Mary Katherine Duvall, Mary Burks, Lyla Ragan, Minnie Zick, and. Della Boger. In 1964, our Missionary interest reached an all time high, with a budget of $3,319. In financing the building of the church at PotePote in the Congo in 1960-61, and our support of other projects in Africa, South America, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Alas- intendent Laird V. Loveland on May 10, 1959. Four hundred members and friends helped us observe 50 years of sacrificial and consecrated giving in an impressive and inspiring manner carried out by Rev. J.T. Coulter on February 27,1939. Bishop Ralph I. Cushman and District Superintendent Dr. Charles O. Thibodeau were with us on April 10th for the second great occasion in celebration of our Golden Anniversary. At the invitation of Rev. Omer Timmons, Bishop Glenn R. Phillips was with us when we reached the 65th year of our Christian journey. As vigorous and hardy as the people who endured the hardships of the prairie, red geraniums bloomed in glorious profusion paying tribute to our founders on our 75th anniversary. The introduction of irrigation to Eastern Colorado agriculture brought Mexican Nationals to work in the beet fields. Under the direction of Rev. Ole Aarvold, the church planned and conducted the first school for children of migrant workers. Following the 1968 merger with the Evangelical United Brethren, and the closing of their Bethune church on Oct. 1, 1970, new members were welcomed by the congrega- tion. Although major improvements were made on the church building through the years, costly repairs and necessary renovation determined the decision to remodel, and in June 1971, the last service was held in the old sanctuary with worship services at the First Christian Church thereafter until Jan. 1972. Membership was at an all-time high of more than 500 when the burning of the mortgage and re-dedication of the newly-remodeled building was celebrat€d in January of 1974. Preserving a piece ofthe past, oak taken from the old building was made into a communion table and the original stained-glass windows remain. The parsonage was sold in 1976, and a new one purchased. Offices and needed classroom space were added to the church in 1976, completing the modernization. by Dorene Buol �THE BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH T286 facility, so the building was remodeled and enlarged, most of which was done by the members. Throughout these twenty-one years, church services have been held each Sunday morning and evening with the Lord's Table offered. Bible Study is each Wednesday evening. This is a short history of a relatively young church which remains strong because of many dedicated people who desire to serve the Lord. While various ministers came to watch over "His" flock and left, it is because those that loved the Lord gathered faithfully in His name, giving unselfishly of their time and talent, that this church has grown and remains strong. Burlington Christian Church. People came to America in 1620 to find a new freedom, the right to worship as they pleased. This idea travelled with the pioneers as they headed west and started settling down, making homes, starting churches and schools, determined to live by the Holy Bible with faith and prayers. In April L964, a group of believers assembled to study the Bible as God's Holy Word, believing on Jesus as God's only son and sent to prepare the way. The Burlington Christian Church was officially organized in May with thirty charter members and Dale Mason as Minister. Douglas Hillman, Jack Rutter and Frank Witzel were the first elders. Heeding the Great Commission (Matthew 28:,19,20), the congregation voted in August 1964 to send Clinton B. Thomas of Williamsport, Pennsylvania to the mission field. Clint had previously served in Brazil as a medical missionary, knew the Portuguese language and he needs of the people. In December, the family consisting of Clint, his wife Phyllis, and their three young sons, Tim, Ted, and Tom left their dear friends, security and comforts to serve the Lord in Urucara, Amazones, Brazil. They continue to labor in this area today. Missions have played a major role in the hearts of the Christian believers, supporting work in Hong Kong, Germany and New Guinea. Locally, the congregation has helped to start new churches in Goodland, Hugo and Sterling. The independent Christian churches on the Eastern Slope of Colorado have a beautiful service camp at Como which is used throughout the year. Camp is held for children of all ages, plus marriage enri- chment, singles retreat, family camp, men's roundup, women's retreat and college-career plus weekend skiing for Junior and Senior High youth groups in the winter. Burlington Christian Church has actively supported two christian colleges in the area; nnmely, Platte Valley Bible College at Scotts- bluff, Nebraska and Intermountain Bible College at Grand Junction, Colorado. Our present church is located at 12th and Donelan; it was purchased from the Trinity Lutherans in 1966. (This building was originally located two miles west of Bethune and south of the Correction Line. The concrete steps are still there. The Trinity Lutherans moved the building to its present location in 1944.) The mortgage was burned in 1972. By 1976 the congregation had out-grown this tion for the church loan was made and shortly thereafter granted. By December the new building was ready for occupancy, and on December 5th, the first Sunday services were held in the building, with formal dedication held on December 1gth. Almost a year later (Nov. 1955) the church withdrew from the Arizona Convention and the Denver Association and joined the newly organized Colorado Convention and the Platte Valley association. The next month the congregation set aside Robert L. Edmondson and Jim Winfrey as deacons. Later that month, Rev. Porter resigned (Dec. 14) to move to California where he accepted a church. After being pastorless for two months, the church called Rev. M.W. Richardson (Feb. 12, 1956). He served until May 7, 1958, when he resigned to accept a church in Hotchkiss, FIRST BAPTIST Colorado. T287 Rev. Harry Mallette became our pastor July 2, 1958, and under his leadership, the church moved forward. He served faithfully The First Baptist Church of Burlington until his resignation October 12, 1962, to become pastor of the Valentine, Nebraska CHURCH was founded through the efforts of Rev. and church. Mrs. A.H. Harmon. This Southern Baptist Rev. Jack Porter returned and served a brief interim - Oct. 21 to Nov. 13. The church called Rev. Richard Holland on Dec. 5, 1962. In the spring of 1963 a building committee was formed and plans were made to erect an educational wing onto the present structure. This addition was dedicated on Aug. 22,L965. On January 5, 1966 the church ordained Loren Hurst as an active deacon. Richard Holland resigned the pastorate here, effective Jan. 1, to accept a church in Brighton, couple, with the financial help of two Oklaho- ma churches, began gathering Baptists together in the late spring of 1952. A mission was established and services were held in the American Legion Hall until a building could be erected. A service organizing the mission into a church was held October 5,1952. The church was constituted with 13 charter members. Representatives of the South Baptist Convention and the Arizona Convention took part in the service. The church chose Rev. A.H. Harmon to serve as its first pastor and unanimously voted to join the Southern Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Association of Colorado. Thus, under the name "The First Baptist Church", a new work was launched. The following month workers of the Yuma mission were accepted into the membership. In the years that followed, the church started work at Wray and Cheyenne Wells. The work at Wray continues as a church, while the work at Cheyenne Wells folded. During these formative years, the church had the financial support of a Pampa, Texas Baptist Church. In the spring of 1953 a building fund was started and Jim Winfrey was elected to serve as chairman. In the fall of 1953 (September 20th), Rev. Harmon resigned to return to school for further training. The church was pastorless for almost seven months. They elected a Board of Trustees - A.C. Williamson, Jim Winfrey and Earl Van Tassel, and three deacons - Ed Winfrey, Roscoe Johnson and E.T. Straughn. Finally, on April 11, 1954, Rev. Jack Porter of Hackett, Arkansas answered the call for pastor. The next month the church selected six lots at Cherry and Donelan for the site of the proposed building; thus setting aside their action of January 13th, in which they had selected three lots on 17th and Senter. At their regular May business meeting, the congregation voted to apply for a church loan through the Home Mission Board. In this action the church incorporated and two more trustees were elected - Doyle Robertson and Clyde Teague. In June, the formal applica- co. After being pastorless for almost 6 months, Rev. Don Larkin was called to be our pastor. He moved on the field in the middle of June, 1967, and served faithfully until he resigned in the middle of October, 1969, to accept a call to Hereford, Texas. On July 16, 1967, the church voted to purchase the present parsonage. On October 9, 1968, the church voted to recognize Milton Sharp as an active deacon. On October 21, 1969, the church ordained Thomas McCauley and Arthur Schmidt as Deacons. After being pastorless again from October to March, the church called Rev. James Crow of Meridian, Oklahoma, to be pastor. On September 8, 1970, the church licensed Ronnie Beeson into the ministry. February 10, 1971, saw the ordination of three more deacons - Louis Stout, Don Johnson and Jim Sharp. James Crow resigned in 1975 to go back to Oklahoma. Later in 1975 Clyde Allen was called to be pastor. He served approximately one year. In February 1977, Aaron Nutter accepted the call and has been serving the church family since that time. Bob Churchwell, Jim Jordan, Paul Rhodes, and Ray Rhodes were ordained as deacons in May 1982 to serve with Tom McCauley, Art Schmidt and Louis Stout. Don Johnson and Jim Sharp resigned from serving as deacons. �FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES oF cHRrsr) T288 The Christian Church of Burlington, Colorado was organized on November 22, 1908, by a small group of Christians led by Brother Charles A. Yersin. They first met in homes, then in the local school house, and later in the Odd Fellows Hall which was the second floor of the building later occupied by Knapp's Plumbing Co. The charter members so far as records show were: C.A. Yersin, Katherine Yersin, W.P. Davis, Mrs. W.P. Davis, Nina F. Norville, Winegar Norville, Mrs. S.P. Shaw, William Parke, Mrs. William Parke, Pamelia Brinkley, Cynthia Boyles, Rhoda Yersin Scofield, Mrs. James W. Sparks, Mr. George Pflum. Mrs. Edna Pflum. Mr. Yersin, who had been ordained a minister of the Christian Church at Liberty, Missouri in 1875, served without pay the growing church its beginning until 1917. At this time Mrs. Yersin's health failed, so they went to Missouri for the winter. A revival had been held to increase the membership and interest. It is presumed a minister was hired for part of the time up to 1917. The congregation must have been consecrated. faithful and prayerful. Early members remember that many prayer meetings were held in the Yersin yard, and the Aid Society met at the home which was located 172 blocks east of Bonny Drive. The congregation grew to such an extent that there was need for a church home. To help with this project Mr. W.W. Brinkley gave part of his barn lots, and moved his fence back. The basement was soon started and rushed to be finished for use so the Ladies' Aid would have a place to meet and serve dinners. And there were many such dinners. Many land seekers were brought in by the Winegar Land Company. These men were taken out to look at land, and brought back to town to be served delicious home-cooked his service to the church that the Christian Women's Board of Missions was organized. Mrs. Robins was our first president. It was a strong organization at that time having as many as fifty or more members. It did not take the place of the Aid Society because many women were avid quilters. When Mr. Anderson left, Mr. Yersin was to keep things going. The next minister was Thomas Carey and his wife who served for one year. They made a temporary home in the church basement. They left and again services were carried on by laymen and Mr. Yersin. We were able to secure Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hageman and family who served for 1925 to 1927. They did a fine work in Burlington with their talent for music and their leadership ability. The Christian Women's Board of Missions and Aid Society were active. Mrs. Nina Norville Winegar was chosen pianist and Mr. Hageman led the choir. Again the Iadies served many dinners to help raise money for various church activities. A need for a parsonage was felt. After many discussions the decision was made to build if conveniently located lots could be expense money, but there are no available records to show their accomplishments. Memory is uncertain for the period from 1917 to 1921. Rev. A.L. Anderson came in 1921. He and his family lived in a temporary parsonage at the south end of Main Street. It was during September 1940 the army took many young men for training at Fort Sill. Among those was Asa Calvin, who served as a captain. Mr. Green kept folks busy and made many friends for the struggling church. Then came discouraging news. Several years before Main Street had been paved. The expense of paving was allotted to each lot along the street. The church group owned lots on both sides of the street. The paving expense had been overlooked for some reason. Interest had accumulated on the debt until it amounted to quite a sum. A loan was secured from the Board of Church Extension in Indianapolis to pay this debt. By serving dinners, serving at sales, and quilting, and gifts from outside friends the debt was gradually reduced. Mr. Bashor, a wheat farmer, paid the last 9250.00. Again the Little White Church was out of debt. Mr. Green left for another field of ministry August 5, 1943. Lawrence Baird and family came in September 1945. He stayed until May of 1946. In Mr. W.F. Calvin, Mr. Somers, and many others whose names are not available. Mr. Hageman and family left for other work so we were without a pastor for several months. Again laymen and Mr. Yersin carried on. In 1947 Mr. J.L. TSmer and family were called. The leadership ability of these fine people kept all departments active. Mrs. Tyner, an ordained minister, kept young folk and children interested. Mrs. Tyner conducted a complete church service for the youngsters in the basement. This included communion and a sermon. This service is outstanding in the memory of those who attended the children's church. The Tyners left in the Spring of 1936. The bell was run faithfully as long as it remained in the "Little White Church." There is a break in the history here. The of the Ladies' Aid kept providing some activities. from friends, and many hours of labor given by Mr. Haughey, a contractor, Mr. Hageman, produce a fair living for everyone. During that time the Little White Church continued to point our spirits to higher goals. Credit must be given to the laymen who continued to carry on in spite of depressions in finance as well as in church attendance. Among these faithful leaders was E.T. Straughn who always had scripture reading church continued on; dinners and the work young people in Christian Endeavor, TriCounty Endeavor and Rallies and other October 16, 1943 Mr. Franklin Page and Mrs. Page came to serve the church until April 1945. Several months passed before Mr. On December 1, 1910, the Little White Church building had been completed, and it wad dedicated. The tower for the bell was included in the building plans, but it was some time later that the bell was purchased, again with money given by generous people in town. It was the cherished ambition of Mr. Yersin that a bell be placed in the church. He loved to ring the bell each Sunday to call members to worship. On July 25, 1940, Mr. Lloyd Green and family came. They worked faithfully with the secured. The lots across the street west of the church were possible by the very popular and delicious dinners served by the ladies, by help For several months there was no minister. These were times when crops were not too good. Salaries were very low. Mr. Sutton and his family came from 1936 to 1938. The fall of 1938 brought Mr. and Mrs. Coleman who stayed one year. During his ministry two young men were ordained to be ministers. They were Bob Davis and Francis Wheeler. These were the times when money was not dinners by the Ladies' Aid. This money helped with the building expenses. A little later a mortgage was put on the building to help finish it, but most of the money needed came from generous gifts by people who lived in Burlington at the time. other work. plentiful. Crops were planted in faith. Grasshoppers took their share, lack of moisture reduced the crops' yield, and farmers were left with the hope that the next year would and a short message before communion service which was never omitted. This held the few faithful together. Another layman was Asa Calvin who took his turn with the morning services. Freeman was a faithful pianist and music director for many years. At times Mr. Jansen, a farmer minister, filled the pulpit. Mr. Ralph Bixel came in 1939. He remained only a few months then went into September 1946 Mr. Eugene Palmer and family came. They worked faithfully with the young people and in district church rallies. In September 1947 the Alleys left for other fields. Mr. Pontius, an interim minister, came in October 1947. Each week he drove out from Denver. In May 1948 Mr. and Mrs. Colglazier came to Burlington to make their home. Mrs. Colglazier and Mrs. W.L. Fisher, choir director, added to the services with good song services and music. Mr. Pontius continued to serve until July 1949 when Mr. Green was called back for a second time. An Easter Cantata was presented to the largest crowd ever to assemble at any of our services. The crowd was so large a loud speaker was put in the basement for the overflow crowd. This made the congregation more aware of the need for a larger building. Finally plans were made to build on lots already purchased at 16th and Senter Streets. The church building was sold to the Masonic Temple. A temporary meeting place had to be secured. The armory was rented for morning services, and the basement of the parsonage was used. Services began in the armory on May 6, 1951. Here the morning church services and adult Sunday School classes met. The Junior and Primary Sunday School classes, and all evening services, were held in the parsonage. This building became the center of all church activities. The Vacation Bible School for 1951 was held jointly with the Methodist Church from May 28 to June 8, 1951. It is reported to have been a very successful church school. The following year, while building the new church, the Vacation School was held at the parsonage. Plans for the new church had been accepted and work was soon to begin. On Sunday afternoon, June 2, 1951, a ground breaking service was held on the lots at 16th and Senter Streets. Several assisted in the service. Mr. E.T. Straughn, Chairman of the Board of �Trustees, turned the first spadeful of dirt. This was a very impressive service. Records show that Mr. Ray Schlosser used his equipment to dig trenches for the foundation and the basement. This work was completed, a some of the foundation base was poured by September 2, 1951. The laminated beams were being erected by October 21, 1951. The walls were put up ready for the cornerstone by the first ofthe year, 1952. On January 20,1952, the service for "Laying the Cornerstone" was held. Mr. E.T. Straughn gave the invocation, Mr. Lloyd Green, W.L. Fisher (Chairman of the Building Committee), Asa Calvin (Secretary of the Committee), Lloyd Billington, W.G. Colglazier, Marvin Gilbert (Treasurer), Clark Rutter, Herbert Dillion and G.S. Schlosser participated in laying the cornerstone. The parsonage was sold before the new church was completed, and the house just east of the church was purchased for the parsonage. Mention must be made of the loyalty of the church choir during our building days. On March 25, 1952, a cantata, "The First Easter" was given to a full house. Later a program of religious songs was given on June 8. A Christmas cantata was presented December 2, L952. During the building days there were nineteen members added to the church. The men of the church were very faithful in giving of their time to work on the building. Friends gave both time and money to help carry on. Each summer the Christian Women's Fellowship, with the help of the men, had a food stand at the County Fair. All of this helped to make possible the early completion of the building by the last of May 1953. The seats were installed, the organ put in, and everything ready for the long-anticipated day when we could begin holding our services in the new church building. The first service was held in the new building on May 24, 1953. June 7, 1953 the church building was dedicated. At 2:30 p.m. the sanctuary and the fellowship room were filled with friends and members to be a part of the Dedicatory Service. The program consisted in part ofthe following service. Scripture and prayer by W.L. Fisher. Greeting by Harold McArthur, Mayor of Burlington, and by the presidents of the various clubs. Greetings were brought by Maurice F. Lyeria, Executive Secretary of the Christian Churches in Colorado, and Mrs. Howland, the State Secretary of Christian Women's Fellowship, and Mr. Rolland Sheafor, Treasurer of the Board of the Church Extension. The Christian Business Mens' Club of Burlington brought a message in song. The lectern was loving built by William Haughey and given in memory of his mother and father. The pulpit wa(rliven in honor of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Yersin, and the communion table in honor of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Calvin. The sedilia behind the communion table was given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Sommers. Mr. Green continued to serve the church until December 15, 1954. He did not leave without helping to plan for the future. Mr. John S. George was secured to come. He preached his first setmon here on December 26, 1954. He was a quiet, consecrated man who had planned to retire, but gave more than two years of service in Burlington. He went back to retirement March 17, 1957. By this time Mr. F. Edward Carter had been secured. He arrived in Burlington on March 22, 1957. His reception in Burlington was a chilly one, for one of the Christian Men's Fellowship have found ways to raise money to apply on the debt, and the Christian Women's Fellowship have been serving dinners for the Rotary Club, and other organizations. The debt on the building now, as of November 1, is $6,131.70, and is being retired at the rate of $300.00 per month. A door is opening on a new era. As the tower of the Little White Church pointed the thoughts upward, keeping each worshiper faithful and loyal, so the new church with its graceful sloping roof framing the cross points upward - an inspiration and challenge for the future. The historical progress ofthis congregation again hits a highlight when on November 23, 1958, the Church reached its fiftieth year of existence. The event was commemorated by a day of services. The first of these services, sponsored by the C.M.F. was held at 9:00 o'clock, in the first church home, the little white structure at 14th and Donelan. now the Masonic Temple. Although the building had been remodeled, many felt a pang of nostalgia as they listened to inspired works in the old setting. At ten o'clock services were continued in the U.S. Armory, where we had held our services from the time we sold our old building until the Church was finished. The C.W.F. was in charge of this step of the day's program, with Mrs. A.R. Bemis of the Colorado Missionary Society, bringing the address. An afternoon service was next on the ground. G. Everett Figgs spoke on the subject "The Church Looks Forward." The Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration culminated with a dinner in the fellowship room of the new for a short time until we could locate a regular pastor. Rev. Elmer Early was hired and came with his family in June; he served only one year, due to family illness. Again we were without a minister. Rev. Patrick came to Burlington on October 16, 1964 with his wife. Roxie. The Patricks had three children, two boys and a girl; all now grown. By the summer of 1966 it had become very evident that we were outgrowing our church for educational purposes. There was much discussion and study on this subject. The best solution seemed to be to purchase the Wilcox house, acrogs the street to the west and Vz block north. This to be used as a parsonage. By a congregational vote the necessary arrangements were made and by December 11, 1966 we dedicated our new improvements. The congregation now entered another decade of worship and progress toward the future, with faith and high plans for the Church. The old bell rang out each Sunday letting people know it was time to come to share God's blessings. November 10, 1968 the Church reached its 60th year of service to God. A celebration was held, the program beginning with Bible School at 9:45 with the dedication of the old bell on the tower in front of the Church. to the memory of Lloyd Billington. Special speaker for the 10:50 service was Dr. Elza Hawkins from Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma. The noon luncheon was followed by the reading of the history and letters of greetings from former ministers, members and friends. The congregation now goes ahead with the same dedication and determination as that of their ancestors and fellow Christian workers of 60 years ago. Rev. Patrick left the Church to serve his Lord in Nebraska in 1970. Now again the Church, the lighting ofthe birthday cake, and a service led by the youth of the Church. Church was left without a leader. During this The First Christian Church of Burlington looks forward to continuing its work for our Lord as it has done in the past happy, yet sometimes turbulent, years. Rev. Carter was called to Loveland, Colorado on a Church building mission. Rev. C. Wendelle Tolle answered our call and came to direct our spiritual needs, arriving in the fall of 1959. On November 6, 1950 we achieved another important goal. On this day we held a special meeting for the purpose of burning the pastor, the Rev. and Mrs. Norvil Underwood. Under their direction and untiring efforts, 31 members came into the Church. 12 by baptism and 19 by transfer. The Underwoods were with the Church for seven months. Their contributions to the Church were felt by their visitation, their expertise, program and management. In 1970 Rev. George Sanders and wife, mortgage. We had accomplished this feat by prayer, hard work and monetary giving on the part of the whole congregation. years; however, during their stay these items were presented as memorials - The cross on become a total church program. Profits have increased each year. This goes a long way in Hubert Dillion, who was the first president of the organization. The United States Flag was bought during this time. Also, a new The food booth at the County Fair has furthering the work of the Lord. It was during this time that a situation developed that was most unfortunate. Influence that came from the outside, contributed to the discontent of several families. Finally these families of their own volition left this church and formed another congregation known as the Burlington Christian Church. It is considered an "independent" congregation, not affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It is to Rev. Tolle's credit that he stayed on through most of this difficult period for the sake of the church. In the spring of 1964 Rev. C.W. Tolle left us to serve another congregation. Rev. Merandia, an interim minister, filled the pulpit time the Church was served by interim Barbara, came to gerve the Church. Somehow interest dropped off during the next two the communion table was given by the Christian Men's Fellowship in memory of Christian flag was bought from the carddund monies. Rev. Sanders resigned inL972. The church officers decided not to call an interim minister, but to fill the pulpit with local members. This proved very satisfactory. Dr. Don Sarton and his wife, Cathy, and two children were called to serve the Church in July L972. A reception was held in the Church Fellowship Hall to welcome the young minister and his family. Dr. Sarton brought much enthusiasm and hope to the whole Church body. He was very interested in the youth and this group grew accordingly. One high point during this time was the Witness Mission Week in March. Out of this �gpowth was the formation of a Prayer Group. Twelve young people accepted Jesus and were baptized. Eight adults transferred their The Sartons left the Church in November 1976 to accept a Church call in Loveland, Colorado. The church folk felt a great loss at membership. A cloth for the Communion table was given by the Ted Schnase family as a memorial to their grandparents. Also, the choir robes were given by Mrs. Mable Jewell in memory of her their leaving. sister, Mrs. Nina Christenson. Both gifts added much to the worship service. The Church enjoyed several years of a debt-free period in which everyone felt the freedom to relax after the long years of struggle that began in 1908. We have only to review the history of the lean times when the few dedicated Christians put their trust in God and their great faith in the future which brought this beautiful structure so far for so many new members to look at and to say "This is our Church where we are free to worship as we please." A public address system was installed in the Church sanctuary. In1973, with the help of the lay members of the United Methodist Church, a Lay Witness Mission Week-end, a new spiritfilled awareness of God's presence was experienced by many. This brought about prayer gloups. The year 1975 saw the plans for a larger educational and administration building. The study and plans committee were: Nina McCune, Wanda McClelland, Nada Jarnigan, Bessie Windscheffel, John Dobler, Jerry Brenner, Kent Harrel, Gary Peterson, Duane Smith. John McClelland and Ex-officio pastor Don Sarton and John Swick, Chairman. Architect was Johnson, Hobson and Associates out of Denver; Bob Root, principal Architect. General contractor was Herman Construction, Burlington, Colorado. Micky McCune was chairman of the board. The beautiful addition to the already beautiful Church was an outstanding edifice erected to honor the Glory of God. It was dedicated in 1976. The addition provided more class rooms, a game room for the youth, much needed Pastors study and Secretary offices. The kitchen and fellowship hall were enlarged. The spacious facilities are used by many organizations in the town. In 1978 the Church joined with the Colorado Christian Home in celebrating its 75th Anniversary. The Wee Blew Inn, a preschool, was begun in 2 rooms of the Church in 1979. Extended sessions began in 1979. This was a program for the little folks to attend during regular Church services. Work on the church was a spring project in 1979. The pews in the sanctuary were sanded and refinished. The baptistry and cry room were cleaned, painted, and repaired as needed. The roof on the fellowship hall was repaired. In 1971 the Government had approved the building of the low-income housing project in Burlington. Since a nonprofit organization had to be secured to sponsor this undertaking, the City Council approached the Church to do this. After much thought and prayer, the Church accepted the sponsorship of the project. The project was started in 1972, with the approval of the plans. The groundbreaking was in 1973. Completion in 1974. The housing consisted of three units, each containing 18 apartments; one, two, three and four bedrooms. Needless to say, this met the demands of many people. The complex became known as "The Burlington Manor". Rev. and Mrs. Norvil Underwood came to serve the Church in the absence of a minister. They spent many hours visiting to revive interests that had been overlooked in the months of building. Their special interests were the young people. Rev. and Mrs. Edward Barnes, along with their four children, came to the Church in June 1977 from lllinois. They came for an interview in February to witness the worst dust storm in the year; so many of the congregation remarked, "They will not return." But as Rev. Barnes said in his first sermon, "We have returned." The family was welcomed with a reception sponsored by the Membership Committce. The Church now faced the second phase of paying off the indebtedness incurred by the building of the educational unit completed the year before. Rev. Barnes was interested in the creation of workshop training programs. Bible studies and many other experiences that helped the Church grow. He also added much to the dignity and pride of the Church. He was a man of high ideals as well as spiritual values as shown in his attitude toward the congregation as well as with the town people. May 12, 1981, was Rev. Barnes last Sunday with the Church. From that date until the second week in July the pulpit was filled by local men. At this time, the Pulpit Committee was responsible for the speakers. In Septerrber of 1981 the Pulpit Commit- tee contacted the Rev. Kelby Cotton in Kentucky, who showed interest in coming to Colorado. After much conversation via telephone, a meeting was arranged with Rev. Cotton and the congregation. The Rev. Cotton and his wife, Lyn, with their infant daughter, Emily, arrived in November 1981 to a happy crowd of Christians who were eagerly awaiting their arrival. Needless to say the reception given for them was enjoyed by everyone. The Cottons brought youth to the church with many new ideas and much enthusiasm. It is apparent that with the love they brought with them and the loved returned to them, the Church will go forward in the years ahead. As the months went by the interest grew, with many inactive members returning to worship. The Elders Prayer Circle, held each Sunday morning at 9 o'clock, became the high point of inspiration to the leaders of the Church. In the twelve months the Rev. Cotton was Pastor, twenty-two people have given their lives to God either through baptism or transfer. In December 1982 the first woman to serve as elder was given the honor and privilege to serve her God and Church in this capacity. Mrs. Bill (Bobbie) Fisher was given this honor. This step showed a growth in the Christian attitude toward all people involved in the work of the whole Church, as well as love and respect for all persons. As this era in the life of the Church comes to a close. the "old bell" on the tall tower continues to ring each Sabbath Morning calling the folk to worship. With determined faith, we look forward toward years ofservice to God with thanks to the little band of brave Christians, who, in 1908, began this Church, giving it a foundation sound enough to stand these seventy-five years. by Mrs. Bill (Bobbie) Fisher, Ilistorian BETHEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH T289 The dreams of founding a church in Burlington actually began in 1965. Having finished a building program in Castle Rock, Colorado, Pastor William Behrman felt a restless stirring in his heart to pioneer a church in a new field. Believing that God wanted him to remain in Colorado, he obtained a map and, seeking the leading of the Lord, was drawn to a small dot called Burlington. With a small sum of money, a wife, five children, and a strong sense of God's direction in his heart, he made plans to pioneer a new work in Burlington. Under the direction of Pastor Behrman, Sunday School began in the home ofDon and Llmn Cave on the first Sunday in February, 1967. There were seven people in attendance. Four months later, the Behrmans moved to Burlington from their former pastorate, and on June 11, 1967, the first service was held with Brother and Sister Behrman as pastors. They came with the promise of one family and ninety dollars a month. Services continued in the hospitable atmo- sphere of the Cave home until July 16, when Revival services under the Gospel tent were held at the County Fairgrounds. There were 41 people present that first night while flashbulbs popped throughout the service as an inquisitive reporter from the Kansas City Star gathered news for the Saturday edition of the paper. Attendance reached nearly 100 in the tent meeting and many were drawn to the Lord. Services continued under the Big Top until the Burlington Elementary School was used, beginning September 3 with 34 in Sunday School. Plans to build began immediately and on October 23, 1967, a 9200 down payment was made on the present property. Groundbreaking services were held on March 31, 1968, inaugurating the construction ofthe church building. The partially completed church was the site of a July revival in which heavy rains failed to dampen the revival spirit as God blessed and people met God each night. By Christmas of 1968, we were able to have services in the sanctuary. Having only bare floors, folding chairs, and plywood over the windows, we sensed the blessing and the leading of the Lord. The original sanctuary was dedicated on January L7, L974. With the pressing need of space for Sunday School, another educational addition and office complex was constructed in 1975. In L978,\yr acres of land on Rose Avenue was purchased for the eventual construction of a new worship and educational facility. Groundbreaking ceremonies at the new site were held in 1986. The new building will be ready for occupancy in the spring of 1988. The church was begun as a home mission. With its growth, the missionary vision continues. There have been students from Bethel Assembly of God in Bible College continuously since 1973. There are presently 16 �first services in their own church building, purchased from Seibert, Colorado and moved onto a church-formed basement, located on 47 acres of land 5 miles west of Burlington on F't.24. The church started a day school in the fall of L977 and ran the school for one year. Dr. Paul Seanor continued as pastor until September, 1978. Reverend Eager assumed the position until March, 1979. :,ji;:.,:ri:ll tp::ilr1:t: New facilities under construction in 1988. In April of 1979, the church requested sponsorship from the Fellowship of Baptists for Home Missions. The Dick Stitzel Family, missionaries under F.B.H.M., began their ministry on Sunday, August 12th, 1979. It was also in August that the church voted to sell their 47 acres, with buildings, and seek land in the town of Burlington. The land and buildings were sold to one of the church deacons, who graciously allowed the church to continue holding services in the building until they could relocate in town. Eight lots on the west edge of Burlington were bought from the city in the spring of 1980. Ground breaking services were held May 31, 1981 and construction began in June. On Sunday, January 2, 1983, the church entered its new building. On March 5, 1983 at 2:00 P.M., the church gathered to dedicate their new building to the Lord. In 1987 the church building was sold and now houses the Senior Citizens Center. Our congregation joined with the Church of the Open Door in Burlington, CO. BURLINGTON GOSPEL CHAPEL T2gl Pioneering the new church in 1967 involved in the full time ministry plus several others in Bible Study and lay ministry. Over twenty years have passed since the dot on the map marking Burlington became a reality to Pastor Behrman, but the vision continues to grow and present a challenge to share Christ and His love with manv. by Pastor Behrman Burlington Gospel Chapel FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH T290 Early in 1975 a group of four families began to hold home Bible studies with Dr. Paul Seanor traveling weekly from Adam City, Colorado to hold classes. The fellowship was organized Sunday afternoon June 8, 1975, in the Burlington Community Center, where afternoon services has been held. At that meeting the name of Independent Faith Baptist Church of Burlington was chosen and the young church elected its first officers. Meetings were later moved to a small two-room building on Ross Avenue. On February 22,1976, the church held its The Burlington Gospel Chapel is located at 314 - 12th St. in Burlington, CO. It was built in 1948 and the dedication was held in the spring of 1949. As the church has no regular pastor, apparently there has been no history kept. The congregation has varied in numbers over the years, the largest crowd being some over 100. by Roy Johnson �LDS CHURCII, BURLINGTON Betty Hickman, Virgil and Evelyn Johnson, Bill Water, Alice Sparks, Marvin and Bernice T292 Gibson, Sylvia Rails, Charlotte Stosser, Basil and George Budge, Amanda, Merrill and Dale Clark, Mrs. M.B. Middleton, Max and Gloria Wamsley, Mable Letcher, Marion Cook and family. In August, 1966, the 4Square Building at 17th and Donelan was rented for $15.00 a month, still a Dependent Sunday School on Scott City. Bobby Knudsen was in charge. New members moving in were: Bobby, EdnaLee, Robert, Eric, Edward and Anita Knudsen; Edward, Janice, Galen, Bruce, and Sandra Marie Cole; Leslie, Juani- ta, Lynn, Lester Mark, Lance and Loretta (Kris) Davis; Lonnie, Tora, Jami Lynn and Devin Dunn, and Gerold Delehoy. Year 1967 the first missionaries to the area Elders Smith and Wallberger. New members were: Jo Clare Mangus; Guy and Maurene Kuttler; Robert and Judy Watts; Ted, Gwen, James, Burlington Branch LDS Church from 1972 to 1980 This is the story of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints - Burlington Branch 1960-1988. The Sunday School teachers in 1960 were Virgil Johnson and Myrtle Collins. Members met in the homes of Betty Hickman and Myrtle Collins and attended services in Scott City, Ks. We were a Dependent Sunday School on Scott City, at this time. Members were, Myrtle Collins, Reno, and Barbara Killian; Sanford and Bruce Taylor; Carl and Dean Mullis; Judy Lance; Ken Burdick. Gwen Killian conducted the 1st. MIA for the young people. In June 1968, the Billington family moved to Burlington, to take over the family farm. The Knudsens moved to Burlington and rented a house from Mollie Gross. Year 1969 the Relief Society held meetings, and year 1970 found the Church still growing, with Brother and Sister Larsen, missionaries, attending. During this year, during a dust storm, a car in which Roberta Uhren of Wichita, Ks. was riding, ran under a big truck that had jackknifed in the road. She was taken to the hospital in Goodland, expected to die. Bobby Knudsen, the presiding Elder, gave her a blessing, promising that she would live. A daughter, Barbara Cook, came and took her mother to Wichita. Barbara and her mother paid a return visit to the Burlington Branch in 1977 and thanked Brother Knudsen. Year 1971 found the Church in the Colorado-New Mexico Mission. In the year 197172, Pat Billington was in charge of Primary and doing the secretarial job also. Seminary class was taught by Janice Cole. In June 1972 Bobby Knudsen was released as Presiding Elder. Several baptisms were performed in July at Bonny Dam. Sept., 1972, the lst. Annual Branch Conference was held; we are now an Independent Branch. The lst presidency is: Richard Chisholm, Pres. Lawrence Burkey, lst Counsellor. DeWayne Glazier, 2nd Counsellor. Patricia Billington, Relief Society Pres. Jo Clare Mangus, 1st Counsellor. Cheryl Condit, Sec. Sunday School Supt. Dewayne Glazier, lst assistant, Bobby Knudsen, Maurene Kuttler, Sec. Supt of YMIA, Bobby Knudsen. Pres. of YWMIA, Jeanette Glazier. Primary President, Norma Burkey, 1st Counsellor, Cheryl Condit. Librarian, Carla Billington. In January 1973, we had a recorded 106 members in our Branch. In Sept. Pres. Chisholm moved to Nebraska, released of the presidency. Lawrence Burkey is sustained and set apart as the new Branch President, with DeWayne Glazier and Merrill Clark as his counsellors. In Oct. the 2nd Annual Branch Conference was held. In April 14,L974, Robert Lowe is sustained as Sunday School President. On June 30, Bobby Knudsen was released as Elder's Group Leader; James Baker was sustained and set apart as the new Elder's Group Leader. On July 23, the Primary held a Pioneer gathering at the Burkey home in honor of the Mormon Pioneers who reached the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, L847. Pioneer attire was worn; pioneer food was served. Stories of early pioneers were told and songs were sung by the Primary children. On Sept. 29, the 3rd Annual Branch Conference was held. Year 1975 finds a change in the membership again, several families moved out, and new ones moving in. The 4th Annual Branch Conference was held the 28 of Sept. We are now in the Colorado - Denver Mission. We start fund raising projects for our building fund. Year 1976, the membership is now 111. March 17, the Relief Society held its birthday party at Pat Billington's home. A delicious Mexican dinner was prepared by the Silvestre Garcia family. May 10, 1976 various church members went to look at the Ja-ss house, with the thought of a possible purchase to convert it to a Chapel. Salt Lake did not approve it. The Relief Society and the Priesthood had a booth at the Little Britches Rodeo; they called it "Grandmother's Pan- try" to help raise money for the building fund. In August, Maurene Kuttler was sustained as Relief Society Pres., Julia Baxter and Pat Billington as counsellors, Norma Burkey as sec. Sept. 8, Charles Seymour located some land across from the cemetery in Burlington. Lawrence Burkey talked to the owner, Les Patterson, regarding the purchase of it. New families moving in were; Leon Budd and family, Ivan Cole and family. Leon Budd will be the assistant Mgr. of the Co-op. Linda Budd is sustained as the Primary Pres. Glenda Cole and Bonnie Bryant is the Grandmother's Pantry at Little Britches, June 12, 19?6 counsellors. Leon Budd is sustained as Branch Clerk. November 23. the Fifth An- �Couns. Peggy Norman and Mary Larsen; Sec. Frances Hamblin; Primary Pres. Cheryle Lowe; Couns. Judy Ballensky and Sally Gaily; Sec. Norma Burkey; Sunday School Pres. Lester Davis; Couns. Adam Burkey; Sec. Pat Billington. April 13, a change in meeting schedules is recommended by Salt Lake to help cut down on travel expense. Juanita Davis is sustained at Chorister in Primary; Peggy Norman is sustained as Nursery Leader in Primary. May and June finds members working on the sprinkler systems, digging out the trenches several times, due to the rain storms filling them up several times. July 13, we have a new family, James and Maxine Matthews and daughters. He is the new superintendent of the Vona-Seibert Schools. Oct., 1980 the Branch has 146 members on record. Oct. 5, we get General Conference piped into our Chapel from Salt Lake. Oct. 13, we put grass in at the Chapel. Many hours of service, fund raising projects; our goal was $28,000.00, for our part. Up to this time my history was taken from history written by Norma Burkey. The following years will be condensed, I have tried to get as many names as possible, however some will be left out. Everyone has been important to the building up of our Lord's Church here in the Burlington area. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Burlington, occupied in early 1980 The Presidency changed three times, Wes Ballensky, 1981-82. Don Frankham 1982-85. James Matthews 1985 to the present time 11988. The Relief Society changed three times, Cheryl Low 1981-82, Aggie Hamilton 19831986, Juanita David 1986, to the present time. The Primary Presidents, Sharon Wyatt, Mary Kaye Baum, (President now). Patricia Billington is YWMIA President now. The Relief Society is the women's organi- nual Branch Conference was held, the new presidency, Leon Budd, Pres. Lawrence sustained as Pres.; Wes Ballensky and Timothy Tucker as Counsellors; Lawrence Burkey Burkey and Dale Baxter, as counsellors. Dec. 23, the Primary and Sunday School presented a Christmas Program telling of the birth of Christ. Santa arrived at the party with sacks of candy for the children. In the summer of 1977 more families are added to as Clerk; Mike Marting, Elder's Quorum the Burlington Branch: Hugh and Peggy Norman and children, Michael and Barbara Marting and children, Irene Owens, Ivo and Barbara Peterson and daughter, Connie Pemberton and son, John and Cheryl Lowe and son. August 1977, three acres were purchased from Ralph and Lester Peterson. The title is final this month. It is located on 15th St., west of the Burlington Cemetery. Pres. Budd pledged March 1, 1978, as the date to start the new Chapel. In December we have the Wes Ballensky family move in; he is the Pharmacist at Pangborns. June 11, 1978, changes in the Presidency are Hugh Norman Pres., Lawrence Burkey and Michael Marting Counsellors, Wes Ballensky, branch Clerk. Jo Clare Mangus, the Relief Society Pres., Bunnie Bryant and Peggy Norman as Counsellors. Sept. 3, President Norman announced that the Church Presidency in Salt Lake has approv- ed the Church building plans. Oct. 19, President Hugh Norman performs the marriage of Lance Davis and Lori Holm at the home of Les and Juanita Davis in Stratton. Oct.22, a new family of 11join our Branch, Paul and Frances Hamblin. March 18, 1979, the 8th Annual Branch Conference was held. Paul Hamblin was Pres.; Sunday School Pres. John Lowe; lst Couns. Lester Davis: Sec.. Lori Davis: Pres. of YM Lance Davis, Pres. of YW Barbara Marting, Primary Pres. Pat Billington; Couns., Judy Ballensky; Sec., Norma Burkey; Music chairman, Cheryl Lowe; Librarian Norma Burkey and Bunnie Bryant. This is the 1st conference held at the rented Chapel at Donelan and 17th, and 75 members attended. April 29, Lance Davis is sustained as Priest's Quorum Advisor. July 1, Lori Davis is sustained as YWMIA Leader: Adam Burkey is sustained as 2nd Couns. in Sunday School. August 4, 1979 that long awaited day: "Ground Breaking" Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. Many members and visitors were present. After the Ground Breaking, we met at the Burlington Park for punch and cookies. August 8, MIA met at the Lance Davis home in Stratton, for a cookout in honor of Susan Billington and Elitha Pelton. Sept. 14, 1979 our cookbook is organized and sent to the publishers with 450 recipes from the sisters in the Branch. October found members working on the sprinkler system. In Nov. and Dec. we have more fund raising projects. Febr. 1980, the members started to paint the outside of the new Chapel. March 16, 1980, the Burlington Branch held its 9th Annual Conference in the New Chapel; 103 members are present. Sustained this day are: Pres. Paul Hamblin; Couns., Wes Ballensky and Harold Fillmore; Clerk, Lawrence Burkey; Relief Society Pres. Jo Clare Mangus; zation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. The Mission of the Relief Society is to help women: 1 - Have faith in God and build individual testimonies of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 - Strength- en the families of the Church. 3 - Render compassionate service. 4 - Sustain the priesthood. The Primary is an organized program of instruction and activity in the LDS Church for children between the ages of3 and 12. Its purpose is to teach children they are children of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that Heavenly Father and Jesus love them. They are helped to grow in their understanding of the gospel plan and are provided with opportunities to put these principles into practice. The Primary colors are red for Courage, Yellow for service, and Blue for Truth. Just as these colors are the foundation from which all others are developed, so are Primary teachings the foundation on which children build firm testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Children meet weekly on Sunday for religious instruction from the Bible, The Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. The children also worship through music. Some of these songs are rmong the most beautiful children's songs in publication today. They are happy songs with wonderful messages. Primary activity days are scheduled during a week day, quarterly. These activities encourage children to interact with each other and have wholesome fun through involvement in physical, cultural, creative and service events. Activity days are sometimes held just for the �children or they are coordinated with other family activities. One of the most recent activities was a special Christmas fanily evening. All the members of the children's families were invited. The members sat in an informal semi-circle while the children pre- sented the Nativity. Each child placed a figurine upon a display table for all to view, then explained how the object related to the birth of the Christ Child. During the presentation all joined in with appropriate scripture readings and Christmas Carols. A story about Jolly Old St. Nick tied in symbolic giving of Santa with the birth of Baby Jesus. Santa concluded the program by carrying Baby Jesus to the manger and placing him inside while families sang "Silent Night". Santa stayed to visit with the children, giving them treats and make out his Christmas gift list while Moms and Dads munched on Christmas goodies and punch. Dec. 20, 1987 - Members met at the Church for a Christmas caroling party, after returning from caroling, chili and hot chocolate was enjoyed by all. January 10, our High councilmen and their families came to our Church Services. This was also Pot Luck Sunday. (When we have Stake visitors we prepare dinner for them ag it is a long way to drive to and from Denver.) All the ladies of the ReliefSociety prepare hot dishes, salads, and desserts for the meal. Our membership at the people. present time is 59 families - 135 during We the had six families move away summer and fall of 1987. We have two new families moving in this month. "Self-judgement in any direction is a hazardous pastime. It is a fact of life that the direction in which we are moving is more important than where are." Elder Marvin J. moved to Burlington to serve St. Paul's and Immanuel's, located eleven miles N.E. of Bethune. He conducted two services every Sunday, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, alternating each Sunday. This arrangement lasted the entire time that Pastor Woelber served the two congregations. In 1931 a frnme, three bedroom parsonage was built next to the basement church. In the mid thirties the Great Depression plus four years ofdrought caused many people to leave the Burlington area. In the 1940's better crops were being raised and following World War II with a rising economy, plans for a new sanctuary were considered. Pastor Woelber served both congregations faithfully for seventeen years and in 1947 accepted a call to Loveland, Colorado. In February 1947 Rev. L.C. Johnson was called to serve, and under his leadership the vision of a new sanctuary became a reality. The erection of the new church presented faithfully served the church until the close of harmony with the nature of this territory and fitting the general pattern of the buildings of purchased, the foundation was laid Nov. 1927. The church was then located just west of where it is today. During the assembly year of 1927 and up to the fall of 1928 the church was without a pastor the major part of the time. Sister Elizabeth Clifford assumed the responsibility of work and regular Sunday Services. Had it not been for the devote and unending efforts of this saintly woman, there would doubtless not be a Church of the Nazarene decision was made to build a modified Spanish Mission style, one that would be in the city of Burlington. The brick structure was built largely by members of the congregation. Records reveal that a total of 1589 man days and 113 evenings were donated. The church furniture represented a great deal of work. The altar, pulpit, lectern, kneeling rail, and pews were all made at the site. Solid oak was brought in by some men of the congregation, nanely Leonard Krebs and Orvel Aeschlimann. The wood was FIRST ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CIIURCH T293 from debt. During the pastorate of Flossie Plummer leaving the older one free to be used primarily as a Christian Education Building. The building was given the name of The Alpha House. Through the years a continuation of improvements was noted. For sixty years First St. Paul's eontinues H.J. Diekhoff 1926-1928: Otto Kloeckner 1928-1930; H.L. Woelber 1930-1947; L.C. Johnson L947-L9542 Dennis Mueller 19541956; Donald Flesner 1956-1961; Walter Rath 1961-1969; Roy Jorgensen 1969-1972; Keith Hedstrom L972-1977; Wayne Mesecher 1977- by Leona (Fanselau) TYiedman First St. Paul's Lutheran Church was affiliated with the United Lutheran Church of America. It was incorporated in 1926, and the Rev. H.J. Diekhoff was called to serve as a resident pastor. In the same year plans were laid to build a new church but financial conditions did not warrant completion, thus, only a basement structure with a flat roof was completed. In 1930 Pastor H.L. Woelber and family and Esther West in 1944-1949, these women with their own hands helped to dig the basement to move the church to its present location on the corner of Lowell Avenue and 15th Street. In 1984, Rev. Richard Messer and his family accepted the call to minister and have faithfully served our church ever since. Under his pastorate the church is now operating in the black and has a strong and faithful congregation. The Fellowship Hall was remodeled in 1986 and we currently have plans to remodel the sanctuary. Current members are: Rev. Richard and Elaine Messer; Rev. J.V. and Bessie Walden, Ida Ernest, Dixie Hasart, Ron and Cindy Richardson, Faith Hase, Gene and Betty Kirby and Annabel Taylor. 1986; Mary Wahto 1986. in charge. This organization then became On April 7, 1929 the church, under the held May 9, 1948. In 1968 a new brick parsonage was built motto remains, "May we help you?" Pastoral Ministry: C. Goede 1925-1926; organized on June 8, 1925 under the leadership of Rev. G.K. Wienke and Rev. C. Coede in Burlington. the building and furniture. Dedication was to provide the Burlington community with the Living Word of God and is a strong influence in the lives of many people. The Firet St. Paul's Lutheran Church. assembly year of June 1927. Plans were made immediately after organization and pledges taken to erect a church building, a lot being pastorate of Rev. Oren Maple, was dedicated to God and in Oct. 1929 the last note on the property was paid and the church set free of Arkansas. It took 972 months to complete by Juanita Davie Charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. Carl Patton, Mrs. Priscilla Linn, Marion Koutz, Fred Patton, Mrs. Olive Arnett, Mrs. Alice Ackerman, Mrs. Clara Fender, Mrs. Elizabeth Clifford, Iris Clifford, Miss Patton and Mrs. Joe Joos. Rev. Earl Manly was called as pastor and a spirit of cooperation and unity emongst a group ofpeople that is seldom paralleled. The trucked by farm trucks from the oak forest Ashton. The Church of the Nazarene. CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE T2S4 On Sept. L2, L926 the Burlington Church of the Nazarene was organized with 12 charter members, fruits of a revival held by Rev. C.W. and Florence Davis, District Superintendent and Evangelist for the Colorado District. Church pastors: Rev. Earl Manly, Rev. J.E. Zimmerman, Rev. Arthy Gossett, Sister Elizabeth Clifford, Rev. Oren Maple, Rev. J.E. Zimmerman, Rev. Edwin W. Reed, Rev. Harold Ripper, Rev. J.E. Shamblin, Supply pastor F.W. Holstein of Stratton, Rev. Harold McKelleps, Rev. A.C. Mize, Rev. Henry Goode, Rev. R.C. Bentley, Flossie Plummer and Esther West, Rev. Raymond Cotton, Rev. E. George Greiner, Gene Hudgens, Donald Hicks, Donald Guy, Henry Schott, Rev. Floyd Totten, Rev. Garfield Dixon, Supply pastor Orvel Gibson, Rev. Henry Schott, Supply pastor Rev. Townsend, Rev. Kenneth Jagger, Rev. Robert Bauer, Rev. Cleo Elsberry, Rev. Gerald Bell, Rev. Ray- �mond Burton, Rev. James P. Bailey, and Rev. Richard L. Messer. by Dixie Hasart SAINT CATIIERINE OF SIENNA T296 TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH T295 Trinity Lutheran Church was organized on February 11, 1923. Seven families were St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church and rectory at 18th and Martin, Burlington. represented at this meeting. Prior to this time, Rev. F.W. Bierwagen of Flagler, Stratton and other points had conducted services in the homes of some of the members: W.J. Sellman, near Kanorado, Kansas; H.D. Klinker, J. Lueken, and Victor Olsen all of occasionally even baled hay for pews. Sometimes the services were held in the armory. Some of the early day families in the congregation were: the Vogts, Shannons, Westgarths, Dorings, Binards, Kellys, Dan- Burlington. Later, services were held at the Odd Fellows Hall, the basement of the Bank of Burlington, the basement of First St. Paul's The first Catholic services held in Burlington were in about 1910. Around that time, a small group of Catholic families succeeded iels, Eschs, Koenigs and Gergens. In 916, the small congregation, working with Father Keiffer, who was then pastor of St. Charles in Stratton, erected the main part of the frame and stucco church on the corner of 18th and Martin. Frank Hoffman applied stucco in 1939. Additions were added at a later date. The property was donated by A.W. Winegar. From then on Mass was usually celebrated once a week in Burlington, unless the pastor from Stratton was unable to get here because of the weather or bad roads. Priests from Stratton who ministered to the Burlington mission were: Fr. Kieffer, Fr. Schmidt, Fr. Munich, Fr. Ernest, Fr. Spehar, and Father Dinan. The parish continued to grow through the determined efforts of the Altar and Rosary Society whose members held various money making projects to furnish and maintain the church. A proud day was the purchase of the first electric organ. In 1950, on the promise from the archbish- Springs to hold services in Burlington about once a month. The services were held in homes. with chairs, wooden benches, and enough money to build the rectory. Fr. Dinan supervised the construction. Fr. Joseph Lane was the first resident Pastor in Burlington. Lutheran Church (A.L.C.) the Christian Church and the Nazarene Church of Bur- lington. An effort to obtain its own house of worship was initiated by the Rev. Beins and the members of 1930, but not until 1941 was a building fund established and the "God's Acre" plan was adopted to build up the fund. There was a resolution to build in September of 1943. However, a church from Southwest of Burlington was bought and moved into Burlington at l2th and Donelan and on November 26,L944 Trinity Lutheran Church was dedicated to the Glory of God. In 1948 The congregation was privileged to celebrate its 25th anniversary in that church. The Rev. F.W. Bierwagen served Trinity in the years 1920-192L. Rev. H.L. Buesing also served as student pastor during this period. Other pastors serving the congregation were Rev. Edmund Weber, Rev. C. Adam, then in 1925 Trinity installed its first pastor, the Rev. W. Wilk. Those who followed are Rev. H.R. Beeins, Rev. E.C. Schmidt, Rev. C.E. Kleber, Rev. Walter Malinsky, Rev. Walter J. Bartling, Rev. Dale Schultz, Rev. Ronald Leach, Rev. Alfred Schubkegel, Rev. Carl Cunningham, Rev. John Chovan, Rev. Douglas Lenser, Rev. Robert Graul, and Rev. David Ahlman. In 1963 The Stewardship Committee began working on plans for a new church since the congregation was out-growing the one they had. The property at 7th and Senter was Father Joseph Lane, first pastor at St. Catherine's in Burlington. Burlington, Co. in arranging for a priest from Colorado op of a resident pastor, the parish raised '.t purchased and ground breaking services were held on May 17, 1964. The cornerstone was laid on August 2, L964 and a local contractor was hired to do the building. On November 29, L964 Trinity's new house of worship was dedicated. On April 5, 1970 a special mortgage burning service was held. In September 1971 the old parsonage at 10th and Lowell was sold and a new parson- t:,:;:::;.1; :'::4,,i::t;) age was built at 365 gth St. It was finished in Mid-August of L972. St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Stratton, Colorado, was the mother church of Trinity and when they disbanded, the bell from the tower of that church was given to Trinity. A stand for it was built on the lawn of Trinity ir.:.li'l:l',] 'ii:u:arrrli and it was dedicated on Sunday, September . 19.1982. by Bill Deines The new church building completed in 19?6. �He became well known and loved in the community and was also a source of some awe, as he owned and flew his own airplane. Following Fr. Lane were Fr. Slattery, Fr. Gallagar, Fr. Mclnerney, Fr. Brunning, Fr. Sobiesczyk, Fr. Wm. Murphy, Fr. Edward Leonard, and now Fr. John Krenzke, in 1988. In recent years, when "standing room only" conditions sometimes resulted in spite of two services each weekend, it became apparent that some kind of building project would have to be undertaken. With Fr. Mclnerney's encouragement, the parish council, in 1969, established a parish building fund and held the first building drive. Regular monthly collections were taken for the building fund and many other fund raising activities were held by the parish, including the annual Mardi Gras and the lunch booth at the county fair. As the building fund grew, so did the needs of the congregation. After assessing the future needs of the parish, the parish council in 1974 received archdiocesan approval to purchase a larger property, and began plans for a combined church and pastor's apartment. A three fourths block of property was purchased from Pat Andrews on the east side of Burlington, and Henry DeNicola, an architect from Denver, was retained to design the structure. After final approval of the plans by the council and the Archdiocesan Building Commission, a contract was signed with Don Herman of Burlington to begin construction. Ground breaking ceremonies were held Sunday, August 31, 1975. The first Mass in the new church was July 3, 1976, and Archbishop Casey dedicated the church that year. Instrumental in bringing the congregation to this proud moment were the members of the parish council and the pastor Rev. W. Murphy. The parish council members during the two years the church was being built, who donated a tremendous amount of time and effort to this cause were: Phil Loos, Pres. of the council, and also Grand Knight of Burlington Knights of Columbus Council, Pete Strick, vice-pres. of the parish council; Darlene Dvorak, recording sec.; Mary Korbelik, financial sec.; Duane Ridder, financial chairman; Ernest Tomes, parish council organization coordinator; Joan Tomes, pres. of Altar and Rosary Society; Kathy Foos, religious education chairman; and Carl Dvorak, chairman of the parish stewardship progmm and building fund chairman. The mortgage was retired in December 1986. Future plans are to add a wing to be used for religious education and social activities. by Mrs. Carl Dvorak WILLIAM HOGATE POST 6497 T297 members. Lawrence J. Pugh served as the first Commander. Military Order of the Cootie Flatlander Pup Tent 19, Organized March 11, 1950, with 25 Charter members. Lawrence J. Pugh served as the first Seam Squirrel. Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars William Hogate Post 6491. Organized December 29,1947 with47 Charter members. Fern Reynolds served as the first President. Post home located at 48678 Snead Drive. Meeting nights for V.F.W. and Auxiliary members the first and third monday of each month. Cootie meeting nights the third Wednesday. by Gene Kirby The 80th Annual Convention of the Colorado Federation of Women's Clubs was held in Burlington,May 5-7,1975. Our project in 1976, was to donate the money to restore the Carousel, which was Kit Carson's Bicentennial project. We donate yearly to the Colorado Boys Ranch, Care, Penny Art, Minnie L. Hardin, M.S. Society, Burlington Public Library, and make tray favors for the local hospital for the month of December. The Burlington Women's Club and Inter Sese Club will host the Pikes Peak District Convention, Sat., April 16, 1988, in Bur- INTER SESE CLUB by Ina Gay T298 1914-1988 The InterSese Club was organized in 1914 and joined the State and General Federation in 1917. The members worked in and with the Red Cross during the war years of 1917-1g19. GREEN VALLEY EXTENSION CLUB T299 We sponsored the first Christmas tree in Burlington in 1919 and sacked a few treats. This has grown through the years and the club now sacks 1200 sacks of candy for this annual community project. Fruit baskets are also delivered to the shut-ins. In 1921, we sponsored the Burlington Library and $25.00 is donated yearly for the purchase of new books and a Memorial Book is placed on the Memorial shelf for deceased members. The club helped to beautify the City Park by planting and caring for the trees and also helped to beautify the court house Iawn. The annual Mother's Tea was started in 1923, with just the members mothers. Now over 250 invitations are hand delivered to all the ladies 65 and older within the city limits. Favors and refreshments are made by club members and the event is held the last meeting in April. 40th anniversary in May, 1986. L. to R.: Nola Mangus, Bernice Eberhart, Naomi Gilbert Walters, Bertha Hines and Alma Davis. In May 1930, the Inter Sese Club hosted the seventh annual Pikes Peak Dist. convention. Some of the events we have sponsored are: an Art Show during National Art Week in 1935; Placed an electric fountain in the City Park in 1937; started a Cemetery Improvement Association in 1941; Sponsored a Girl Scout Group and gave books to the Limon City Library; gave 9808.37 to the Kit Carson Memorial Hospital and articles of 6 &* clothing were sent to the Greek Orphan Relief in 1947. Several Memorial trees were planted on the Hospital grounds and money donated to a Nurses Scholarship Fund. We entered the contest "Build a Better Community" by sponsoring the Annual Easter Seal Sale and helped several crippled children receive Medical attention in 1948-49. During the World War II years, Inter Sese sent clothing packages to several families in Germany. In 1960-62, during the "Lets Share Happi- ness" we sent boxes of clothing to the Pueblo Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United State Hospital. A Pioneer Doll Contest was sponsored in 1964. The 50th Anniversary of The Burlington Charter was organized on March 6, 1946, William Hogate Post 6491. The post was orsanized with 61 Charter used as a Museum. lington. Veterans of Foreign T[ars States Two Heirloom Fairs were sponsored, and from this came the idea of a Museum in Burlington. While plans were being drawn up, the Penny family home was given to be Inter Sese was celebrated in 1964. We raised funds to purchase an ice maker for the Kit Carson Memorial Hospital in 1968, amountins to around Sl ^O00- 1987 members, L. to R.; Back row, Kathy Dowd, Jo Nell Monroe, Bernice Eberhart, Jeanne Gantz. Front, L. to R.; Lyla Davis Enyart, Naomi Gilbert Walters, Alma Davis, Mildred Hines and Minnie Schmidt. 1946-1986 The Green Valley Extension Club was organized Jan. 8, 1946 at the Green Valley School with Naomi Gilbert as President. Nell Schmidt, Vice Pres. Nola Mangus, Sec. Treas. Other members included Rose Korbel- ik, Persis Mangus, Bernice and Lena Eb- erhart, Gladys Demaree, Alma Davis, Esther Mtrlnh Fla*ho lfi-ao l\t"-+l- pi-^^. Itl^- �Our county made special "Tote Bage" for the National Extension Homemakers Meeting held in Estes Park in June of 1986. A carousel lion was the logo for the tote bag, and they were rated Outstanding. Lyle Enyart and Bernice Eberhart attended that National Meeting. For our 30 Anniv. we invited former members. On the 35th, we all went out to dinner at the Ramada Inn. In 1986, on our 40 Anniv. we invited some 40 former memberg to a very special party at the Prairie Pines Country Club. We did sort Back row, L. to r.; Nyla Loutzenhiser, Florence Mills, Katherine Diekman and Diana Miller. Front row. Eileene Morrell and Avis Schritter ence Duffey, Martha Kaestener, Julia Broad- sword, Ona Gillespie, and Leatha Sprinkle' Joining the next year were Lyla Davis, Viola Brown, Marjorie Jacobs, and Thelma Snelling. Bertha B. Wear was the County Exten- sion Agent and she was instrumental in getting the club organized. The club was active in all of the educational aspects of home economics, taking advantage of as many lessons as possible in the area of homes and families, making that the highest thought of every homemaker. Green Valley was also active in the County organization, of a replay of the activities during the forty years. Then we honored the 11 deceased members with a memorial service. The entertainment was re-doing some of the fun times, like the Negro Minstrel, The Mock Wedding, etc. The record of the 10th Anniv. was played and was enjoyed by all. Naomi Gilbert Walters was the only charter member and she was presented a corsage. Kathy Dowd was the Colorado Young Homemaker, served on the State Board, helped at the State Meeting in Sterling, June 16-19. Naomi Walters was the District I North Star Award winner. Lyla Enyart, Kathy Dowd and Bernice Eberhart attended that State Meet- and A Silly Style Show. Money was donated to many worthwhile causes. and we went all-out for the Cancer Fund. All but one of the members who have died. died of cancer. Donations were also ladies lounge, East Central Disability Center, Carson County History Book. Signed, The Green Valley Gals Every year they entertained another club or invited guests to a Special Tea in honor of National Homemakers Week. Among those festivities were a Mock Wedding, a Negro Minstrel, A Hobo Party, A Hawaiian Luau, A School Days Party, An International Tea, A Linkletter House Party, A Carnival, A May Pole Brunch, An Old Fashioned Tea, Making and Wearing Silly Hats, A Trip to Ireland, made to 4H, Girl Scouts, BoYs Ranch, Hospital incubator, baby things, Flight For Life, Grace Manor Rest Home, lap robes, Ft. Lyons, The Carousel, and for a nursing scholarship. There were baby showers, wedding showers, funeral dinners and House warmings. We assisted Bertha Wear on a trip to Hawaii in 1965. Each year we prepared a fair booth and received some Grand Qfiampions, Reserve Champions, and lots and lots of Blue ribbons. We made a float for homecoming and also an entry in the Mike Lounge Parade. A state bird quilt was made in 1951 and raffled off at the County Fair. On our 10th Anniversary, As it was just after World War II, we adopted a family in Holland that needed help due to the war. The Marshal Plan made it easy for us to pack a barrel with coffee, sugar, and cocoa, along with clothes and ship it overseas for less than $5.00. It was a very enjoyable project for many years. We later sent just money so they could buy the things that they needed. Mr. Rhoada, a fellow from Ireland, very kindly translated the letters for us. The Club had numerous projects such as the School Lunch Progrom, fair booth, 4-H Club, taking part in all County Council meetings, serving food at sales, Red Cross lessons, school eye exams, entertaining at other clubs, carnivals, and helping the men with the Gun Club, etc. Due to so many of the people moving to town or out of the community, plus several of the ladies that were left starting working outside the home, it was necessary to close out the club in about 1980. It will always be remembered as a bright spot in the neighbor- hood for nearly forty years. by Velma T[alstrom ing. Through the 40 years we have had some 46 members enrolled. We still have four of the ones who joined that first year - Naomi Walters, Lyla Enyart, Alma Davis and Bernice Eberhart. Other members on the roll in 1986 include, Minnie Schmidt, Mildred Hines, Eileene Morrell, Avis Schritter, JoNell Monroe, Kathy Dowd, Esther Wilcox, Irene Kennedy, Florence Mills, Katherine Diekman, Jeannie Gantz, Ina Gay, Nyla Loutzenhiser, Diana Miller and Oea Ann Payne. In those early years, this club was about the only social function for most of the homemakers, and it still remains one of the special get-to-gether times for most of us. We are members holding many of the county offices. the community. proud to be one of the entries in the Kit by Bernice Eberhart THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE HOME DEMONSTRATION CLUB BURLINGTON WOMEN'S CLUB T30r This club was organized as the Burlington Junior Club under the sponsorship of Inter Sese Club on January 28, 1938, and was federated the same year. There were nine charter members, none of whom are still in the club. However several of the early members are now finishing 42 to 46 years of membership. In 1941, the club grew up and became Burlington Woman's Club. In the same year we began to organize a junior club of our own became Quo Vadis Club. As we look back through the years, we see them filled with accomplishments, gleaming with warm ties of friendship and enhanced by personalities that have striven to make a great organization, always working for the betterment of the community, the nation, and the world. In the forty-eight years of the the KXXX Radio Station in Colby came out T300 club's existence many women have come and gone from our membership, blessing us for a time with their talents, their helpfulness, their inspiration, and their love. Many are the projects undertaken by the club in a wonderful spirit of fellowship. During World War II, with a definite goal and something vitally important to work for, our Mangus was presented the "Good Neighbor Award." We have it on a record and we play it at other Anniv. parties. We served lunch at farm sales, and had family picnics. We have an annual Birthday On February 4, L947, the ladies of the Smoky Hill Community met at the home of Bessie Ogle with the County Home Demon- Federation project of buying a bomber. We collected hundreds of pounds of silk and goodies for widowers of former members, and Matthews, Vice-President; and Velma Walstrom, Secretary. and did a "Hello Neighbor Party." Persis party, a christmas gift exchange, made helped deliver hot meals to shut-in senior citizens. Selling Texas Manor Fruit Cakes is a money making project since 1976. We collect Pennies for Friendship every meeting. A One-Act Play was presented by the club in 1952. It won first place in the county and then went to State where it won first place directors award. It was directed by Bernice Eberhart. stration Agent, Mrs. Bertha B. Wear, as the presiding officer until officers were elected. Elected was Bessie Ogle, President; Jane The charter members were Lettie Butterfield, Flo Chapin, Irma Collins, Alice Daniels, Flora Drager, Leona Guffy, Amanda Jansen, Jane Matthews, Wanda McClelland, Hazel Morton, Wilma Norton, Bessie Ogle, Ethel Pearce, Inez Richardson, Ruby Scott, Grace Sissell, and Velma Walstrom. Each year we added more members, and some moved from activities increased. We bought $15'700 worth of defense bonds to help the General nylon hose to be reused for parachutes, helped the Girl Scouts collect grease, and pounded out 11,000 pounds of tin cans so the tin could be salvaged. Members gave blood, donated to the War Chest, and also filled and shipped many kit bags for the soldier. A war bond auction was sponsored at which the auction of donated merchandise resulted in the sale of $65,750 worth of war bonds. We helped in the collection of used clothing to ship to war torn countries and helped in the Red Cross drives. Two destitute English families were adopted by the club. Packages �of clothing and food were sent to them for several years for which we received many letters of appreciation and thanks. For several of the early years the club sponsored the Christmas Seal carnpaign, but since 1950 our special project has been sponsoring the annual Heart Fund drive. The first year we collected $246 while the 1985 total was $2,732. Burlington Woman's Club has always supported the town library with our time and donation of books and money. Several members served on the library board, and volun- teers conducted a summer children's story hour. When Kit Carson County Hospital was built, the club raised $500 for furnishing a room, then more to tile the room and buy drapes. In later years we sponsored the Pink Ladies and held a raffle to raise money for landscaping the front hospital yard. Our special project for 1985 was carpeting the entry, reception room, and offices. Over the years the club has also donated to many other worthwhile causes such as polio, cancer, Red Cross, Easter Seals, Save the Children, and others. Contributions of gifts and money have been made to Colorado Boy's Ranch, and we have helped send a girl to Girls State for manyyears. The needy in Burlington have never been forgotten at Christmas time nor any time the need was known. The means to support these numerous projects has not come easily. With each member contributing her time, energy, and ingenuity, we have used many money making schemes from traveling teas to food sales, They were the post having the "largest and the smallest" persons in World War I. They were Rube Pratt and Jack Magee. In 1987 they were forced to turn in their charter because of the death of most of their membership. All members have good memories of the good times they had in the past. by Henry Hoskin, Final Adjutant. RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM T303 When Betty Goss was co-ordinator in 1973, the Burlington - Bethune R.S.V.P. was started. Very few records were kept then, however the following was found. Betty Hostetler was hired as director in July, 1973 and Betty Goss was co-ordinator. In Aug. 1973 Betty Goss was made the director and Nelda Hendricks the co-ordinator, Marlyn Bates somehow worked with Nelda. In 1974, Betty quit and Billi Haynes was hired as director. The Advisory Council by-laws were written at that time and better records were kept. Dorotha Hammond was hired as co-ordinator. In 1975, Billi Haynes quit and in June 1975, Ruth Kraxberger (now Loutzenhiser) was hired as director. Dorotha Hem6sn6 was co-ordinator till 1985, in May 1985, Linda Rower was hired as co-ordinator, she served till May 1987, then Sharon Zeigler was hired and she quit in Oct. 30, 1987 and Nov. 4, 1987, Betty Stoltz was hired and is the present co-ordinator. The first council members were Fred Kiefer, Ida Stone, Theresia Kramer, and Aldene Beringer. Some members changed, some quit, others passed away and at present members are: Carol Kosch, Josephine Strick, from rummage sales to auctions and raffles. The club has joined wholeheartedly in various community activities - participating in skit nights and talent shows and construction floats for parades, the last of which was for Mike Lounge Day in 1985. Over the years we have also enjoyed many cultural, educational and entertaining programs given by club members and guest speakers. This is the story of a cultural influence in a modern community. We believe that in concerted action lies strength for any cause we choose. We are grateful for the privilege always on the board. Club. In 19?3, Betty Goss trying in the Bethune area to get started met in the Imanuel of serving through Burlington Woman's by Sally Bauder and Dorothy Reinecker ARTHUR H. EVANS POST #60 T302 The American Legion Arthur H. Evans Post #60 of the American Legion was organized in 1917 in Burlington, Colorado. Every year since then they decorated the graves in the Burlington, Settlement, and Happy Hollow Cemeteries. They were forced to abandon the project about 1980 due to the lack of membership. For years they were instrumental in American Legion Baseball and all kinds of community activities. For years they were responsible for the Junior-Senior Prom in Burlington, Colorado. Lenora Young, May Vedsted, and Theresia Kramer, and the county commissioners are Lutheran Church basement, however no interest was shown. she then combined Burlington and Bethune and started to meet at the Blue Flame room, when that closed we met at Trinity Lutheran Church a few times then changed to the Christian Church. The S.O.S. Center opened in 1975 and after a year the R.S.V.P. started to meet in the S.O.S. Center once a month till 1983 when we started to meet twice a month so more work could be done. At the Blue Flame room small craft articles were made, Cyril Hoag started glass bottle crafts, with no success. A trip was made to the Wheatridge Home of Retarded Children in Wheatridge, Co., someone had donated quilt patches to the home, we were asked, would we sew crib blankets with the patches for them. That started our sewing projects, the men made wooden pull toys. No record was kept as to how many blankets were made, but two trips were made to take blankets, toys, and used clothing to the home. After those patches were used up, two orders of factory patches were ordered, then people heard that we were in need of patches and have been donating all the patches we need. After sewing crib blankets for several years we began making lap robes for the hospital, West Nursing Home, and Grace Manor. We also sewed bibs for Grace Manor. When those needs were filled, we began to sew quilts for the Boys Ranch at LaJunta. We made two trips taking 12 quilts each time, we also took homemade cookies on the last trip. When Linda was co-ordinator, we started to sew quilts for each client at the Dynamic Dimension Center, 17 in all. The last quilts were taken Sept. 22, 1987. Then we sewed 17 chair pads for them, before Sharon Zeigler quit. Besides that work we made other crafts for bazaars, sewed two quilts and hand quilted them to sell, also tied some quilts to sell and had bake sales and bazaars, to help buy materials we needed to finish quilts etc. The men helped build cupboards for the S.O.S. Center and helped with crafts. They started woodworking by making sewing kits; chickens; then roosters; lawn decorations; aggravation game boards (sold these for other materials needed); they also made a table and do whatever is needed even repair work of any kind. We had people working in school, some chauffeured people where needed, when there was no need for the bus, helped at Grace Manor to feed people and helped when they went on their trips. We helped with community programs; went with the S.O.S. Band, to sing; went to Senior Day at the Capitol; to the State Fair; the Circus in Denver; Ice Capades; and had picnics at Bonny Dam, at the park, and had hamburger fries. We served the wedding reception for Ted and Hazel Back- lund. We met at the Center and went to speakouts, the first speakout was at Burlington, an we went to Recognition Days once a year at Kit Carson and Lincoln county. The first Recognition Day was held at Flagler park in 1974, with a hamburger fry. The next year we had a picnic lunch in Flagler park. In 1976, it was held in the school gym, then in 1977, each county held their separate recognition day; with Kit Carson's being at the Seibert School. Burlington-Bethune made the corsages and table decorations. From 1978 on, it was held in Flagler school, a couple of times it was in the gym with snacks after the program. Then they started to serve lunch paid by R.S.V.P. and then have the program. It was well attended. Burlington-Bethune, with the help of the county commissioners, were able to get a bus, Aug. 6, 1987. The last few years we out grew the center, so started to look for a larger building, when a good hearted citizenhanded us a check to buy a nice big building, then we started to raise money for it. We were able to move in the basement of our building by Aug. 25, L987, with the R.S.V.P. doing the work, etc., we are now working towards getting the upstairs furnished with a kitchen for the meals. Beginning Jan. 1988, meals were served here. The building, now called the McArthur Senior Center, is located in the northwest part of Burlington, away from traffic, where there is plenty of parking space and also space for recreation. The Senior Citizens are happy to have their building and are thankful to everyone who helped in obtaining it. by Theresia Kramer �COMET REBEKAH LODGE Dortha H. Hammond, Ella Farwell, Eileen Stewart, Ines McArthur, Naomi Gilbert, BURLINGTON GARDEN CLUB Louise Holmes, Vivian Kiefer, Emma Mullis, Grace McNeill, Ruth Bauder, Alma Davis, T304 Beluah Schahrer, Gladys Clouse, Helen Kreoger, Ethel Stewart, Lucy Russman, Many will remember a certain date on May Gladys Farnsworth, Doris Hawthorne, Anna T305 On a February day in 1928, Bessie Wilson 18, 1910, as the day which Halley's Comet was Parnell, Avis Bader Schritter and Vivian invited Nannie Hoskin and,Lizzie Wilkinson expected to fall upon and destroy the earth. Keifer. A Poem written by a charter member, Mabel Boger follows: On the eighteenth of May, nineteen ten, A group of women, and also men Desiring to form a Rebekah Lodge For the good of mankind, and the Star to to help draw up plans for a garden club. They asked Helen Calvin, Pearl Schell, Selma Laymon, Martha Hudler, Pearl Vallin, Jean dodge. fined 100. The first year a major effort was made to encourage residents to beautify their yards and gardens with prizes given at the last of the season for the best looking gardens in It was at this time Sister Sallie St. Clair. President of the Rebekah Assembly of Colorado, Sister Ernestine V.G. Boggs, state secretary and Sister Minnie Cook, a former resident of this county, journeyed to Burlington to institute the local lodge. Charter members of the lodge were: Gertrude McCloid, Anna Stephenson, Anna F. Dunn, Etta M. Stetler, Mabel Boger and Grant Stephenson. It was Sisters St. Clair and Boggs who ruggested the name "Comet" referring to the calamity which was to befall all, and the Lodge's designated No. 1.23. Thus Comet Rebekah Lodge No. 123 was instituted with Anna Stephenson as its First Noble Grand and Anna Nightengale as Vice Grand. Other officers installed were: Gertrude McCloid, P.N.G.; Mabel Boger, Secretary; Ella Stetler, Treasurer; Mary E. Wilkenson, warden; Inez M. Chase, conductor; T.P. Hoskin, chaplin; J.G. Upton RSNG; Mary Williams, LSNG; Grant Stephenson, RSVP; Myrtle Danforth, LSVG; M. Bernice Chase, inside guardian; rnd Lewis B. Cline, outside guardian. Other members were: Ethel Burr, Gertrude Upton, Mary Haynes, Parmelia Brinkley, Grant Stetler, Amos Williams, Louis Chase, Melvin Winslow, Elida Christenson, Sara M. Winslow, Clytie Hoskin, Martha Potter, Wyatt Boger, John Pilling, Edward Hoskin, Sr. and Mary Winslow. The Comet Rebekahs withstood the Halley Comet calamity and is still withstanding lome 65 years later. The lodges comprising District No. 13 of the IOOF and Rebekah Lodges are as follows: Rebekah Lodges, Burlington, 123, Cheyenne Wells, No. 44, When Halley's own star was at its summit For want of a name, decided on "Comet". The number assigned it was one hundred twenty-three In spite of the Hoo-Doo, happy are we! Institution was had, the deed was done, In fair Colorado at Burlington. Local members who have been awarded 50year jewels for their continuous membership in Comet Rebekah Lodge of Burlington are: First to receive the distinction of achieving the 50-year goal was a charter member, Mabel Boger, who was honored and awarded the pin in May of 1960. Mabel served as the lodge's first secretary in 1910, and was Noble Grand for two terms in 1912 and 1915, as well as serving in other offices. She passed away August 10, 1966. Anna L. Buel was awarded the second 50year jewel in May 1972. Sister Anna served as Noble Grand for two terms in L927 and. 1932, as well as other offices including that of treasurer for 25 years. She also achieved other honors including one of the highest awards given by the IOOF and Rebekah orders, receiving the decoration ofchivalry by the Patriarchs Militant and LEAPM on Jun e 6, 1969 at the IOOF Temple in Fort Collins. Mrs. Buol passed away October 8, 1974. Sister Ethel Sawyer was also sent a 50-year jewel in 1972. She was residing in Bird City, Flagler, No. 1300, Limon, No. 35, and Seibert No. 128. Odd Fellows Lodges: Burlington No. [52, Cheyenne Wells No. 153, Flagler No. 135, Limon No. 179, and Seibert No. 37. The foundations upon which the order Kan., at the time. She has since passed away. Pearl Sturdevant received the fourth 50year jewel, which was sent to her in 1973 at her home in Pasco, Wash. Sister joined the Iocal lodge on July 16, 1923 when Maye rests, namely Friendship, Love and Truth, is Morgan was Noble Grand. She served in rs solid now as in the early days of its :onstruction; its principles, belief in a Sucreme Being, loyalty to your country under nhose flag we live, and fraternal of your fellow man, will always be living principles. Past Noble Grands of Rebekah Lodge No. [23 are: Anna Stephenson, Mabel Boger, Etta Stetler, Parmelia Brinkley, Thomasine Hoskin, Mary Haynes, Mabel Boger, Rhoda Yersin Schofield, Stella Nesmith Penny, Mary Wilkenson, Myrtle Danforth, Lillie N. Pilling, Anna L. Bergen, Gertrude Upton, Mary E. Baker, Etta Stetler, Bernice Chase, Iessie Gray, Rhoda Yersin Schofield, Maye 0. Morgan, Mary Chase Gassner, Phem KuKuk, Davie Powell, Pearl Sturdevant, {,nna Boul, Flora Klooze, Veta Jose, Maude Jmith, Clytie Hoskin, Anna Bergen, Anna Boul, Vera Magee Reeves, Dorthy Bergen )lson, Dorthea Goldsworthy, Clara Bauder Loyd, Bessie Goodhue, Alice Travis Shanron, Lela Plummer, Myrtle Aumiller, Alvina llafer, Opal Towers, Mamie Park, Clara Flak, Pearl Kockenteger Dawson, Ruth Ferseuth, Pearl Van Dorn Stepens, Mary Evans, Helen Ragan, Vera Walters, Florence Wigton, many offices and was Noble Grand in 1926. She moved to Boulder in the late 1930's and later to Washington. The most recent recipient of the 5O-year jewel was Sister Phern KuKuk of Loveland. It was presented to her on June 28,1974, at a meeting of Grace Rebekahs in Loveland, which she has attended since leaving Burlington in 1946. She joined Burlington Lodge in January of t924, serving as Noble Grand in 1925, as well as other offices. The jewel was pinned on her by another Comet Rebekah member who also resides in Loveland now and attends that lodge. by Vivian Kiefer Lomis and Beulah Hamilton to join their group and the Burlington Garden Club was formed. The dues were 500 a year and if any member was absent from a meeting she was town. The club gave flower seeds to the Camp Fire Girls and the Girl Scouts to enhance the competition. To further their efforts in 1931 the club held its first plant exchange which is still an annual project. In 1934 the club urged the Burlington City Council to adopt the gold zinnia as the city flower and after this was done, gold zinnias were planted widely in Burlington. In 1935 The Burlington Garden Club held its first flower show and the State Garden Club president, Mrs. Fish, served as the judge. Also that year the club spent 95.00 on vases to be used for taking flowers to the hospital and to those confined at home. Bessie Wilson and Della Hendricks were always interested in the world around them, so they urged the club to undertake a study of wild flowers. They spent many hours on field trips while Mr. Woodfin took about 70 pictures for them. In 1938 the Burlington Garden CIub sponsored the "Pioneer Parade and Flower Show" during the county fair which was then held in September. In 1951 the county commissioners asked the club to take charge of the floraculture booth on a permanent basis. In the early days of the club the emphasis had been on the appearance of the town and most of the programs had been about flowers and their culture. This changed during World War II when Victory Gardens were encouraged and the slogan was "Food for Victory, Flowers for Morale". From the beginning the club has had an abiding interest in birds. Once it sponsored a contest for the best bird house made by any boy or girl under 16 years of age. Another time it sought to protect birds by hanging bells on pet cats. There is a note that 17 bells were given out. There were also a few bird baths in town but interest in them increased when Mrs. Mead of Denver, wrote that she had a birth bath mold that she would loan to the club if it would pay the transportation costs. To cover these charges each member was assessed 150 and the club was able to send for the mold. A large number of bird baths were made and one of them is presently on the hospital grounds. In 1944 the Burlington Garden Club sponsored the Peconic Garden Club which had ten charter members. Later on a spot prepared by the county, The Burlington Garden Club erected a large fireplace as a memorial to those who served in the armed forces. There is a large bronze plaque on it designating it as the Blue Star Memorial. On �the site, the Burlington and Peconic clubs placed picnic tables and benches for the use of the public. Another project undertaken by the Burlington club is where Highway 24 comes into Burlington from the east at what we call the "Y". The State Highway Department in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Board designed a Wayside Park and recommended plantings for it. The club planted many trees, shrubs and flowers, particularly iris. Probably the largest project for which the club assumed responsibility was landscaping the grounds after the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital was built. The landscape plan, as drawn up by the women of the club received an award from the State Garden Club Federation in 1955 and won the National Award of Garden Clubs, June 6, 1956. This was one of two awards presented to any club west of the Mississippi River. It took five years to complete the job and in this time the club planted 46 evergreen trees, 10 deciduous trees, 117 shrubs, 14 vines and 250 English privit. Six benches were placed around the grounds. When the new Fair Grounds grandstand was built the county commissioners asked the club to suggest a color scheme and so it recommended the rainbow of colors that were used. Over the years the club has participated in many parades in conjunction with various community celebrations the last of which honored astronaut Mike Lounge in October, 1985. The club entered a float in that parade and won first place in its class. Over the past sixty years the club has been active in many community functions. A total of 202 women have participated in the club which presently has 30 active members. by Marion Janssen QUO VADrS FEDERATED WOMANS CLUB T306 To dispel the dark shadows ofwar, a social group known as the Merry Maids of Bur- lington Club was formed. These young women were invited to become a Federated Junior Club. With a membership of eight, Jubilee Juniors was granted a charter in March 1941, following admittance to the Federation at a board meeting in Denver on January 20, L941. Serving as advisors were Mrs. Iva Penny and later, Mrs. Ruth Milburn. On June 6, 1946, in a beautiful, formal candlelight service at the home of Mrs. J.C. Coleman, Pikes Peak District President, senior membership was conferred on a membership of nineteen. Quo Vadis, which means "whiter goest thou", was selected as the new club name. Charter members were Alice Pischke Boyles, Winifred Esch James, Betty Brown Chalfant, Lois Sandst€dt Bishop, Phyllis Sandstedt Eberhart, Mary Vailin Sample, Roma Ross Stanton, and Maxine Wilson Nixon. Throughout its existence the club has initiated and supported many worthwhile projects for community improvement, social welfare, and international understanding including hospital aid, organization of PTA and Girl Scouts, Christmas Seals, and Red Cross work. The Howdy Hostess Program was started in 1956 and continued for some twenty years. A scholarship was established in 1960 and a "Dollar for Scholars" benefit bridge and pinochle party was given. This became an annual fund raising event for the scholarship fund through 1964. Various other money making ideas were later used. Community Service Projects included preparing March of Dimes envelopes for mailing, filling sacks for Rotary Club for their annual Easter Egg Hunt, skits put on by the members for the Alumni Association, and preparing floats for various occasions such as Homecoming, and the Little Britches Rodeo Parade. In 1949, the club sponsored a room in the new hospital and the maternity ward was chosen. A total of $450 was given to advantages to the community and this club has left a positive influence on the commu- nity of Burlington. by Kathy Lundien AURORA CHAPTER #73, ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR T307 complete the room. Each year money was given to purchase some article needed for the ward. "Toys for Tots" was start€d in 1963 where a toy was given to any child who was admitted to the hospital. In 1968, members began conducting the door-to-door Arthritis Drive. Each year in which the club participated in this project they were recognized by the Arthritis Foundation for collecting the largest amount of money per club capita in the Tri-state area. During the club year 1958-59, Crystal Schlosser, who was president, took part in the new Library Dedication. The honor being hers because Quo Vadis raised the most money Aurora chapter of Eastern Star. L. to R.: Front. Florence Remington, Pat Wilson, Mary Gassner, Gladys Teselle, Clarence and Vera Magee. Row 2: Laura Jacobs, Nora Broune, Carolyn King, Anna Bergen, Peggy Wilson, Lois Halsted and Iva Penny. Row 3: Dorothy Bergen, Mary Curtiss, Bessie Guthrie and Alberta Swaim. toward furnishing the new library. They raised $94.00 by selling birthday and anniversary calendars. Money making projects were as follows: Annual Armistice Day Dance, which in 1945 netted $600 and $300 was donated to the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital Fund, the Mother-Daughter Banquet, Children's Mart, Traveling Food Basket, White Elephant Sale, Rummage Sales, Food and Candy Sales. The ladies did not always work, but did have a little fun on the nights when they entertained their husbands. The club had their first Husband's Party in 1953. Each year this continued. The early parties were held on April lst, and in the latter years was held in February. Another fun project was having Pixie Pals from 1950-53. Names were drawn and gifts presented on Birthdays and Anniversaries. Some of the club members to achieve high honors were as follows: Mildred Anderson served as district treasurer and junior vice president, Koy Snowbarger served as district recording secretary, and district president, Pam Levitt served as district recording secretary, Dorene Buol tied for second place in the CFWC Short Story Contest, Marjorie Robinson won first place in the state on her story on Geontology, Kathy Lundien served as district treasurer. Many of the club members served as district and state chairman of the various departments. In 1976 the club received a national award on OPERATION IDBNTIFAX (a crime prevention program). In May of 1982 this organization, regretfully, came to the conclusion that due to the many other activities which the members had there was no longer time for Quo Vadis and the club disbanded. The many activities which the club tried to accomplish were Being desirous of organizing a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, a petition was circulated by "master masons and wives and daughters". On a Thursday evening in 190b, a large number of the petitioners met at the masonic lodge room and selected the officers to be recommended for appointment by the Worthy Grand Patron. Those present suggested names for the Chapter and, after much discussion, the name "Aurora" was adopted. That name was suggested by Wm. M. Long, who it seems had been much impressed by the brilliant displays of the Aurora Borealis, which had been visible here that fall. The awe-inspiring spectacle seemed a fitting name for the new Chapter. On December 29, 1905, Worthy Grand Patron W.L. Bush was present for the purpose of instituting Aurora Chapter. The dispensation was read, to be in force until the next meeting of Grand Chapter. A full set of officers was appointed, these chosen in accord with the wishes of the Chapter. Five new members were initiated during the first year. On August 27, 920 was sent to Grand Chapter with a petition for a charter. However, at the meeting of Grand Chapter the continuance of the dispensation of Aurora Chapter was authorized. On September 20, 1907, the Worthy Grand Matron met with the Chapter and delivered the Charter. That was a momentous occasion. The work was exem- plified for the Worthy Grand Matron, a practice which has been continued through the years. Some of our first regalia was described in the early minutes of the Chapter. In 1908 a "carpet" was purchased for $7.50. This carpet was known as a "floor cloth" and was placed on the floor of the labrinth for each meeting. Painted on it were the five stars and their �emblems in appropriate colors. Music has always been of great importance in our work, and the Chapter joined with three other organizations in purchasing an organ. Our share of the cost was $10.50. In 1926 the Chapter paid the Rebekah lodge $30.00 on the piano they purchased. Our own piano was later secured when we started meeting in our present Chapter room. has played an important part in our history and we hereby pay them tribute! by Marie lloskin It is interesting to know when various of SCOUTING IN BURLINGTON our past matrons and patrons with pins in 1924. At the time this was quite an expenditure, because we had to supply pins for all pins in previous matrons and patrons - 16 all. The dates for elections and installations Burlington in April, 1940, with the chartering of Troop 38. The chartering institution was the Burlington Rotary Club who has continually sponsored the program for the past 48 years. The first Scoutmaster was Lloyd Green, pastor of the First Christian Church. our customs were set. In 1929, an "instruction committee" was appointed. This later became the proficiency committee which became required in 1934. We began supplying have been changed several times, having been from November to May to September. Chapter dues have ranged from $2.50 to $12'50' The coin march began in 1921, with the money first being used to buy flowers for the sick. We began publishing year books in 1945. The last tradition to be added was that of giving 25 year pins which we began in 1951. During the early years, there were many trials concerning our meeting hall facilities. The janitor service was poor, regalia had to be moved and carried up flights of stairs to each meeting, and often there was no heat. Then, beginning in 1947, plans were made by the Masons for a new Masonic Temple. Our Chapter pitched in by operating a booth at the county fair for the next 6 years. In 1951 it was reported that the Masons had bought the Christian Church and would remodel it for a Masonic Temple. Then indeed did the Chapter give liberally of the money they had earned, for furniture and to help remodel and furnish the basement. August 25, 1951, the Grand Officers of Colorado came to Burlington and dedicated our Chapter room. It has always been a pleasure to welcome the Grand Officers to our Chapter and to entertain them with a banquet. Looking back we find that at a banquet in 1913 two turkeys cost $2.75 and a pound of coffee cost 300. In 1933 and 34, the banquets cost 500 per plate. By 1948 the cost had risen to $1.50 and today the cost is $8.00. In 1929 an assembly of the Rainbow for Girls was organized. An afternoon party was given for prospective girls and their mothers, to explain the order and encourage the girls. Burlington Assembly #24 was instituted January 25, 1930. Our Worthy Matron Vivian was a Charter member. In April 1978, shortly before official visit' new carpet was installed, new drapes purchased, new pedestals and a new altar cloth were added. Several garage sales and bazaars were held to raise funds for these projects. T308 The scouting program was started in Bill Haughey was his assistant and when Rev. Green Ieft Burlington, Bill became the Scoutmaster. In 1944 Jerry Penny became Burlington's first Eagle Scout. Walter Bauder was then drafted as Scoutmaster and he helped his sons, Don and Warren, earn their Eagle Badges in 1945. In June of 1945 Henry C. Beatty was appointed pastor of the Methodist Church and shortly thereafter assumed the duty of Scoutmaster. Scouting really grew in Burlington during his leadership and 4 of his Scouts earned their Eagle Badges. They were Mike Winningham in 1946, Jim Penny 1948, Bill Flatt 1949, and Dean Wigton in 1950. During the fifties various men served as Scoutmaster, they being Bruce Channell, Dick Thomas, John Bryner, Gene Pinalto, Elbert Akers, and Percy Lounge. In 1954 Burton Beahm became Burlington's 8th Eagle Scout. In the sixties, Scoutmasters were Percy Lounge, Wert Frerichs, Gary Long, Larry Schlasis, Frank Meggers, Kenneth Morrison, J.B. Beecham. and Milton Harrison. In 1964 Roger Beahm received his Eagle and was joined by Terry Buol in 1965. During the seventies, Scoutmasters were Kenneth King, Jim Timmie. Don Cornella, Lonnie Barlow, Jim Richardson, and Glen Davis with 10 Scouts earning their Eagle Badge. They were Randy Hertneky 1970, Harry Hertneky 1971, David Hahn 1973, Kurt Lucas 1975, David Hertneky 1977, Mike McCulloch 1977, the McCullock twins, Mark and Mitch in 1978, J.D. Richardson 1979, and George Hertneky in 1979. The troop had some excellent leadership during this period. In the eighties the Scoutmasters were Glen Davis, Rick Hiltman, Luis Rodriguez, Dwight Holmes, and Kevin Schott who is presently serving as Scoutmaster. During this period 5 Scouts became Eagles, they being Jason Currier 1981, Greg McCullough 1982, Jeff Currier 1982, Jay Tatkenhorst 1986, and Jon we presently use on our Altar was Sister Cromwell in 1987. The Burlington Troop has the distinction of having 2 families with 4 Eagles in each family, they being the Hertnekys and the McCullochs. There are also 4 other families with 2 Eagles, they being the Pennys, Bauders, Beahms, and Curriers. The Burlington Scout Troop has been very viable in our Eileen's when she served as Worthy Grand Matron and was presented to her by our Rainbow Assembly. Obviously it is possible to mention only a few of our members by name in this short resume of 80 years, but anyone who is now or ever has been a member of Aurora Chapter, Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and various clean up and paint up projects. They have manned the grandstand concession stand at Kit Carson County Fair for about 35 years and the Little Britches Rodeo since it started. During the past 80 years we have had several of our eisters serve as Grand Representatives, Grand Pages, District Instructors and various other committees. 3 sisters have served as Grand Officers. Sister Eileen Wiedman served as Worthy Grand Matron of the State of Colorado in 1970-71. The Bible community, helping with distribution of Christmas sacks. the Chamber of Commerce The profits from the concession stand has enabled many Scouts to go yearly to our Pikes Peak Council Camp at Camp Alexander. Other high adventure trips made by the Scouts over the years was a canoe trip into Canada in 1955 led by Willard Gross and Herman Rau. In 1960 another canoe trip led by Maddie Stubbs and Dr. Ray Beethe, and in 1965 another group led by Ron Stoner and Menil Amsbury. In 1970 a float trip down the Green River into Dinosaur National Park was led by Harry Hertneky, Weldon Vance, Curt Penny, and Bob Hendricks, then in L972 a wilderness trip into the San Juan Mountains Area led by Jim Timmie, Lewis Carlin, John Swick, and Bob Hendricks. In 1979 another float trip led by Merle Worden and Harry Hertneky, and in 1981 2 groups ofScouts took the float trip down the Green River, the first one by Jack Currier, Charles Walstrom, and Glen Lucas, and the second one by Glen Davis and Jim Morrison. The Cub Scout program was started in 1949, one year after the Boy Scout program, and has been serving the boys of the Burlington Community for 47 years. Again, the Burlington Rotary Club was the sponsoring institution ofPack 38. It is not known for sure who was the first Cubmaster, but it seems that Parvin Penny and Walter Bauder helped at that time. In June of 1945, Willard Gross moved to Burlington from Colby, Kansas where he had started their Cub Pack in 1941 and served as its Cubmaster for nearly 4 years. While in Colby he also helped organize the Cub Pack in Goodland and Oakley, Kansas. Immediately upon moving to Burlington he was recruited to be the Cubmaster of Pack 38, a position he held fot about 2r/z years. The records are not very complete as to who served as Cubmaster during the fifties and sixties. In the fifties Rev. Omer Timmons, Edward Varela, Martin Buol, and Jim Rawson served as leaders. In l96L Norman Travis was Cubmaster and in 1962 Dale Tallent was signed on and in 1963 through 1966 Willard again served 4 years, followed by Max Hahn. Leaders in the seventies were Dean Brown, LeRoy Arends, Glen Lucas, Lonnie Barlow, Hal Williams, and Phil Woodrick. Then came Pat Gergen in 1981, 1982, and 1983, followed by Obey Barnes in 1984 and 1985. Dale Hansen assumed the Cubmaster responsibility in 1986 and presently is serving in that capacity. There have been many dedicated Cubmasters, Webelo Leaders, Den Mothers, and Committeemen over the years. Many Cubs and parents have been involved in the annual Pinewood Derby and the Blue and Gold dinners and have supported the Cub program. Burlington also has had an Explorer Post from time to time. The records show a Post in 1966 with Ronald C. Stoner as Advisor. Sometime after that George Wells and LeRoy Arends were Advisors to a Post sponsored by the St. Paul's Lutheran Church. The Burlington Rotary club has done much for Scouting over the years. They annually conduct the finance drive to raise funds for our Pikes Peak Council. The Council in turn gives service back to our community in providing training sessions for our leaders, a scout camp, literature, and makes sure that our program is on target and viable in our community. Each fall the Rotary Club hosts a free picnic at the football field which is used as a recruiting time to sign up new Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. In the late �forties the Rotary Club, with the help of the Town of Burlington, completed the "Scout Kiva" building which previously had been a cement water storage reservoir beneath the water tower at the North end of Main Street. This has been home to the Burlington Troop for over 40 years. It appears that in the near future, that the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts will have a new Scout home that will be built and donated by Harold McArthur. Probably the one individual who has promoted and done more for Scouting in Burlington than anyone else is Willard Gross. He has been a registered Scouter for nearly 47 years of which 43 years has been in Burlington. He is known as "Mr. Scouting" in our area. He has served many years on the Cub Scout and Boy Scout committees and in the absence of a Scoutmaster he has assumed that position to keep the program going. He is the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award which is the highest award a Scout Council may bestow upon a Scouter. He is also a recipient of the Award of Merit which was given by the Hi-Plains Scout District. Both of these awards are given for outstanding service to Scouting, for work with youth and participation in church, business, and community activities. The best known person to come out of Burlington's Scouting program is Mike Lounge who was a member of Troop 38 in the late fifties and early sixties. Mike was very active in Scouting and later received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He then joined the NASA program and became an astronaut. In 1985 he made 12? orbits of the earth in the "Discovery" Bpacecraft over an 8 day period and was honored in 1985 by the City of Burlington with a big parade, barbeque, football geme and other activities. Scouting has affected the lives ofhundreds of boys in Burlington and we feel it has helped them to "Do Their Best" and to "Be Prepared" for whatever task they undertook. I have looked at several old charters and registration papers to locate names and dates of those who have served. A lot of these papers are missing and I have done the best I can with what information I have to fill in the gaps. I may have missed leaders, but I assure you it has not been intentional. by Willard Gross ROTARY T309 Rotary was born in the city of Burlington on the night ofFeb. 23, 1905. Paul Harris and three of his friends, out of loneliness and the lack of fellowship between men of varied professional interests, developed a club. It was thus that Rotary was founded by men who recognized the need for fellowship as well as the need for securing additional business through contacts with other business men. It was soon discovered however, that the fellow- ship derived from their meetings was far On October 5, 1936, some Burlington businessmen held their first organizational meeting. Nineteen charter members were present and drafted a constitution and bylaws of the Burlington Rotary Club. Those Charter members were: Ned R. Brown, Claude Coleman, John J. Esch, Dr. Glen Flatt, William H. Jacobs, Henry P. Klutz, Elmer C. Baker, Walter H. King, T.W. Backlund, Hugh W. Gleason, Carl Hamilton, Harold Keese, Dr. M.E. Robinson, Louis Vogt, Harry Shank, Arthur Wilson, T.H. Thomas, Orin Penny, and C.D. Reed. From this group, a board of directors were elected and they in turn elected the first officers of the club. The first board and officers were: C.D. Reed, President; T.H. Thomas, vice-president; J.C. Coleman, secretary-treasurer; William H. Jacobs, sergeant of arms; John J. Esch, Henry Klutz, Dr. Glenn Flatt, Ned Brown, and Dr. Murray Robinson the board. Charter night was held at Shank's Cafe on Nov. 17, 1936. It was a gala evening and all members were there with their Anns. Goodland, our sponsor club, had 20 Rotarians with their wives, Denver 17, Colorado Springs 14, and Colby 9, along with District Governor Roy Weaver and Charley Aimes from Pueblo. Berny Vessey was on hand from the Colorado Springs Club and he got us offto a flying start in the singing department. We believe he was the prime reason why Burlington has always been known as the "Singing Club". In 1939-1940, the Aims and Objects committee recommended to the Club that they sponsor a Boy Scout Troop in Burlington, which was approved by the board. In 1941- 1942, Rotarian Glenn Flatt was named treasurer for the Boy Scout organization. The usual contribution was made to the community Christmas program and a committee of Jacobs, Rhoades and Hoskin were named to Club. The Walking Blood Bank for the new Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital was sponsored and funds were raised to buy an automatic elevator for the hospital. In 19531954, the club sponsored a drive to send lead pencils to the children in Syria. The Club had a rather unusual distinction in 1954-55, in that it had three sets of fathers and sons: John Buol with sons Kermit and Martin; Thornton Thomas with son Richard; and William Hendricks with son Bob. The Club was responsible for a very successful father's night with 100 local farmers in attendance. In 1959-60, the group sponsored the first all community talent show. New members for the year 1960-1961 were: Mel Semmel, Dale Kelly, Dr. Ben Jones, Dr. Clancy Ross and John Hudler was reinstated. In 1961-1962, the highlight ofthe year was the 25th anniversary of the club. 5 members of the 19 charter members were present. During the year the club caried out a bicycle safety program under the direction of Dale Hanna and Dr. Beethe. A total of 159 bicycles were inspected and licensed in Burlington. In the spring, a bicycle rodeo was held with over 100 boys and girls competing for prizes. The State Highway Patrol helped with the program. The main feature of the year 1963-64 came with the appearance of the Air Force Academy Band of 60 pieces. A packed house of more than 1000 persons heard the concert. In 1965-1966, the board voted to pay the expenses for seven boys to attend the Christian Athletes Convention in Estes Park. New members that year were: Fred Rock, C.W. Patrick, John Swick, and Brett Bell. The club assisted in sponsoring the F.C.A. boys group who attended a state conference, several exchange students from and to Aus- tralia and Farmer's Night sponsoring many Hoskin, Standish, Winningham, Fisher, farmers of the area. Rotary sponsored a circus in 1973 which proved to be well received. Nine new members were taken into the membership. Two charter members and past presidents, Cece Reed and Thornton Thomas passed away. The Boy Scout fund drive was the largest ever collected, $4,927,in 1976. Two members were taken in and the club presented a "Variety and Talent" show which was very successful. In1976-1977 nine new members joined the group. 1980 had a very successful Boy Scout fund drive with $5,338.00 collected and six new members were taken in. The annual Bell Bonfils Blood drive was started and has been an ongoing project through the 80's. The club has served the annual Pancake Feed at the Little Britches Rodeo as a fund raising project. The club gave tribute to Willard Gross, known as Mr. Scouting in this area and organized the "Rooster Roundup" a brainstorm of Rod Rawson in 1982-83. Over $6000.00 was raised by way of the roundup and has proven to be a great success through Pugh, Harrison, Bruner Penny, Houschouer, the 1980's. assist in this work. The Club also voted to make a contribution of $1 per member towards the purchase of an ambulance for war work. In 1942-1943, arrangements were approved for the holding of the annual boy scout carnival. During the year the club gave free movie tickets to the boys being inducted into the armed service. In 1943-1944. one of the main efforts of the year was the securing of a permanent meeting place for the Boy Scouts, being sponsored by the group. The board of directors voted to buy a piano for the club that year. The following year, since the war seemed to be drawing closer to an end, the Rotary decided to sponsor the hospital as a community project. tn 1945 and 46, much time was given to sponsoring the hospital for Burlington. New members were initiated into the club that year: Rev. Henry Beatty, Harold McArthur, Kermit Buol, Bob Shamburg, Henry Ardueser, Fundingsland, Zick and Powell. Projects for the year were limited by necessity due to the tremendous effort on the part of club members to carry to completion its one main project that of erecting the Kit more important than the making of sales. In the Rotary year 1960-61, the Burlington Club reached its greatest heights up to that time. The club was honored by having one of its members for district governor in District 547, Walter King, charter member and 8th president of the club was recipient of the Carson County Hospital. The brickwork rapidly neared completion and the cornerstone was laid in the spring of L947. At last the hospital was complete and the first patient was received in June 1948. In 1951-1952, the Burlington Rotary be- honor, c'me a 100% Rotary Foundation Fellowship OLD TOWN T310 Old Town had its beginning when Edgar Pratt went to Ernest McArthur to ask him about moving a barn to Burlington from the Charley Pizel place which is north of Kanorado, Kansas. They went to the fair grounds to � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Burlington Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A history of the Town of Burlington as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:410 2020-03-23T10:19:37Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/410/Communities.pdf c3ec650a1cea05ad93d3aef705dd8b45 PDF Text Text BETHEL SOD SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY BUILDING T400 The first Bethel school house and commu- nity building was built some time around 1908. This was a one room sod house located between the Henry Wilson homestead (now the Ed Herndon home) and the Albert Clint homestead. This school had ten to twelve pupils. Some drove a horse and buggy to school and some walked to school. Elmer and Jim Howard walked four miles and Merna and Cecil Coad cnme several miles. The Bert Wilson children came three miles to school. Mary and Claude Kelly walked from the In later years some families got Model T cars. In freezing weather a low bucket was put under the radiator to drain out the water. It was then taken into the school house and set beside the stove to keep warm. It was put back into the radiator when Sunday School was over. The men usually put the radiator petcock in their coat pocket - this didn't dare get lost. At night, if the car lights went out, a kerosene lantern was wired onto the radiator cap. We drove home by this light. If a Model T wouldn't start, folks pushed it down the slope east of the school house. This worked pretty good. The Model T had a hand crank. Thru the years people moved away from the Bethel community and in 1950 the school children were taken by bus into Stratton to school. Hamilton place. This place was one half mile west of the present Vena Scheierman ranch. R.O. Hoover lived one half mile west of the Hamilton place. Charlotta and Ruth Hoover walked two miles to school. Some of the first Bethel teachers were Shek McConnell, Ella Rhen, Miss Hopkins, Miss Troup and Dora Jean Baird Dunkle. The teachers salaries started at $20.00 a month and the teacher paid about $5.00 a month to some neighbor who lived close to the school for board and room and the lunch they carried to school. Later salaries increased to $30.00 a month, then $50.00 and in 1923-24 Loren Smith received $90.00 a month. This was at West Bethel. Later in 1929 the wage was $100.00 a month. Sunday School and church services were held in the Bethel sod school house. This was a fine church made up of good people. There were about 30 to 35 people. Various programs were held in the sod school house. One nice summer day a north wall had fallen down but the people had Sunday School anyway. [t seemed a strange and sad situation to me. I was a small child at the time. Christmas programs were a highlight in our lives. Someone would get a tree in Stratton and the ladies unpacked trim and decorated the tree. Some of those ornaments were simply beauti- ful. People didn't have Christmas trees in their homes. This community tree was "it." Gifts, including our family gifts, were i,aken by Vena Scheierman HAPPY HOLLOW COMMUNITY T40l Some recollections of the families living around the Happy Hollow school District. People of the community: Frank and Faye Parmer lived about 3/t of a mile north with family, Robert, Maxine (Teel), Ben and Don. Sanford (Mick) Johnson lived about 1% miles south with his brother Everett, and his mother, who was mid-wife for families of the community. A sister lived with them for awhile with her two children, Irene and Frances Hanrahan. Another family a little farther south and west was the Charlie Rogers family who were Charley, Cora and children, Ancel, Marion, Elba, [van, and Zella. After they left the community, they had another daughter Lois (Breigel). Later on there was Bertha and Roy Ettleman. West of Happy Hollow was Mr. Charles ('Dad') Parmer and his wife "Aunt M*y," parents of Frank Parmer and Nellie Hender- son. After "Dad" Parmer's death, Aunt Mary's son, Bill Nye, and his two sons, Junior and Stanley, came to live with her. Farther to this party. Sacks of treats were given to west along the snme road, lived Mr. and Mrs. everyone. These contained homemade candy, big red apples, peanuts and popcorn balls. Leander Rogers and Elsie and Charlie Jr. Henry and Ida Wilson and Garfield and Pauline Wood always made huge batches of candy. This included fudge, taffy, divinity, and penuche. Travel to the community activities was made in a horse drawn wagon or sled. We heated big rocks to put on the wagon floor with blankets to keep our feet warm. When the wall fell down on the sod building, the Sunday School and school were held at West Bethel (L Yz mile west of the old sod building). This was a new one room frame building with 2 cloak rooms where we put our lunch pails, overshoes and coats. In cold weather we put our lunch buckets beside the big coal stove. It was at this time the East Bethel school was also built and those children living close to it attended school there. This was located 1 mile south and Vz mile east of the Clarence Borden place (now owned by Wayne Iseman). Some of the teachers there were Mr. Sawhill, Mr. Patterson and Roy McCulloch. (nephew of the Charlie Rogers who lived southwest). Still farther west along that road lived Walter and Helen (Miser) Clark and north of them a little distance was Ellis and Amy (Smith) Clark, who ran the store and post office called Morris, Colorado. Their children were: Verl, Ada, Lucille, Lola, Bessie, Ethel, and Robert. Farther north lived Dile and Nellie Henderson, with their children Bessie (Morrow), Lela (Shumate), and Faye (Milford), and Neva (Miser). Later, after the family was grown and Nellie passed away, Dile married Jennie Barnhart, a near neighbor. Northeast of Happy Hollow was Charlie and Jennie Barnhart with their children: Everett, Ira, Esther (Rhoades), Leonard, Wilbur Dean, Pearl, and Marveline. Charlie was killed in a threshing machine accident, and his funeral was held in the Happy Hollow School. Pearl died at the age of 11 or 12 of cancer, the first known cancer of this commu- nity. South of Barnharts place was the family of Elmer Hoar, whose son George attended the Happy Hollow school for a year or two. Then, the Hoar family moved away, and Earl and Clara Smith moved here with their children, Clarence, Verlin, and Lela. Earl and Nancy Houghton and children, Hollie, Marie, and Ivan also lived here. Farther east and north was the homestead of Estes and Elizabeth Straughn and family: Burrel, Warren, Robert, Estel (Quick), Mae (Morrow), Mildred and Margaret. After the Straughns moved into Burlington, Bert and Josie Smith and children, Louise (Barnhart), Cora (Albertson), Sylvia (Weaver), and R.B. lived here. Ed and Elva Bartman and family, Louise, Wilford, Edna, Grace, Minnie, Edith and Laurence lived 2Vz miles east of Happy Hollow. Between the Bartmans and the school was a place r/z mile south of the road where Henry and Mable Tieman lived with their children, Iva (Stevens) and Don. Later they moved to the Beaver Valley community and Hank's brother Charlie, and wife Jessie lived on the place with Vera, Larry and Norma. Farther south was Gwendolyn and Bennie Jackson. South of the Bartmans was the Jim Rhoades homestead, where he and his wife Myrtle raised their family: Harley, Lester, Ruben, Clara (James), Walter, and Fern (Cowan). After Jim's death, as a result of scarlet fever, and after the family was grown, Myrtle married Rell Morrow and lived on his place. There was a family of Trotters and Murphys who attended the school and lived on the Roy Johnson Ranch. Harley and Eliah Benge lived south of the school and their niece Lucille Eagleburger attended school. Their two children were Mary Lou (Seeloff) and son, Sylvus. About 4 miles southwest was the homestead of Myron Smith and his wife Ruth. Kenneth attended school for 8 years. Jeanette Smith (Stahlecker). When she was in the 1st grade they came home from school one night to find their mother dead of a heart attack. Other families north of the school were: Mr. and Mrs. Sam Winfrey, Edgar, Leo, Nancy and Louiegene, and Collie and Grace Teel, Emmett, Chester, Hazel, Sylvan and Darlene. Some students from other dietricts coming to take advantage ofthe 9th and l0th grades were: Mabel and Lola Winfrey, Junior Cody, Roy Lundvall, Doyle, Gene, and Bonnie Morgan, Leroy and Naida Smith, Velma Proehl, and Bill Kreoger. by Edna Bartman Stahlecker HOLLAND SETTLEMENT T402 The Holland Settlement was located 16 miles north of Vona. There were several young and brave couples from Platte, South Dakota who came and homesteaded on claims. This area later became known as the Elphis Community. They shipped their belongings, a wagon, horses, and milk cows by railroad to Vona and then made their way north to their claims. At first, they put up tents and dug wells. By winter they had built shacks for barns. One half of these barns were used for the �In time some of them and their descendants became professionals in education, business, Christian ministry and mission, engineering, livestock and the other half for their living quarters. The next summer sod houses were built. Among these families were my parents Jake and Lena Smit, a maiden sister, Anka Smit, another sister, Trinity and Jim Brou- wer, and still later, a brother, Henry Smit joined them. Their land all bordered, making the Smit Center Cemetery which still re- architecture, journalism, music, government and service industries. Their ancestors were Swabians (descendants of the ancient Celts and cousins of the Irish) who lived for centuries in the forests &, ;l and highlands of southern Germany. In contrast to the Hessians and Prussians of mains. Many other Holland families began to homestead also. They started the Holland Church. In this community they formed the Brownwood School and a Brownwood Store, which became a center for ball games on Saturdays. These early pioneers had a very meager life. There were no fences, no farm land or equipment. Times did change and it became a thriving community. Later the large wheat farmers came in and bought up the farms, took out the fences and removed the farm buildings. The Holland Church now stands south of I-70 in Vona as a machine shop. The country store became a grainery. All the homesteaders are now long time gone. There is no longer a Holland Community. by Lena Godfrey SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY northern and eastern Germany, the Swabians and their Bavarian neighbors were independent and "laid-back" in character, not easily regimented, sure of their own identity and values but also appreciative of other people and their culture. These creative. freedom t'*:S $. i*,, r;{.: Ioving people chafed under the increasing restrictions and heavy taxation of the feudal dukes and princes who controlled the lands and forests. They were often pillaged, plundered and ravaged by invading French armies, especially during the time of Napoleon. Stacking wheat in a family affair at the Strobels. diligent agriculture, growing numbers of diverse livestock, modest homes and tidy homesteads, good rural schools and a strong Christian community centered around the Immanuel Lutheran and Hope Congrega- T403 Part 1 Life on our high plains has always been rigorous and most early settlers were poor. Yet by reason of their strong personal relationship with God, their hard work and frugality, and their rea.l sense of community (neighbors helping neighbors), the people of Friedensfeld (field of peace as the Settlement was first named) developed an oasis of tional churches. Most of them spoke English, Swabian and High German until WW2. Our forebearers had not accepted "Russification" in the Old Country, yet they incorporated many Russian words and terms into their Swabian dialect, and this linguistic mix made their oft-repeated legends and stories absolutely fascinating. They knew the Scriptures, the classic German hymns and American gospel songs, studying and singing them in their homes as well as their churches. They were many-talented farmers, ranchers, builders. craftsmen. blacksmiths. and mechanics. Catherine the Great, a German princess married to Czar Peter III, became the Czarina of All the Russias after her husband's death. Of strong will and character, she developed her huge empire with political wisdom and economic genius. In July 1763 she issued an edict of invitation to immigrants from west- ern Europe, offering them an array of inducements to settle and develop the regions along the Volga River and the vast, untamed steppes of southern Russia. Thousands of Germans responded and in only four years established 104 pioneer colonies along the Volga. Catherine died in L792 and was succeeded by Czar Alexander I. A few German colonies had sprung up near the Black Sea as early as 1781, but when Alexander issued a new invitation in 1801, thousands of new immigrants from southern Germany trekked overland with carts and wagons or floated their families and meager possessions down the Danube in "schachteln" (box boats), establishing new colonies around the Black Sea and in Bessarabia between the rivers Dnjestr and Pruth. The Schaals and Doblers were among the founders of Teplitz, the Strobels and others of Beresina, and the Hasarts and Weisshaars help found Lichtenthal. Many of the Russian Empire's promises to these immigrants were never fulfilled, and in time their civil liberties (administration of their own schools, freedom from conscription ;& etc.) and religious freedoms began to be taken from them. The colossal magnets of civil and religious freedom, of new land to be homesteaded, and of other opportunities awaiting them in Amerika drew hundreds of thousands of Germans-from-Russia to the United States from the early 1870's until the outbreak of World War I. They began to leave inL872. Through 1886 to 1889 many of these people cnme to this country by ship through the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and finally crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Others went across country to the northern ports boarding ships and crossing the north Atlantic. They left most of their possessions behind along with family and friends whom many were never to see or correspond again. Their possessions that were brought with them were put in bundles and wooden trunks. These contained clothThe Andrew Baltzer farmstead east of Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1906. ing, bedding, a few dishes, and a few personal belongings. The trip took from two to three weeks and was not an easy trip with many �becoming ill. answer to their prayers and hopes. With these thoughts they left South Dakota and headed with most arriving at New York City stopping south and west. We will never know how they pictured this country they were to live in but medical examinations. Others arrived at Baltimore MD, Galveston, TX, and other ports. Sometimes family members were ill they had heard of the small town of Bur- They arrived at different ports of entry at Ellis Island for processing including lington and knew there was land to be taken up near it. Burlington was a very young and promising town as the railroad had just been completed in 1888 making settlement possible. Bethune was 7 miles to the west and it was north of these towns that our immigrants came. The soil was a sandy loem making it easier to plow and till. With rainfall being scarce they felt that this was the better place to settle. One and temporarily held in isolation and later joined their families. Because of the language problem getting on their way west was difficult. Many railroad agents were trying to get the immigrants to sign work contracts with them. The authorities helped these people get on their way and were placed on the correct trains sending them to their really wonders what went through their destinations. minds as they struggled to make a living on by Rev. Herbert Schaal and Marlyn Hasart SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY L. to R.: Gottlieb Stahlecker, Andrew Knodel, John Stahlecker, Andrew Bauer, John Zeigler, and Charlie Brenner in back, shearing sheep with hand clippers. T404 Part 2 On October 12, 1889 the following four families, Christian Baltzer, Dorothea Baltzer, Friedrich Stutz, and Andreas Bauer departed from Russia for America. They went to Scotland South Dakota with the intentions of settling in Colorado. Other families arriv- ing to make the trip to Colorado were Christian Dobler. Jakob Schaal. Christian Strobel, August Adolf, Otto Winters, Mattias Haefner and Mathis Schaal. They are the known pioneers that were recalled by their descendants and found in the records. They left for eastern Colorado in the spring of 1890 by train and wagon. Others who came during this time were the Schlichenmayers. The Fanslaus, Bauders, and Jacobers arrived before 1890 while the Kramers arrived about 1898. Shocking feed on the Strobel farm. We can feel the excitement that surrounded these families as they made their way to their new homes. The Homestead Act was an this Great American Desert. It was a very meager and simple lifestyle that was ahead of them. Their first efforts were to open up the land and plant crops and establish homes. These homes were to be similar to the ones they left on the steppes of Russia. They were to make do with the materials present. Some of these people made "dugouts." A hole was cleared out of the hillside and they framed the opening with lumber and had a door. Some lived in their wagons that first summer. Most of their homes were constructed of sod and adobe. Adobe is a mixture of dark clay top soil, chopped straw and water. They mixed this up by stomping it with their feet and by using the family horse. This mixture was formed by hand to shape the base of the walls and layer after layer was applied until the walls were the right height. Some buildings were made with rock using adobe as mortar. The roof was covered with wooden planks and then sod was placed on top to seal out the weather. Some homes had wooden roofs. These homes were small consisting of two or three rooms with most having adobe floors. As these German speaking settlers came into the community establishing their homes near each other they became known as the "Settlement." We may ask, why did they cling together in this land? There are several answers. They had just left the closed community that was home for many years and felt comfort by settling closely. They had all come from the same region and had a common language, a similar if not a common religion, and they were strangers in a hostile land where they needed each other for support and comfort. Without this help and support they would have given up. Many had to seek outside employment so that funds could be raised so that they could send passage money to the ones left behind. 'f.. tlt Sometimes families came over at separate times with the father and older boys coming first, because of the sons being taken into the armies, and the mother with the younger children coming later. The large family units were to help each other by providing funds for transportation for those left in Russia. It was a difficult time and by pulling together to share a milk cow, a horse for plowing, seed to plant, machinery to use and a start of chickens they were able to survive. It was known that there was only one gun in the Settlement to be used by all. Even with this love and cooperation some had to leave the group to find employment and then return and keep up their claim. This was a The John Stahlecker farmstead (the Norman Meyer place now). The John Stahlecker and John Zeigler families are pictured. time ofstruggle and heartache as they sought to establish a home on the plains. One of the most difficult adjustments to be �made was the coping with the climate and extreme weather conditions of this region. They had their first experience with severe blizzards, hail storms, prairie fires (there were lots of these), droughts, grasshopper plagues, summer heat, dry air and dirt storms. There were no streams close by so water was hauled for months from the Republican and Landsman rivers. If someone had a well, many hauled water from there till they could have their own well dug. The trees for protection and shelter were absent. The long hot days of summer with the bright sun beating down to dry the crops and evaporate the precious rainfall were factors that even the strongest found difficult to bear. They did find comfort in their cool adobe homes. by Rev. Herbert Schaal and Marlyn Hasart SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY T405 Part 3 1883 was a dry year and crops were poor. 1894 brought a severe drought with a complete crop failure which caused many families to leave. Some went to the area surrounding Denver and some went back to South Dakota where they had family. Some families were near starvation when they left. This year, 1892, more families moved into the Settlement. They were Johann Wahl, Martin Stahlecker and Samuel Schmidke who came from Scotland, South Dakota and Christian and Andrew Adolf from Russia. In 1895 a blizzard hit the area in the first part of April. New settlers coming in 1899 were Christian Gramm, Andreas Weber and John Steamer tractor and wooden threshing machine bring memories of "good old days." Zeigler. In 1901 diphtheria broke out with 10-12 people dying. There was a Dr. Gillette in Burlington but he had not been summoned. Most illnesses and births were attended to by Mrs. Yale and Mrs. Adolf. In 1889 the Yale post office was established in the community at the Yale farm. Families arriving in 1901 were John and Joe Weisshaar, with Gottlob and Herman Amman coming in 1902. More families came in 1906 and 1907. They were the Knodels, Johannes, Andreas, Jakob, Gottlieb and the widow Knodel, Karl Weiss, Johannes Weiss, Peter Kodel, Karoline Schaal and Herman Stolz. The William Adolf family came in 1908. The mother, Margaret Adolf, was the community's midwife and nurse for many years. In 1909 the first mail route out of Bethune went north. Mr. Ed Stahlecker was assistant carrier. There were 20-25 families in the Settlement by then. The early 1900's was the time of getting established, crops were gathered, homes made permanent and the people were able to see a permanence coming to the community. So much of the labor of farming was provided by man power those early days. The scythe and threshing rock were first used to harvest those few acres that were planted. Horses were all important. Small grains were cut down by horse drawn headers and put onto barges with the family manning the pitch forks loading it neatly in huge stacks. These were made carefully so that they would shed the rain and would not settle in the middle as the crop could rot if water got into the stack. The main crops were winter wheat and corn. Later in the season the threshing machines came to the farms and the wheat was pitched into the machine and the grain was caught and weighed in yz bushel measurements so that accurate count could be maintained. The grain was stored in graineries for use on the farm and some sold for cash. The straw was blown into huge piles and was used for feed for the cattle. The community worked together as farming took lots of man power to accomplish the tasks to be done. Walking and other physical labor that was required made for hardy individuals. Other crops that were raised were oats, barley and feed for the livestock. They kept animals that could produce food for the table, mainly milk cows, sheep and swine providing meat, milk, wool, lard and soap. Fowls consisted of chickens for meat and eggs, geese and ducks for meat and feathers for bedding and corn shucks and straw were used for mattress filler. The Fred Stutz farmetead about 1920, where the Milbert Beringer family now live. Homemaking was a busy and difficult task. Water was carried to the house and washing was done bv hand. Cookine was simple at first �as their cooking was done on the earthen ovens constructed of adobe. They could bake their bread or simmer their meal in a kettle. Later cast iron stoves were purchased using fuel of corn cobs, cow chips, sage brush roots and anything else that would burn. The table was simple with long benches along the sides, most furniture being made by hand. Their trips to town were few with the father going in to make all purchases for the family. Many times the mother and children went to town SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY Story I once a year. Purchases were simple, flour was 60-?0 cents per 50 lbs., sugar, syrup at 25 cents a pail, salt, coffee and other staples. The first tractor was purchased in 1917 by Frank Kramer. Approximately 15 men were inducted into the service for World War I. We see changes of transportation and the me- chanization of farming. The automobile replaced the horse and buggy. New families were the Meyers and the Hasarts. The community was hurt by the events of 1929. Due to the stock market crash and the closing of banks in Burlington and Bethune, people suffered some severe losses. The loss of their life savings left a permanent mark on the community. This farming region suffered through many trials. One was the drastic drop of farm commodity prices. In 1931 hogs sold for 7 cents a lb., corn was as low as 10 cents a bu. Jake Strobel planting potatoes, their lives in this flood. The next winter was mild and because conditions were bad great plagues of grasshoppers came. They migrated through the sky forming clouds. When they landed they ate everything in sight covering whole sides ofbuildings, eating fence posts as well as everything green in their path. Farming was a difficult profession at this time. Horses were used although there were many tractors in use. The hardships that these people endured will never be forgotten. A tremendous change came to the farming came. This beceme a time of decision and community during the 1940's. The advancing of modern farm equipment made farming a little easier. Rubber tires on the tractors made for greater comfort. The tractors developed more horsepower so larger implements could be pulled allowing for the farms to grow in size. The nation was at war churches lost more than 130 members due to the drouth and resulting dust storms. healthier financial base. and there was the destruction of farm animals by order of the Department of Agriculture. To make things harder was the drouth that many families left this area. In 1935 the by Rev. Herbert Schaal and Marlyn Hasart SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY and the demand for foodstuffs was at a premium. This provided the area with a With the arrival of REA to the farming community many modern changes were made. Before this time many people had their own electrical systems which were small and unable to meet the needs of the times. With good prices most were able to enjoy a fine living standard and the farms were prosperous. T406 Drilling wheat between the corn stalks, courtesy of Emil Strobel. Part 4 Some families were to return as conditions were not easy elsewhere. Due to heavy rains in eastern Colorado on May 30, 1935 there was a great flood of the Republican River. The fields and pastures were bare due to the drouth and the rain washed the dry fields and pastures causing permanent dnmage and change to the Republican River flood plain. Large numbers of livestock were lost along with homes and barns. Several people lost T407 The first irrigation well was drilled in1952 on the John Schritter farm. After this many wells were drilled which helped stabilize the agricultural base of the community. The early 1950's were drouth and dust bowl years again. Very little wheat or feed was raised during this period with people leaving the farms again. Cattle herds were sold off due to the lack of feed. Irrigation was used to water crops and produce some feed allowing for many farmers to hang on. The binder was being replaced by the baler and newer and larger tractors were seen on the farms. Self propelled combines were a great help. Now in 1988 this community is still making its way with many of the descendants of those first pioneers still remaining on the land. The churches, Immanuel Lutheran and Hope United Church of Christ, are still active landmarking the endurance of this community. Although many new families now live in this community, it is still referred to by many as the Settlement. If those first pioneers could be with us now they would see that their drenm of freedom and a home of their own becnme a reality in the presence of this community today. by Rev. Ilerbert Schaal and Marlyn Hasart One of the earliest records of information about "North Smokey" that we found is a newspaper clipping dating April 8, 1900. "A pour down of water and thunder and lightning all last night. A bad dust storm struck us on Tuesday, the 3rd, following by a continuous three days' rain, said by the "oldest inhabitant" to be the worst storm of the kind in this vicinity. It drifted most of the stock westward, men and ponies have been busy on the hunt. The Rogers boys have in a wheat crop and intend to put in quite an acreage of broomcorn. Mrs. Green Pearce left Sunday night for Missouri, called there by the serious illness of her father. George Walters has taken a homestead on Sand Creek and is putting down a well. A baby cyclone passed through a narrow strip of country on Monday afternoon, the 2nd. The attention of the Walters and Shaws was directed by a terrible roaring to a blackas-night funnel-shaped cloud in the southwest. On it came very slowly, picking up all thistles and sticks in its track, filling the air as high as one could see. At Mr. Walters' it picked up chicken coops, carrying them quite a distance. From there, in its course northeast to Mr. Shaws', it tore up two posts from every fence. Mr. Shaw was burning weeds; it took up a long row he had ready for lighting and away they went sailing high. Although riding through the air on thistles might be a rapid conveyance east, Mrs. Shaw decided to wait for a safer and surer one and took refuge in the cafe. We do not know how far the cyclone extended. We hope one of no great dimension will visit us. Mr. and Mrs. Cluphf spent Sunday on their son Frank's place. Meadow larks and robins cheered us with their presence during the storms. the meanest kind of snowstorm came on Tuesday. G.L. Atwood of Watertown, Conn. was visiting at Mr. Bassette's last week." This gives us a bit of insight of life on the prairies in those early days. Who would have ever dreamed that in 1941 a tornado of iminense power would come through this community. Until the 1930's life in this community flourished. There was the usual fluctuation of population changes and during the 20's this community prospered as others did in the county. The 1930's brought many changes. So many of the original families were forced to leave their homes and farms. The circumstances were many as the financial loss of these people due to the collapse of the Stock Growers Bank and other banks in the area caused a terrible loss as there was no money to pay for food, taxes and other expenses. One can not quite comprehend how one survives without the income and cash resources on which to draw. Upon that tragedy, compounding the trauma of the times, was the drouth that came upon this area. Unable to raise any �Burlington. The first Kit Carson county farm to feel its effect was that of Henry Drager where the windmill and chicken house were demolished and machinery scattered to the four winds. Further to the northeast, the Chris Stahlecker farm was hit and the house almost unroofed, the windmill head blown off and the barn totally wrecked. The Smokey Hill school building, one-half Smokey Hill school house after the tornado, 1941. Left stands the remaining teacherage minus roof. feed for the milk cows and other livestock these farmers were forced to sell what they could at prices that saw botto'm. One cannot comprehend selling livestock at such low prices unless you have lived through it. The government came out and destroyed livestock which was a traumatic experience for so many residents. After the drought came the hoards of grasshoppers that devoured acres of growing crops in their paths. Late thirties brought on the beginning of better times and with them came new people back to the land. The community was again ing is the newspaper account of the event. backgrounds but with a sense of community Carson, about 50 miles southwest of here, and a group of close knit people of diverse "The most destructive tornado in the history of this section of the country swept through southeastern Kit Carson County, Colorado and Sherman County, Kansas. Farm homes, schools, communications, in fact, everything in the path of the tornado was demolished, causing thousands of dollars of loss in property damage. Miraculously, no one was killed outright, and the number of persons injured was small compared with the size and fury of the storm. It is believed the tornado was the same storm which originally formed near Kit that provided a base for the Smokey Hill School, social gatherings, and the opening of homes for entertainment. These activities provided a base of commitment that has finally blew itself out north of Goodland. In the approximately 100 mile course of the storm it destroyed or damaged numerous bound these residents even today. school houses. Sunday afternoon, June 8, 1941. The follow- course, entering the county directly south of Tragedy came to this community on farm homes and out-buildings and two large The storm traveled in a northeasterly north ofthe Stahlecker place, was next in line and the large three-story concrete structure was crumpled like an egg shell by the force of the wind. The falling concrete walls piled upon the roof of the garage which housed the three school buses, almost flattening one of these. The other two, although badly damaged, received less ofthe weight ofthe falling concrete. Two teacherage houses and their contents were totally destroyed and a third house unroofed. North of the Smokey Hill school, the storm next destroyed the barn at the former Oliver Olsen place. At the Henry Bassette place the shingles were stripped from a chicken house and the chimney was removed from the house and deposited in the yard in perfect condition. The Harold Harrington place suffered the loss of all buildings and a car ari well. A windmill on the Gerald Snelling place was torn down. At the Geo. Blomendahl farm the only thing left standing were the four walls of the house. A large barn and all outbuildings were swept clean, as well as the windmill and practically all ofthe trees. Chas. Kaester lost a gr€rnary and had a header barge blown through the porch of the house. Mrs. Gilford McCullough suffered a broken pelvic bone and possible internal injuries when she was blown quite a distance from the house by the force of the wind which destroyed their house and all outbuildings. At the E.E. Harrington farm a large barn was destroyed. Some damage was done at the Frank Korbelik place but was slight in comparison. Crossing the state line into Kansas the storm struck the Al Pralle farm about six miles south of Kanorado, demolishing farm buildings. On toward Ruleton the storm swept and here claimed the second school building as its victim. The $30,000 brick school building at Ruleton was totally destroyed, as were also four residences, these being the homes of T.G. Kaufman, Martin Nelson, W.T. Ingram and Mrs. Laura Kernal. These houses were occupied at the time of the storm and although they were slmost destroyed, the several people occupying them miraculously escaped. On the highway northeast of Ruleton the storm picked up a car occupied by Ted McCall and Robert Sprinkle. The car, a Model A roadster, was wrecked to such an extent that it seemed impossible that the occupants could survive. Sprinkle was dri- ving and was thro\iln out of the car. McCall was carried with the machine about a quarter of a mile and both legs were badly broken. He is recovering in a Goodland hospital. The storm went on northeast to the Glen Curry farm north of Goodland. Barns and outbuildings at the Feaster, Jack Dawson, John Shaver and Jnmes Chapp farms north of Goodland were all badly dnmaged, but none of the houses were blown down. The storm apparently raised directly north of Several people are looking over the school assessing the damage. Notice the gas pump on left side standing undamaged. Goodland and disappeared. With all the destruction of property it �seems miraculous that no lives were lost. At the Chris Staklecker home which lost threefourths ofthe roof, the occupants were in that part of the house which was spared. At the Smokey Hill school, Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Watson lived in the only house that was not demolished. This house had the roof torn off only L5 minutes after they had left for Arapahoe. The Geo. Blomendahl family were visiting relatives in Burlington when their place was swept away. Mrs. Gilford McCullough, although seriously injured, seems on the road to recovery. At Ruleton the escape of the dozen occupants in their homes is a miracle. by Marlyn lfasart SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY T408 It is hoped the job can be completed by noon. However, the Rotary Club suggests everyone bring a lunch in case it is necessary to continue work through the day. Wear comfortable shoes and leather gloves. Oddities of the Tornado Torrential rain, four to five inches, fell in some places, while at nearby farms no rain fell whatever. A slab of concrete about 4 x 6 feet was found lying on a mirror, yet the mirror was in perfect condition. Grains of wheat and cane seed were found imbedded in fence posts after the storm. At one place a medicine cabinet was left hanging on one of the walls, in perfect condition, yet all its contents had been swept out by the suction. A small bank, which formerly occupied a place on a dresser had been removed to a chair nearby, the bank upright and a dollar bill which it had contained was removed through the small slot and was lying on the floor, still neatly foldeo. Straw and feed stalks driven into pieces of wood. A chicken, which was a victim of the storm, was picked clean. - He did not survive, highway 51 (which is now highway 385). It was also 5 miles to the Smoky Hill Consoli- dated School, where buses picked up the children. Dragers had four children, Evelyn, Kenneth, June and Louis. Evelyn and Kenneth went to Smoky Hill School until they reached l1th grade and then went to Bur- lington to high school. High school was discontinued at Smoky Hill in 1951, and then in 1957 the entire school was consolidated into Burlington. Henry was on the school board for a number of years, and they lived in that original home for 50 years. That has to be quite a record! They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Trinity Lutheran Church in 1978. They built a new home in Burlington on Fay Street where they continue to enjoy 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. They were one of the families who did not leave when the bad times came. by Mrs. Ted Eberhart SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY T4lO however. An American flag which hung on a wall of the Ruleton school house was found lodged between the top of the wall and the ceiling, so tightly held that its removal without tearing was impossible. Story 2 Organize Party to llelp Clean Up Stricken Area She was a school teacher and needed a home and a job. Frank Kelly had a homestead and he wanted to give it up. Alice took advantage And the glass bowl on a gas pump just a few of this opportunity. This homestead was 16 miles south and two east of Burlington. It consisted of 160 acres and a two room adobe house. Years later, two other homesteaders, John Murphy and Henry Fansleau built on to that house. In 1920 Alice married Vincent Daniel. Vincent moved to her homestead. They had feet southwest of the snme building which was not broken. Dishpan still hanging on the kitchen wall of a demolished farm home - all other articles far removed. Shingles neatly picked from the top of a chicken house. Otherwise the building was shipshape. The tornado which struck in the Smokey Hill community on June 8, 1900 caused a very difficult situation for people whose property was destroyed. Nearby fields of grain and fallow were covered with debris. Pieces of lumber with nails and tin, etc., will be a serious hazard to tractor tires and other hawesting equipment, unless removed before fields are planted and harvested. Everyone by Marlyn llasart SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY for whom it will be practical to help is requested to assist in removing debris from grain fields and cultivatcd lands. Organizations and groups who will assist the people in Smokey Hill include: Burlington Rotary Club, Boy Scouts, Farm Bureau, 4-H clubs, home demonstration clubs, Grange, other groups, individual farmers and merchants. It is requested these groups and individuals meet at the Smokey Hill school house at 8:00 a.m. June 13. Boy Scouts and 4-H club boys are requested to work under their leaders. The Smokey Hill home demonstration club will provide drinking water for the crews. Those who can provide trucks should see Ted Backlund. The crews will work from the Smokey Hill school to the Chas. Kaestner farm. A group of Kanorado, Kansas, people are planning to start at the Harrington and McMullough farms Friday morning and work toward the Kaestner farm. In 1917, Alice Sullivan came to Colorado from Harmon, Illinois because of her asthma. Children's merry-go-round immediately north of the Smokey Hill school house which was not even scratched. Cleaning up after the storm. Story 3b T409 five children, two of which are deceased. Elizabeth is married to Jack Cheslock and they live in Oregon. Richard is married to Vera Shade. They are retired and live in Arriba, Colo. Joe is married to Mary Lou Williams. They are retired and recently moved to Holyoke, Colorado. During the early years, they picked up their mail and bought their groceries at a trading post called Cole, Colorado. It was located two miles east of the Millisack place. Story 3a This is sort of a collection of stories of people who lived in the Smoky Hill Commu- nity after the severe drouth in the early thirties. During the drouth, many of the original families moved away. It was impossible to get contributions from everybody, but this will be a pretty good sampling of the kind of people from that period. Henry and Flora Drager moved into a new farm home in 1928, after they were married. They had to live in the basement for several weeks until the painting and varnishing was completed. One evening a lot of cars drove in and it was the neighbors coming to charivari them. They had brought lunch and spent the evening getting acquainted. This home was located 5 miles south of the correction line, near All of the kids went to the Smoky Hill Schbol on the bus, through the tenth grade. One teacher taught grades 1 through 4, and another teacher taught 5 through 8. The 9th and 10th were generally taught by the principal. Every fall after the watermelons were ripe, the entire school would take their lunches and go on a full day picnic down by the Smoky. They would end the day by going to the Stahlacker ranch (which was 1 mile south of the school) for a big watermelon feed. This was a custom much enjoyed for many years. For entertainment, the kids used to go arrow head hunting. They went over on the "Jones Hill," which was 1/z mile east of Wayne Iseman's home. They would ride their horses and spend most of the day hunting. School mates of Mary Lou Daniels were Helen Burk (Schierman), Joe Pillings and Lucille Walstrom. Richard's classmates were �Bill and Betty Burk, Laurence Carlson, Jane Walstrom and Marvin Butterfield. and Gwen is still teaching third grade in the by Bernice Eberhart by Bernice Eberhart GWEN AND HUBERT CRANMER T4l1 Gwen and Hubert Cranmer were married in St. Francis, Kansas in June of 1946 and then moved to Smoky Hill to the teachers apartments. Gwen taught the first four grades and Hubert was employed by Ted Eberhart on the farm. Those apartments were rather crude with a dirt basement. They adopted two white cats to keep the mice out and made the upstairs as livable as possible. It was war time and they were unable to buy a cook stove of any kind, so they cooked with a little two hole oil burner. Gwen said they must have lived on love, and she is sure they couldn't do it now. The term began with 23 children, and Lonnie and Connie Eberhartwere both in her room. Gwen was Bernice Eberhart's sister, and they had a lot of interesting happenings. The family had always called Gwen "Skinny," but it was never to be said at school. One day Lonnie forgot and what an embarassing slip that was. It was really hard times for some families, and there were times when school lunches would be stolen. Gwen always saw to it that they did not go without lunch. Bob Meyers and Lonnie Eberhart were both first graders and Bob had been asking his dad if he could go home and spend the night with Lonnie. His dad told him that some day when it was nice weather, he could go. So, Bob just waited for a nice day and went. About ten o'clock Shorty Meyers was out looking for Bob, and finally arrived at the Ted Eberhart home. He really chewed that boy out, but since it was a nice day, that is what he had been waiting for. Bob got to spend the rest of the night, but was warned never to do it again. Dwight Wheatly from Vernon, Colorado taught the upper grades, and they all seemed to get along remarkably well. The community Sunday school was the highlight of the week, and it brought many of the parents together in a social gathering. In the fall of L947 school was going well when a terrific blizzard rolled in. There was no way to clear the roads, so the buses could not pick up the children. Hawey and Jane Matthews and daughter Patty also lived in those school apartments. Harvey was a bus driver and they were the custodians at the school. There was nothing they could do so they slept late and then spent the afternoon and evening playing cards. Harvey would get up and say, "Oh no, not again!" They ended up having about three weeks of make-up which made for a late school term. The Cranmers moved back to Beecher Island after school was out and took over Gwen's parents farm. They thoroughly enjoyed their time at Smoky Hill and made a lot of good friends. Thev are still on the farm at Beecher Island school at Wray, Colorado. SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY T4t2 In1947, Cliff and Bertha Hines moved into the Smoky Hill area because they needed more farm land and grass. They settled near the Smoky and three of their four children went to Smoky Hill School. When Marvel Lee was in the eighth grade, they had a bingo party. The road had recently been graded, and it started to rain. It got so muddy and so the ten people in their car were stalled all night, until some one came by to help them. You had better believe that it was a long night, and will not soon be forgotten. One Sunday Cliff and a friend and their two sons went out to look for the cattle in the pasture. They scared up a coyote and the chase was on. Suddenly they were upon the bank of the Smoky. They could not stop, so they just stepped on he gas and flew over the 25 ft. bank and landed in the bottom of the creek. The fan broke a hole in the radiator, but otherwise, no damage. It turned out to be the thrill of their lives. by Bernice Eberhart SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY ties. They later went to work for Orville Chapin on the farm and lived in a small house on the place. They had another daughter Kathy and returned to Goodland and Harvey went to work on the railroad. Patty and Connie Eberhart were going to be best friends forever, but the move separated them. by Bernice Eberhart SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY T4l6 E.L. (Shorty) Meyers E.L. (Shorty) Meyers and Blanche Meyers moved to the Smoky Hill area in 1945. They came from Goodland, KS, to work for Albert Kirschmer and lived on the Byers place. Robert, Joy and Norma were their three children. Bob started to school with Edna Bartman as his first teacher. In the fall of 1954 their house burned to the ground and they moved to the Smith district. In 1955 they moved to the teacherage at Smoky Hill School where Shorty was custodian and Blanche cooked. Both of them drove school buses. By this time they had three more children, Kay, Ron and Debbie. After the school closed they moved to Burlington where all of the children live, except Joy Bowman, who lives in Littleton. Shorty died in 1977. Blanche has continued to work in a lot offood services, and lately has been helping take care of grandchildren. T4l3 Delbert and Inez Richardson In the spring of 1945 Delbert and Inez Richardson, and three daughters Carolyn 9, Marsha 8 and Nadyne 5, moved from a farm south of Ruleton Kansas to the Smoky Hill Community. Inez said she thought they had come to the jumping off place when they came to the Smoky. There wasn't any bridge, and the banks seemed awfully high. Two sons, Bill and Tony were born in this community. Delbert was actively involved in the Gun Club and the whole family participated in all of the other community affairs. They moved into Burlington in 1951. by Bernice Eberhart SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY were always a part of the community activi- T4t4 Jane and Harvey Matthews Jane and Harvey Matthews were married just before Hawey went to the service. After Harvey returned they moved into the apartments at Smoky Hill and Harvey drove the bus, and they were custodians. They had one daughter Patty. That was in 1946, and they by Bernice Eberhart SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY T416 Helen and Otis Metcalf came to Smoky Hill to work for Orville Chapin. They came from the Whatley Vacation Ranch, Breckenridge, Colo., so Dale could go to school. There was also Carolyn and Dwight in the family. They moved to Fort Scott Kansas to be close to his elderly parents in 1952. Otis died in 1960 and Helen worked in the hospital. Dale and Dwight both work in insurance and Carolyn lives in Wichita. by Mrs. Ted Eberhart SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY T4t7 Elder Arnold and Susie Elder moved to the Smoky Hill Community in 1911. They csme by wagon driving a herd ofcattle taking them 7 days from Woodston, Kansas. They had 6 living children when they left in 1925. Arnold �built the house owned by Leland Baney. They have 2 small children buried in the and Orville and Flo Chapin. Burlington Cemetery. Keith, Willard and Verawent tothe Smoky Hill School. Lowell, deceased, Vinta and Oren were the other members of this family. Keith and Willard were teachers and Keith Windscheffel, Fromong, and Lindsey fami- played football with the St. Louis team in the late 30's. He was inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame coaches in 1986. He taught Others included McClelland, Woods, lies. There were the Bloomendahl, Fanslaus, Olsons, Bassette, Harrington, Kaestner, and others, who were residents at the time of the tornado that swept through the community in 1941. by Bernice Eberhart wood working and coached football in the Salina, Kansas schools for over 35 years. Much of his time was spent working with retarded and disturbed boys, teaching them SPRING VALLEY RANCH woodworking. Both Arnold and Susie are dead. by Bernice Eberhart SMOKEY HILL COMMUNITY T4l9 The history that we have of our first settlers in our neighborhood is the McCrillis family. Mr. E. McCrillis, his brothers and father came here and settled on what is now known as the Spring Valley Ranch located in T418 Lots of people were moving into the community in the 1940's, and there were all kinds of activities being organized. With the help of Nick Jantzen a community Sunday school was organized, helping to make the community into one big family. The fellows had a gun club, stag parties, took fishing trips together and the ladies organized the Friendship Circle Extension Homemakers Club. One of the projects of the club was to purchase dishes for the school lunch room when the hot lunch program was started. Each mother took a turn at helping the cook at the school, and it was a big improvement - for all concerned. In May 1954, the Windscheffel home was burned and they lost everything. The community families rallied around with love and support, financially, emotionally and spiritually. How wonderful to have such friends! They moved into one of the apartments at the Smoky Hill School for 6 months until another house could be moved onto the farm. In the back of their minds they had thought they would probably go back to California or Oregon, but after the traumatic fire and the loving support ofthese friends, they decided to rebuild and stay put. They have never been sorry for the decision. These people stick our school district. In 1879, they came from Boston, Massachusetts seeking a higher altitude for their health. They went into the stock raising business describing the story ofthe country as was told by Mr. E. McCrillis when they first came here. A little north of where the lower set of buildings on the Spring Valley Ranch are now, there was a small log house which was built out of native cotton wood trees by two brothers by the name of Ricks. These men were cowboys and were line riding for a large cattle rancher northeast on the Republican River. The McCrillises came up the Republican River from Wayne, now called St. Francis, Kansas, which was then a post office and mail was carried on horse back on up the river to different ranches. They came to this log house owned by the Ricks brothers. They brought their household belongings and settled there, engaged in the stock-raising business and after the Government survey had been made in 1881 and 1882, they all took claims on what is now known as the Spring Valley Ranch along a creek with deep water holes and some running water and natural hay meadows. On this creek were scattering cottonwood together through "thick and thin" and remain to this day a very closely knit group. timber, out of which another house was built, corrals and horse barns were also built. The log house that they bought from the Ricks brothers had one door to the east, two attended. Their favorites probably were through the logs, one on the south and one on the west for light. The roof was logs laid Smoky Hill provided many good teachers during the time that Phyllis and Gary small holes about ten by twelve hewed Gwen Cranmer, Hazel Fromong, Genevieve Bell and John Robertson. There are many fond memories of long lasting friendships. close together and dirt thrown on top. On the There were other people who resided within the community. Their stories are longer and will be found in the Family Story section (see Family Story Index). These families were found at the activities of the school as well as the Home Demonstration Club, Gun Club, playing cards and all other activities. These people and the activities that they participated in were the fiber in which the community created the bond of family that made this community so rich in the relationships that have continued throughout the years. Some of the families are the Ted Eberharts, Walstromm, Rainbolt, Baney, the Long, the Bells, Joe and Goldie Williams, Hazel and LeRoy Morton, west and north side, the logs have been burned, some nearly half way through. It was told that this was done by Indians. Mr. E. McCrillis also said that buffalo were plentiful here at that time. About 1886, settlers began to come, settling near the creeks and rivers on account ofwater and fuel. Their first houses were mostly dug outs. A square hole dug in the ground about four feet deep, then with a spade the sod was cut about ten inches wide and from eighteen to twenty-two inches long, and two or three inches thick. These were laid on top of each other, building a wall to the desired height. Then ends were laid up out of sod and a roof put on, in most cases it was made out of lumber brought in with the first settlers. Soon after the first settlers came, they tried to raise crops of different grains. Machinery and general farm equipment being scarce, a good deal of planting was done with a hoe, after the ground had been broken. A good deal of this first land plowing was done with ox teams. But people were successful and machinery and work horses were added, until today it has changed into a good grain producing country with nice farms and high grade of livestock. The first school house was built out of sod and Mr. E. McCrillis was the first elected school secretary, an office he held for fifteen years. Mr. E. McCrillis who was the only one left in the family, sold his ranch property which was all in this school district. In 1908 he moved to Denver, Colorado where he died in about 1922. There are no historical places of great importance in this neighborhood, except one which is one mile east and one half mile south of our south school house on the east side of the creek. Here there is a large stone hill and on top of this hill is a flat place where there was at one time, a stone monument and a grave. The grave is said to be an Indian grave. This monument is now torn down. This hill was called Indian Monument Hill by the first settlers. One and a half miles south of the south school house on the west bank of the creek is a place where a large size wash out hole had been formed, the banks being from ten to twelve feet straight up and down. From the southeast corner of this wash out, a long conal wall was laid up out of sod. This place was used to catch wild horses. Men engaged in that work used this place to catch wild horses and it is called Wild Horse Corral. There is no trail in use at this time in our neighborhood but at one time there was a trail running down the Launchman Creek, used by people picking buffalo bones. This was called the Bone Pickers Trail. The first teacher was Mrs. Hellen Slusser. School warrant number one was drawn on October 12, 1889 for $20.00 for the first month's teaching. Written by Ruth Goebel in 1924. by Ruth Bauder SUCKER'S FLAT T420 The first permanent homesteads in the area called Sucker's FIat. located about 20 miles north and east of Flagler, were settled in 1908 by a group who came from Shelby County, Missouri. In all 23 homesteads were taken in that area by this group who called it Shiloh after their Baptist Church in Shelby County. The name, Sucker's Flat, originated because the area was flat and inviting to farmers but water was very hard to come by, being so deep. The first ones to come included John Will (Jack) Lipford, his foster brother and cousin, Walter Curry, three Barnett brothers - Vic, Chester, and Marv. A relative of the Barnetts was living at Rexford, Kansas, and in 1907 had a large crop of grain. He sent word back to Shelby County asking someone to come to help harvest and it was these young men who went out to help him. Apparently while in western Kansas they became interested in the idea of homesteading in Colorado, and in the fall of 1907, before returning to Missouri, �3'**W ')ry, :i. . ,....,:, - ., i,t4{9!;r,'ry'*Yc' '.;*,:,: . ^.'la' Shiloh congregation shown in front of J.W. Lipford barn where services were held in the hayloft until Shiloh Baptist Church was built. they took the train from Rexford to Seibert. There they met the land office men who drove them out to the area where they decided on their homestead sites before returning to Missouri. The next spring the five had their farm sales early in the year and the men came first to get houses ready to live in. They first built a two-room dugout. Their furniture and belongings came by immigrant car and they used tents to cover their furniture, etc. Blanche (Lipford) Carper remembers that her parents, the Lipfords, brought only chickens, purchasing horses and other livestock after they arrived. All lived in the tworoom dugout while they built a 2-room soddy, first for the Vic Barnetts and then for the Lipfords and the Currys and then for Chester and Marv Barnett who were bachelors at the time. The chickens had to be put in coops at night or the coyotes would have gotten them. Jack Lipford's homestead bordered Washington County as did Walter Curry's. They each had 80 acres of excess land (due to the correction line) which they farmed as long as they lived on their places but which they didn't own. It was six months before wells were dug and Blanche recalls the women and children drove teams and wagons 6 miles to bring back barrels ofwater for both the livestock and the people. Mail came out on the Cope Road which was ten miles away. Other families who came to homestead from Shelby County included the Bill, Oscar and Ross Churchwell families; the Ed Hoa- glund family which included three children; two Nelson families, Harlan and wife and their children, Mary, Bruce, Lear and Jim and the Bedford Nelsons whose children were My'rtle and Kenneth; the Mason Wilson family (Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Ed Hoaglund were sisters); and two bachelor brothers of the women, Grover and Alex Todd; Ed and Dick Bragg, bachelor brothers of Mrs. Lena Lipford; Sarah Weaver, a widow and her four children, two daughters and two sons, all of whom filed on homesteads; Jacob Curry and wife, the father of Walter Curry and uncle and foster father of Jack Lipford; Luther (Gurd) Hewitt and wife, Laura, and their children, Florence, Daisy, Pearl, Alice, one more daughter and their son, Mac. Mr. Hewitt was the twin of Mrs. Walter Curry. Well drilling was a priority, with Burd and Walter Todd, cousins of Grover and Alex, having a well drilling outfit. The first school was built by the homesteaders and was called Ash Grove. The first term was probably about 1910 with Clair Williams recalled as the first teacher. Dora Wolverton was among the early teachers. Later the Shiloh Central School was built which had a full basement and two rooms above. Teachers usually lived in the basement. Church services were probably held from the beginning in homes. The Harlan Nelsons had a 3-room soddy so it was most often used since there was more space. In the summer, services were held in the Jack Lipford barn hayloft. Sometimes the men would move an organ into the hayloft. The Shiloh Baptist Church was organized, probably about 1911, and named for the home church in Missouri. It was built on a corner of the Bedford Nelson land with an adjoining cemetery, also established. It was built by the men of the community with the usual work days with 15 or 20 men assembling to do the work and the women bringing basket dinners. A copy ofthe deed dated Dec. 8, 1915, which was recorded in 1916, stated that the land would revert to the Nelson family when no longer used as a church and cemetery. Jacob Curry, who organized and chartered the church, had been born in Kentucky on March 4, L84L, and moved to Missouri in 1872. In 1913. the Jacob Currvs returned to Missouri. by Blanche Lipford Carper � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Communities Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource History Description An account of the resource A record of the communities in Kit Carson County as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:412 2020-03-23T10:19:24Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/412/Country_Schools_1.pdf d25ff98f58eae46fec12e77b33f3c37c PDF Text Text concerned back in the 1880's would offer the uee of their home until some site could be found, perhaps an old soddie which a settler had left after he proved up or where he had paid the required $1.25 per acre, obtained his patent and then decided to abandon. Above all, it is very clear that respect for education characterized the majority ofthe settlers, and they made great sacrifices and expended much effort in establishing some method of having educational experiences for every i i-, tJ 5J*' -" i Participating in the ride were Buster Jenkins, Dave Corliss, Shorty Hostetler, Betty Corliss, David Reid, Ernie Cure, George Hubbard. community's youth and children. From the beginning furnishings were no problem. A long plank could be transformed into a teacher's desk or made into seats for the students. Or someone's big table would be donated. The blackboard was black oilcloth tacked across the front of the room. A potbellied stove threw welcome radiance a few feet around its circumference on cold days, or one kept his coat on all day over the heavy clothing he always wore. Walking many miles, driving a little cart, or riding a horse or donkey, sometimes with brothers and sisters hanging on behind one another, were that day's transportation methods. A kind of shed out back for the animals, in conjunction with a couple of tiny leanto-like buildings for toiletg off in each corner made up the school yard. Water was brought from home in some fashion for few schools had wells. A common drinking ladle went from pupil to pupil and few drops were wasted. lrt* In the beginning the teacher was someone with sufficient education to teach, but no ."t -r!]. $ f- lr.l;i., certificate was required and sometimes the best educated person in the community was prevailed upon to take this added responsibility. In some communities this turned out to be the pastor ofthe church and the pay was almost non-existent. Book stand pencils and slates come with the students. Hungry for companionship and learning, the pupils in those school rooms transformed them into hives of activity and much learning took place. Probably no part offrontier life played as great a role in the lives of those who went to early day schools as those few months with companions each year in a frontier school house. And it was only a few months . perhaps six at most. For that school house was the center of the community. Its uses were multiple! Church, Sunday School, voting precinct, dance hall, funerals, literary programs, basket dinners, debates, preaching from an itinerant preacher, a place to meet for a rabbit drive or coyote hunt, and all the ball games were scheduled here. Provisions for providing more formal school settings progressed rapidly and by t;: ;'t ift;4 1910 the one-room school system was preva- Ient and teachers with a few months of Riders following the trail along the Republican River through Kit Carson County. Scouts of Flagler plan to place a marker at the Crystal Springs site. by Betty Reimer THE COUNTRY SCHOOL T138 "School" was a prime concern and focus of the early settlers of Kit Carson County. Stories from families of the earliest settlers indicate the great lengths to which those citizens went to provide some way for the children and young people of this frontier area to be exposed to education. Those most normal training were hired with the intent of instructing the pupils in the essential academic skills of arithmetic, reading, geography, spelling and grammar. This pattern of education continued for the next forty years basically, with modifications in offerings, number of teachers per school and other changes in individual localities. A typical day's experience for a student began with at home chores before school, followed by the walk or horse-related ride to school, and a short play period before the strident "ding-dong" of the 9:00 a.m. bell. Opening exercises started the school day: reading by the teacher from a favorite book or a singing session, plus the Pledge of �Arregrance ano mayDe a llag rarsrng quletect everyone down before a short study period. This was followed by a round of recitations. When "recitations" began, each class as called came to the long bench before the teacher's desk, presented the assignments they had finished for handing in, asked questions, talked of problems associated with new work, and got a new assignment. Simultaneously, in their desks the other pupils were supposedly studying and preparing for their turn at the recitation bench. Sometimes the absorbed teacher was unaware that chaos producing activity might be underway someplace in that school room. But the culprits would be embarrassed when it came their turn to recite, so things evened out. Eventually, recess time came and fifteen minutes outside with romping or running and games like "Black Man," "Dare Base," "Pumppump Pull Away" or baseball and a trip to the "toilet" brought refreshed children back to have another go at classes until 12 o'clock, when dinner pails came out of the cloakroom. Usually a syrup bucket or a fancier Union Leader tobacco box held each student's lunch of sandwiches, occasional cake, and maybe canned fruit or rarely a piece of fried rabbit or chicken. Trading one's boughten bread sandwich for a sandwich with a favorite filling was common. More play during that noon hour break and it was an hour and a chapter or two of a special book like "Black Beauty," "Girl of the Limberlost," or "Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come" made the long afternoon, punctuated by a recess break, endurable until 4:00 p.m. Then students were asked to "put away your books and pick up the floor." Whispered last minute talk with a loved teacher and furtive glances and last words with one's favorite of the week, with a merry scattering of "Good-byes" started pupils home for a night of rest and readiness for another day of school. In a school with all eight grades, a teacher might have thirty or more recitation periods each day, while trying to keep an eye on the total school room, so recitations were kept briefand to the point. Because ofthis heavy load each day, many teachers put two grades together for some subjects and one might study sixth grade arithmetic before he had fifth and that created problems, some of which might follow one all his life. Obviously the teacher could not supervise a reciting class and the diversionary tactics that might be going on elsewhere in the room, but there were benefits as well attached to this method of instruction. For instance, fascination with the subject being talked about in an advanced grade often led to complete absorption in this topic by someone who didn't seem to be at all ready to tackle the topic. One teacher taught Latin to her eighth graders and before long everyone in that room could converse to a point in Latin. And the adoration of a younger pupil for an older one who could help with his perplexing subjects at the discretion ofthe teacher developed into true friendships that last to this day. Letting a student look in the "answer book" helped many a distressed teacher get through a student's time of indecision and trial with a heady problem when the teacher had no time for interrupting a reciting class. Big ones helping little ones was a great learning experience of itself. The few resources to vary the routine and stimulate interest and motivate to new projects came from a set of encyclopedias if there was one, the dlctionary, and the dearly loved "reading circle" books the teacher got in a big trunk from the county superintendent who had procured them from the Colorado State Library. What excitement ensued when that trunk was opened! Usually the books could be kept for six weeks and getting to read as many as one wished often was most impossible. Drawing and coloring, ot having art, spelldowns or ciphering matches on Friday afternoons. . occasion- ally with a nearby school . . varied the routine and gave something to look toward. Practicing for the periodic programs given for parents at Thanksgiving and Christmas or other holidays was an added time of excitement. When the percale curtains which denoted a stage were placed on wires stretched from side to side across the front of the schoolroom, hearts beat just a little faster because a little dialogue or play, a recitation, a flag drill, some songs, and an exercise with several students involved would be practiced a few minutes each day and as perfection seemed near and the afternoon or evening of the performance drew close all knew thev would present a good show. As the years passed some things changed: merry-go-rounds, teeter-totters, and slides appeared in play grounds. The little ones were sometimes let out early all by themselves at recess and noon times so thev could have a short time to enjoy these unmtlested by the pesky big kids. And sometimes, but rarely, the big kids made life a bit miserable for a teacher, especially if that teacher had done something to indicate a "bearcat dispo- sition." Teachers were known to fail to show up on Mondays and forever after following such a hazing. Typical kinds of punishment from a teacher were a spanking on the bottom or a knuckle whacking with a big ruler or having to stay in at recess. Sometime in these years mothers began a sort of hot lunch program, taking turns sending soup in a gallon bucket to be heated on the stove all morning. One tale is told of a gallon of bean soup heating away when suddenly there was a great explosion with beans going everywhere, even up on the ceiling where they stuck. A lid on too tight! What a mess, and no hot soup that day. A World War II activity was saving all the foil off of any gum. Tin was needed and the source was cut off by the war in the Pacific. Everyone tried to do what was possible to help a little. Probably one custom that anyone who attended a country school remembers fondly was being given permission to dust the erasers by banging them on the front steps, side of the school house or on the footscraper near the front door. For today's students in our modern technically equipped schools who have no idea what the isolation and stark poverty of that day in a school room was, one can scarcely paint a realistic word picture. As the school year began, some families from the school district, probably the school board's, gathered to clean the school house, wash any curtains, dust the spiderwebs out of the toilets, stash a little kindling and some coal in the coal shed, chop any weeds in the yard and clean up the fence row if there was one around the school site. Sometimes there would be a new coat of kalsomine for the inside or the stovepipe needed repair and some new desks might have been purchased. From then on the custodial duties at the school belonged to the teacher, who stoked the fire at night in hope it would hold over and keep the building a bit warm so that getting to school late would pose no problems to complicate the firebuilding time needed. The chore of sweeping up with a little sweeping compound was the usual ending to a teacher's day. The smells of a typical schoolroom were compounded of odors of that sweeping compound, heavy, damp clothing, overshoes that had been in the barnlot earlier, plus any association with animals such as the farmyard cattle, dogs and cats and a skunk encountered on the wav to school, and the smells of many luncires, mingled with those of young bodies that had received no daily shower or bath. One must remember that there were town schools which had more to offer in numbers of teachers and larger buildings with possibly more materials with which to work. But much learning evolved in those rustic, rural settings and if and when any student went to high school in Flagler, Seibert, Vona, Stratton, Bethune or Burlington, he or she usually did well in competition with those who were town folks' kids. And country grade schools sometimes had a few ninth graders, too, who took examinations at six weeks time with the town school nearest them so that those students would be able to attend there without paying tuition later on. That education for some was a "catch as catch can" affair cannot be denied. Many of the boys old enough to work were kept out to pick corn, help with early spring farming or haying time, and lots of girls had to stay home to help cook or care for a new baby or someone who was ill. That many went to school in a haphazard way is true, and this led to much irregularity in organization and sequence of classes. But they learned . . . did they learn! This was the pattern ofschool organization into the mid-1940's. The quality of any given school was dependent upon the caliber of its individual teacher, guided to a degree by the county superintendent of schools. The county superintendent faithfully visited each school at least once each year. The following were the Kit Carson County Superintendents of schools from 1888 through 1979: 188&1890: D.S. Harris; 1892-1894: J.W. Augustine; 1894-1896: Wm. H. Bennett: 1896-1900: Susie Morgan; 1900-1902: G.H. Hobart; 1902-1904: John F. Stott; 1904-1908: Eva Rogers; 1908-1910: Dessie M. Bolt: 1910-1916: Jennie L. Tressel; LSLG-L922: Jessie C. McGee; L922-1926: Della Hen- dricks; 1926-1928: Lenore Johnson: 1928-1932: Della Hendricks; 1932-1984: Ora Cruickshank; 1934-1940: Laura Payne; 1940-1944: Virginia Welch; 1944-1948: Flor- ence Wigton; Ig44-1962: Willa Zick: 1962-197 9: Lucy Russmann. The education act which consolidated all the schools of Kit Carson County in the very late 1940's was the end of the individual one room schools in this part of Colorado. The problems that had begun for schools during World War I, stretching through the depression and dirty 1930's, and the teacher shortage during and after World War II, along with better roads and transportation methods, created the situation which culminated in consolidation and the creation ofonly the few districts in which all the young people of the county are now educated. The shifting of district boundaries, the drops in county population, the courthouse fire which destroyed all school records to that time. the �moving of more recent records to the State Archivis at the capital in Denver have made a confusing, intertwined skein of information which is almost beyond unraveling even by those who lived through the numerous events involved. That we can have stories of any kind which are at all factual and accurate is due entirely to those precious memories of folk who took the time to write a story of what they recall of their school experiences. So, enjoy each story and treasure each picture because the days ofone room schools gave the background for the wonderful schools which now accommodate our young citizens, and all of those who really remember the one room school days will soon be gone like the school itself. by DorothY C. Smith 1889 ANNUAL REPORT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS DISTRICT 19, 1888-89 Tr40 The Colorado State Archives which house the old materials of the Kit Carson County Superintendent ofSchools has a recording for District 19, when this was yet Elbert County, that for the 1888-89 term from October 11, 1888 to March 29, 1889, teacher Julia Doughty recorded that she had 20 pupils, ages 5 to 1?. There wereT girls and 13 boys. Families represented included 3 Leynde, 6 Doughty, 4 Strode, 2 Stark, and one each from the Swazee, Landon, Stewart, Keeler, and Robinson families. The teacher's salary was $35.00 per month, and the expense for the whole term was her salary, $210.00. Colorado State Archives PAGES FROM TEACHERS DAILY REGISTER - 1891 Tl41 T139 Superintendent D. S. Hanis, Superintendent of Kit Carson County of Colorado, sent this report to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction on 28th day of September, 1889: Census Total: 745; Total pupils: 406; Total teachers: 43; Average Monthly Salary: $29.9?; Teachers in District 5: S'L. Chapman, Jennie Walters, Ira O Stucky, Myrtle Keller; ll-# District 16: Venessa D. Diltz; District 17: Winn Combs and C.H. Frost; District 18: Molly Doves and Lizzie Carmichal; District 19: Julia Doughty; District 20: Bill Kyle and Mary Shafer; District 21: John Scott and Mary Barr; District 22: J.W. Sutton and G.G. Sutton; District 23: Lottie Rose and Mrs' t#-/u [r.'- i't "t'; E.T. Trull; District 24: T.W. Correll and D.W. Correll; District 25: J.B. McFarland, Miss A.L. Smith and Fred N. Willis; District 26: E.E. Hubber: District 27t Lauta A. Gant; District 28: Maggie Sater and Susie E. Morgan; District 29r Jennie C. Finlayson, D.H. Roberts and Henry Hoskins; District 30: Minnie A. Smith, Hettie Howard, and Hettie Bedoratha; District 31: Mary R. Bates and Minnie Mesechre; District 32: Addie Miller; District 33: V.M. Campbell and Julia Doughty; District 34: Hattie Howard; District 35: Anna Crafton and Una E. Rhinehart; District 36: Chas. L. Dickinson and May Faurote; District 37: Mrs. Kindy and Mrs. Amy Corliss; District 38: Charles N' Cogswell; District 39: Clia Miller; District 41: J.C. Davis; District 42: Mary I. Howard; District 44: Harvey A. Goodin; District 45: Jennie L. Rice; District 46: Mabel F. Floris; District 47: Mabel Daskam; District 48: John J. Neal; District 49: Ida Kane; and District 49: May M. B. Salaries ranged from $15 to $51.50 per month and the total expenditures for year 1889: $4,896.63 for the Kit Carson County Schools. Microfilm, State Archives '-- -risa1:;:-.:.'.:f:-r-:--:::r -- *:: .---.' :.-' .$;':r--::;'j .:-::r #t Ifi GBIDEI SiSOOLS this nesister is to bo tted at the close of the iem with the Principal; N i$en,tp-Sn, with the District Secrctary. l TIIE SUPDRIN'|E\DENT OI1' PUIJLI(I ]]{STRUC1'ION 1a90- �-> lJ -ir.-r.l-v".l.-4-...E\,, I Nuusen. Bxexcsrs Sruonp, .If V-C\,, .L -.GL-laJ --L'-c1J.lxJ.jJ/A:. Sulnaery ol ENnor-rusx: lup Srertsrtcs. Taxr 8oors, Grxrnrt Menonlnoe. !l.lc. Algebra. (ten,reitrl!lli,l Geouretry t-4 . Whole No. ol pupils enrolled during tenn _a-- No. under r6 years eurolled during term . i-'-l-'-i-ii--*-.--r! ' l .* ...l-l -- f--"ii * -,,--,i Physiology i--d-l -6--',9,-t[--_-ll ii- iflf Philosoohv I}--l-iI Natural Philosophy i-- lPhysicai Geography l-Ll -L',--ZLl;,----i composition l- l-l.. l, No. cases of corporal punishrnent.. of suspension susbension ijli No. ""..t "".., No. visits by Co. Supt. of Schools i1 No. visits by parents and others :*tlT:,':" l-ll- ll---li Voc*lMusic|-l-|-ll--ili---||rdoso|emn!7swear.i.ha|thc Drawing ' :::--------- it-l-i i-i-li | -i- | I -l--t-_* l=''__i| lr ---ii-- ii . i-.-li-- . : -*16-,ii -lltos,,-,a;,huetoth'ebestolf mv - ,i Il The sclrool was tausht bv a*-tzA*{&4r ; il s"l",rort., r,*"....//=l'E ermoulh ls -' "n edsc and belief, and that f haz i " . -.-: \Vhole arrrount paid to the teacher for the _ __ Ths last month's wages ehould not be paid lhs Tsacher unti! lhis summary is flted out and filed with the Prlncipal or Secretary, a! tho caso may ho. T1-r n n rrr-n I l,AUl-11,f( I) n tt '''eiS'r v I tIJL Eit F'JR 'fI-IE .I'ENU I \ynIL /'h'. ,.1-. t l-< t. ,1['err-t:t. tuo ol �twelve blocks, you l(nowl" I TAUGHT IN A SODDY Tt42 I have no quarrel with modern schools, their breathtaking architecture, their Twelve city blocks! One mile of snow shoveled walks. And I thought of my early pupils trudging through snowdrifts up to their hips. In those days Colorado had a well defined course of study and a definite goal to meet nel. Their courses which touch upon every phase of present day living are in line with the and we met it. We had arithmetic, history, physiology, civics, geography,language, writing and spelling. There was no choice of study; like it or not, there was one course for march ofprogress. I know because I answered everyone. shsamlined efficiency, their trained person- the urgent call for teachers during the shortage in WWII. But sometimes I compare them with the first school I taught, a lowly soddy, hugging the prairie in eastern Colorado. I wonder then if, in the new approach to mass education, teachers as well as pupils have not grown soft. Perhaps they've lost, with the personal touch, some of the initiative, and teamwork as well as some of the fun of years ago. It was a golden day in September, 1908. I, Avis Moyer, stood, bell in hand, in the door of the Plainview school, 15 miles from the little town of Flagler. My stiff shirtwaist and even stiffer pompadoured hair made me look older, and I hoped, more dignified than my 23 years. The children had been gathering in the schoolyard. And now it was 9 o'clock and time to ring the bell. I cried to make it sound vigorous to hide my inward tremors as twenty boys and girls, ranging in age from 6 to 16, filed in and seated themselves at the double desks. Not on the same side! Heavens no! The boys, self-conscious in new suit pants orjeans and dark calico shirts, sat on one side; the girls, in clean wash dresses, their braids tied with bright ribbons, giggling and eyeing the boys, on the other. Incidentally, those seats that I spoke of were screwed firmly to the floor. "Learning" was serious business and there was no scraping or sliding of chairs as there is today. We had the quaint notion that a quiet room was conducive to study. We launched right into our lessons. Education wasn't something you took lightly, for the school "year" only lastcd until Christmas. After that the roads were almost impassable. There was no well on the school ground. That first recess two of the older girls volunteered to go to the nearest ranch more than a mile away to get a pail full. I let them take my horse and buggy, and every morning after that a huge jug of water, wrapped in a blanket to keep it cool or from freezing, as the case might be, was on the seat beside me as I drove to school. The early autumn days had been so warm and sunny that, tenderfoot that I was, I didn't realize winter was close at hand until one morning a raw wind bent the dry grass to the ground. I went to the adjoining shed to get fuel for the fire. The shed was filled with coal, but where was the kindling? One of the boys waved his arm toward the prairie, "Plenty out there," he said. "I don't see any wood," I said puzzled. "Not wood!" he laughed. "Chips! Buffalo chips! Cattle chips! We'll gather some for you!" My squeamishness in using chips vanished when I saw how dry and odorless they were and what a quick hot fire they made in the potbellied stove. One day years later I was calling on a friend in Denver when suddenly she looked at her watch and said, "Pardon me, but I'll have to run. It's time to pick up the children. It's Memory work was important. Years later I met one of my students on a city street, and the greetings over, I asked, "Minnie, can you still recite the names of the states and their capitols?" She began without a moment's hesitation: "Maine, Augusta, on the Kennebeck river; New Hampshire, Concord, on the Merrimack river," and so on down to the last state and capitol. "I can recite Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and the BilI of Riehts, and reams of poetry too," she said. Passersbys were looking at us curiously, two grayhaired women, one recitingThe Charge of the Light Brigade, and the other listening critically. I came back to the present with a start. For a moment I had been sitting at my desk in Plainview School and Minnie was still in pigtails. Educators today say that children retain only 5 percent of what they learn in school. Making allowance for the mellowing of my memory over the years, I'm still sure my pupils did much better than that. Perhaps it was because their minds were not distracted with radio, movies, funnies and television. We had no organized P.T.A. at our school, but that didn't mean that teachers, parents and children didn't get together. Our little sod school house was the meeting place for the entire community. We had box suppers and spelling bees and all sorts of social gettogethers. December came all too fast and school was over for the year. I went back to Kansas but the following year I returned to Colorado to teach one more year. Then I married a homesteader, Henry Simmons, and said goodby to my soddy schoolhouse. People used to look at me in amusement and pity when I told them of my early experiences in teaching. But I say it proudly: 'I taught in a soddy." by Avis Moyer Simmons SCHOOL TEACHERS 1913- L9L4 Tt43 Kit Carson County, Colorado JENNIE L. TRESSEL, County Superintendent District 1, Bethune School, F.B. Shumate, Bethune; District 2, Lowell School, Miss Nella Kean, Burlington; Emerson School, A.I. Tyler, Burlington; District 3, Mt. Pleasant School, Miss Annie Evans, Hermes;/ District 4, Miss Mary E. Bogart, Burlington; District 5, Peconic School, Mrs. Marguerite Hines, Kanorado, Kans.; District 6, Brammeier School, Miss Erma Pfaffly, Bethune; District 7. Pious Point School, Miss Ella Kenn, Df,raf,ton; ulsf,rrc! d, west -raunaven School, Mrs. M. Shanahan; East Fairhaven, Mrs. F. L. Perrine, Seibert; District 9, Byers School, Mrs. Clara Pollitt, Burlington; Holton School, H.E. Hayden, Cole; and Cole School, J.W. Murphy, Cole; District 10, North School, Gerald H. Rice, Flagler; Midway School M.G. Canada, Flagler; South School, F.S. Yewell Flagler. District 11, Gephardt School, Robert S. Gephardt, Kanorado, Kans.; South School, Miss Nellie Miser, Burlington; District 12, Hunter School, Miss Opal Chrisman, Kirk; Flageolle School, Mrs. Mary C. Watmore, Kirk; Boger School, August Carlstedt, Vona; and Plainview School, A.G. Thompson, Vona. District 13, Pond Creek School, Mrs. Eva Johnson, Kanorado, Kans; District 14, Thompson School, Mrs. Mary Larkin, Flagler; Hunt- zinger School, Mrs. Birdie McBride, Flagler; Grand View School, Miss Virgel LaRue, Flagler; Heid School, Miss Jennie V. Custine, Flagler; Dazzling Valley School, Miss Mabelle Jordan, Flagler; Ash Grove School, Miss Prudence Robinson, Flagler; Fisher School, Miss Lucy Muck, Flagler; Huntley School, R.L. Pendleton, Flagler; Eckert School, Will Inman, Thurman, and Mrs. W.E. Taylor, Flagler. District 15, Rose School, G.M. Baxter, Flagler; District 16, Miss Alta Shaeffer, Burlington; District 17, Beaver Valley School, Miss Esther Anderson Kanorado, Kans.; District 18, Burlington School, N.J. Rice and Mrs. M. J. Rice, both of Burlington; Miss Geraldine B. Case, Miss Katherine A. Kane and Miss Nellie M. Culver, all of Burlington; District 19, Karker School, Miss Abigail Harvey, of Loco; Sunny Slope School, Miss Frances Hyland, Seibert; Ackerman School, Miss Iva E. Reynolds, Flagler; Albright School, Miss Pheba Redding, Flagler; Progressive School, Miss Winnie Anderson, Flagler; District 20, North School, Miss Pearl Buchele, Burlington; Midway School, Mrs. Mayme Kiefer, Burlington; South School, Miss Clara V. Mills, Burlington; District 21, Miss Margaret Rafferty, Burlington; District 22, Dobler School, V.V. Vose, Bethune; District 22, Yale School, Thomas Dillon, Bethune; District 23, Murphy School, Miss Blanche Paul, Seibert; District 24, Blue View School, Miss Lea L. Wellman, Bethune; District 25, Shaw School, Mrs. Fern White, Kanorado, Kans.; District 26, Prairie View School, Miss Virginia Pemberton, Kanorado, Kans.; District 27, Miss Virginia Pemberton, Kanorado, Kans.; District 28, Union School, Miss Gladys Pugh, Stratton; District 29, Beaverton School, Miss Arline Harrington, Beaverton; Lone Star School, Miss Dollie Perkins, Beaverton; Webster School, Miss Susanne Throop, Stratton; Day School, Herbert J. Thomas, Stratton; Norton School, Mrs. Goldie Rich, Bethune; District 30, Golden Rule School, Miss Violet Munter, Burlington; District 31, Broadsword School, Grover Tyler, Burlington/ District 33, Wallet School, Miss Goldie Anderson, Kanorado, Kans.; District 34, Stamper School, Miss G. Vera Dillon, Burlington; District 35, Flagler School, N.W. Oakes, Mrs. Ethel Langcamp, Miss Myrtle Nies, and Miss Edna Kivett, all of Flagler;Texerado School, F.M. Yewell, Flagler; Sunnyside School, P.A. Lofstead, Flagler; Sunnyside School, P.A. Lofstead, Flagler; District 36, Stratton School, W.A. Hooper, Miss Beulah Bradshaw, and Miss Helen Murray, all of Stratton; Blakeman School, Miss Ellen R. Bradshaw, Stratton; �Spring Creek School, Miss Eva Reeves. Stratton; Nuttbrook School, Miss Alice Talbot, Stratton; Green Knoll School, Mrs. Tena Meracle, Stratton; Hansen School, Mrs. Meta Chandler, Stratton; Smelker School. Mrs. Verna Austin, Stratton; Ford School, Mrs. Olive Montgomery, Vona; and Jones School, S.G. McConnell, Stratton. District 3?. Seibert School, W.I. Conley, Miss Izetta Wrenn, and Mrs. W.L Conley, all of Seibert; Flint School, Miss Jessie Magee, Seibert; Mennefee School, Mrs. Mae Cates, Seibert; Rock Cliff School, A.L. Buller, Vona: Fair Mount School, E.M. Short, Seibert; District 88, Pleasant Hill School, Miss Elva C. Smith, Morris; District 39, Tuttle School, Miss Mabel Pugh, Stratton; District 40, Mount Pleasant School, John Husband, Seibert; Pleasant Valley School, Vivian E. Huff, Seibert; District 41, Sold Center School, Mrs. Lizzie Bigelow, Stratton; District 42, Kechter School, Miss lda Martin, Tuttle; District 48, Miss Agnes Pugh, Stratton; District 44, O.R. EIGHTH GRADE EXAMS AND DIPLOMA Van Syoc, Stratton; District 4b, Bassette School, Miss Myrtle Branen, Kanorado. Kans.; District 46, Bancroft School, Miss Grace Waugh, Seibert; District 42. Mrs. Ada Kepner, Vona; Vona School, Miss Sarah Richards, and Mrs. Laura Alexander. both of Vona; Pleasant Valley School, Henry U. Sc!m!dt, Vona; Lucky Point School, Sidney Tt44 A major milestone of every early year country school pupil's learning experiences was preparing for and taking the prescribed exercise of "eighth grade exams." Only if one E. Willis, Vona; Lucky Point School, Sidney E. Willis, Vona; Pleasant Meadow School. Floyd B. Allen, Vona; Rosedale School. Mrs. H.I. Jackson, Vona; and District 48. Miss Marguerite DeCloud, Hermes. passed this battery of tests which came to the county from the office of the Colorado State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Editors Denver was it possible to move on to ninth grade and high school. That tests were given in a central location, probably a town school, made them even more dreadful. Teachers and pupils alike were fearful. If a pupil failed and had to repeat a grade, not only was he "disgraced," but the teacher mighi be sev- liighth Gratle Examinations for thc St:rtc of l')ighth Orade Examinations for the State ot Colorado. IgZl Cclorado, l9Z3 Prepared by ltARY C. C. BRADFOND, State $uperintendent of Public lnstruction jrcnqred by MlnY C, C. 8RADFO3D, State Superintendent of Pubtic Instruction TH|II,SDAY, IIARCX 22, .{-, II. .il J, !l 5. IllTHil:Iltl't C of his ir:e:t,ne? \.v.ere corf€e il1. speiletl. ftow nlan) wolds rvere in the teFt if the. number correctly spelled was [0 per cent of th.e entir€ nnrtDP I'? Whut is nreant h) lbo cireurnfprence of a eirel€ ? Bt. the radius? Irinil the radius of a cirile wi.th a d ianretcr of I 1 inchrs Find the - selliug price nf a suit of clothe s bnui,.ht at wholesale for 924.00 and marked to sell at al adr.ance of 33 1-3 per cent, and then sold at a r:.isccunt of I0 per cent. I n.*a spelling test- fif teen rrords 8. lt. 1 li. }.IIIDAY, IIARCH 23, J). trI. If rre. r'i.:h.to B{id or rubt|act cigbts and thiriis, r* rvhat shall rr-( chanse thern? Write as a decintal palt o, a rlollar, four cents three and one,half mills. Tr.ll horv ta llnd the least eomnloll divisor, an<1 finsi LC. D. sf 3-4, 5-6, 2-9. _,the F r"rrrr I l-I5 tako 4-9; l'itrd thq riiffer.ence betxreen 8l-? anii ? ?-g. In. buyirrg a house for 94,500, I pay 12 per eent down. Wirat aurount do I pay down? -\.farruer bought 24 head of catile a.t g0.00 per head. .\Iter lcsing 2 of lhem, he sold the renai&der at $105.00 p€r head. What per cent of the cost r#a$ his xross proflt? Our .of g3r of gl25.00- per. rnonth a ).oung man ^i1c9mc. put $45.0{.,ir. the savings bank. }{ow nrueh nioney . does he ,de$cisit iri a year? This is wbat per ceat '..'* ('lt'lt's 1O. 1 l)xplain wh1' Governme-.lnsu'er nt is necessafy. 1.. Whf is e study of Gover.nnrent important to €vert eilizeu? .3 Ho.s did American Government come into bFirig? "t. What is nreant b.'. a "eitizen,,? 5. What ar.e rhe quillificafions for voting lhis State? ri. Doen the Lhited States own any land in in your s-tate? For what tlnpo€e is lt used? i. What is meant by the ,.short ballot,,? .-3. May a person wbo is a citizen of the United l3talrs beculll(' a eitizen of anolhpr eountry? 't. \1-ho i: the congrnssman in your district? 10. Wiro are Unitcd Stat*s Senators frsm your State? 1t. Give argurnente f or. and against municipal ovnere.hip of waterworks. "Eighth grade erams" I. ,r ,: cltaltr\r.{n f'rll itr llrr' follo\\,in$ €enrences u.ith lay, laid,.has .nr have laid: Did 1ou tho pieture on tho table? .:..,.No, ,1 it on the deskThe calperrte 'l ne.\ ha\ e..-.. the ,foundatjolr of a lDonumetrt. - ... _ nl). ;:_., hand on the booli. ^., unoose ille corr€et forru of thF pronoun in the follow_ itrgr Eentel ces: r ::: ii* that ii was (her eir she;. ' , ,l(;uess {who or }vhom} it is. , It is --,- -. : Is it --'---*--'? ilre differerrce betwtln ari adjective *a .** *"":.:;, alll t. an lnterjeetign? eenlloctjon? ,Giv6 exam- .{. pteF. ?ti,; , s. ' ll' 10. Wiii; a sent(nce with an independenl '--' clau*e. A de-. ' P€n-dent one. :-:: . ,Analyzi oi diagrarn the followine: . ... l he h€aral r-olces that -w"r" .,.o'|.1. coriowful.. -*luddenly, courplex senteRce anO,Oiaeram sa;reYJite.d w na t rs a pal agr.a ph ? Write:r lctter invitir)S a friend to spend Easlcr with -,-xlu' Write a letter of aceeptaneri' on above- letter. ,...' :l : PlIysilolocy : ' I 1 What is the aliuentary canal? 'J.0f--Igryniatt.t.bonesis'the.skeletonionrposeri?. _ Which ls the lon.qest? , --. ' , - ..:' is ilre workof__the red corpusele? Thr pblte? : What }-hat is a 4. spratn? . What treatmfni- _.ho"rO"L""iiJEnr , 5 Explain. how tJphoi,al f€yer is ulFeuss rts pt.et-ention. ""nirr.i&. 6, lVhy do boles of sld people break ,rarily &nd heal with 7. *ut:l difiicuttl be abundantly srrpprierl i;'ths' ;itT?;,,;r.iorru . . .l ? 8... lvhat are the rallres of the tubes that earyy blrroil to arid f r.o frorrr lhe heart ? the effect of tobacco on the bear t of the' ":1 ,ouns' 10. -D-_iseuss \\,{;;";[.;;'ta.r"'arc,,t,ot all. rhe h€6rt? �Eighth Grade Examinations for the State of Colorado, 1923 erely criticized or lose a teaching position as a result. No wonder it was a real accomplishment for all when a pupil received the beautiful diploma that indicated "You made it," l'r:elrare,tl btr i|I--\fiY C. O. RRADFOIiD, State SuPet'ir, telrrlerrt of Public Instluctiolr by Editors FRIDAY, MARCH 23' A. }I. IiETTDING ('outlast the foods of yesterday with the foods of (a) ' today. ar-rd how may their study help us in geoglaphy? foods and ttr)'Give a few exatnples of comrnonly usedare producdescribe their iourney from where they ed, to our table. o (a) Why are foods cantled and how? and methods- o.f Wtit. a short story on the history iiri '"unttittg, of Foods'" "Stor) in Ctiss"y's as described was a great man. Can you name other AmerLiucoln -icans to whorn that term rightly belongs? What burdens did Lincoln bear? Crn vou tuention any speeeh to illustrate Lineoln's J. "cuniiing with the Pen?" liscuss hIs Gettysburg address' On what oceasion rvas this address made ? rviote the Village Blacksmjth ? Evarrgeline? fVno' Snowbound? A Man Without A Countr-v? The IIerchant of Venice? Naure trvo books You have read in the Past }'e ar. Dii:8. cuss one of theur. Have you f ormed the dietionarY habit? Why ls tltis habit rrecessarY? grcal ( sl Anericant ? 10. Whom do You regard as the two 'why. TelI rl ,1 A(lItI(-flLTtlRE Arrnrrer' 10' (Choice of Li-sts) l.Whatissoil?Howdosoilsoriginate?Whatissoil good ior? What kinds Plow easily? good c^rops aud so-rr:e poor? 2. Why d,l .onr. .oil. produce llorv d o weeds water ? save cultivation Oou. ori' ff 5: damase crops in ]our vicinitv? 4. *il;tirJ::,ttll... of seeds? Nanre some seed germination tne Discuss 5. testing devices'. 6. Does the air earry enough moisture f or ge rmination ? 7. trVhY are rnost leaves flat? 8. What is the effect of continued darkuess on green plants ? ffo* ttrav perennial weeds be killecl? What are per9. 10. ennial weeds? Irfav ioif be fertile anrl ret not produetive? classes of horses ? 1. ( a ) What are the f our genet'al class? (b) What ur" =o*" of the leading.breeds of each points between the dairy type 2. Give tne distir:guishing cattle' and the beef tYPe of test of nrilk' 3. Describc the Babcockchicken house' Give a ration for 1. bescriUe a fresh-air daYs' eight first the chicks .voung the term poultry? What 5. What birds are included infor meat? What are genbreeds are raised mainly 6. i s. 9. 10. eral Purpose fowls? How sirould eggs be marketed? Wtrat are the tivo chief uses of sheep? Describe one breed of each tYPe. Give the chief differences between the common breeds of hbgs. Describe the bacon tYPe of hogs'' The lard type. What insects are useful? PROqRAN/lN4E Presenled by Students of St. Clrorles Acodemg Sundog Evening, June 1sf tr{ojestic Theolre, Slrof lon .(An fnterrupted Birfhdog Porfg" cII-\lalaTUlls ... tlr. IloDF.\ lietirql llcrchxnt -. Wlllinm-I]ls \eDhes'-.-..-...-..-. tlorrr-Snelont StrmIcl-sttclent,.-...--.-Arthrr--student IlteT*Tbo SeTTTnt nALPIt I'DLLE (iEOltGl; KLOCKER LoLIs KNOCIIEL - JOSEPII PAUTLEIT -...... lt-\LPII IVEIIIEL BERNARD S]IITH '(Esfher, The Beaufiful Queentt .{ Rlblictl Plcy in Throe.\cts CI I,\ II A CTDII S ()S\f.lLD I'-\UTL!IIi llorde(rl-Tbc I-lrdcr of tle JcNs . . I'E,\ltL FLIGEOLLE tlesheFlroster ltotber of Rsther -....- ..-. J(lsLl'II GILLISPIE Ilestrl-The liins's ChaDrlruirin ... ttl TII FL,\GHOLLE l;sth.r_Tlre l,.rshrn ()ueon .' IIAnOLI) I'DLLE .\hrsuerus-KlDg of Pexla III-il-\\OkIt l'r|l'l,Elt linzrrr-,\ l\.rsinD SiDger lIAltY l{L(('Klllt Koonh-Tha Khg'! Ftloritc tr.\(iD-\LE\E LUOtsIfLEIt o zooDr_:r I'crsitril Ladf tsYnn..E .-. LuiClltDT I'ersirn I-trdy Jiktrsla-l .-. . (;ltNIJI.l CRO(IKER Zu4cr-a I,eNiaD trjuccss I}llItNAllD OlLLlgI'lE l{rDrun-Tlc l(ing's Cotrnsell)r Zerosb-Ills Wife.--.-...,,,....-. ' .' JE.{N.\E DELAi..DY I]REI]I CH.\IIACTERS ANrTA BEnTn-{ND lvitch ol uDilor --..-.-.., .-.-..' C,\LLISTA SCHIFEnL Itob€cco,.-.-...-,..., LOlllt,UND l'ENf,-D .u'rlaDIIDLE\ 1VEINCARDT Judtth -- -.....-.,,- -.-...-...-,..,IONA I'ENNE . -' . .. , .,.,.., .... ,\dtrb ... - IltE\E I)ISCH\rR llorthn -.-.,-.,-.--..-.--...LDON'\ Ht l't'ERT Butn ..-.., ... LIIDIIILLA DYOIiAK Dleds ... Rose lloids Dancers aul -lltetrdaDts ]TL:SIC Bi TIIE IIUPILS {)F THE VUSIC DEPAIIT]IE\T �tsill Smith; tJill Mead; GIen schlosser;'l'om Knapp; John Bloomquist; Bucknell's; Dave Wright; Frank Kelley; Lee Raines; John Armstrong; L.B. Armstrong; Clarence Nicherson; Bill Schaal; Charles Perkins; C.B. Ouluruilu lfluhlir frilynnLx Ayers; George Baker; Penfold's; Wedmore's; Stanley's; A.A. Graves; Vic Mitchell; Alvin Bacon; Astracks; Okie Carpenter; Daddy Flanigan (Mrs. Caryenter's Father); Robison's; Frank Daly; O.C. Dunlap; Thomas Johnstone; Bert Loper; Ed Fanselau; Tom Taylor; Roy Taylor; Charlie Peterson; Eddie Peterson; Tom Schlosser; Clarence Schlosser; Fred Dodd; Roy Dodd; N.S. Rich; Keeverts; Art Wellman; Holsteins; Ed Beeson; Cliff Beeson; D.D. Swann; Willis Perkins; Charlie Perkins; Fred Storrer; A.J. Pfaffley; Charles Snelling; Herndon;s; G.F. McArthur; Maynard Dunham; Frank Lesher. People neighbored in those days working together and exchanging work. Entertainment was not lacking with basket dinners (now called potluck), ball games, rodeos, g'hi.) 9 g,rl'i fi *>' liy,r I ,";t,1"4*"/',-.^d//"/.2,./.t"r' _-:,_: 9,** .-t 8 -,t^ra-, 6" t", .2, .77;,/-t'* / t-y 4)u2z-, e -zz ru:U^"".4;/ u-.r*u, r-,'// literary, school programs, oyster suppers, home made ice cream socials, you were welcome, just bring a cake, and country dances. Musicians were: Tom Schlosser, a good fiddle player; Roy Schlosser on the --tr' ira(!#r;;;/":l= EICHIH CFADE DIPIOMA A'iI-A-!.DD TO MELVEN hEAWR. OI{ THN 15 th MAY, 19]1. FRoM ColORtDo P_gBLrC SCHoor,s, I(rT Crnsoll CoUNTY, COIiR-A1O..... guitar; Harold Perkins added variety at times with an accordion, rattle bones or mouth harp; Clarence Snyder was another good old time fiddler and Frank Whitmore played a guitar. An eighth grade diploma EARLY SCHOOL DAYS AND SOCIALS rr45 The Ellsworth School was located twelve and one half miles south and seven miles west of Burlington. It was a one room cement building that was torn down in the '20's and a one room frame school house was built one and one half miles south and one mile east of the Ellsworth School, whichwas one mile east of Fred Matthies place. Fairview Grange was organized July 8, 1916. Some of the charter members were: O.C. Dunlap; Fred Matthies; Bert Loper. At one time church was held in the old Norton School house near Charlie Perkins and for a short while at Midway School house. Near Ellsworth were the Roystins, Mrs. Fred Matthies' parents who lived a half mile north of Matthies. Joe Krolick, a Bohemian bachelor, lived a half mile west of Matthies. Then the Nazarene Church bought a piece of ground one mile west of the Bethune road on the correction line and dug a basement where they held church services. Mrs. Hoover was the preacher. The Hoover family also lived in Some neighbors in this community were: John Boggs; Sam Allen; Lester Pierson, Sr.; .- -^, , ,l::rr:]li: .':l.f:::, "The Doby": Columbine School in 1919-20 term' |.]r.;1.:,ll ":;ii Nancy Hartzler, teacher. Pupils: Isaphene Dunlap, ,::i{ Whitney in early part of Year. ,'l:,:: Loweil Dunlap, Mildred Whitney and Lloyd ffi First Central District 29 was a consolidated echool n'ith all twelve grades. It was located on the Correction line. There were two school 'buildings. There was one room building for .jt .. ,4&"* the lower grades and a larger, two plus rooms, building for the higher grades. The old sod Norton School, No. 50, Twnsp. 10' Kit Carson Co. 191? School Board: L.B. Armstrong, Pres.; O.C. Dunlap, Sec'y.; C.H. Carter, Treas.; Teacher: Bessie Kelley; PuPils??? Midway School, Dist. 50, Lg26-27 term: Back row, Left to right: Georgia Armstrong, Mildred ScNosser Isaphene Dunlap, Raymond Schlosser, Lloyd Perkins, Teacher: Thelma Nielson (Armstrong Lowe). Ho'*"ta Raines,'Verlin Dunlap; Middle rowt Clara Armstrong, Fredrick Schlosser, Helen Mitchell, and Co Supt, Mrs. Johnson. Front row: Mattie Armstrong, Carl Snelling, Kenneth Schlosser, Everetl Armstrong, Ray Snelling, Sarah Mitchell, Dorothy Schlosser, Margaret Schlosser, June Schlosser, Inez Perkins, Minta Keiwer �the basement. A nice building was later built over the basement and the church was dedicated April 29, 1928. Other preachers at the church were: Cochran; P.C. Norton; McKellips. The church stood vacant and unused for some time. Later the building was bought and moved to Burlington where it still is used as a church. A cemetery still remains there, however, most of the deceased were moved to the Burlington Cemetery. There is also an older small cemetery about two miles north of where the church stood. It may have been the Beloit cemetery. The "Cracker Box" school house, in the Fred Matthies district, was another place for dances, as well as the "Doby" in District 50. School was only held in the Doby for two terms; thereafter it was used for many activities such as basket dinners and quilting bees, also Fairview Grange met here. This "Doby," Columbine School, was built and ready for school in the fall of 1918. It was located one mile east of the Bethune Road and two miles south of the Conection line, and was set back L/2mile in the middle of the section, and it was only used for two terms. Bessie Kelly Pilling was the teacher for the first part of the first term. She resigned due to being pregnant and Mildred Penfold finished the term. Pupils the first year were: Lowell and Isaphene Dunlap; Lloyd and Mildred Whitney Ferris "Chub" Robison. The second term, 1919-1920, Nancy Hartzler was the teacher. She married Ed Fanselau at the end of school in June. 1920. Tom Schlossers had moved to Colorado from Missouri, by train, in the spring of 1919 and bought the M.S. Whitney place, which was originally the Frank homestead. Franks built a sod house. Whitneys built an adobe house and a large adobe barn. The Schlosser family added new kids to the school: Lucile, Mildred, Edna and Raymond. Roy did not go to school in Colorado and June was too young to go to the 'Doby.' Whitney's moved to the First Central District and lived on the place that the Maynard Dunham;s later lived on. The Midway School, District 50, was a frame school house built one mile north of the correction line on the Bethune road. It was ready for school in the fall of 1920. The district hired someone and paid so much a mile to haul school kids with their own car; there were no school busses. There was a north route and a south route. The north route included: Perkin, Stanley, Armstrong, Meyer, Wedmore, Penfold, Spratlin, Schaal, Raines, Keiver, Moss, Wolf, Ellis and Conkey families. The south route included: Tom Schlosser, Okie Carpenter, Dunlap, Clarence Schlosser, Dodd, Snelling and Mitchell. Back in the early school days, there were 'double'seats and desks, two kids to a desk. Don't you wonder how any studying got done? Usually you could choose who was to share your desk. Each desk had an ink well; no ball point pens then. A recitation bench was also part of school. It was up in front by the teacher's desk. She would call a class to recite a lesson and that class would go sit on the bench and review the assigned lesson. Blackboards were like painted heavy cardboard and what a joy and improvement when we got slate blackboards. Before the Midway school was built, the north route students went to the Norton school, a sod building on the Bethune road next to Charley Perkins. Later Prairie Star was built about five miles north of the Midway, which took some of the students out of District 50: Helen and Ottis Moss, Elva Wolf, Janice and Niel Ellis. Most of the country schools were one room and heated with a coal burning heating stove. One teacher taught all eight grades. All country schools had two'out houses,'one for the boys and one for the girls, plus a coal house. The teacher boarded with a family living near the school. Her job included getting to school early to build a fire and have a warm room when the students arrived. Usually one of the boys would fill the coal bucket the evening before. Pupils carried lunch from home in pails of various sizes and kinds. The most common was a gallon syrup pail with a tight fitting lid. A bench at the back of the school room held lunch buckets and a water fountain or water bucket. Friday afternoon was a 'fun' time. After Iast recess there was a spelling bee or a geography match or arithmetic (ciphering) match. Everyone chose up sides to see who came out ahead. Another activity that was fun on Friday afternoon was 'dusting the erasers.' The teacher would ask two of the students to take the blackboard erasers outside to pound out all the chalk dust they could by pounding them against the side of the school house. Each school day there was a fifteen minute recess mid forenoon and after noon. At noon there was 30 minutes to an hour for lunch. School houses were lighted with kerosene lamps and/or gasoline lanterns. School programs were held two or three times a year with the students singing songs and giving recitations and dialogues and usually finished off with some adults having a debate; then a box supper or pie social was held. The women decorated a box, such as a shoe box, with crepe paper, making flowers and frills, the fancier the better, and filled it with sandwiches, cake, fried chicken or other goodies. The boxes were then auctioned off with the money going to the school. The owner of the box (name inside) ate the lunch with the buyer. The same thing happened at the pie social; two people would eat a whole The county superintendent has visited all but 19 schools of the county so far this fall. The following districts and teachers have been visited: No. 2, Emerson Mrs. Elizabeth Conner: No. 3, Columbine, Ona Gillespie; No. 3, Prairieview, Mrs. Hazel Claussen; No. 4, Carmichael, Marjorie Guthrie; No. 5, Peconic, Mrs. Velma Ford; No. 11, Green Valley, Mrs. Mary Krueger; No. 12, Boger, Mrs. Betty Smith; No. 14, Mt Pleasant, Mrs. Lola Rillihan; No. 14 White Plains, Mrs. Charlene Statler; No. 15, Rose, Mrs. Lois Lee Fisher; No. 178, Beaver Valley, Mrs. Hallie Winfrey; No. 18, Liberty, Mamie Huntzinger; No. 19 Second Central, Mrs. Opal Joy and Mrs. Julia Dugan; No. 20, East Fairview, Mrs. Phillis Havlat; No. 25 Lone Star, Linadell Knapp; No.26, Prairie View, Mrs. Elsie Palmer; No. 27, Wilsonville, Mrs. Annabel Van Winkle: No. 28, Union, Mrs. Esther Kingsley; No. 29 First Central, Stasia Walsh; Senior High, Mrs. C.P. Heinrichs, Junior High, Mrs. Ida Boecker, Intermediate, Mrs. A. Marguerite Fox, Primaryi No. 31 Broadsword, Mrs. Florence Raines; No. 33 Plainview, Alton Olsen; No. 34, Jewell, Mary Isabelle Heid; No. 36, Nuttbrook, Mrs. Marie Greenwood; No. 38, Happy Hollow, Mrs. Elva Bartman; No. 41, Solid Center, Julia Berri; No. 44, Plainview, Gladys Quinn; No. 46, Progress, Mary Ward; No. 47, Pleasant Meadow, F.S. Carrington; No. 49, Idlewild, W.O. Seeley; No. 50, Midway, Elizabeth Jarrett; No. 51, Hook, Daisy Hewitt; No. 55, Shiloh, Edith Gering; No. 55, Smelker, Jennie L. Tressel: No. 58, Blakeman, Caroline Husenetter; No. 59, Rock Cliff, Mrs. Mary Allen; No. 60, Green Knoll, Mrs. Bertha Pautler; No. 64, Plainview, Mrs. Earl Henry; No.65, Midway, Mrs. Blanche Dove; No. 66, Tip Top, Mrs. Nan Hunter; No. 68, Pleasant Valley, Mrs. Grace Clark; No. 70, Victory Heights, Mrs. Alice Anderson; No. 71, North Flat, Mrs. Bernice McBlair; No. 72, Prairie View, Mrs. Ella E. Huntzinger; No. 73, Prairie Gem, A.L. Sawhill." Editors pie! by Catharine Dunlap and Isaphene Leher COUNTRY RURAL SCHOOL TEACHERS L942 T146 KIT CARSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS BEFORE REORGANIZATION IN 1950 This article taken from the Burlington Record of November 5, 1942, indicates that there were ovet 42 rural districts in the Kit Carson County coverage ofschools. That this list does not include the schools in Flagler, Seibert, Vona, Stratton, Bethune or Burlington is meaningful. This listing of rural teachers of that era is truly historical. "Registration for gas rationing will be handled by the superintendents and principals of the town schools in the county. Registration will last through Thursday, Friday and Saturday new wee, November 12, 13, 14. Arthur G. Hetler is the new superintendent at Vona. (See photo next page.) Tt47 �Sdool Ur{ctr. Kit Carson County School Districts Before Reorganization in 1gb0. SCHOOL DISTRICTS AFTER MAJOR REORGANIZATION Tl48 After the major reorganization of schools in Kit Carson County in the early 1950's these were the districts that remained as late as 1957-58: R1, Flagler; R2, Seibert; R3, Vona; R4, Stratton; R5, Bethune; Cl, Burlington; C2, Smoky Hill; No. 2, Emerson; No. 11, Green Valley; Ql7, Beaver Valley; CZ6, Prairie View; No. 31, Broad Sword; No. 38, Happy Hollow; No. 39, Tuttle; 48J, Rizius; 12J, Liberty; 74J, Idalia; and g3J, Newton. Gradually even the last ofthese were incorporated into the six major town district's areas and most recently Seibert and Vona formally became Hi-Plains District R23 in 1984. Today five school districts serve Kit Carson County patrons and their children. Box 13O26, State Archives ALBRIGHT SCHOOL Tr49 Albright School was located southeast of Flagler in the SE corner of Section 22. Township 9 S, Range 50 W. For convenience of those of these late years, this location was in the northwest corner ofan intersectionjust north of Bill Grimes and Kevin Jarnigan residences. Built of sod and in the image of many homes in the early community, it served not only as a place for education of children but a community meeting place for patrons of the early community. One of the teachers was Mary McCall who taught at a time when William "Bill" Wickham attended school here. Mettie Shanahan is remembered as a teacher of this school. Records show that Iva Reynolds of the Flagler area was teaching in district 19 in the 1913-14 and 1914-15 terms. Since Bill Wickham mentioned Miss Reynolds, a teacher at Albright, this is no doubt where she taught. Mrs. William Strode listed Forrest Heck. Dorris Keller and Miss Ford from Stratton (Vona?), as teachers. In 1916, it is recorded "Willie" Wickham transferred to Second Central, a consolidation of several small schools. In 1914-15, the Strode family children, living two miles east, attended this school for a time, no doubt including, Claude, Alta, Rethal and Gilbert. William "Bill" Sutton lived a mile south and a little over a half mile east of Albright in 1916. It would be logical to assume some of his children attended school here. He sold in 191? but returned to the Flagler area in 1918. Living nearby were other-families including Love, Grove, Hughes and Christopher, among others. Early published news items indicate that hail and rain in i916 damaged the building to an extent it was considered too expensive to repair. It is possible some students transferred earlier to Ackerman School. a short distance south west. At this time. some remaining students were transferred to Second Central of this district. In later years, sod was broken for farming and today the area is under extensive cultivation, erasing any trace of Albright. It had served the purpose for which it was intended and ensuing years reduced it again to dust from which it was made. by Lyle W. Stone ASHVIEW SCHOOL Tt50 Ashview School was located four miles west and about five miles north of Stratton. It was also known as the Fuhlendorf School since the Fuhlendorfs lived just one half mile west. This well-established pioneer family was here when family, the Chandlers, moved here in 1909. The picture taken in the spring of 1910 came from Mrs. Elizabeth Fuhlendorf-Bigelow who at age 97 lives in the Seibert community. Lizzie was teaching there at the time, but the picture was taken on Sundav qd is of young people attending Sunday School. The little schoolhouse served as thl center for many other community gatherings. Marie Greenwood and Mrs. Bigelow knew who the persons were although some of the ones at Sunday School went to Hansen school about four miles south of Ashview. Mrs. Daisy Young stated that she and Ira's children, Maxine, Nelson, Ella Mae, and Wilma, attended this school before thev moved into Stratton. Howard Reeder recalls that he and his brothers and sisters. children of the George Reeders, went to this school. �--f4l6"'."^.'#4" " Sunday School at Ashview School in 1910. Identified in the picture are Selena Husband, Neva Fuhlendorf, John Benezek, Walter Bridge, Henry Mohr, George Williamson, John Husband, Marie Chandler, LiIIie Husband, Homer Bridge, two Benezek boys, and GIen Bridge. Pickard, Paul Inman, James Ashview School in year 1936-3?: Left to right, back rows back to front: Kenneth Louis Pickard, Alice Inman, Frances Hugley, Klassen rrau" idiin Waller, Cailton ii""a"r, Elmer Reeder, WoIIer' Wilma Marv Reeder, Edwin Reeder, Howard row: Front fr,-"tt, Iytaritta Woller. iiil;;; J"-". Young, Doris Inman, Velma Pickard, Martin Woller, EIla Mae Young West Bethel, 1943-44: Back row: Shirley Scheierman, Melva Googe, Virgil Basinger, Lloyd B Borden. Front: Eleanor Scheierman, Carolyn Hernbloom, Donnie Hodge, Clifford Borden, Marian Maricle. ia-i'i1:.i',.,r,!llt,, .1:iirii.1r1. picture: Last day of School at Ashview in the late 1920's. Edna Doughty recognizes the following in the on are Edna, Grandma Rhoda Monroe, Anna and Raymond Monroe, Ott Maag. Sitting in front with hats Cora Monroe, Raymond Fuhlendorf, LeRoy and left end, far is on Woller Fred Mabel and Neva Monroe. and Bill Flynn were among the parents. Other families having children there were the Jim Pickards, Don Bowens, Alvin Monroes, Kendalls, Fred Wollers, and of course the Fuhlendorf children. Edith Mae Klassen Hugley remembers Ashview as a busy, busy school with all the daily classes as well as extra programs and entertainment. She expressed how much fun school was when she was attending' by Marie Greenwood BETHEL SCHOOLSTr6l The first Bethel school was a sod building, built in 1908, located on road M, between roads 34 and 35. (Ofcourse, the roads weren't numbered or named then, but the spot can be located today by using these markers.) Some of the teachers were Dora Jean Baird, Susanne Troupe, Lillian B. Hopkins, EIla Rehn, Sheck McConnell, Bert Thomas, Hildred Perry, Tena Rhen Maricle, Edna Campbell, Ray Dorothy. In 1918 school was discontinued at the sod schoolhouse and two new frame school Bethel located buildings were built - West at the corner of Rd. M and Rd 33, and East West Bethel. 1947-48: Back row: Max Mason, Clifford Borden, LeRoy Herndon and Altha Borden, teacher. The others: Dean Herndon, Paul Brown, Bruce Brown, LaneII Mason, Vivian Brown. Dale Mason, Theo Borden. �Bethel located between Rd. 36 and 37 on Rd. N. Sunday School was still held in the sod building until the wall fell in. Some of the teachers at West Bethel were Mrs. Sawhill, Averine Seaman, Edith Beeson, Loren Smith Whitmore, Leona Smith, Blanche Dove, Caroline Hussennetter, Win- nie Hooper, Mae Calvin Kellogg, Altha Borden, Daisy Hewitt. In 1948 the West Bethel building was moved to Walter Herndon's pasture on Rd. M between Roads 34 and 35 the road from the original - across sod building location. Some of the East Bethel teachers were: Mr. Sawhill, Roy Mc0ullock and Mr. Patterson. When the country school houses were sold, after consolidation in the fall of 1950, the West Bethel building was bought by Herb Scheierman and moved t/2 mile west of his home. It was later sold and moved away in 1964. The early history was told to me by my mother, Vena Scheierman and my aunts, Vic Whitmore, Wilora Waite/ and Wilsie Reeder who were the "Hughes Girls" who grew up in the Bethel community. My earliest memories of West Bethel were when I began my schooling there as a first grader in 1942. The students that year were myself (Eleanor Scheierman) grade 1, Shirley Scheierman, grade 5, Melva Googe, Virgil Basinger, Marion Maricle, Lloyd and Clifford Borden. Our teacher was Winnie Hooper. For the 1943-44 school year the teacher was Mae (Calvin) Kellogg. Students were Don Hgdge, Carolyn Hernbloom, Eleanor and Shirley Scheierman, Virgil Basinger, Marion Maricle, Lloyd and Clifford Borden and Melva Googe. At recess and noon we played "Fox and Googe," "Deer and Dog," or "Annie, Annie, Over." We'd have track events, play baseball and drown out ground squirrels with our drinking water. By the time school was out for the day, we were sometimes wondering about the advisability of using all the drinking water to drown out the ground squirrels. The teacher brought the water with her each morning, so when it was gone, it was all gone for that day. Shirley and I lived closest to the school (13/4 miles). We would walk 3/4 mi. to the corner and Mr. Hodge would pick us up, or we would ride our shetland pony. That was usually a disaster. We had a white flour sack we carried our lunches in when we rode the horse so we could hang onto the horse and the Iunches. One day Marion Maricle put his lunch in a white sack and waved it at Clarabelle, our horse, which scared her. Shirley and I fell off. I told Shirley, "I'm crippled for life," so she nn 3/4 of a mile home and got Mother. The only thing crippled was my pride. I liked walking to school; there was so much to see. A short side trip to Ida Wilson;s for a piece of burnt sugar cake was a real treat. Our extra curricular activities included: a Christmas program, a Valentines party at District 7d, Mrs. Hussennetter, teacher, sectional track meet at First Central, track meet at Vona, spelling contest at Bethune, and a last day of school picnic at the schoolhouse. Mrs. Kellogg made a keepsake photo and autograph book for each one ofus. One ofmy friends wrote in mine: "When you get old and out of shape, Remember there are gridles (their spelling) for $2.98." The 1944-45 school year was quite calm, with only Shirley (7th grade) and I (3rd) and Elsworth (7th) Pottorff in the school. The teacher was Winnie Hooper. The bomber pilots stationed at Lowery Air Force Base flew over often on their training missions. Mrs. Hooper always let us go outside and watch when we heard the planes. Shirley's and my cousin, Marion Reeder, was one of those pilots, so we always waved to him and he would "buzz" the school house. From this year on I attended school in Stratton. Some of the children who attended West Bethel between 1945 and 1950 were: LeRoy and Dean Herndon, Paul, Vivian, Bruce and Loren Brown, Max, Dale and LaNell Mason, Clifford, Theo and Lila Borden. I'm not sure of the exact years each family attended, though. Averine Seaman Henry wrote of her years as teacher at West Bethel inlg2l-22 that her pupils were Bernard and James Spratlen; Vivian, Elvin, Ruth and Clair Wilson: Vena and Vic Hughes; Charletta and Ruth Hoover; Jean, Helen and Hugh Deakin; Kenneth Kalb; and Floyd and Linadell Whitmore. Her Beeson, also from First Central, Each Thanksgiving Day, from the years of 1926 through 1939, a community dinner was held at the various homes in the community. Everyone came with well-filled baskets and big appetites. Although those years covered the Great Depression, the drought of 1934 and the ensuing dust storms of 1935, there were many things for which to be grateful. In the spring of 1909 a Sunday School was organized in the old soddy school house with about 40 members. Mrs. Mattie Hopkins was the first superintendent. The next fall, in 1910, Mrs. Lewis of Selden, Kansas, held revival meetings and a Baptist Church was organized with Rev. Ripley as pastor. Services were held in the old soddy until one of the walls caved in in about 1921. Then the membership divided, one-half going to West Bethel School and the other to South Pious Point. About 1926 South Pious Point disban- ded and again came to Bethel. In 1929, following a revival meeting by Rev. Pollock, an Evangelical Church was organized. by Virgiuia TYilson Foster school board members were R.O. Hoover, J.C. Wood, and Zelia Deakin. Jessie C.M. Gray was then county superintendent of schools by Eleanor Herndon and Averine Henry BLAKEMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT 58 T163 BETHEL COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL Tt62 The first school in the Bethel community was a soddy constructed in 1908 and named the Clift School. It was used for ten years. The first teacher was Ella Rehn. The first pupils were Wilsie, Raymond and Wilora Hughes; Hazel and Leonard Hamilton; Hobert, Hazen and Rasil Hopkins; Winona and Oris Sloan; Elbert, Merna, and Ezra Coad; Merle and Daigh Reader; Paul Webster, Edith Wilson, Imogene Clift, Thomas Wilcoxin and Kyle Walker. In 1918 the soddy was replaced by a ferame A solid reminder of the one room echool days: Blakemsn old District 58 south of Stratton. Still there. school called West Bethel. It was located one and one half miles west of the sod building, seven miles south and two and one-half east of Stratton. The first teacher in the new building was Mrs. Sawhill. The first pupils to attend West Bethel were Ruth and Alton Mericle, Edna Brown, Helen and Jean Deak- in, Elmer Howard, Charlotte and Ruth Hoover, Hildred Hopkins, Wilora, Vice and Vena Hughes. More people were following the advice of Horace Greeley to "Go West Young Man" and the school enrollment was growing. Those enrolled in the L92l-22 school year were Vic and Vena Hughes; Vivian, Elvin, Ruth and Clair Wilson; Floyd and Linadell Whitmore; Gleeta, Marvin, Melvin and James Everett Hall; Charlotte and Ruth Hoover; Kenneth and Walter Kalb; Jean, Blakeman School in the 1930s: Back row, I to r: Joe Green, Duane Kindred, BiII Bowker, Leo Kindred, Gerald Bowker, and teacher. Edith Powers. Front row: Harry Bowker, Dale Kindred, Earl Schniederwind, Helen Green and Bob Green. Hugh and Helen Deakin, and Lyle Hooper. I. Virginia Wilson Foster, started first The earliest recollection of the Blakeman grade in the fall of 1924. Darrell Barrett from School was the year 1915 when Meta Chand- the First Central area was the teacher. I completed the eighth grade in the spring of 1931. During these years the teachers were: Leona Smith, 2 years; Dale Baker (Wood); Donald E. Smith; Ethlyn Steele and Edith Ier, mother of Marie Greenwood, taught there. The Campbell children and others were going to school there at this time. I visited with one of theses early day teachers who taught at Blakeman School in the year �Blakeman school in 1948-49: left to right: Jimmy Thompson, Jerry Lucas, Glenn Lucas, Bernice Charles Mill's donkey at school: front to back: Oscar Knodel, Floyd Mills, Amanda Richards, Leona Hefner, Hilda Ziegler, (all AdoUgirls) Lydia (Stahlecker) Adolf and Ida Knodel Dunlap, Gerald Thompson, Gwendolyn Einspahr, Betty Einspahr, RonalC Einspahr. ::,ti 18 and 20 years old went to school for a couple I d Irene Neller, teacher, by the adobe school in 1917. Last Day of School gathering April 29, 1949: Front row of kids: Glenn Lucas, Gwendolyn Einspahr, Rasmussen boys, Jimmy Thompson, Cecilia Isenbart, WaIt Isenbart, Jerry Lucas, Leo Isenbart and Dwight Thompson with 2 boys. In the background: John Schulte, Orville Rasmussen, Elic Thompson, down, round and round, over and over. One teacher taught all eight grades. Few of the older children got to the 8th grade but later on most of them did. The teacher was responsible to keep the school house clean, and warm, fuel in to burn, help the smaller children take off wraps and dress again with overshoes and coats, etc. She supervised the playground. Most of the teachers boarded at the different homes, usually close to the school. They would walk to school some rode horse back or used a buggy and team. Later some had their own cars. Transportation for 1930 and 1931, Edith Powers Hasaft. Then she had to go back to school to renew her certificate. The year she was gone, Edith Beeson taught the school. Then Edith Hasart returned and taught three more years, 1932, '33 and '34. Erma Gerke also taught this rchool. In the late 1940's the Lucas boys and school children was walking; some came horseback or by horse and buggy. The Miller family had a donkey and cart. They went where the donkey wanted to go. Later the boys rode the donkey back. This was a lot of entertainment for all the children during others were attending this school. School was held there until they consolidated the county lchools in 1950. Part of the school's frame still recess and noon. Poor donkey! Some of the earlier school children were the :i;lli:, .,,t;:l: rlll:ilti u-. '. . '--:'.", Adobe school girls: Amanda Adolf Richards, Elsie Lofing Kramer, and Leona Adolf Hefner. (on the roof, Floyd Mills) by Eleanor Herndon SCHOOL DISTRTCT 24 Tr54 Blue View and Prairie Wylde were schools n District 24. The Blue View school house vas built in the very early nineteen hundreds br in 1902 when the William (Billy) Weber bmily settled along the Landsman Creek, it vas already built. It was a frame house ocated 9 miles north and 2 east of Bethune, md it soon was moved t/2mile farther south io as to be more centralized for the pupils as nore settlers came with more children for chool. An adobe school house was built in the with the school subjects which was hard to do. Some of the subjects taught were reading, grammar, geography, physics, history, and arithmetic. A lot of thinking and fast figuring was done. Penmanship, (the Palmer Method), was one of the main subjects: having to sit up straight, staying in the line, up and ?, Edith Isenbart, Ruby Rasmussen, ?, Dorothy Lucas, Bernice Dunlap, Leona Schulte and son, Emily Thompson and baby, Dwight Thompson, Cecil Isenbart. In the doorway: Jerry Thompson, ?, ?, Thelma Thompson and Ab Lucas. rtands at its original location. The picture which shows a peach tree brings to mind an rften told story of a young man who poked his peach pit under the school house in a lmall hole after lunch, squashed it with his boot heel, and after that the rain dripping lrom the eaves took over and the seed rprouted. Teachers in later years were Ted imith and Ella Dunlap. of months in a term. Then they had to help at home with farm work. The smaller children went through all the term of about 6 months. Most of the children were German so had to learn the English language along Chris Strobels, Dickmens; Webers, Bauders, Fanselau, Wahl, Bauers, August Adolfs, Knodels, Mills, Stahleckers; Schmidke, Weiss's. Later the Meyers came, Kloeckners, Ed Stohlechers, and Weisshaars. Each pupil carried their own lunch and for years their water, but later the board members got a water cooler with a spigot, some- thing the children liked, and they took turns keeping it filled. It was a good improvement as we had carried water 3Vz miles every west part of the district about 1910. This was 7 Vz miles north of Bethune and went by the name "Prairie Wylde." Each school had their own teacher except one term when for reasons unknown in 191415 one teacher was hired and held school half a term in Blue View and half a term in Prairie Wylde, which was fair to all the pupils to travel. This was not satisfactory and each school had their own teacher again after that. Some of the earlier teachers were Amanda Stott, Alice Moore, Vera Dillon Harvey Jensen, Victor Voss, Lea Wellman, May Long who married Christ Adolf, Irene Neller Alvina (Brown) Pickerll. In the early years the older children up to morning, if we didn't spill it before we got there. To raise money for things used in school, we had a program, ending with a pie or box supper. Billy Weber was the community auctioneer for the suppers; his children say he enjoyed every program and pie or box supper immensely. We had spelling bees or ciphering (here the arithmetic was used) with different schools on a Friday afternoon. The teacher and all the children walked from one school to the other. Some of the games we played were baseball, jump rope; in winter we'd go skating if teacher allowed children to go off the school ground, or skated on snow, played fox and goose, or games like last �couple out. We found plenty of interesting Items taken from old Seibert Settler entertainment for recess or noon. In the spring of 1929 the Blue View school house was moved again; this time 1/2 mile newspapers also give some insight into the activities of the school. Nov. 9. L923 . . . "Miss Goldie Iverson was hostess to her pupils and their parents at a Halloween party north and one west. The adobe was closed. The district was cut up to where the south children went to Bethune and the north and east to the Blue View. Some of District 22 from the north came to this school as this was closer to some families. Distance makes a difference when walking is the transportation. In 1955 the district was dissolved and all were now in the Bethune district with bus routes and high school for everyone. by The Stahlecker sisters, Martha Adolf and Theresia Kramer BODEN SCHOOL Tt55 The Boden School was located southwest ofStratton on a quarter ofland owned by the Boden family who donated land so a school could be built in 1908. Some of the early students attending Boden were Ernie and E.R. McConnell. Ethel Jones Hazen and others. The school house was used as a center for many different gatherings of the community: voting precinct, Sunday School, preaching, debates, literary programs, dances, bask- et dinners, and to meet for rabbit drives, coyote hunts and ball games. by Florence McConnell THE BOGER SCHOOL Tl56 The Boger School, in District 12, was a one room, frame building built in 1909. It was Boger school in 1944: Edwin Lowrey, Bob McCaf- frey, Darrell McCaffrey, Kenneth McCaffrey, Melvin Lowrey, Jim Camp, Virgil Gagnon, Wayne McCaffrey, Helen Zimmerschied, Alice Joy, Vera Camp, and Verdie Gagnon. first located 12 miles north, 1 west, and 1/2 north of Vona on the property of Frank Boger. In 1911 it was moved to 12% miles north of Vona which made its location more in the center of the community, as it was then. The first school board members were: President, Charlie George; Secretary, Bill Butler; and Treasurer, Frank Boger. This board served for many years until Butlers started to school at Vona and George's moved out of the area and Frank Boger apparently felt that it was time he should retire from the board. They were replaced by president, Roy Johnson; secretary, Flora Boger; and treasurer, Gus Herrel. The first teacher at the school was Gailon Lewis. Some of the others who taught there were: August Carlstedt, Sadie Dulmer, Marie Klassen, Vern Meyers, Mr. Wagner, Quinten Vose, Marie Farquar, Lottie Putnam, Helen Herrel, Goldie Iverson, Cassie McDougal, Bill Sealey, Alfred Schmidt, Viola Burkardt, Mrs. McKenzie, Howard Bigelow, Grace Clark, Mae Carlson, Maurice Wrenn, A.G. Sawhill, Bettie Smith, Minnie Eaton, Ruth Gulley, and Betty Smith Shaw. held at the Finch home, Nov. 2. The evening was spent in Halloween pranks, making candy, and roasting weiners until a late hour, when all departed for their homes declaring Miss Goldie a royal entertainer." Nov. 23, 1923 . . . "Miss Goldie Iverson invited the mothers to visit school Friday afternoon. The pupils had prepared a fine program which the mothers enjoyed. Then the visitors were asked to recite for the pupils. Mrs. Strode, Mrs. Hubbell, and Mrs. Boger responded with recitations." Dec. 21, L923 . . . "The Sunday School and School are preparing a Christmas program to be given at the Boger schoolhouse Dec. 23, at 8:00 P.M." Feb. 1, 1924 . . . "The teacher and pupils at the Boger school are rejoicing over a fine new teacher's desk and chair and dictionary. All purchased by the school board." Also of interest are a couple of items concerning neighboring schools. Nov. 23, 1923 . , . "Miss Meta Rassmussen, teacher of the Progress school, recently received stove and fixtures required to install the hot lunch service in school as recommended by educational authorities." Oct. 19. 1923 . . . "School marms should be more careful not to entertain company too late. A young man from Vona became so drowsy on his way home the other night that he missed the road, getting in where he was compelled to wake up the neighbors to get him out again." Surnames of some of those known to have attended the Boger school are: Boger, Butler, Camp, Carrigan, Dulmer, Flinch, Gagnon, George, Hartwig, Haynes, Herrel, Hubbell, Jackson, Jewitt, Johnson, Joy, Lowery, Martin, McCaffery, Naute, Oliver, Seaman, Smit, Stolz, Strode, and Zimmerschied. A favorite story, handed down through the generations, tells of the adventures of John Boger, son of Frank and Flora. John would start off to school each day with the rest of the Boger children but, instead of going to school, he would hide out in the fence row or the draw south of the house and play all day and then rejoin the group on their way home. He managed to get by with that for some time before his dad caught him at it and then, "He didn't try that again!" The Boger school was also the meeting place for the Unity Sunday School. Classes at the Boger School were discontinued in about 1950 and the building was bought by Gus Schreiner and moved to his place. by Joyce Miller BROADSWORD SCHOOL DISTRICT 31 Tr57 |oger School about 1909, Gailon Lewis, Teacher The Claude H. Hall family moved from Clay County Nebraska, to the farm 13 miles north of Burlington, known as the "Fairview Farm." This was in February 1923. There were four children, Thomas Merlyn, age g; Goldie Evelyn, age 7; Claude Harold, 5; and �Inez Maxine, age 2. Merlyn started at Broadsword School in March, 1923, as a fifth grader. He was in the same grade as Carl Kreoger. Goldie staded at the same time in third grade. Harold staded school in the first grade, September, 1924, and Inez started school in 1926. During the school term when Daisy Hewitt was the teacher, one wintery day during morning recess, two energetic boys livened up the recess by throwing a handful of 22 calibre rifle shells into the old potbelly stove. All shells responded in short order creating lots of excitement. It is recalled that Frank Moose and Mrs. Story lived in the sod house across from the school which eventually was the William Kreoger farm. Frank Moose operated the sorghum mill and the zillions of flies it created is unforgettable. Three and one half miles to the east of our place lived Mr. and Mrs. Grant Stephenson. Mrs. Stephenson used to conduct religious services at the school every Sunday morning. After her sermon, the congregation would break up into Sunday School classes accord- ing to age. My father, Claude Hall, was a member of the school board along with Charlie Miser, Louis Kreoger, and Charlie Kreoger. I'm not sure they all served at the same time, but they were all on the board at one time or another. by Inez Ilall Emsbach BROADSWORD SCHOOL T168 DISTRICT 31 The Broadsword School District 31, (named for one of the early families who lived in the community), was a typical one-room country school, located fourteen miles north on Highway 51, later Hwy. 385, in the northwest corner of Louis Kreoger's field. Presently, the site is across the highway from the William Kreoger farm, where his daughter, Katherine Lundien, and family now live. Originally built as a soddy, in the latter 1800's, a wooden structure replaced it in the early 1900's, eometime before 1915. All labor was volunteer for the school building as well as the horse barn and out-house. The outhouse had a divider between the boys'side and the girls'side. Controversy arose during the building of the school when one of the volunteers who was working on it thought the rafters were not quite high enough. This controversy came after the rafters were was where community meetings and gatherings were held, box and pie socials, and the literary programs, consisting of debates, skits, etc. At one time this is where Coop meetings were held with Frank and Ida Rankins, and in the days of the early telephones, telephone meetings were held here. Clothing for the boys was bib overalls or knickers. Girls always wore dresses and most of them wore high top shoes and leg warmers. Later the boys continued to wear bib overalls or blue jeans and the girls, dresses. During the history of this country school, indoor and outdoor games played were unchanged. Outdoor games consisted ofAnte Over, Pump Pump Pull Away, Drop the Handkerchief, Baseball, Fox and Geese, and Red Rover. The wooden poles of the swing set broke in L946-47 and were replaced with very tall steel pipe set in concrete. The person swinging was challenged to see if he could go as high as the "bars" (top of the swing set). Believe me this was "fun"! Indoor games consisted of Hide the Thimble, Hangman, Spell Downs, and Geography Matches. This school had no well for water, ever. Consequently, the water needed to be carried in every day. Either it was up to the teacher to bring it in or up to the students to carry it in a bucket on a stick between them. (Three places were used to obtain water: the Frank Moose place, which was across the road west; Pete Broadsword farm which was 3/4 of. a mile north; and the Louis Kreoger farm which was L/2 mile southeast of the school. Many times the water from the well at the Moose place was no good, so the students had to choose somewhere else to go. After 1950, the water was always carried from the William Kreoger farm (former Moose place). This was after Kreoger had drilled a new well and had good water.) Water was put in a crock from which to dip or use a spigot for drinking. Each student was required to bring his or her own drinking cup and hand towel. If warm water was needed, it was heated on the pot belly stove, that stood in the center of the room. Lots of cold air came into the room due to the fact that there were large windows directly opposite each other, and there were no storm windows. Discipline was done in a variety of ways, such as standing on one foot on the stage, use of a razor strap or belt on the posterior region or staying in at recess. One teacher was known for throwing an eraser in front of a student who was daydreaming and not studying. It was reported that one student was sent to get a switch and if he didn't come back with it he would not need to return to school. The studentdidn'tcome back, butthe school board eventually let him return to the house of learning. already put up. The volunteer redid them and Christmas programs were always a traditional part of the school, where parts were this resulted in a very pitched roof and high ceilings. According to the School Board records ofJune 1923, the Board decided that a horse barn was needed for safety of the children. Transportation to school in the early days was by riding horses, walking, or using a buggy or cart. Horses were usually tied to fence posts or turned loose in the exchanged. Treats were given to all the students and their families. Of course. Slta made an appearance. The area where the school was located was called "Bottle Ridge." Indians fought on the 'Ridge' and school board members had schoolyard. Finally a barn was built. In the later years, the auto was a form oftransporta- tion. As in other communitiee, this school was also the social center of the community. This learned, recited, and three act plays were presented. Nemes were drawn and gifts disagreements here also. It was here that one member was arrested for disturbing the peace. One member wanted to have dances in the school and the other two didn't. Basically, he wanted to stir up trouble. After the arrest when they went to court, the judge ended the dispute by throwing out the case. If adult neighbors had battles or disputes they would usually end up at the school airing their problems. Academically things were somewhat differ- ent from what they are today. In the early days, the parents were responsible for their children's books. When the year's workbooks were finished for the grade we were in, the students were advanced to the next grade level. Usually this occurred about March. Children usually started school at age six and were given a primer to learn to read. In 1942, the famous reading series was Dick and Jane. Penmanship was a part of the daily routine. During the last four years of the school's existence, the most famous place to go to learn anything for memory was behind the piano, which was set at an angle in the back of the room. This was also the place where one child was sent to go to the restroom, using a tin can, which normally caught the drip from the water crock, on the day the drought broke, 1956. The rest of the students were asked by thew teacher to take their seats. This same student was asked to go behind the piano to learn the words to "America the Beautiful." This was quite an undertaking since the student was only a first grader. It was noted in the minutcs of the School Board Secretary dating in the early 1920's, that whenever a vote was taken the names of the men and how they voted was always listed first and then the names of the ladies were Iisted. Teacher of the Broadsword school were: Mrs. Nellie Grabb, Clara Shannon, Miss Bogart, Mrs. Bill Sperry, Maude Crist, Mr. E.A. Schwenker, Mrs. Antonie Schutte, Miss Annette Smith, Edith Miser, Eva Shumate, Miss Hewitt, Maxine Beal, Neva Henderson, Mrs. Harlin Romberg, Mary Winfrey, Florence Raines, Josie Youtsey, Barbara Kieber, Helen Young, Helen Kreoger, Alvin Johnson, Doris (Keeler) Kreoger, Hazel Fromong, Larry Megel, Mrs. Pearl Johnson, and Mrs. B. Leo Devlin. In the fall of 1959, this school was consolidated with the Burlington School District, thus bringing the era of the country school to its demise. School Board members not listed in order: Louis Kreoger, Carl Kreoger, William (Bill) Kreoger, Don Scheierman, Bob Parmer, Lucy Broadsword, Clarence Crist, Charles Miser, Claude Hall, Clara Fender, Orin Miller, Everett Winfrey, Ellis Clark, Harrison Clark, Newel Guffy, and the last three members before the school consolidated in 1959 were, Grace McNeill, Doris Kreoger, and Helen Kreoger. by Katherine Lundien and Carl Kreoger BROADSWORD 31 Tr69 I graduatcd from Burlington High School in the spring of. L927, having taken courses in teaching. (I was 19 at the time.) Then I took a test conducted by the County Superintendent of Schools to become a teacher. I put in my application for a teaching job at the Broadsword School and was awarded the teaching position. The school board consisted �of Charles Miser, Charles Kreoger and Claude Hall. I received $100.00 per month. Sometimes there was not enough money in the County Treasurer's office to pay my wages, and I would have to wait until more funds were available. It was in the contract that I do all my own janitor work, and put on a program each year followed by a box social to raise moneyfor playground equipment. The pupils were very good to help me bring in the cobs and coal from the shed just east of the school building, erase blackboards, sweep floors and various other duties. I had to have the building warm by 8:30 A.M. The teachers before me had raised money for a nice set of three swings, so I used money I took in for curtain material, (made eight curtains), a picture of George Washington and one of Abraham Lincoln, colored crepe paper for decorating, stencils, and putty for the windows (which I applied to help keep the cold wind out.) I always went out of doors when the weather was fit, to play with the students. We played games of various kinds, but baseball was the favorite by far. The older boys delighted in getting me to swing, standing up, with them. They would take me so high I thought we would go over the top, but luckily we never did. I'm sure recess time was their favorite but they seemed to learn neverthe- cents each and pencils were one cent each. Much of their work was done at the boards. As recreation, the children loved to do Spell Downs or do Arithmetic at the board. I always soaked corn cobs in kerosene to help start my fires more easily, then used a generous amount of cobs to make a good bed of coals to start the coal. My uncle had a real sense of humor. I always put some saying on the blackboard on Friday evening and one such time I had put "In union there is strength." He changed the U to O and made it read "In onion there is strength." This caused so much laughter on Sunday morning when we were all gathered for Sunday School. Many Sunday evenings we would gather, young and old alike, and sing. I played the piano and had quite a lot Melven Weaver and his daughters, Sallee Lee and Vee Ann, beside the old pitcher pump at Carmichael School in December, 1950. of sheet music. time we cut across the fields, right over the grades, as they all compared report cards at fence posts. Later on we rode a horse, and still later on we got a two-wheel buggy with shaves for one horse. My dad put Model T Ford front I loved teaching, but hated giving out report card time. Writing this has brought back many pleasant memories. by Eva Shumate Graybill CARMICHAEL SCHOOL wheels and tires on it which made it easier pulling and riding. In the winter Mom would heat a big rock and wrap it in gunny sacks to keep our feet warm. We kids fought over who got to put their feet on the rock! As we got older, we used horses and kept them in the barn at school. When visiting the site of Carmichael T160 less. They were a nice group of children. School in more recent years I found a cornfield covered the spot where the building once stood. We took up school at 9:00 A.M. and by Melven Weaver dismissed at 3:30 P.M. when days were short, but otherwise at 4:00 P.M. The first thing we did was to pledge allegiance to the American Flag. If the weather was nice we went outside, otherwise we stayed inside. This was followed by 15 minutes of singing, or my reading to them. One of their favorites was a book called The Pride of the Prairies, a book about the massacre at Beecher's Island, fought between the Indians and the U.S. troops around 1865. COLE SCHOOL Tl6r I had to make every minute count with eight grades to teach and hear recite. My youngest pupil was Lavern Hulse in first grade and my oldest was Julian Kreoger, that I taught the first year. Julian was given a test by the County Superintendent of Schools and passed this to be promoted from the eighth grade and qualify him for high school. The first year I boarded with my aunt and uncle, the Grant Stephensons. I had to ride horseback three and one half miles. The second year I boarded with the Louis Kreoger family and paid each family $20.00 per month for room and board. During my first year of teaching I paid Julian Kreoger $2.00 per month to carry water to the school and the second, I carried it from Louis Kreoger's home. Also being caried were my lunch, papers and books. The pupils all drank from the same water bucket and each one was to have his own cup, but generally they used the first one that was handy. Luckily there was very little sickness in my school. The first year I taught, my aunt and uncle, the Stephensons, organized a non-denomina- tional Sunday School that proved to be successful. The attendance was good and while we were meeting there they purchased a used piano. This instrument was used in school as well as Sunday School. Pupils had double desks and recited at the front ofthe room on a long bench specifically designed for that purpose. We had two large blackboards so that helped save on tablets and pencils. At that time, tablets were five CoIe School, Miss Jenny Shaw teacher, year 1916- t7. Carmichael School pupils, L92l-22;backrow on far right: Pearl Weaver; front row, L to R: Melven Weaver, Zelda Ann Ross, and Harry Weaver. The four unidentified girls are two sets of sisters: Ellen and Frances Bey and Stella and Bessie Adkisson, but Melven can't remember "which is which." At its first location this country school, Carmiehael, District 4, was four miles west and two miles north of the town of Burlington. A few years later it was moved directly south, one mile, and placed on a cement foundation as shown in the 1950 picture, with water just outside the door! Almost all of the nine children of Jim and Josie Weaver attended the Carmichael School. We had to walk three miles one way to school, winter and summer. In the winter- During the years 1910 to 1920 the community south of Burlington, Colorado was being settled. To help the settlers get their mail and educate the children the Cole School and post office was started. The location of the sod school house was fourteen miles south of the southeast corner of Burlington, on the east side of the road. Until the last few years there were still the foundation, two small ?, and the gate posts standing. This school was consolidated with the Smoky Hill School District in the early 1920's. The teacher of that year, Miss Jennie Shaw, still lives in Kansas. She had come from Kensley, Kansas to teach. Jennie Tres- sel was County Superintendent of School then. This was all told to me years ago, so hope it is nearly right. The school and post office �}rr;: ,ta'r,ri. . '' ' Later a good well was drilled in the school yard of the second and last building location for school use. Grades one through eight were taught at the Cook School. The regular school day would begin at 9:00 a.m. with the children i:::"'' t :a::,: :'.:i.: 1:,,,,,;iii,,i ''*,,:& and teacher giving the pledge to the American flag followed by the children singing or the teacher reading to the group. There was morning recess for fifteen minutes about 10:30 a.m. If weather permitted, gemes were played outside. If the weather was too cold or stormy, indoor games were played. Afternoon recess was fifteen minutes and scheduled around 2:00 p.m. Outdoor gemes played were Baseball, Ante Over, Tag, Red Rover, Hide and Go Seek, and sometimes foot races. In winter Fox and Geese was a popular game when snow covered the playground. Some indoor ga-es played were I Spy, Hide the Thimble, Upset the Fruit Basket, Old Cat, and Quaker's Meeting. Friday afternoons, after recess activities were Cipher Match, Spell Down, or a Geography Quiz at the blackboard. When weather permitted, the teacher and children would go for hikes west of the school grounds where there were interesting rock formations emer- ging from the ground of small canyons. During the last three years at the Cook School the teacher and children would walk to the river and locate beaver dams. The school room was heated with a stove located near the middle of the room that burned corn cobs, kindling and coal. On cold mornings the children would move their desks around the stove and study, also recite Cole School in 1916-17, Back row, L to R; Mary Parsley age 13, Percy Morford 13, Mary Greene 15, Alice Magnuson 14. Middle Row, L to R; Stella Goodwin 10, Thelma Little 10, John Parsley 10, Isaac Goodwin 11, Myrtle Magnuson 10. Front row, L to R; Adolf Parsley 6, David Magnuson 6, Cline Goodwin 6, Bryan Goodwin 8, Frank Parsley 7. were both gone when I came to this community from Norton County, Kansas, in 1928. by Velma Walstrom COLUMBINE SCHOOL Tl62 The Columbine School. the first school house in the Spring Valley Ranch neighborhood, was built of sod. Mr. E. McCrillis was the first elected school district secretary, an office held for fifteen years. The first teacher was Mrs. Helen Slusser. School warrant number one was drawn on October 12, 1889, for $20.00 for her first month of teaching. by Ruth Goebel Bauder COOK SCHOOL DISTRICT 86 J Tr63 The first Cook School, which was District number 86, was built of sod on the Jim Cook Ranch which was located south of the South Fork of the Republican River, and this area is now covered by the Bonny Reservoir. School District 86 was originally in Yuma County in the early 1900's. Later the county line was redrawn, as a result part of the original district was in Kit Carson County. This change made a joint district of School District 86 thus adding the letter "J" representing "Joint" to the 86, 86J. After this change the salary of the teacher was paid in two checks, one check from the Kit Carson County Treasurer and one from the Yuma their lessons from where they were seated near the stove. Throughout the school year the teacher would provide parties for the children on Halloween, Valentine's Day and have an Easter Egg Hunt at Easter. A program at Christmas with parents and community attending was the highlight of the school year. On the last day of school there would be a picnic for all to attend. One year there were several older boys attending Cook School who convinced the teacher to let them have a "smoking period!" County Treasurer. The coal shed was designated as the Indians and Kit Carson County honored the great western scout Kit Carson. Both Yuma the girls got sick and told her parents. Originally Yuma County and Kit Carson County were a part of Arapahoe County. Yuma County was named for the Yuma and Kit Carson counties were founded in 1889. These two counties and others were planned so a slice of railroad track would run through a part of each county. This helped share in the tax burden for financing schools and help with county expenses. A former student who attended school in the sod building recorded the following events on tape before she passed away. Several ofthe children walked a long distance to school. When it was cold and snowy the children wrapped their feet in gunnysacks to keep them warm and dry. At recess time they left the gunnysacks behind and "skated" on the ice on the frozen river. This was great fun until one father noticed his children's shoe soles were wearing thin and requested the teacher to stop the skating. In about 1916 the sod building was replaced. A wooden frame building was built and located about one half mile south of the original sod building. At first the children carried water from the original Cook Ranch. "smoking" room. One younger child went to the coal shed and found part of the students "rolling their own" using sawdust for tobacco. This activity did not last very long as one of Immediately the school board ca-e to school to meet with the teacher and there was no more smoking. It is a wonder they did not burn the shed down. In the spring of 1945 there were six students attending Cook School. These children came from three farm families. In late March two of the three farms sold and five of the six students moved away. This was the Iast year the school building was used. One students remained. He was one of the two who had taken the ninth and tenth grades at Cook. In order for him to finish, he was given lesson plans for the whole week and the teacher would check his papers each weekend and provide new plans for the coming week. This lasted for six weeks until the term closed. The reason for the above arrangement was that the teacher had been asked to teach high school in Kanorado, Kansas, to finish out the existing term, teaching typing and English. Mrs. Jessie Winfrev boarded teachers as �well as Mrs. Clemence Buraker. The Winfrey Ranch was three miles from school and the Buraker Ranch was a little more than one half mile from school. At present the buildings at the Winfrey Ranch have been removed and an irrigation sprinkler covers where the ranch buildings stood. The buildings at the Buraker Ranch have been removed and the site is now the Wagon Wheel Qnmp Ground south of Bonny Reservoir. The buildings at the Cook School site were sold and moved. The only things that remain are chunks of concrete over the pipe of the water well, a few currant bushes near the pasture fence and a lot of memories. A complete record of the teachers who taught at Cook was not available, however this is a partial listing: Clemence Buraker, Ruth Fithian, Bernarda Bohrer, Nellie Fox, Mildred Sperry, Lenora Heckert, Clair Ford, Wm Nye, Jr., Iris Herndon, and Helen at this corner. Magnesia rock was present about the area, seen by many who remember this place. Mrs. Ida Gwyn recalled a rock look of the building and remaining rock in later years. In 1987, no evidence is apparent to mark a site of this old soddie school erected so many years ago. Mr. William Strode remembered his teacher through his school years as: Mrs. Florence Rumming (Miss Lyons), next teacher, Miss Mina Miller, Julia Doughty, Miss Alice Kelly, B.F. O'Dell, C.W. Smith and Harvey God- interviews was obtained by my children when in school. Since the school project was discussed, conversation turned to memories of school. Also contributing was correspondence with a member of the Doughty family, written memoirs of Adda (Doughty) Brookhart and interviews, generously given by Mrs. Ida Gwyn. Mr. Duane Loutzenhiser aided this writer in determining a location along with other useful information. by Lyle W. Stone ding. some of the students using this school were William Strode, Mary Elizabeth (Molly) and Adda Blanche Doughty, Mable Lynde, Archie Lyons (grand son), probably Carl Stark EAST FAIR HAVEN T165 and any brothers or sisters. Frank McDonald may have attended among others. Families living in the area were Farr, Lyons, Strode, Lynde (Lind in some records), Doughty, Editors Wilson Kreoger. Some of the families who had children who attended the Cook School were as follows: Armknecht, Homm, Buraker, Reinhold, Winfrey, Rice, Parmer, Payne, Insco, and Stafford. by Clemence Buraker, Ilarold Buraker, Lillian Ebeler, Lola Winfrey Rhoades, and llelen C. Kreoger CRYSTAL SPRINGS SCHOOL T164 Crystal Springs school was first located near the home of Stephen S. Strode in the Crystal Springs alea, east of Flagler. Classes began in 1887 in a dug out near the home for the first few months. After a new soddie was finished, classes moved to this structure at a location near the present Duane Loutzenhiser home. A first reference found ofthis school was during an interview in the 1950s with William "Bill" Strode. He said the first school he attended was a dug out and later a soddie. He said his first teacher was Florence Rumming. Research revealed that Miss Florence Lyons married Simon Rumming in 1890. I believe the first teacher in this school was Miss Florence Lyons of a family Iiving near the old Claude Verhoeff place. Several physical locations have been suggested for the school following the dug out. I believe a most accurate place was west some distance from the row of pine trees at the Loutzenhiser place. The name, Crystal Springs School, is recorded by a statement in the memoirs of Adda (Doughty) Brookhart: "My aunt Julia had come from Missouri and taught a term of school which I attended at the old Crystal Springs school." A logical location would be in the northwest corner of Section 9, Township 95, Range 50W. On best authority, I believe this school was built of sod and that in subsequent years, some magnesia rock might have been laid on its exterior to protect walls or corners from elements of weather and damage from livestock. According to Duane Loutzenhiser, present owner of the site, a magnesia rock foundation was removed at the corner of the section west of his place to facilitate farming there. This is just south of the county road East Fair Haven School, 1912 Back row, I to r: Jim Berry, Francis Tillum, Lewis Reed, Paul Miller, Mabel Bushnell, Gladys Chew Front row: Flossie Tillum, Ward Chew, Flossie Benson Stark and Miller, among others. An interesting story tells of Molly and Adda Doughty carrying butter milk to the railroad crew workers when the Rock Island track was built, passing near their residence. EMERSON SCHOOL Tr66 Rail hands placed coins in paraffined wrappers and tossed them to the Doughty children in return payment. Mrs. Gwyn remembered a nickname given Adda Doughty as "Ab-doughty." Mable Lynde was a "seat partner" of Adda Doughty when they attended school. Mable became very ill and died in November 1888. She had typhoid fever and is the first person listed in records of the Flagler Cemetery. Others were buried here before record keeping began. When District 19 was formed, this school was located within its boundaries. A theory exists suggesting when District 19 was formed, its boundaries were set to include railroad property to assure a tax base. This might explain why students, after Flagler schools were established, attended school at the consolidated school of Second Central some distance away. No definite record has been found to determine how long Crystal Springs School was in operation or when it was closed, although certainly it was among Emerson Consolidated School built in 1926. It burned in 1935 and was rebuilt on the same place to the same design. Before Emerson School was centralized there were two schools in one district. One was Lowell School on Rd 45- BB and Emerson School on Rd 47- FF. The new larger centralized school kept the name Emerson, probably named after the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. It was located on Rd the first in the area. 46-EE in the south east corner of school history was obtained from earlier interviews with Will-and Mamie Strode. One of these section L6-7-44. The grounds were fenced to keep range cattle and horses out. However, when baseball was played at recess or noon, Much of the information in this short �Emerson were Miss Ruth (Church) Schaal, Miss Mary (Mahoney) Kruger, Miss Carlotta Berger, Mr. Jake Jeager, Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Romberg, Mr. and Mrs. S.L. Lightsey, Mrs. Luella O'Hare, Mrs. Villot, Mr. Theisson, Mrs. Youtsey, Mr. Tekel, Mrs. Rosina (Bau- der) Schaal, Mr. DeRitter, Mrs. Dunlap, and Miss Virginia Felch was the last teacher at Emerson in the year 1958. In the fall of 1959 busses from the Burlington district transported all students to Burlington School. by Ted Schaal Winston, Iva Winston, Linda Smith, Clyde Schaal, Alene Winston. Front Row: Karan Smith and Marie Winston the kids climbed the school ground fence and made a baseball diamond in the pasture outside the school grounds using cow chips for bases, eliminating the possibility of a ball being thrown through a window of the school house. The school building had two large classrooms go two teachers could teach the first 10 grades usually 1 through 6 in the south room and 7 through 10 in the north room which also had an elevated stage. The two classrooms were divided by folding doors that could be opened for public school programs, school elections and Farm Bureau meetings. The school building had a full basement for living quarters for the teachers and a separate room for a coal furnace to heat the building. Water was supplied by a windmill with a supply tank in a tall building beside the windmill which allowed an indoor restroom on each side of the entry hall and a drinking fountain in the middle. Some children came to school with teem and wagon, some in a buggy drawn by one horse and some rode horses or burros (donk- eys) so a large barn was provided with mangers to keep horses sheltered and fed during the day. In the early 30's, thirty-two students attended one year. In 1935 the school house caught fire, caused by a deteriorated chimney behind the furnace and burned to the ground. While a new identical school building was being constructed on the basement foundation, school classes were held in the barn. Some students came from districts that taught eight grades to finish the 9th and 10th grade at Emerson. One girl, Joyce Senti, rode horseback from Spring Valley Ranch, a distance of 10 miles one way and others were not much closer. About 1937 the 9th and 10th grades were discontinued as some of the older students finished the 9th through 12th grades in Burlington. So after that Emerson had one teacher and taught only from 1st through 8th grades. In 1953 the Hook School District consoli- FAIRMOUNT SCHOOL Tl67 Fairmount School was established in 1913 on Section 22, Township 11, Range 49, south of Seibert, at a place known as the Joe Trabert place. This information comes from a paper, Of Land and People, written by Leon Bloder, formerly of the Rock Cliff area. miles west of there so Selma drove a horse and cart to school until a wheel wore out and she didn't get to finish that term ofschool (1920Fairmount School was later consolidated with Rock Cliff School. The Fairmont School had a barn for horses and later the school building was moved to Rock Cliff and was the small building used for the upper grades. Selma went to Rock Cliff the next term and finished there. Rock Cliff had bus barns built after that. Sybil Wiem boarded with the Gunderson's when she taught school at Fairmont in 192021. by Lyle TY. Stone memories of this school, thus saving informa- tion valuable to those of us today. Mr. Bloder's comments follow: The school was first located in an old shanty located in the southeast part of the section. Earl Short was the tcacher. The common water dipper, the slate, and also cowchip fuel were on the way out. In 1914 Ben Loiler constructed a new school building on FAIRVIEW SCHOOL NO.20 T168 the same site, also two 4' x 4' "necessaty houseg." These were of the "modern" type, having a basement (although still supplied with mail order catalogues), and a barn for six horses. Later teachers were Agie Sawhill, Alpha Wolfe in 1918-19, and Sibyl Wrenn in L920-2L. The school house was in a fenced pasture, and during the term taught by Agie Sawhill, the Loiler kid's dog would sometimes come to school with them. and when cattle came near, would run them off. One day we heard rifle shots outside. All noses pressed to the windows, we saw the rancher who owned the cattle chasing the dog round and round the school house getting in a shot every time he could. Just as the dog rounded the corner Adobe School 20: Children are from Matthies, Ellsworth and Armstrong families. ahead, the dog stopped and scratched on the door. The oldest boy opened the door and shouted at the man, just as he got in a final shot. The dying dog fell into the room. At this One of the first school buildings in district 20 was an adobe building on the SW corner time we were all about scared out of our Sometime in the 1910's a frame school underpants, teacher included as he stepped outside to speak to the man, calmly standing there with his hand cupped over the muzzle of the 22 caliber Savage Hi-Power rifle. Students that attended Fairmount school through the years included: Ruth and Ruby Hungerford; Lee, Everett and Leola Cline; Donald, Leslie and Johnnie Norris; Joseph, Agnes, Mary and Leon Bloder; Ralph, house was built on the southwest corner of 1611-44. fifteen miles south and four miles west of Burlington. This schoolwas known as West Fairview No. 20: sometimes it was called the Wilford, Marvel and Burton Loiler; Austin Valquette; Clara Martin; Ruby Irvin; Robert years at West Fairview. Short; Alice Short; Theadore Douglas; Allie Ferguson; Hollister and Kenneth Reece; Ivan, Clifford and Merle Noxon; Sterling district hired Elmer Schaal to haul some of the pupils in his Jeep Station Wagon to Burlington where the district paid tuition. At one time Clara Fender conducted Dawe; Selma and Gladys Simonson. School was not held here in 1919-20 as only Somc of the fnachers who tsusht et brought a lady from Norway and they were married in October of 1920 and moved four Mr. Bloder thoughtfully wrote down his dated with Emerson District and that year some students from Hook attended Emerson, but in following years the larger combined Sunday School during the summer and Ben Parmer had evangelistic meetings for a short time. Oliver Gundersons. Matt, Selma's brother, 2r). Emereon School pupils its last year: 1958-59. Left to right: Glen Schaal, Wayne Winston, Teacher Virginia Felch, Geneva Schaal; 2nd row: Nancy Deeter, E.M. Short, Troy Martin, Albert Martin, Inez Short, James Deeter, Bessie Short, Harry Short and Odry Martin. Selma Simonson Nordquist who went her first year to Second central in 1917-18, went to school at Fairmount School in 1919 and they lived with their Aunt and Uncle, the of the NW% 8-11-44, southwest of BurIington. 'Crackerbox school.' Some of the families attending West Fairview were Hicks, Matthies, Hines, Meyers, Hawthorne, and Boyd. Florence Wigton taught school several East Fairview No. 20 was on the southeast corner of the SE% L4-Ll-44, three miles east of West Fairview School. Before the 1920's gram of entertainment. Names not previous- East Fairview was about a mile west of this location. Some years school was held in both schools and some years it was held in just one of the schools. Some of the children attending East Fairview were the Smiths, Pearson, Boyd, (some may have been among the older set), were: Leaoold Bloder. John Deeter. Reeina sheffel and Williams. Fairview consolidated with the Bethune two pupils lived in this end of the district. Mr. Bloder's record included a 1915 pro- ly mentioned and located in the program, Matthies, Hicks, Abbott, Walstrom, Wind- �School around 1951. The children then rode a school bus to Bethune where they could attend all twelve grades. The school houses were then sold and t!. :,t:. f:.. moved away. FARRffi":: f,nlsorslrlcf,ln rvro. €#ffi EEF %"iiz: ,ff lT .b*t:''3:fr1 !:s?l?Ji::'sl: early teacher was Miss Stella Strode. Other . *. teachers of the district in early years were First Central School in 1912 when Grace Wellman Greenwood was a baby (in the picture)' Haidee Nealley (or Neeley), Emma Liggett, Mrs. Flo Shunate, Ethel Durbin and M.R. Shanahan.MissLuellaSchwynmayhave1908or1910.Afewyearslater,probably beenteachingbefore1915.Arecordof19151914,twolargeframeroomswereaddedto tellsofMiss-EverettarrivingonaSaturdaythenorthofthisbuilding.Anicelookingroof eveninginFlaglerfromWisconsinandthatandwindowsenhancedthisbuilding.Itwas shewinbetheteacheratFarrSchoolinthewhitewithdarkbrowntrimandverypretty. comingterm.Ithadneatstepsandanentranceontheeast. "fl',:"'31*f"'.11tif;3'rff-?,-"n,'jii#f'Jfl l3lt'S'fr3t"'f,T:'A'fr5'*fft":lfljt; mentionedinlastweek'spaperwill!eheldtyping.andbookkeepingclassroom.Two attheFarrschoolhouseinDist.19.Thanks-typewriterswereusedinthisclassroom. givingeve.LadiesbringwellfilledbasketsTherewasastoveandinbittercoldweather, and men don't forget your purses." -: a ,--r,,, o-L,,, :_ r-__ ___L^- rr- teachersbroughtormadehotsouptosupplement the chirdren's cord runches. Inlater ilfi:,?:,11*:"*ff:il,1'.'"?*:,$f;;::il"X' another built on the ;j:#,:'*t:runji*:ln,1lf:;n westedgeoftheschoolgrounds.Inl92?Alta Duncan and Dewey Farr attended as stuyears dents. Although a careful search has been school house was Ellis Wolfe taught the first three grades. She made, other students are not apparent except that children of the Paulsen family may have attended here. It is known that in 1915, 'i:'r.": "----'--' Durr"- Farr was a right guard on the Flagle; HighSchoolfootballieam.Itisinterestingto*;;.*;..-"-."-..'..--'...--.''..-'''',..'.,.* backfield on this team. Duncan would have attended Farr School much earlier. Records indicate Farr School was still in operation in 1915, with school beginning this year, the teacher boarding with the John Paulsen's. W.W. Reynolds hauled a load of coal to the Farr School in the fall of 1915. It is unlikely Farr School operated much later than 1915. This is stated because Flagler schools had improved a gteat deal at this time and was within a distance where students could have been transported to the school. Often, this made little difference if patrons were unwilling. District 19 had embarked on an effort to utilize a centralized consolidated school npmed Second Central at this time. by Lyle W. Stone FIRST CENTRAL SCHOOL TI.70 First Central was an early day community school located 12 miles south and 4 miles east ofStratton, Colorado on the Correction Line' A long slim frame school house was built in Pupils at First Central in 1929-3G Back ro*', I to r: Jarnes Grccetooa, Ly'e Xcllogg, Delno Norton, Jennie L. Tressel, Lowell Dunlap, Walt Ackerson, Warren Hodge, La Denhom. Middle row: Edith Beeson, Albert GIad, Irene Dunham, Glen Smith, Bessie Whitrnore, Lloyd Prxhe, IlGlEn Mitchell, Elbert Ayres. Front Row: Violet Norton, Cloyd Storrer, Eva Raleigh, Ralph Greenrood, Dorothy Hodge, Clarence Ieeman, Wanda Norton, Kenneth Scheierman. �lived six miles south of Bethune on the rooms of the store. She bought cream and present Leo and Maxine Kindred farm. That same year, Lola Shaw Pearce Rillihan was also a teacher there. She loaned her horse eggs from the people and hauled this produce "Sparkplug" (Sparky) to Vena Hughes to ride the 4-112 miles to and from school each day. Vena was a junior in high school that year. Teachers that your writers can remember were: Miss Troxel (one of the first); Miss Johnson, Della Glaze, Chester Glaze, Florence Ellis Glaze, Jesse McNay, Wilsie Hughes Reeder, Marie Chandler Greenwood (1921-22), Amy Petefish McConnell, Jack McConnell, Violet Campbell Barr, Lola Shaw Pearce Rillihan, Thelma Neilson Armstrong Lowe, Ida Smith Boecker, Mr. Terry, Mr. Elder, Oris Bunch, Otis Ross, Mr. Frog, Miss Bohl, Jennie Tressel, Virginia Felch, Mr. Hampton, Jackie Hendricks, Mr. Fox, Ruby Schlotman, Josie Youtsey, Della Hendricks, Fred Carrington-Conradson/, Lyle Bunch, Edith Campbell Johnson, Marvel Simpson, Jesse Roach Ardueser, McCune, Edith Beeson, Margaret Simon, Caroline Husenetter. Theodore Smith was the first graduate from First Central (1923). Arlene (Bunch) Rains was the last graduate (1947). There were no graduation exercises held for Theodore so he graduated later with the class of 1925. He was enrolled in Greeley Teachers College at that time. He later taught school at Smokey Angle. In 1927, Mr. Elder taught some post-graduate courses, on top of all the high school classes. Garvin Church attended the post-graduate courses, one of which was trigonometry. At one time there were 100 pupils and five teachers and four busses at First Central School. In the years from 1923 to 1947 when the last class graduated there were 80 graduates on the records. The names of those 80 graduates are listed in the Stratton alumni listing which one will find in the article titled "High School Graduates and - Stratton First Central." When the school was closed in 1950, all records were taken to Stratton School District R-4 and incorporated into that school's records. Oris Bunch recalls that he attended the Iittle school house grades 1, 2 and 3. Later he taught in it two years then lived in it one year and taught in the big school. He taught all eight grades. There was a Dr. Troxel who lived just east of First Central on the north side of the Correction Line. It is thought that he built that house. Later Frank Whitmore lived there, also Bill Churchwells and Cage Bunchs lived there. Charles and Iva Day built a very nice farmstead. It had a huge barn and a very nice frame home, according to the standards of that day when many lived in sod homes. Just above it to the east L/2 mile was the Day School (built in about 1906). Raymond Hughes was one who attended there. Giles and Ada Hunt and son, Wayne, lived on the Day place after Days left. Later Melvin Wall, Henry Scheiermans, Bill Berrys and the Ralph Isemans lived there. At present it belongs to Clarence and Allie Jean (Beck) Iseman. About 1912 or 1914 there was a Beaverton store where Mrs. Clair Eichenberger now lives. This is 1/4 mile east of the Art Lowe place where Paul Lowe now lives. This store was run by Mrs. McPheeters. She and her children. Bertha and Jim. lived in the back into Stratton. One could buy a new Easter hat and some summer and fall clothing at this store. Later McPheeters left and George Church ran a store there in 1920. The Churches either moved in or built a large frame building close to First Central School where they continued their grocery business. About this time people began to buy Model T cars and a few other models and went to Stratton more often. so the Church store closed. They moved into Burlington. The following are First Central community people your writers recall. Some may have lived in the Norton School District just east of First Central. The Norton School was about 2 miles north of the Nazarene Church which was on the Correction Line. Dunlap, Storrer, Swan, Erickson, Lesher, Herndon, Pfaffly, Dunham, Huscher, Holstein, Ora Wellman, Art Wellman, Frank Beeson, Ed Beeson, Cliff Beeson, Jap York, John Higgins, Bill Whitmore, Frank Whitmore, Bill Churchwell, Art Lowe, McPheeters, Kellogg, E.R. Smith, Griggs, John N. Williams, Perry Taylor, Dr. Troxel, A.J. Glaze, Ralph Iseman, A.D. Radspinner, Charlie Perkins, Willis Perkins, Walter Collins, Clark Geist, Henry (Red Henry) Wilson, Rex Barrett, Ayers, Christenson, Fred Norton, Snelling, Vic Michell, Greenwood, Wink Hall, Jim Hall, Simms, McArthur, Tom McMahan, H.D. Greenwood, Lou Beck, Giles Hunt, Melvin Wall, Herman Baetz, Lawrence and George Sherrod, Dave Megel, Elmer Magnuson, Pete Burgraff, Keever, Keeling, Labonte, Perry, Andrewjeske, Austin, Johnson, Bauman, Tatkenhorst, Sponsel, Kirby, Windsheffel, Kaufalks (not sure of the spelling), ISallee, Loobe, Simons, Kiper, Holder, Stegman, Werner, Cage Bunch, Church, Swem. In the 1916 census of First Central school district it shows it to be a big district (No. 29) which included Tom Wilcoxin who lived 3 miles south of Highway 24.The school house was located 12 miles south of Highway 24. The Wilcoxins lived on what is known now as the Bert Stramel place, owned by Miltenberger Brothers. Tom Wilcoxin's parents were Jerry and Miranda McNair. There were literary programs often in - crackers, the winter we had oyster stew and as everyone had lots of milk. At times fresh oysters could be bought at the Stratton Meat Market. Someone in the community needed, at times, a load of coal, or a bushel of apples and other things, so they would get two gallons of oysters. These were 91.00 per gallon. Each family gave about 10 cents to cover the cost of the oysters. The women also made pies and some popped about two bushels of popcorn. Most folks raised popcorn in their fields. Debates were popular entertainment at these progrerms. Homemade icecrenm was often made, also. An interesting and funny thing that happened often at the literary programs or church services was the "chirping chicken." If the meeting got dull, a little chicken would chirp in the back of the room. This chicken sounded just like a real one who had lost his Mama and was running around the chicken house, cold, looking for the Mother Hen. It was a perfect mimic. It was Irvin "Skinny" Lesher making the noise. About the time Frank Lesher, Irvin's father, turned around and looked to see where Irvin was. the chick disappeared into the side room. It was a cute act and happened quite often. Church and Sunday School were held every Sunday, with a good youth program on Sunday evenings. Everyone attended this and different people led devotions. Rev. Huscher and Rex Barrett were some of the speakers. Fred Storrer was a fine Sunday School teacher. In later years the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Stratton sent ministers to preach. Rev. Ness lived near the First Central School. Later Delbert Paulson merged the First Central Church and the Smokey Angle Church into the Stratton Church. A number of people didn't go into Stratton because the distance was too far. so those families remained unchurched. In the fall of 1950 First Central and other country schools were consolidated into one district and all of the country children were bussed into Stratton to school. At present there are no buildings left on the First Central school grounds. A few years ago there were cattle and hog pens there, but those, too, are gone. First Central had a girls basketball team which played on an outdoor court. Lola Shaw and Miss Bohl were two of the coaches. Agnes Iseman, Gertrude Church, Ruth Church, Hazel Lesher and Vena Hughes played on that team at various times. During the late 1940's the school had a hot lunch program. Mrs. Heiman was one of the cooks. Also during that time there were two particular teachers, one quite heavy and one, a tall, slender lady. The kids built two "snow women" to resemble the two ladies. The tall teacher took thejoke quite well but the heavy lady didn't think it so humorous, so she took a bucket of hot water and poured it on the heavy "snow woman." Consequently, the "snow woman" turned to ice and outlasted the slender one by several days. The Lesher and Storrer boys would give each other rides in the windmill wheel. One would climb up the tower and hook his hands and toes into the wheel and the one on the ground would turn on the windmill. After a few spins, he would turn off the mill and they would exchange places! During most of the First Central era there was a community baseball team. In the early years, about 1912 and 1913, the team was made up of George Sherrod, Lawrence Sherrod, Jack Thomas, Bert Thomas, Bill Holt (or Houch), Hans Ho5rt, Floyd Cunningham, Lou Dages, Jap York and Enoch Thomas. Their home baseball diamond was at the Beaverton Store. In the late 1940's the team consisted of Shelby Taylor, Darrell Taylor, Hap Bauman, Leonard, Clark and Duane Beeson, Don Thompson, Bill Storrer, Jerome Stegman and LeRoy Herndon. The 1940's team played such community teams as Homm's Settlement, Bethune, Pottorffs, Knights of Columbus (Stratton). Their home diamond was located 2 miles east of the schoolhouse. The following people contributed to this story: Leonard and Agnes Beeson, Vena Hughes Scheierman, Irene Dunham Kennedy, Maxine Iseman Chandler, Loraine Iseman Wood, Vel Lowe Pickard, Marie Chandler Greenwood, Oris Bunch, Wilsie Hughes Reeder, Grace Wellman Greenwood, �Elsie Beeson Herndon, LeRoy Herndon, Ivan Smelker. by Leonard and Agnes (Iseman) Beeson board. All of these early schools were used both as schools and on Sundays the community gathered there for Sunday School. Jim McConnell and his cousins along with others attended this school in 1931. His first teacher was Miss Virginia Felch. She boarded with the Jack McConnells while teaching at FLAGEOLLE SCHOOL T17r My early school days in Colorado were in a large adobe building. It was 16 miles north, 1 mile west, and 1/z mile north of Vona, Colorado. [t was on the Frank Rehor place. I went to school there until the fall of 1915 or 1916. Some of the pupils were the Bogers, John Horace and Bonney; Bill and Mae Ilers; Evelyn and Pearl Brookshire; John and Alva Flageolle; Beatrice and Buelah Strode; Lester Crist; Verdie and Cleo Elsey; the Balangas; and Orval, Avirene and Bertha Seo-an. We took our lunches in a pail or paper bag. The water was brought in . Some of the pupils had what was called folding cups. They were tin or aluminum. There was a large stove in the middle of the room for heat. For games we enjoyed "kick the can", "steal sticks", "drop the handkerchief', "anti-over" and ball gemes. My home was 16 miles north of Vona, 1 mile east and 1 mile north. Orval. Bertha and I walked the mile on nice days. If it was stormy, some older brother would come for us. Finally my dad, William Seaman, put a shaft on a spring wagon and we drove old "Bill" the horse for several years. It wasn't a nice ride. We sat on boxes and had a cover over our laps. Later Ernest Elsey made a catt, put a shaft on it and a horse was used to pull it. His girls and I went to school this way until the fall of 1915 or Grandview. My first school years were at Grandview School, and the first teacher I remember was Amy McConnell. There were only four of us that first year: Paul Brown, Dean Smith, Barbara Wilson, and myself. The last year that Grandview had school, Vivian Brown joined us. That last year, 1946, Miss Evelyn Gouge was our teacher. I can remember when the county superintendent of school came to visit our school. The first one I recall was Miss Virginia Felch, formerly my husband Jim's teacher. For a few years the building was used for community events with a group of Young Farmers and Homemakers meeting once a month. They enjoyed square dancing, giving plays, and having box suppers. Mildred Anderson has told us about Grandview School. This school was located twelve miles south and,3l/z or 4 miles west of Stratton and about the same distance, only east from Vona. Mildred moved thereinl92T and the first teacher she remembers was Mary Martin, now Mary Blodgett who was postmistress at Joes, Colorado until retire- GREEN KNOLL SCHOOL T173 Not much is remembered about Green Knoll school which is located two miles west and two south of Stratton. but it is one of the few school buildings remaining at its original Iocation. The McCormick's older children went there and one of the teachers that is remembered is Julia McCormick Lowe. The building sits on land owned by Dean Wigton. by Florence McConnell OLD SCHOOLS IN DISTRICT NO. 38 Tt74 The Charles Nealleys lived in the SE 1/4 of 35-6043 when their two daughters, Haidee and Blanche, attended this school. It was located a mile west of the Neallev home. The tat:', :i:'1 ment. Another teacher was Miss Virginia Felch who was the last teacher to teach there. She had taught there for a long time. Also a Mr. Fred Carrington taught there. by Florence McConnell 1916. For entertainment we had pie and cake suppers with programs before we ate. There were Christmas programs and many more that I can't remember. I do remember at the Christmas program Santa gave me a piece of material for a dress. It was a red and white check. The only teachers I can remember were The outside of school house that Haidee and Blanche Neally attended. Taken in 1904. Miss Kozard and Mary Watmore. by Avirene Henry GRANDVIEW SCHOOL Tt12 Grandview School was another school belonging to District 36 in which there were several schools. Each district had a school -&;t ;:*,: .&{' ,&t$ t,:ti:urn Grandview School in 1946: front row, I to r: Vivian Brown, Barbara Wilson, Dean Smith, PauI Brown. Back row: Denise Wilson, Teacher: Evelyn Gouge 1901 school in District 38: Teacher, Miss Eva White. Pupils: (back to front) Haidee Neally, Vinnie Reisch, Gertrude Reisch, Clyde Knapp, Lucy Knapp, Zuella Knapp, Blanche Neally, Cora Knapp, Jake Knapp, Oral Reisch �school house was located in the SE L/4 of 346-43 on the north side of a creek bank. The rocks for the foundation can be seen very plainly yet. It does seem like a very odd place to build a school. I don't know the nane of the school but it was in District 38. Mrs. John Nohr and Olive Hill were two teachers for the Pleasant Hill School located about 3 miles NE of this school in the NE L/4 of L4-6-43. Later Happy Hollow replaced both of these schools, but all were in District 38. The teacher in this school was Mise Eva White. Later she married a man from south of Kanorado and continued to live here for a few years. She passed away and is buried in the Kanorado cemetery. The pupils in this picture all came from three families: the Knapps, Reischs and Nealleys, namely back to front: Haidee Nealley, Vinnie Reisch, Gertrude Reisch, Clyde Knapp, Lucy Knapp, ZuellaKnapp, Blanche Nealley, Cora Knapp, Jake Knapp and Oral Reisch. As far as I know Lucy Knapp Russmann is the only one still living and she was our last County Superintendent of Schools in Kit Carson County. This picture was taken in 1901. by Elna M. Johnson leave the room. Someone in that school came regarded her, too, but showed their admiration in a different way. They pestered her and irked her and the more she reacted, the more tricks they would play. One day she stepped out of the door a minute and one of them jumped up and locked the door on her. She banged the door and screamed. They told her to say "Please" and "Pretty Please." Finally she did and they let her in. She looked to neither right nor left and all the children appeared to be studying intently. The boys now had the upper hand and after that our school was a riot. Although we felt sorry for her, we girls sometimes got into the act. It was so much fun and we sort of wanted to go along with the boys. She looked so sad so we talked it over, and before school was out, Margaret, Blanche, and I went together and told her how sorry we were and that we loved her. Of course she did not get her contract back, and up with a system of sign language using the fingers to express the different letters of the alphabet. We became quite adept at sending I have wondered if Miss Blodgett taught school somewhere else the next year, and I hoped that she set her foot down firmly the messages to each other, especially when the teacher had her back turned to write on the first day. on the farm in the fall ofthe year and so could not complete their school grades. A Bohe- mian family moved onto a place about a mile northwest of the school and two boys attended the school. Then the next year a little blueeyed sister entered the first grade. She could not speak English, but before the term was over, she had not only mastered the language but maintained her grades along with her classmates. In those days a good teacher kept a very strict order. No whispering was allowed during the school session, and the children did not leave their seats without permission. If one needed the teacher's help, a hand was raised. A hand with one finger raised was for a request to speak to another pupil, two fingers raised was for permission to get a drink, and three fingers indicated a need to blackboard. We had Big Chief tablets but mostly we wrote on slates, and proud indeed was the youngster who possessed a double slate. HANSEN SCHOOL Tt?6 When the Chandler family settled on their homestead northwest of Stratton in March, 1909, there was no school nearby. Soon a thrifty Danish family named Hansen, with five children, Carrie, Martin, Nicholas, Margaret and Abbie, homesteaded on a piece of land adjoining on the north. They erected a nice frame house, barn, and other buildings. Then they promoted interest in establishing a public school. My mother, who had been a gchoolteacher back East, was making certain that we children's education was not neglected by teaching us at home. However, our parents were very much in favor of establishing a school in the community. So were other families whose children had been attending school some distance away. Six or seven of the men hitched their horses to breaking plows and soon had enough slabe of sod to build a neat, little sod schoolhoue€. It was located four milee west and four miles north of Stratton, and just one mile north of our home. Mr. Hansen had donated the land so we named it "The Hansen School." There were also two outhouses and a small shed for coal. In the corner of the yard was a lilrc bush, probably planted and then abandoned by a discouraged settler in the late eighteen hundreds. Mrs. Jerome, who lived one mile south of us and two miles from the school. was our first teachor. She was a good teacher rnd included singing in our curriculum. Since she owned and played an organ, she would loan it to the school when she had a Christmas or LastDay-of-School prog:ram. The school term lasted only six monthe. Some of the pupils were Nicholas, Margaret, and Abbie Hanren; Henry Mohr; Stuart, Fred, Madie Lee, and Bessie Ray Harvey; Marie, Elsie, Joseph, and John Chandler; Walter, Blanche, Glen and Homer Bridge, Esta Gray and en older sieter, Rosie Vader, and others. Some of the boys were quite old and nearly grown due to the fact that thev had to stav at home and work We had many successful teachers and the one I remember the best was Miss Alice Talbott. After I graduated from the eighth grade, my mother, Mrs. Meta Chandler, taught one or two years before we moved to There were eight grades and we sat in double seats, two to a seat. On the back of each seat was a flat projection that served as a writing desk for the two in the next seat behind. Between the front desk and the teacher's desk was a long bench where each class was routinely called up to recite their lessons, or they might be sent to the blackboard to perform arithmetic calculations. Every day we had ten minutes of penmanship practice, and along toward evening, we often had a spelling match, where we stood in line, and a good speller might advance to the head of the line and earn the "Head Mark" for the day. Nor were History, Geography, Physiology, Civics or Science ever neglected. Two pupils were excused each day to a well down at the bottom of the hill to bring back a bucket of drinking water. We played many town. games at recess and noon, Pump-Pump-Pull- 38. Who was teacher and in which year and any marriages are indicated. Some of the teachers at Happy Hollow School District 38 Away, Darebase, New Orleans, London Bridge-Is-Falling-Down, Ring Around the Rosie, Blackman's Buff, Drop the Handkerchief and Baseball. If we were lucky to have a wet fall, there would be a lagoon down the creek a short distance to the northwest. When this would freeze over, we would quickly eat our lunch at noon, then go skating for the remainder of the hour-long recess. None of us had skates, but if we would take a fast run to the edge of the pond, we could skim across the ice on the soles of our shoes. Hard on sole leather! and shoes were not easy to come by in those days. Also, when it snowed, we played Fox and Geese and as the snow melted we beat down tracks until we could follow them like cow paths. Years later after the schoolhouse had been leveled and the other buildings removed, I chanced to drive by the location one day and could still see traces of those Fox and Geese paths, like a small scale copy of the Santa Fe Trail reminding us of early days. The lilac bush still thrived. A few years later, all had been plowed under. About the third year a young lady named Miss Blodgett came to teach our school. She was friendly and pretty and we girls admired her dainty clothes and her blonde hair piled high in the back and accented with little loops of black, watered taffeta ribbon. The boys Miss Jennie L. Tressel who was the County Superintendent of Schools, each year visited all the schools in the county, driving a tenm ofhorses hitched to a buggy. She was the one who signed my eighth grade diploma. When she came to visit our school it was a great event and we all tried to be very polite and on our best behavior. by Marie E. Greenwood HAPPY HOLLOW Tt76 Edna Bartman Stahlecker sent this information about Happy Hollow School District were Elva Smith Bartman: 1916 Miss Edna Swanson, who later manied Edgar King; 1921 Marie Klassen; 1922 Miss Sperry; 1924 Mr. and Miss Johnson. a brother and sister: 1925 Thema Opal Muirhead; 1925-26 Loyal Brown, high school and grade 8; 1926 Dorothy Bowers, who later married Max Litell; 1927 Elizabeth Eastin; L928 Zella Fowler, elementary, Iris Sweigart high school; 1929 Edith Miser who married Rayond Wells; 1930 Dorthea Schmidt, elementary and Mr. Leslie Cates, high school '29 and '30; 1931 Hallie Miser who married Everett Winfrey; 1931 Frank Kurtz grades 8,9, l0; 1932-39, Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Ford; 1940 Claude Cheny and 1941 Melvin Sall. Sunday School was also held at Happy Hollow School for many years. Some years there were literary programs held there. Students attending Happy Hollow were Straughn, Rhoades, Barnharts, Smiths, Timmans, Bartmans, Hanrahan, Tieman, Parmer, Rogers, Bagleburger, Benge, Trotters, Murphys, Proehle, Winfrey, Cody, Lundvall, Jackson, Clarks, and Henderson. by Edna Bartman Stahlecker �HOOK SCHOOL own children. Many residents here remember Tt77 Little HiSh Plains School Temple of Learning In 1906 it was a soddy two years later a good sturdy adobe. It was a country school, used for almost half a hundred years. For homesteaders' youngsters and next generations, it was a happy, worthy place. There eight grades of classes went on in a room 20 by 28 feet, and a short time after its opening there were also three high school students taught there. Now only small traces remain of this school which closed its door 25 years ago, and which a Burlington artist, Ralph Binard, knew well for his boyhood learning there. He painted a striking version of a thunder storm over the little high plains building which stood ten miles north. one east and a half back north again from town. It is very likely typical ofthe hundred of little schools which dotted the country sides in a surprising number. Although the Kit Carson County court house burned in 1908, destroying all records, including those of the many schools, it is remembered that a homesteader, W.B. Hook built the first building located on his land when the centur5r was young. After the sod structure collapsed, the help of neighbors to the west were enlisted one summer. Settlemen of the Weisshaar and ment builders Doder farnilies- knew well how to lay the - last of which spring winds adobe blocks, the blew down. Many early day settlers caused school houses to be erected on their pastures, and there were no deeds, so the land on which the buildings stood reverted to the owners or buyers eventually. The Ora Likes, who csme here from Atwood, Kansas in the 1930's buying the W.B. Hook acree through a Burlington real estate man, Ed Finegan, are still living in the Hook house. This is a remarkably well preserved adobe, having been built in 1910. Surrounded by farm land, the winds still blow across the pasture where Ralph's painting shows the flag was raised each day. A daughter of Mr. and Mre. Like, now Evelyn Flick of ldalia, was once a student of thig institution, known as District No. 2. Bethune District 1, is thought to have preceded the Hook school by a short time. "The Binards made up quite a few of the roll call," stated Binard, who began in the second grade there. His parents, the William Binards, came from South Dakota in 1916' For a little while he remembered 35 pupils were enrolled one year. Hie brothers and sister scholars were Joe, Don, Marie, Rosalie, Andrew and Agnes. His cousins, children of the Henry Binards, were KaY, Art, Bill, Bernard,Madeline, Clara and Doris' The other Binard kids were either too young or too old for school at that time. None are now living in this vicinity. Ralph was well known for not only his Hub Service at the south end of Main Street, the Greyhound bus stop, but for his hobbies of astronomy, travel and those of his former rock and coin shoP. Having been proving up for a year since staking out his homestead in 1905, W.B. Hook gave the acre of land for the construction of the soddy school, as he and his wife were anxioug about the education of their them: Roydon of Colorado Springs, the late Elmer and Delvin and a daughter Bernice, now Mrs. Ephram Watkins of Longmont. Elmer's only daughter, Letha, now Mrs' Lloyd Churchill of South Sioux City, Nebraska, has kept in touch with friends here. In 1909, Dwight and Theo, sons of James Hook who for a brief time tried homesteading, and Borton Hook were also listed in the school census. James was a brother of W.B. Hook. In an interview in the Springs recently, Royden mentioned that his brother Elmer passed away in Sioux City in the 1940's and his brother Delvin died three years ago. Delvin's wife, Gladys Ivy Hook, now of Sand Point, Idaho, taught the school during the l92l-22 term. In the year 1908 there were 53 carried on the roll, according to records of a former teacher of the school, Mrs. Lucy Russman, county superintendent of schools. Mrs. Russ' man, who taught 20 years, besides three at Hook, had a special fondness for this little post, as she rode horseback four miles each way through sunny, snowy or windy days of 1912, 1913 and 1914. She pointed out that probably during 1908, although there were the large number carried on the roll, that did not mean that there were that many children going there at one time. Their names were in the book for purposes of state aid to schools. Until a child of a district reached 21, even if he or she dropped out to get married in those days the name could be kept on the roll. "My father walked into this country," stated Mrs. Russman. He was James Knapp, one of the first homesteaders, coming from Illinois. The family had come to McDonald, Kansas, and joined him here as he established a homesite. He dug a well on his land north of Burlington with a hand shovel. Later he dug many wells with a horse drawn auger for other settlers, among whom were the W.B. Hooks, Mrs. Russman believed. Her father Pueblo to work took other long walks - to in the steel mills part time. Others who joined the Binards in classes simultaneous to the years of World War I, he remembered as five children of the Bud Williams: Margie, Vera, Wendell, Charles and the twins Ila and Lila; Roy, Harold and Alpha Hess; the Charles "Pat" Doerings sent their children, Ellard and Marie. The Charlie Normans enrolled their daughter Naomi, son Paul and an adopted daughter, Corine Be- dard. The L.L. Pennisons sent their boy George. There was a Carl and Earl Ashley, a Josephine Smith, Evelyn and Iva Steel. He remembers Marie Beard, Genevieve Shannon, Robert Shannon, Nora and Erma Frost, the latter Mrs. Perry Robertson of Burlington. County Clerk, Iva Gross of Burlington and her sister Elsie Proehl, daughters of the late John and Mrs. Margie Knapp, began their Hook school attendance in the third grade, moving in 1936 from Emerson school, located just west, on the day Emerson school burned down. "We moved just in time," smiled lva, adding that Emerson was built back and survived a couple of years longer than Hook, which closed its doors in 1949 when Burlington's RE-6J was formed. For by then the high plains rural population was diminished, and what pupils remained on farms were bussed to town schools. Both Raymond and Richard Gramm of Hook school studenta Burlington wet" "-ottgAnderson. as was a Mrs. Bertha Mrs. Mabel Munter-Hines of Kanorado not only went to District 2 for eight years, but after some high school and two weeks of "Normal" institute, she headed up her old school in 1919 and 1920 as a valued and beloved teacher. Her education was more than was required then, as an orientation in August at Normal was sufficient to teach. Mabels' parents, the Charles Munters, came out from Iowa, buying land just across the section from the Hook holdings and thus she and her brother Frank had only a short way to walk for a part of each year, although a five mile jaunt the rest of some terms when an experiment was tried. An early version ofsplit sessions took place with school being held at another building during parts of the term, in order to alternate the distances children had to travel. This experiment of having one school open in spring, another in fall, prevailed until there was a population change in the area, Mrs. Hines remembered. There were two sisters, daughtcrs of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Neally, who lived at the town of Wallet, north of Peconic and now only a memory, who had to go a long way when school took place in the west side. These were Blanche James and Haidee Weeden. "Wallet was the name of my grandparents," stated Don Winter of Burlington's First National Bank. "They founded the town, operating the Post Office." Mrs. Hines recalled that those were the days when jolly and helpful early day teach- ers always boarded and roomed at their place. Her favorites were Jessie Matson, Myrtle Brannon and Gladys Ivy. "The kids who were further away rode horses to school and then turned them loose to go home by themselves. That meant walking home in the evening, but there was no rush then," Ralph reminisced, also recollecting that there was a shed that existed for some years for the convenience of those who drove, just as a white clapboard front was added to the school in later years. One of the county's first "mobile" homes nestled next to the school house for the years of L942 through 1945. A teacher, Daisy Hewitt, moved in a small one-room dwelling for herself, taking it with her when her teaching days were finished there. Teaching the years from 1922 through 1924. Ella Schutte came back for the L925-26 term. Estella Hudson was instructor for three terms. Pupils agreed that one of the better school marms was the late Nellie KeenGrabb, who taught in very early days as a homesteader, coming there from a school further north, known as the Broadsword School, then retiring for a time to raise a family and spending the years 1935 until 1940 at Hook district again. In the '40's, teachers were Cora Boyd, Phyllis Coakley, Miss Hewitt mentioned above, Phyllis Abbott Seelhoff, Ella Rehn Dunlap and Ethel Mines Winfrey. The roll book was closed for the last time following the 1947-48 terms. Tuttle, Smoky Hill, Rock Cliff, Second Central, many other little institutions Emerson gave way-to the changing times, as have almost all rural schools in America. Twenty-two teachers guided the educational aims at Hook from 1913 on, and although there is only memory rather than court house records, there were several more �the five years before 1913. The sod house teacher was Miss Myrtle Churchill. Then csme the Widow Roper who took up a homestead, taught school, which included her sons Vernon and Harry, while proving up on her land nearby. The teacher capable of conducting the classes for the three high school students was Mrs. Bertha Anderson. Black as the brooding storm, laced with hail, appears in Ralph Binard's nostalgic painting, no former student interviewed ever nurtured first class men and women. It guided for good and enriched lives for a great part of our century. IDLEWILD SCHOOL DISTRICT 49 by Bonnie Gould Tr79 HUNTZINGER SCHOOL recalled any disaster such as flood, fire, Tl78 confining blizzard,, cyclone, snake bite or bad injury ever occurring to mar the tranquil days. The earnest perusal of McGuffey's Reader, spelling and ciphering matches, went on under the long stove pipe that stretched across the room from the heating stove. Several remembered that there was one time during the dust bowl years that everyone had to stay until eight o'clock in the evening, before the dirt cleared away enough to permit going outside. Each pupil carried water along with lunch. Likely as not there would be a piece of tender fried jack rabbit. No tularemia disease had then spoiled that fine meat. Cow chips were gathered to kindle the fire and the small glistening black mountain that was the coal pile had in later times a basket of corn cobs nearby for a quicker fire. The old version of the open school was not so different from the new fangled partition- less idea now. First graders learned from eighth graders if they could not be kept busy, so that there was no time to listen to other lesson recitals. Discipline was minimal, as the big difference between then and now seems to have been the feeling of all being one big happy family. It could be nostalgia that glosses over drawbacks, but many former rural learners truly believe they lived then during the "good old days." Of course W.B. Hook school had only 560 square feet. Compare this to Burlington's middle school which has 46,820 square feet. Almost 84 times larger does it serve 84 times as well? - We voted, with scarcely a whimper, to pick up the $989,300 tab for the aforesaid beautiful new three grader. The mind boggles a bit at the change in times: in 1906, roofing lumber sold for only a few dollars a thousand board feet and adobe was dirt cheap. Taxes on a quarter of grassland in the area in 1905 ran $1.65. In 1912 Mrs. Russman'salary was a monthly $35, but a year or two later, since she promised to hold school all holidays, even Thanksgiving, 20 days each month, her raise came up to $50, $450 per year. With never a switchblade, with loco weed fearfully avoided by kids and horses alike, with only paths on the buffalo grass to disturb the ecology and a whole lot of hard to learn history yet to come, the halycon days of the little country school truly seem far removed. The words "juvenile" and "delinquent" had not yet been combined. In fact, nobody was ever conscious of being a Idlewild School in 1928. The first Idlewild School was located about two and one half miles northwest of Stratton near the Edgar Ancell home, but it needed to be located more to the center of the district. In 1914 it was moved about two and a half miles to the northwest near the Talbot home. Huntzinger School, 1911 Dora Butler, teacher, back row right. The Huntzinger School was a one room sod school located near Hell Creek north of Flagler. The exact date of the school's opening is unknown. T.J. Huntzinger and his wife Elsie and their five children moved to that area from their homestead near Thurman by April, 1900. Mr. Huntzinger was instrumental in building the school because he wanted a school nearby to educate his children. One former student, Viola Williams of Salida, Colorado states that her father, L. Boyd Williams filed on his homestead in the spring of 1907 and chose his location to be near a school. By those reasons, we know that it was built after 1900 and before 1907. It was known as District No. 14 and because so many children attended the school, an addition was soon built onto the east side to make it one Iong room. Some early teachers were a Miss Brown'Mettie Love; Dora Butler who In his painting, the artist caught forever plains, standing lonely but staunchly against lhe elements of storm and burning sun, all the while a bulwark against ignorance. Looking back, the hundreds of lucky ones who trudged to it can view it as a symbol of personal, effective and loving education that Bertha Byrne Pautler, and June Scofield. Bertha Byrne was the teacher when the accompanying picture was taken. Some of the families represented among the students were Byrnes, Bakers, Reillys, Collins, Kennedy, Steinberger and Thomasons. When the consolidation was done with Stratton district, the building was sold and moved into Stratton where it was renovated to be used as a residence. It is now the home of Dale and Irene Courtright. by Helen Kerl KECHTER SCHOOL Tl80 later married Jake Wolverton. AII eight grades were taught. Many of the boys could only attend when the farm work was finished and each time they returned to school they just picked up where they finished before until they were able to complete that grade. That made for some good sized students in the lower grades. Students carried their lunches to school in the familiar gallon syrup pails. Occasionally these pails got mixed up, causing some arguments. Students played ball, ante-over, and occasionally ice skated on a small pond near the school when it would freeze. The school served the following families: The Kechter School in 1923. T.J. Huntzingers, Boyd Williams, Fishers, Jenks Brewers, Charley Brewers, Baileys, McKissicks, John Veiths, Ball family, Baldwins and probably many others. leenager. bhe essential feeling ofthat little adobe ofthe Later a new building was built. Some ofthe teachers known to have taught there were Alice Talbot Reilly, Elizabeth Zittle, Myrtle Bradshaw McConnell, Gray Spurlin, Elsie Chandler, Theodore Smith, by Agnes Otteman In 1911 the men in our community made adobe bricks and erected a small one room schoolhouse. The school was located 16 miles north and 5 east of Vona in District 42 and was commonly referred to as the Kechter School. The students, numbering as many as 40 in some years, sat three in a seat. Water was carried from the Dircks' place L/4 mile away. Two trips were made a day by two pupils going together. Long before school was dismissed for the day, the water bucket was �empty. Many children went through all eight grades in the old "dobie," including my sister and brother, Velma and Nolan. r:l* lr,,l,l.'l Miss Bessie Wilder was the first teacher. Other early teachers were Grace VanWinkle, Ida Martin, and Wilma Ford. All were local girls, daughters of homesteaders. Miss Wilder and Miss Van Winkle had homesteads of their own. It was not until L922 that a new larger frame building was built just across the road south of the old one. Migs Estel Straughn of Kanorado was the first teacher in the new building. Members of thq board of directors were: Erastus Godfrey, Ch'arley Andrews, and Jacob Kechter. Some of the other teachers in the early years were Marie Klassen, Marvel Simpson and Ruby Carlstedt. Some of the family names of the pupils in Dist. 42 in the early years were: Ackley, Atwood, Arthur, Atterbury, Andrews, Bolin, Calkins, Calhoun, Dircks, Hagen, Hamilton, Gulley, Godfrey, Woods, Wilkinson, Wasson, Phillips, Kechter, Keelery, and others. "Literary" was a part of every school. I believe it was held once a month. People came from other districts to attend as well. Some of the adults gave readings and sang songs. The kids put on plays, spoke pieces, and sang songs. We also had pie suppers now and then. I remember the time that I stumbled while fighting with some other kids back stage and ran my elbow into a chocolate pie under a fancy wrapping. I was glad that the owner of that pie never knew who did it! Each of the ladies usually took an extra pie and the extras were sold after the others at a cheaper price. A certain man usually bought all the extra pies so once my dad coaxed my mother into making a pie filled with cotton as a joke on him. The man did buy the pie and second only to Dad's glee was that of my cousin's, Jakie Dircks. He never ceased to tease his Aunt Bertha about her cotton pie. by Opal Roger KECHTER SCHOOL TrSl District 42 was organized and a sod building erected in 1911. The school was located 17 miles north and 3 miles west of Stratton, Colorado. The Kechter school was named after Jacob Kechter, William Kechter's father. Jacob Kechter was one of the original school board members and the school house was located 1 mile north of his house. Following is a list of teachers taken from the records in the Colorado State Archives: 1912-13: Grace VanWinkle: 1913-14: Bessie Wilder; 1914-15: Wilma Pagett; 1915-16: Ida Martin; 1916-18: Grace VanWinkle; 1918-19: Wilma F. Ford; 1919-20: Grace VanWinkle; 1920-2L Marie L. Wood (four months) and Amon B. Calhoun (four months); l92l-22 Marvel Simpson; 1922-23: Estel Straughn; L923-27: Marie Klassen: L927-28: S.W. Sawhill; 1928-29: Lola Jean Pound; 1929-30: Ted Smith; 1930-31: Omar Guy Ansell; 1931-35: Ruby Carlstedt; 1935-36: Mary Rush; 193638: Glen A. Smith; 1938-39: Claude C. Chaney. (Added 9th and 10th grades this year). 1939-41: GIen A. Smith and Betty Taylor; L94L-43: Betty Taylor; 1943-44: Louella O'Hara; 1944-45: Helen Heinrichs: Kechter School, District 42 in 1928-29. Top row, I to r: John Stewart, Lloyd Wilkerson, Fred Godfrey, Neva Stewart, Maude Clair, Sadie Clair, Lola Jean Pound, teacher; and Mabel Godfrey; Middle row: Arlene Wilkerson, Edna Paine, Mary Hoyda, Irene Stewart, Catherine Hoyda, Alma Liming, Thelma Wilkerson, Vera Godfrey; Bottom row: Dale Davis, Robert Liming, John Hoyda, Dale Godfrey 1945-48: Blanche Dove; 1948-49: Linanel Davis; 1949-50: Avrine Henry and 1950: closed the school. As a former student of Disttict 42,I became very interested in the facts discovered while researching the records. For example, in 1912, due to a very severe winter, they were only able to hold five months of school. The fuel bill for the year was $19.70 and the total school year expenses were $262.33, including the teacher's salary. The teachers'salaries ranged from $40.00 per month in 1912 to $1,665.00 per year in 1950. The school board members' names were not recorded but they were also a vital part of our education and deserve credit for their involvement. My memories are of one teacher, teaching eight grades, with 42 students. She, or he, had to come early to build the fire in the coal furnace. Some of the teachers even lived in the basement ofthe school house. Besides our classes, the teachers had to prepare the programs that we gave for our parents and friends. We would also have pie and/or box suppers that would be auctioned off to raise money to buy our playground equipment. I failed to state above that a new frame school was built in 1922 or 1923; and when the school closed the children were bused to Kirk and Joes schools. In 1965, the school house was moved to Kirk and attached to the Kirk School and used for a lunch room; and when the Liberty School was built between Kirk and Joes, the Kirk Lions Club made the Kechter School building into a meeting room and community center. I, Alma Van De Weghe, understand that it is now owned by a private individual and is to be moved, again. I hope as you read over the history, it will bring back memories to you as it has to me. by Alma Van De Weghe KELLOGG SCHOOL Tl82 Kellogg School was located just over the line in Cheyenne County, southwest of Seibert. Many of Kellogg's students lived in and became well known in Kit Carson County. One was Mrs. Phil Mullen. The Mullen family is well known for musical ability and performed often throughout Kit Carson County. Also in this record are members of the Bloder family who came early and lived in Kit Carson County for many years. Mr. Leon Bloder, who thoughtfully recorded many of his memories in a paper he entitled, "Of Land and People," is the sole source for information of this school. Because Mr. Bloder was concerned and recorded his information, we €ue able to be aware of this early school. On a 1912-13 record Mr. Bloder saved for many years, the following information is written: "Kellogg School, District 1, 1912-13, Aveta Lichtenhan, teacher. Pupils: Perry Eash, Mary Bloder, Rose Bloder, Arthur Eash, Agnes Bloder, Hazel Kellogg, Joseph Bloder, Lottie Kellogg (Mrs. Phil Mullen), John Fredrick, Barbaraan Eash, Ladie Fred- rick, Mayme Fredrick, Moses, Katie and Malinda Swartzentruber. School officers were L.J. Roden, Pres., Cyrus Platner, Sec. and D.D. Hayward, Treas. Kellogg School was the first school Mr. Bloder remembered. He said it was located at the old Alfred camp. In trying to define this location, a best effort seems to be one mile south and one mile west of the Sig Olson place. Another for those knowledgeable ofthe area would be at "Big Springs." Information was taken from records written by Leon Bloder, formerly of Seibert, Colorado. Rock Cliff area. by Lyle W. Stone �LIBERTY SCHOOL T183 oped the habit ofturning and biting Zoe when she mounted, Homer held the bridle. Then the pony learned to kick Zoe when she mounted so Agnes held the bridle and Homer raised the pony's front foot. The pony was so determined that she even tried to stand on 2 feet ta kick at the rider. Another outstanding transportation method during the 193637 school year was the Model T Ford that the Sidney Huntzingers fixed for their children, Homer and Agnes. It had been a four door and they removed the back seat and put on a box. Homer, who was in the 8th grade at the time, was the driver. On the way to school Liberty School, 1931 Back row, left to right: Ruby Huntzinger, Teacher Orpha Howard, Mildred Kyle, Albert Huntzinger. Middle Row: Homer Huntzinger, Agnes Huntzinger, Evelyn Kyle, Irene Armistead, Phillip Armistead. Front row: Poy Petersen, Don Lightle, Cecil Petersen, Floyd Jensen Liberty School, District 18, was built in 1919. It was located 11 miles north and 2 miles east of Flagler. It was one of many white frame schools in Kit Carson County. It was under the jurisdiction of the Kit Carson County Superintendent of Schools. This superintendent signed the eighth grade di- plomas and on rare occallions brought a nurse to help with some health testing. The superintendent also had responsibility for some of the curriculum. The district was in the hands of a 3 member school board and of course at that time the board always consisted of men. Some of the teachers have been Opal Wise, Vivian Roberts, Frank Hyser, Orpha Howard, Lola Peatse, Margaret Page, Laura Mae Malbaff, Marnie Kyle, Doris Copley and the final teacher, Bonnie Armitstead. This list is no doubt incomplete. Softball was the usual recreation interspersed with ante-over, kick the can, run sheep run and hide and seek. Hide and seek was a real challenge when the many dry thistles piled on the fence were used as hiding places. Fox and geese was popular after a snow. Ball games were played between schools but more exciting than softball were the ciphering and spelling matches between schools. Nearby Victory Heights was always a good rival, especially during the school years of 1934-35 and 1935-36 since sisters Margaret Page at Liberty and Betty Page at Victory Heights were the teachers. Liberty always came out the winners because no matter what happened in the lower grades, Liberty always had their ace-in-the-hole lrene Armitstead ready to go and she was unbeatable when in the upper elementary grades. During the dirty thirties the many dust storms necessitated keeping the students at school until a parent could make their way to the school to take the children home. At this time. handkerchiefs were moistened with their drinking water and placed over their faces. Most of the students walked to school but in the later 30's other modes of transpor- tation were noticeable. The school grounds Floyd, Ruth and Gene Jensen were picked up and then lrene, Phillip, Bonnie, Elizabeth and Charlene Armitstead were added after they had walked across the prairie to meet them. Ten students riding on a Model T Ford driven by an 8th grader! To keep the radiator from freezing it was drained upon arrival at school and then refilled when going home. Floyd and Phillip "earned" their rides by being responsible for this task. Liberty not only functioned as a school but also as a community center. During the dirty thirties when no one had any money, there still was a place to go every two weeks and it was free! That was Literary Night at Liberty. On those nights the people in the community were as involved as the school. This gave the school children a chance to perform before a crowd but also to watch their parents perform and perform they did. They not only held ciphering and spelling matches but also gave plays. One play called for Sidney Huntzinger to saw off his brother lvan's leg. With Sidney on top of him and a large carpenter's saw in hand, Ivan giving out with the proper amount ofscreaming, you could actually hear the saw actually the leg bone sawing through bone - caused a lot of crowd of a cow. This certainly reaction! The school was also used for Sunday School and worship services which consisted mostly of hymn singing, usually the favorite one of anyone who could play the piano. Occasionally an itinerant preacher arrived, who usually had more zeal than knowledge. Through the years the school served the following families: T.J. Huntzinger, Boyd Williams, Walter Zion, Lew Harker, Sidney Huntzinger, Loyal Kyle, Jake Wolverton, Charlie Baldwin, Brewer family, lvan Gwyn, John Williams, Charlie Armitstead, Cline Jones, and Don Loutzenhisers and probably many others. The school closed at the end of 1945-46 school year. In 1949 the district consolidated with the Flagler School. After the district consolidated, the school house was sold and moved to 625 Quandary Avenue in Flagler and was converted to a home by Glen Stone. The Lark Laue family presently (1987) make their home there. by Agnes Otteman Mullen children, Roy, Guy, Charles and Phillip may have been old enough to shoulder duties of the ranch or could have attended this school. Howard, Lester, Harold and Grace probably attended. Lena and Lloyd arrived later. Beula Frisbie, who taught at Mt. Pearl in later years and her sister, Avis were probably too young to attend Loco. Regretfully, I have no knowledge of older children. This early location, Loco, is recorded to have had a postmaster, Charles Davis, who was appointed in 1903. After this is a local record of Mr. Frisbie in 1906-07. In 1911, Mr. Marion Short, son of J.S. Short of the Texerado area, operated a store and post office bearing this name. It is possible Mr. Short built a store at the last location ofloco. Mr. Short homesteaded land where Loco was finally located. A new frame school building was built here, in the southwest quarter of Section 32, Township 11 S, Range 50 W, about midway on the east side. This place is about a half mile north of the Cheyenne County line and near the Wild Horse road south of Flagler. Sometime in 1913-14, Marion Short sold out to Alvin B. Radebaugh, who was appointed postmaster on February 4, Lgt4. A store continued to operate in Loco, this assumed because it is said to have been a popular place for Texans to congregate who had migrated to this area. Later many of these people returned to Texas, according to records. Loco post office was closed on May 31, L922. At Loco's last location. children of A.B. Radebaugh, Fern, Paul and Allen, attended. Children of the Kinzer, Lanier, Buttons, and Barton families were mentioned with no definite record. In the 20s, children of the Loco School were transferred to Second Central, a consolidated school in District 19. by Lyle W. Stone ..UNKNOWN' (McALLISTER?) scHooL Tr85 Tr84 Among the many small early schools of the area, there exists a record of a school located at the northeast corner of Section 20, Township 11, Range 51. AL922 atlas pinpoints this Loco School was first located south of miles southwest of where Texerado is located, LOCO SCHOOL contained a barn so horse and buggy was used as well as horses were ridden. In the mid- Flagler in the southeast corner of Section 22, Township 11 S, Range 50 W. In or shortly had 5 miles to come and rode a Welsh pony. This pony was a bit mean to say the least. Homer Huntzinger and his sist€r, Agnes, also were riding horses. Since Zoe's pony devel- Colorado to make preparations for a school in his area since no school existed there. The school was built at a place designated already as Loco, Colorado where a store and post thirties one student, Zoe Jones (Goodwin) office was located in the James "Jim"Frisbie home. No doubt, labor in constructing the soddie school was shared by neighbors in the area. Florence Mullen was the first teacher and was reported to be a good one and especially strict with her brothers and sisters. No record found describes the fixtures or general appearance of the school. It was no doubt very similar to others scattered about the area. Certainly, Mullen children attended this school and children of the Frisbie family, among others living in the vicinity. Among after 1906, Clark Mullen rode to Hugo, place. This site is slightly less than three about 3-% miles due west of the old Jim Kountz place. It is very tempting to believe this may have been the McAllister school, mentioned in an April, L9L7 Flagler News edition. This item says that Minnie Short (Texerado area) attended the Easter program at McAllister school. A distance from � https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/412/Country_Schools_2.pdf 7073bc204e86fe07c8676e2e20c01131 PDF Text Text the Short residence in the Texerado area would have been 3 or 4 miles or a little over 2 miles cross country to this school. This would be a reasonable trip. An only other unknown location is for a school mentioned in the Flagler Neros in 1916, saying "Dan Grim, with the assistance of several men, tenms and saddle horses, removed the roof of the old Plainview school house last week." The location in question would have been about 8 miles from the Grim home (this home was about 3 miles south of Second Central, some distance away from the site in question). This is a considerable distance at this time, but not unreal for moving a roof. Robert Wesley McAllister at one time owned section 34 in the southwest edge of Kit Carson County, about 3 miles from the school in a southeast direction. In searching Lincoln County records, where Mr. McAllister is recorded, it was learned he owned land some 15 miles east of Hugo. This would place him very near the county line. A statement in the Lincoln County record, by George T. Vassios says he started to school when he was 4 years old in order to have enough pupils, along with the McAllister children, to hire a teacher. His father was Tom Vassios who homesteaded on Section 24, Township 11, Range 52, on the county line, about 2 miles west of the school site in question in Lincoln County. It is sad that records are so dim and that we have waited so long to document some of the history of our country. Legends die with the generations. There comes a time when information. such as for these schools in question, is forever lost. If this school is indeed the McAllister school, a small amount of information can be found. Robert Wesley McAllister became a lawyer and after an illness, came to Colorado in 1910, homesteading about 15 miles east of Hugo. A two-room sod house was built and after school was out in Nebraska, Mrs. McAllister, Emma and two small daughters, Marjorie and Alfarata, moved to the home- st€ad. Emma began teaching in the fall. She had performed this duty as a profession, teaching 45 years in her lifetime. Mr. McAllister, called Wesley by most, served on the school board and often gave legal advice to his neighbors. A new daughter, Gail, arrived late in 1915. Of their school, Sunday school was held at the schoolhouse and in summer there would be picnics. The school had a Christmas program each year, with decorated tree and a visit from Santa passing out gifts to dl children. If there was snow on the ground, a big sled would be filled with straw and hot bricks put down in the straw, keeping children warm to enjoy a beautiful ride to the program. In 1921, the land was sold and the family moved to Greeley, Colorado. In the late '20s, the land was repossessed and the family returned. Emma taught at Boyero, where Gail attended. Alfarata taught at Kawal. Marjorie taught at Oak Creek. In 1937, Mr. and Mrs. McAllister moved to Estes Park. Alfarata began teaching at Arriba where she met Max Hutchins; they were later married. This is not a great deal of information, however it may be a beginning to work with and locate more about this school. An effort should be made to learn more about the other school, Plainview. I feel the latter may have been a Cheyenne County school. For this record, Tom Vassios lived very near the county line, in Lincoln County, as did the McAllister family. It is possible another school existed nearby in Lincoln County bearing this name, McAllister. If so, it has not been located. Searching to clear up this record will continue. by Lyle W. Stone MIDWAY SCHOOL Tt86 Midway School was last located at the northwest corner of Section 8, Township 10 S, Range 51 S. This property belonged to Earl Brown of Flagler. In its last location, Midway was often called Beeler's school. This school was located in District 10 which was about two miles wide and twenty two miles long, adjacent on the west side to Flagler school district 35. There is evidence the school building had been moved at least once to this location. In an interview with Oliver Blanken and Natalie Kueker, it became apparent the early school nnmed Midway was probably closed near 1914. An exact location of Midway of this period is not known; however, it was located in District 10. At this time, Marvin Beeler, living some distance south, attended a school west of the present Allen Petersen place, where Blanken children went to school. This school was finally determined to have been called Robb School. Natalie (Blanken) Kueker told of Marvin Beeler riding a mule to school. "Tollie" remembered how he teased her and other girls in school. He had previously attended the older Ford. On May 1, 1918, Hubert Beeler was elected secretary of District 10 for a term of three years. In 1926 several families with children lived in the Midway area. Among these were M.R. Beeler, Elbert Chilson, George H. Evans, William Strode, Nels Smith, Ernest S. Graham and Clarence W. Johnson. An August, 1929 record states that "Miss Dorris Weller is a teacher at Midway school this year, teaching the 1929-30 term." In May, 1930, Mrs. Nels (Anna) Smith was reelected treasurer of the district. Miss Norine McCullum started school at Midway in March, 1930. In 1933 it was recorded that Miss Lord would teach the '33-34 term and that she had taught two terms, 1931-32 and 1932-33. Research reveals this teacher to be Miss Alice Lord. Also about this time, Jay Strode was helping Mr. Hayes make blocks for construction of a barn on the Midway school grounds for teacher's car and for horses ridden and driven to school by most students. No record was found, dating the closing of this school. We know it was still in operation in 1933-34. Since modes of transportation had improved, it is possible students were transported to Flagler schools in later years. by Lyle W. Stone MURPHY SCHOOL T187 Midway school. Although no record was found. one must assume the school was closed and later opened at a new location. A May, 1915, record reveals that overtures were made to District 10 by the Flagler district 35 for consolidation of the two Districts when the new high school was being planned at Flagler. A vote was taken among patrons and the proposal was turned down. Apparently, consolidation was not accomplished, for in 1951 over $400.00 from District 10 was turned over to the new consolidated District R-1. The last location of Midway School was six miles south and four west of Flagler, Colorado. One must assume a student population warranted a school in the area. Transportation for taking students to Flagler at this time was not easily accomplished. a similar prob- lem is recorded for students of Texerado, even in later years. The Strode family attended school at Midway, having moved to the old Leeper ranch about two miles east of the school. This may have been about the time the school was again revived. Rethal Strode may have attended Midway, along with Gilbert, Elnora, Jay, Clayton, Stanley and Fay. Certainly, members of the Beeler family attended school here including Lucille. Some recollections of the school mention the n'me as Beeler school. The Chilson family lived nearby and children of this family also attended school at Midway. It is unfortunate that names of students and some of the teachers of this time are not included. Speaking of a time, about 1917 and later, Mrs. Wm. Strode mentioned, in an interview of the 1950's that teachers at their school were Forrest Heck, Dorris Weller and Miss 1923-24 lunchtime by the lagoon west of the Murphy schoolhouse. L to R: Frances Burcar, Doris Harris, Grace Faass. Naomi Dalgetty, Freda Harris, Edith Mae Klassen, Roy Harris, Paul and Dick Klassen, Vincent Dalgetty, Carl Schauffler, Clarence, Elgie and Archie Wasson. District 23 The first Murphy School was a soddy, about one-half mile west of our home, north of Vana. Paul and Dick walked with Rover their very good dog. Sybil Wren was the teacher. Soon the school was moved to the center of the district. It was in a little frame building, a blackboard in front and a heating stove in the back by the door. We used coal and chips for fuel. My brothers Paul and Dick would drive the buggy or a wagon with horses sometimes not too tame, and we would have a very scary runaway. There was a barn for the horses to stay in during the daytime. Each horse had its own stall. Ifthe horses ran away, then we would have to walk the three and one-half miles home. In the year 1923 -L924, Emma Klassen, my father's sister, taught. I was in the first grade. �The other pupils who attended that year were: Roy Harris, Clarence Wasson, Deitrich Klassen, Dorothy Heindricks, Vincent Dalgetty, Elgie Wasson, Arline Peterson, Paul Klassen, Robert Heindricks, Archie Wasson, Freda Harris, Naomi Dalgetty, Doris Harris, Grace Faass, Carl Schauffler, Frances Burcar. The school board members were Anton Burcar, President; Bert Dalgetty, Secretary; Frank Jones, Treasurer. The next year Fanny Boren taught. The next summer a new schoolhouse was built. It was a large building. It had a hall where we kept the coats and overshoes and lunch pails. We had a Iong row of hooks for our own tin drinking cups. The water was hauled by the bus driver, in a large can with a tight lid. It was then poured into the drinking fountain; we pressed a button and the water ran into our cups. This was very important as a sanitation measure. The schoolroom was large with a long row of transom windows on the east side. On the south side another long row of windows, with curtains; this made the room warm, light and bright. Under the school was a lovely basement, with a furnace and a coal bin, also a room where the teacher could live ifthey so desired. The two outdoor toilets were north of the schoolhouse, one for boys and one for girls. There was also a big yellow clay pile of dirt in which the children made tunnels and played with play cars. In the playground west of the building was a basketball court, and there was a merry-go-round south of the building. The baseball diamond was south of the building in the pasture outside of the yard. The barn was removed for now we all rode to school in buses. All the school supplies were furnished by the district, such as books, the morning, the sun shining, we saw wagons coming over the snow banks; how thankful! by Edith M. Hugley school. NORTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #39 T188 t@, @::"\,":' under the blue, blue sky. The community loved the school, and there were many programs, basket-dinners, parties and other fun things. The spell downs were fun on Friday afternoon. In winter the parents would take turns and furnish hot soup. Some of the teachers who taught in Murphy were: Minnie Fingado, Zelma Arrington, Lindy Cates, Grace Smith, Helen Deakin, Cecil Rawley Gates, Alvina Becker Esarey, and Dazy and Clay Frankfather. Some of the families who attended Murphy School were: Cornelius Klassen (all nine of us graduated from the eighth grade at Murphy School), Otto Hanis family, Anton Burcar, Wincell Burcar, Frank Jones, Glen Jones, Fosha Gorton, Clyde Miller, William McCormick, William Hartsook, Burt Dalgetty, Jim Sesler, Wilfred Wasson, Hubbells, Grahmms, Willis, Schauffler, Whitman, Sparks, Charlie Boren, and others. One winter day a very bad blizzard came up in the middle part of the day. Zelma Arrington was teaching, and Otto Harris and Loyd Smith were bus drivers. We had to spend the night in the school; Mr. Arrington kept the boys upstairs, while the girls slept in the teacher's apartment in the basement. This was a terrible anxious time for our parents, for the school had no telephone. In by Florence McConnell ORISKA SCHOOL T190 i.];::rlir: :':..xi.,. :::::' Oriska School in 1924-25 Catherine Dunlap, Burlington, sent this early shot of the sod Norton Schoolhouse District 39 near Bethune. by Catherine DunlaP NUTBROOK SCHOOL T189 tw etc. The teacher would get library books from Burlington, the county seat. On the south side of the schoolhouse were three big cement steps (they are still there), and the flag pole. We were all so proud to put the flag up and watch it wave in the breeze, and Miss Lavina Stevens. In the winter time when there was snow. the favorite game was Fox and Geese during recess or sliding on an ice pond close to the ,liN ir, &r* .. ''; &' Nutbrook School in L947-48: front row, I to r: Hoagland girls and Myrna Wilson. Second row: Barbara Wilson, Hoagland boy, Ivan Schaal, Sandra Stewart; Third row: Denise Wilson, Edna Lewis; Fourth row: Bob Griffith and Dan Schaal Students at Oriska School in 1924-25: A Schultz boy, Lloyd Parks, another Schultz boy, Paul Fulton, Mae Fisher, Pauline Fulton, Maurice Fulton, Lucille Fulton, Barney Davis and Bernard Fulton. The Oriska School was located 16 miles south and 2lz miles west of Stratton. Ivan Smelker states that it was built by the same carpenter who built the Smelker School and the two schools were identical in plans. We did not find anyone who could recall the names of many of the teachers who taught at Oriska. Marie Greenwood did teach one term, 1924-25. Mrs. Lucille Schreiner is quite sure that her mother, Byrelle Swem, taught one or two years after her husband died during the 1918 flu epidemic and she had remarried a man by the name of Rich. Mrs. Schreiner The first Nutbrook School was a soddy. In the 1920's a frnme school was built a mile north of where the first school was located. thinks that her brother and sisters Mary Alice, Lunette, and Burdette Swem, and Bill Seeley, Fred Carrington and Ted Gulley. time. Families who had children in school Some of the first teachers that early students remember were Marie Greenwood, One of the events that the children looked forward to was when all the schools gathered at First Central School and had a track meet. The winners of each event went on to the county track meet held at Vona, Colorado. Christmas programs, box suppers and spell downs were held each year. The last year that school was held was 1950. The schools were then consolidated and the children were bused to Stratton, Colo. There was also a nice barn on the school grounds to tie the children's horses in while they attended school. There were also two outhouses. Some of the teachers in the last years were Evelyn Gouge, Lee Carpenter, Ethel Stewart, Jesse Rich probably attended school there. Carl Harrison taught a number of years and his two sons, Bob and Guy, attended at that during 1924-25 when Marie Greenwood was the teacher were the Schultz, Parks, Fulton, Fisher, Davis, Hawthorne, Hoot and Teels. A romance could have sprouted there since Bruce Davis later married Amanda Fisher. Carl Harrison relates the following incident that occurred in the winter of 1926 when he was the teacher and his son, Bob, was in the first grade. One forenoon a raging blizzard suddenly whipped in and Carl decided at noon to take the children home. A short distance from the schoolhouse, his car got stuck in a snowdrift and he and the children returned to the schoolhouse where they stayed all night. They had plenty of fuel for the stove so could keep warm, but only �had about three sandwiches left over from the dinner pails for food. The next morning, Mr. Teel came on horseback looking for them. He and Hide and Seek. On stormy days we played Upset the Fruit Basket. For entertainment there were programs on certain days. Sometimes after the progroms there would be a pie supper or box supper. In the boxes were goodies they sold to the bidders. Sometimes a guy had a girlfriend and wanted to buy their box or pie. There were always men who kept bidding higher tied his horse to the doorknob and came inside. The blizzard had subsided so they decided to start home. The horse, meanwhile, had broken loose from the doorknob. and headed for home. They bundled up and trudged the two miles through the snow to the Teel home, the men carrying little Bob making the one who wanted it bid more. Sometimes it was several dollars. The monev was used for school purposes. In later years some families moved away. More moved in. Some of the families were on an "anm-saddle" between them. Mrs. Teel cooked a big breakfast for them. Then Carl borrowed a horse from Mr. Teel and he and son, Bob, rode horseback the four miles to the Harrison home. Carl's wife, Winnie, at home Meyers; Havens, Homer and Wilkinson. alone with little son, Guy, was greatly Some ofthe teachers who taught in the school relieved to see them. were Ida Reynolds, Helen Klassen, Ora Cruickshank, Fern Moffat, Julia Wanzuk. by Marie E. Greenwood Forest Draper, Zelm Bridge, Ruth Nikkel, Reva Sawhill, Grace Clark and Avirene Seaman Henry. I taught the last term in the school just before it consolidated into Kirk. PIONEER SCHOOL #L2 Tt9r by Avirene Henry I attended Pioneer School in District No. 12 in Kit Carson County. The name was later changed to Seaman School. Members of the school board were Chas. George, President; Chas. Vanderkooi, Secretary; and N. Brownwood, Treasurer. The school was located 16 miles north, I east and % mile north of Vona. It was built in early 1915 or 1916 of cement. The men of the neighborhood did most of the work with help from a carpenter. It had three windows on both the north and south sides with a coal shed on the west. It was located just south of my father's homestead on my Grandmother McHenry's homestead. The first two teachers were Ida Reynolds of Flagler and Helen Klassen of Kirk. The first year pupils were Florence See-an, Walden (Bob) Finley, Mary Finley, Avirene The Pioneer School. Seaman, John Weststeyn, Cleo Elsey, Susie PLAINVIEW PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 64 Crist, Sarah Crist, Floyd Finley, Leroy Calkins, Virdie Elsey, Faye Crist, Frances Finley, Ray Brindle, Ardith Horton, Vern Brindle, Vergil Horton and several Atwood Tr92 boys. One was named Ed. The children brought their lunches except Seaman's. They were close enough to go home for lunch. Water was carried from the Senman house. The gnmes we played at school were Ring around the Rosey, Antie over, Drop the Handkerchief, Crack the Whip, Pull Away Plainview School in 1930-31: Margaret Blanchard, Dorothy, Pauline, and Harold Hubbell. Wavne Weakland, and Wayne Peterson. Fern Summers was the teacher. .,.] '$1E:,',1 ;, i ":':::' A Plainview School Halloween Party in the war years, 1943-44: Anna BeIIe Jackson (Keith), Mary Jackson (McCaffrey), Jerry Summers (Weis- schaar), Everett Yonts, Betty Jackson (Monroe), Paul Jackson, Virgene Jackson (Morburg), and Keith YonLs. F: ',1 . r",",r Plainview School, District No. 64, was t7,, located north of Vona, Colorado. In 1921 Miss iti!:r, Florence Seaman was the teacher and was paid a salary of $75 a month. School board officers were G.M. Ott, President; R.R. Scott, Secretary; Wm. Laughner, Treasurer. Pioneer School 1916-17. Standing L. to R.: Bob Finley, John Weststeyn, next two unknown, Florence S,eaman, Leroy Calking, Susie Crist, Floyd Horton, Mary Finley, Boy Atwood, Orville Seaman, Ardith Horton, Virdie Elsey, Sarah Crist, Cleo Elsey, Avirene Seo-an, Dave Seaman, Bertha Seaman, Ed Atwood, Boy Atwood, Floyd Finley. Seated; Francis Finley, Faye Crist, Boy Atwood. Orville and Dave Seaman were visiting school when picture was taken. Pupils were Melvin and Kitty Haynes; Verna Sparks; Rudolph and Johnnie Fredrich; Earl and Glen Wyllys; Madeline and �f $l$.1$r:r$l{{$ School Year 1945-46 at Plainview School: Back row: Paul Jackson, Keith Yonts, Virgene Jackson, Betty Jackson. Front row: Everett Yonts, Mise Jennie L. Tressell, teacher and Mary Jackeon. Pleasant Valley School, District #40 about 1912. Standing; Lula Wescott, Hazel Wilson, Earl Wescott, Mrs. Rush, teacher, Wilber Hougland, Ralph Miller, Bert Wilson, Lula Miller and Orpha Jensen. Seated; Goldie Jensen, Allie Hougland, Hettie Lipford, ? Hougland, Oliver Jensen, Johnny Wescott and Leslie Jensen. Plainview School's last year: Back row: Mary Jackson and Ardis Henningson, teacher. Front row: visitor Duane Henningson and Anna Belle Jackson. Lucille Ott; Lester and Violet Butler, Russell, Charles and Leonard Scott; Rena and Lus- ture and Iola Hartwig; Milo and Ora Lammery; and Raymond Bosley. InLg24Miss Avirene Seaman was teaching with school board officers G.M. Ott, President: Mrs. G.M. Ott, Secretary; and C.C. Wyllys, Treasurer. Pupils were Rudolph and John Fredrich; Lucille and Madeline Ott; Earl, Glen and Lester Wyllys; Mary and Nan Flanagan. by Avirene llenry being held, box suppers, pie socials, Christmas programs and other activities. Sometime in the 1920's the district was divided. One school, known as North Flat District 11, was located one mile south of the old school. Pleasant Valley, District No. 40, was placed in the Hell Creek area southeast of the North Flat School. Some of the teachers at Pleasant Valley were Izetta Wren, Johnny Husband, Mrs. Rush, Miss Lucy Muck, and Edith Gering. Dora Wolverton taught many years at North Flat School. After the school was divided, Mrs. Rush and her daughter fixed up the old school house and lived there. by Orpha Goodrich PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 68 PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.40 Tl93 The Pleasant Valley school was a one room school made of adobe blocks and located 15 miles north and three miles west of Seibert. The early spttlers in the community built the building around 1911-1912 as at this time there was need of a school. It was built by Mason Wilson, Tom Jensen, Ed Hougland, J.C. Miller, Ace Harmon, Mr. Wescott, the Barnett brothers and Don Miller. Later the Edwardg brothers, the Quintin fanily, the Ridgways, Ollie James, and Alex and Grover Todd were in the district. The school brought their drinking water from a nearby home occupied by the Mason Wileons, later the Ollie James home, now owned by Walter Timm. There were outside toilets and a coal house. Many of the teachers lived in a portion of the school house, going to their home on Friday evenings. The school was the center of entertainment, literaries Tl94 In the summer of 1919, the old soddY Pleasant Valley School in District No. 47 was razed. A new bigger cement block school house was built on a hill 1/4 mile west of the soddy. In 1921, the School District was changed to Pleasant Valley District No. 68. Now the name should appropriately have been changed to Pleasant Hill, but that was not to be; there already was a Pleasant Hill School in the county. A.M. Boese again volunteered about four acres of his land for this new school house' The new school house was still built on the same quarter as the old soddy, SW 1/4 33-948. You know, our parents were very wise, when they aranged the school yard. The school was built at about the center by the west side. The coal shed was at the center of the north side. The "Her Outhouse" was in the extreme northwest corner, and the "His Outhouse" in the extreme northeast corner, and the barn for the horses and burros on the east side. Some of the children drove a buggy hitched to burros. Henry U. Schmidt, who had taught for some years in the old soddy, was the teacher the first year in 1919-1920. In the spring of 1920, after his wife and newborn son passed away, Henry U. Schmidt with the younger children left for Oklahoma. His son Alfred Schmidt, a student at Bethel College, finished teaching our school that year. Often in the early years, up to forty pupils attended Pleasant Valley. Many years during the twenties, we had enough boys to have two full teams for playing baseball. It was the Babe Ruth era. My, how us boys hit hom- eruns, stole bases and threw those wicked curves! Milking cows and doing chores was all but forgotten. This Pleasant Valley community was very musical. The teachers put on some very interesting progrtms for Christmas, pie socials, and the last day of school events' Often there was standing room only. Among teachers in the old soddy, were Emma Liggett, the first teacher in 1908, followed by Henry U. Schmidt, Amber Palmer. Lee Buller and Mariam Schroeder. In the new cement block school house after Henry Schmidt, the teachers were Mrs. Ned Clark, who lived where Fay Knapp now lives, Alfred Schmidt, Mrs. Hill from Vona, Mrs. Wheeler from Seibert and Mrs. Vivian Myers from Seibert. After the twenties, in the thirties and fortieg some of the teachers were: Jennie Tressel, who at one time was the County Superintendent; Florence Wigton, who also was our County Superintendent at one time: Carl Harrison, Rose Pickard, Alvina Becker (Esarey), Imogene Burd, Mrs. Earl Bigelow, Ms. Sigurd Olsen from north of Kit Carson and Lavina Stephens from Stratton. Many of the farmers had to abandon their farms in the depression years of the thirties. The number of pupils declined. It became impractical to have school in these old country schools. Transportation becnme available. The better education provided by more materials and better facilities made consolidation with the town schools a necessary duty. Butmany timeswe think aboutthe intimate events and true country style of our old country schools and it brings back fond memories. Old Pleasant Valley School District No.68 was closed in 1948 as it was consolidated with Vona School District R-3. �!lg{li#ef, .fsirrl}. r. {l . l;r: 1,$;d,,*..q;rl,,:,,lii,,,ir'r1t'i'**g *kA$ ,(-1. .r,, i ,.,1 t..r* 1' .a at: tt! .f.r tr'. (,'.t ffi: ;*? *t| i . lrlltai;i l:*ffi dsffi ffi:rifu#' ,g.*l ' I x to paint it in 1930. The teacher had to keep it clean during the school year as well as start the fires in the morning. There were four little rooms on the west side of the building. At the south was the closet for coal, brooms, etc. Next to it was the coat room for the boys. North ofthe entry hall was the coat room for the girls and a little room north of that for the extra books - our library. The children who attended Prairie Star in 1920 were: Roy C. Bassette, Earl F. Bassette, Glen W. Bassette, Mary E. Bassette, Mabel E. Bassette, Russel Carlson, Leo Dunham, Ines Dunhnrn, Irene Dunham, Earl Paul and Julia Paul. Those who came in 1921 were: the five Bassette children, Russel Carlson, the three Dunham children, the two Paul children, and Melvin, Clarence, and Nellie Snelling. By 1924 there were some different pupils: Wayne Brennan, Raymond Brennan, Roland Hernbloom, Elmore Hernbloom, Gordon Pleasant Valley School, District No. 68 in 1919-20. Teacher Henry U. Schmidt in extreme left. In the picture are 6 children of Andrew B. Becker, 4 Abe M. Boese, 1 Ben Boese, 3 John Boese, 4 William Brantly, 4 Henry Burkholder, 3 Steve Card, 1 Hasbrook, 2 Martin Nelson, 5 Henry Schmidt, 1 Tanner, and 3 John Wanick. Hernbloom, Violet Hernbloom, Luella Hernbloom, Anchor A. Larsen, Starlet F. Larsen, John Wilson Moss, Helen Irene Moss, Freida Speakes, and Elva Wolfe from Alma, Nebraska. to pick up the children. Wayne Glaze was our driver for a year or so and Ernest McArthur helped take the children to school in later years. Pleasant Valley School, south of Vona Today the tall abandoned old cement block school house "Pleasant Valley" still stands as a sentinel to guard the reading, writing and arithmetic taught at this memorable country school. by Wilbert A. Becker PRAIRIE STAR SCHOOL - DISTRICT #45 T195 The white frame country school house known as Prairie Star was built in 1920. It was located five miles south of Bethune. Sometimes the school with all eight grades had its ups and downs. The attendance was spotty because when spring and fall work was at hand some of the children obviously had to stay home and help with it. For several years, the children had to get there the best way they could. Some had to walk quite a distance. Some rode horseback and some of the time my brothers and I rode in a buggy. I remember one boy came part of the time on a donkey. We had a small shed to put our horses in during the day. One evening when we got home the stars were shining. We had had to walk the three and one-half miles home. We lived a mile east and two and onehalf miles north of the school. After several years the District hired someone with a car Our country school had some advantages. We recited lessons aloud and when we had our next lessons studied, we could learn from the older ones as they recited. We learned how to play with older and younger children than we were. Frequently we had "spell-downs" which ended when the lone champion was still standing. My twin brother, Elvin Ernest, took either first or second place in the County "spell-down" at Burlington one year. Pupils brought their lunches with them in a lunch pail and we all ate together in the school room except on nice days when we went outdoors. We carried our drinking water from a cement covered cistern on the Jake Wolf place. At first, we had a bucket and dipper, then later we got a water container with a spigot. We put on some very interesting programs for special occasions with plays, recitations, readings, and singing. We had an old pump organ to sing by. Then in 1927 the school bought a piano and sold the organ to my father for three dollars. That is what I learned to play on until 1930 when my father bought me a piano. At times our parents were invited to the school to enjoy a box supper or a pie social. The highest bidder got to eat with the one who had brought the pie or box. For entertainment, we students had a teeter-totter and merry-go-round. We loved to play anti-over and several other wellknown games. Our special game in the winter when there was enough snow was fox and geese. There was lots of room to play in the section of land just north of the school house. Two of our County Superintendents were Della Hendricks and Virginia Felch. That was Ern interesting time when the County Superintendent came to visit our school. The teacher always warned us to be on our best behavior that day. The school building was kept up in good shape. I remember my father and I were hired The year 1925 brought the same students as the previous year except Freida Speakes did not return. Eighteen students came to Prairie Star in 1926: Raymond Brennan, Lela Brennan, Celia Brennan, Cora Conkey from Duncan, Oklahoma, and the Ernest twins from Oshkosh, Nebraska Elvin and Eleanor Ernest. Six Hernbloom -children were in school that year: Luella, Violet, Gladys, Roland, Elmore, and Gordon. Grant Hills, John and Helen Moss, and Marie and Agnes Ottens, and Elva Wolfe returned that year. lnl927 the girls far outnumbered the boys: Raymond Brennan, Elvin Ernest, my next younger brother Stanford Ernest, Neil Ellis and John Wilson Moss. The girls were: Lela Brennan, Eleanor Ernest, Helen Moss, Marie Ottens, Agnes Ottens, Helen Ottens, and Elva Wolfe. The picture was changed in 1928. The boys were: Dana, Howard and Gerald Buckles: Lyle Conkey; Elvin and Stanford Ernest; Charles and Robert Evans; Dale, Dean, and Dennis Humrick; James, Ralph, Delbert, and Glen and Hollis Rowley. The girls were: Eleanor Ernest; Ruthie Giddley; Cora Conkey; Marie, Agnes and Helen Ottens; LaRee Retherford; Eva Rowley; and Elva Wolfe. There were twenty-three pupils in 1929. The boys were: Lyle and Melvin Conkey; Elvin and Stanford Ernest; Robert, Charles and James Evans; Dale, Dean, and Dennis Humrick; James, Ralph, Delbert, Glen, and Hollis Rowley. The girls were: Eleanor Ernest; Ruthie Giddley; Marie, Agnes, Helen and Celia Ottens; Eva Rowley; and Elva Wolfe. In 1930 the boys were: Elvin, Stanford, and Paul Ernes! Robert, Charles, and James Evans; James, Ralph, Delbert, Glen and Hollis Rowley; and Edward Houser from Monette, Kansas. The girls were: Eleanor Ernest; Marie, Agnes, Helen, and Celia Ottens; Eva Rowley, Elva Wolfe, and Marie Houser. I still have my Report Cards from Prairie Star Grades four through eight so I have a record of the teachers for those years. Teacher 1926-1927: Edrie Terry; t927-L928: Dorothy Smith; 1928-1929: Alta Wolfe; 1929- �1930: Jessie Ardueser: and 1930-1931: Florence Glaze. There was a bus in 1942 when my youngest of miles. The school district was controlled by dents that I remember were Jessie C. MaGee Gray, Della Hendricks and Zella Payne. There were probably others during that time brother, Leland Ernest, went to Prairie Star. The two other students besides Leland were three board members under what was called a "Gentlemen's Agreement". The board members were chosen from different sections of the district. Some of the names of schools was Dessie Cassity. Fairview, Dazzling Valley and Prairie View. I will mention some of the pupils that went to one of the three schools, and their families: Miles and Ted Ellis, Lloyd Huntley, a Larsen school, which was located one and a half miles boy, Earnest and Frank Green, the Hans Wilma, Oneta, Wendel family - Harry, and Mildred, the Bob Hank, Russel, Lela Ruby and Marvin Buckholtz. The teacher In 1946 Betty (Schaal) Reimer was the teacher. The students drove to school that year in their own cars. That year the students were: Leland Ernest; Lavana, Bonnie, Will, John, and Gerald Johnson; Bob Young; and Richard Robinson. The Prairie Star school closed in mid-year 1947.It has served its purpose. The District was included in the Bethune School District and the building was later moved to Bethune and used as a teacherage. I wish I had a list of more of the students and teachers for other years. There was Leona and Helen Blanchenship; Joe, Elsie, Curtis, and Phyllis Woods; Leo, Mabel, Wilda and Les King; and Orville and Rosalee Pannell. Other families in our District were: Everett Alleman, Art and Fern Casson, Billie Lamb, Helen Ruhs, Rome Warner, and others. Many families have come and gone from the Prairie Star School District. My parents, Harry and Ida Ernest, are in their 90's in 1986 and are living in Burlington. by Eleanor (Ernest) Varce Prairie View was the school our family attended. It was known as the "Huntly" south of the old Huntly place on the Thurman Road. Where the school was located was the "Proaps" place. School was held there in 191? and 1918. Then the district built a new school, which was one mile north and one half mile west of the first school. This school house was built of sod. Local labor was donated and a one room school house was constructed. The larger district began to break up into local schools with the board members in the local areas. After a short time in the sod school, the smaller district decided to build a frame building one half mile east and one half mile north of the sod building. It was built on the corner of my dad's farm. Even though the name of the school was Prairie View, it was known as the "Walker" school. The district had a well drilled and also built a barn to shelter the horses used for transportation of the children. Some of the teachers who taught in one of the last three schools I mentioned, the Huntly school, Sod school and the Walker school were: Leona Lee Quigley, Ethel Langcamp, Jenny Costine (later Serena), Irene Potter, Lola Shaw Rillahan, Dave PRAIRIE VIEW SCHOOL in the district #14 were Mt. Pleasant, Williams, Grace Clark, Ella Robb Huntzing- er, Alice Roberts Fruhling, Pearl Robb, T196 My folks, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Walker, moved from Arkansas to Colorado in the fall of 1917 and built a house and barns on their farm about 10 miles north of Flagler. At the time we moved I was 8 years old. There were several small schools north of Flagler that were all in District #14, covering a wide area Blanche Byers, Ruby Dorsey, Lorena Hohen- stein, June Kyle and Doris Moore. There were probably a few more that taught there that I do not remember. In those days we had a County Superinten- dent of Schools who came from Burlington occasionally to visit each small school. We really had to be good while she was visiting they had superintendents, but they finally did away with that office. Beeman children, Roy, and Marie; Bert Souls daughters, Alberta and Maxine; the Floyd Fager children, Harvey, Florence, Virgil, Harold, Alvin, Hazel and Shirley; the Oliver Orth children, Phyllis, Vernon and Delmer; the John Walker children, Mary, Edith, Ernest, Helen and Elsie; the Ed Walker family, Roy, Lorene, Ima, Clarence and Elbert; Max and Curran Driskill; the Gerald Eachus children, Buckley, Dixie, Barbara, Orvin and Betty; Parker Weatherly's boys, Duane, Floyd, Lloyd, and James; the Carroll Elricks' children, Scotty, Raymond and James; Earl Kent Walker, son of the Clarence Walkers'. My parents boarded some of the teachers. I remember Ethel Langcamp and Blanche Byers stayed with us. After my brother Clarence and wife Shirley moved to the Walker farm in 1939, Ella Robb Huntzinger boarded with them. The school house was the center of activities for the community. They had Sunday School, programs, box suppers and literaries there. About 1949 the Prairie View school consolidated with the Flagler school. The school building was moved into Flagler on north Main Street (708 Maine Ave.). It was used as a teacherage for years, then sold to Sam Short of Roy, Utah. He and wife Lucille and children Ruth Elaine and Sammy J. moved into the old schoolhouse in the late sixties. Now our country schools are just a memory, but they contributed much to the commu- nity. by Roy F. Walker or we got punished. Some of the superinten- SCHOOL DIST. 22 Tr97 Prairie View - German School, later Schaal School Prairie View, District No. 22 School was probably the first school built in the settle- Alvin Fager, Dixie Eachus (child a visitor), Hazel Prairie View School children: Back row - Betty Eachus, Fager, Buck Eachus, Dorothy Johnson, Barbara Eachus, Duane Weatherly. Front Row: Irvin Eachus, (a visitor), Lloyd weatherly, shirley Fager, Jim and Floyd weatherly, and Earl Kent walker. Moving day for district 22 schoolhouse. It was moved 1% miles west of original location in 1919. Pulled with a Hart Paar and Jacob Strobel's Wallace tractors. �l:lllilll a::4.:')a:' one year and all pupils attended the Schaal school. Also for 2 years the first grades ofhigh school were taught. When it closed the pupils were bused by car to Prairie View School until it was dissolved and taken into the Bethune district in 1955. One year a third school was opened for the Germans and the north district scholars. but that did not seem profitable and the pupils came back to Prairie View again. The school term was about 6 months a vear, . School was from 9 to 4 o'clock with fS minutes recesses and one hour noon. In winter school houses were crowded, up to thirty pupils in one school. The older pupils would go until they were 18 or 20 years old. Most of the pupils had to learn the English ffi language and the 3 R's. As mostly everyone talked German, some teachers would punish pupils for talking German at school, but all talked it at home so it went on in the school yard too. Some of the early scholars I remember were the Schaal's children of Matt Sr., John, Sam and Carolina, the Strobels, Doblers, McClen- # 't4 4 Prairie View school house, pupils and families, about 1g12. ment when the Germans settled in Colorado from 1890 on. This was a frame school built by Chris (Grandpa) Dobler who was a carpenter by trade. The size ofthe school was about 20X30 ft. It was built just east of Hope Church 11 north and 1 east ofBethune, across the road. This being a frame building, it was moved several times to be closer to the pupils. The first move was in the 1920's, one and one fourth miles west on the hill east of the Frank Kramer farm. In 1929 or 1930 it was moved one fourth mile east and one mile north where it stayed until it was torn down and replaced by a cement block building in 1949 and is still there, but the district was dissolved in 1955 and cut into the Bethune District. In 1907 an adobe school house was built in the eastern part of the district. It was called the German school at Yale and later the Schaal school as Sam Schaal bought the old Yale place which was across the road from the school 11 north and 3 east ofBethune. In 1910 the school board members were Jacob Weidmaur, President; Sherman Yale, Secretary, and Sam Schaal, Treasurer. This school was closed in1942 or 1943 but before it closed the Prairie View closed for togs, Pete Knondels, and Kramers, a little later the John Knodel's, John Weiss's. William Adolfs, Stahleckers, and Weisshaars. Some of the German and later Schaal school scholars were the Weisshaar's since it was closer, the Schlichenmayers and Warners, later also Schaals. Knodels, Adolfs, Bauers, and Jacobers. Having a school full of big guys and gals, a teacher had to have discipline and most did. If need be, they would take them down. sit on them and spank; even a small lady teacher would. The parents would back up the teachers. The saying was "If you get a spanking at school you'll get it twice as hard at home" and the parents would. Pupils were not compelled to go to school so all older children had to help gather in the crops and in spring, help at home again, and only get 2 or 3 months of school a year, so most only got to the third or fourth grade. Later more were able to graduate from the eighth grade. All eight grades were taught by one teacher. The early requirements for a teacher were 8th grade diploma and pass the teacher's examination. The first salaries were $30.00 or $35.00 a month and that included, teaching, janitor work, having the school house warm when the children came, etc. The older bovs would fill the coal bucket before going home. Most of the teachers boarded with families close to the school; transportation was walking, horse and buggie or horseback. Each school also had a barn of horses for the day; however, Vera Dillon and brother Tom. Victor Voss and Quinton Voss had farms B and 5 miles off. They came horseback. Some of the other teachers, I remember were Katherine, Helen and Mary Klassen from Kirk, Gladys Sherman, Fern Russel, Mary Everet. Some later ones were Mable Guv. Lela Pottorff, Minnie Eaton, Daisy Heweit. Some of the Schaal School teachers were Bessie Dingham, Jake Yeager, Daisy Hewett The German school also known as the Schaal school, about 1910. Teacher is Bessie Dingman. Pauline Weisshaar Schlichenmayer on left by blackboard, Mary Weisshaar Adolf and Margaret Weisshaar Stahlecker by blackboard. Anna Weisshaar Adolf standing by desk. The boys are William Weisshaar, Warden Warner with Jake and William (BiIl) Schlichenmaver in back bench. and Mr. Keys. For heating there was a big belly heater in the middle of the school, heating the side close by, and the other side froze on cold mornings. Two seated desks were lined up on both sides of the building, some times from the front to the back, the lower ones in front, the larger to the back. There was a recitation bench in front of the teacher's desk. where �at the time. This building is still in use as a community center for 4-H clubs. It is located 12 miles north of Bethune. I remember my first day at school. Dad took us, my cousin Arleen Grammand me, to school with the team and wagon. We were so anxious to go but, oh, so scared. Arlene couldn't speak English but I could because Grace Smith and students. 1922-23, Schaal school. each class took turns to recite their lessons out loud, while the rest studied their assignments. This went on all day long: reading, writing, arithmetic, language, physics, geography, history were some of the studies we had. To start the school we would read from the Bible or a story. Friday afternoon after recess often was spell down or ciphering. Some afternoons our school would go to another school for spell down or ciphering. Prairie View also played basketball with Bethune several years. Some games we played were shinny, baseball, Greg Wolf, drop the handkerchief, and more. Most of the teachers would play along or at least go out and watch. Everyone brought their own lunch and water was brought to the school and put in PRAIRTE VIEW #22 T198 my older brothers and sister taught me. We all spoke German at home but we were not allowed to speak German at school. We always had a big crowd at our Christmas program. Some people had to stand outside and look through the windows. The activities that I remember were spelling bees; Valentine's Day brought great fun with making and exchanging valentines. Halloween came with the older kids making a "spook house" in the coal shed. I was too frightened to go and look. Music festivals at Stratton were attended sometimes. We played games such as "Steal Sticks", "Farmer in the Dell", "Last Couple Out", "Annie Over", and "Hide and Seek". Winter time brought "Fox and Geese" to play in the snow. Softball and track meets were held with "Blue View", Tuttle, Union, and Schaal schools. In the fall we also made play houses out of thistles. The Later Years Our family, the Gramms, all attended Prairie View school and my older brothers and sister remember Miss Elva Richards (now Powell) and a Mr. Jake Yeager as teachers. Other teachers from 1938 on were Mrs. Olsen from Burlington, Miss Marian Turner of Ogden, Utah, Daisey Hewett, Mrs. Mabel Guy, and Mrs. Husenetter of Stratton. We had grades 1 - 8 in our one roomed school house until 1955 when grades 1 - 6 were taught. The new schoolhouse was built in 1955. Mrs. Minnie Eaton was the teacher We had outdoor toilets with the ever present Sears and Roebuck catalogue. The horse barn had stalls to tie up the horses. I also rode a bicycle and walked to school. Our day began with the "Pledge of Allegience to the Flag" and singing (our music class). We had22 - 25 students and our desks seated two pupils. To heat the room was a big "pot-bellied" stove. At first we used a water bucket with dipper, then a round crock jar with a push button spigot, and Iater we each had our own cup. Punishment was, if the boy was naughty, he had to sit with a girl and visa-versa; what humiliation. a cooler. Children would have programs at least for Christmas and usually another one or two for their families and friends, giving plays, recitations, singing. If there was a need for something for the school, there would be a pie or box supper which would have all kinds of goodies in it. Girls bring the eats and boys buy their box or pie, then eat it together. Should a certain boy and girl be sweet on each other, that boy might have to pay a big price for it, if he wanted to eat with the girl. Before the district dissolved. the ones that went to high school met the school bus at the A.W. Adolf farm, or had to go on their own to school. Some boarded in town; some families moved to town in order to be closer to high school. When the district was dissolved in 1955, and pupils went to Bethune School, buses came to get the children from their home; now there were very few that did not graduate from high school anymore . . . a big change from the early years. by William Kramer A family gathering at Prairie View school. Front row, younger children, L. to R.: Irene Kramer, Norman Kramer, Edie Kramer, Max Kramer, Ernest Adolf, Lorena Kraner, Vernon Schlichenmayer, Esther Adolf, Buddy (Rudolf) Schlichenmayer, Ralph Adolf in white cap, Esther Gramm, Harold Adolf, Elmer Dobler, Stanley and Russell Davis. Middle Row - L. to R.: Theresa Kramer, Martha Adolf, Frieda Schlichenmayer, Rosser Davis, John Adolf, Elmer Schlichenmayer, Edmund Gramm. Back Row, L. to R.: Mary Kramer, Katie Davis, Lydia Gramm, Lydia Adolf, Lena Schlichenmayer, Pauline Knodel, holding Loyd, Lena Dobler, Margaret Adolf, William Adolf, Mr. Lamb, John Dobler. �We went up front to the "recitation bench" for our individual class time. One time, to punish one of the boys, the teacher sent him out to get a paddle and he brought in a board with nails in it. When the dirt storms came, we hung wet sheets on windows and got the lanterns out. It was a frightening experience for us. We couldn't leave unless someone came and got teacher), Velma Rice and a tall lady who taught the last year the school was open, whose name could not be recalled. using Charley Jackson's barn to stable horses ridden to school. He added that the first money he ever earned was from Charley, who paid him a quarter to drive a team hitched to a wagon. Charley rode in the back and "blow outs" or "sand hills" on the Bill Kramer place. to shorten the distance. The road near the For our end of school picnics we went to the by Esther Corliss scHool- #32 Tr99 There was a school 972 south and 5 miles west of Burlington known as the Ritzdorf School and later as School #32. The school building was made of adobe. Skunks had made their home under the building and some days the smell was so bad that it was impossible to hold school. Later they cemented over the adobe to keep the skunks out. Some of the families attending this school were the Carlsons Warners, Meyers, and McCormicks. This information given by Emma (McCor- mick) Mullis. by Shirley Matthies school was very populated with farmsteads in early days, very different from today. Along this road was the Heck family, across the road from the Heck family was the Widenheimer family. East of the school was the Schwyn family. Tollie remembered that Marvin Beeler often rode a mule to school and she said he always teased girls at school, especially her! Schwyn children (girls, Luella and Lydia), living nearby, attended at Flagler, probably because they were located just over the line in district 35. In 1915, when Flagler built a new high school, a request to consolidate District 10 with Flagler District 35 was voted down by patrons ofthe district. It is interesting to note that in 1951, when all schools consolidated to form District R-1, more than 9400.00 was added to R-L funds from District 10. Mr. D.F. Blanken and many of his neighbors were not fully convinced that a better education could be had in town. In 1915, even though a consolidation was not accomplished, most children who had attended Robb School transfened to Flagler. ROBB SCHOOL T200 Robb School closed in 1915. Other schools continued to operate in the district, perhaps some time later. One of these was Midway, which may have reopened later some distance Robb School was located in the northwest corner of the northeast L/4 of Section 5. Township 9 S, Range 51 W. This location is southwest of Flagler. Some information 6 miles due west of Flagler, Colorado on the south side of the old highway. It is located on a 1/2 section line. An early description ofit's location would be across the road south of an old barn on a place Charles Jackson owned and may have farmed. In 1987, a description of it's location would be about 1/4 mile, more or less, west of the Allen Petersen home on District 10 was 2 miles wide and 22 miles long, the south side of the road. This school was located in district 10. Mr. D.F. Blanken and Mr. Beeler were two known school board 'members. Some of the families utilizing this early school were Robb, Blanken, Weidenheimer, Heck, Jackson and possibly, Schmidt. I am told the Johnston family used the school. Some known students of the school were Oliver Blanken, Natalie (Kueker) Blanken, Forrest and Creighton Heck, J.T. Robb children, Weidenheimer children. Johnston children and children of Harry Schmid (or Schmidt) could have attended at one time. Children of Charles Jackson did not use this school, all attending at Flagler. Mr. Jackson lived farther north. The Jackson home was west and a little south of the present Ralph Conrad place. His property near the school was vacated and still had improvements on it. Marvin Beeler attended about 1914 when another school in the district farther south, recalled as Midway, was closed. Known teachers at this school were Arthur Robb (Natalie "Tollie" Kueker's last teach- er), Gerald Rice (Oliver Blanken's first T20l Oliver Blanken remembered students broadcast seed from the tail-gate. Oliver said when they went to town, they often cut across Charley Jackson's place, north of the school, us, ROCK CLIFF SCHOOL found suggests that one of the school houses was moved to a new location in the district. bordering the west side of Kit Carson County. Its northern border was south of the Hohenstein place. Its southern border was at the county line. A 1922 atlas shows a school location in this southwest corner area. A theory exists that the name of this school was McAllister. If this is true, McAllister, Midway and Robb were the three early schools in District 10. A word about the name recorded for this school. At first, no known name could be recalled. Much effort was expended to try to determine the name used in those early days. In a 1915 issue of the Flagler Nerus, an item was found which told of the beginning of school that year. "It is estimated that there will be an increase in enrollment of last year, of about fifty, in all departments. The Robb school, in Dist. No. 10, west of Flagler, has arranged for the entire school to take work in Flagler this year." In finding this 1915 record, a name in use at this early time was learned. It is interesting to note that the district did not consolidate with Flagler, however, children of Robb School began, in 1915, to attend school in Flagler. by Lyle W. Stone Rock Cliff School Rock Cliff school was located on the south edge and about midway of Section 34, Township 10 S, Range 49 W. This location is due south of Seibert, Colorado on the correction line. Rock Cliff was a consolidation or upgrade of education in the district. Smaller schools in the area transferred to the new school. Two of these schools may have been Martin and Fairmount schools. The buildings ofthis school were offrame construction, consisting of two school houses accommoda- ting grades 1 through 9. Two outhouses and a large barn were located on the school grounds. The barn served as shelter for horses used by students riding or driving buggies and wagons to school. This barn was even- tually used to house three model T Ford buses until 1925 when bodies of the buses were placed on Model A Ford chassis and used in the Seibert school system. Two teachers were employed at the school in the beginning. A well on the premises provided drinking water for the students and animals. Known teachers at Rock Cliff were Agie Sawhill, Opal Conarty Murphy, Maurice Wrenn, Minnie Fingado, Wilma Lettman, Marie Benson, Lucy Schack, Dacy Frankfather, Roy Howell, Evelyn Allen, Norma Jean Murphy Moore, Minnie Eaton and Rogene Boren, who was teacher in 1949-50, the last year school was held at Rock Cliff. 1915-16 news items tell of funerals, debates, sports events and other activities ofthe community. One recorded debate names patrons of Rock Cliff and Second Central areas. Subject was: "Resolved, that it is better for the country to have free range than a herd law." Speakers on the affirmative were C. Reece, W. Dowse and F. Van Wanning, while those having charge ofthe negative side ofthe question were Orrin Hendricks, S. Westover and Walter Conarty. Judges were John Davis, Charley Pettis and Will Stone. Judges' decision was three for the negative, thus making the unanimous opinion of the judges that we should have a herd law. The debate occurred in February, 1916. In the terms taught by Opal (Conarty) Murphy and Maurice Wrenn, an extensive program in sports was apparent when the students of Rock Cliff school walked away with much more than their share of ribbons at a track meet in Burlington. Some of the families living in the Rock Cliff area were: Quigley, Murphy, Stone, Short, Livingston, Martin, Dix, Christie, Mayberry, Matthews, Hendricks, Sawhill, Pelser, arnong many others. Students were numerous and manv were �from previously mentioned families. A few stories remain, such as the time Troy Murphy, who started school in 1927, attempted to wind a barbed wire into the fur of a rabbit in an air vent under the school. He was so intent, he didn't appear when class took up, resulting in punishment for his deed. "Billie" Stone, son of W.F. Stone, remembered a yearning kids of this time had for fruit. He said he once traded a beautifully browned drumstick his mother had fried for the core of an apple! "Billie", how did you know any apple would be left?" "Oh, I watched him and stopped him before he ate it all!" Viva (Livingston) Boger and Billie reminisced about a time the Quigley family hauled in some apples. Billie said they put them in a hole in the ground packed in straw. He said, "When I looked down into that hole and saw those apples, I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven!" They talked of the hard it was 1928-29 that they started using cars for buses. As far as I know this was always District 59. I don't know what happened to the small school house, but the larger one was moved to the Jolly Ranch south and east of the Phil Mullen place in Cheyenne county and made into a machine shed. Rock Cliff was a constant ally of Second Central school, participating in spelling matches, sports events and entertainment. In 1987. little remains but a scar on the earth to mark a location of this school. Rock Cliff district was consolidated with Seibert school after a push for consolidation abounded in the late '40s; this was accomplished about or before 1950. A book could be written about Rock Cliff School. These few items will record only a very small portion of events occurring there and of people who lived them. by Lyle TY. Stone times then, and when I heard Billie tell of pancakes in layers, stacked in a 5 gallon lard pail, each garnished with bacon grease, brought by one family to school for lunch, I had to agree. Most of us who live in eastern Colorado, have felt the crunch of hard times but always there were the good times. Vera Livingston Gattshall says, "I remember that busses for Rock Cliffwere purchased for the year 1922. My father, Earl Livingston, and Odbert Martin were two of the bus drivers. T.J. Short was on the board. There were 14 beginners in 1922 when I was a ROSE SCHOOL T202 Rock Cliff." Twila Gorton remembers a crack in the ceiling that her mother said was there when Alice Short went to school and the children weren't allowed to jump for fear the plaster would fall down. It was still there in the 1940's. (A long time to never jump in that room!) Twila said, "When Maurice Wrenn taught he used his own car as a bus. I think Mettie Rose Love, daughter of the George Rose's, was probably the first teacher. Other early teachers were Mrs. Lena Smith, Mettie's sister, and Miss Mary Beecher. George Baxter was an early teacher and the only man teacher in the school's history. He homesteaded 2 miles north of the school. In 1908, the teacher was Miss Chick, students were Jim and Opal Gwyn, Hazel and Orlo Searcy. Others may have attended. In 1912 and after, Claude, Alta, Rethal and Gilbert Strode and others attended Rose school. The William Strode family lived on the Rose homestead at this time. Remembered families at this time were Strode, Gwyn and Smith. Teachers through years following were Lois Fisher, Mrs. Phoebe Cooper (1924), Mrs. Ben Sawhill, Lola Shaw (Rillihan), Alice Roberts (Fruh- Iing) and Mrs. Bledsoe. Known students of 1939 were Agnes, Margie, Albert Gwyn and Immogene Harrison. Mrs. Laura Mae Malbafftaught from January, 1942 and finished this term. Agnes and Margie Gwyn, Immogene Hanison, Joan Fisher and Jim Statler were students. Mrs. Malbaff taught the 19423 term. Of this time, she remembered preparing hot lunches on an oil stove in the entrance area, sometimes even baking biscuits. As with remembered well. Times of staying at school until parents came to take children home, required ingenuity of teachers to quell alarm and create entertainment. Orpha Goodrich has vivid memories of the two-foot snow fall in November of 1946 when she was able to get to town safely but no school was held at Rose for about a month. Her students included children of Perry Vernons, Benny Thorsens, Bill Anslingers, and Andrew Selenkes. Pelser, Leroy Newton, Winnie Douglas, Lucille Noxon, Olga Gunderson, Dorothy Conarty, the teacher, was staying at T.J. Shorts and I remember Dad fixed the sled so Opal could drive it to school and Viva and I could ride with her." Viva Livingston Boger said, "I don't know when the school house was built but T.J. Short moved to Seibert in 1913 and their daughter Alice was 12 years old and went to school. so many teachers of our area, bad storms were beginner: Billy Stone, Ernest Christie, Jesse Turner, and maybe Ruby Mitchel and others whose names I don't remember. Many had moved by the next year though." Twila Gorton well recalls the blizzard of 1926-27 school year. "Odbert Martin, the bus driver, got to school and took us to Fingado's to stay. Odbert left us at Quigleys' while he and Francis Fingado went to Mayberry's to call what parents he could; lots of them didn't have telephones back then. When they got back, we started on to Fingado's. I remember Francis got out and walked, holding onto the fender of the bus to help Odbert keep on the road. We 10 students and Odbert spent the night at Fingado's. We had potato soup for supper and played games until about midnight when they found a place for all of us to go to bed. It was clear the next day, but Dad came for us with a sled and the snow was knee deep on the horses. In 1929 we had a May Day blizzard and didn't go to school, but the next day we got to school about 10 o'clock. That was the year I took County Exams for eighth grade, and we didn't have much time to take the exams. The snowy winter of 1924-25, Opal and may have had a hand in building this Other teachers whose nnmes could be recalled included Marjorie Miner Allison, Rose school, October 10, 1913. George Baxter teacher, Strode, Searcy, Smith and Gwyn children are the students. Rose School was one of the first schools in the area, built in 1886-7 by Mr. George Rose and his neighbors. Location ofthe school was the southwest corner Section 24, Township 8 S, Range 50 W. The Republican River crosses a county road less than a mile in of south of the school, hampering teachers and students on their way to school in times of high water. First construction of the building was of magnesia rock, abundant in the area. These were carefully laid into walls. Covering a one room structure was a roof of wooden construction, no doubt first covered with sod. In later years, concrete was poured on outer walls. A conventional roof and other improvements were made. A wooden entrance was added to the south side about L922.I am told the wooden entrance displayed a painted identification: Rose School, established 1886. The Bradford family and others lived nearby Alice Ligget, Edith St. Clair, Nellegene Mort Ashton, Margie Schiferl, and Elaine Mason Miller, the last teacher before school closed in early 1950's when all were consolidated and moved into Flagler and Seibert districts. The school served as a community center during the 50 years of its existence. Buck Fisher recalls the dances held there, and the literary meetings. Sunday School was also held for many years. Ida Gwyn recalls seeing her first "Christmas tree", a cottonwood wrapped in green paper, at the Rose School when she was about 6 years old and the family went there for a program. Each fall, special attention was given to policing the school grounds for invariably, one or two rattle snakes were found, Prairie dog colonies and magnesia cliffs jutting out on the south bank of the Republican made it an ideal setting for these critters. Mrs. Malbaff remembered so very well, help given her by Ida Gwyn when roads, storms, etc. made her late to school. Mrs. Malbaff said Mrs. Gwyn seemed very experienced in driving two very large horses hitched to a Iumber wagon used to bring her children to school. In the event Laura Mae was late, Mrs. Gwyn expertly taught school until she arrived. One of the special treats of the pupils was when Claude Ervin would stop after checking his cattle nearby and play baseball with the �kids. And sometimes those recesses would last all afternoon! by Jean Mudd SECOND CENTRAL SCHOOL T206 ROSEDALE SCITOOL Second Central School was located in the southeast corner of Section 21, Township #47 of Flagler, Colorado. This school was a T203 10S, Range 50W, nine miles south and 4 east consolidation of other small schools in Dis- Second Central about 1917 consider consolidation and construction. In the spring of 1915, patrons ofthe district were still not content with consolidation. Early 1915 rain and hail damaged two of the soddie school buildings. The school board had promised to build a new building in the west end of the district. They compromised by building a two room centralized frame building on land purchased from Henry "Hank" Galer. Since consolidation was unpopular with some of the patrons, it is possible much effort was expended in designing, selecting best material and providing best teaching mate- rial. Nearly full length blackboards were placed on north and south walls of two rooms, separated by a divider offolding doors. This Rosedale School, 1915, 18 miles south of Vona (The Charley Duncan Caravan) trict 19. These were Ackerman, Albright, Sunny Slope (south ofFlagler) and Loco. The new school was built of best materials and design to allow unparalleled lighting of classrooms for this time and a unique design to assure beauty of the building. A central heating system using coal was eventually added. In 1914 meetings were called to made it convenient to accommodate the community at meetings and school programs. Oiled pine floors were laid and additional windows high on the north wall, augmented Iighting from five large windows on the east and west side. Two cloak rooms were provided on either side of a south, central entrance. Located here was a crockery water container on a wooden shelf. No details were left lacking in the trim and finish of the building. Above the transom fitted door at the entrance was placed a round wooden sign with Rosedale School in 1917 when Marie Farquahar was teacher. Top row, I to r: Charles and Wilma Lettman, Elmer Rose, Mary Hinds; Middle row: Joe Hinds, Don McAuley, Lee Calhoun, Charles Goff; Front row: Josie Hinds, Evelyn Duncan, Orville Duncan, Freeman Goff. by Don McAuley SAND CREEK scHool, - 1898 T204 by Velma Hines Sand Creek School about 1898: Pupils at this Seibert school were: Front row, I to r: Ruth Rogers, Sammie Rogers, Mirian Blake, Mable Blake, Ethel Blake, Bessie Kistler, Cordia Hendricks (Hines), Herbert Bandy. Center row: Berl Lee, Leona Bell, Clara Blake, Audrey Blake, Jim Kistler, Rollie Rose, Roy Hendricks, Clarence Bandy, Jesse Bandy. Back row: Mildred Blake, Elda Blake, Roy Rogers, Grover Blake, Harry Rose, Ralph Rogers, Milton Rose, Mottie Rose, Maude Rogers. Rear back: J.S. Scheib, teacher. �In September, 1917, 55 students were enrolled at Second Central according to Adam Phiester, Secty. Professor and Mrs. W.I. Coley were hired to teach this year, and classes were held for students up to the 10th grade. No record was found ofother teachers this year. In 1917-18, teachers paid by the district were: W.I. Conley, Mary O. Harmon, Helen Potter and Phoebe Cooper. This year well casing was purchased; however, later in time, water was still being hauled to school. In 1917 the elegant new school building sported a bronze plaque below the round black and white Second Central sign. This plaque read: "State Of Colorado, Standard '*.*-:* and a matter of record. Many drivers of Second Central in 1930 animals used for this purpose. Drinking water was brought in a 5 gallon cream can by someone living nearby. Walter "Mike" Co- narty remembered doing this task. On most Sundays, church and then Sunday school was held. The school board members were W.H. Conarty, President, Adam Phiester, Secretary and C.J. Far, Treasurer. At a Standardization Day meeting at the Second Central teachers, Viola Short Pursley, left and Mrs. Stella Boote. the words, Second Central School, District 19. On a contrasting black background, it was very impressive. First students at the new school are believed to be: Opal Conarty, Lela Galer, Gladys Ploper, ? Carlson, Aljy Stinton, Vern Joy, Elmer Joy, Glen Stinton, Irma Conarty, Helen Potter, Howard Westover, Walter "Mike" Conarty, Tom Conarty, Eva Ploper and Solomon "Sollie" Stone. Teachers for the 1915-16 term were Misses Francis and Ruth Hyland. Warrants were also issued to Miss Estelle Wille. Other schools were still in operation and it is difficult to determine where Miss Wille taught. Warrants reflect much work on the school house during school in 1915. Second Central received a score ofseventy-five, which pleased the board very much. This satisfaction was expressed by the secretary of the school board, Adam Phiester. At a parent-teachers meeting held April 21, 1916, the score of seventy-five was raised by the county committee to eightytwo. Headlines at this time read, "Second Central Scores Highest in County." Reasons for raising the score were attributed to lighting and ventilation of the building, care of grounds, certificates, salaries of teachers and efforts of the Misses Hyland and their students. In August, 1916, the school board asked for bids to dig a basement under the Second Central School building for additional classroom space. Solomon Stone was awarded the contract. A basement was dug and concrete walls were poured while classes were in session. Eight windows were built below ground level with appropriate covers to keep out elements of weather. Blackboards were placed on three walls in the west half of the basement area. The east half was used as a furnace room; a coal bin was located in an additional section of basement on the southeast side. A partition separated the two rooms. Mr. Sam Valquette installed a large coal furnace with appropriate piping to provide central heat in October, 1916. A large water jacket around the furnace provided needed humidity in classrooms. The new basement classroom was used for the 9th and 10th grades. Transportation of students to school was a Miss Ora Cruickshank taught at Second Central in 1916-17, along with W.I. Conley and his wife, Pearl. In May, 1917, 8th grade graduates were Irene Wickham, Irma Conarty, Flossie Kinzer, Charles Conley and horseback, buggy and wagon or cart. A barn was located on the school ground to house Sollie Stone. Mrs. Hayworth served as minister at the school where church was held on most Sundays. September, October and December in 1915. family obligation and students came by School, Superior Class." It would seem the heart of a school, beyond its physical structure, must lie in the greatness of teachers and students. Second Central was blessed with an abundance of both. very special teachers and many outstanding students. A list of students would be numerous and difficult to assemble. Many of the teachers through the years remain in memory school buses and school board members can be recorded and remembered. In the 1918-19 term, teachers were Mrs. Phoebe Cooper, Helen Potter and Mary O. Harmon. No bus drivers were recalled. probably because it was before such a service was provided. Board members of this time were W.H. Conarty, President, Adam Phiest- er, Secretary and S.W. Sloan, Treasurer. L920-L92L school term was taught by A.O. Tudor and Mrs. Phoebe Cooper. Only two teachers were listed this year. Bus drivers were numerous, Harry Eaton, Conrad Stone, Joe Short (short route), E.I. Vawter, M.I. Ploper (short route) and A.A. Frager (short route). Board members were O.L. Vawter, F.J. Van Wanning and V.F. Shrode. In L92l-22, Mrs. Phoebe Cooper, J.H. Jaeger and Mrs. Helen Westover were teachers. Routes were driven by G.F. Baxter, A.B. Radenbaugh, E.I. Vawter with short routes driven by W.R. Stewart and N.C. Wheeler. Board members this term were Ora L. Vawter, President, V.F. Shrode, Secretary, W.Y. Grove was Treasurer. The L922-23 term was taught by John F. Matthews, Mrs. J.F. Matthews and Thelma Wright. Bus drivers this year were C.E. Reavis, E.I. Vawter and Odbert Martin. 1923-24 school term was taught by Murvale H. Moore and Mrs. M.H. Moore. Drivers were Ora Dunivan, Fred Lange and E.I. Vawter. Board members were Wm. H. Wickham, President, V.F. Shrode, Secretary and B.H. Short, Treasurer. ln 1924-25, J.F. Matthews and Mrs. J.F. Matthews taught the school, C.E. Reavis and H.J. Shrode were bus drivers and the school board remained the same as last term. 1925-26 term was taught by A.W. Dix, Mrs. A.W. Dix and Zella Stone. Bus drivers were Clem Nixon, Fred Christopher and Harry Eaton. Board members were Wm. M. Wickham, President, Fred Griffeth, Secretary and B.H. Short was Treasurer. ln 1926-27, Mr. A.W. Dix and his wife taught the school, Harry Eaton and W.F. Lana drove the routes. "Bill" Lana operated two regular buses this year. Board members were Mr. Wm. M. Wickham, President, J.L. Short, Secretary and B.H. Short, Treasurer. The 1927-28 term was taught by Dolora Tiller, Elizabeth and Awilda Nixon. Drivers of school routes were Mrs. Rose Wickham. �Bill Wickham, James H. Reade, Mr. Wm. Wickham drove a route in a touring car. Mr. Wickhem bought two new Chevrolet buses this year. Board members were Mr. Wm. Wickhem, President, J.L. Short, Secretary and B.H. Short, Treasurer. In December this year, Elizabeth Nixon and her sister, Awilda became ill of diptheria. Alwilda survived but Elizabeth died. Clyde Roberts finished teaching the term in Elizabeth's place. Mr. C.A. Finley and his wife along with Alwilda Nixon taught the 1928-29 term. Mrs. Rose Wickham, W.H. Fogg, Ray E. Curtis and Mary Joy drove school routes. Mrs. George Blanken drove a short route. Board members this term were Ellis McConnell, President, B.H. Short, Secretary and J.H. Short. Treasurer. In the 1929-30 term. teachers were Mr. and Mrs. Bon V. Davis and Miss Ida Reynolds. Bus drivers were Mary E. Joy and Vern Joy. Board members were Effie Eaton, President, J.L. Short, Secretary and B.H. Short, Treasurer. 1930-31 school year was taught by the same teachers as last term, Chas. R. Smith was elected to the board as Treasurer. Bus drivers this year were Vern Joy, Mrs. Rose Wickham and Mary E. Joy. The 1931-32 term was taught by E. Ellis and Wynona D. Graham. Also teaching was Ida Reynolds. Drivers were Willard Eaton, Everett Joy and Wm. Wickham. Fred Martin and Wm. Driskill drove short routes. Board members were Effie Eaton, President, J.L. Short, Secretary and Chas. R. Smith, Treasurer. 1932-33 teachers were E. Ellis Graham. Mrs. E.E. Graham and Irene Graham. School record of board and drivers was found. L94L-42 school term was taught by Miss schools of Kit Carson County and was Amy Nichols and only one teacher was employed this year, as there were only 16 unusual accomplishments which must also students in school. Ted Wickham and Elmer Joy drove school buses. In the L942-43 term, Opal Joy taught 1st, 2nd, 9th and 10th grades. Julia Dugan (Wanczyk) taught the other grades, finishing the term started by a teacher who is unknown. Bus drivers this year were Birney Short, Harlan Rogers and Sollie Stone. There were 25 students enrolled in school. Teachers for the 1943-44 school year were Mrs. Roy Cook and Julia Dugan. School bus drivers were Orley Conarty and Jack Held, who took over the route when Birney Short left for military service. B.K. Moss was elected to the school board. In L944-45, Peggy Warrington taught the first semester with Mrs. Viola Pursley finishing the term, along with Miss Mona Snow. School bus drivers are believed to be Orley Conarty and Jack Heid. In the 1946-47 term, Wayne E. Gouge and wife, Dixie Bell Gouge (Sawhill) were teachers. Drivers this term were not found. The school board members were Fred Martin, President, Maurine Wold, Secretary and Cleo Radebaugh, Treasurer. The term, L947-48 was taught by Julia Dugan and Mrs. Sig (Evelyn) Olsen. The 1948-49 term was taught by Julia Dugan and Orpha Goodrich. Julia Dugan taught the last year school was held at Second Central in the 1949-50 term, thus ending a long list of teachers of the school. Among many outstanding accomplishments of the Second Central Community was the spiritual background instilled throughout bus drivers this term were H.W. Robinson, O.W. Boston and V.F. Shrode. Board members remained the same as last term. Teachers for the 1933-34 term were Mr. the years in its graduates. The community was seldom without church and Sunday school through the years. A number of very Roberta Wrenn. Bus drivers this year were Cliff communities gave of their time and effort to provide this very special training. I K.K. Parsons, Mrs, Marion Parsons and V.F. Shrode, Harry J. Shrode and H.W. Robinson. Board members remained the same as last term. In 1934-35, Mr. and Mrs. K.K. Parsons continued to teach along with Janet Mitchell. School bus drivers were Mr. Wm. Wickham, special people in Second Central and Rock remember no professed denomination, though both Baptist and Congregational ministers presided in church at times, but rather a basic study of the Bible and its presented there. These were only a few ofthe include dedication of many very special teachers who brought out the best in their students. Along with joys and exhilarations of school were times of sadness when World War I came, taking young men from the community in 1917-18. Farewell parties were often held at the school when local boys left to go to war. While they were gone, they were remembered in church on Sunday and missed throughout the week. Letters arrived in the community, sent from many places. These were read and reread by friends and neighbors. Soon the war was over and great joy was celebrated when boys returned. A thread of sadness remained for, sadly, some never came home. A lingering tug of heartbreak for some students remains when they tell of the time Elizabeth Nixon, a much loved young teacher, died of diphtheria in 1927 . One can sense, today, a hurt so great it remains after sixty years. Both Nixon teachers were ill. At first, the disease was thought to be a light form, however, only Alwilda survived. Dr. H.L. Williams, health officer, ordered the school closed and fumigated. A quarantine was placed on the patients. No regular funeral was held because fear of the disease \pas so great. A memorial was held on Sunday, January 1, at the school house at 2:00. Rev. Dexheimer of Seibert conducted the service. It was a painful time in the community, especially for students at the school. In 1936 a very active 4H club movement was apparent in Second Central community with many young people taking part. January 22, James Vawter gave a talk on KOA radio, telling what 4H meant to him. Many of the local students took livestock to the stock show in Pueblo where Georgia Vawter showed a calf she had won the previous year. Dale Eaton, Robert Shrode, James and Georgia Vawter served as a judging team at the fair. R.O. Woodfin, county agent, took an active interest in activities of 4H in the community. Many will remember yet today the moving pictures he brought to Second Central, running them with the aid of a small light Short, Secretary and Conrad L. Stone, Trea- teaching with a general expectation of elders for good conduct of youngsters in the community. I believe this background, given to many young members of the community, followed surer. them throughout their lives. coyotes. They ran their Model A Ford into a bank in the bottom of a valley and this "head on" caused very serious injuries. School had just ended and buses were arriving when news reached the school of their accident about 3 D.F. James and Elmer Joy. School board members were Effie Eaton, President, J.L. 1935-36 teachers remained the same as last term. Wm. Wickham, Elmer Joy and V.F. Shrode drove school buses. Board members were J.F. Martin, President, J.L. Short, Secretary and Conrad L. Stone, Treasurer. The 1936-37 school term was taught by Mr. and Mrs. Harlan G. Romberg and Opal Murphy (Joy). Bus drivers were Virgil Short, Elmer Joy and Ora L. Vawter. Board members remained the same as last term. The 1937-38 term was taught by Mrs. Grace Hill and Miss Viola Short. Van Goodwin was elected on the school board. In the 1938-39 term, teachers were Mrs. Stella Boote and Miss Viola Short. It is not certain who bus drivers were or school board this year. In 1939-40 school year, J. Carl Harrison and Mrs. Bledsoe were teachers. Harley Short, Elmer Joy and Conrad L. Stone were bus drivers. It is not clear who the school board members were this term. The 1940-41 school term was taught by J. Carl Harrison and June (Short) Conarty. No There were a number of firsts in the Second Central community. It is said to be the first school to have school buses, the first to purchase a community radio where many plant in the school yard. In 1936 two brothers. Wes and Jess Pelser met with a serious accident while hunting gathered to marvel at a new medium, the first school to have church and Sunday school as miles south of the school. Mr. Ora Vawter took his big Studebaker, used to haul his a regular event on Sundays, and the first school to attain a state rating of superior school route, and drove Wes and Jess to the hospital. There were moments of deep concern among the students at school. In 1939, 4H club activities were yet a vital part of the younger community with showing of Iivestock at the Kit Carson County Fair among other projects. Bunnie (Short) Elliott and others won a trip to the state fair at Pueblo with their special exhibits. This year many Second Central people rode horses, drove wagons and impersonated Indians at the "Indian Massacre" presentation at Seibert. In April, 1939, Harold "Bud" Short and Lyle Stone represented Second Central School at a meeting of the Young Citizens League in Denver. Bud presented a scrap book on soil conservation practices prepared at the school and Lyle gave a talk on soil class. Outstanding events at Second Central with periodic presentations by members of the community occurred at the beginning in 1915, with an event called a Lyceum, where recitations, short plays, musical numbers and short addresses were given. Very special community debates were held at this time. Outstanding accomplishments in musical presentations were apparent in L922 during the time Mr. John Matthews taught. Long remembered stage plays were presented and enjoyed in 1934, 35 and 36, when K.K. Parsons enhanced the acting abilities of many community members. One of these special community plays toured many �conservation. These presentations were given to a large gathering of county school superintendents of the state. In the early 1940s, World War II took young men away to perform a task not covered in the curriculum of the school. New drivers hauled students when old ones answered their call. Stars were placed in windows of homes for those whose sons had gone to war. This was a time of shortages felt by everyone. There was even a shortage of teachers to be dealt with. War bonds and stamps were continually sold. Scrap iron and other salvageable items were collected to help win the war. The local LSC (Ladies Social Circle) club made packages to send to boys of the community, as it had done before. It seemed so very long, and some were lost, but eventually the war was over. There was rejoicing when boys came home, as there had been years before in World War I. District 19 faced a reduction in the number of students; this began in the'30s when many had to move away. Some build up of population occurred in better years ofthe 1940s but a farming trend to Iarger acreages for each SMELKER SCHOOL T206 The Smelker School, located thirteen miles south and two and one-half miles west of Stratton, was built in 1917 in the southwest corner of the section. It took the place of an old sod or adobe schoolhouse a mile south. Just across the road intersection to the west lived the Charley Smelker family and north of them across the road lived the Minor Warren family. The Smelker family, Myrtle, Victor, George, Leon, Wesley, Theodore, Ivan, and Dean, all attended school there. So did the Warren family, Myrtle, Wilma, and Bud. When Wilma married George Smelker and lived in the Warren home, their children, Vivian, Verla, Velma, Lola, Franklin, Myrna, Twila, Una, and Arva Kay, also attended school there. Other children attending were James, Noble. and Audrev Struthers. Law- rence, Duane, and Jerry Megel, Ugene and Lois Carpenter, the Segal Proctor twins, Fay and Fern, the Walter Proctor children, Lois, Doris, Willard, Ivalee, GIen, Irma June, and Helen, the Harry Greenwood children, Laura, Thelma, and Allen, Kenneth Hoot, the McCormick children, Joe, Julia, and Rosemary, the Houghton girls, Irene and Marjorie, the Leon Smelker girls, Carol and Elaine, the Iseman children, Clarence, Loraine, Agnes, John, and Wayne, and many others. I am indebted to Ivan Smelker for much of my information and to Orris Bunch, whose mother was Myrtle Smelker. Orris says that when his mother finished the eighth grade, to further her education, she took the eighth grade a second time, then taught one year in the soddy school, before the new school was built. Other teachers in the school, not necessar- ily in chronological order, were Beatrice Brady; Mrs. Hoescher; Joseph Chandler, operator decreased the school population even more. In 1950 an active state initiated the drive for consolidation which forced most schools to join in larger districts. Second Central, District 19. merged with Flagler to become part of School District R-1, ending activities since 1915. In September, 1951, the school house was sold to James Vawter for $1001.00. Most school houses wee sold at this time by the Flagler School District R-1. Part of District 19 was consolidated with the Seibert School district, a larger share went to Flagler. In 1951 $1041.51 was transferred from District 19 funds to the new consolidated district. Second Central School was noted for providing exceptional training for students. This had been a goal for 35 years of its existence. A tally of students receiving their grade and part of their high school training here has been impossible to make. Certainly there were many. It is amazing to find so many people still living in the area who attended this school at one time or another. Opal (Conarty) Joy began as a student at Second Central in 1915 and served as a very special teacher in the school for a number of rs l{'*,f tL" tux Smelker School 1930-31 when Esther Davis Beattie was the teacher: back row, I to r: Dean Smelker, Willard Proctor, Ivan Smelker, Doris Proctor, Faye Proctor, Eloise Proctor, Fern Proctor. Front row: Noble Struthers, Audrey Struthers, Vivian Smelker. years near the end of its existence. Julia Dugan first attended Second Central school in 1921 as a student and served as a teacher during those Iast years including a last one in 1950. Plans were being made in 1984 to restore and move the Second Central School building to Flagler. In 1987 a new wood shingle roof was put in place for preservation. A funding problem delays actual moving of the old building but interest in such a venture is prevalent in the community. A need exists for a place to store many artifacts and old treasures. An age old fact remains, that it is far too distant from the west end of Kit Carson County to its county seat. What a problem this must have been for west patrons of the county in those years so long ago! For this reason, a depository ofhistorical artifacts at Flagler remains a much needed developrnent. by Lyle W. Stone Smelker School: back row, I to r: Kenneth Hoot, LoIa Smelker, Jennie L. Tressel, teacher, Thelma Greenwood, and Allen Greenwood. Front row: Twila Smelker, Franklin Smelker, Mvrna Smelker. Howard Gilmore and Lawrence Megel. �Julia Felch; Beulah Mott, Marie Greenwood: Esther Davis-Beattie under whom Ivan Smelker, Lois, Doris, Faye and Fern Proctor all graduated from the eighth grade; Nina Blomquist; Rose Henry; Mrs. Huebner; Ora Cruickshank; Violet Campbell-Barr; Leona Sharp-Schaal; Jennie L. Tressel under whom Thelma Greenwood graduated from the eighth grade in 1941; Bill Seely; Florence Wigton; Orris Bunch, Vivian Smelker; Dorothy Smelker and others. There was a building north of the schoolhouse that housed the coal shed, and two toilets, one on each side. To the northeast was a little barn to shelter the horses that the children often rode to school. The teacher or children carried water each day from the Smelker well, then dumped it in a large stone jar with a faucet. home via buggies, spring wagons, horseback, or cars. by Marie E. Greenwood a three story modern concrete structure. It SMOKY HILL SCHOOL T207 term. Three ofthe one room school houses which Smoky Hill teacherages and buses. "Opening Exercises" which might consist of a full day round trip plus loading and a stimulating story read by the teacher. Since there were twenty or more pupils with classes from first to eighth grades, there was a great hustle and bustle of studying and the children. Every year, at least two programs, Christmas and "Last Day ofSchool" were prepared, with much drilling and practicing by the school, to which the parents and public were invited. Every pupil participated, probably in three or four numbers, two or three songs by the school, "Recitation" by each one separately, special numbers by groups, and a play or two. Sometimes in the spring of the year, another school would be invited to compete Smoky Hill School after the June 8, 1941 tornado. In 1920 a group of patrons from several school districts had the courage and fortitude to organize the consolidation of small districts into one large district. The new district was approximately twelve miles square. The boundary lines were, the Kit Carson County line on the south, and Highway 385 (formally 51) on the west. The north boundary was six miles north of the correction line which was also six miles south of Burlington. The east line was near the Kansas border. The new school building was central in the district which was twelve miles south and five miles east of Burlington. The school received in a baseball geme, and near the end ofschool, they. might go to some grove of trees for a prcnrc. The schoolhouse was the center of the community and was utilized for many com- munity events, school elections, - dances, money-making projects for the school such as box suppers, pie suppers, oyster suppers, voting precincts, Sunday School and church, basket dinners, gathering place for rabbit drives, coyote hunts and ball games. Often, sometime during the fall of the yeat, a Literary would be organized by the people in the community. Officers were elected and the event was held at a regular time, probably once a month. The program was presented by local talent music, poems recited, plays. Usually the- last number was a Debate conducted in true parlimentarian order with three men on the Pro side and three men on lhe Con side, and judges to determine the winning side, all conducted with much fun rnd hilarity. After the program the ladies lerved refreshments. Then all departed for were moved to the school grounds were remodeled and used for dwellings for the teachers and their families. In the fall of the year a train car of coal was purchased and placed on a siding on Rock Island Railroad in Burlington. Some patrons made a little extra money by hauling coal to the school with teams and wagons. This was some rousing singing around the old organ or younger child who was having a problem. On Fridays, the last one hour and one-half after recess was devoted to something special like a spelling match, a geography race, crafts, or a story read. Bible stories were a favorite with generator for electricity. Fire drills were held occasionally using the third floor fire escape. A four vehicle garage was also attached to were put into service at the time school opened, which was the term of Lg2l-22. Four teachers and a custodian comprised the staff with ten grades being taught. The custodian also drove one of the busses and kept all busses in repair during the school Spangled Banner." The children then congregated in the schoolhouse for 15 minutes of pleted, would be allowed to help some was steam-heated with a pressure water system that allowed indoor plumbing and a the building, and four Model T Ford busses of Allegiance, and often sang the "Star reciting, with the teacher hurrying to help different pupils whose hands were raised. Often the older children, their lessons com- tion effort were Lester Beveridge, Harry Coleman, and Ellen Zuelke. The building was Every morning, unless the weather was inclement, at nine o'clock, the children gathered around the flagpole out in front for the school opening ceremony. One pupil was given the honor of hoisting the Flag, while the others saluted. Then all repeated the Pledge its name from the Smoky Hill River which was one mile south of the school site. A few of the people responsible for the consolida- Smoky Hill School, L92l-22, a three story building. unloading the coal with a scoop shovel. The coal was shoveled into an underground bunker at the school which was to be used in the furnace during the winter. The year of 1928 one hundred thirtv five students attended Smoky Hill which was the highest enrollment recorded. Area track meets, basketball games (outdoor courts), spelling and oratorical contests were a small part of extra school activities. In general the school was a form of a community center. The auditorium located on the basement level had a stage which was used for all types of programs. Several large school programs were presented each year with the one at Christmas being the students'favorite. The annual visit of Santa Claus distributing goodies to the pupils was always looked forward to. Non-denominational church services, Sunday School, parties, basket dinners and dances were some of the additional activities held. One winter a snow storm escalated into a severe blizzard during the day, and the bus �SMOKY HILL SCHOOL MEMORIES T208 Vernon Jantzen told of his years at Smoky Hill School this way: my recollection of Smoky Hill School starts the first week of March, 1946, as I enrolled in the eighth grade. The eighth graders shared the west room on the second floor with 5th, 6th and 7th graders. Our teacher was Mr. Levi Lengel. My older sister said he looked like a farmer from the dustbowl of Oklahoma. He was a gruff individual and did not seem suited to thejob. Since I was a city boy from Fresno, California, the school certainly had some lasting impressions for me. I remember Dale Eberhart to be our best athlete. Our favorite and only recreation was softball. We could count on Dale to hit the ball the farthest, and with great agility and speed he was able to round the bases and be home safe before the rest of us could recover. Smoky Hill School as rebuilt after the 1941 tornado, only two stories' drivers could not deliver the students to their homes. We spent two days and two nights at the school. The third day toward evening we were taken home by horse drawn wagons by some of the parents living nearest to the school. Some parents came for their children. Imagine the agony the parents went through not knowing if their children were stranded in a bus or their whereabouts. The only telephone line in the area was between Smoky Hill and Burlington. People made emergency calls from the school. During the depression and drouth of the 1930's many families moved away and the declined enrollment no longer warranted four was fear of the fire reaching the school teaching the ten grades the remaining years that classes ere held. The school suffered with the general economy as a large percent of the people were unable to pay their taxes. For several years a spring epidemic of scarlet fever went through the school. One patron theorized that the germs were in the text books from year to year and a decision was made to put the books in the hot sun and fresh air for several days during the summer. Believe it or not this appeared to be the end of the annual illness. I attended school ten years at Smoky Hill from its beginning in 1921 and graduated in 1931 in a class of seven. In the same year four International truck chassis were purchased. The old bus bodies were too short so were lengthened and remodeled to fit the chassis. In the late 30's crops were being raised in eastern Colorado. New families moved to the area and a new era for Smoky Hill began. In June, 1941 a tornado struck the school classes ceased at Smoky Hill. teachers. Two teachers took the job of house which resulted in heavy damage. Extensive repair was made which included taking off the top floor and a new roof style used. Contractor Harley Conger undertook the remodeling job. The garage part and busses were destroyed as were two of the teachers'dwellings. A three family apartment building was constructed for housing of teachers following the tornado. In 1945 a prairie fire started in Cheyenne County and with a strong southwest wind swept northeast at record speed. The bridge across the Smokv Hill River burned and there grounds. Apparently there was a wind change or sheer providence as the fire followed the river bed which had thistles in it and went east sparing the school house. New families brought new life and enthusiasm with them. A gun club was organized in 1948, Sunday School in 1946, 4-H Club in 1950, and Friendship Circle Home Demonstration Club in 1947. In 1949 a school hot lunch program was started with mothers taking turns in helping cook the noon lunch. In 1957 following the consolidation of all county rural schools into six districts, namely the town schools, Smoky Hill became a part of Burlington RE-6J. The following year For a time the building was used as a community center. Later it housed Mexican families that came to the area to work in the sugar beet fields. The building soon deteriorated and was no longer in use. In January, 1981, the remainder of the building burned and following sixty years of service a special land mark became stark concrete walls. A few of the teachers whose names are remembered were Mr. Frost, Mr. Rhodes, W.I. and Pearl Conley (W.I. Conley was from Indiana and attended school with Orville & Wilbur Wright, the founders of aviation), Ora Cruickshank who later became county superintendent, Helen Holloway, Leonard Ziemann, Dacy Frankfather, Ada Bey, Gordon Guffey, Fay (Alexander) Bryner, May (Rose) Hume, Edna (Bartman) Stahlecker, Hazel Fromong and Josie Youtsey. Others who helped compile the Smoky Hill story were Velma (McCalmon) Walstrom and Bernice Eberhart. Velma moved to the area in 1928 and graduated from Smoky Hill in 1930. The McCalmon family came from Norton, Kansas. Ted and Bernice moved to the Smoky Hill area in 1939 from St. Francis, Kansas. At this writing both ladies live in Burlington. by Leona (Fanselau) Wiedman Jerry, his younger brother, was almost as good, so if Dale and Jerry were on the same team, they always batted and the rest of us chased the balls. Willard (Juny) Butterfield was the quickest and easiest to make friends with. He was forever teasing whenever an opportunity was given. Later, in May, my brother Francis arrived from California with my mom and sisters and he joined our eighth grade class. Now we eighth graders were six in number. At times we were too much for Mr. Lengel. On occasion he became very angry with us and one time took off his big, wide belt and threatened to use it. That was pretty effective! The next year, for whatever reason, transportation was not offered to some of us in the outlying areas to go to Burlington High School. So, Harold Walstrom, Francis and I spent the 9th grade at Smoky Hill. Mr. Lengel did not return. I don't remember who the teacher was, but he drove a very old car, which we jokingly teased him as being a 1921 Franklin. He was a curly red-haired young fellow about 20 years old with an excellent sense of humor and we liked him very much. He taught algebra to us three 9th graders and really struggled to get us to understand "X, Y and 2". Our classroom included 5th through 9th graders and some that I remember especially include Kenny Drager who was forever teasing and chasing the girls. Shirley Chapin was forever the most studious and everybody liked her. Bertie Reeves was the one who caught the brunt of most of Kenny's teasing. Perhaps the most outstanding event of the year was the school play in the spring ofL947. We rehearsed daily and prepared for the Smoky Hill Community highlight of the year. The play took place in the lower front room which had a small stage and could seat perhaps 40 or so people. The night ofthe play the room was packed with anticipating friends and parents. As the curtain was pulled back, I came onto the stage and said my opening line which gave the cue for my brother Francis to enter from the other side. Francis came out and was to say something to me. He said the first two words and burst out laughing. So the whole play continued on with all the characters saying their lines while Francis giggled. Needless to say, Francis was �not without support as the audience joined in the emusement with laughter throughout the play. It was the talk of the community for a long, long time. Another highlight was on the last Sunday of the school year. Parents, students and friends gathered together at the school and had a big potluck diner. After dinner ever- ybodyjoinedtogetherforagameof. . none other than softball. by Bernice Eberhart SOLID CENTER SCHOOL T209 The Solid Center School, District number 41, was located in the northeast corner of section 21 T 7 R 47 of Kit Carson County. The first records on file of this district began in 19U. This was a sod structure. In about 1928 a new wood structure school building was erected and the little soddie was used for a barn. The Republican River flooded in 1935 and filled the new school basement with water. The little sod building was washed Ruth Gulley, Eva Vanatta, Evelyn Atkins, and Vivian Whitmarsh, Garold Paintin's frrst grade teacher was Jess Murfin. Besides teaching them to read, write and do arithmetic, he also pulled their first loose teeth. Some of his first classmates were Glen Edmunds, Robert Garner and Jim Spurlin. George Paintin would ride his horse past the school to check cattle. From the commotion inside the school building, he wasn't sure if school was in session or if it was recess time. The students liked this teacher. Wilda and Doris went on to graduate from the Stratton High School. Ivan married one of the teachers, Evelyn Atkins. With consolidation of schools in 1950. this school building was moved into Stratton and converted into a home for Mr. and Mrs. William Thyne who lived there for many years. Ethel Wears is the present resident. by Jean Paintin SPRINGWELL, DISTRTCT #43 T210 away, All the George Paintin children attended this school beginning with Eva in 1916 and ending with Doris in 1945. Their transportation for the mile across the pasture was on a trusted pony or on foot. Their lunches were carried in half gallon syrup buckets that had wire handles. Other families having children in this school thru the years were Joe Garner, Frank Connaway, Fred Carpenter, William Thyne, Joseph Anthofer, Maynard Edmunds, Dave Sealock, Nick Stoffel, Dale and Russel Spurlin, and Alvin Kitten. Most of thege parents Springwell School, constructed of sod bricks, the book their turn serving on the school board. building material of the plains. Some of the teachers were Bill Seeley, Dale Baker Wood, Jess Murfin, Gladys Quinn, School opened in District #43 at Springwell school in October of 1911 with Miss Nellie Keene of Iowa as first teacher. In a short while she received word that her brother in Iowa had passed away. She left by train, F.L. Beattie taking her to the train. She decided not to return as her salary was only $35 per month. However, she did return later and married Henry Grabbe and they lived north of Burlington. A homesteader's wife, Maude Turner, taught for a few weeks until Mabel Pugh (Guy) finished the eighth grade; then she finished the term. The first schoolhouse was an abandoned homesteader's soddie. By 1917 or 1918 a building 30 feet by 40 feet was erected nine miles north and one and one half miles east of Stratton and named Springwell. The building was painted white. When consolidation took place the building was sold and only the foundation remains. The first pupils were Mettie, Alfred, Minnie and Elmer Jones. Other families: Richard and Arthur Jones; Richard and James Osborne; Henry Hadden; Raymond Debban; Eva, Clifford and Charlie Bohl, and Blanche Beattie (Dove). Later after squabbles and several elections, a district was formed to the north - Covote Ridge, changed to Sunnyside. Solid Center was to the west of Springwell. by Blanche Dove SUNNY SIDE SCIIOOL T2rl Sunny Side School was located southeast ofFlagler in the southwest corner ofthe south east quarter of section 12, Township 10 S, Range 51 W. In 1987 this location would be about 1/4 mile north and about 1/2 mile west of the present James "Jim" Richie residence. Sunny Side was built of sod, much like some of the surrounding homes. Benches and a teacher's desk were home made. It is probable this was another school where the teacher arrived early to shoo out the varmints and snakes in order that classes could be held. Small similar schools appeared about the country side in the early 1900s, serving patrons nearby who had homesteaded in the area. Sunny Side school was located in District 35. When operations ceased a number of years after it was built, students were transferred to Texerado and Flagler schools. Although the heading "Sunny Side" appeared in earlyFlagler News items, little could be found to add to a record of this early school. Living in the area about this time were West, Moss, Lana, Sloan, among other families. Research has not uncovered students that could be named. It is felt the school did not operate long until it was more economical to utilize Texerado and Flagler schools. At this point, no specific teachers have been found. Until recent years, bits ofplaster, wood and iron pinpointed the location of the school. The area had been under cultivation for some iolid Center pupils about 1929: From Gladys Paintin standing with her back to the group: Eugene Paintin n front of Leona Paintin, then clockwise: Edna Sealock, Juanita Sealock, Wanda Garner, Magdlene Stoffel, van Paintin, Mabel Garner, Ruth Sealock, Leo Stoffel and Leona Stoffel complete the circle. time. In the 1980s, this debris was picked up to clean up the area and little can be found to locate the exact site of the school todav. Sunny Side fell by the way of consolidation, �like many others. This was probably due to better methods of transportation of student. by Lyle W. Stone SUNNY SLOPE SCHOOL to perform recitations and other presenta- facility in 1915. Some of the other schools held back for a while. Loco was the last to attend here. In 1916, A.B. Radebaugh moved the coal shed to Loco near his residence. In 1987, evidence of this school still exists provided better lighting. Water was brought to school in a cream can. Families took turns performing this in the untouched grassland ofthis school site. A ridge of earth outlines walls of the soddie crockery container. Each student had his or her own cup or used paper cups folded from a piece of paper. A pot bellied stove occupied a central area ofthe room. Benches were used by students facing the teacher. Opal (Conarty) Joy remembered some of the bitter caved in. Also remaining are memories of an benches to be moved nearer and around the most welcome warm stove in the center of the TEXERADO SCHOOL tions. In comparison with other sod schools, it would appear Sunny Slope was a higher grade building than many others. Walls were thicker than most; a large number of windows duty. Water was stored in a convenient T2t2 building. A depression in the earth today marks a location of its hand dug well, now outstanding school and of hardy, dedicated patrons and teachers. by Lyle W. Stone cold days when the teacher allowed these T2t3 room. A first teacher at Sunny Slope is believed to be Mettie (Love) Shanahan. In these early times, at least three schools were operating in District 19. Names of some teachers in District 19 for 1909-10, 1910-11 and others are known with no school designation. In 1909-10, teachers were Haidee Nealle, Emma Sunny Slope School after abandonment. Sunny Slope School was located southeast of Flagler near the northwest corner of section 26, Township 10 S, Range 50 W. This location was a mile east of the site of the consolidated school, Second Central. Sunny Slope was built on the south side of the road a few hundred yards east of an intersection at this location. The school was established by Walter Conarty, Frank "Mac" Franklin and their neighbors about 1910. Sunny Slope School was constructed of sod, much like others in the area except for its hip roof. This roof was also covered with sod. Most soddies sported a curved or peaked roof, which was probably used to save scarce and expensive materials. On top of this unusual roof was a cast iron bell, used to call the students to class. A raised floor was located at one end for the teacher's desk and a place for students Liggett, Mrs. FIo Shunate and Miss Ida Hayes. In 1910-11, teachers were Emma Liggett, Ethel Durbin and Mettie R. Shanahan. A record does exist, believed to be about 1914, listing the teacher as Mrs. Mettie Shanahan. Students this year were Bill Petersen, Aljy Stinton, Frank Matzke, Stella Petersen, Nettie Petersen, Marie McMulkin, Opal Conarty, Irma Conarty, Flossie Kinzer, Glenn Stinton and Sylvia McMulkin. A well was eventually hand dug near the school building to provide drinking water for students and for animals serving as transportation to school. Two outdoor toilets and a coal shed were located on the school grounds' A spoked, rotating wheel separated the kids from the cows at the entrance to the school! Students of Sunny Slope were transferred to Second Central after the new two room school was built. Records indicate Sunny Slope was the first school to utilize the new Texerado School, located in the northeast corner of Section 10, Township 11S, Range 51 W, was established by James S. Short and his neighbors and built in 1911 in the northeast corner of Mr. Short's homestead. Lumber for the school was hauled to the site by team and wagon. Being a frame structure, Texerado was quite unusual in a day of many soddies. The usual pot-bellied stove heated the room. Drinking water was hauled to school each day by the Short children or other families who took turns bringing it. This school was especially noted for its community events including musical presentations and other activities of this time. The teacher spent a lot of time practicing the children on their plays, songs and recitations, so the children did really well. In common between surrounding schools and Texerado were basket dinners, spelling bees, public meetings and sports competition, especially base and softball. The earliest teachers roomed at the Short home, and later at various residences in the community. Lena Short Weatherly particularly remembers Mr. Lofstead, Addie Alexan- der, Murvale Moore, Marjorie Yewell, Aljy Stinton and Bertha Strohmeyer. Other known teachers were Agnes Gwyn, Bertha Hyde, Mrs. Feeback, Don C. Smith, EIizabeth Nixon, Opal Conarty Murphy, Bernadine Reavis and Tressie Vassios. Families with children in school included Short, Stanger, Newby, Rhule, Burris, Laurent, Birchfield, Vinsonhaler, Borquin, Davenport, Stone, Alexander, Vassios, Kountz, Newsom, Rowland, Ebert and Overmiller. Early records show that problems were encountered in District 35 in transporting the students of Texerado to Flagler, a considerable distance, so economics made this school continue. Texerado is important in the heritage of this area and much could be added to its history. Plans exist to relocate the building in Flagler and to restore it as a one room country school. The building, although relocated in a different spot, remains in reasonably good condition. by Lena Ylteatherly and Lyle Stone Sunny Slope School in 1911-12. Note the bell! �TIP TOP SCHOOL T2t4 ..,L{ )'' i,'" rit ,f ,*'.:, n' a f- Old sod schoolhouse in background with new frnme building moved in about 1901 Tuttle. CO. - ,' A few boys and girls, and just a very few, were going to school in this county before the schools were recorded. This first school. that was later to become District 39 and known as the Tuttle School, was held in a deserted sod house, not built for a schoolhouse. Stone's History of Colorado lists it as an unrecorded school before 1886, but the date of the first term cannot be stated and the location is vague but was in the vicinity of the Tuttle Tip Top S_chool' 1930-31 year when Ted Smith was teacher. His pupils were Della Clark, Leroy Dunivent, Corrine,-Helen, Twyla and Louise Knapp, Leonard and Lorraine Schlichenmayer, Elna, Lyla, bhester and Marvin Jemes. Genevieve Shannon, teacher at Lone Star and her three pupils, Wayne and Harold Boland and an unknown girl are in this picture, too. Clara Olson, Mrs. Sell, Mrs. Wolf, Claude Cheney, Gene Hale, Jack McDill, Tom w*e - :"* :: .t.. Tucker, Harlan Romberg, and Elsie Johnson. In an effort to keep the country schools, Tip Top consolidated with others in 1951 as Beaver-Valley. The new school house was built in 1953, but was closed in 1968 when children began going by bus to Burlington. by Elna M. Johnson Iip Top School with a farm in the background; and ;he attached coal shed visible. Tip Top School District #66 was a small )ne room frame school house located in the JE corner of the NE 1/4 LL-7 -43 on the James Knapp Ranch. The closest home was Jake ichlichenmayers and students carried the lrinking water from there to school, usually lvery day. A coal burning heater in the center rf the building provided heat and a kerosene amp was the only light. A coal shed was rttached to the back of the school house. TUTTLE SCHOOL T2t5 There were no schools authorized or organized by the State of Colorado in this county previous to 1886, but during the next three years, 1886-1889, thirty-one were organized in Elbert County which at that time included this county and parts or all of several other counties. Some of the teachers were: Grace Connett. lenevieve Shannon, Leliah Henderson. Fred ,humate, Alice Moorehead, Elsie Rogers, ,usie Bogart, Ted Smith, Kathleen Clark, Hugo. As she was returning to her homestead in the spring of 1887, she was thrown from her horse and killed. James T. Gilmore was the next teacher. The desks and benches were homemade and they used the books that had been brought from Nebraska and Missouri. Griff Davis who lived about six miles from this school attended it in 1887. In 1889 when the young Davis boys needed to go to school, they were told that schools were too far from home for them to attend. An arrangement was made then for the teacher to teach two months in an old sod house and then to come up and teach two months in an old frame house that was nearer the Davis home. This old house was owned by a saloon keeper at Benkelman, Nebraska, and was located on the SE y4 24-6-46. Glass and Ed Davis and Dave Daniels were the pupils. The teacher and the boys all had chairs and they sat around an old poker table that the owner, Frank Rich, sent over from Benkelman. Mr. Rich was hardly ever there as he spent most of his time operating the saloon. After Mr. Gilmore taught these boys for two months, he went northeast to some early date, listed by Stone's Colorado History is District 26 atCarlyle,located two and onehalf miles west of the stateline and south of where the railroad went through. This school remained active until consolidation took place in the 1950's. ode a pony to school, some as far as six miles. )ne teacher taught all 8 grades and in 1980il the ninth grade was added. Teachers lived o that the older children could help their rarents with the farm work. The first teacher at this sod house was Celia Miller and she had a homestead at other location and taught two more months of school to other pupils. The only other unrecorded school at this The Christmas program, an occasional trogram followed by a pie supper or box ,ocial, and a picnic on the last day of school vere the only activities. Games played were raseball, anteover, last couple out, kick the an and when it snowed fox and geese. The 'arlier pupils and teachers either walked or r'ith families of the District. Lunches were arried usually in a half-gallon pail. School rours were 9-4 and the term lasted 8 months Ranch. by KCC Cattlemen's Association School children at Tuttle school about the middle 1940's. Back row, L to R; Lois Corliss, Miss Ana Gillespie (teacher), Merna Wood, Doris Corliss. Middle row; Leroy Belt. Front row; Eileen Wait- man, twins Arlene and Arthur Waitman, Bill Wood, Phillis Waitman. �Arlene Waitman; Dale Crist. Some students rode horses, drove horses with carts and walked to school. Others were brought by their parents in cars. From what we can gather from information available Tuttle school was the first established school in the county and the last country school to consolidate in 1955. by Betty Guy uNroN DrsrRrcT #28 T2t7 Union school was organized sometime before 1906. The Roy Jones and Osborne families came to Colorado and parked their wagons in the school yard the summer of 1906 according to Mettie Jones Sisson. They camped there with the Osborns taking a claim just east of the school and the Jones family taking up a partial of land just 3 miles northwest of the school. New frame school building, Tuttle, Colorado, completed in 1903. Pictured are the schoolboard, the children and their teacher, Ethel Burr, and some parents. TUTTLE SCHOOLT216 The last year of school at North Tuttle school was the year of 1934-35. GIen Smith was the teacher and pupils were from the families of Rosser Davis, Earl Messinger and Sherman Corliss. The summer of 1935 the South Tuttle school was moved from the southeast corner of the Hightower place to the southwest corner of the east half of section 18. Maxine Messinger-Radcliff taught the term of 193636. The school was District #39. Teachers through the years were: Miss Wilson, Avis Page, Dorothy Yoast, Barbara Hitchings, Georgia Taylor-Clair, Mr. Baldwin, Betty Corliss-Guy, Beatrice McKay, Hazel Kennedy, Mrs. Heinrichs, Louis Heinrichs, Willard With, Jack Smith and Ona Gillespie. Mrs. Lucy Russman was the teacher for the last term of 1949-50. The district was divided in 1960 and consolidated into Bethune, Stratton and Liberty, in Yuma County. The last school board consisted of Sherman Corliss, Harvey Wood and Mervin Corliss. Families represented during the years from 1934-50 were the families of Earl Messinger, Rosser Davis. Sherman Corliss, Orville Hutton, Harvey Wood, Phil Waitman, Clair Whipple, John Cooper, Ernest McArthur, Cecil Crist and Russman. Students were Clifford and Norma Jean Messinger; Betty, Lowell, Lyal, Mervin, Albert, Doris, Lois, Mary, and David Corliss; Marguerite Hutton; Russell and Stanley Davis; Lois Adolf-Wood, Bud, Merna, Bill, Bob and Audry Wood; Harry Covey; Phillip' Phillis, and Elaine Waitman; Clifford and Mavis Whipple; Gilbert Cooper; Kenneth, Elaine, Mary and Betty McArthur, Art and Some of the early families living in the area were the Amman, Evans, Gaddy, and Zeiglers. Students and teachers hauled water during the entire life of the school. Most of the time it was from the well on the nearest homestead east of the school. The school was the typical sod or adobe at first and then a frame structure was built. This was a one room building with a coat room where the belongings of the students were kept along with their lunch pails. In the winter those lunches were frozen by noon and no doubt many were froze before arriving at school. One student remembers that his pony got in the coat room and ate someones lunch before dinner. There was a barn for the horses, a coal shed, and the "outdoor facilities". Play ground equipment consisted of 4 teeter-toters made by Bill Zeigler and the flag pole. Games played outside at noon and recess were the mainstay of their recreation. Teachers in the 1920's were Gladys Mace and Mr. Jake Veager. Students attending during that era were Anna, Lena, Otto, Bill, Fred, Richard, Esther, Alma and Emma Zeigle4 Wayne Gaessner who drowned in the 1935 flood; Minnie and Stanley Johnson; Ernest Stolz; Osborne children; Martha Lohr; Albert and Russell Glad; Reinhart, Mae and AIma Adolf; Clara, Otto, Emma, Gotthielf, Bertha, Johnny, and Anna Stahlecker; Hulda, Emil, Robert, Herbert, and Amanda Stahlecker: Paul and Frank Stolz; and others that we have not remembered. During the 1930's and 40's these children attended; Marvin and Donald Schaal; Blanche, Esther, Hank and Bud Stolz; Reuben, Leona, Ella, Gladys, and Narita Zeigler; Ken, Mina, and Bonita Stolz; John and Elizabeth Graham; Darlene, Delphine, and Denice Veribest; Scott Fox; Clarence, Alfred, and Mildred Schritter; Christina Knodel; Arnold, Viola, Alvin and Calvin Strobel; Vernon, Phil, Ralph and Diane Stolz; Ernie, Darlene, Donnie Tnigle4 Don and Harold Churches; Jim and Virginia Hasart; Milbert Beringer; Clarene, Margie, George, Willard, Iva, Ivan and Jean Stahlecker; Leo Stahlecker; and others that haven't been remembered. Alma Newberry was one of the teachers Tuttle School, 1930-31 term: Back row, I to r: John and Jess Clair, Loretta Bretthauer, Willis and Fern Stump, Hazelkennedy, teacher. Front row: Theodore Bretthauer, Dale Bretthauer, Marie and Rose Mary Hitchcock. during the thirties and forties. There were many others as they had a hard time finding teachers especially in the 40's because of the shortage of teachers caused by the war effort. �H. [1. Bsssecte. IlurltDgtob, Colo. B C /Z -e*ry1-*qw: &q*&**a*, jl -**"qr""t".r-" .u.4w&e"w'f -) l it': --:,,"1 Iange, south ol the Smoky. Chatnpltn & McDoweu, phultppsburs, KBnt, ffi Iange,3 mllec Dprtui\.olit gt Bilrupgton. tf ", {.1, I Y H A cr,.r * liifix,:1*fJ. ta)rqc, nor'heast ol Burllnqtoli g rnlles- |K\ R S,' ts.{R$BY, KEr,LEn .r su}i, Laoborn, Kane. .snge, I Dllles east of Burlipgton. €luln rn leu days to TVAIIL & soNs 'QHN Yolc, Colo. rulrgP, on Logtmiru Creek. Union School 1940's; L. to R. standing; Viola Strobel, Gladys Zeigler, Virginia Hasart, Scott Fox, Ernie Zeigler and Arnold Strobel. Sitting: Narita, Zeigler, Darlene Zeigler, Margie Stahlecker, Dennise Veribest, Mildred Schritter, Alvin Strobel and Alfred Schritter. Next row; Delphine Veribest, Leo Stahlecker, Darlene Veribest, Phillip Stolz, Willard Stahlecker. Seated on ground; Don Churches, Calvin Strobel, Ivan Stahlecker, Vernon Stolz, and Harold Churches. CY v cllrls stshleckel'r Burllngton, Colo. raDge. { nllles soutbwest ol yel6 Oolo. w H W. S. )Ie:el, Eeibert, Colc. IaDgp, Beputrilba rlver & Duck.rreek" s EI S Ranqe, G C c- lV AUG Uggr'I\{^{.TEIEB. T' ]\{^{,TEIEB. --___-_l OlaremoDi, Colo. southwest of lletbulte CONRAD GEPIIAITDT. Lambourn, I(&Dgag. Renge, south-ea8t of Burllngton, Colo J. W. lvEltB, " Yotlt. Colo. Rangc il rrrlles sor,th ot V,rna. llillrsrck sells tbose stvlish Service atrle hats 1ou are lookrng for. Look ai 0amplreli's drierl and canucd frrrits before bnying and gave lnon8v. Burlingtou Roller Mills for coru, corn chop. ill f: r l f ,r:' c rrlr, right prices. Union School 1930's. L. to R. on horses; John and Elizabeth Graham, Bud Stolz, Ernie Zeigler, Henry Stolz, Jirn and Virginia Hasart; On fence; Dennise Veribest, Don Schaal, Ben and Ken Stolz, and Arnold Strobel. Much can be said about the closeness of the sountry school and the friends that were made during this time have endured for a iifetime. In 1950 Union was consolidated into the Bethune and Stratton school svstems. by Anna Strobel Notice of Application to Lease Stute Lands. I �WIBEL SCHOOL ,wb T2r8 A picture to Agnes (Dollie) Keller Hatterman from her teacher Ella Robb Huntzinger at Christmas 1945: left to right: Dollie Keller, Vern Miller, Maggie Keller, ?. Front row: Zenelda Keller, Jim Miller, Mary KeIIer, and Lee Miller. Wibel School, 1915, Teacher Edith Huntzinger on right, Wibel School was a one room sod house one mile east and 8 miles north of Flagler. It served the families of Sypherd, Wibel and Gwyn. Little can be found about it except for the picture. be in one corner or the other and a large world globe with a plant arrangement on a stand in the other corner. The chimney opening was in the center ofthe north wall and during the winters there was a large upright heating stove. by Agnes Otteman Location: The school was located L/2 mile west, 11 3/4 miles north of Flagler on the west side of the Thurman Arickaree road. The HUNTLEY SCHOOL legal description was the northeast corner of the northeast L/4 of Section 3 Township 7 T219 Range 5L,3/4 mile south of Frank Harwoods. New location: John Shulda first bought the The Huntley School was a little soddie building and school was held here until the construction of the Prairie View School in school building to move and add on to his present house, but things didn't work out, so L922 or 23, then abandoned. Frank Harwood remembers going home from Flagler and getting caught in a severe rain and hail storm with his dad and a team of horses at this school. To protect themselves they held the reins of the horses through the window of the school until the storm was over. LOCATION: The school was located 1/2 mile west,7 miles north of Flagler on the west side of the Thurman Arickaree road. The legal description was the southeast corner of the southeast l/4 of Section 27 Township 7 Range 51 I/2 mile south of Huntley house. Mrs. Stella Strode Fisher taught here in 1903-04 and Mrs. Landcamp taught here before she became Postmistress in Flagler. he sold it to Bill Girvin for $1100.00. Bill moved it to its present location 3/4 mile east of Flagler on the cemetery road to his home to build a chicken house and later a milk barn. Teachers: Mary Young, Miss Howe, Pearl Robb. Art Robb, Lola Rillahan 1927 - 22 23, Maxine Carpenter, Mrs. Serenna, Lucile Thompson, and Azel Dorsey among others. Students were from the families of Charles By Victory Heights School in 1946: left to right: Art Miller's boy, Lee; and the Charlie Keller girls, Mary, Agnes (Dollie) and Zenelda, and the teacher, Agnes Williams Short. Kyle, Frank Harwood, Frank Michal, Carol Elrick, Cecil Charles, Ed Carlson, Row Gustin, Tom Kraft, Sam Harwood, Charles Holden, the Moodies, Iva Johnson, as well as many others. by Norman Michal by Norman Michal VICTORY IIEIGHTS FAIRVIEW SCHOOL SCHOOL There was once one little soddie which was so small that it was torn down and another This was a one room school built caddycornered across from the soddie school T220 soddie built before the frame school was built which was about 24 feet by 34 feet with a shingled roof. The door was to the east from an enclosed porch built on the south and there was a little lean-to built on the north end for coal. There were three windows on a side with the blackboards on the north. The teacher's desk would be in the center of the north end, while a rack of world maps would T22l known as the Wibel School inL927 and on the corner l/2 mile north of the Charlie and Tonnie Keller farm site. It was bought by Hammer Shaw in 1949 and moved to Flagler and again used as a school for the seventh and eighth grade classes since the High School at the end of Main street had burned in 1950. Classes were held there for two years and the graduating classes of 1956 and 1957 were Victory Heights school, March 31, 1944, taken by Ella Huntzinger. L. to R.: Mary, Agnes (Dollie) Keller, Vern Miller, Maggie Keller, Mary Lou Miller, Lee Miller, Jim Miller, Zenelda Keller. They dressed up to celebrate "tacky day" which was held every spring. those two classes. The school was then made into a nice home which was bought by Buck DeFreeze and today is the home of Wayne Kuntz at 329 Ouray Ave. The original location of the Victory Heights School was the northwest corner of the NW 1/4 of Section 30 Township 7 Range 50 in School �Dist. 70. Teachers: Margie Willson, Lucy Huntly, Irene Philbom from Minnesota, Lois Fisher, Lora Mae Malbaff 1936-37, Betty Page Robinson 1938-40, Evelyn Kyle Taylor 194041, June Conardy Short 1941-42, Frank Young I94L-42,Mrs. Alice Anderson L942-43, Mrs. Steve Munger L943-44, Mrs. Ella Robb Huntzinger L944-45, Mrs. Nel Whiteman L945-46, Agnes Williams Short L946-47. Students: Dale, Faye and Cora Courtright. Jake, Barbars, Fred, Peter, Martha, Kather- ine Heinrich. Virginia, Harold, Alice, Edwin Kyles, Albert and Paul Andres, Clemmons, Kenneth Codry, Charles Holden, Frank Michals, Carol Elricks, Carl Sparks and others. Classes was held here through the gth grades, by Norman Michal DAZZELING VALLEY SCHOOL and Norma Moore. Rose, Vern, Lee, Jim Miller. Don Moss. JoAnn Fisher and her Father Buck Fisher. June Courtright. Nellie Courtright. Bob, George, Neil, Roger and Ruth of the Ivan Gwenn family. Regina, Viola, Maggie, Agnes (Dollie), Mary and Zenelda of Charlie Kellers. The Wolfs. Todds. Brookovers. Wid Courtrights. Cammeron. and Hawkins. Ida Reynolds Stone was also a teacher in 1928. by Norman Michal WHITE PLAINS scHooL T222 T223 This school is located t/2 mile west of Flagler, 10 miles north, 2 miles west then 1 mile north; L/4 mile east of the present Wilbur Haeseker farm. It was then located on the corner west of Clyde Elricks and on his land. The first building was a small soddie which deteriorated away until a new soddie was built. The second soddie was onlv used for two years until a frame building was built in 1923. Irv Rambat bought this building and moved it to 1 mile east of Anton, Colo. where he made it into a house for his son Verdis Rambat and his new wife. This farm is on the north side of Highway 36. Teachers: Peggy Splain, Yetta Burger, Miss Byers, Rachel Harwood Kyle, JoAnn Lobmeyer Pelle and Elbert Andry. Students: Children of Elbert Andrev. Clyde Elrick, Frank Michals, Vincent Ostrowski, Charles Holden, Charles Kyle, Sam Harwood, Andrewjeski, Norman Haeseker, Latrlue, Robb, MaHaffie. Tom Krafts and others. Huntzinger Gering through the War years and others. Ruby Dorsey Hollenbaugh 1941. Ora Cruickshank. There were two rooms in the school separating the grade schoolers from the high schoolers. In some years there were two teachers high school and grade school. At one time -there were 30 grade schoolers and 20 high schoolers in one year. Also when the migration of settlers was at its highest there were 23 new families from Kansas and Missouri settling in the Shiloh community. Students: Blanch Lippford Carper, Roll Duncan, Art, Emily and Alice Niles, Archie Harman, Clyde Harman, Bernice Harman McBlair, Mary and Lear Nelson, Clint Jones kids Marie, Dale and Lee. E.T. Loutzenhiser kids Clair, Everett, Rex, Millard, Vera, Irene and Lila. Velma Colier Taggaft 1922 and her daughter Phelma and son Larry. Wrights. Merl, Lila, and Maxine Jenkins. Margarie, Juenita and Loren Portner. Frank and Hazel Harwood. John Shaw. Porebasco kids. Charlie Back kids Ralph, Bill and Tom. The - Edwards Jenkin kids. The kids. Paul Moore. Bud Todd. Billie Wilson. Helen Sproul. The Codreys. The Borings Norman, Bill, - The Ed Gerings Tracie, Kenneth and Mona. Ernest, Paul, Louis and Marie. Margarie -Beck Scott. Art Robb in 1920, Lester, Delmar and Dale. Bill Beck. Ruth Simmons Gustin. Albert and Ruby Huntzinger. Art Riches Merl, Mabel, Vera and Raymond. Cecil Merl Dean, Josephine and Irene. Mildred -Moore. Schiers. The Prest Kids Robert, Sam, Larry, Dennis and Beatrice. Charles Roglands. Ollie James. Elmer Kings daughter Ruth. Florence Smock. Bill. Jessie and Evelyn Simmons. The Lester Loutzenhisers by Norman Michal and the children of Mary Nelson Loutzenhiser were Loretta, Willard, Maryetta and Dorthy. The Don Loutzenhiser kids SHILOH SCHOOL Darlene, Duane and Edith Jo. The Edward Allachers Willard and Florence. - T224 by Norman Michal The Shiloh School was Iocated 1 mile east of the northeast corner of Flagler, 8 miles White Plains school, District 14. L. to R. back row: Hazel Harwood, Louise Potter, Eulah Eckert. Charlene Holden, Carl Sparks and Frank Harwood. Middle row: Gladys Andre, Marion Potter, Kate Andre, and Robert Andre. Front row: Edna Andre, Marjorie Clemens, Helen Michal, Mae Andre, ? Clemens, RoyClemensand GeorgeAndre. This School was located L/2 mile west of Flagler then 14 miles north and 2 1/2 miles west across the road from Vincent Ostrowski's farm and on Frank Michal's land. There was first a soddie there before the frame building was built in 1922 or 1923. The legal description of its location at that time was the northwest corner of the NW 1/4 of Section 29 Township 6 Range 51. School Dist. 14. The building was bought by the Flagler School District and moved to Flagler. It was made into a home for the superintendent and today is the home of David Edwards at 708 Main Ave. Teachers: Anna Liza Brown, Mrs. Loulla Deiterick, Art Robb, Clyde Roberts, Mrs. Dale Wiant, Rachel Harwood Kyle, Peggie Splain, Charleen Holden and Nina White, Alice Roberts Fruhling Liggett and possibly others. Students: The community families of the Potters, Eckerts, Dines, Ostrowskis, Charles north, 1 mile east, 6 miles north, 1 mile east. 1 1/2 miles north on the east side of the road (ust north of E.T. Loutzenhiser or LeRoy Loutzenhiser). This is 18 1/2 miles from Flagler and today it is still at this location. It has been referred to as the Sucker Flat School but it is only in the Sucker Flat community out in the Loutzenhiser country. Most of the time there were two school teachers teaching and often one or the other would live in the basement. At one time there were as many as 50 students attending in one year. At one time there would be as many as 20 - 25 horses of the kids in the school barn throughout the day. It was Iocated 1/2 mile south and across the road from the old Ash Grove School and the legal description was near the southwest corner of the northwest 1/4 of Section 16 Township 6 Range 50. The school district was known as Dist. 55. You could attend High School here up to your senior year but not including the senior year. Students attending from outside the District would have to pay tuition to go to school here. The Shiloh School was built in 1915. Teachers: Algie Sinton 1922,Mr. Parsons, Art Robb, Alice Whittiker Fhruling, Frank Day, Mr. Romburg 1937, Beatrice Pickenpaw 1937-38, Mrs. Hill 1936-37, Leah Davis Portner 1934, Margie Beck Scott and Edith MOUNT PLEASANT SCHOOL T225 This school was located L/2 mile west of Flagler and 17 miles north then L/2 west (1/4 west of Cecil Charles). There was first a soddie before the frame building was built in either 1922 or 23. The legal description was the southwest corner of the SE 1/4 of Section 3 Township 6 Range 51. School Dist. 14. The Mount Pleasant School was sold to the Seibert R.L.D.S. Church and moved to Seibert where they held church until thev built again and sold the school building. From here it was moved west of Burlington about three miles and is located on the south side of old highway 24 on a high foundation. Teachers: Mrs. Blanch Carper for two years. Margie Minner, Clyde Roberts, Crystal Stevens for two years, Rachel Hatch, Mrs. Ella Rob Huntzinger, Lola Rillahan for two years, Betty Pelle Loadmeyer, LaJean Cayton, Irene Charles Travis, Charleen Holden and once Neil Bromley and possibly others. Students: Frank Harwood and a daughter Coreena, Azel Dorsey, The Frank Michal family, Cecil Charles family, Laten Harwood family, Donna Lee McCullah, Statlers. �Thompsons, Phipps, Buckles, the families of Vincent Ostrowski, Ed Carlson, Eaches, Parker, Charles Kyle, Lee Smith, George Codery, Carl and Clod Cuthbertson, Estel Rose Baker and Marlin, MaHaffies, Cathlet, Lonnie and Carl Elrick, Burches and others, Bddie Stewart, Rosalee Moss Loutzenhiser, Helen and Burl Miller. bY Norman Michal PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL T226 This school was located in the Sucker Flats community and 1 mile east of Flagler, 8 miles north. I mile east, 8 miles north, 6 miles east and then 1 mile south. 1 mile south of The North Flat School. Built in 1923 or James - was held only a few years until 1924 school it burned in 1931.. The legal description was the northeast corner of the NE 1/4 of Section 19 Township 6 Range 449. Teachers were paid $75.00 per month. The Teachers were Dora Buttler Wolverton for several years. Irene Heisten Bancroft 1930 - 1931, and Bernice Harman McBlair in 1931 at which time the school was burned. Marion, Students: The Tom Jensens Leon, Aletha and one other -girl. Clyde Harman. Dale Jones and his sister Marie Vernie, Alma and Jones Smith. Jensens - Lesa. DOLAN SCHOOL T228 This was a very early day school and a soddie located l/2 mile west of Flagler 13 miles north and then about 3/4 mile east. If a person was looking there today at the site you could see nothing at all that would resemble a school site. The location is 1/2 mile north and L/2 mile east of the Frank Harwood farmsite. In talking with Frank Harwood, he says that he and his sister Rachel Harwood Kyle were the only students he could ever remember there and could not even remember the teacher or her name. The legal description would be the south- west corner of the SE 1/4 of Section 26 Township 6 Range 51. by Norman Michal ASHGROVE SCHOOL T227 This school was in the Sucker FIat country and from Flagler it was 1 mile east, 8 north, 1 east, 8 north and 1 mile east on the south side of the road. It was a soddie building built in 1910. A picture ofthis school building can be found elsewhere in this history book. The legal description of the location was the northeast corner ofthe NE 1/4 of Section 17 Township 6 Range 50. TEACHERS: Clair Williams 1909 - 1910. Dazzie Hewitt 1911 - 1912. Dora Buttler Wolverton 1911-1912 was hired to take the place of Dazzie Hewett after a horse ran away *ith her buggie and upset and broke her arm. Dazzie Hewitt returned to teach 1912-1913. Miss Prudence Robbinson Bragg taught several years. Later teachers were Winfield Keneese, Dora Buttler Wolverton again and Nina Anderson. STUDENTS: Blanch Lipford Carper and her sister Hattie. Ruth and May King. Velma Colier Taggart. Theadore, Ethel' Byron, Blanch and Mable Gourd. Bruce Nelson. Ethelyn Curry. Russel, Tom and Florence Churchwell. Dewie Landeau' Glenn Gomer. Flo Gering. by Norman Michal During the War years (1942 - 1945) mattresses were made from Government supplied material in this school. The school building was bought by Hamer Shaw and moved to Flagler where it was made into a church and at one time was the Chapel ofthe Ralph Clapp Funeral Home. The property now belongs to The Church of Christ where they held church for several years. The present location is at 425 Pawnee Ave. in Flagler. The legal description of the Prairie Gem school location was the northeast corner of the NE 1/4 of Section 26 Township 7 Range 50 District 14. Teachers: Idra Phipps, Orpha Goodrich, Virginia Harold, Miss Minnie Petty, LaVerna Reed, Mrs. Dora Wolverton several years, Ben Sawhill, Gorden, Lola James 1932, Mrs. Thompson and others. Students: The Brandenburgs-Mertle, Jim- BRANDENBURG SCHOOL mie and Orville. Louis Reids-David, Orlin, Roger, LaVetta. Copleys-Louis, David, Doris, T229 The Brandenburg school was located from the northeast corner of Flagler; 1 mile east, 8 miles north, 3 miles east and 1/4th mile south on the east side of the road' It was a soddie school and was only used for a couple ofyears. It was built in 1912 and the teacher was Jennie Custine Sereno. Mrs' Sereno was the lady who later had the triplet girls 9 miles north and 1/2 west of Flagler. Ida Fisher bY Norman Michal apparently ofan over heated and unattended heating coal stove. It was rebuilt and school was held there until consolidation into the Flagler District in 1949. Gwynn went there to school for 1 year and her sister Marguerite for 3 Years. The soddie school building was no longer safe so school was held in the LaRee farm house for a short time until agreements were made to have the kids schooled at the Weibel soddie School in 1914' Those attending Weibel School at that time was Ida and Marguerite Fisher and Emit Chase with Jennie Custine Sereno teaching. The LaRee farm was locatedl/2 mile north and I 1/4 mile west of the Brandenburg School. The Brandenburg School legal location was the southwest corner just north of Art Brandenburg's farm and the NW /4 of Section 27 TownshiP 7 Range 50. The first teacher was Jennie Custine in 1912. Miss Muck taught in 1913, and Jennie Custine before she was married Sereno in Betty, LaVell. The Burr girls. Harris JonesLeRoy, Phyllis, Don and Erma. Kenneth Inmans-Stan and Louis. Clarence Burgess. Floyd Reed. by Norman Michal PRAIRIE VIEW OR WALKER SCHOOL T231 School had been held here in one soddie and then another soddie building prior to the construction of a frame building in 1922 or 1923. The school was located l/2mile west of Flagler, ? miles north, 1 mile west and then 3/4 mile north on the east side of the section line. This was known as the Walker and Huntley communities. It is not clear as to where the school was moved but some seem to think it is here in Flagler. The legal description was the northwest corner of Section 27 Township 7 Range 5L in District 14 until that community withdrew to come to the Flagler District in about 1940. Teachers: Dola Belden, Mrs. Olie Swenn Olsen, Mrs. Ella Robb Huntzinger, Mrs. John Codery, Mamie Kyle Huntzinger, Lola Shaw 1914. Rillahan 1921, Ruby Dorsey Hullenbaugh to live in the school because of the severe Students: The families of Roy Walker, Floyd Fager, Cecil Bogat, Andrewjeski, It was in 1914 during the winter that the teacher Jennie and Ida and Marguerite had winter. by Norman Michal 1936, June Kyle Schidler and others. Meyers, Eddie Stewart, Pasley, Robbison, George Bull, Frank Jorden, Park Weatherly, Eatches, Beeman, Chapla and others. bY Norman Michal PRAIRIE GEM SCHOOL T230 The Prairie Gem School was located 1 mile east of the northeast corner of Flagler, 8 miles north and then 5 miles east on the south side of the road. This is what is known as the Jones and Burgess communities. The first frame building was built about 1924 and school was held there only two years before it burned IIOENSTEIN - BEHEN SCHOOL T232 This school was located 3 1/2 miles west of the north edge of Flagler, 3 miles north and then 1/2 mile east. It was very small with only a few kids attending. Erwin Hoenstein remembers some older boys once stuffing him �down a prairie dog hole there when he visited before he was old enough to attend school. They were unable to get him out and had to go for help to get him out. The school was located about 3/4 mile east of the Hoensteins and was later moved to just across the road east of their house and Erwin used it for a ice house as it was only 14 feet wide and 14 feet long inside. Teachers: Unknown. Students: Olivar Perrish, a fellow whose first name was Guss and the Behen kids. Possibly a few others. The legal description was the southeast corner of Section 17 Township 8 Range 51. by Norman Michal NORTH FLAT OR JAMES SCHOOL T233 This school was located at the eastern edge of what is known as Sucker Flats 1 mile east of Flagler, 8 miles north I mile east, 8 miles north and 6 miles east on the south side of the road andjust east ofwhat was known then as the Ollie Ja-es and now the Walt Timm Farms. The legal description is the northeast corner of the NE 1/4 of Section 18 Township 6 Range 49. The school was first an "adobe block" building and at that time was known as the "James School", then later when the frame structure was built the school was then known as "North Flat School." The adobe building was built in 1911-1912 by Kelley Hembrie, Mr. Hogland and Olie James. TEACHERS:lzetta. Wren 1911-19t 2. Jonnie Husband. Mrs. Harold Jenkins. Mrs. Edith Huntzinger Gering. Irene Heisten Bancroft L92l-1922. Madeline Ott Becker 1930-1931. Dela Hendricks 193r-1932 (boarded at the Jensens). Dorothy Schmidt (lived in the school). Julia Wanczyk Dugan 1935-1936. Irene Heisten Bancroft 1937- 1938-1939. Francis Vandermeir 1939-f940. Bernice Harman McBlair 1940-1941. Reta James Lounge 1944-L945. Neva Back McCaffery (the last year school was held here). STUDENTS: Hattie Lipford. Jasper Wolf. Hoglands Allie, Wilbur. Ruby Loutzenhis- er. Nellie- Sears. Ace Harmans - Clyde, Archie and Burnice. Kenneth Weise. Alex Todds daughter Bula. Grover Todds Robert and Owen. STUDENTS: Tom Jensens - Oliver, Leslie, Goldie and Vernie. The Quintins Emily, Todd, Merl, Matilda, Jonn and Sam. J.C. Millers Ord, Norman, George, and Burl. Ord Millers Thelma and Lorance. -Johnie, Billie Weskins Clode and - James Elzie, Jim. Frickies. Ollie Lola, Reta and Bill. Burt Scotts daughter -Kathleen Graffis. Neva Back McCaffery. Ed Allachers Willard and Florence. Segal Grimes Beckie, Bill and Bob. Archie Harmans Patricia, Beverly and Barbara. Richard Forbes Srs. son Richard Jr. NOTE: It is interesting to note that the very first car or automobile to come to the northwestern corner of Kit Carson County was owned by a Mr. Lee who lived about 16 1/2 miles north of Seibert, Colorado and on the west side of the Cope road in 1913. He would hire out to take those who had made a claim on a piece of land to Hugo, Colorado where they would have to register their claim or "Prove IJp" as it was known then, with witnesses, on that land. Now this Mr. Lee lived within 3 miles of Mr. Ollie James who was the grandfather of the Astronaut Michael "Mike" Lounge who flew on the Discovery in August of 1985 and is scheduled to fly again in August 1988 on the Discovery. See the story of Michael "Mike" Lounge as a astronaut elsewhere in this history book. by Norman Michal McBRIDE OR FISHER SCHOOL T234 The McBride School was first held in a farm building 14 feet by 14 feet square on the farm of the McBrides. Now this is a different Mc Bride than the Dr. Mc Brides who doctored in Flagler during the 1950s. It was located from the northeast corner of Flagler 1 mile east, 4 miles north, 1 mile east, 1 mile north, 1 mile east then north 1 mile and about 1/8 mile northwest off out in the prairie on the land now owned by Buck Fisher. School was held here only a couple of years but one year a small boy had an appendix attack and died and was buried nearby. The house Harrington school 1940 in the Mangus buggy, L. to R.: Leslie Mangus, Ruth Harrington, Jack Mangus, Vernetta Korbelik, Dale Mangus, Ona Jean Mangus, Ina Lea Mangus and Lyle Shook in front. burned to the ground so the school building was moved east across the road west of LeRoy Jones present farm site. Mrs. Mc Bride taught l year and Miss Muck I year while the school was at the Mc Bride farm. While at the new school site near Jones the Dillon kids Tom, Opal and Hazel; the Bonhams - Ida, Marguerite and Buck; E.M. Copleys Neoma and Betty, all attended. Russel, Margaret, and Loretta; the Fishers The TEACHERS were Mrs. Vernon Simpson at one time and then Mrs. Purrish in 1920. The echool was moved again I mile west to Buck Fishers and the Fisher homestead and used as a grainery before being burned to destroy it. The first location was in the south center of the SE L/4 of Section 32 Township 7 Range 50 and the second location was the southeast corner of the NE 1/4 of Section 26 Township 7 Range 50. From the northeast corner of Flagler 1 mile east, 4 miles north, 1 mile east, 1 mile north, 2 miles east, 2 miles north, 1 mile east and l/2 mile south on the west side of the road. by Norman Michal GREEN VALLEY DISTRICT #TL T235 Prior to the construction ofthe new "Green Valley" school house in 1941, there were classes held in two other schoolhouses in the Green Valley community in the 1930's. One was located in the SW corner of Section 269-42. Teachers in that school included: Ora Cruickshank, Christine Manley and Genevieve Shannon. Students known to have been enrolled there were: Marjorie and Erma Schmidt; Ona Jean, Ina Lee, Garth (Jack), Dale, and Leslie Ray (Bob) Mangus; Lyle Shook; Vernetta Ann Korbelik: and Elna Fairy princess, Vernetta Korbelik; Erma Schmidt; Doll, Ina Lea Mangus; Ona Jean Mangus; Soldier, Lyle Shook; Phyllis Shook; Back row; Miss Shannon and Ruth Harrington, 1940-41. Ruth Harrington. The other schoolhouse was located in NW % of Section 29-9-42. Enrollment there was: Marjorie Schmidt, Beata and Duane Schaai Erma Schmidt and Vernetta Korbelik. The teachers there were: Marie Ann Esch. Marjorie Guthrie and Lily Mae Behl. Eighth grade graduates in the school were Marjorie, Beata and Duane. On June 16, 1941, these two schoolhouses were sold. Charles Kaestner bought one for $8?.50 and Walter Gillespie bought the other one for $65.00. Adolph Korbelik paid 952.00 for the coal shed. A new schoolhouse was built in District #11 in 1941. It was later titled the "Green Valley School". It is located in Section 28-942, a nice roomy building with a full basement. The community attended the new school dedication along with the graduation of the first 8th grade graduate, Elna Ruth Harrington, on May 2, L942. Mrs. Josie Youtsey was the teacher. First school board members were: Adolph Korbelik, Ralph Schmidt and Miles Kiper. Adolph served as board member until the school consolidated with RE-6J, some 15 years later and then on �center of many fond memories, hard work and togetherness of the community. by Rose Korbelik ALL I EVER REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN T236 At the 1987 Colorado Governor's Conference on Aging, Governor Roy Romer quoted an article which appeared in the Konsas City bib overalls to tall girl; Danny Gilbert, Ralph and Rod Heskett, David Rollo, Shirley - dark Harrington. Front row; Kenneth and Clair Heskett, Ona Jean and Ina Lea Mangus, Erma Heskett, Ruth Schmidt, and Vernetta Korbelik. Back row & Mrs. Shook, and Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Gilbert. The two families who are still in the Green Valley community are Mr. & Mrs. Adolph Korbelik, the last of the "old time" residents since 1931. (Their children: Vernetta, Harvey and Patricia were raised here Green Valley School built in 1941. R. Donald Gilbert and Patricia Korbelik, graduates, Glenda Davis and Edith Whiteman, teacher. Front; Yvette Miller, Teddy and Nolan Davis. lhe RE-6J Board for two more terms. Last students to attend Green Valley School were: Donald Gilbert and Patricia Korbelik (both 3th grade graduates) and Glenda, Nolan and Teddy Davis. Edith Whiteman was the beacher. Names of parents who are no longer in the Green Valley school area, but have had children enrolled in this school: Mr. & Mrs. Tom Warren, Mr. & Mrs. George Blomenclahl, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Mangus, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Schmidt, Mr. & Mrs. Burdette Miller, Mr. & Mrs. Marion Harrington, Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Davis, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Haskett, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Gaines, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Denton, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Hines, Mr. & Mrs. Chambers, Mr. & Mrs. Bisbee, Mr. & Mrs. Gene Davis, Mr. & Mrs. Showalter, Mr. & Mrs. Dale Gilbert. Mr. & Mrs. Winston, Mr. nursery school. These are the things I learned: Share everything, play fair, don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hand before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and colc milk are good for you. Live a balanced life. and all attended School District #11 through the 8th grade), and Mr. & Mrs. Rynal Amack, Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work whose son, Rodney, attended Green Valley every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. School. When you got out into the world, watch for Teachers in the district 1941, Mrs. Josie Youtsey, 1942, Mrs. Mary Krueger, 1943, Mrs. Lois Blomendahl, l944,Lil Olsen, 1946, Mrs. Haulsy, t947, Mrs. Hazel Fromong, 1949, Darrell Mann, 1950, Mrs. Sally Bauder, 1951, Lily Mae Behl, 1952, Mrs. Ruby Conarty, 1954, Edith Whiteman. The school was appreciated by everyone and served well as a community center for club meetings, parties, etc. During Mrs. Bauder's term, on December 22, 1950, one of the most exciting times in the kids'memories was when Santa Claus, himself, came by airplane, landed in the pasture by the school and surprised the children during their Christmas program. When the school ac- 3th grade graduation at Green Valley School; L. to Times written by Robert Faugham. We print it here to remind us all: "Most of what I really need to know about, how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain but there in the sandbox at quired its own piano it added to the fun of school programs and parties. Rose Korbelik played the piano for many such functions. Green Valley school got its familiar name when the first 4-H Club in the area was organized in 1944 and was named Green Valley 4-H. Harold Schmidt was the first 4H Leader. Charter members of the club were: David Bogart, Russell Davis, Stanley Davis, Dale Eberhart, Jerry Eberhart, Marlin (Moe) Eberhart and Vernetta Ann Korbelik. Long term serving leaders were Lyla Davis Enyart, 25 years and Adolph Korbelik, 17 years. Green Valley Home Demonstration Club also held their meetings there for many years. Green Valley Home Demonstration Club was organized in January, 1946, and is still active. Farm Bureau meetings and meetings resulting in community progress, such as, installing the telephone lines in 1948 and REA electric lines in the early 1950's. These were community projects, organized and physically accomplished by the families of the community. Many other business and social activities made Green Valley school the traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Gold fish and hamsters and white mice and even the little they all die. So do seed in the plastic cup we. And remember the -book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all LOOK. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love the basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and sane living. Think what a better world it would be if we all had cookies and milk the whole world - afternoon and then lay about 3 o'clock every down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together." by Editors SCHOOL DISCIPLINE THEN T237 An incident recounted by Charlotte Godsman, an early day teacher in the Seibert area and later prominent in Denver schools, vividly recounts how times have changed, "A couple of the boys, still wishing to show their independence, would come to school quite casually from nine to ten o'clock A.M., without excuses, perhaps whistling a little in the hall before entering the school room. I �insisted on excuses for both tardiness and (soNG) - *scHOOL DAYS" absences, but they determined to win out. A tslk with their father showed me that he could not make his son mind. I fortified myself with a good riding whip. The next day, Friday, they took the afternoon off. I had told them I would punish them if they came again without excuses. Sure enough, the boys returned Monday morning without excuses. I brought out the whip and asked them to stand; one did. I whipped him, then turned and whipped the other boy as he sat there in his seat. After a few etrokes of the whip, I stopped to ask him if he had matches in his pocket, and if so to please remove them. He looked amazed, smiled queerly, put his fingers in his vest pocket and drew out some half burned, smoking matches! The room was as still as still. I had seen a little smoke curling upward from his vest pocket and knew that the whip's lash had ignited the matches. The pupils were now amused, but I calmly finished the punishment and proceeded with the program. I never had any more trouble with those boys. Years after one of them told me that whipping him was the best thing that ever happened to him as he had never had to mind before. I never used corporal punish- ment if it could be avoided. But, those days, if a teacher showed that she was afraid to whip, she was lost and no discipline could be maintained. Times have changed much since 1g96!" T239 T238 As a beginner first I canre, into the spacious hall of fame. Great was the atre that filLed nry nrind, next for childhoocr left behincl . soon came teacher stern and tall saying don't stancl there in the hall. You should be working at your lessons nor,r, then r began my,jreat career in P.V.S. , in P.V.S. trr'ith teacher true and schoolmate dear, we,ll sing three cheers for our dear old P.V.S. Come to cLass now with me, and the results As bone and ntuscle grew. The children learned and lived as one In grades from one through eight; lf they absorbed what each should learn Lhat mattered age or rate? But who has seen a one-room school llith nrud roads to the door? On winter mornings, snow was deep But walking or riding a horse was the score. l{ithin there were the screw-down seats, The oily floor and broonr, Pot-bellied stove, and pile of coal To heat the crowded roonr, The blackboards scant, the waEer pail, No telephone fo boast-But there was space to fly Or slope on which to coast. a kite Nostalgia haur,ts the one-room schooL, No marker tells its rrorth; Among those passinl through the door L:ere great ones of the earth. CHORUS: Oh P.V.S. days how dear to me, so free fron care, so full of glee. Our tuneful hearts in song we raise, our troubles leave for future davs. Song school house. I carried plenty ofcoal in from the coal house to last the rest of the day and SCHOOL AND A BAD BLIZZAB'D T240 The blizzard that we experienced on March IL, 1977, reminded my wife and I of an experience that we had in a storm fifty years ago: she, as a mother, a rancher, a country school teachers' wife during a real old time blizzard; I, as a country school teacher and school bus driver. My bus was a 1918 Model T Ford, quite a car at that time. It had a top that could be put up and side curtains that could be put in place in stormy weather. On this memorable day in March L9ZE, I had my oldest son Bobbie, a six year old beginner and three of Collie Teel's children, Sylvan, Chest€r and Hazel, whom I bused to school at the Old Pleasant Meadow school where I taught that winter. This school house was located twelve miles south of Vona. Colorado to the correction line then 1 mile west. The weather being very threatening that morning, no more of the fifteen pupils that usually attended my school showed. As the morning wore on the storm intensified to the extent that by noon I decided that I should dismiss school and head for home with my four pupils. We ate our lunches before starting as each child always carried his own Author unknown Poem lunch bucket with his noonday meal. I put the side curtains on and bundled my four pupils into the Model T with robes and quilts that I always carried. by Eleanor Varce of labor see; Reading, arithmetic, grammer, too; history,.Seography ever new. Here we may learn to lvrite and drar.r, r,.'ork with a irarnmer and a saro. And to be kind to everyone fie meet, but if vre do not nalk just right, or turn our head or v"'ink an eye, then to the teacher r^)e must go and be: to renrain in our dear old p.V.S. THE RURAL SCHOOL Your days are numbered, few remain That point the way you l<new To let the mind and spirit grow, children up in a row, covered them complete- ly with the quilts from the car, and led them through that raging blizzatd, back to the SCHOOL DAYS by Editors THE RURAL SCHOOL to the school house and wait out the storm or the arrival of possible help. I lined the four The Model T started alright but before we had traveled % mile the blizzard had intensified to the extent that the blowing snow whipped up under the hood wetting the motor and the electrical wires and the motor died. The only thing to do then was walk back possibly the night. We moved four long benches into a square around the pot bellied stove. We sang songs and played games to pass the time as studying was out of the question. As the dark of night approached and no help came for us, I lighted the coal oil lamp that hung in a bracket on the wall. If I remember right, we had three sandwiches left in our five lunch pails which the children let me divide as even as possible among the five of us which we made do for supper. I kept a good fire all night and let the children sleep on the benches with what quilts and covers were available. On our home ranch six miles away, my wife Winifred was at home with our five year old preschooler, Guy, who had an earache all night. She also had to milk and feed the cows, feed calves, horses, chickens and hogs as best she could in a blizzard with the womy of not knowing why I and our six year old Bobbie didn't come home, wondering where we were, maybe stranded on a prairie road where there were few if any fences to follow, no graded roads and of, course, no telephones. Meanwhile, the four children and I spent a reasonably comfortable night, sleeping part time at least on the floor or the benches near the heating stove. Not long after daylight the next morning, we saw a man ride into the school yard on a horse. It was Mr. Teel. the father of the Teel children. He had worried all night about us so started out at daylight trying to find his way to the school house, just two miles from his home. He was aimlesslv drifting in the storm. He had accidentallv seen the school house that he was about to pass. Mr. Teel was surely relieved to find us safe and fairly comfortable except that we had nothing for breakfast. By 8:00 a.m. the storm seemed to be slackening some and we decided to try walking the two miles to the Teel home. Thl �horse that Mr. Teel had tied to the door knob had rubbed his bridle off and was gone. Before we had traveled a half mile I realized that little Bob wouldn't be able to walk very far in all the snow, so I carried him on my back piggyback for some distance. Then Mr. Teel and I made a saddle of our hands between us and carried him most ofthe rest of the trip. Another mother was much relieved to see us come walking in, safe but tired, cold and hungry. Little Bob's cheeks showed white spots indicating that his cheeks were somewhat frozen. Mrs. Teel gave us a good hot breakfast after which I borrowed a horse of Mr. Teel's, took little Bob on with me and rode the rest of the four miles home, ariving about 11:00 a.m. much to the relief of my wife who had done an excellent job of choring and caring for a sick boy and all the time worrying as to what the fate of the school children and me might have been. This is just one of the harrowing experiences that my wife Winnie and I went through during my twenty years as a country school teacher in Kit Carson County, Colorado. Written by Carl Harrison. bY J. Carl Harrison ****{€*******:lc** Flagler News, Oct. 13, 1927: "Prairie Gem School House Dedicated Sunday"' "A large crowd gathered at the new Prairie Gem schoot building last Sunday morning. Sun' day School was held as usual, after which a bounteous basket dinner was serued in the basernent. The meeting was called' to order about two o'cloch and the following program was rendered: Seueral songs by the audience, followed by a beautiful song by Mrs. Schekel, accompanied by Mrs. Harry Cates of Seibert. C.I. Bonham, as president of the school board, extended a hearty welcome, in a few well chosen words. Miss Reba Edwards, the teacher, followed with remarks of congratu' lations to patrons and friends of the districtSidney P. God,srnan of Burlington deliuered the main address, which was uery inspiring. He spoke on 'Americanism, CommunitY Interests and Difficulties and our Wonderful Educational Aduantages.' His talk was thoroughly enjoyed by all that were present. Prairie Gem school is located about 15 miles northeast of Flagler, and, has always taken an actiue interest in educational matters and cornmunity betterment, and is justly proud of the new building just completed. The patrons of this school are uery loyal to the school as there is not a child in the district being hept at home to work! All are in school and the district has a 100 percent high school enrollment. Seuen pupils from this district are attending high school in Seibert and Flagler. The school house is 24x40 feet with full basement and is equipped with a hot air furnace. 1931-2, Laura Mae Malbaff taught at Sunny Dale School, staying with Grandma and Grandpa Plum. Two teachers were employed at this school; the other was Mary Furlong. They roomed at the Plums for $25.00 per month. Later, the board and. room was lowered to $15.00 when word by grapeuine hinted they might consider mouing into the school house. The time was the year Phillip was born. Mary Furlong and another teacher were driuing here from Iowa to teach at this school. They had a car accident and the other teocher was killed. Laura Mae took the job because of this. Loren and Mable Plum liued here and prouided transportation from home to school. Often in cold weather Loren wouLd build a fire under the Mod.el T to get it started. If he failed, he hitched up a team and took them in a sleigh. In good weather, the teachers would walk; it was about three miles. Teachers' salary at this tirne was $75.00 per m.onth. Laura Mae's first uisit to Flagler was to a debate here with her tearn from Englewood, Colorado. They stayed ouernight at the Lauington home and she neuer dreamed then that one day she would liue in Flagler. Ash Groue School: Flagler News, 1916. "New School District." "A new school district has been organized in the Shiloh country. A meeting wos held at the Ash Groue School house last Monday when it was d.ecided to elect officers and forrn an organi- zation. The new d.istrict wiII be composed of a territory about fiue miles square and will haue nearly twenty scholars. George And,re was elected president, Bed- ford Nelson, secretary, and Delbert Todd, treasurer. The officers will hold until the regular school election next May. A special election will be held in the near future for the purpose of uoting bonds for a new school building. It is now planned to build a two-room school house with a basement. County Superintendent Miss Tressel was present at the meeting and gaue aduice as to the conduct of the new d'istrict. We are sure pleased to see the great interest rnanifest in school matters in rural school districts. With the new church, new school house and other improuernents, the Sucker Flats country is coming right to the front'" Harry DeLos Ross taught his first school in 1903 in the Chase District north of Burlington. Edna Browning Rose-Priest attended the Hoyt School about 1887-1888 and taught at Hoyt later. Mettie W. Rose-Shannahan-Loue was born Nou. 7, 1883, in the old home in Madison County, Iowa. She was less than four years old when her family came to Colorado. She was a good student and becarne a teacher in Kit Carson County rnany years. She made the best auerage in the Teacher's Exam.ination of any one else euer taking it. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Country Schools Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource Record of the Country Schools in Kit Carson County as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

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https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/415/Flagler.pdf 928934c534abb4d80a58fe631cefdca4 PDF Text Text see if the barn could be put there to compliment the Carousel. After some consideration they decided that the fairgrounds was too small for the barn. Ernest knew that Harold McArthur was going to erect a steel building on some ground that he owned just south of Rose Avenue in Burlington so they talked to Harold about it and of course the first thing that came up was that Harold did not have enough ground to house both his building and the barn. At this time they went to see the barn. Ernest McArthur and Edgar Pratt were sold on having it moved to Burlington. Douglas Hillman owned the barn and had offered to give it to the city or the county if they would move it. Edgar and Ernest then went to the city and found that there would be some ground there for the barn. Rol Hudler, the mayor, did not think that Harold McArthur would cooperate enough to move the building to the barn site, council in Burlington. The work by Ernest McArthur was primary to the conception of "OId Town". Henry Hoskin said that this is the way that he remembers how the idea was born regardIess of whatever anyone else says. Signed Henry Hoskin, board member. Old Town was built to offer the residents in this part of the country a look back at their heritage. With that in mind, the following buildings were either moved to the Old Town location at 480 South 14th Street or they were built as close to 'the way it was' as possible. The main Museum building is known as "The McArthur Building". This building houses most of the unusual antiques. It is a mixture of furniture, paintings, equipment and many, many other items. In this building you will also find the gift shop. In this building you will find a replica of Burlington as it was when it became a town (Incorporated) in the year 1888. Since Old Town is based on eastern Colorado history, a lot of informa- tion and pictures will be available to the viewer. Other buildings in the Old Town complex area as follows: The original Bethune depot; a law office constructed to show a wonderful old Wooten desk and leatherbound law books; a combination bank and land office; a barber shop; an old cream station fully equipped; a wonderful old general store; a blacksmith shop; a large two-story barn where melodramas are held during the summer months; There is an old farm house; a vintage school house; a two-room sod house; a L92l Methodist Episcopal Church from Armel, Colorado; a little frame building full of dolls, a large two-story house built in the early 1900's which is furnished with items dating back to the late 1800's; a drugstore; a saloon; a leather shop; a woodworking shop; a printing office and a research room. There is a brick town square, a wooden windmill and outhouses. You will also find many old-style street lights and boardwalks. The Old Town Board has endeavored to keep these buildings as realistic as possible. Old Town is a community project that was put together to tell the story about Bur- lington and the surrounding area. It is the hope of all involved that this facility will provide jobs as well as promote interest in \ 'l researching our heritage. We also hope this look into the past will bring back fond memories to the older folks and a realization of 'how far we have come'to the young people. -A' r 1 1. I l by Elaine Taylor d,*."'*d^ ..^..". TOWN OF FLAGLER TSll Like many other settlements along the Rock Island Railroad Line, a town's location was determined by the railroad. About every eleven miles, more or less, there was a need to replenish water in boilers of thirsty steamers of that day. Little regard for wishes of early settlers or small existing villages was given by railroad men. This is certainly evident in the location of the town of Flagler. Old Town, 198?, before completion of first phases of construction. but of course Harold was all for it so at this time the city offered to purchase the ground from Kenneth Yersin to place the barn on and Harold offered to put his steel building on the site. They both told Ernest that if he would see that the building was moved they would cooperate. Ernest McArthur contacted the mover from Colby, Kansas and arrangements were made to have the barn moved right ; j i ..*iuio .& ia. 14t' 'l " il':.illl; away, Ernest McArthur was informed that there was a church at Armel that would be donated so Ernest had the church moved to the site. Harold McArthur volunteered to move a small schoolhouse from Cope and Russell McArthur volunteered to erect a blacksmith shop on the site. At this time the city received word that the State of Colorado would build a tourist information center along I-70 at Burlington. The idea of building an "Old Town" similar to the one at Minden, Nebraska was being born and could be a tourist attraction for ELrrlinrrtnn 'fhio irlao aqmo frnm thp nifw a The oldest building and store in Flagler, built in 1890-92, owned by W.H. Lavington. Prior to this his store was housed in a "tent". �of the Rock Island depot and of a new town in the community. While these acts were transpiring, very few noticed a Mr. McGonigal from Colby, Kansas who was very busy a short distance away. He arranged for land and quietly platted a town site about a mile west of Mr. Robinson; this was recorded to have been done in 188? bv one old timer. There is little doubt some beneficial knowledge had taken him to this spot beyond the rail head. The rail head reached Bowser, a good reason for celebration and they did celebrate! Mr. Strode probably found little reason for this as the trackage continued west with no stop near Crystal Springs. Next day, Mr. Robinson wasn't celebrating either as work progressed on west a mile or so and the crew began digging a well which always accompanies a depot. Strangely, the site of well digging was right beside the land and town site Mr. McGonigal had platted! An only structure in the area was a corral, built by the Pubsley brothers, living near Hugo, who ran cattle in the area. School building in 1893, upper right. As the rail head moved westward, progress was closely watched by a few early locals who were hoping for some prosperity in its coming. There was, no doubt, considerable disappointment when the track missed Hoyt by several miles and a new town site named Seibert was established. This occurred about August, 1888. Farther west along a supposed path for the railway was a perfect place to obtain water, an excellent site for a town, near Crystal Springs and quite near the Republican River. Stephen S. Strode had settled there in 1887 and in anticipation of coming trackage, he and a few neighbors platted a town site. Streets were laid out as Chicago, Rock Island, Colorado and Railway going east-west. North-south streets were designated as Front, First, Second and so on. Hopes were high and at this time, Mr. Strode registered a bid for Crystal Springs to become the county seat ofan expected formation ofa new county. Moves were being made to divide Elbert County into several smaller counties in the territory. About this time, Bennet Robinson came to the area flrd samped at the Strode place while he constructed a residence a couple miles west. When he had finished. he established at this location a general store. In honor of a prized dog named Bowser, which had disappeared, he named his site, "Bowser." (referred to by many as "Bowserville"). Mr. Robinson received an appointment as postmaster at Bowser before July, 1888. With an established store and post-office, hopefully along right of way, he felt there would be no doubt as to the location One of the earliest church services held in the neighborhood was conducted by C.W. Smith on July 25th, 1888. Mr. Smith stated it was held in a shack or saloon building, on flat bottom land, about 40 rods northwest of the railroad bridge at the Republican River. The saloon was for convenience of railroad workers there. At a small meeting of railway officials, a name was given the new depot location. They decided to call it Malowe, to honor a railroad attorney, Mr. M.A. Lowell (spelled Mallowin some records). by Lyle W. Stone * * * * *{€ {c rf rlr * * {€ {€ * :l€ The Weekly Register No territory on earth can surpass Eastern Colorado for soil climate and prosperity. Crystal Springs is the least advertised place for its size and age of any place in Colorado. Our numerous springs of pure water is inexhaustible quantities are famous all over the east and when immigrants once reached Elbert County, they are not content until they see Crystal Springs. An abundance of water is appreciated in Colorado and a place so finely favored is certain to fill up in the course of a very short time. Preaching services were held at the S.S. Strode residence last Wednesday evening. Quite a number were present and were well pleased with the service. The track of the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska is within sixty miles of us and coming at a rate of two miles and one furlong per day. If the track layers continue at this gait, they will reach us by the first of August. Mr. M.A. Lowe, President (?) of the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska and Mr. W.F. Parker, Chiefengineer ofthe railroad, passed through here last week enroute to Colorado Springs. The party stopped here and had their photos taken and continued their Flagler, looking north toward railroad; Lavington Dry Goods, Williams Drug Store, Rock Island Hotel and water tank visible. overland trip to the Springs, inspecting the work between here and there. The Weekly Register of Crystal Springs, Elbert County, Colorado, July 4th, 1888. by Arch Cunningham �t II TOWN OF FLAGLER l, tiny settlement. First reported structures T3r2 In a matter of days, activity began in the were the railroad section house and water tank. Soon, soddie walls began to appear and other structures began, almost frantically, to take shape. A town well was hand dug northeast of the present municipal maintenance shop. A windlass was used to wind out water for locals and their livestock from the well. Mr. W.H. Lavington and John W. Augustine erected in partnership, a large horse tent. In this tent they operated the settlement's first general store. A fall chill arrived and tents used by railroad gangs gave little protcction from chilly nights. These tents would be little protection from winter's bitter cold. This may be the reason for frantic building in the beginning of settlement history. It is possible some distaste for the nnme given the settlement existed among its Smith Evans Land Company and the I.O.O.F. Hall' built in 1906. residents. After all, railroad men had named it. An opportunity to change this appeared with a reported visit to the rail head of an investor interested in checking on progtess of the railroad. His name was Henry Flagler and reports of his empire in Florida preceded him. A city had been named to honor him. He had just built a fine hotel, the "Ponce De Leon" and he proposed to build a rail line down through the keys. He had performed miracles in transforming part of Florida into a garden spot. To commemoratc his visit, a plan to rename the settlement and afford him a proper welcome was devised. A new name, Flagler, was acceptable; a very new hotel, hastily erected by Mr. Keegan, was renamed "Ponce De Leon," with an appropriate sign affixed to be visible from the depot. An additiond sign was painted and placed near the section - house to asgure recognition of the hotel's name. A gala celebration was January 20, 1909, "spring Fever" on Main St. Third from left is Frank Gibson' Kneeling with fishing pole i. C"tt i.t"tron. Bila Lavirigton in white blouse near "Colby Flour" seat and Bill Heiserman with long fishing pole and straw hat. -1 planned. A 1918 Progress Edition of The Flagler News and The Flagler Progress newspapers record the events of this visit. It was stated Mr. Flagler was quietly pleased with the honors bestowed upon him. (His character did not generally allow him to enjoy celebrations of this sort). Some time later, a banquet was given by Mr. Flagler for people of the area. It was held in Colorado Springs and records tell of nearly 1000 attending. There exists a question of accuracy of this account by one who has researched the life of Henry Flagler. Since the presented data was published in 1918 and should have been prepared with first hand accounts, the story has been presented as described. Postal record date more accurately a change in location of the post - office. The Bowser record has mitten on one of its pages, "Changed sit€ and name to Flagler by order of the Postmaster General, October 13, 1888. Date of communication November 6, 1888." This record marked the end of the existence of a post-office in Bowser. A very early postoffice within the new town was located across the street north of the present Otteman building. (situated in the house once occu- A quiet day in Flagler, 1908, "a one-cow town!" pied by Mrs. Nora Wright, later used as a parsonage). From here the post-office was moved to the John White store building and later to a more permanent location just north �* {c rlc * * rf€ * {€ * * ** rf€ * * FLAGLER EARLY POSTMASTERS At Bowser - Bennett Robinson The Bowser Post Office was moved to the town called Malowe, Jan. 19, 188g - 1st Flagler Postmaster Jelsche Olthoff - to Apr. 30, 1889; May 1, 1889 - 2nd Flagler Postmaster Joseph S. Whitney - to Nov. 30, 1889; Dec. 1, 1889 - 3rd Flagler Postmaster W. H. The Hotel Watters. Lavington - to ? The first Congregational minister was Rev. M. H. Meade. The first instrument filed in the County Clerk and Records office was the bond of County Clerk and Recorder, Edward R. McCrillig. The first warranty deed filed was a deed from J. B. McGonigal to the trustees of the Congregational Church in Flagler. The trustees were: W. Brown, John W. Hunt and W. Landen. Rev. Meade's residence was presumably in Seibert. The first marriage license was issued to Owen S. Small and Zippora Bryant. Marriage rite performed by Rev. M. R. Meade of Seibert. ,1.**{€{€********** Depot, Pump House and Water Tank, first buildings built in the new town of Flagler, Sept. 1988. of the present Williams Pharmacy Store. (it is possible other locations may have existed). A move much later was made to its present location. Under the name, Flagler, the small community began to grow. Mr. Wm. Schuler established a store where later the Flagler Hotel would be built. He served as postmaster, according to his recollection, following Mr. Lavington. A first frame home was built by Mr. Henry Brown. In 1889 Mr. Lavington built a new frame house about two blocks north and one west. by Lyle W. Stone �****rl€tl€********* On Thursday, George O. Gates purchased the F.E. Barnett abstract business books. This set of books is said to be the most complete accord of lands in Kit Carson County either of land tracts or city lots. Mr. Gates is one of the best qualified in this line of work as he serued with credit for four years as county recorder and was deputy recorder Smith - Bernard, 1908-1914. for two years, and possesses a thorough hnowledge of Kit Carson County titLes. The First Congregational minister was Reu. M.H. Meade. The first instrument filed in the County Clerk and Records office was the bond of County Clerk and Recorder, Edward R. McCrillig. The first warranty deed filed was a deed frorn J.B. McGonigaL to the trustees of the Congregational Church in Flagler. The trustees were: W. Brown, John W. Hunt and W. Landen. Reu. Meade's residence was presumabLy in Seibert. The first matiage license was issued to Owen S. Small and Zippora Bryant. Marriage rite perforrned by Reu. M.R. Meade of Seibert. *tf *t*{€***tlc**{c** *fut The Flagler Hotel built 1910-11, later was the Flagler Hospital run by Dr. McBride and Dr. John Straub. Today is the city hall and library. _) r\, 'it 'l �. .. . .:.):::..: . down in 1901. Mr. Robinson moved his store from Bowser to Flagler but later sold out and 't::alii .. moved away. It is evident much activitv occurred in the town of Flagler at this time. In 1895 the first class to graduate in Kit Carson County under a recognized .orl.r" oi study was the eighth grade at Flagler. Thev were taught under the direction of Mrs. tt' Charlotte (Rose) Godsman. She later serveJ at Burlington as principal to establish this course-of study there. This same year Leon .' E. Lavington finished his first schotl year; he was the first child born in the town of irtagier. It is generg-lly accepted among ,".""r."h* that Freda Huntley (Robb) wasihe first child born in the Flagler neighborhood. She was a daughter fo Mr. and Mrs. George W. Huntley, very early homesteaders. A sbddie, located about a block west of the Odd-fellows HaI on the main avenue, served as the first school. -, A first recorded teacher was Miss Mary .,::;,::.tl,l; .: An elevator shot showing Flagler in the early days. Crofteri. School was then held in a buildini constructed for a Congregational Churcf, until a grade school building was completed about 1893. Mr. J.W. Augustine wtro naJ been in.partnership with Mr. Lavington was one of the early school teachers, latei becom_ ing Kit Carson County Superintendent of Schools. Mr. C.W. Smith seried the commu_ nity as a minister and also was an early school teacher. The first doctor recorded in the new village was Dr. P.B. Godsman and may not haie lived here permanently. A first doctor remembered by one old timer was Dr. Allen. s,aying he was the first to stay here. Dr. Godsman was present at an investigation of the first murder in Kit Carson Couity, that of Mr. Harry Hatch. Mr. Hatch livedabout three miles west of Flagler. Dr. O.S. Neff arrived early, a relative of Mrs. William (Mamie Neff) Strode. He arrived at the Neff homestead from Chicago. He was suffering from TB and came for health ,"".orr.] Apparently, the climate was beneficial to hip. A.Dr. Schroyer, physician and surgeon, sold his building and stock to Or. fr. L. C'W' Smith built this beautiful hotel in 1893. Mr. Fry later made his home and ran the Republican paper, "The Flagler Advance". the hotel as well as TOWN OF FLAGLER T313 Charles Bernard opened a hardware store where the present First National Bank is located. This store was later sold to Henrv W. Brown. Earl Brown, his son, operated this store in later years at a location across the street north, where his father had built in later years. A lumber yard was established bv George Cornell located north ofa unique new home. He hauled his first supplies from Hugo where the family also operated a lumberyar-cl. This lumber was hauled by tenm and wagon. Mr. Cornell built a residence which is nowlhe lr_orye o{ John Herzog and family. Colby Hefnew built the Cottage Hotel. Across thl street southwest of the Cornell lumber yard -and was a livery barn and corrals owned operated by Mr. J.A. Mahlsteh. (in the area f*,;'.-'-' of the present bird seed packaging plant). Mr. Keegan operated his "Ponce De Lion" hotel rlong wiht a very active livery stable. Records fell us this hotel was located where the 100F building was later erected. The hotel burned First Flagler Day in 1914. Williams who arrived later, almost by acci_ dent, in the little hamlet. Dr. Williams was impressed with the community in about 190g when he observed it during an unplanned stop over in Flagler. �x Langcamp, Ann-a-Lavington, Money-making project for christian Endeavor society; Left to right --pthe-t i. S"iln U"a."r*ood, Mr.. gilagett, Mrs. Young (thoBarber's wife), Mrs. Jennie Williams, Mrs. Heiney' The "Weekly Register" published an issue at Crystal Springs on July 4, 1888. The next igsue was pubhsned at Malowe; no records tell us of its demise. Arch Cunningham was the publisher. A first publication after this was a small religous paper, "The Messenger of Love," published at a homestead south- west of Flagler by C.W. Smith. Mr. Smith was persuaded- by Mr. Lavington and David S*"yr"" to begin publishing a new newspa- per, "The Flagler Advance," in October, iagr. U.. C.W. Smith then built a house in Flagler, publishing the Advance in the basement. He later sold the house to J.J. Fry' Mr. Smith said it was an unique time in history as all county publishing went outside of Builington with no paper located there. by Lyle W. Stone pill,l,i RnNT Early day Flagler restaurant. �The Flagler Drayman. ress," a first permanent newspaper in 1908. "The Flagler News" was established in l91B by Edward Krutchen. A large number of homesteaders and settlers arrived in the late 1800s and earlv 1900s. The National Bank was established in 1908, the oldest banking institution in Kit Carson County. W.H. Lavington bought a frame building on main street to house his Dry Goods and Grocery store near the k$i - *.,,' present location of the Stop and Shop Grocery. This store had been owned bv M.F. Roberts, established in 1900 and sold to Mr. Lavington in 1902. Dr. H.L. Williams established his office and drug store across the street south of the Lavington store where Don Jones now operates his dairy. W.H. Lavington built a grain elevator. Real estate offices appeared, one operated by C.M. Smith. Mr. Smith and Mr. Bernard operated a real estate office together for a time, located jlryt north of the present Municipal Building. The Flagler Hotel was built by W.H. Lavington and W.L. Price and operated by H.B. Blanken. This hotel was complete with a dining hall and kitchen. This building is the present Municipal Building. Just south of the Flagler Hotel was located the Straub building, a lumber and hardware outlet. South of the Straub building, an early 100F Hall was erected where the Ponce De Leon hotel had burned. This was the site of an improved building in later years. An April 26, 1915 edition of the Flagler News announces that the next issue will be ; Otis Messick & Son and Bob Kelley. TOWN OF FLAGLER T3l4 published by William A. Borland of Brush. Colo. Mr. Borland had visited previously and had looked at several newspapers in the area. He was impressed by the activity, wide main ff fr f /{/4' The advance "died of starvation" in 1894. Charles E. Gibson, a homesteader living south of town, started "The Flagler Prog- *.' FaIl Festival in Flagler, 1914. In center ie Livery Stable where homesteaders kept ;heir horses when coming to seek a homestead site. �**'T K,ffi ->' *{STE * Caravan of motorcycles in front of the Flagler Hotpl. 'i **,1 ',' Lavington's float in the parade. Looking north on Main Street in the Fall of 1910-11. using materials for a garage. Seal Hall was the center of local plays, movies and community events. The Watters Hotel was the scene of local elections and a good place to eat a meal. The growing town of Flagler was without recorded official government for some time. A Flagler Commercial Club existed and was instrumental in promoting the idea of incorporation. At one of their meetings, it was pointed out that side walks, electric plants, water systems, etc., were better handled by a municipal organization. It seems town affairs and financing for needed improv- The Farmers State Bank built in 1912-14 and Reed's Cash Store & Grocery. street and general pride in the community he found here. The Simpson Clothing Store opened February 20, 1915 in the old pool hall south of Dr. H.L. Williams Drug Store. Gromer Brothers opened a new lumber yard in 1915; bad weather hampered its winter construction. At a school election in May, 1915, plans were discussed for a bond issue to build a new high school in Flagler which was soon built. In October, Dr. F.M. Thomas of Macon, Mo. Iocated in Flagler. He began a practice of Osteopathy at the residence of G.W. Johnston. J.C. Straub sold his lumber yard to Gromer Brothers and E.S. Johnson Lumber Company, saying three years were too many for the town. He then bought the ements was accomplished with a poll tax imposed by agreement of its citizens. This continued for some time after incorporation of the town. by Lyle W. Stone TOWN OF FLAGLER T315 In early 1916 petitions were circulated to assess the feeling of residents of Flagler on the matter of incorporating. An official petition was submitted to H.L. Haynes, Judge of the County Court. The court approved the action and appointed a commit- Seal and Seal Hardware stock. E.A. Malbaff broke ground for a new blacksmith shop across the road from the Lemar livery barn. The building was 24 x 50 feet and built of concrete blocks. Mr. Malbaff was operating a shop near or where Lyle Plumb later operated a shoe shop, (Jim Toney Shop). In early 1915, Dr. H.L. Williams began construction of a new concrete and brick building south of the post office. The post office was then located just south of the W.E. Hall, (Ottomans) brick store where H.C. Carper operated his barber shop in later years. Dr. Williams sold his old store to the Beatrice Creamery Company and Wm. Knies, local manager. It is possible Dr. Williams bought the post office building later First black Angus cattle in this area owned by the Lucore's of Arriba, shown at the Flagler Fall Festival in 1914. Frank Gibson, first car owner in Flagler. tee to cause publication and notice of an election in the matter. On October 17, 1916, an election was held at the Watters Hotel, with 116 votes cast, 107 in favor ofincorporation and 9 against. A Certificate oflncorporation from the State of Colorado is dated November 22, 1916. The incorporation committee, H.B. Blanken, W.H. Lavington, E.T. Epperson, D.D. Buck and Elaine Briggs called for an election to be held December 12, 1916 to elect one mayor and six trustees. On that date, Leon E. Lavington was elected mayor, A.J. Lockwood, J.H. Seal, H.B. Blanken, W.W. Reynolds, I.N. Moberly and J.W. White were elected trustees. Since that time long ago, mayors serving the town of Flagler are listed, along with date of oath and some other information. Leon E. Lavington - Dec. 1916; Leon E. Lavington - March 1918; W.R. Heiserman April 1920; Dr. H.L. Williams - (chose not to qualify) - April 1922; R.M. Farquhar (retained office) - April 1922; Dr. H.L. Williams - April 1923;P.T. Bonham - April 1925; Dr. H.L. Williams - April 1927; M.P. Williams - April 1929; Robert S. Bryan April 1930. George P. Gibbs - April 1932, Second Term - April 1934;Will Kliewer - April 1936; J. A. Fruhling - April 1938, Second Term - April 1940, Third Term - April 1942, Fourth Term - April 1944; T. Guard - April 1946; Dan Schlagle - April 1948; Leon E. Lavington, Jr. Term - April 1952; - April 1950, Second Robert Snell - (resigned Jan 1955) - April 1954; Ira Ferrier - (Appointed) - Jan 1955; �., l,.Si!s Civil War veterans, 1906. Fall Festival parade. F. A. Ottoman - April 1956; Russell R. Goodwin - April 1958; H. C. Carper - April 1960; David Rowden - April 1962, Second Term - April 1964; F. A. Ottoman - April 1966; Lyle W. Stone - April 1968, Second Term - April 1970; Richard Peterson - April a first effort to change to electric lighting occurred in a local garage; plans to furnish power to business places on main street were considered. In 1916 the wooden water tank The men in the Modern woodman organization. 1972; Rynold Fager - April 1974; Richard D. Stevens - April 1976, Second Term - (Resigned Sept 1979) - April 1978; Donald L. Jones - (Appointed) - Sept 1979; Robert L. Eikerman - (four year term) - April 1980; Steven E. Goering - April 1984. by Lyle IV. Stone TOWN OF FLAGLER T316 On June 8, 1916, the first senior class graduated from Flagler High School. In 1916 The Royal Neighbors ladies 1. Ive Reynolds; 2. Marry Girvin; 3. Mrs. Monor; 4. Millie Gibbs; Sarah White; 6. Jennie Williams; 7. ElIa Lavington; 8. Loura Davison. Early day citizens of the Flagler area: L. to R.: Mr.Rich; Mr. Boyd; Mr. Quinn; Mr. Mottinger. belonging to the Rock Island Railroad was replaced with a new steel one located farther north of the tracks. A park was promised by the railroad at the time. (I wonder if it ever developed?). The Flagler Telephone Com- pany had lines in operation both north and south of Flagler in 1917. Ida Howland operated a Millinery Shop, probably just south of the building now occupied by Terry's (Cafe). W.R. Heiserman operated a Mortuary; a "motor hearse" was part of the equipment. Dr. F.M. Thomas practiced as an Osteopath. Gromer Brothers operated a lumber yard. J.W. White was proprieter of a Barber shop: "Bring in your laundry Mondays and your hair and whiskers an5rtime." S.A. D. Culbertson bought the Watters Bros Meat Market. Princess Theatre was operated by M.R. Gromer and was showing silent movies. E.A. Malbaff had installed a new disk rolling machine. In January, 191?, Dr. E.W. Reid came to Flagler; he was expected to practice in the Straub building, just south of the Hotel Flagler. Stock was being sold in The Flagler Oil and Gas Company, who were drilling for oil nearby. In 1917 a petition to create a new county, to be named Flagler, was circulated and presented to the state legislature. Reason given was a distance of 50 to 60 Afternoon, 1913 or 1914, Fourth of July celebration, man in black suit is Dr. Neff. miles to the county seat. This bill was defeated in the next session. �A progress edition of the Flagler Progress and Flagler News was published in early 1918. In December the two newspapers merged to become The Flagler News, owned and published by William Borland. Newspaper items in 1917 and 18 include the effects of World War I on the community. August, 1917, Dr. M.C. Traw, DDS passed the examinations for the dental reserve corps, subject to call by his country. He had been practicing in the community for some time. In January, 1918, a publication of members of a home guard appeared, listing prominent members of the community. Arlie Wilson bought the W.E. Hall building in 1918. During this year a flu epidemic was rampant in the community; business places were visited only by necessity and public meetings were banned at times. Many died of what was often termed "Spanish Influenza." In 1919 casing arrived for the new oil well; some time later, the hole was pronounce dry. A soda fountain with all the "fizzes" wag installed by H.H. Kliewer at Dr. Williams pharmacy. Supt. C.H. Allen continued his work at Flagler High School in 1919 and the Flagler News installed a new modern Li- notype. This year the Flagler Fire Depart- Early day baseball team. mentwas organized. Jesse Yocum was elected first fire chief. The Flagler Hotel changed management: P.P. Stromeyer to Gus Mayot. In April, Wm. I. Sutton purchased stock and fixtures of Pedergon's Cafe. H.G. Grey barber shop changed management to its original proprietor, John W. White. One Barber Shop was located just south of the Straub building, north of the 100F Hall. An election was held on September 23, 1919 to decide whether or not Flagler would have a water works. Before the end of this year, work on the system had commenced. A decision to install an electric light plant occurred in 1919. Bids for the power house were received in November. The'20s were busy years in the community with Flagler becoming a business hub of the area. In December, 1921, electric power from the Flagler plant was turned into a heavy line serving the town of Seibert. These were years of many people and most towns did well in Kit Carson County. In L927 a few of the business places were The Flagler Lumber This colt, named "Liberty" was donated by H.C. Jones to the Red Cross of Flagler and was raffled off on April 13, 1918. \ Yard operated by John R. Miller, Palace gs Meat Market and Grocery - Chas. Jackson, J.A. White Hardware, Flagler Garage Wright and Fruhling, Leon E. by Lyle W. Stone Bert and Agnes Soule. After a big snow. TOWN OF FLAGLER Lavington - (Fords), The Flagler Hardware Co. - G.H. Rice, First National Bank - W.H. Lavington, Sanitary Barber Shop - E.W. Conarty, The Farmers Union, W.L. O'Brian DDS, Shaw Mortuary - Hamer Shaw, B.L. Miller Dray and Transfer, Nels Jorgensen (International Harvestor - Atwat- T3r7 er Kent), Leroy E. Cuckow (auto parts, wagons - equipment) and The Flagler Mercantile Co. - H. B. Blanken. In 1928, some ofthe business places, a few may have been active earlier were Flagler Cash Store - C.E. Reavis, Flagler Cleaners O.A. Groves, Red and White Food Co. - Bob Bryan, Royal Theatre, Jackson's Store Chas. Jackson, Home Market (in Jackson's The fire was started by a coal heater in the depot, winter of 1931. All ready and no place to go? 1923. store) - Noah Wold. The shock of a national financial upset in late 1920s is apparent in local history when �ads for autos and equipment begged for a change in the system where loans and charge sales could again be used. In 1929 people of TOWN OF FLAGLER T318 Flagler turned down a bid from Rocky Mountain Utilities for purchase of the light plant. This was accomplished at a vote of the people in August. Sam Combs bought a barber shop from E.W. Conarty. Nels Jorgen- sen was selling Desotos and then Crystler cars. Chas. Jackson called his store the Golden Rule Cash Store. Arthur Robb was operating Flagler Variety Store. Some other business places were White Eagle Service Station - Delbert Todd, Fred Mosher Grain - Jay Roberts, Flagler Filling Station - Pearl Lord, S.E. Teeter (cream, poultry and eggs), Leech Hardware, Guthrie's Shoe Store, Farmers Union - G.M. Baxter, Flagler Bakery Joseph Werner, Hollywood Cream Station C.B. Dean, Williams Pharmacy - H.L. Williams, Earl Browns (stil in business from long ago), and others. Walter Conarty, Kit Carson County sheriff from this area, was faced with the Orville Lindberg murder near Burlington. Mrs. Straub received a recommendation for postmaster. The Royal Theater of Flagler was making plans for new Train wreck, not identified. Train wreck near Flagler in the early 1930's. Minar. The 1936 business places include Shaw Mortuary, Palacy Cafe - May and Jay Roberts, Martin Shoe Shop, Carpers Barber and Beauty Parlor - H.C. Carper Olivette - movies with sound! In April, 1930, Sam Sprague was repairing the Rock Island Hotel. Clarence Wright began building the Wright Building, (Grand Theater). In August, O.M. Olsen bought the Rock Island Hotel. After a question of showing movies on Sunday was resolved, the Grand Theater opened. T. Guard bought the Flagler News about 1933. Pearl Lord opened a large adobe building along Highway 24 in March, 1934. It was expected to house a restautant, garage, filling station and rooms for rent. The 1930s were the dusty and dry years; many left the area. Dr. O'Brian moved away to Las Animas and Dr. Austin of that place came to Flagler, leaving again in October for Eagle, Colorado. Survival became a problem in the area. It did rain but these usually cnme in torrents and run off due to dusty conditions caused unforgettable floods, one breaking all records in 1935. Many travelers were stranded in Flagler at this time; supplies for the town were terminated in both directions. Lives were lost along the Republican River. Marion Williams operated Williams Pharmacy and children of this time will remember when he traded an ice creem cone for an egg on special days! Mrs. Gibbs Fall of 1944 train wreck which happened in a terrible fog. operated a small candy store on the west eide of main avenue, visited often by the children with their weekly allowance of a nickel. C.M. Smith was serving as Kit Carson County Judge in Burlington. Flagler Hospital was opened in the remodeled Flagler Hotel building by Dr. W. L. McBride of Seibert. A few other 1930s businees places were Law Land Office - W.H. Law, The Palace Barber Shop - Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Embree (later Campbell). Oliver Blanken was selling Willys - Overland, Willys - Knight and Whippet cars in the early 30s, Diets Funeral Home, Andre Home Mortuary, G.W. Klokenteger, Atty. In 1933 Ruby's Market appeared - W.E. ;-1.:**"";,. Y. Ruby, Tony's Shoe and Harness Repair Shop - Jim Tony, Gladden's Garage - A.K. Glad- den, The Flagler Truck Line - Herron Bros, Deluxe Cleaners - M.E. Harris and Square Deal Garage - Geo. by Lyle W. Stone By the water tower. �and in the fall of 1951, a celebration was Train derailment. planned, centering around an air show. Near the beginning of the celebration, a plane craehed into a crowd of spectators. Twenty were killed and that many injured; most were local. There was never a complete recovery from the shock of this event. Later this same year, the Flagler High School building burned. Very soon a fine new twelve grade school was constructed under the direction of Wm. McKinley after a vote on a bond issue, a tussle over bonding, and a drive for necessary local funds. Lyle's TV & Radio Service was established in 1951 by Lyle and Laura Stone; they purchased T. Guard's refrigeration and electrical business later. In 1956 Flagler installed a modern sewer system with an associated disposal plant. On May 15, 1953, Flagler Hospital closed due to increasing operating costs and ever increasing regulations. Dr. Straub continued to maintain his medical office in the building for a time and then accepted a location, Plains Medical Center in Limon, to continue his practice. Plans were developed for a medical center and later a hospital for the community. A The Republican river bridge on highway 24 east of Flagler after the flood of 1935. medical center was built. Though a permanent doctor was not found. the center was seldom without medical use. In 1964 a strenuoug effort to create indus- Ellis, Bus's Service Station, Dr. C.W. Zink, DDS, Bryan's Red and White, T.H. Hill try in the town of Flagler met with some (Conoco Products), Dr. W.L. McBride, MD, Moffett's Dry Goods Store, Nels Jorgensen ed met failure, a bird seed packaging plant remained, spearheaded by Wayne Fagerlund with help of other local citizens. This bit of industry remains and is a welcome addition (International Harvestor, refrigeration, radio) and Pearl's Garage, Cafe and Rooms (all under one roof). Certainly, there were others. The 1940's held an improvement in weather and with it the second world war. All towns felt losses of young men and their absence from the communities. Dances were accompanied by sale of war stamps and bonds. Scrap drives to produce more iron and needed staples were held. Rationing of tires, gasoline and most commodities became a way of life. Dr. Zink, who had operated a dental office in the community, closed his office to leave for the service. A few cars were sold to very lucky people by Fruhling Motor Company and Lavington Motor Company. It was not unusual to see burnpers of 2 x 6 wood instead of a normal bumper. Jorgensen success. Although most of the projects start- to the business of the town. This plant has been in. by Lyle W. Stone TOWN OF FLAGLER T319 operation for over twenty years. Natural gas was added to the utilities of the town. Hal Borland, son of Wm. Borland, publisher of the Flagler News, wrote many books through the 50s to 70s. He became a distinguished Drilling for oil south of Flagler. author and in 1970 honored his home town with "Country Editor's Boy." A memorial room exists in the Municipal Hall in his honor. In this short paper, only a very small portion of the business places and other entities of the town are listed, space will not allow mention of all things. Certainly, a book could be written about the many facets and endeavors making up the town of Flagler. Businesses of 1987 are many, including The First National Bank, L.P. Gas Service, Ottomans Cash Store and Locker Plant. Creighton Agency, Inc, The Office Recrea- tion Center, Flagler Video USA, Williams Pharmacy, Conoco Bulk Plant, M & S Texaco, Dorsch Grain Company, Flagler Aerial Spraying, D & M Steiger, Flagler Farm Equipment, Coast To Coast, Moss Corner, Flagler Farmers Co-op, Airport Restaurant, Lyle's TV & Radio Service, Flagler Equity Co-op, Colorado Bird Seed Packaging, Colorado Tax Center, R-K Hedging Service, The Mane Event, Randy's Auto Body Shop, Smith Service, Stop and Shop Super Market, Daves Barber Shop, Ron Pottorff Insurance, Terry's (cafe), Don's Dairy, High Plains Wholesale, Lark's Welding, Tip Top Service, Witts Family Store, Rowe Motors, Shideler Electric, Ethel's Beauty Shop, Koch - Opera- tions, Inc, Mac Tools, Agtec Inc, Green Horizons, J & J Parts and Repair, American Legion Club, Don's Liquor, The Flagler News, Fager Sales, Thad-Russ Ceramics, Joels Design Painting, John Shulda Electric, V & L Locks Service, Corky's Sales and Implement Company delivered an occasional International tractor and other needed items. The M&S Garage opened about 1943, so named in a "naming" contest won by Lillian Lord, by Millard and Sylvia Petersen. Flagler installed a 5 HP fire siren near the Malbaff Garage in November, L947. Curtis Clark established a cement block factory. After the war was over, Dr. John C. Straub returned from service and began a practice at the Flagler Hospital. The hospital gained national recognition for its outstanding care and special medical family teem. Just one of many memorable feats at the hospital was saving the life of Ernest Verhoeff, who had been injured internally by a bucking horse, with a new drug called Penicillin. In 1948, The Flagler News was published by a new editor and owners, Clyde and Ruth Coulter. T. Guard retired from the paper and continued in a Refrigeration and Electrical business. Nelson Stake bought and began operating the Flagler Airport. A Rural Fire Protec- tion District, using Flagler firemen, was established in 1948-9. The 1950's held tragedies in store for the town of Flagler. Economy was near a normal Plowing sod with 2 four bottom plows, Roy Bryant equipment. �l,ir' * "-: Threshing bundles of wheat. Service, The Mile Saver Shopper (shopping service publication), Soil Conservation Ser- vice, Bogart Well Service, Fashion Corner and Winfrey & County CPA's. Sincere hope is that none have been missed. This long list of business endeavors is included with the thought that in another 100 years, it will be very interesting. Remembering the restless vitality and undying hopefulness ofthose earliest inhabitants of Flagler who tired so very hard to make a worthy town of their settlement, it is not unlikely they would smile on the place Flagler has become. Generally, it is a very clean town with a neat business section, many trees and parks. There is yet a stigma among inhabitants of Flagler which seems evident in all years from the beginning, to better their community. Often, the impossible has been accomplished at great odds, to create, organize and establish. The latest accomplishment, a new golf course is an example of this community effort. Yes, I believe those special people of the past would smile if they could walk the streets of Flagler today. Very soon, on or before October, 1988, the Town of Flagler will have crossed a milestone: 100 years since steel rails tied this place firmly to the rest of the country. It should be a time for celebration and for great hope for Flagler's future. This same stigma must have been felt by earliest residents and those who followed, to make it a great place. We of today must continue this same courage and effort to preserve and make it even better. by Lyle T[. Stone They just get big in this part of the countryl �FLAGLER T320 rrirr::1r.:ri. :f: r:::l.l li: ,i' : : t.1,,:t,; -' f!l$r.;,,fi!ti ;:,.,,;11 -: ri lli.::l'.il::r:ll dfr* -: ;aai': - "*c " ;'- 'l *'i3., :.' : l:ir,llrt.i$.$?tirs{9i.i!$!a$ rl r.L -t1.", ' -i fffi5 *l i{t J1 "€- �FLAGLER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH T32r including the pulpit, lecturn, and altar still in use in the present church was completed in 1953, and in this same year plans for a new Sunday School building were made and these plans were fulfilled in the present education building in 1954. Rev. Don Meek followed Rev. Matheny in 1958, serving until June of 1961. During these years there was a noted growth in church membership and attendance, and increased activity of the youth gtoups. In 1960, it was voted to build a new church building, and in Feb. 1961, the church voted in favor of the union of the Congregational Christian Church and The Evangelical and Reformed Church to form the United Church of Christ. In July 1961, it was decided to raise funds for the proposed building, which was completed within a few months and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on Nov. 12, 1961. In May 1962, Rev. Ernest Maedche was First Congregational Church at Flagler from 1915 until 1961 when the new church was built. On December 13, 1888, the Flagler Congregational Church warl organized by Reverend D.H. Minnich, a circuit rider from Arikaree, who also served as pastor to five other churches in the area. The charter members were: Rev. Minnich, H.W. Brown, William Hunt, E.M. Lyon, Florence Lyon, Mr. Hatch and Mrs. Hanna Strode. Within the year, plans were made to build a church which was completed a few years later with the assistance of a $300 laon from the Congregational State Committee. The new church was one of the first buildings in the pioneer Flagler settlement, and wag at the present location of what is known as the late C.M. Smith home at Fifth and Loveland. The building was also occupied by the school when it was moved from a soddy to the church building. The building was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Smith in about 1915 called to the Flagler Church, serving until June 1966. In Nov. 1966, Rev Leslie R. Poeschel was called to minister and served until the fall of 1972. The Rev. Frank McCall of the Arriba First Congregational served as interim pastor until Nov. L, L973, when Rev. Harvey K. Griffith was called by the congregation. Rev. Griffith in co-operation with Rev. McCall in 1976, formed a Parish Planning Committee composed of the officers of the Arriba and Flagler churches for the purpose of forming a yoked ministry. This yoked field was voted into being in June 1976 when Rev Griffith was called by the Arriba Congrega- 1912. In 1912, Reverend George Gibbs was called to minister to the church. At this time. CATHOLIC CHURCH T322 First Congregational Church, two were united in marriage in the second building, and the Rev. Harvey Griffith and Bernita Challis were united in marriage in the new church building in Nov. 1976 with the Conference minister Rev. George Otto, presiding in a Thanksgiving Day Celebration that included a dinner serving for over 200 persons. the fall of 1988. Ministers of First Congregational Church, Flagler, Colo. are: Minnich, Dec. 13, 1888 Dec. 31, 1891; Jones, Jan. 1, 1892 - Mar. 1, 1892; Tuttle, Mar. 1, 1892 - Aug. 1, 1896; Smith, Aug. 1, 1896 - Jun. 1, 1903; Edgar, Jul, 1903 - Oct. 1, 1903; Faner, Oct., 1903 - May his leadership the church membership increased to fifty-four. Rev. E.H. Blodgett ministered to the church from 1905 to 1910, followed for one year by Rev. Hopkins, 1910 to 1911, and the Rev. E.P. Owens for one year from 1911 to ST. MARY'S Council until the present time. Two ministers were ordained in the Flagler The house which is the present parsonage was purchased by the church to serve as the minister's home in 1928. Reverend Phillip Pennington served the Flagler church from 1950 to 1954. During his ministry, the Youth Fellowship was revived, a church nursery instituted, a new chancel, and served the church until 1903. and under May, 1955; G.H. Underhill, Jun., 1961 - May, 1962; F.M. McCall, Nov., 1972 - Oct., 1973; Carla Gilbert, Jun., 1972 - Oct., 1987; Natelli, Nick, Oct., 1987. ly under the guidance ofthe Parish Executive plans were being made for a new church building. In 1913, a site was selected and on Oct, 4,1914, the new church was dedicated, a building which was to serve the congregation until Nov. 12. 1961. Christmas Day, 1892, uniting Edley T. Epperson and Nina M. Miller in marriage. Rev. C.W. Smith followed Reverend Tuttle 1966; Poeschel, Nov. 1, 1966 - Nov. 1,t972; Griffith, Nov. 1, 1973 - Jun. 1, 1986. Interims: Lester Sperberg, Oct., 1954 - tion to serve as their pastor, thereby establishing the hoked ministery, with 238 members and 94 students. It has operated smooth- From 1976 through 1978 the Board of Trustees worked on a renovation program in the church buildings and the pars.onage, with some painting, carpeting, new windows for the sanctuary, and with a new kitchen, bathroom and study, along with tree removal and landscaping. at the parsonage. The Ladies Aid Society has supported the renovation and general program of the church with both their time and funds, which were raised when they have an annual summer long Bargain Shop on Main Street. It must be told also that the effective work of the boards and committees of the church has continued to keep the congregation active in the ministry that serves well both its membership and the Flagler Community. A breezeway, joining the Education building and the church was completed in the early 1980's to make one complete building, a 100th anniversary celebration is planned for and remodeled for a home. Rev. Tuttle occupied the pulpit form 1892 to 1896, and during his ministry the first wedding was performed in the church on 16, 1905; Blodgett, Jun 4, 1905 - May 16, 1910; Hopkins, May 16, 1910 - Mar 1, 1911; Owens, Jun 1, 1911 - Jun. ,l,L9l2; Gibbs, Jul. L, 191.2 - Arg., 1, 1915; Marquardt, Dec. 1, 19f5 - Dec. 1, 1917; Moore, Aug. 1, 1919 Aug, 1925; Schwab, Nov., 1925 - May, 1928; Gibbs, May 1928 - Aug. 1929; Leach, Aug., 1929 - Aug., 1932; Read, Jun., 1932 - Sept. 1932; Gibbs, Sept. 1932 - Dec. 1943; Allingham, Jan 15, 1935 - Jun., 1937; Thomas, Jun., 1937 - Mar., 1942; Bryant, Sep. 7, 1942 - Aug. 1944; Macon, Jul., 8, Lg44 - Jul 1948; Hahn, Sep. 5, 1948 - Sep. 15, 1949; Pennington, Jan. 1, 1950 - Oct. 1, 1954; Matheny, May 1, 1955 - Jun., 1958; Meek, Jun., 1948 - Jun., 1961; Maedche, May, 1962 - Jun., St. Mary's Catholic Church, Flagler. I presume the first known Catholics in the Flagler area were the Michale Quinn family who arrived to work on the railroad on March 28, 1888. Other families arriving later in the area were the Andrewjeskys who came in 1907 and the Ostrowskis who arrived in 1909. Other names remembered were Miciejeski, Greek, Bakuski, Jasjievic, Gregel and the Krafts. Once a year a Polish priest from Denver would come out to the area to offer Mass in one of the homes and to baptize the new babies born that year. Some of these families only lived in the community for three years or less. In 1930 the Charles Keller family arrived, to be followed later by Chappla, Chivilicek, Naus, Selenke, Horning, Clark, Heinrick, Lueb, Grant, Eder, Paul Wimmer, Vince Wimmer, McCormick, Lowe, Hubbard, Kelly and Ford families. These Catholics as well as the previous Catholics now traveled to Strat- ton or Hugo to attend Sunday Masses, weather permitting. In 1947 Father Edward Dinan and Father Charles Salmon from the Stratton Church saw the need for a church in Flagler and offered to take turns coming to Flagler to say Mass. Their first Mass was in a back room of the Case Implement Building on Main Street owned by Vern Naus. (This is now Randy's �Body Shop). Plans were soon made for a church building and Father Dinan appointed Charles Keller, Andrew Selenke, and Vern Naus to purchase a school building from Idalia and have it moved to Flagler and remodeled into a church. These three men donated $500.00 each and other families quickly added to the building fund. Record show the 3O by 22 ft. school house was purchased for $1,750.00 and the 4 lots on 8th St. for $750.00. George Hubbard and Charles Keller went to Brighton for church pewe. On October 26, 1947, the first Mass was offered in Flagler's St. Mary's Catholic Church. Records show the following: first baptisms: Karen Janette Eder, April 11, 1948 and Rose Ellen Grant, April 22, 1948; first marriage: Jack McKay and Myrtle Dine, Sept. 5, 1959; first funerals: Georege Oscar Epperson, Feb. 26, 1951 and Margaret (Maggie) Epperson, Dec. 24, 1956. Other baptisms, marriages, first communions, the confirmations and funerals were in St. Charles Church at Stratton. The first meeting of the Altar & Rosary Society was October 6, 1949 in the home of Maggie Epperson. President was Kathryn Hubbard and sec./treas. was Maymie Lueb. On July 2, L959, Limon's Catholic Church building was purchased as they were building a new church. This building was moved to the former George Epperson property which had been willed to the church in 1956 by Maggie Epperson. On Oct. 25, 1959, we had our first Mass in our new location. The Epperson house was converted to our Parish House. Father Dinan was still our priest. Helen McCormick has been our organist most all of these years. We are grateful to Virginia Eder who has put together with pictures a beautiful and complete history book of the church. It lists families, priests, sacraments, funerals and other special events. We now have over 25 families in our church. Father Jerry Kelleher who is also the priest for Hugo and Limon is our priest. Our lecturers are Gayla Jones and Shelly Wieser. Kelly Wieser and Jesse Bezdek, are our altar boys. Eucharistic Ministers are Ron Wieser, Tom Arensdorf, Pat Ford, Don Jones, Ray ''.f :..r:*.Y) t I ffi;* :;m Flagler Baptist Church as it now stands with the original structure and the new addition. buildings in town before the church was constructed. Meetings were held in Seal's Hall (Wickham Hardware Building), the house that C.M. Smith lived in and, some- a dollar to join. From the nine women who started the society, three circles were later formed and still meet regularly. In the fall of 1947, the Women's Mission Society began time later, a school house was moved into town north of the present Baptist Church. giving a banquet for all the Flagler High Services continued there under the pastorate of Rev. Hill. On June 30, 1918 the Flagler Baptist Church was organized, with the Rev. W.F. Henry as pastor and fourteen members. This is still being continued. Charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Reade, Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Bryan, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. H. Pangborn, Mrs. Amelia Miller, Mrs. Alma Williams, Mrs. Amelia Alexander, Mrs. Ella Stone, Mrs. Eunice Hughes and Mrs. Ethel School graduates and eighth grade graduates. In 1948, girls guild was started and remained active until 1980. by Renee Loutzebhiser TIIURMAN CHURCH T324 Stutzman. The following summer, lots were secured "Thurman's Church of circa 1915, built to place ofworship until the upper structure was completed the later part of December 1927. Dedication services were held January 29, 1928. The approximate cost was $8000.00. replace one burned in a prairie fire, stands in spite ofa devastating tornado which killed 11 people nearby in the early 1920's." Adam's book does not state this north of Flagler denomination, but old timers here remember it was Mennonite. They bring to building were Fred Probasco, John Collier, came along one summer Sunday as all the E.B. Walker and R.S. Bryan. The pastor at that time was Rev. William Peterson. The First Thanksgiving service was held in the church in 1928 with a bountiful basket dinner. The first wedding held in the sanctuary was that of Rhynold Fager and Crystal Hale on March 6, 1938. In the spring of 1939, Mr. W.H. Lavington gave a house to the church for use as its parsonage. This house is now the home of the Glenn Saffers'. Also, about this time, Mrs. congregation had gathered at the home ofthe minister, Rev. Kuhn, for a basket dinner. The menfolk had gone about 100 feet from the house to the garage to admire the preacher's new fliwer. The women and some children were in the house cleaning up after the dinner when out of the blue the cyclone swept down from the southwest, missing the garage, but lifting up the house with all its occupants and slamming it down some distance away. Many were injured, the eleven losing their T323 John Hale painted the scene behind the baptistry in the sanctuary. lives. The minister's wife and also his two About the year 1911, Grace Chapel Car was moved onto a siding just west of the Flagler Depot. The Rev. and Mrs. A.C. Lintzenger were in charge in this car which, also, had living quarters for the minister and his family. The car seated forty to fifty people. It was from the interest in evangelism of people who attended services in the Chapel Car. that a decision was made to establish a Baptist Church in Flagler. Places of worship were held in different During the years, the church had its growth Hinman and Mary Ann Wimmer. Debbie Ford is our church treasurer. Altar and Rosary Society officers are Clara Hinman, Helen Keller and Virginia Eder. Lynda Jones is in charge of our religious education program. The teachers are Jeanne Wieser, Karn Arensdorf, Char Smith and Ceceila Blackwell. by Clara Hinman FLAGLER BAPTIST CHURCH and the basement was constructed at an approximate cost of $4000.00. This was the The main workmen on the new church strengthened by the addition of members from what had been the Shiloh Baptist Church and the Twin Lakes Church, later known as the Zion Baptist Church. This church was in the midst of the dust bowl area in the mid 30's and had a hard struggle to maintain itself. At the February 2L, t92l meeting of the church, it was voted to organize a missionary society with weekly dues of fifteen cents and mind the tragic story of how the tornado daughters were among the victims. One of the daughters was holding a baby which was uninjured. The windmill and all outbuildings were strewn along the flat countryside, which was populated by the pastor's chickens running naked since the wind blast had taken off their feathers. At the mass funeral, the caskets stood outside the church and the bodies are in the little cemetery where the church used to stand before it was moved to the present site near the Thurman Post Office. �l.K According to Mrs. M.!). !'erguson of Burlington, formerly Faye Zook - Pangborn, mother of Burlington pharmacist, William Pangborn, Thurman first had a church before the turn of the century. Its Amish congregation sat for services with no singing nor music of any kind with a division down the center on one side, women on the other. Born -in men the area, she was baptized in this white frame meetinghouse which was later consu- med in the devastating fire. The wind fanned blaze swept over the hill for the northeast in about the year 1914, narrowly missing the Pangborn and Zook farms. Zion Lutheran School in the 1920's, Mr. Daberkow, teacher. Tongues of flames flared skyward for miles, 1894, by Missionary Klettke of Burlington. fed by the "go - back" bushy grass, with scarcely a homesteader left in the area to get The first congregation was formed in February, 1909 northeast of Arriba, during the time of missionary Heinrich Schmidt, son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Diedrich P. Blancken. barrels of water and gunny sacks on a wagon to fight the fire. Go - back grass resulted when land was given up after sod had been broken and hard - pressed settlers fled elsewhere to make a living. Soon, plans began toward beginning a congregation at Flagler. Under the guidance of the pastor at Arriba, H. Stegemann, this goal was realized with the organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Zion Congregation of Flagler, on April 10, 1911. There were ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH T326 approximately twenty-eight souls and twenty-four communicants. Voting members were: Henry B. Blancken, D.F. Blancken, William Hohenstein, Henry Schwynn, John Krause, Henry Rabe, Martin Mueller, Ed Scholote, Henry Weidenhammer and Herman Blancken. Zion's first church building was a schoolhouse, purchased and moved in from northeast of Flagler. This building stood at the southwest corner of Pawnee and Seventh. Only a few services were held in it, as Zion, in 1917, was able to buy a building of the Iowa Lutheran Synod, on the main street of Flagler, acrogs from the present church. It doubled as a facility for the Christian day school, and served well until the new church building was dedicated in 1962. An interesting note in the early history of The old church and parsonage. Zion wae the seating arrangement for worship services. As was the custom in many German - Lutheran congregations, the men sat on one side of the room and the women on the other. The Christian day school children sat in their school desks, which for Sunday worship were pushed together towards the front of the room. This practice lasted into the early 1930's. Another interesting historical note regards the role of the German language in Zion's history. In the early years, worship and instruction were in German. Through the Zion Lutheran Church Flagler, built in 1962. The history of Flagler's Zion congregation arose out of the dedication and hard work of German Lutheran families who settled in the Arriba - Flagler area in the 1890's, and of the early missionaries who ministered among them. The first Lutheran services were held in the home of Henry B. Blancken, in May, years it gradually gave way more and more to English, with German services discontinued for good in 1942. A Christian day school was an important part of Zion's history for twenty-five years. The first parochial school was begun in 1913 by Pastor H. Stegemann. It had an enrollment of two, and was taught by the pastor. Sometime in the years following this school disintegrated, and so Pastor F.B. Bierwagen started it anew in 1921. It boasted six pupils at its opening. Pastor Bierwagen taught for the fust four years. He was succeeded by student Eugene Kuechle in 1925-26, and student A.G. Schneewind in L926-27. ln 1927 Ernst Daberkow, a graduate of Concordia Teachers College of Seward, Nebraska, came as teacher, and served through the end ofthe L944-45 school term. Mr. Daberkow also served as Sunday school superintendent and teacher, and as organist, during his professional service at Zion. He currentlv still lives in Flagler, and is a faithfully - attending member of the church. The highest enrollment of the Zion Christian day school was forty seven, in 1931-32. In the 1940's dwindling resources forced Flagler and Aniba to operate a joint parochial school. The 1943-44 school year was held in Arriba. with 1944-45 and 1945-46 back in Flagler. Paster William A. Steil was a teacher during the last term. Through the years of its existence Zion's Christian day school proved a great blessing, being instrumental in the molding of not a few fine churchmen and churchwomen. Zion was received into membership in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod at the first convention of- the Colorado District of the synod in Colorado Springs on June 8-14, t921. Lay delegate to that convention was Diedrich Blancken; pastoral delegate was F. Bernard Bierwagen, who also represented Immanuel. Arriba. Zion had been a member congregation of the Missouri Synod ever since. In the period from 1925 to 1944 the congregation requested and received subsidy from the Colorado District from time to time. By the grace of God experienced in good crops in L944,Zion was able to return the last check from the district Mission Board, and has remained self-supporting ever since. Through the years she has, in fact, been able to increasingly support the work of the church at large, through district and synod. In 1961 Zion closed out its first halfcentury and began the next with a celebration of its 50th anniversary on Cantata Sunday, April 10, under the theme "What God Hath Wrought." Services were held morning and afternoon at Flagler High School, with more than 400 in attendance at each. Guest preachers for the occasion were first resident pastor F.B. Bierwagen, and Dr. John W. Behnken, president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. - On Sunday, September 24, ground was broken for a new church building on lots across the street to the east. Construction began in October. Architect was John Y. Brown, Jr., of Lamar; the contractor W.C. Davis, also of Lamar. Serving on the building committee was Alvin Kasten, chairman; David Michal, Wilbur Haeseker, Walter Timm and LaVern Einspahr. February 25, 1962 broughtthe laying ofthe cornerstonel and the new facility was dedicated on May 27. Total building costs were $78,008.89. The old building was put up for sale by auction. It is now a residence on Navajo Avenue. On November 25, Zion hosted a special community memorial service for assassinated President John F. Kennedy. A high point was reached at the end of 1971, with the paying off of the debt on the church building. The mortgage was burned with proper ceremony in a special afternoon service of thanksgiving and praise on June 4. In 1975 a significant change was made in Zion's constitution. with Article VI amended to read "male voting members to be eighteen years of age," rather than twenty-one. In January of 1978 the congregation decided to trade the parsonage for the Dave Morris home, a large brick ranch style house, which then became the parsonage. The difference in price was approximately $38,500. The original parsonal still stands across the street as the Dave Morris home. �As it turned out, this home required considerable expense and time in repairs, and in August of 1980 it was sold for $85,000' In November it was decided to build a new parsonage. Lots were purchased at 315 Pawnee Avenue. and a Boise Bradford II home was chosen. It was completed the following May at a cost of $71,440.50, and is the present parsonage. Also in August 1980 another amendment was made to Article VI of the constitution, "Right of Suffrage," to allow all members eighteen years and older to vote and hold office, with women excluded from holding only the offices of president and elders, according to the requirements of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. A significant- decision was made in the autumn of 1983, increasing frequency of - 1943-1945: William A. Steil - 1945'L947; Gustav G. Kreft - 1948-1950; Leslie L. Ludwig - 1950-1955; Gilbert Busarow - 19551957: Franklin L.W. Hoffmann, Jr. - 19571964; Pete D. Pedersen - 1964-1971; John B. Luttman - 1971-1975; Paul Westerlund 1976-L977; Robert C. Rowland II - 1978- 1980; Mark Yates - 1980-1981; and James M. Elmshauser - 1982-. Teachers Who Served in the Christian Day School H. Stegemann (pastor) d 1913; F.B. Bierwagen (pastor) - l92l-L925; Eugen Kuechle (student) - L925-L926.; A.G. Schneewind (student) - L926-1927; Ernst Dakerkow L927-L945; William A. Steil (pastor) - 19451946. celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion from the first Sunday of each month to the first, third, and fifth Sundays, and major festival days. This brought Zion's worship practice closer to the historic practice of the whole Christian Church, and to Lutheran practice following the Reformation in the 16th century. Beginning in November 1984 the congregation began use of the new worship book, the Lutheran Book of Worship on Sundays, in alternation with the old worship book, The Lutheran Hynnal. Use of the two books continues on an alternating basis, offering the best of two worlds for those who come to worship. Through the years, Zion has been served by seventeen pastors (listed below). Fourteen of them have been shared with Immanuel Lutheran Church ofArriba, Colorado, reflecting the close ties that have existed with that congregation since their common origins. During much of Zion's history, the two churches have had a dual parish arrangement, sharing a pastor, an arrangement continuing very successfully at the present. Among other things the two churches share are special worship services, junior high confirmation class, and an annual Rally Day celebration in the fall. On Saturday and Sunday, June 21, and22, bv Jim Elmshauser LSC CLUB HISTORY T326 Ladies Social Circle, LSC, is best recorded and remembered in quoting an item appearing in an August 12, 1965 item in the Flagler News, celebrating the 50th anniversary of this club. This item gives a welcome record of it's founding and of many of the persons who lived in a vast area south of Flagler. Although it's beginning was in the Albright neighborhood, it popularity spread through- out school district 19 and communities surrounding it. None of us, who lived in this community will forget wonderful pot luck meals we had, nor the enjoyment of these occasions when this club met at different homes in the community. Information included in this 50th anniversary follow as copied from the Flagler News. "The first record found ofthe Ladies Social Circle was dated February 25, 1915. This meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Sam Sloan. "It was voted to limit the club to 20 members and Mrs. Adam Pfiester was taken in as a member," were contents of first minutes. On April 15, 1915, the club met with Mrs. Melvina Brisbin. It was voted to put the club money in the bank on a certificate bearing 4 percent interest. Mrs. McDonald became a new member. At the next meeting in May, each member contributed to make up the cost of funeral flowers for one of their group, Mrs. Wickham, who was the daughter of Mrs. Brisbin. Irene Wickham, who is now Mrs. AIjy Stinton and Mrs. Wilson were voted in as new members. Mrs. Ackerman as appointed to buy flowers for sick members of the "Albright" community and Mrs. Strong for the "Sunny Side" area. It was voted to open membership to more ladies and to raise dues to 25 cents per year to be held in the treasury for an emergency fund. The dues remained at this figure until 1954. It is possible that the group had organized in August, 1914, held at the home of Mrs. Sexton. Those elected were Mrs. Tom Lewin as president, Mrs. Ackerman as vice president, Mrs. Art Strong (sister of Flo Baxter), secretary and Mrs. J.B. West as treasurer. The roll that year included Mrs. Albert Ackerman, Mrs. Melvina Brisbin (Bill Wickham's grandmother), Mrs. O.C. Cristopher, (Mrs. Sutton's mother), Mrs. Fred Cristopher (son of O.C.), Mrs. W. Davenport, Mrs. Claude Ervin, Mrs. Will Grove, Mrs. Anna Holson, Mrs. Hemerick, Mrs. Clyde McDonald, Mrs. E.S. McDonald, Mrs. Adaline A. Newby, Mrs. Adam Pfiester, Mrs. Emma Reade, Mrs. E. Reiger, Mrs. Richmond, Mrs. Sexton, Mrs. Sam Sloan, Mrs. Robert Stinton, Mrs. Sol Stone, Mrs. Art Strong, Mrs. Emma Sutton, Mrs. Schmidt, Mrs. B. F. Smith, Mrs. Emma Verhoeff, Mrs. Frank Wilson, Mrs. J.B. West, Mrs. Clarence West, Mrs. Susie Wickhe'n and Irene Wickham. It was about this time, black and white marbles were purchased for casting votes for new members, that members suggested and the president requested the secretary to keep and read minutes of all meetings, that work 1986, Zion celebrated with greatjoy seventy- five years of God's grace in Word and sacrament, under the theme "Rejoice in the Lord Always!" Former pastors Paul H. Scheer and John B. Luttman preached to large crowds in the Sunday morning and afternoon services, and Holy Communion was celebrated in the morning. As the congregation reached its three- quarter century mark, it numbered 134 -4: ,l t,] baptized members and 97 communing (con- firmed) members. Officers as 1988 begins are: LaVern Einspahr, president; Dovi Beal, secretary; Agnes Otteman, treasurer; Opal Einspahr, financial secretary. Serving on the board of elders are David Edwards, Mark Otteman and Jerry Guy. Trustees are Laurel Niemann, Connie Stone and Keith Einspahr. Sunday school superintendent is Debra Stone. To God alone be all the glorY! r.l11l:i,lir,. Pastors TYho Have Served Zion, 1911 - 1988 H. Stegemann - 1911-1913; F. Bernard Bierwagen - 1914-1927; Paul H. Scheer - 1928-1934; Norman Heimsoth - 1935; Herman C. Loesel - 1936-1942; Herman H. Heine Ladies Social Circle, 1940: Front row: Bess Short, Bess Jones, Gertrude Storrs, Sue Zebaugh, Ruth Short, MArtha Price, Ina Conarty. Middle row: Lorris Wickhnm, Irene Jones, Minta Goodwin, Minnie Blanken, Elizabeth Verhoeff Wood, Donna Verhoeff Irwin, Diana McCart, Carrie Baldwin, Zola Short. Back row: Florence Newton. Minerva Stone, Ida Rowland, Ethel McConnell, Ella Radebaugh. �done for the hostess was quite often sewing Canie Baldwin, Zola Short, Florence carpet rags, making aprons, making "waists" for boys in the family and dresses for girls, gowns and skirts or making quilt tops. "It is to be understood that members bring work of their own to meetings, then when our hostess'work is finished, or ifshe should have nothing for us to do, we need not be thinking of the old proverb of Satan and the idle hands." At each meeting, members enjoyed Newton, Minerva Stone, Ida Rowland, Ethel McConnel and Ella Radebaugh. A great deal of history of the community south ofFlagler is contained in the carefully written record of L.S.C. history. Thankfully, names and dates were included in some cases. It is commendable such a record was written. News Items found in early Flagler News editions give some clue to persons residing in musical selections by one of the group such as Edith Ervin at the piano or Mrs. Strong the community, concerning LSC meetings and activities. Leading dates are of Flagler with instrumental music. November 2, 1916, L.S.C. met at the home of Mrs. Anna Rose Wickham. Ladies from Flagler attended in the interest of the W.C.T.U. hoping to institute a new chapter. Present were Mrs. W.H. Lavington, Mrs. H.L. Williams (Marion Williams'mother), Mrs. Heiserman, Mrs. Langcamp, Mrs. Traw, Mrs. Anderson (Winnie Walker's mother), Mrs. Mullen, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Price and children, Mrs. Reece, Mrs. Frank Miner and Rev. Marquardt. The climax of a wolf hunt interrupted one meeting when the men folks brought in two wolves. Some thought was given to changing the club to a Red Cross Chapter but was later abandoned and the club remained the same. The club sponsored bake sales, bazaals, oyster suppers, and in 1919, Mrs. Sprague from Burlington taught a class in nursing at the meetings. Enrolled were Ina, Irma and Opal Conarty, Effie Eaton, Roxie Grove, Florence Newton, Mable McDonald, Sue Pfiester, Rose and Zelia Stone, Jennie Sex- ton, Etta Smith, Maggie Stinton, Flora Strode, Susie Zebaugh and Daisy Vawter. Their final examination was March 17, L921. Attendance at meetings dwindled because of the influenza epidemic. Mrs. Ploper, a member and her daughter, Gladys were taken by the disease and the L.S.C. mended and made clothing for the family. This type service was done for the Wickham family when both Susie and Mrs. Anna Rose Wickhn- died, for the Hamilton family, Leo Gant and Frank Matzke families and others. Mrs. Alexander demonstrated culling chickens for increased egg production; a demonstration also was given in hat making and in making dress forms. There were wedding and stork showers. When a member moved away, they held a surprise party for her and her family, presenting her with a gift. In later years, if a member moved outside the boundary lines, returned to the community, then moved away again, she was not presented with another gift, there were other difficulties as usual with by-laws. When Mr. and Mrs. Sexton celebrated their golden wedding anniversary the club had a surprise party and presented them with a $5.00 gold piece. During the early'20's, the members embroidered their names on quilt blocks, one for eachmember. Theypieced and quilted a quilt for each member. Mrs. Robert Stinton still has hers." A picture accompanied the above article, taken in 1948. It included the following members of that time: Bess Short, Bess Jones, Gertrude Storrs, Sue Zebaugh, Ruth Short, Rose Stone, Martha Price, Ina Conarty, Loris Wickham, Irene Jones, Minta Goodwin, Minnie Blanken, Elizabeth Ver- hoeff, Donna Verhoeff, Diana Mc Cart, News issues. March 1916. Mesdams. J.H. Reade. Adam Phiester, W.Y. Grove, W.I. Sutton and daughters, Guy McDonald and son and Mrs. John Thompson were among those attending the Social Circle at Mrs. McDonalds in Flagler. Mrs. Fred Matz was voted in as a member. A News item dated Feb. 9, 1925, "L.S.C. Club Notes" is interesting. "Mrs. Sol Stone was hostess to the LSC Club Thursday. The club's first meeting since November 20th. Fourteen members and three visitors were present. The time was spent socially. Mrs. Cary was made a member of the club. The next meeting will be with Mrs. W.F. Stone, Feb. 19th. The entertaining program was especially enjoyable at the last meeting. Little Edith Fogg spoke several pieces and her mother, Mrs. Fogg's rendering of "The Madman" held the audience in awe at the moved to the Wheeler place, Chet and Maurine Wold moved to the old W.H. Lavington ranch. Zenelda and Maurine joi- ned LSC. Zenelda remembered drawing names for "peanut sisters," a method of gift giving to one another through the year, keeping names secret. Names of members were place inside peanut shells and these peanuts were drawn from a container. Through the year at special occasions, gifts were exchanged using the name found inside the peanut shell. Mrs. Joe McCart was Zenelda's peanut sister and she remembered giving her a beautiful pair of hand made pillow cases. Zenelda said at Christmas time they sent money to service boys in WWII. She said, "Van Goodwin's had the most boys in service, a total of five." As years passed, membership dwindled. This closely matched attendance at many country schools. Although an actual ending of LSC is not known by this writer, it is possible meetings continued on after the consolidation moves of the early 1950s. Certainly, memories of these very special club meetings, often the climax of entertainment for some in the community, will never be forgotten. In those days of short funds, dust storms and dry weather, it was no doubt the only anticipated enjoyment of the time. by Lyle W. Stone anticipation of the awful tragedy to be enacted, when it turned out he was only going to shave himself. Members are kindly requested to either bring to next meeting or sent to the secretary, the finished quilt blocks for Mrs. Sexton. Mrs. D. R. Zebaugh, Secretary. March, 1925, the LSC Club met with Mrs. George Vike. Thirteen members were present. A delicious dinner was served at noon. Three new members were taken in. Next meeting will be held a the home of Mrs. Wm Wickham on April 2nd. April, 1925. "The LSC was delightfully entertained at the home of Mrs. Walter Palmer Thursday, Fourteen members were present. Mrs. Ellsworth read a selection. The next meeting will be with Mrs. Mahoney June 4th when mesdames Gaines, Griffith and Lana will be on the progr4m. June, 1925, "Mrs. Mahoney was hostess at LSC Club Thursday. Thirteen members responded to roll call. Two guests were present. A good social time was enjoyed by all. Mrs. Lana read on household hints and jokes. Mrs. Gaines propounded a riddle. Opal Conarty gave a humorous recitation. Next meeting will be with Mrs. B.H. Short, June t8th. Mesdames McDonald, F. Newton, R. Newton and Pettis will be speakers of the day." June, 1925, "Mrs. B.H. Short was hostess to the LSC Club Thursday with eighteen members and five visitors present. A good social time was enjoyed while tying a comfort for the hostess. The next meeting will be with Mrs. Joe Short Thursday, July 2. The program was good and consisted of a song entitled, "Always Picking On Me," sung by Mrs. Fogg. Recitations: "The Blacksmiths' Story," by Mrs. Pettis and "St. Peter At The Gate," by Mrs. Floyd NewCon. A chorus of girls sang "Colorado" and "Catry Me Back To Old Virginny." Mesdames, Pheister, Reavis and Short have charge of the next meeting. In the early 1940's, Jack and Zenelda Heid FLAGLER AND ARRIBA - FLAGLER SCHOOL T327 Just less than a block south and a few feet east ofthe present new school building is the site of the first school house in the Flagler community. It was a "soddie" built as a place to provide an education for children of the new settlement. School was taught in this building by a young teacher, Miss Crofteri, daughter of one of the homesteaders in the area. From sod to steel, brick and concrete is a period now nearing 100 years. In fact, in the fall of this year, 1988, this centennial milestone will have been crossed. One of the first buildings in the new settlement was a church at the corner of 5th and Loveland streets, later belonging to C.M. Smith. This building was built about 1890 for use as a Congregational Church. The school was moved from the soddie to the new church building where it remained until 1893, when a frame grade school building was finished. By this time, eight grades were taught and the first eighth grade class was graduated in 1895. A recognized course of study had been introduced in the school by Mrs. Charlotte (Rose) Godsman, making that class the first eighth grade class to graduate in Kit Carson County under such a requirement. Mrs. Godsman was then hired as principal in the Burlington school to establish this course of study there. The community grew and high school grades were added, making it necessary to utilize another building, this being one on Main Street last used by Charles Jackson for a grocery store, (previously a mortuary). In 1915, much effort was expended in trying to consolidate districts; apparently these were �partially successful, and paved the way for a bonding election to allow building a new school building at the north end of Main Avenue. All this occurred in 1915 and this year, a new brick building was constructed. One architect for the building was H.L. Manning of Denver. In early 1916 the entire school of twelve grades was moved into what was considered the finest school building in this part of the state. In May of 1916 Flagler school graduated its first high school seniors. The process of growth had not stopped, however, and by 1920 the new building was becoming overcrowded. In 1921 twenty seniors were graduated, a larger class than any graduated after L942. By 1926 the situation Most every one would wish to return to former conditions, but it is a reality of our time. It is possible the pendulum could swing, as it has so many times in history and conditions will change. Our school is now known as Arriba-Flagler School. Our school is now at a point in time when years of work in education of students has nearly reached a sum of 100 years in the Flagler community and very near this milestone in the Arriba community. It should be a time for some celebration, a time for looking at history and recording it, and a time to look ahead, hopeful of the future. The August Klute farm northeast of Flagler. by Lyle W. Stone of overcrowding demanded a remedy. Very reluctantly, the school officials re-acquired the old 1893 frame building and installed the lower four grades there. Since then, depression and war prevented any changes in that stop-gap arrangement. FLAGLER FARMS T328 During the war-time half of the 1940s it became apparent Flagler schools would have to provide a new building for the lower six grades and that a new gym would have to be built. Shortly after the end of the war, a new and larger school district was organized through consolidation mandated by the state. Construction materials again became available, and the district approved a $2235,000.00 bond issue to finance the long overdue , .18 The old Crystal Springs Ranch east of Flagler. 'rf improvements. Meanwhile the Flagler American Legion built a new gymnasium which it leased to the school. Strangely, the long struggle to build a school adequate for needs of the community was not destined to end. In 1950, [tigation was commenced which questioned the validity of the law which the new Flagler school district was organized. This made it impossible to sell bonds previously voted. The final blow came in October of 1951 when the old brick building was gutted by fire. Unable to raise money by means of a bond issue and without a single adequate classroom, people of the community loaned the school district funds necessary to construct the present twelve-grade building. In the meantime, the school conducted classes in the American Legion building and in a church basement. In the fall of 1952 Flagler school was once again in adequate quarters. The Flagler School Annex was erected in 1964-65. Since that time an indoor swimming pool has been added, enhancing swimming abilities of students of the area. A remodeling program hinged on conservation of fuel, involving changing windows, adding insulation and carpeting floors has been successful, W.R. Heiserman Ranch near Flagler. Hard times and dust bowls days, 1929-30, to survive many used cow chips for fuel. HAL BORLAND 1915-16. A dwindling number of students was apparent in the 1970s and 80s. This loss of students is caused in part by a swing in agriculture to larger acreage and bigger equipment per operator, reducing the number of families who can live on the land in the district. This phenomena might be traced also to lower prices, but greater surplusses, rather a controversial situation. In the 1970s and '80s, a reduction of school students became so acute, since state funds are based on this number, additional consolidations were necessary. In the fall of 1984 consolidation of Arriba schools and Flagler schools was made to increase the number of students attending one school. This move is the result of economic conditions of our country. It is sad to experience losses of community facilities. T329 Farmstead of Henry Kleiwer northeast of Flagler, H.E. Rice homestead west of Flasler. Hal Borland was born May 4, 1900, at Sterling, Nebr., the only son of Will A. and Sarah Borland, and moved with his parents in 1910 to a homestead about thirty miles south ofBrush, Colorado. In 1915, his father bought one of the two small newspapers in Flagler, The Flagler Neus and the family moved here. From then on, Hal became involved in the printing business and in writing but he had gone through a year of college before he acknowledged that writing was his primary interest. After completing Flagler High School with the class of 1918, he enrolled in the University of Colorado at Boulder. That fall he covered a CU football game for the Denver Post for the regular sports writer from the school and continued covering sports events and writing for the university paper for the two years he attended. He then returned to Flagler for a year where he assisted his parents with The Flagler Nen,s and was correspondent for the Denver newspapers in eastern Colorado in the summer of 1921, he left for New York City and Columbia University in a Model T Ford. He enrolled as a special student at Columbia, �meanwhile working in various news reporting jobs in New York. He worked as a telegraph editor for the United Press, as a reporter for the Brooklyn Standard Union and as an assistant editor at King Features in their syndicated weekly magazine. In 1923, he was graduated from Columbia, and submitted a group of Indian stories to Doubleday, which were accepted. His first book called "Rocky Mountain Tipi Tales" was published early in 1947. After completing the book, Hal "Barnstormed" around the country for awhile, working various lengths of time in a variety of cities, receiving writing and editorial experience. Among the places he worked were: Salt Lake City, Utah; Wells and Carson City, Nevada; Fresno and San Diego, Calif; El Paso and Marshall, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia and Asheville, North Carolina, before returning to New York where he received some public relations experience. During his visit to Colorado, he learned the Stratton Press was for sale and bought it "on a shoestring", thinking he could work four days a week publishing the paper and have three days for writing. However, he soon learned he spent seven days a week on the paper and found no time for writing. So he sold it in the spring of 1926 and moved east with his fanily, settling in Philadelphia where he worked on papers in that city. It was during this period of time, that he began selling fiction. He sold his first short story in a slick paper magazine to the Ladies Home Journalin 1927 and was able to continue with his writing. His two juvenile novels, "Valor" and "Wapiti Pete" were published along with others. In 1937, he was offered a job on the Neu York Times magazine and accepted it working as a reporter which he enjoyed. During World War II, he had opportunities for writing experiences, some he termed painful and some exhilarating. In 1943, he resigned from the New York Times in order to devote his time entirely to writing. His first wife, whom he married in 1923 in New York. died in 1944 and he maried in Denver in 1945 to Barbara Ross Dodge, herself a writer and editor. Hal passed away in Salisbury, Conn. Feb. 22, L978. There is a Hall Borland Memorial Room in the Community Library, of the Town Hall in Flagler, Colorado. First editions of his books, awards, honors, and personal mementoes have been donated by Mrs. Barbara Borland. The Hal Borland Memorial Room was prepared by the Memorial Committee: Alex Creighton, chairman; with the generous support of friends wishing to honor the memory of Hal Borland. FLAGLER AIR DISASTER T330 20 Dead; 30 injured in worst air show accident in U.S. History Crash brings horror to peaceful Flagler as- stunt plane hits crowd at show; 20 dead, 17 hurt small town - are a few stunned by air show tragedy. These of the headlines that appeared in the different papers around the area. On September 15, 1951, what started out to be a gay harvest festival ended in a very tragic event. The sudden spectacular crash brought a tragic climax to what the Flagler Lions Club had planned as an afternoon of fun. William J. Barker, a Denver Post reporter SEIBERT T331 witnessed the sudden, tragic finale to the first air show ever to be staged in Flagler. At 2:40 p.m. by Barker's calculations just as Ruble set his glider down and just before Nelson Stake, manager of the field was to take off in a dive bombing exhibition, Jones buzzed in. He was forty minutes late for a briefing for pilots participating in the show. The briefing was to cover plans and safety procedure. He said Jones flew in from the south low over the crowd at a 45 degree angle trailing smoke from the plane's sky-writing generator. The plane was not more than 200 feet off the ground and upside down. He started to roll over and up . The plane went straight for the mass of shocked human beings standing or sprawling on the field or on their automobile hoods and tops since there were no grandstands. The plane shattered as it hit the First band in Seibert - 1890! ground and tore a swath in the crowd. According to Tom Creighton of Flagler the plane cut across three rows ofparked cars. He said it looked to him like the wheel assembly of the plane hit the first row, the engine the second row, and the tail assembly the third row of cars. The plane, a silver and blue Pimm Tardin Trainer, was completely demolished along with about eight cars. The tremendous force of the impact hurled some of the victims into the air and smashed some against the cars and the ground. Some of the victims were decapitated by the force and the crash area was litered with limbs, blood and flesh. The town's only ambulance was on stand-by duty, but the plane crashed into the ambulance and put it out commission. In the cab of the ambulance was Mrs. Verna Clapp, 30, and Sandra Clapp, 3 years old. Both of them narrowly escaped death. An early day Seibert Establishment! THs Setsenr Srrta BlNx""."" sEEEE.colo . /-2.:-€' l"3!n U" *3'?o-- The following list includes those twenty accident victims: Mrs. Cleve Heid - Flagler; Mrs. Charles Keller and daughter, Zenelda, and son, John - Flagler; Mrs. Ray Thompson - Flagler; Mrs. John Hall - Flagler; Gordon McEathron and sister Bebe - Arriba: James Brandenburg and son - Flagler; Illa Mae Harwood - Flagler; William Hughes - Flagler; Harford Asher - Flagler; Virginia Moss - Flagler; Jean Elizabeth Yocum - Flagler; Mardell Simonis - Flagler; Caroline Selenke - Flagler; Connie Jean Vogel - Flagler; Marlis Stahlecker - Seibert; Lt. Norman Jones - pilot of Denver. Eleven victims were still hospitalized by the next Sunday night and all recovered. The pilot, Norman Jones, violated two rules of the agreement between the CAA and the show's sponsors. The rules were against flying under 500 feet and the other against stunting near the spectators. Although the crash was termed an accident, the Civil Aeronautics Board in Washington blamed the crash on the pilot's "utter Tom Manion's home and garage built in 1915. -::.. - .-.,:.,,,,,.,,, i . r.',. . . disregard" for safety. The report put out by the CAB called Lieutenant Jones maneuver "improperly executed". It said the pilot's recent experience was in bombers and he had no record of small aircraft flying for "considerable time". It also said he did not have military permission to fly the plane. This tragic air accident, which took the lives of several friends and relatives. will never the forgotten. Another garage in Seibert in the 1915-20 period. � https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/415/flaglervol10053.jpg 63f3e3b7cb57d4bb7cab1cffa1cd952d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Flagler Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A record of the history of the Town of Flagler as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:417 2020-04-28T07:47:19Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/417/History_Part_1.pdf dfd02cb896237e06d48793d036ae4c94 PDF Text Text IJ tL-i lt the county history, we were ^,^P:o-oiting able to secure manv stories ;;";;;;; that were writren and- compil"d "rd bt-ii:C fl IIo_._k!1, Delta Hendricks, Bessie id;;. H.Y. Hoskin, Bonnv C""fa *J ,";r";;#:: We chose to publisl ihese stories ual segments for vorrr reading as individ_ t*=i**r r*T*--l ff\t I d il.fi You will notice that some of ""r"*;. these refer to "" their own ,.current" framework of ti;;.' In ptacing these stories .hr;;;ld;;f;, . taken the liberty have categorically, so that suDJect "f l\i L**I**, L**i**___J tffil-*r tt lf.-f t\.'-' lii # '"--*"*i ---"{ ," pt".iig -#"r. : matter is more meaningful. It is impossibl, i I\ i****t-**-*".j i*T*-*l I-**f'***i iJ ,d | ;'** *'*{ *J i,l l' t{ If -*-**.-, I f**-r ;';;;";;'; capabilities prevent it. Ir is ;;; ffi;;# you will find. some new uits i"r""'Il"ii.li atong with what has already "i b"";;;bil#: We. are gratefully inalui"J' -;"ii;;.; compiling una putri.it;;"il,. I:-1kin..Ig' bo.oks, ..Memories" ,,Otii.;l compl.ete.d history as time, iq{l events and human **y*ry*,".$ r*L**"iJ *iii;fi *find in your tocal Kit-diril"d;t";; and t { Louisiana purchase lg03 ]:,jt] Irbraries- Colorado from 1540 to 1g6l protection from Indians, ELBERT - KIT were poor, and suppl. ** ti{i. .tt.i"ij""T#::f il: Jl,ffi jJ; Jj CARSON COUNTY begin attempts to push rhe T2 *": really about l.gb9 when the first _.*lr. . whrte, settlers came to what Elb;;; uounty, Colorado. The great .o_."tt"al,JJtj was then had brought hundreds to Auraria, -n-oJ 1ush" Lrenver- of increasing numbers of __T,: to ,..Ting the area prompted tt ry:y" oI stage, pony€xpress, ind freighiiil;;.-"'^ "a".-igr"ii# r ne maln Smokev Hill or Butterfield Ml.#;,;;ffi; from I|_11r".**t was St. Joseph, r,rancrsco routed via Kansas ti, f,"1" Station (near Limon), on to Denver. r"prd growth of the territory ^rl_1 many problems. Settlers aDout communications brought were withiut area. Iniia; f;;;'il; assignment of Iand (from south of the ^.TLir pig Sandy Creek to north'of t-h-e"ffi;;.; meant the r"ai*. *"rfr Ill::lbytrno.means ::::j: giving up rheir buffalo l;;;il; grounds. 1864, a band ofArapahoes, led bv L;hief. ^,Il/1n., Roman_ Nose ttunning Creek. murderJ;l;iil ;i .In November, 1g64, Colonel Chivineton with a detachment of men -";;t"i i;;;F;; .i-p e,"p li"o' til lioif, I "i "T".," 400_500 llri* # :;;, reservation). Some i";i;; women, Lyon and completelv r and children Ju;;#i"; ffi :, f; ijiffil"ri Arapahoes; emong th; Map ol i.rt Larson County. White Antelope and y"ii;;"w;i; Ccl:rri.i c Nebraska and Kansas Territory 1gb4 Chief Black Kettle of the lt ll."^_a_!:""nnes. escaped. The massacr", l;nelenle: kno*r tl? Sa,nd. Creek Affair, *". l;;;J;'b;;;;il; ", g,t,l:T.d discussion in the pages of CJ;.;;; rlrstorv. Following this Col. Chivington was sev_ .t.pl1*"nded and ruli"";- ;f hf;f;i;; "tilt Naturally, the Indians were infuriatJ a-s a result of such treatment. Th"fi-"c* ;;; open attacks ers, on the settlers, f";_;;;-;;;;1 freighters. Many attempt. t. _"f," -and were treaties to no avaii. G";;i"S#ff;; was. prevailed upon to make lndians. He consented. ;;';;T; by Janice Salmans Railroad map - 1gg?-1ggg. Note Muskoka, a railroad switch. �3s:<aat- -=a>/ n Ju;, 1.,"1,. rr r,";1\Y #"+ Itd. ^? ,7'+,,^.' --tF, i ,. x /l* 'z(f'l G.rFt '9--(. tt' ..:.-.-.---r4/ cq ii'--i-'*"'"n ,,--.(fr; .aT .:" g I -;17 \] A ,tu!i /' "'-.i'r --"f, S*.'h*+' R,A 1885 Map showing Elbert CountY ORIGINAL COUNTY ORGANIZATION T3 The present site of Kit Carson was first incorporated into the United States, in the u""r i803. This small area was a part of the iast Louisiana Purchase which consisted of all the ground drained by the Mississippi River. T'his piece of land was purchased by the United States govetnment from France' The small area known as Kit Carson County was located in the mid-western section of the furchase at approximately 39 30 longitude and 103 30 latitude. As the land was broken up into territories, the boundaries were changed, and this area became part of the Missouri Territory' The MissouriTerritory existed from 1819 to 1821' when it become an unorganized U.S' Territorv and then from 1854 to 1859 Colorado was part of the Kansas TerritorY' In a three day convention in Oct. of 1859' a constitution was drawn up for the Jefferson Territory. The territorial boundaries took in all of prlsent Colo. and large strips of -Utah and Wyo. Quick action was taken to ratify the territoiial constitution, and only two weeks later, the constitution was ratified by popular vote. R.W. Steele was elected Governor in Colorado counties as they appeared at the time of Statehood - z 1876 �The first mentior oiS'io."do is now made. As counties were formed, this was first situated in Arapahoe County. Denver was the county seat of this very large county. In lg?b, the western part of Douglas County, the northern part of Arapahoe County, the C-heyenne Reservations, and part of norihern Herfano County were incorporated to form Elbert County. 'Ihe area was not as large as Arapahoe County was previously and the county seat was at Kiowa. by Janice Salmans MORTON COUNTY T4 "Formation of Kit Carson County (first called Morton County)." The followine ex_ cerpts were taken from issues of the Cheyenne Wells Gazette as notated. Febru_ ary 16, 1889: "We will give a premium to the residents of towns, 12 and 18 that would rather be in Morton County than in Cheyenne." (Note townships ld and 18 of present day Cheyenne County were in Elbert County prior to the new county formations in 1889.) Iebruary 16, 1889: ,,It was only through selfish motives that the projectors of tf,e Morton County bill included towns 12 and 13. and not for the benefit of the settlers in the two towns." "The Blade of Feb. 8, says: .The people ne cnargeq ruu pounds ot potatoes and a gallon of whiskey. During the Post Civil War era, from 1gZ0 to 1885, large herds of cattle were driven from Texas through this area and delivered to the miners near Denver. There were also herds ylrAn some were pastured here, and still otheis driven to the east to railroad terminals as well Patent for , ,W as to the west. Before the 1880's, two ranches settled in the Republican River valley. They were known as the McCrillis and the Bar T Ranches. They were both horse ranches and ranged their stock from the Republican to the Arkansas Rivers. The balance of county land was dry divide land on which water couli onlv be obtained by dug wells, some of over 100 fi. in depth. This land was not all settled until the construction of the Rock Island Railroad in 1887 and attention of landseekers was called to the homesteads. The Homestead era of 1886 to 1906 brought flocks ofsettlers in and each filed on 160 acres. There are still todav marks of habitation on almost every quarte"r section of land. The United States hada land office in Hugo, Colorado, and every settler made ttre trip to file his claim. Laier, laws were changed to allow the planting of a timber claim. A timber claim was the pLnting of ten (10) acres of trees. A few sisns of thes! still remain but many have long since van_ ,r , (?""t qi' :lr r ,n - - Entry No .. -d 111.h.? , is in this office, and will be deliveted to you {rpon ssender of the Registels Duplicate Certificate. Where the Register's Grti{icarc is lost, separ3t€ aflidavit must be made {or the tract embraccd in each entty 6y the pieseot bona fide owner of the land, accosnting for the loss oI the Certi{katq and also showing ownenhip ofthe traitqlor a' portion thacof, embr,aced in.the patcnt, and that the affidavit is ma& for the ptrpose of obtaining ths pat€ot. ished. by Janice Salmans Morton County will not consent to tef ttrat portion of their territory go at present at least, as there is a great amount of taxable railroad land in the two towns.' DEoARTfv1HNT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATFS LAND OFFICE "February 16, 1889, Bur lington Blade said: "The Cheyenne chiefs are bold, but their raid fo-r the purpose of securing territory from Morton County will fail." February 16, 1889 Cheyenne Wells Ga- thiefs" to secure any territory from M-orton !l t"iStl, iltrr. i:;r;, driven to the Indians in Montana territorv. of zette: "We wish to inform the Blade that there has been no effort whatever bv the UNI'€D ATATES LAND OFFIC€. .,;;o iol o . Il*;e,T!?r .?6ir, if i'-, 3iile1 i1.l.1r'rrk, County. Our bill. The question as to which county is justly entitled to the strip in controversy, will be determined bv the Legislature." , .-February 23, 1889: "The Morton County bill was amended so as not to includl Cheyenne County territory, and passed. Burlington is the temporary county seat. After the bill passed, the name of the countv was changed to Kit Carson." Mgdi:q: - fn reply lo y6r;1, l,ett*r sf tire ??d,,1ns.vant :.ou s,!s lniore*i thari your noflc* ?r&s sgnt No :hs $slbsrt ssttler fo, sdvsrtlaanent .rnd ohould ba corLp).eieittilsre aE your proof r* set for thc a6il',Of tals month.Yorr irsd beit€r e;;,]1 :rnil s's rf ths .fdv*rij.ec$lent has b93n sun the proper tfune,you carn o$nre &n;, rrialrs KIT CARSON COUNTY BEGINNINGS pub)'1cat1"on brrg aot b$dn ntrde trie prooi rr11]. t1'l'1 the :{i.dvertifro,*ent hes bere conEiietorr.rf you h3.ys not'U*pen,i.;c payed: fo.r ihF adverllearlenrl Jrou had b*tter &ttenii to sans,r f111 ,rrttell . T5 From 1859 to 1870 was a gold rush era. A time when Gold Miners rushed to the Rocky Mountains. The area that was to become Kit Carson County was first settled in the T0's when a_ cowboy named Joe Miskelly located a small .ranch at Crystal Springs. Crystal Spnngs rs a branch of the Republican River and is about 3 miles east of Flagler. Joe traded at the Robidoux Store in F6rt Wal- t:ie;:{uof :-nd tf t& h;v* to bs thep:,perfs1irtiv,tpN]rlg*jvel|tgen:$n'i.' F'c*l*ctlutrr, ,, �_ Be it enacted the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: Section I. That the county of Kit Carson PICTURES T6 {.{o \Er -J*t' {1tc,rrr" ."'j' * ttre **'---'-r'."V-"f," bnrr +{+82"*n lflolgito. 'fr:"r!,rP ? a t ?3 a c a q.tsc f lnt 8o4en ,4ot _._---._za[fev ,p ar(w ,t' '{ t. .t!'6sn^y",,r' ftkPsnwwo' lto ? t:"'*no.n A*reo '.'g g.rt Fo aa ;:ltJliliti:oute 7fr{rLX tf Urh*rvi*iyiiladrre l7oaufuSifu - +a, Yt!f rr'c' t.r q/ca tD illo * F,' was traced in the 1840's bv one of the group of 10 KIT CARSON COUNTY T7 (S.8.48) An Act , To Establish The County Of Kit Carson, And The County Seat Thereof; providin* 'Lhe Appointment Of The precinct Foi And County Officers;Fixing The Terms OiC*J is hereby established at burlingto;, *t it shall remain until changed a"c6rai"e;ii* "r" and until such time all iourts of ,u"J"JrfrJi be held there and the county offices ,"-uin there. S,ection IV. There shall be held annuallv in said county of Kit Carso" fou" ter-* oiitr" 9guqty Court, commencing on the--firJ Monday in January, April, J"iv, *a'O"t"U"i, respectively; one term of the District Court 6;;t;;: Section V. All suits, civil and pe-nding in District and County "ii-i"J, ""* C;;i.;i "+ *- lu be le_gal officers of Kit Carso""C"r"tvi""a commencin_g on the third Mo"d"yi; ,.w)9 f0o t;: to lhey ar9 elected, and are hereby au"U""Jio the Governor shall appoint,u"f, oit"r-ofii_ cers as may be necessary to carry on the government of the said county, or until their s-uccessors.aredulv electgd and qualified by law. Uounty officers shall be elecled in said county at the next general election. Section III. The county seat ofsaid county + Nebr, therr respectrve ottrces lor f,ne f,erms wnrcn ., stat€ Historians. Trail traced by is hereby established, with the legal capacity anq runcttons of other counties in the State. And the boundaries are as follows,B"si""i"; at the north-east corner of Elbert Cointvi6 the west along the north line of said Elb"; lounty to the west line of range fifty.L"" (51), west of the sixth principa"l *"iiai*; thence south on said west line of fifty;; (51) to-the townships 11 and 12 south; t[";;; east along said township line to where it intersects the state line of Kansas; thence north on the east boundary line oi Elbert Co^unt1,to_the place of the beginning.- ---Section II. All county and piecinciofficers \ Elbert Qounty wherein the case of occurred in the tenitory embraced in the ""ti* new c_ounty of Kit Carson, or wherein the defen_ dant or defendants reside therei", .fr"fil", as soon as the officers of said Kit Carson County shall have been appoin;"J;e qualified, transferred by the clerks, tt order of the judges thereof, to ttre cJurtgoi "po" " the seme jurisdiction in the said county. Section VI. All county records and other county pr-oqglty, heretofore belonging to the county of Elbert, shall be ana ,6miin tt prgperty of said county of Elbert. " Section VII. The county commissioners of the said Kit Carson County shAf caure ; transcript to be made of all the records of ali property situated in the county of Kit Carson as provided by la1 and such iranscript strJi be entered, upon the records of said countv. and when so entered, shall be d"u;;J;;A held to be good and legal records.Section VIII. The present indebtedness and funds of Elbert County statt Ue appoi_ tioned between the county of Elbert ;-d-th" county of Kit Carson, in proportion to the ration which is now incfuaed within the boundaries of Kit Carson County, t;;r-; the ta-xable property of Elbert b;""t; ;; snown by assegsment rolls for the year lggg. . Section IX. The boards of courrty co--i._ sioners of said counties of Elberi a"a Xit Cglso.n shall have fult power ana a"tf,oiitv to acljust and settle all matters of revenue proper to be done on account ofthe formation of saidcounty of Kit Carson, a"a to apporiion the indebtedness of said county El[;J:;; specified in section vii ofthis aci, "f and for such purpose the said commissioners shall meet at Kiowa, in said Elbert County, upo" t* aavt notice in writing being given bv tfr" .o--i._ sioners of the other county, at any other time after the officers of Kit C-arson Co""ty .t have been duly appointed and qualifi"ll, ;;; "tt a-majority of the United Board of Commis_ sioners of said counties shall be " legal qqoJym- t9 adjust said revenue and apporti-on said indebtedness. In case there .t iufa be a quorum present at such meetint, oi-in "oi ca.e said commissioners fail to agree"on the adjustment of the revenu" a"a ""pp*Uo"_ ment thereof, and the apportionmerrt of tn" indebtedness, and the bbard of county com_ missioners of the county of Elbert -"V *"G sucn adJustment of revenue and apportion- �order and decision the county of Kit C-arson' of any person aggrieved, may appeal allowed from'the board of county commissioners-to the District Court, and upon such appeal a change of revenue may be taken, upon goott by either party to such proceed- the county was awarded to the "Colorado S-i"n. dazzette". Bids for transcribing i""o.d'. from Elbert County to Kit Carson County was awarded to Edwin McCrillis' giar tot county printing was awarded to the 'Burlincton Blade' which was also chosen as ""t.""ttto* ings. the offi-cial paper for the county'" lishing the fees of the county' preclncl ano assessor was ordered to place the valuation 'section X. That, for the purpose of estab- The first'as--sessment was made, and the said county of Kit Carson shall of land from $1.50 per acre for pasture,land XI. fn" county hereby attached to the Tenth Senatorial District, and for representative purposes 'American'horses were assessed at $30'00 head and'half-breeds'assessed from $8'00 to head. The abstract of assessments $13.00 per t""a" 'o" September 5, 1889, shows - the items: 246.560.731100 acres of lancl following""t "-itr"i"offi."t., a countY of the third class' be --section of Kit Carson is shaii be attached to the county of Elbert, and .ftJi U" attached to the Fourth Judicial District for all judicial purposes' Section XII. In the opinion of the General Assembly and emergency exists; ^therefore this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its Passage. Approved APril 11' 1889' bY Janice Salmans THE COUNTY T8 Kit Carson county was organized in 1889' io g11.00, an acie for cultivated land' per u.fo.a $eZ,gZO.O0; 60 11/10 miles of ."itto"a $508,323.58; Improvements on land $9,535.00; on public lands $24,050'00; town anJ city' lots $58,745.00; public .utilities gSf,SSO.-00; Amount of Capital emploYed in manufacture $5,500.00; 1,904 Horses gia,ioz.oo; 217 Mules $?,909.00; 2,239 Cattle izs,goa.ooi 5 Sheep $8.00; 548 SYTU $f,dAz.Oo; 5? Musical instruments $940'00; i8i Clocks and watches $914'00; 743 Carriages and vehicles $?,886'00' Witfr the introduction of the horseless carriage the people of the county expressed a desiie for good roads. Six scrapers were ordered to be distributed, to the different from a portion of the eastern end of Elbert Couttty. The county is rectangular in-outline road districts' The road fund was $43'11, ;;h;"i fund $48.00, ordinarv countv fund from north to south. ihe first county officers were appointed by by Janice Salmane *a it-OO miles from east to west and 36 miles the Governor of Colo., Job A' CooPer, throueh the influence of the Populist paper publis'hed by J.F' Murray, in Burlington' the ii*o.t all the appointees were people in the Co.l. atea, which rightfully infuriated towns in the western part of the county-' were: Judge, John Rose; Clerl(, James,rnesu; Tres. M.R-. McCauley; Assessor, A'N' Corliss; Sheriff, Jos. Smith; Supt. of Schools, II'E' Carmicheal Surveyor, Wm. Hollowell; Coroner, M.E. Cook; Commissioners, Jeremiah Lee, R.G. Campbell and Alfred Wallett' In f89b. to serve in 1900-1901: James T' Jones, Burt Ragan, J.W. Penfold, L.J' Neff, B'D' Rogers, G.H. Hobart, (there was no coroner elelted after M.E. Cook left until Dr' Blumberg was elected in 1904), C.L. Chase, N'H' Fuller, and W.G. Hargis. Elected in 1902, Judge, T.G' Price; Clerk, Wyatt Boger; Tres.' W.P. Flaming; Assesso-r, Shet-a.t Yale; Surveyor, Wm' M. Hollowell; Supt. of Schools, John F. Stott; Comm', E'T' Epperson, C.G. Burr and W.H. Hargis' There **. tto election in 1903. Officers held over until after the 1904 election. 1904: Walter Gliaster, Geo. O. Gates, Fred Flexar, James Knapp, Wm. Smith, Wm. Hollowell, Etta noee.s, lst Dist. - Conrad Gephart, 3rd Dist' - C.W- Huntley, 2nd Dist. - G'G' Burr was elected, Coroner, Dr. A.M. Blumberg' In 1906. elected commissioners for the lst and 3rd Districts were Huntley and Gephart' IIOMESTEAD PUBLICATION $594.00. Tlo dtrm*eir ar it{. ntrrm. RELINOUISHMENT. COUNTY ELECTIONST9 ,/ tr,,4 -t r-,;t /" x 4/"*t *Le .A 2 rik r,fr. t^a\ ,/,--' ;, -a a a. /"/L-t-a-tt -.,/ Most of the appointed officers were det'eata few montis later in the Nov' election' "d E.G. Davis and D.S' Harris were the exceptions. Burlington was designated as the county seat. l;,,,iL'V First Commissioners District, Burlington; . '4t-,t. .:,....-:.-....,..........,...,..,-....-.,I". Second Commissioners District, Stratton; Third Commissioners District, Flagler' Appointments were: April 1889: Co' Judg-e' p".f!-fittg; Co. Clerk and Recordet, E'y' M.Ctittit;'bo. Treasurer, H'F': N99]; .C-9' l..e.to., n.a,. Vanderpool; Co' Sheriff, A'N' Wilcox; Co. Sup't of Schools, D'S' Harris;.Co' Surveyor, Wm. Hollowell; Co' Commission- ers, Elias G. Davis, L.B. Deckjr, Jacob Brammeier. Elected: Nov' 1889: Co' Judge' F.g. Coat-*; Co. Clerk and Recorder, Dan t<auaoarlgtt; Co. Treasurer, George B.e3tiCo' e..u.tot,-O.9. McDonald; Co' Sheriff, Sam S"ia"h*; Co. Sup't of Schools, D'S' Harris; Co.- Co*-i.sioneis, E.W' Morgan; E'G' Davis; D.C. Walton. One commissioner was elected in one and two in the next election' election - Thu tt"* officials were given new offices in the west rooms of the Bank of Burlington' *tti.tt *". erected by the Townsite Co' in iA8S, tttu first building on the present site of Burlington, as there was no court house yet' The county commissioners held their first meeting in May, 1889 and the records show the foll-owing business transacted: "Official bonds of all county officers were approved. The seal ofKit Carson was approvfn" Hquor fee was fixed at $300'00 per Relinquishment form from a general land office' Disbursement of county funds, 1889-1896' Elected Nov., 1891: Judge, P'B' Godsman; Clerk, R.B. Campbell; Treasurer, John uor- ti.t, 1i.."..ot, C.W. Milleson; Sheriff, Mike Supt. of Schools, J'W'-Aug-u*ine; ftieeins; -Co"rimi=sioners, D.C. Walton, C'R' McCabe' n* Jones- Elected 1893: Wm' H' Long' "tta Ci. f"t.itt, B.F. Kaiser, J'S' Casey, Sam Porter, Wm. Burnett, E.E' Brown, !'i'G' -O"ui.,'and ;;"; W.H. Lavington' The commiselected in 1895 wJre: E'G' Davis, E'E' The following is a copy of a homestead entry publication: Notice of Publication Department of the Interior; U'S' Land Office, Hugo, Colorado, October 23, l9L2 -- Notice i-s hereby given that Harvey N' Jensen of Bethune Colorado, who on May 27, 190? made Homestead Entry ?125 Serial No' 052?9 for W%NE%, SE%NE% Section 11, �;;;;;d;; ;;-d;;;;fi hi; ." "",tr,"i quarter section under the Homestead law. This gave many of the settlers three quarter sections or 480 acres. A large part of the people who proved up on their claims borrow- ed the money on their farms from loan companies who were making loans of gl00 to $500 on quarter sections. They, then, left and turned the farms over to the lenders. Practically all of these loan companies failed in 1898 and 1894. The first rush of settlers began to quiet, when an extreme drought drove out all Homestead Entry dated May 22, 1899, signed by President William McKinley for Charley J. Farr. but the hardiest and left the countv thinlv settled. Small ranchers were running-from bb to 100 head of cattle on ranches from three to seven miles apart. To the old timers, this seems to have been the most prosperous and successful era in the history of the county as everyone was fairly well to do and debts were small. This situation continued until about 1905, when a second rush ofland buyers from Iowa, Eastern Kansas and Eastern Nebraska began to buy up all the lands which were being placed on the market at low prices. From this time on land prices began to rise, with occasional periods of recession, until at the height of the land boom, 987.50 an acre was paid for Kit Carson County lands. Wheat SW%NW% Sec. 12, Twp. 8, S-R45 west of the 6th Principle Meridian, and on July 14, 1908 made additional Homestead Entry No. 98471 for SW%NW7a Sec. 12. E1/zNWVt Sec. 11, SW% SEtl Sec. 2, Twp 8S-R 45 west of the 6th Principle Meridian has filed Notice of Intention to make final five and three year proof, to establish the claim of land above described before the County Judge in and for the Kit Carson County, Colorado at Bur- lington, Colorado on December 3, 1912. Claimant names as witnesses: George Powers, Hans P. Jensen, C.E. Mills, all of Bethune, Colorado. P.O. Hedlund, Register Late comers also purchased a relinquishment from a homesteader, which gave them the privilege of finishing the terms of the homestead. Perhaps the relinquishment was filed with the land office and a new homestead entry made. crops were good and every available acre that could be planted was plowed up and seeded. Tractor machinery was introduced and as large acreages could be easily handled, it seemed that there was no limit that could be taken from the fields. Large schools, and other public improvements were saddled on the communities and valuations were raised all over the county and when drought and by Henry Y. Hoskin wind erosion struck, and the wheat crops PRE.EMPTION failed to come in, farmers found themselves unable to meet the high taxes. The land boom Trl had ruined the countv. The Pre-emption law allowed a settler to live on the land six months then "prove up" Timbe-Critlc Cedificate Na l. 1. ,1 . . APPL'CAT|0N .t / )'I I ... .. 1. , by Jan Salmans THg UNITIID STATES OF A}IERICA, ' 8811i.fmg Tkft las lr.n &psikal ir th ourlxur rArr orrrrcli uf lh uilitr{r srar* x (irrr!:ri or rn, tr0jMm .t lrt L.s &oc - --1. L '. sha-b\ ,, .,rpr,. rr,..,. ja,,.l.u,r ,.* .\, ,;,,*.;;:,., ;.;;;; {r(lrn. liia,ril ,un.14.$ia."Toen*lragtlheOrow..hoi Tim.@ronlhclilqeiernprqirLes.,,itorlrln,rzt'-1 , t.;, . r' ili r]rrodi tjr.r lotl itr 3firct or ir.:iid r,,jrn. {ir.!rd ,^;;1,;:;-V!::, "^u it . ,,, ,a - , }:,';""i1]-.T ,.1L , ,, ,,,, hnrcut..dllr'Nr.r!,tlEs,nrIrotft.ardrhseliftt.c!r\r0r,Ln!,orrllt,!eb.r.0rt";;.,"",, !S*d. GtvENrrn.rsytirn.dlh.tr.'r,\r'^sd'rcr.r.tt.cl.:.-...:::.,...,t",.ri)*v,r,ndt,,.,hrh.t;;!f.urrrd,eftnil{F,l tri..ru!dfed,.,--7r,.1-. ,'rt ,retdS.Jrt+hbMdlt.lliilSrNl*ilja.!.tr"l"a*t,tlitx!<:... ]hr'D|!!'1,o\1.l.'..'.-.],..,{/0,'.a'i.'-,.a, ,.,-..,6"4-.L ,. ,u. j,, p,...Jt- / ./- ,y''/,'^.^ t /.. homestead guides. For a fee they would show where a homestead could be located. I will quote from parts of the pamphlet. "Citizenship: When an entry of any kind is to be made, evidence of citizenship will be required. If the applicant is native born, his own affidavit of that will be sufficient. But if he is not born in the United States. in addition to his own affidavit, he must furnish a copy of his declaration of intention to become a citizen or his certificate of full citizenship. Land can be purchased at Public sale or under the Timber and Stone Land Act. entered with script of any kind, or final proof can be made on a pre-emption or homestead can be commuted by an alien who has declared his intention to become a citizen: but he must have taken out his full citizenship papers before he can make final proof on a homestead or desert land entry." "Reservoirs and Ditches: Under the act of March 31, 1891, any person or company could locate a reservoir or ditches on public lands for the purpose of irrigation and could obtain a right to the snme, and 50 feet each side thereof that could not be disturbed by any person afterwards." there were vacant public lands within three miles of such city or town, an entry of 160 acres or less, could be made for park, cemetery or other public purposes." "Timber Claims: A person living on and improving a homestead or p.e-empiion, may cut so much timber as is necessary to make his improvements. If there is more timber on ements, he may sell the surplus." "l''*' :l "-":l:"1"*'*l To ha\,. arC io hojd n( sil ber 4i tud, !* ,*rr*o"q ,rlroru*t ,. i;.{',*."'..jtit. The following was taken from a pamphlet from Daniel Witter and Co.. who were land cleared in good faith for cultivation, than is necessary to make such improv- rt uf ritj\ehlr, LrxD ofncE rt [. iLnrrr.,r (iri.'rtu$ IUIOU ga, Ttdl ir.r. ij. rl.rtr€- !.rnr.il,! 0f Unitcd g!a!e3 ur. u* unknown, "Incorporated Cities and Towns: Where ilo all to mhon thsr gr.6rn15 shrll (omr, (6rcc.lin!: .t r!16r&rg Typical home on the prairie. The family is -. ... '",.):",,. ;.1t. "_-,.-,, " Tree Culture Claim Certificate for William P. Davis signed by President Theodore Roosevelt on the Thirtieth day of Decernber 1901. "Unsurveyed Lands: Such lands could be secured by settlement under the pre-emption or the homestead law, by entry under the desert lands act, or by location with some high priced land script. Settlers on unsurveyed lands must file on such or enter the tract within three months after plat of the survey had been filed in the land office." "Expired Entries: Homestead entries would expire by limitation in seven years after date of entry. As a rule, soon after an entry expired the claimant was notified to show cause why it shouldn't be cancelled, and if he failed to respond, it would be reported to the general land office, for cancellation and in due time be cancelled." �ryrdfJ darlE Drlrurr Lry Juslrce oI reace J.I . The first homesteaders were: Henry P. Oats, Lots L,3,4,5, and 6 of Sec. L-6-44, McCrillis, puncher; Warren J. Adams, Lot 2 of Sec. l-6-44, McCrillis, puncher; Edwin McCrillis. SW% lL-6-44, Feb. 13, 1884; Nathanial McCrillis, part of Sec. 33-6-44, Oct.25,1884; James M. Wyman, Lot 3 of Sec. 2-6-45,Bar T puncher; Mellan G. Jordan, SE SE 3-6-45, and NW SW 3-6-45, Bar T, puncher; John A. Brent, Jan. 3, 1882; Woodard, land in 23-6-46, Aprll 22, 1883, Tuttle Ranch; Riley land in Sec. 33-6-46, Jan. 16, 1882, Tuttle Ranch. The first to file on a homestead within the present limits of Kit Carson Co. were: 1. Jo Miskelly, Iand in 3-9-50, Mar. 21, 1885' Crystal Springs,2. William Matthias,3. Dick Moore, 4. Simmon Rumming, Homestead No. 15, Penelope Burr (Gordon Burr's mother,) on the Rep. river near Tuttle. Vona was settled by Perl King and E.H. Haynes, then came the Howell's, Ferris' and the Linford families. N. of Stratton were the E.G. Davis, Pugh, and W.A. Richards families. The Tuttle Ranch, established about 1876, by Dr. Tuttle of Denver, was sold to J. Austin. Dr. Tuttle was a surgeon in the confederate Army. He never lived on the ranch. J. Austin sold the upper ranch to J.J. Pugh' The lower ranch - 6 mi. down the Rep. river was sold to Harry Cox of Colo. Springs, whose mother though blind operated a hotel in Colo. Spgs. The blind Mrs. Cox when visiting the ranch gave it the sobriquet of 'Rock Haven'. She "saw" the ranch through feeling the side of the bluff with her fingers, - the rocky ledge of the bluff on the N. suggesting Rock Haven to her sensitive hands. Each week in the early '90's there were items published in the Burlington papers about the visitors and events at Rock Haven and another column from Tuttle P.O. J.W. Austin's daughter married Burt Ragan, who at that time and over a period of years was foreman for the Sherrer owned Bar T (-T) Ranch. In 1879 E.W. McCrillis obtained what is known as Spring Valley Ranch, from the fur trappers (Reecks Bros.)' The fur trappers owned "squatters" rights to that area. They had built a cozy log cabin, burned down by Indians in 1878. and rebuilt' FIRSTS OF THE COUNTY Keller. May 27, 1889 Elmer Castor and MarY - Wellis, Burlington M.E. E. Rice by Rev. J.N. Church Casper F. Fetters and June 5, 1889 - by Justice of Peace J.F. Jerusha Ann Fetters Fetters Charles W. Bennett and Aug. 19, 1889 - by Rev. J.N. Wellis Carrie B. Kimball Paul B. Godsman and Sept. 4, 1889 - Rev. Mead. Charlotte Rose by Anderson J. Pugh and Sept. 25, 1889 Marie E. Shumanand Sept. 26, 1889 - Edward W. Cain Belle V. Kyle. Long and Etta Dec. 22, 1889 - William Van Horn. by Janice Salmane Answer from the Dept. of the Interior, Dec. 9, 1916. iiI i rl,:,, ,if'rlll FINAL HOMESTEAD PROCESS T14 t tn-o.Ilr- l..,nt, rOel io lf, [f'',,,crl- \; ) ( " *'J^ 15 ,-'-,"q '!. 1', t\ \r,,r- \,*4 , ,- o,1t S'*l rr I I y. . \ t ,!-,cr-,.-^ i,s lf-c lJf r.al 4 ,{ i ..f i-lr9 * l/ -56 .' i^.\ "'lf.{r,-\ o'^ '';'\yn')'l -17/3 '" .' .-o : r'f o. a I ')'b t' / . '! 1''-.r- ,Jo J,,. a. .frr & ,'-l ,* ,-oLtt.l c,r-,,-d {a La...r.r.-. i \ -r1.,,-, '\- o\!, t,, t ^ 'do t )Y o" ,\^.rr,,r (r-,-. r.{ .,n,1 rtn! 'i-rr. -.rr.irtr ,-, u .-., t ]'^ o (( ,url'["*l;, ' ,,,' , 1 .io d^--*rAo Oa;^rVo^zt, i *-[,{^J ?O,.tn-oJl 'S"q io**, 'r; .r !,t.,,* ln ,t{r-,"ao Y VX. C. C tn^Y, '\-I .nlto^ 0,,{n. \*w,-.-"-:'.t 4 .(.yyr.,c'^tt\,'\'lrl. 1r b1^,. ,rrr,'l* , \ .' ..i,i',.r. .a..a- . ',ii:l.."l .i ,:r.l:rr'i":.:;Illlli Notice of hearing of final proof of homestead. 'E$*!l'1*','*:-' ' b4 R lie EI PT "! $,a:iit:rT4rl *,'"",., d&r' 4 :drA ' .uu^@, [":M,e;d'z'.a-q. Correspondence to apply for a land claim. T13 by Flo McConnell First child born, Mabel Parks at Walter, 1885. First boy born, Leon Lavington at Flagler, 1888. First doctor in county was Dr. Hoyt, 1886. First town in the county was Burlington, 1886. First school was in Burlington, December 26, 1886. First country school was located south of Burlington 3 miles. First marriages recorded at the Court House Mav 16. 1889 - Owen W. Small and Final three year homestead proof, Dec. 28, 1916. �@l1r l,{nilel $lntrr uf Anrpriru, O! rll h !ilpn rt.@ ,nfult{ ,h hd oil- il The ballot case for the county seat election ,hdll ilu,., 6rdh, in Precinct 12, (Beloit) in Kit Carson Cou"ty, Nov. 5, 1889: Claremont received f2 votes Hu8o, Colorado, Ith.l l!, 11.rk .".,h rest hdf of .j6ciio! t*6Dty_four in Toinshll orolon so!rh of tanfle fifty v.st of ibe Sixth kinoipai |:eridie, :olor,:Co, cort ,iDin,j three hDdred ttr6nty !cres, and Burlington received 18. county seat was located in Burlington .byThe election: Burlington 4b1 votes; Claredoni 170 votes. The Burlington Boornerang was selected as-the-official paper May 2, lggg; Assessed valuation of the county in iSSg was $440,482.00. ' ::' ' iroodro{ ]!tsoh COURT HOUSE BURNS :iytNItt{ ;;, ; "") . ; .,,) 1, o,_ . . ;, .) ,, o,. r' ",,,l./1 '2,, -J:!/ti.Ji.'t.,r., ,,.,,,,,..,.",,,",.,...:ril,i,l ", "..: "":",,,, the old settlers. In.the County Sheriffs office and that of the Assessor but little if anything r", ."*a. Fortunately the tax booke for ttr-e year 1SOZ were not in the Assessor's office. In the County Commissioners'room little of anything was saved. County Recorder, Q9o.-G.- Gates, fortunately had Lort, if all of the important records, either'in lhe "oj Woodrow Wilson, June 6. 1g1?. Tf b being adjoining the County Judges i; fare4 far worse as the Clerli Wyatl noger "fd;,wa; "private unable to enter his office to save the vault or in the large safe, and while the sJe is warped with the intense heat, it is hoped that the records will be .""ur"d. Thu lu;;; court room upstairs with all its contents wis doomed to destruction, not a thing could be land deed for Ethel M. Clark signed by president VOTING ON THE NEW COUNTY SEAT of his big safe. The office of the District Courl be. hard to duplicate. The valuable County School records were almost entirely med and the early history of the schools "orrarr"_ in this county will largely exist in the minds of T16 :;,:,,",):,: demon fire and black pall of smoke stifled and strangled the rescuers to such an exteni that they were compelled to leave the room but not until Mr. Price cooly locked the doors and court records unless the safe snouta prove resistant to the fearful heat. Mr. Boger lost sonre valuable private records wtrich iiil ,""^ii"lJl:;iJiirl::;:::r"J:"fl1;,,ti;t"1ill::.:1ll::,:lt';t,i;l;.:1.,,,:.1t;til.,lti::;l:::t.,1 j.;:,,, ,i 1,..;;;l; ,i:;:. " , ,...,,.,, ,, ,t. .;,, ;.. ,;;.;, ; ;; :;.-.:;,,1. ti 1j"i:li,tl. 'lt:. :. .,:ilr, l :; three men were in the office passing out such movables as was possible to get ouI until ihe Kit Car.son County Court _ Built in 190g, 'lne orrgrnal structure was House destroyed by fire. saved. A handsome piano which naa U"en i" use in that room for public gatherings was destroyed. The court house was a frnme building and was built by subscription,Ee Rock Island Railroad Leing one of ' ;h; heaviest contributors, .o-e 6ight""n y;; ago. In fifty minutes the flames that lit up the surrounding country with lurid light; had destroyed this ancient landmark. Fortuna_ tely,,the building was insured for about two_ thirds of its value. From such .ecords as we could get, it is learned that there was in the neiglborhood of $2,500.00, insurance on the Duudrng and contents. There was little doubt that the structure could have been saved with its contents ifthe city had possessed even a moderate sized water system. Original Kit Carson County Court Houee burned Two men were arrested Sunday night as Dec. 23, 1907. "The voters of Kit Carson County are to Rebuilding of the courthouse after the fire. Boger house and barn in background. will locate the permanent county seat ai Burlington or to remove it to Chr;mont." If the county seat was to be moved the o'clock, the startling cry of fire, fire, was decide on November 5, 1889, whether thev county would have to cover the cost of moving the records, and furniture which would cosl flom 9200 to $300 at the least. Then the first thing to be done would be to build or rent offices for the next two vears. Claremont claimed it had $2,000 in securities deposited with the Columbia Banking 9o.pqry for the purpose of building house for the use of the countv. " "ouri Burlington submitted house erect_ "o.rri ed on Block 44 consisting " of 40Xb0 ft. in size with22 ft. posts, seven finished offices on the lower floor to be occupied by the county o{{c9r9, a large 36Xx40 ft. court ,oo-, t*l adjoining jury rooms, (4'X16') on the second floor. Said building was to be constructed at a cost of $4,500 and deeded to the countv at a cost of One Dollar ($1.00). The deed was deposited inescrow, with the county commis_ sioners, to be placed on record after the election. On Saturday night shortly after seven heard and echoed from street to street and house to house; soon the bell of the Montezu_ qa HoteJ began to clang, arousing the whole city to the knowledge that a disistrous fire was in progress. Great throngs of people began to rush to the scene of tf,e conilagra_ tion and the word was passed the cotinty court house was on fire, Those persons who had been at the fire at its incipiency stated that the blaze appeared to be located under the floor of the office occupied by County Judge Glaister. How the fire could have start€d in that part of the building is a mystery as the Judge left town Saturday night for his place of business at Seibert and so far as known no one had been at.the office during the day. The writer (of th1. lytp"per article, a Burlington paper, dated Friday, Dec. 2g, 1g0Z) arrived on'the scene just as the fire came bursting out t!ryugh, the window of the Judge's piivate office. County Treasurer price with i*o o. suspicious characters and placed in ttrelait as there is little doubt that the fire was of an incendiary character. Our County Commissioners should at once arrange to build a Court House commensu_ rate with the present condition ofthis countv. It should be built ofbrick not to cost less tha'n sixty thousand dollars. The population and wealth which has been and is pouring into this county will fairly justify the-expeniiture tor a commodious and up to date court house that will be a credit to our county and our city. by Janice Salmans NEW COURT HOUSE 1950 Tt7 Carson County has a new court house! _,Kit lnls, oI course, rs not a startling announce_ ment at this time when the new building has been in use for some months. In factl the move from the old to the new building has �and Harley Rhoades of Burlington. Abstracts of assessment since then show a building fund levy of 1.0 mill was made in 1945, 1.5 mills in L945,47 and 48, 2.0 mills in 1949 and 50 and 1.874 mills in 1951. The architect, Chas. A. Kellogg of Denver was instructed to begin work on building plans early in 1949, and construction got under way the following summer. The com- missioners served as general contractors and took bids on such work as electrical, plumb- ing and heating, cement, and installing the elevator. Wm. McKinley of Burlington served as supervisor and Elmer Kerl of Vona served as foleman. The final cost exceeded the original figure due to the increase in cost of the steel strike which occurred after the construction had begun' The total cost of the new court house has been broken down by the commissioners: Wages, $?9,631.13; Materials and freight, $78,606.12; Architect's fee, $3,835.00; Electrical contract' $6'689'48; Plumbing and heating contract, $11'787'88; Elevator contract, $9,850'00; with the total cost being $190'399.61. Kit Carson County's Court House, above photo shows east entrance' been so gradual during the past three yerrs' that it has almost escaped formal notice' The new cornerstone reads that the building was reconstructed in 1950, but construction was not completed until the spring of 1952' The new building is a four story structure, finished in Carnegie marble veneer' It is situated in the center ofthe block, two blocks west of Main Street in Burlington' It's total cost of $190,000.00 has all been paid by small mill levies during the past several years' In fact. since there is about $10,000 remaining in tire building fund, no further levy will be necessary. Commissioners Reuben Anderson, (Burlington)' Ernest McArthur (Stratton) and Earl Boren (Seibert). The idea of establishing a "building fund" which would be built up for several years to finance the conversion of the new building came from the commissioners in office in 1945. They were the late George Baxter of Flagler; the late Tom Kennedy of Stratton Officials and employees carried on their work many times under very trying conditions. A public meeting room is a feature of the building. It is Iocated on the first floor and is available for all types of public meetings' Also on the first floor are the offices of the County Superintendent and the Assessor, the welfare office, and the furnace room. Formerly it was necessary to house the welfare office in another building. On the second floor are the offices of the County Clerk, the County Treasurer' the County Commissioners and the County Aeent. Law enforcement and judicial offices ar-e grouped on the third floor. These are offic-es of the Sheriff and the County Judge, the jury room and the District Clerk's office. On tite fourth floor are the county jail and modern, complete living quarters for the iailer. There is also additional storage space on the fourth floor. Formerly the jail was housed in a separate building on the court house grounds. Sam Travis, CountY Treasurer, 1956 County Treasurer's office. �recovered Bar T cattle. When we set the old chuck wagon down and the remuda of mustangs were settled to grazing nearby, the boys had to fan out and work for miles around bringing the cattle in. When the Rock Island Railroad was built we tried pretty hard to keep our cattle north of it but we still had round ups, but smaller ones. District Court room; adjoining are Judge's chambers and jury room. COUNTY SHERIFFS T18 there were instances that a buffalo cow mated to one of the Bar T bulls it was known. and while this would probably have been born A listing of the County Sheriffs as known: 1884-1888, A.N. Wilcox; 1889-1890, Sam Beidelman; 1891-1899, unknown; 1899-1900, B.D. Roger; 11901-1902, Frank Fleming; 1903-1908, James Knapp; 1909-1917, un- known; 1917-1918, E.E. Hoskin; 1919-1923, R. Lee Worley; 1923-1928, John G. Davis; 1929-1930, Walt H. Conarty; 1931-1932, Hugh Baker; 1933-1936, C.C. Gates; 19371947, Ray W. Plummer;1947-L955, Oliver C. Dunlap; 1955-1963, E.B. Ormsbee, (1st 4 year term); 1963-1967, Ed Mills; 1967-1971, Jack Heid; 1971-1984, George R. Hubbard; 1984 Sharon Heinz. and would have lived it would have been a hybrid like the mule and would not have reproduced. In a few years the buffalo entirely disappeared for there were those that would try so hard to get one. For years we had to go to Benkelman, Nebraska, for supplies and a four horse team made this trip late in the fall for we did not like to have to go during the winter if we could get by without it. We had to have round ups too, for it just had to be done to collect our cattle. We went as far south as the Arkansas River and still Then, when the homesteaders started coming in 1866, we had to keep them even closer and watch them better. We also started to put up hay for winter feed for the first time and by 1898 we had cut down cattle numbers so much that we only had 2,500 left. Then a little later we fenced in what we claimed as our ranch and we kept this grass to grow over the summer and would put out cattle inside this fence during the winter, and we just had 1,000 cattle left. We fed them hay during the winter too in this pasture. Then the homesteaders started coming on our property and filing claims and we started having trouble with them. There was a Mr. Munsinger who was locating most of them and he would come right in and lay out a claim. My father had filed on a homestead also that lay just south of the old Fleer place. Mr. Minsinger located a homesteader on this land and started to put a fence around it. There was trouble and Mr. Munsinger shot and killed our ranch foreman, Mr. Allen. Cattle were not worth very much. In 1912 we just got $3.50 for good steers. Shortly afte' 1880 we had taken out water rights on the river. The old Tuttle Ranch, 12 miles up the river, was our closest neighbor. Then later on there was the Pugh, Davis and Pugh ranches and a Harry Cox bought part of the Tuttle Spread, and Burt Ragan took a homestead close to our ranch house but he was working for us. Bill Mace took a homestead just north of Mr. Ragan. ll t6'/67a THE BAR T STORY T19 \n 1872, my father, Jacob Scherrer, and Tom Ireland teamed up to form the Republican Cattle Company and the ranch carried the name of the Bar T. This nnme came about as a result of the brand they used which was a bar over a letter "T", put on the left hip. Indians were seen often and while they had just recently been hostile there were no incidents of a serious nature. There were plenty of guns and ammunition at the ranch but there was never an attack. The Indians etole some things but nothing was done about it. They also stole a cow or steer once in awhile and it was thought these were eaten and, as cattle were cheap and the ranch had lots of them, it would have been foolish to have made an incident of such a small thing as losing a few cattle. To my knowledge there was never a band of cattle or horses driven away. If there was it would have been just small groups. It was better to get along with the Indians if you could. Buffalo were here yet, too, in 1872 but not in numbers that hindered with cattle raising. They were scattered in small bunches and on the few occasions that a cow became mated to a buffalo bull, the cow died in calving. If n7 t.l J++,^., t u4t r+n /Iv./fl.lJ,ltllnill.ltl.tn0tl// '3( edfr"^-r L vdr "-4flttlttl,lt\lfttJ Al A u^/L'N'lliftf-fN &rt{.ta $' 7 c, nnnll ,/ &,6a j 71ry *TT1 ii I j t. &3 rii lr rl I Record taken from Burt Ragan's account ledger, accounting of cattle delivered to O.P. Hughes. HT rc,-t �ri? le &o bA/. ,r_"2 utq"a*, %),!,t rl, ,,4,^zV,, l^bu ur,.,'9,1 l, | fuu Nql t, ,, to&iullt*'at ', /,fi't he camped out under the stars on ground that he was later to own. He got a job on the Bar 4w{n T Ranch working for the Republican Cattle Co. His job was to help fix fences, haul supplies or any other job that happened to ''f'E:, )l come along. He went on many a long cattle drive and round up. He helped in the driving ti of the Texas Cattle that the Republican Cattle Co. had shipped as far as Lamar. He also saw buffalo at different times. After working there for five years, he became the manager. He was for making more pay, so he started to put together a small herd of cattle for himself. He also took a homestead close by and proved up on it while working at the Bar T. In those early days as a cowboy he did not have many clothes nor did he need many. A couple of pair of pants, two shirts, boots, a good hat and a blanket was about all he ar ,4It.l ..r,,t, .:i \*r 'u {./., L' ,t., "i "t ,,eA ),,J r'.ri L ({ 'c,u cqc'- .'Ed 7 possessed. But they had good times in those days anyway. Dancing was the main amusement. There always seemed to be a good fiddler ':41t'r. I lna , U-z€ /tt *1 or two at the Bar T. Whenever they could, a good crowd would gather for a night of ,:,ttft'r, t0 il, '.. :)i.t ' enjoyment. He would never forget the big round ups. The dust was terrible and they were bothered so much with flies and sand gnats. The last big round up on the range in this part of the 8,6 b,0 , aa country was in 1888. Fred Bauder $20 per month, 1899 water. It swallowed them up. There were lots of rattlesnakes and coyotes, but the prairie dogs came in greater numbers after the settlers came in. J.G. Scherrer Denver, Colorado April 26, In 1911 the Kit Carson Land Company was med and they moved in lots of people ;ween the river and Burlington and anothplace that they settled in numbers was of rn on what they called the Idalia These people on the Idalia Flats had ir success with wheat. We were bottled up. 1957 Burt Ragan was born on March 31, 1868, at Lancaster, Iowa. He came west to western Kansas sin 1885. The next year he decided to come to Colorado, so he walked. He was then eighteen years old. His first night in Colorado big cattle days were over. We had lost lots them in a blizzard in 1905 when thev rifted over the river bank after it was filled with snow and they perished in the snow and Burt was well acquainted with Dr. Tuttle, who owned the Tuttle Ranch, and who was formerly a surgeon in the Confederate Army and was then living at Littleton, Colorado. He also knew the rancher and cattleman George Benkelman, Sr., who had cattle all up and down the Republican River. He later founded the Colorado Packing Company in Denver. He also knew Ed McCrillis who later built the "Sears" Hotel in Denver. He also knew Ed McCrillis who later became the Cattle Brand Inspector of Colorado. McCrillis at that time was connected with the Spring Valley Ranch. by Myra L. Davis t3 /1-t-<.LA-L 'i | )t y',t- , g '6 r0 E'^/A- Q r;- J./u''ar.\-/htl m At t (,, I W Eu I 1' tt'1 / D t\o I I Expenses for moving cattle tt tt pf^"11*' ,t q.nt ar:w1,. ,, *oa-ctD ^"^r.A r-(p+1 /7o1'^ / ,r '1,/ Kit Cargon County Memorial Hospital, 1950s. �Orderlies: Emergency Medical Trainees: Scott Beethe, Rnmon Cortinas, Glen Grotegeers and JFmes Timme and John Wilson. CRT. Ward clerks: Dorendo Harrel. Melanie 9eelhoof and Marjorie Sloan. Dietary: Wave McNeill, Pauline Hayden, Leola Isom, Sandra Webb, Loraine Wood and Hilda Zeigler. I,,aboratory: and X-Ray: James Jordan, ASCP; Joanne Jones and Bruce Gross. Central supply: Ardith Gulden, LpN; Iona McBlfresh and Martha Carter. Housekeeping: Anita Sandoval, Esther Perez, Marla Trevino and Maxine White. Consulting Pharmacist: Linda Hayden. Respiratory Therapy: Carl Curtis, AART. Five personnel serving on the staff for 2b years were honored at a service and presented a brick from the original hospitaf with the words engraved on them "For 2b years of Community Service, 1948-1gZB." PIONEER LIFE ON THE PRAIRIE B_ar T cowboys ready to start-roundup, carnping on the weet side of 14th St. at the north end. L. to R.; Mac Bevier, Frank Mann, unknown, chris stahlecker, b unknown, Burt Ragan, Fred Bauder. KIT CARSON COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL T20 The Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital opened its doors on June 23, L948. Construc- tion on the facility was start€d Feb. 1947, with W.M. McKinley (Supt. of Schools), accepting the responsibility of the general contractor. The project was sponsored by the Burlington Rotary Club. The hospital was built with funds received only from contributions and donations. Allotment of federal funds were held up by delays, red tape and tough breaks. Eventually the hospital board decided to build with only local funds. Donations cnme in as cash, from a few dollars to several hundred. from donated labor, from a "lO-acre wheat club" (which farmers organized and contributed all proceeds from 10 acres oftheir crop, with the rest being piled on the ground at the site of the now occupied Medical Clinic.). On hand with "the first load of bricks" so to speak, was J.S. (Steve) Rockwell, who resigned his position as county treasurer to ffrsume responsibilities as hospital adminis- trator. Rockwell and the board accumulated a surplus of approximately 9150,000 during his first 20 years to help with the construction of the new wing of the hospital, which had open house festivities Sunday, April 21, 1968. Guy Ancell was contractor for the new south wing project, which he operated on a cost-plus basis, which saved the county an estimated $50,000. This increased the 32 bed hospital to 45 beds. In addition all facilities were improved or new ones added. The staff of 44 persons represented one of the larger payrolls in the county. Cost of the new wing and improved facilities was about $350,000. Landscaping of the original grounds was a project of the Burlington Garden Club with the committee of Mrs. W.W. McKinley and Mrs. Arthur Wilson heading the effort. Another help team of the hospital has been the Hospital Auxiliary, composed of commu- nity volunteers, who met each first Mondav of the month to mend, and sew various garments and hospital supplies. Anna Buol was a charter member and first president of the auxiliary which began with seven members: Mrs. J.C. Coleman, Vice-Pres.; Mrs. C.D. Reed, Sec.-Treas; Mrs. John Revert, Mrs. Lyle James, Mrs. Alice Travis, Shannon and Alice Adams, Superintendent of Nurses. A remodeling project of the original part of the hospital was completed for occupancy in Aug. of 1972, bringing the capacity of the hospital to 51. This included two beds for intensive and cardiac care; five for maternity patients; L0 in the skilled nursing facility and 34 medical surgical beds. Rockwell resigned as administrator in 1967, at which time he assumed responsibili- ties as purchasing agent and maintenance supt. He then joined administrator Robert H. Robb as assistant administrator. Robb joined the staff Sept., 1970, after having retired as an Army major after 20 years of service. The board members were: Harold McArthur, chairman; Leo Kindsvater, vice chairman; Russ Wilcox, Sec.; and members; Dale Har- grove, Seibert; Louis Pickard, Vona; Max Toland, Stratton; and David Rowland, Flagler. Personnel consisted of 70 persons. Administration: Robb, Administrator, Rockwell, Agent, Assnt. Adminis. Business office: Thelma Mayhan, Thelma Rockwell, Virginia Williams, Bernice Rudnick and Theresa Knapp. Medical records: Eileen Stewart, Art; and Patricia Stewart. Nursing Staff: registered nurses: Dorothy Crow, director; Iva Crist, Doris Crouse, Debbie Cure, Ruth Haugey, Patricia Herrmann, Dorothea Homm, Dora Knapp, Carol McCulloch, Virginia Peterson, Nancy Roark, Hazel Stahlecker and Sara Veselik. L.P.N.'s: Alice Cichanski, Mildred Hines, Norma Lindholm nd Helen Schaal. Nurses Aides: Louise Barnhart, Bessie Boyd, Dixie Burrows, Mildred Copley, Beverly Critch- field, Jean Haines, Karol Haines, Faith Hase, Joyce Knodel, Kathy Kramer, Mabel McAr- thur, Cass Minter, Vera Perkins, Betty Smith, Debbie Smith, Mardean Stewart, Elva Mae Wall, Leah Woods, Grace Wooley and Eunice Twomey. T2r Where we now live encircled with all the embellishments of modern civilized life. our intrepid forbears knew a far different type of existence. Those who blazed the trails through Eastern Colorado, endured untold hardships and privations as great as those suffered in colonizing America. Yet many of their graves are on the plains, unmarked, and the deeds of their daring unsung. _. Kit Carson County, the crossroads of many historic trails, has not one marker or monument to perpetuate the memory of those whose courage and fortitude led to the settlement of this County and helped to make this a beautiful gateway to the beauty and grandeur of the Rockies. To answer the question of who passed this way first, we would pay tribute to the Indian tribes who chased the buffalo and antelope over the plains and left the relics of their tribal lives on most every hilltop in this County. The dust storms of 1934-198b uncovered the campfire sites of these early inhabitants. Trained eyes may read the secrets of broken pottery and fragmentary implements; experienced hands may piece together the story of their tribal lives and customs; history written not in formal documents, but in the result of their occupation. Their trails have been almost obliterated by white man, and their burial grounds despoiled by the curious settlers. The bold Cheyennes, their allies, the Arapahoes, and the more hostile Kiowas. all have left traces of their nomadic life on the plains. Today we enjoy visiting the bared camp sites and find pleasurable avocation in the study of the different types of tools, and the tribe each type represents. Stone needles, grinding stones, knives, spear heads and arrow heads in abundance are to be found. Old Indian Cemetery: Eleven miles north and four west. on the bluffs of the Landsman Creek is an old Indian burial place (sec. 33-6-44). Here is an old Indian cemetery, a pyramid of stones, several feet in height, marked graves of some chieftain or warriors. This marking was despoiled, unknowingly of course, by an early homes- teader looking for stone to build a dwelling house on his homestead. The house, now long �vacant, stands as a protest to the desecration of the ancient cemeterY. An Old Legend: After the battle of Beecher Island, survivors tell us that the Indians gathered up their dead and withdrew, going in a southwesterly direction. In a direct line of their travel are very high bluffs on the Republican River, which would be their nearest watering place, and where live springs keep the water flowing at all times. On one ofthese high elevations is a circular layer of stones which is supposed to mark the tomb of the great Cheyenne warrior, Roman Nose, killed in the battle of Beecher lsland. The site corresponds to the tribal burial customs of the Cheyenne Indians. Changes in the river's course and the great floods have uncovered several skeletons from the lower bluffs where the waters have cut away what seems to have been a cave sealed in the long ago. The Mystery Grave: The former old "Tuttle Ranch" on the Republican river and Landsman Creek holds the site of what has been a legendary treasure hunt. As this land wag crossed by the old Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Trail, many interesting stories are told of events transpiring along this trail. One is told by L.N. Corliss oi St. Atbans, Vermont. "A miner who traveled this route was dying in Chicago and tried to give directions to a point on Lands- man Creek. The directions were: "Go to Landsman, follow to a spring, southeast from the spring you will find a mound. In that He died leaving the mound you will find -" rest ofthe story untold. Hundreds visited the cave expecting to find a miner's cache of gold, but only a few Indian trinkets were revealed. The Corliss family still own the old ranch, and the younger generation has often sear- ched for the "miner's gold", but without success, although some small Indian relics were uncovered. Several graves have been found and opened, but the secret lies buried. Cowboys who rode the plains with the "KP", the "Bar-T" and the "77" cattle herds tell us of many interesting incidents of the early trails and the trading posts set up enroute. At least two of these were in Kit Carson County, and another was located just over the line in Yuma County, near what is now the Newton school; another on the Arthur Pugh ranch, and a third one north of Kipling, a railway siding, and on the south side of the Republican River. This trail was still visible in 1908 when an "old timer" called my attcntion to it. The trail was also visible on the south bank of the Republican river where it crossed U.S. Highway No. 244. This trail was pointed out to me by one who freighted from Denver with an ox-team before the advent of the Rock Island Rail- road. This trail is near the old Indian caves and in the region where a wagon train of one hundred white people were attacked by the Indians. The story of this battle was published in "The Seibert Settler", a county newspaper. The writer was from Topeka, Kansas and was visiting relation living near the battle ground. There is another old trail in the vicinity of Seibert that I traveled for many miles from 1908 to 1910 when living on a homestead located on this trail. The Kit Carson Trail leads from Bent's Fort on the Arkansas River ,o trsramie Fort in Wyoming, and passed the west side of Seibert and on to the Arickaree Creek near Cope. I saw the trail over most of this territory, but today it is most obliterated by plough shares. These early trails did not stay within the scope of boundaries ofpresent highways, but varied over considerable terrain as circumstances necessitated, sometimes to avoid low marshy ground in wet weather, sometimes, if guided by scouts, to avoid hostile Indian tribes when they were on hunting trips over the plains. Occasionally there would be a variance of several miles between the trail and various detours, but Kit Carson Trail through this county is very direct. The Smoky Hill Trail followed the South Fork of the Smoky Hill river as far as Big Springs where the Kit Carson Trail crosses it, but old settlers on the North Fork of Smoky Hill river show us a distinct trail along the south bluff of Smoky Hill river just south of the First Central School, and it appears again further west until it was obliterated by cultivated fields. The trail led onward in the direction of the "KP Ranch". In road grading in the southwest part of the County, workers have uncovered skeletons along this route. Wild Horse Corral Many western Kansas pioneers chased wild horses over this atea, according to the history of many pioneers in the late 1870's. One of their traps for catching horses was Wild Horse Corral on the Landsman or Launchman, for Dutch Jake was not distinct in the pronunciation of his home's name' These wild horse hunters also found refuge in the dugouts in the bluff. One early day trapper in Colby told of being caught in several blizzards. one in Colorado. While following a stream, he saw vapor rising from the bank at the water's edge, and investigating, he and a companion found a beaver's nesting place large enough for them to crawl in to keep snug and warm. Early Trapper's Residence The Spring Valley Ranch is the site of the Reeks Brothers' log cabin home, which was burned by the Indians in 1878, but was rebuilt in 1879. These men were trappers and their home was open to some of the older roving cowboys, such as Jimmie Gray, early foreman on the Bar T Ranch before the feuds with homesteaders. In his declining years, Jimmy often spent his winters at the Reeks' cabin. Jimmy was still riding at the age of 82. The Reeks soon after rebuilding, sold their camp site to Edward McCrillis, who had a ranch on the Republican River. The Reeks brothers settled near Beecher Island and later went to Elizabeth and are buried there. Their camp site is now known as "Spring Valley Ranch". The first man known to have his home in the Burlington locality was known as "Dutch Jake" (his surname is Harbison)' a German trapper who had a camp on the creek which crossed U.S. Highway No. 24 just west of Bethune and joins the Republican River just east of State Highway No. 51, about twenty mile north of Burlington. He lived in one of the six or seven dugouts in the bluffs of "Wild Horse Canyon, Sec. 4-7-44. Other dugouts or caves were used by buffalo hunters, then later by bone haulers. These bluffs or caves are on the Landsman Creek, designated by U.S. Survey as the proper name. This creek origin dates back to the days of "Dutch Jake" who, it is said, purchased his supplies and shipped his pelts from the old "Benkelman Ranch" on the Republican River, and not far from Colorado-Kansas line. When he would visit the ranch "Old man Benkelman" would greet him with - "Wie ghets Landsman". The word "Landsman" being used in the sense of farmer, hayseed or backwoodsman. The cowboy soon began calling the creek on which he lived the "Landsman". Early Cattle Ranches: At a time when this State was full of wild adventure, a few of the more daring men with some capital assumed the risk of establishing cattle ranches where water comes to the surface and forms living springs. Three such ranches were established in the present territory of Kit Carson County. Tuttle Ranch (TT-) This ranch was owned by Dr. Tuttle of Denver and located as early as 1876. The first building was comprised of one large room built of sod with walls three feet thick to protect the inmates from Indian attacks. Many turbulent times were encountered during the years intervening between the establishing of the early ranches and the coming of the settlers in 1886. On Hell Creek north of Seibert was the scene of an Indian attack on cowboys, in which two cowboys were killed and their bodies interred near the old Kit Carson Trail. Erosion revealed the victims of this tragedy in later years, and they were reinterred on higher ground. The bunkhouses, which were the living quarters of the cowhands, were the scenes of unsavory episodes that were always common in the early days of the West. On Tuttle Ranch reposes the earthly remains of at least one cowboy killed in a bunkhouse brawl, the result of cheating at cards. Scherrer Ranch (-T) (T) The Bar T Ranch is better known to us, as our present State Senator, Burt Ragan, was a former foreman on this ranch' Like all early day ranches, it went through many phases of western history. We are told that attacks on homesteaders, in order to discourage them, were frequent. After crops were destroyed by the range cattle, ranchers often retaliated by butchering beeves; quarrels and shootings occurred, and sometimes one or two persons were killed. Such was life on the Republican River in the vicinity of homesteader Munsinger's home and the Bar T Ranch. Munsinger did not scare, so when he was warned by the Foreman Allen and a cowboy, the former was killed and the heel shot off the cowboy's boot as he scurried for his horse. Later Munsinger was killed by another homesteader who claimed self defense. Nothing was done about either case as there were sympathizers for both parties concerned. Later L.R. Baker shot and killed a prospective homesteader who was coming over the trail from Haigler, Nebraska to Burlington, and as the trail crossed the homestead rights of Baker, he objected to the trespassing. Baker was arested and hurried to the nearest in order Cheyenne Wells railway station - violence. Relays-of horses to prevent mob were arranged along the route and the trip was made with the greatest speed in order to catch the next train. But upon arrival at Cheyenne Wells, a grim and armed crowd of men took Baker from the Sheriff and hanged him to the water tower. As the train pulled into the station, a few minutes late, the place was deserted, not a human being in sight. A lone passenger, alighting from the train, both hands filled with luggage, looked askance at the deserted village. Scott Vititow, coming to �visit his brother Tom at the latter's horse ranch, was disappointed that no one wag there to greet him, but his disappointment changed to terror as he saw the gruesome sight at the water tower. The train was receding in the distance. Impossible to catch it an-d hop aboard, he wanted to get away, but how? At last a sombrero emerged over the top of a barrel, then a face, and a voice asked. "Lookin' for somebody?" Scott then explained who he was and that he had written his brother Tom to meet him. Residents of the West knew that ranchers out on round-up received mail belatedly, so Scott was loaned a horse to ride to his brother's ranch where he had a full week alone to meditate on the scene of his arrival before his brother rode in from round-up. In the same village of Cheyenne Wells was enacted another drama which again made the populace gasp in horror. In the graying dawn of early morning a drifting breeze stirred two indistinct forms suspended from the arm of the water tower that had served as a gibbet in eking out justice to L.R. Baker for the murder of McConnell. An earlyrisingwoman, emerging from her home to look after her cows, gave a sudden gasp, then with frenzied screams brought the scantily clad citizens to their windows and doorways, where their gaze was directed by the gesticulating and pain stricken woman to the lengthy forms dangling by ropes from the erstwhile gibbet. After the first shock was dispelled, citizens hurried to learn who were the victims of the latest tragedy. They found two well known villains who, by their many forays on the scant larders of the citizens, had made themselves obnoxious to the entire village two long, lank greyhounds. A vast sigh -of relief was wafted on the early morning breeze. Ho5rt was a prosperous village established by Dr, Hoyt, who was also a surveyor, trail blazer and locator. By turning up sod along the route, he marked the trail which the emigrants were to follow to this land of opportunity. Hoyt had a hardware store, two groceries, a drygoods store operated by the I,eellutchens fanily, and a hotel, opeiated by Mrs. Wivinis, mother of Mrs. Bertie Tucker, who is well remembered as a charming resident of Seibert. A little sod school house was built, and Mrs. E.P. Trull was the first teacher. Mrs. Paul B. Godsman. who was the second teacher in this school, was for many years later Principal of the Montclair school in Denver. When I came to Colorado in 1908, I was shown a trail about one and one half miles northwest of Seibert, and which was called the "Santa Fe Trail", or the trail from St. Joseph, Mo., to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I asked Mrs. Priest about this trail. and she stated that local residents knew it as the "Santa Fe Trail" and that it was used by the emigrant wagons and freighters. This trail passed along the south bank of the Republican River and on via Hugo to New Mexico. Among the emigrants of 1886-1882 were Lee Hutchens and family from Harrison County, Mo., who were among the most prominent pioneers of the later town of Seibert. Mrs. Priest also mentioned Charles and William Blake, brothers, who were early settlers, and freighted with an ox team from the town of Hoyt. She doubted if Charles Blake, who operates a small store in Seibert, would give any information about pioneer days and doings, as he had refused to talk on the subject to her or to others who were compiling historical data. However, I like adventure, so asked Mrs. Millisack to drive to the Blake store, but to keep the engine running for a quick exit in case f was to meet a reception that had been accorded others who had met with the ',old timer's" disap- proval. Although I have known Mr. Blake fbr many years, he would not acknowledge acquaintance nor give any information whatever. I tried in various ways to get some response to recall events, but had to be gratified with a smile when I spoke of a certain event of the old times. Finally, Mr. Blake curtly arose and left the storeroom bv a back door, so after visiting a few moment-s with customers, we left Seibert. _ With my companions, we journeyed to the Collins House in Stratton, where we were graciously received by our good friend, Mrs. John J. Pugh, (Mrs. Jane E. pugh) who interestingly told us about the old Tuttle ranch, their home. I further inquired about the Indian burial ground. Mrs. Pugh told that she had seen skeletons of Indians, one of a chief, evidenced by the articles included in his grave, and also the remains of a Civil War soldier, recognized by his uniform. A musket of Civil War days was uncovered in the field. Mrs. Pugh mentioned "six Mile point" as a part of the Tuttle ranch, a site that was familiar to me, as I had passed there often in visiting schools while County Superintendent. Six Mile Point is the region I recognized as the supposed resting place of Roman Nose, the Cheyenne warrior. Mrs. Pugh is a lady of charm and culture. and has a very alert mind and retentive memory. Her daughter, Leona, was born on the "Divide" on December 22, L886, at that time part of Arapahoe County, now the south edge of Yuma County. Leona was the first child born in this vicinity. After making final proof on their pre-emption claim, they homesteaded within the present boundary line of Kit Carson County, and have been Thomas County, one in Sheridan Countv. and four in Greeley County, all in Kansasi also seven met death in Wichita, two in Scoti and four in Sherman County, Kansas. At least one died in the storm in Kit Carson County. Fred Boyd, aged twenty, and Jocab Koen_ ingheim, a_ge twenty two, left Gandy, Kansas, in a one horse sleigh to go to Voltaire, a distance of six miles. Returning in the evening, they were overtaken by the storm. They stopped at a house of a Mrs. Douglas, not far from Gandy, and were urged to turn the horse loose and stay overnight. But they refused to do this, and after obtaining a lantern, proceeded on their way. They w"ere lost in the storm and their bodies found later. The horse was found frozen in a upright position where he had broken through ihe ice in a creek. The other two men wlre from Voltaire, a man named Kerns and a bov named Harper, about fourteen years of age. Kerns was from Missouri, and the boy frJm Atwood, Kansas. Three others, who left Voltaire t_he dqy before New year's to go to Colby had not been heard from, and (at"that time) fears were entertained that they too were lost. They were Bert Hendricks. Monte Brashear and John Vandeveer. (Sherman County Herald). These three men were safe. but had a gruelling experience. Bert Hendricks, my uncle, now deceased, described his experiences in this storm to me some years ago. James Priest of Seibert told of a man who was found frozen to death under his wagon in the vicinity of Hoyt. Bert Hendricks and O.H. Hendricks were early locators in the town of Siebert. Colorado. The grove oftrees north ofSeibert were planted by O.H. Hendricks. by Della Gamble Hendricks among the county's most prominent citizens. BEECHER ISLAND and Elias G. Davis were also pioneers in tlat BATTLE {llliam_nicnards (brother of Mrs. pugh) territory and prominent in the early days on the plains. Mr. Davis and Mr. Pugh came west together, lived and worked for manv years together, and both passed to the Great Beyond within a period of three months. Ed Davis, a son of E,G. Davis, possesses an heirloom mattress brought from Illinois by an early settler. The Great Blizzard, of 1886 The blizzard of January 2nd to 6th, 1g96, is still referred to as "The Great Blizzard..,, And well it may be, for in no storm of record was the loss of human life so great, or of livestock so general. Nothing comparable to it has been experienced in the history ofthe west except the storm of March 26 and 27th. 1931, the year of the "Towner Tragedy." On Saturday, January 2nd, 18g6;the first snow gtorm of the season made its appear- ance, and continued for about twentv-four hours. Some four or five inches of snow fell. and drifted badly in the accompanying heavy wind. The weather settled somewhat on Monday, and remained pleasant until Wed- nesday night, when another storm more raging than the first, began to blow. This storm was general over most of the West and great suffering was endured. Railway trains were stalled and many tragedies occurred. Four people were frozen to death in T22 There had been a raid on a freighter's train about 13 miles east of Ft. Walale, Kansas. The Battle of Beechers Island ensued. Col. George A. Forsyth led his troops ofb0 scouts in pursuit of the Indians. They saw no signs until they arrived at the Arickaree or Middle Fork of the Republican river. At this point of the river and valley there is an island-. It was here that the Indians in countless numbers rushed at the troops. Col. Forsyth ordered his troops to take refuge. Chief Roman Nose of the Cheyenne, in war paint and headdress and riding his large spotted horse, led his men in wave after wave of furious charges. The Chief and his Medicine man were finally killed. Toward evening Lieutenant Beecher received his fatal wound. After dark. two scouts: Jack Stilwell and pierre Trudeau. v_olunteered to try to get through to Ft. Wallace. They dressed in Indian clothing to avoid being intercepted by the Indians. When the soldier's food supply becpme exhausted, they cut steaks from their dead horses, and ate without salt. It is said. after nine days the meat became putrid, so they put gun powder on it and ate it. The evening of the third day came with no word of the two scouts. Two more offered to �and the of morning The island. ieturned to the ninth day the Indians made a charge, then *itnat"*. Evidently the Indian lookouts had spotted the U.S. Cavalrymen-from Ft' Wallace. The two scouts, at risk ofbeing captured and scalped, had been successful' Scout eo but could not make it through the lines Klt Car son' s Trail Janice Salmans Vona, Colorado 183 4 To Sainl Franc-1s KANSA S trudeau'returned with the Cavalry, but Stilwell was unable to on account of having stepped barefooted on a cacti on the trek to Ft. Wallace. Upon arriving at the scene of the battle, thosl in need of 'medical attention were Hal- e immediately taken care of. Food was prepared and heartily enjoyed amid exultations at their deliverance. A monument was erected in memory of the heroes killed during battle. It was a fitting marker, placed there in 1898, but was later destroyed by the flood of 1935' The main of the river was completely changed "tt""""t by the turbulent waters, thus the-stone marking their final resting place and the site of the Eattle is forever lost to posterity' by Janice Salmans OCCURRENCES WE HAVE HEARD BUT NOT READ ABOUT T23 old Tuttle Str atton . Lilt]e Rin --Kit carson s 1834 PosL Kit Carson Co.lorado cnrinac One pioneer said there is one grave-on the prairie ior every two miles of space and began io enumerate ltto*n burial sites as West of Smokv Hill school, south of Peconic, on the prairie northwest of Burlington, -where a covered wagon was seen standing for some- time and a rider who after watching a short time to see if someone was in need of assistance, rode over to ask if they were-in need of help. He found an open grave and a woman trying to pull a stiffened body of a man from-the wagon for burial. This story is said to have been in one of the Burlington Papers in mid Pioneer Years. Four miles west and three miles south of Burlington is the grave of one of the earliest pioneeis, Frank Aldrich, whose brother Heniy's name is prominent in the earliest paper -- The Blade. The brothers had adjoining homesteads, when Frank died and was buried on the line between the southwest and southeast quarter of Sec. t8-9-44' by Myra L. David KIT CARSON T24 Christopher "Kit" Catson was one of the createst olthe "Mountain Men" and was one 6f tn" most romantic figures in Western American History. Kit Carson County, Colorado has the honor of being na-ed after him. In 1925 the county commissioners were able to purchase a fine old oil Painting of Kit Carsoni the noted scout and pioneer for whom the county had been named' It was olaced in the Court House. ' Kit Carson was born December 24, 1809' in Madison County, Kentucky (Daniel Boone's rf z4oo county). He moved to Missouri with his par"ttts when he was one year old. At 15 he was apprenticed to a saddler to learn to make saddlis, harnegses and moccasins for the mountain men. At 16, he heard tales of the west and became restless and ran away. He joined a wagon train bound for Santa Fe' There he Ieained to speak Spanish and trapped in the mountains and learned all the trails' In 1835, at the age of 26, he manied an Arapahoe Indian girl, named Prairie Flower (or Singing Grass) and they lived at. Fort ilent. Shelied in the fall of 1838 and was buried in the same robes that she was married in, at Big Timbers about 20 miles from Fort Bent. Tiey had one child, a girl -naq'ed Adeline. Aiter her mother's death, Kit Carson took the child to St. Louis, Missouri, to his relatives where she lived and received her education. She later married an army officer, a lieutenant. Kit Carson became the best known of the trappers, and was a good Indian fighter' He tu". itt" chief Indian scout and was a good friend of most of the Indians. He moved around a lot as he was never happy settled down in one place. In 1843, he married again, a 15 year old Mexican girl, Senora Josepha Jarimilla, in the church at Taos, New Mexico. They had seven children, four boys and three girls. He had a ranch home in New Mexico where his wife and children stayed when he was away' It was one of the most comfortable homes around there. In 1853 he was appointed as a Government Indian Agent for the Ute, Apache and Pueblo tribes and held that post until 1861' He organized a regiment when the Civil War br-oke out. He fought his cavalry in battles and skirmishes in New Mexico during the war. Kit and Mrs. Carson came to Boggsville iustbefore Christmas in 1867 in awagon from Taos. New Mexico. Kit Carson had just come back from Washington, D.C., on business with the government. Here they lived in a large house that his brother in law had built for him. His health was failing so that he was able to do very little work. He was suffering from an old injurY. On April 1t, 1868, Mrs. Carson died in childbirih. And on May 23, 1868, Kit Carson died in the government hospital at Fort Lyon' Both were buried near Boggsville, but later �the bodies were removed and were taken to Taos, New Mexico, for permanent burial. His brother in law took care of the children and saw them raised. Some of the children followed their fatherrs sanmpl€ in their marriages, down to the fourth generation, by being married in the same church at Taos.In November, 1858, Ed Baldwin of Anchorage, Alaska, a great great grandson of Kit Carson, visited in Burlington for a short time. He was interested in the county as it has been named for his pioneer predecessor and was seeking information of a historical nature. Taken from "The Life of Kit Carson". ,& ,dli wf b. '&:.',.' by Myra L. Davis RAILROAD INFORMATION -&*. i T26 1927 train wreck east of Vona, lifting train cars. The following items were extracted from F .ru: g{ the Cheyenne Wells Gazette asl listed. The newspaper was issued on days. Union Pacific - November 12. 1gg7 "Burlington citizens are elated over prospects of securing the Colby branch of thr Union Pacific to their town in a short time Burlington is a good town and in a country, and we congratulate them on thei prospects." November 19, 1882, "Burlington early in the week forwarded a petition contai containing the names of of all business men and many farmers int in prosperous locality to the general agent of the Union Pacific, asking that ihr night trains be stopped at Cheyenne Wells We trust that the work will bear fruit. Union Pacific should look to the Burli '1||' trade." Rock Island - January 28, 1888, ,,A Island surveyor went through town last-en route to Burlington to join a party road locators." February 18, 1888, "The country north us between Burlington and the Kanr &{*ll:,f&} Pacific railroads is full of railroad surve It seems certain that two of the routes will make a strong fight for teriitory, viz: the Union Pacific and the Rock Island. The building of even one of these li through the section this coming summer will be a great blessing to that portion of eastern Colorado. Burlington is on one or two survevs $ and is assured of one of them before the * natural trading point of this country at summer is ended. As Cheyenne Wells is the present, no small share of Burlington's boom will fall to our lot for a season. We are pleased that the towns above will catch theii roads. i, . 11. '. f']],r '. ,,&11&....,' ,t,:. :41", '.':,':. ' 11:,tf 'r1,-1' ,,f ':, ';' ' 't,t r' The old Milk Train of the Rock Island R.R. knowing there is room for all in this greai country, and would like to see them all _ Hoyt, Floyd, Beloit and Burlington shake - boom the atmosphere with an eighiy ton each." .. .Ap_ri! 14, 1888, From the State News report: "At Kit Carson another outfit of graders made their appearance on Thursday last with a trainload of mules, horses and tools. Thev are going to work on the grade of the RocL Island railroad forty miles north of that town. Graders are at work all along the line from the state line to Colorado Springs." �Mav 5. 1888, "Work on the Rock Island grade is being pushed at a splendid -rate' burlington fofuJ expect to see the headlight about the lst of November"' May 12, 1888, From the State News report: "The Rock Island railroad promises to reach Burlington by the 15th of JulY." June 2, 1888, From the State News report: aqtp:, ',,/;'L{)a ,;.:.ta:: 'itJ.ttt)il,:: {rit. ::.:1:t4' "The construction of the Rock Island we- $l,i|:At stward is making excellent progress and in a few days the road will be completed as far as Burlinston, this state. It is now estimated that t[e line i'ill reach Colorado Springs sometime in November, but probably too late for the fall traffic. Grading outfits are scattered all along the line of the new route' and the earthwork is advancing at a satisfactory pace." iune 30. 1888, "The Rock Island will reach Burlington about JulY 25th." .lutv Zt, 1888, "The Rock Island reached Burlinglon last Thursday night." February 16, 1888, "The Burlington merchants are complaining because freight rates pay 35 cents per hundred in trade for freight from here, than_ gay the extra -cents in cash to the Rock Island." ? Laying of the railroad line, 188?-88, Kit Carson County' sas was the announcement that the Chicago' Kansas and Nebraska railroad would extend their main line, which had already reached BUILDING THE ROCK ISLAND RAILROAD.,U Before the coming of che railroad, the was entirely free of fences and l herds of cattle roamed at will. one thing that gave the greatest mpetus to the settlement of government ands in eastern Colorado and western Kan- Fairbury, Neb., on through Kansas and Colorado to Colorado SPrings. In 1938, B.M. Barndollar recalled the buitding of the Rock Island and brought to the following original account: tight ""There had been a series of dry years in central and north-western Kansas starting in 1880, and the thousands of settlers who rushed in there were discouraged. Many had been impoverished to the point of want' Their horses and dairy cattle were none too good, and their wagons and farm implements r:t:'tll!,:rl: were only such as could be salvaged after severe dry years on lands in other places. All that was needed by these settlers to induce them to move into Colorado was assurance that a railroad would be built through the section where they could get'free land'." In those days there was' in the west an army of men, who for years had done nothing but railroad labor; building the great transcontinental lines that were threading their way west of the Mississippi and Miqsouri rivers. They were a sturdy lot of men, happy in hard work and hardships and only responsive to the laws and rules which they had set up for their own government, and by which tfiey [ved. They were pretty much -alik--e, mostly from Irish parentage, free from faaily responsibilities and when it came to drinking - whatever was to be had - the record has never been equalled' "First came the graders and their thousands of mules who moved the dirt by grader method. It sometimes required several weeks or months to complete the cuts and fill on a single stretch of right-of-way. Today a single slsAm shovel would do it in a short time." "The mule-skinners lived in bunk wagons' and had a big mess tent where plenty of good food was served. It was just too bad if a grade contractor happened to draw a poor cook, or if he tried to cut the quality or quantity of the chuck he served. The best skinners would leave in droves if this happened, and it meant disaster for the snmp; for only experienced men had the ability to take care of the animals and keep them in shape from sunup 'til dark. Yes, and it took plenty of grain and hay that had to be hauled great distances by wagon." "Barndollar, when 13 years old, was a water Section crew working west of Vona, 1896. Roy Leaper (foreman) with foot on rail' boy for the Kerrigan outfit. It was his duty to have a plentiful supply of clean water handy where the workers could get it quickly without interrupting the never ending train of scrapers that was passing. Water for all purposes had to be hauled in tank wagons, in .oroe .".". about 20 miles. And talk about �there was serious drinking to be done in a wet state where one could stand at a bar and call for his choice. To the last man they headed for one of the various saloons that were prepared and waiting. By l0 o'clock practi_ cally every one of those boys were howling. roaring, fi-ghting, pie-eyed stiff, singinl, swearing drunk. These two-fisted rail-roa-d builders had been in ,dry' Kansas and Colorado was'wet'." "The peace officer was one-armed Jerrv Barnes. The only thing he could do and dii do was to go to every house and advise everyone he met to stay in their homes and off the street." Lrnes ond Projects in €oster,, Colo. saloons were wreckg, but by some p.e-_ arrangement the liquor kept flowing. Stores remained closed and no women or children rt? lt.onSr..lin9 & 7 tlorrl*en ./ "By daylight many were laid out and the streets resembled a battleground. The flimsv were to be seen." "After the first few days the money ran out and the reetaurants started to do a little i | business and things assumed a more orderlv trend. But it was 2 weeks before the railroai gathered enough men to finish and B weeks before the rails were completed to Burlington." The railroad continued for many years to bring service to the farming and business communities along it's rails. _ On-October 10, 1962, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Comp-any was 110 years old. i-t:'' -lst!b-ail!r!s It was on October 10, 1852, that the first train chugged over the newly laid b7-pound ri- ---f I I iron rails, between Chicago and Joliet, Ill. a distance of 40 miles. This was the first fiocket train of the Rock Island lines. The first Rocket was made up of six new yellow coaches and was pulled by a tiny American-type Q-a-\ wood burning, steam locomotive. Eighty five years later the railroad introduced the first of its diesel-powered fleet of Rocket strenmliners. Significant technological advancements have made, by the Rock Island during _b-een ilg 110 years of operation. A long list o? "firsts" can rightfully be claimed by the company tlrrough the years. Among the more notable is the first use of microwavJin its vast communications network; introduction of swearing at those poor mules by their drivers, why those animals knew every word in the oath vocabulary with all the variations." "But a good 'skinner' always looked out for his team and it was a disgrace to allow an animal to develop a sore shoulder or any other ailment that was within the power of the driver to prevent." "When the grade was finished, crrne the bridge gang, who built temporary bridges so that the steel gang would not be delayed. Remember that all this material had to be hauled by wagon trains from the nearest point of the line, which at that time was Colby, Kan." "But the sensational event came after the tie and steel gang headed west out of Goodland. A train load of flat cars, each weighted down with steel and ties, with the engine on the rear, acting as a pusher. As the steel and ties were passed or rolled forward to the head of the train, the rail lavers grabbed the ties and laid them in posiiion. While others picked 'Jerrys' nailed the spikes. The spike men were the pride of the gang for they never missed a stroke. It was claimed that from the time the train left Goodland until it crossed the state line at what is new Kanarado, the steel train was never allowed to stop. The cars were passing over the newly laid rails practically as soon as they touched the ties. The rail from Goodland to Kanarado was laid in an all-time record." "When the last rail was in place across the state line, every man on the steel gang dropped his tools and quit the job. The railroad rules were if a man quit or was fired, !e would immediately get his pay check. Otherwise there would be a delay in getting all the pay that was coming." "Word had leaked out to the paymaster department ofwhat was going to happen and pay checks to that hour were soon given to each man. None were left but the engineer who had to take his engine back to Goodland without a fireman." "The tieup happened about noon and bv evening a strange, determined a"my com-menced arriving on foot. By 9 o'clock that summer evening, (1888), all had got into town. There was no time taken out to eat: L especially adapted electronic computers in its I automated yards at Silvis, Ill. and at Armour| dale, Kans., as well as its administrative functions. Says R. Ellis Johnson, president: ,,In 1962 we are convinced that the ll0 year old youngster is capable of accommodating on its own system, and through its multi_int€r_ change arrangements with other railroads. the transportation needs of all its customers. "We are proud of our high-speed Rocket freights, piggyback hotshots and our fleet of Rocket passenger trains. Our railroad is imbued with a progressive spirit and it is our proud boast that no finer employees can be found anywhere." Then in 1964, a newspaper article states: "Rock Island Post-Mortems, by Willard Haselbush, Denver Post Businels Editor. The 11 year financial illness of the Rock Island Railroad has ended in death for the carrier serving 13 states of America's heartland over 7,500 miles of track. Spokesmen for major railroads, includine the Denver and Rio Grande Western. havi advanced various proposals to dispose of the estate. Most suggested the best way would be �for the ICC to let competing railroads whose trackage duplicates that of the Rock Island in about 80% of the territory involved, take over for the Railroad." The railroad was virtually unused or little used for about the next 20 years or so, and finally went into complete bankruptcy. -The Kyle Railroad company took over in about 1985-36 and the rails are now used to transport wheat, and other farm products from our countY. on the Republican ticket in the 1920's after serving as County Treasurer for 3 years. He served for 2 - 2 year terms and ran for the third term and was defeated by the influence of the Ku-Klux-Klan which was active throughout the State during that period of time. In 1934 Bert Ragan of Burlington ran for the office of State Senator and was elected from this area. He served one term. Louis Vogt, a Democrat, served in the State Legislature. Louis was from Burlington bY Janice Salmans STATE LEGISLATORS T27 where he practiced law and also was a great thespian in the community staging many Shakespearian plays in the 1920's. William H. Yersin was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1948 EARLY LAWYERS T29 T.G. Price was an early day lawyer whose name was Treverious Glorianus Price. He had a brother called Realto Executo Price and two sisters, whose names were reportedly, When In and .In The. (When in the course of events, the start of the constitution and In the, the first two words of the Bible). He was here at the start of Burlington, and erected the building where Mel Mullin had his TV shop. He homesteaded neat town, but later moved to town and practiced law. He was very prominent in the history of Burlington' P.B. Godsman, who first settled at Hoyt, had a law office just east of Rasmusgen's barber shop. He moved to Denver, where he died. He had a son, Sidney P. Godsman, who also practiced law in Burlington and later in Denver. He dways kePt in touch with Burlington, and owned property here. He was also a doctor as well as an attorney. Louis Vogt, or "Louie", was a prominent lawyer who erected the Midway Theatre and had a large house on the corner of 13th and Senter Streets. Louie was the father of Mike Vogt, local resident. He was elected to the 1935. State Senator Burt B0th General Assembly of the Colorado State Senate, Denver, Colorado January Ragan from Kit Carson County stands third from left, front row' Christopher Buchannan of Burlington w-as elected State Representative before the and served three terms. He was minority leader of the House during his last two terms. 1920's. John Boggs ran for State Representative .. ir.:,.:.,,. ;1.'.: .,.',-.,:;.,, -: ",,':, :,.,,',, : .;.. . . ,', a .'.. -, r. .:.,:,.,, ...,,\.t,,, ..r-.ri,,.,,,,.,'.-..,. I, r':.,.. MAIL CONTRACTS AWARDED T28 2/8/L902 - The following Star Route Mail contracts have been awarded by the post office department for the period from July 1, 1902 to June 30, 1906 for Kit Carson county. The contract prices per annum range from five to forty per cent higher than heretofore paid. The route, names of contractors, and iates per annum are as follows: From Cope to Seibert, Peter C. Dill $500; from Hale to Landsman, David S. Custer, $299; from Haigler to Idalia, George F. Conrad $740; From Henderson to U.P. railroad station, John Anderson $150; from Kirk to Tuttle, Frank A. Cline $159.99; from Littleton to Lamb, Stanley Dudley $300; from Thurman to Arickaree, James W. Clement $208; from Watkins to Salem, P. Peterson $200; from Ashland to Lnmborn, F.H. Odell $130; from Burlington to Burlington, E.E. Harrison, $400; from Claremont to Tuttle, Archie Dargrove, $450; from Flagler to Thurman, Edw. F. Miller $600. rVilliam H. Yersin. State Legislature, (as a Democrat) and was prominent in state politics. He was a Thespian of the first order and was the instigator of many Shakespearean plays that were produced in Burlington. These plays were put on with the help of local residents. His plays received state renown and were always well attended. Louis was a real dramatician in the court room also and won many trials by his dramatic abilitY. A.P. Tone Wilson, who came much later was a real sharp lawyer and somewhat of a prankster. I can remember that when I was a boy almost every farm with a For Sale sign Tone on it had the name "For Sale by - A.P. Wilson. Jr.". He built the building just north of the First National Bank where Percy Lounge had his shop. Mr. Newbury was a lawyer who settled on the river north east of Stratton near the Pugh Place. His homestead is now the Harvey Wood place. Newbury moved to town and never practiced law in Burlington. He had been a brilliant lawyer, but had a nervous breakdown, and never recovered' He lived in a dirt hovel just north of the Railroad station. bY HenrY Y. Iloskins EARLY DAY WATER SYSTEM T30 Most places in the early days did not have water piped in to the house. I suppose that the towns people started in the 20's and the farm people a little later. We had a cistern in the yard which was cemented and which had a PumP with buckets that picked up the water and dumped it out when turned. The buckets were about 6 inches wide and 2 inches deep. Most places in the country had a windmill with a well house. In the well house was a barrel into which the water from the well was pumped. It flowed through the barrel and probably into another barrel from which it �HINTS REGARDING THE 1916 BURLINGTON DISTRICT T311 I I q- '.*t&& +*:-' Bert and Roxie Kvestad drilling a water well on their farm in 1928. Frank Dinsmore is the well driller' Looking east at the Colorado-Kansas line, 1916. ribbons runs the purest of nature's life giving Crops Raised Wheat is one of the principal crops and produces on an average of at Ieast twenty bushels to the acre in general. Oats and barley do exceptionally well, yielding from thirty to sixty bushels to the flowed into a stock tank. One barrel was used for the house. A bucketful at a time. It was always a cool place to stop to get a drink from a dipper which hung there. Latir everyone had a supply tank through which the water ran before being used, this way a person could store up quite a bit of waier. Everything ran good until a real cold day when the well house froze up. Tlre Seilman family had a supply tank in the basement of their house and always had warm water for the cattle. This was a big item. Of course, all the water systems gave way to the submersible pump which is connected to a 50 gal., tank for storage. The air pressure keeps the water running. Each pasture had to have a windmill to furnish water for the cattle. Usually there was a tank near the mitl which had to be checked every day or so to see that there was water in it. Most windmills were Aermotors by make and every farmer had to have a knowledge of how to fix them. Not everyone would climb a windmill. Each motor haC to have oil in it and that was a yearly job to climb up and fill it with oil. When a well stoPPed PumPing it was usually because there were worn out leathers. This meant that the pipe would have to be pulled up. A large block and tackle anchored in the tower was used, there were well tools 'to facilitate separating the pipe and sucker rod. A large block with a "dog" on it was used to keep the pipe from falling back into the hole. When the cylinder came up it would be taken apart and new leathers put back in and then replaced and reconnected. It was also a practice to use a small one cylinder stationary engine and a pump jqck to get water when the wind did not blow. This was attached to a sucker rod and the jack was driven by belt. There are those who know much more about this than I but I have written it as far as my knowledge goes' It seems that through the ages, when the need becomes great enough, some genius with foresight and vision meets the need in spite of all criticisms and all other obstacles. So it is that pump irrigation came into being. Viewed from the air, the picture of this flat land, formerly a vast prairie of buffalo grass for miles and miles now turns into a panorama of growing corn, milo, or maize, even wheat. while down the furrows like silver water. Pioneer in this field was Mr. E.L. Powell of Burlington. As far back as 1938, Mr. Powell began to advocate pump irrigation. In 1948' E.L. (Earl), and his brother Floyd G. Powell, put in their first irrigation well. This proved to be a curiosity and people drove from miles around to see the sight. Kenny Wilcox drilled the first well. Finally in about 1955, there were about 100 irrigation pumps in the county' Mr. Powell alone had about four wells. And what is this pump irrigation? Without going into technical detail, it seems that under this prairie is a water bearing formation called the Ogallala formation. A drill is put down through this formation to the Fierro shale or floor. The pump is installed, powered by an L-P gas or diesel engine and lhe pu-p brings the life giving water. The farmer then directs the flow of water to the crops. Some wells were pumping 860 gal. to 1,035 gal. of water Per minute' Among those trying out the irrigation were: Jack Chalfant, Loutzenhiser Bros., Sydney V. Huntzinger, Dr. R.C' Beethe, C.D. Reed' Floyd Whitmore, Lloyd Pugh and others. Two types of irrigation were being used; ditch and sprinkler. In 1957, the crop Sugar Beet was introduced into the county, and growing was made possible because of the irrigation. The growth of sugar beets from a test plot in 1956 grew to 13,000 acres in 1965. Mr. Fowell passed away in 1958, but he lived long enough to see his dream come true with the irrigation. According to the office of the county agent' Bob Croissant, as ofApril 30, 1965 the official number of irrigation wells was 506. by Henry Y. Iloskin acre. Kaffir corn, milo maize and different kinds of cane EIre grown more or less in all parts of this country, but do best in our soil. Alfalfa does exceptionally well, both on upland and in the valley lands. A season and three cuttings will generally average five tons per acre. Watermelons and cantaloupes do well, and our product has a fine flavor and is much in demand. Mail Service Rural routes are in existence everywhere and the towns are so close together that most every farmer is served in this way. Telephone lines connect every town and rural lines are beginning to run into the country fast. The Dairy Business The dairy business is gradually assuming larger proportions. I The cream checks to our farmers amounf to a goodly sum each year. Come and Settle In This CountrY. Man, beast and field all do well in this country. What more can You ask? Come you also and live among us. We want and need more farmers, morc business enterprises and more industrier here, and we have the right country t< support them. Many have succeeded here and few havt failed. What mining and stock raising meant t( the prosperity of the state in the early da5 Colorado, the continued development of thr agricultural resources of the state means t< the prosperity of the state todaY. Where a section of the barren prairie lan< in the old days would not suppod fifty hea< of cattle, often now you will see when visitinl our country a rich, productive farm. The same land used for cattle wortl perhaps no more than $1,500 will todaj produce 15,000 bushels ofwheat valued at { ieast $1 per bushel. This is good evidence th{ through our agricultural development, prad ticed early to a greater extent' greate �prosperity than we have yet experienced is yet to come to eastern Colorado. Come to Eastern Colorado Hints regarding the 1916 Burlington District July 1916 Those who were here before you have prospered with worse conditions to meet and overcome than you will have should you decide to settle here. When you come you cannot help but by Myra Davis THE GREAT LAND , And so in turn will the man that comes SALE prosper also. trfter you. No one is leaving here, but the town and country is gaining in wealth and population yearly. Interest yourself in the country and take advantage of the opportunities we have to offer. Territory tributary to Rock Island lines in Eastern Colorado offers a splendid field to the dry farmer. The days of brilliant sunshine, the crisp dry air, and the invigorating atmosphere bring a healthful contentment that makes the farmer in Eastern Colorado take a keener joy in his work and in his living. In eastern Colorado the homeseeker is offered opportunities for substantial returns for agriculture, under ideal climatic conditions. The years have worked a revolution in farming the plains under light rainfall, soil, wind movements, length of growing season, crop varieties and tillage methods before he sets his stakes in a new communitv. The system of agriculture that brings permanent success in Eastern Colorado is ,based on livestock. Under this heading dairy fiarming furnishes the most dependable and constant source of revenue. Winter wheat and Mexican beans are the two cash crops. Corn, with kafir sorghum, Sudan grass, alfalfa and sweet clover furnish ample forage and grain for feeding and the farmer here, as in other localities, must make his first business provisions for his table out of the farm garden, poultry flock and pigs, which can be done as easily and economically as regions of greater rainfall. In Eastern Colorado good dairy cows will feturn $50 to 975 each, every year, and you pan grow every pound of feed they need. The lreat markets of Denver, Colorado Springs, pnd Pueblo, with the nearby mining districts, pan use everything raised and strong prices [revail from strong competition with Eastern parkets at Omaha, St. Joseph and Kalsas Ditv. I Eastern Colorado has every condition lavorable for making money with poultry. lhe dry climate is particularly favorable for ;urkeys. Every four or five years the rainfall s just right for seeding wheat and you can 'aise a crop of wheat that will sell for as much rs the land on which it is raised is worth. With vast areas of tillable land ready for he plow ranging in price from g7 to 915 per .cre, every acre capable of producing somehing needed to sustain life, Eastern Coloado presents an open door to health wealth nd contentment in return for intelligent ffort, packed by experience and moderate leans. We want successful farmers, for the more ,rccessful you become the more we benefit. 'here's lots of land, lots of opportunity. We ave a well organized Commercial Club that ready and glad to give impartial informaon and advice about the country. Write us rlly just what you want - Write today. from The Booster Edition was present at the great land sale held here some weeks ago and his opinion in his home paper will be given more credence than anything appearing in a home paper here. The sale was without a doubt the greatest undertaking of its kind ever attempted T32 On Tuesday, June twenty-first, 1910, the people from the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and many other states began to arrive and on Tuesday night, a room and bed brought high class rates, cots and quilts were brought into use and almost every sleeping and eating accommodation were fully utilized. A number of people were compelled to sleep in automobiles or on the ground. On Wednesday morning, the crowds were augmented by hundreds of excursionists, brought in over the great Rock Island system and the streets of Burlington resembled one of the greatest fourth of July celebrations ever seen in our city. A coronet band made the air ring with melody; the hot screeching of the automobiles here and there along the streets was a terror to pedestrians; while the hoarse bark ofspeakerJin the white city were heard; where every kind of attraction was present to interest the visitors and lure the filthy lecre. Tainted money was in demand and found many patrons. The darkies quaint songs in harmony with stringed instruments. The expert ttapeze performers, the smooth juggler of various fine arts, was out in force to amuse and instruct the people. Upon Wednesday and Thursday morning, more than sixty automobiles loaded with people drove over the country, viewing the best laying land on earth. Hundreds and hundreds of miles was made by the automobilist and only words of praise was heard for our beautiful landscape. Unfortunately for the promoters of this great land sale, June month in Kit Carson county had experienced the same wretched drought which had prevailed outside of the government drawing and the men who engineered the feat certainly deserve credit for their enterprise. Below we quote what the editor Howard says: "At Burlington, Colorado last week. C.M. Guenther sold nearly a quarter million dollars worth of land in one day, in his capacity as trustee. It was a sure bargain day for buyers. The extreme hot weather fright- ened many of the timid. More than a thousand reservations for berths on a special train were cancelled when the hot winds began to blow over all the Missouri valley, with the result that the sale attendance was less than 500, where as, three thousand had been expected. It was a real bargain day in the land business. Two weeks before the date of the sale, it had been estimated that the average price ofthe land would be 912.00 per acre but the weather conditions cut lhe average down to $9.00 per acre. It is a beautiful country in Eastern Colo., much of the land lies as level as the Platte Valley. The altitude is too high for a sure corn crop, record reads that every man in the country has been maklng big money if he has been farming intelligently. Many of the farmers have grown as high as 40 bushels of wheat per acre, and all other small grains in proportion. About the only grass is buffalo and grama grass. It is not fit for hay, but it is a great producer of butter fat with the result that the cream industry is now one of the most profitable. Henry Grotelueschen, of the Platte countrv secured a half section at the Burl. sale. Thi Denver papers contained descriptions of the big sale. The feature which they said was most noteable was the remarkable physical endurance of trustee Guenther, whose task would have sent an average man to the hospital or to the grave. He began the sale in the auditorium at nine o'clock in the morning, talking 16 hours with only brief intermis- in South Dakota, western Iowa, portions of Nebraska, Kansas and other states. The small grain crops, which had made great sions for dinner and supper. Burlington Records - July 1, 1910. promise during May for an abundant harvest, had been affected. But in a lesser manner, the crops of other states, had been stricken with by Myra Davis the unusual dry spell in June. Although conditions were against the sale of lands at this time, we are informed that not a single piece of land was offered for sale out of 240 farms but what there was someone present in the auditorium that made a fairlv reasonable bid for the property. The highest bid for a farm ofraw land was thirteen dollars per acre, and this bid would probably have doubled had the usual weather conditions prevailed. The promoters, Messrs McKillip and Swallow were every inch gentlemen of the highest type and the great land sale was carried out from start to finish in a honest and up to date business way that denotes the highest skill in selling vast land acreages. Land Buyer's Bargain - Kit Carson County Record The following is from the Columbus, Nebraska Telegram and is reproduced for the express purpose ofgiving our readers an idea of what people from a distance think of conditions in Eastern Colorado. Editor Howard of the Columbus Telegram AGRICULTURE T33 Part 1 In researching for information for this section on agriculture, I came across the following editorials from the ',Blade". We must remember that these "editorials" were really promotions to bring people to this area and many ca-e seeking their fortune and a clance of obtaining land of their own. Many of these people were not skilled "farmers" but were ordinary people with a dream and lots of hope and courage that resulted in many failures and several success stories. What is amazing, that there are still descendants living here today of those hardy and skilled farmers, ranchers, and businessmen who persevered the many hardships of surviving those early years. "Editorial": No place astonishes the trav- �,'lr:':' ilit;ari l llli:llr:ia: i.:it: il r::l;lrii: : :.::llir, irlal:, lir:.'' tii::t. i; ,. ' .r::.,,]'l' iilr ... irti ::rlil: lir. t .1.: -,.. -iI lt:ir .r,:1i:1i ,1 r:i,r,,,r{ rt:itrl. i The grand age of farming, late 1930's and early 40's gaw the threshing machines still being used. The more men are gone but not forgotten. eler so much as Burlington. Only four weeks old and today almost every branch of business is represented, but still there is room for more. Travelers and land seekers crowd the hotels and eating houses and many have to undergo the painful task of standing up all night or holding down the soft side of a pine floor. Land is going fast and in a short time the area government land in this county will be of small proportions' The bounteous rainfall we have enjoyed this spring has virtually made the road to success on solid stone and the treach of progress more than sure. Labor and capital move hand in hand and their social union make everybody satisfied. No one is grumbling and east Elbert June 3' 1887. County's boom will continue it is not "Editorial": In coming to Colorado, going out of the world but coming among,a ilass of intelligent and industrious people and a country well settled. There is plenty of room for more and these vast alluvial prairies will produce enough of the necessities of life 15, 1887' to supply the state - JulY to Colorado! - If you "Editorial": Welcome are growing old with the fire and energy dying out of your life and the bouyancy of your youth leaving your limb, if you are looking fellowship of threshing crews, meals served to a dozen or with despairing gaze into the future and interesting advertisements were the onesl produced by A.W. Winegar who was a bigl away the remaining days of life in peace, promoter in this countY. longing for a quiet home where you can pass come to Colorado. If you are in search of health, wealth or happiness come to Colorado and come soon for before many months roll around every quarter section will have a house uponit and the hills that are barren will be filled with people, homes and livestock. A picture was taken in about 1910. Location is Main Street in Burlington. The large two-story building on the right is the Winegar building located on the corner of 14th Street and Martin, north of the present Bank of Burlington. Mr. Winegar was a real estate agent and he placed large ads in the Omaha, Nebraska papers and chartered special trains to bring prospective buyers from eastern T34 Nebraska to Burlington for the purpose of purchasing land in Kit Carson County. He would take them out to the country to look at the land and these Model T Fords were It is interesting to note that in 1890 the population of the county was 2,472. By this number, we see that manY PeoPle were coming west to take up homesteads' As the towns we e established along the railroad, the land agents set up office and began their big parents to this county. Many land companies bought up relinquishments from people whol did not finish proving up their homesteadl agreement for a very cheap price. They inl AGRICULTURE Patt 2 promotions by way of handbills and advertisements in newspapers in the east' The most used for transportation. Notice the large "HEADQUARTERS" sign in front of the Winegar building. A real land run in the Burlington area. Many people living today recall that these advertisements and schemes brought their, turn sold these farms later making goodl monev on the transactions. In an advertisem- �ent, in a 1920 paper, we find that the Bentley Land Co. was offering loans to purchase both improved and unimproved land and would also buy mortgages at a very reasonable discount. The real story of what agriculture was like in those early years comes from the stories of those who came here and made their homes here on the high plains. In the 1890's, one farmer planted 20 acres of wheat and his neighbors laughed at him for planting that many acres. He had to cut that wheat with a sc5rthe, then gather it up and bring it in and use a threshing rock to thresh the grain from the chaff, all hand labor. The straw was used for cattle feed and many times was sold to the cattle ranches after bad storms for g1 a load or the farmer would let them run cattle on the stack so that they would have use of the manure for fertilizer that spring. One record breaking winter, the cattle returned to the straw stacks and ate all remaining feed along with the dried manure. Such were the good old days. "Promotion" of agriculture in Kit Carson Countv $EMI-AI{I{UAI $tsokmott's il $tncftmenT $irodql $TAT[II[[IIT WJn ttrie ool,wm'm will puhl'i s lba d,,&, e br gad t' ina lurtluttotr, colo., Julv 7th.' lm, ToTba ll@onbL Eolrd ol Couur,y ooFml} ol ou mer, his r q'n'E e qryd rloloil ot lI'll CarDn Co. ' O.lor.do. !o youi goDombl€ ofi,ce adclress, dipnar is a' swbscriber ol Poopwbtiewrt. ETE ed 0 E ff J , i. t, trr&!gb!f, f,ttgrq, C{'lo, S4Dsqq6rFbalot' T F.SILI8, Eorliltto!, Colo. ru*q oltbvdt ot Bullalton, ."a.s. uoeq^N,.. sz u BuruDabD, 0oto. ,. Eaatl, ltdltr ln ' Un}INANY FIIND Doc. 3r, 190r, i318:i'. 8a g t4r € Bo, A na!g€, Br R, S,,SARAOUR; Burllngton,0olo, ot BurllEtt3D 36t3 aeAUp!I,\\{, A N ^. (:l&$Bor1, 0olo. Ba!{€, rqer (i:aagbor,t, ttrott BnuE., t-- c. w. eRUwELrr 'x.44 :s.00 90.!t tl i TrG. lrlro S0So, lgribest ot Burltlgtorr. ltrrllLKio!. Colq ' &lt btD. ! r IJ *""''^"Tii;'911'' -& . D uuo.ei1 m'e, colo. .:'-,, ,; ,,,, *r-*._**ttl1-, -a;;;6* CONTINGEN', FI;ND rbtrse suu(b ot ld.u,"Jo. u,u Hore!' le{r rhoukrdr' {:laEhoD'' (}olo' To vsrrota ouaslrldlls De, Bl. l8o2 -r.m I ,/' ntlrDra.lsuad 6 6d..4!dlDg ruYei:f&ff . ,"'IW '- L L *#&,.". Ctrcuft Ct drDo.ltcd 8.lTB{ T*t lr hraar co. tril 18.|51 g.Et J4s 90, lmd 30r.8d II " ratffico,t*roo"r,r* lv L, BIEGEL&B Rss6,NorthBesi,€r, Bu.llDlt6. eok -."_ --lffal;y iql ffiTr"rtff;t#"".1[""1,u t&-ora tlqh T o!l6nblr. --.-; DAvIs. D na <i @ : ldt:ffi! b'u& 9o 'tFN J!tr' ' (;rtfl€, let! lrip. tso$es lett iboulder. " t,T e ItosLIH E-H EDrl.lDl*4i, Crtd ftrDae, t! eua g. W ofburUDgto!, L-C """*H,lll$; -#if;ffi*#;*;ru'.1;1ffi **;Ifis,fflL:;,. li,frl, ffif;[{'mi",.sJD!0,0.,* 8, lrb.odtco, 1:rN. Jmes, l90t Is.l$a p,r:*so#-ro***',*,,*or*Hl\ =[';,1'.'il - t-, - *+..,"-.".+-ri* "',i*"Xj'*"".. RaUe. E$!o( BsrlrDttotr. B.urr5rto', qrb. POOR FUNI). --tiT:wrNirr&r1 *-* gulllDgt r, Colo, Roo8o Nodbgsi ol Eirllhgbn. "i*L:";, 't!se'|oot'bptBilrutr.to!' -*-n'lT "lwlJ ".-wrr.r<rn- --- LlaremoDt, Colo. RaBgo. cE halmn Crek. !.,I,,,, r,oNc, .! LU. a x.mlCzT -_. fl!:H LaBdlE*n, Calo. alrc w. w. PAISLEY' toi rcl - r :ty a&rBnu D q q ,los. €nalrDg Jutr. i uffi J' o ,f,r1oi''Jt-o.. o r*r Sl -.----'' farraut. oubBndlac JutrG *. Iffi. U,l.t.l{ "EdiogJur. Ra.n€d. Boutb tri,olk R€pubiloSt & '; 8€tboDr. Oolo. 8&uo. ecrb ot 8€ibEo, nCPUD',IOAN CAT.i LD Ct). o! 161t rtdo _'#*ilB-'P *--l"".lifirlff"1o, rror., .ru* 4 J ltal clu€uolt,cota -.-J.--._ 79,S1 Jgr 0o &bgy to Ky. ' .4. J F C.!t16, ioft tif,, nango, lorls ofSIflDS Crst EorlD. rlr,1r shguld(i Cori bahN l{o!go $'reor BurltsabE, Colo, Iarb@D. IJ ruc.6 Dil€ scutLrsl ' XlaF. Ilrs! 9t Bstttrg&m. A.{D88^a BALTZEB, _ E S'A !f, n:l1k^bu*sy: Efiwat". --- Itare, Ctortbei3t �These Model T Fords were used for the transportation of prospective purchasere of land in Kit Carson County. AGRICULTURE "Branding time" in the 1920's. T36 t!t., .':.]: t Ready for work. Cattle ranching in the early 1920's. North of Siebert. Real life "cowboy" Jess on Mack. .,,.. . .,t.tlft L,, Cattle struck by lightning - the cattle belonged to a George Kiefer. Location is in Section 32, township 9, Range 44, Kit Carson County. Date: Approximately 1915-1920. Herd bull with passenger - note wood tank. "Spectators" waiting for the fun to begin. �Part 3 The face of the earth seems to glow with health and beauty, and the people that live in this wonderful country go around congratulating each other due to the rise ofthe land and trying to analyze theirjoy. Even the dogs are so overcome with gladness that they catch hydrophobia and go into fits and die over it. There isn't a man idle who wants wor$. The banners of prosperity wave from every hill and the lean, hungry skeleton of starvation has gone on a tour to the cities of the east. Here the farmers pump water for their stock with windmills and do their plowing sitting on a spring seat with a box of cigars on one side and a bottle ofDenver beer on the other, while in the east they carry water from the nearest creek and walk behind a plow until they have no distinct idea whether they are shoving the plow or the horses are pulling it. The man who can't thrive, prosper and grow rich in Colorado would starve in a bakery. - AGRICULTURE r*"ll *'i::":-T36 "Afternoon break" while ehocking corn. Part 4 Breaking sod with "Horse power". "Editorial" March 29, 1888: Eastern Colorado is the place for the poor man, for the farmer, for the mechanic, for the merchant, August, 1887. "Editorial" November 1987: People living in the eastern states have no concept of our superior advantages, the vastness of our fertile prairies and our rapid improvements, unless they can see for themselves. To tell the truth of our products and our rapid settlements, seems incredible to them as their experience was so different in the early days of Ohio, Illinois and Iowa. Here whole counties almost as large as New England states, settle up in a year or so with families on nearly every quarter section while with them their settlements were confined along the streams in order that they might pasture stock for years upon the commons. The pioneer of Ohio and Indiana was considered a rustler if he opened a five or ten acre farm the first year and cared for hie family, but here there is less work opening 160 acres, each acre of which will more than remunerate one for the labor bestowed with a sod crop of corn, cane of miller, besides obtaining the title to 160 acres of choice land. If we speak of raising potatoes, cabbage or any vegetable product on sod with our irrigation they wonder if that is true or whether it isn't a scheme of the newspaper- Threshing with a handmade "threshing rock". Strobel farm. ,men to "catch a few suckers", while here on fexhibition are potatoes that weigh from two fto three pounds raised in this county. But just llet a man come out from the east, (if he dare venture) look around and see for himself the energy of our people. The improvement of our lands and new towns all clean and nice, oftimes with waterworks, elegant hotels, churches, school houses, with a genial, intelligent class ofpeople as you will find anywhere, and he begins to look around as Rip Van Winkle, to see if he hasn't been asleep for twenty years in the sleepy hollows of some of lhe eastern states. About one more year the people back east who contemplate coming rest will realize they have slept upon their rars, if they wish government land east of the Rockies, in the localities for corn and wheat. Binding oats. �Harvesting flax in the early 1900's. East of Burlington. for the laboring man, for the dispeptic and consumptive rich man, and for the balance of creation. A country of beautiful rolling prairie, black loam soil of surprising depth and durability, fine water in abundance, fresh One must remember, that to live here meant that some source of income was needed in order to start their farm. Many men left for months at a time and went to Denver to work in the smelters and railroad Zone, with markets for the abundant surplus yards; others worked in the truck garden farms along the front range and lived in tents with their families during the growing season and returning in the fall with food supplies of agricultural products almost at the door, with cheap fuel and home manufactured to last them through the winter. It was tough going for everyone. and pure air that strikes at the consumptive germ and vanquishes it like an August sun does of the principal product of the Frigid farming implements, magical towns and burroughs that might be called cities teaming with life, activity, business and substantial growth, railroads building in every direction and a class of energetic settlers who seem determined to improve the advantages nature has bestowed upon the country. With all the above grandios language in these "editorials" one wonders what people really thought when they arrived and found these barren plains with no trees, few sources "Great looking horses" Bert Kvaestad. AGRICULTURE T37 of water and the new railroad that was crossing this county in 1888. They forgot to inform the public that water wells had to be dug to the depth of 150 feet or more and many were hand dug, no easy job. Some wells were dug along the railroad by the railroad companies so that the steam engines could fill at regular intervals along the track. They were instructed not to give the settlers water but the local foreman or their wives would not agree to this as they knew that water must be shared if a populace was to be obtained. The "mortgage lifters" Strobel farm - ready to go to the field and plant wheat, "Beauty" carries wheat and water pail. Part 5 In 1908, Mr. A.N. Corliss was given a Sugar Beet Growers Contract signed by a Mr. M.K. Dunbar. The sugar company was planning on making the Republican River valley into a viable sugar producing area similar to the Platte River valley north and east of here. Breaking sod on the "High plains" with a steamer Plans were to build a sugar beet processing plant at St. Francis, Kansas. He signed a 5 year agreement with 50 acres to be planted the first year increasing to 100 acres. This project never came into fruition. According to one early homesteader it took several years before many acres were broken for farm use. It took lots ofhard work to plow up the sod and at first it was walking behind a hand plow with one or two horses pulling the plow. Lots of shoe leather was worn away during this process. Montgomery Ward had work shoes with the guarantee that if they wore out within 6 months time you would receive a new pair free. Many homesteaders received their free shoes. From one story we find that in 1907, Bb acres were broke; 1908 he farmed 45 acres; 1909 he farmed 80; 1910 he farmed 90 and in 1911 he farmed 95 acres. That probably was a very normal average for most farms. They planted feed cane for animals, wheat, barley, �.;:, l,;r;a Work horses used on the Berrv homestead from 1918 to 1925. millet and corn. Many experimented with on the homesteads because of the water new crops such as flax and beans. shortages. Gardens came first and even those were difficult to keep growing in hot weather. It took a lot of their acreage just to feed livestock as a milk cow or more plus pigs, chickens and the necessary horses had to be provided for. Living was very simple and if you had a chance to work out and receive some cash you took advantage of this when possible. Many worked for the large cattle ranches in the summer. Some took butter and eggs to town to trade for groceries and perhaps to sell directly to someone who lived in town. Of course, many in town had their AGRICULTURE Horace and Joyce loading the pickup with wheat. T38 own cow and chickens even up into the 1940's or whenever the town ordinances prohibited animals from being kept within the city limits. Life was more of a struggle for existence than one of making a living. .*" ,.i,,"ffi Water was very hard to come by at first as most early wells were hand dug or if you lived by a creek water was hauled in barrels with the horses. No wonder every drop of it was used before any was discarded. The first Hauling to town, the last job. order of business was shelter and a water well. ,It is noted that very few trees were planted I I Loading the truck, Horace and Gus Schreiner, July 4th. tr Part 6 r '1'1"1"t, dd .:t,.,,, rl,; Chow time" - note field of corn in background. John Berry feeding pigs 1926. Model T truck which Mr. lerry purchased from the Lavington Motor Co. in Flagler. Marketing cream and eggs kept many farm families alive by providing cash for groceries and clothes from the period between 1910 and 1950. The creem separator really helped this method of providing income to these farm families. The cream separator was patented in the late 1890's and it was several years before they were purchased and came into common usage. Before that cream was skimmed off with the ladle, a very slow and sometimes smelly process. Chickens were the mainstay of everyone. They were raised for fresh meat, eggs, and even feathers were used. A hog or a cow was butchered only in the winter so that it would not spoil and could be processed without refrigeration. Most meat was cooked up and sealed in fat or cured and smoked for preservation. The advent of �Heading wheat 1920's. Threshing in the 1930's and 40's. Boger family. canning equipment especially the pressure cooker, was a blessing. In 1920, under the guidance of Miss Amelia Alexander the All Star Canning Club won fame and recognition from all over the country for winning the State Fair championship at Pueblo with-their canning demonstration. The girls, Vivien Worley, Elaine Hendricks and Bertha Boger competed with well trained teams from all over the state. Miss Hendricks and Miss Boger won a trip to Europe to help teach the women how to preserve food as the families were trying to reorganize their lives from the devastation of World War I. Tarming during the 1920's required much labor and the families within the local neighborhoods helped each other by exchanging machinery and labor. The days of the threshing crews that went all over the countrv rue now a thing of the past. We hope rhat the pictures included in this agriculture section will bring back memories of that period of time. The large crews of men gathering to work and then the immense task of feeding these men took the efforts of everyone, evei children who kept the water jugs filled to shooing the flies out of the house with waving dish towels. The men working with the horses or the new huge tractors will be remembered as the giants of those days. One can hardly believe that they were capable of all the physical work that they endured. The attachment of man and beast is recorded in the relationship the farmer had with his favorite team oi horses. So many hours were spent in joint effort to provide for the necessities ofhfe. Maybe they all survived because both man and animal had to rest at midday providing a refreshing period of time for all. It is interesting to note that in the records of the Extension Office we found that extension work began in late 19lb with the organization of districts or communities for the betterment of crop, Iivestock and poultrv production along with the formation of So". and Girls clubs. These boys and girls cluLs were the forerunner of the 4-H Clubs of today. There were Boys Corn Clubs, Girls AGRICULTURE T39 Part 7 The 1920's were prosperous and times were booming and land values were climbing. Farms were growing in size and equipmerit and machinery were larger so the manbn the farm would see a future full of hope and possible financial improvement. Rumley "Oil Pull" tractor with Carl Schaal, 1920's. Sewing Clubs, Boys Bean Clubs, and Canning Clubs. Other activities for the adults werE sped improvement projects, pit silo project, livestock_ improvement, farm -"rr"g"rrr"rri and rural organization in the variou's com_ munities. Many interesting activities came from these efforts such as the drive to poison t-!e jack rabbits because of the damage they did to the growing crops. Recipes for"rabbii sausage, rabbit loaf, fried and creamed rabbit, baked and dried rabbit, chili con carne, chop suey and rabbit mincemeat were ii listed. The need to improve corn seed varieties and livestock by introducing pure bred stock for cattle and hog production were started. Families were encouraged to plant wind_ breaks around the farmsiead using trees, lilac bushes and flags for beauty. Farmirs feli that they needed help in marketing and record keeping. Plans were obtainJd b make "iceless" refrigerators available to farm fami_ lies. Grasshopper control was very important in the 1930's. By the 1940's the fbcus was on crops, s_oils, pest, forestry, poultry, dairy, husb-andry, ag economy, .rntritiorr, development, clothing, home management, "hiid and a motron picture projector was purchased plus a generator to provide electricitv at community meetings. During the 1g40's, an e_mnhasis was on the war effort and many ol the same projects. In the 1950's we find information on irrigation introduced and ir Combining wheat in the 1940's with pull combine. 1960 we see the program very similar to whal we have today. In 1935, Farm Census statistics were nol very favorable for Kit Carson Countv br figures released by the Department of Com I I I �Lindberg Here It was the custom in the early years to hold the fair in October, and often the cold, snow, rain, or sleet would darnpen the euents. :. However, one fall the weather was ideal, and prior to his history-rnaking trip to Paris in 1927, Charles Lindberg took up passengers here t'or three days during the fair. He stayed at the Montezurla Hotel, unheralded, unhnown except as just another barnstormer pilot to get paEsengers at $10 per ride. {, iitd'*&',"Mr. Hull's threshing outfit north of Burlington' Diseases of Old "The Grippe" -A uirus disease - Inf luenza Sore throat - Swelling of glands "Quinsy" - Feuer - "Lumbago" - Painful rhumatism of lower back - affecting Siatic nerue "Consumtion" - Tuburculosis - wasting awoy of the body "Catarrh" - Inflamation of nasal passages "Dropsy" - Edema - collection of water in the feet and legs "Flux" - Diarrhea - wdttery flow from the bowell "Rheumatism" - Inflamation of muscle, joints, or fibrous tissue "Gout" Inflamation of joints - excess uric acid in the blood [Jncontrollable tremor of body "Palsy" part - "St. Vitus's Dance" - Chorea - a neruous disorder - spasmatic tnouen"Lent and in' coordination Stroke of the neruous system "Epilepsy" - Schaal threshing wheat in the Settlement' Notice steam tractor' merce. Bureau of the Census. They tell a rathetic story of farming in eastern Colorado' ]uoting the report in 1934 we find land, ]18,000 acres from which no crops were rarvested due to failure (drought). Mitchel and Ada Christie with babv Virginia "Sod House Collection." �many people are hurt in the end and manv farms are sold. On the other hand this opens the door for someone to purchase land at a value that may be profitable in time. The ca-pital required for acquiring and operating a farm is huge making one wonder if the ris[ is worth it but there is such a love affair between the farmer and the land we know that there will always be someone willing to take the risk. The 1920's were difficult times on the farms due to the war effort and the unavailability of farm machinery and repairs. If you had not purchased any new equipment piior to the war it was almost impossible to do so until after 1945. There were good growing conditions during the 40's; along with the -. t:' plentiful rain came lots of hail which is typical of this country. 1945 saw the greatest grain crop in many years. Kit Carson County became the wheat and barley center of the middle west. Two davs after the harvest began the elevators at Stratton were overflowing with wheat run- Boger's corn sheller north of Vona. AGRICULTURE T40 Part 8 For purposes of comparison using figures from 1929 as a base, corn acreage was reduced 8t%; wheat 75%; oats threshed, g5%; rye 69%;bafley 90%; andhay 6Vo. The value of farms, lands and buildings for 193b, is given at $8,261,026, while in 1930 it was $14,396,018. Horses and colts for lgBE,g,725, while in 1930 it was 12,157. Mule and mule colts shrunk from 1,317 in 1930 to 52b in 193b. Cattle on January 1st. 1935 number ed.42,282, against 25,5L9 in 1930. Hogs slumped from 26,723 in 1930 to 8.518 in 1935. Wheat in the spring, towing sprinkler to irrigate the corn. The report statcs that wheat suffered severely in both acreage and yield. In 1929 wheat was threshed from 99,71G acres and produced 700,721bushels. In 1984 wheat was threshed from 25,167 acres with a yield of 93,156 bushels. The loss in farms and livestock in the state is about the same ratio. The value of hogs and pigs dropped from 462,801 to 248,770:. and wheat threshed from 17,332,160 to 6,169,685 bushels. This gives us a picture of the economic loss that was absorbed during this period of time ning as high as 55 bushels an acre and winter barley to more than 95 bushels an acre. The following article taken from the Rockv Mountain News gives a very good account oi the county's bumper crop: "With the rich prairies soil yielding better than for many years past, the only sour note in the harvest picture is an inability to obtain railroad cars to move the heavy crops to the Kansas City market." "The lack of cars for shipping purposes can become very serious if rain comes," Mr. Woodfin said. "The weather is ideal for the harvest, but if it rains there will be losses in the wheat piles on the ground." "A few years ago people were calling this a dust bowl area", Mayor Zurcher said. "I wish everyone in Colorado could see this harvest. you have to see it to believe it." Many grain storage facilities were constructed after this. Many of us today remember those years and after the war was over and machinery was manufactured again farmers purchased new tractors that were larger and wheat was still king ofthis area. Livestock production began to modernize with emphasis on larger animals finally coming popular and farm storage for grain has been built on most farms. resulting of people leaving the land in large numbers. Some left never to return but manv did come back and again ventured into farming and ranching. To give us some indication of the ups and downs in this county the following list gives July, wheat harvest, 1980. AGRICULTURE T4r the population of Kit Carson County through the years. Year: 1890 2,472;1900 1,580; 1910 7,483; 1920 - 8,915; 1930 - 9,725; tg40 7,512; L950 - 8,600; 1960 - 6,952; 19?0 7,100; 1988 - 7,668 - with today from the 1g70's In comparison to date, 1988 we find that in the mid ?0's drv land farm ground was selling for g8b - $12b per acre; Irrigated land $356 per acre and pasture land was selling for 940 - $b0 per acre. The 80's saw dry land selling for g2T8 - $400 per acre; irrigated land 9800 - $1200 per acre and pasture land brings $100 - $120 per acre. In 1988 land prices are down due to the recession of the early 80' in agriculture with dry land bringing $225 - 9275 per acre; 1986, Gleaner L2 combine, Hasart farm. Irrigated land 9325 - $500 per acre and pasture land bringing $70 - $100 per acre. It reminds us of the old rule that what goes up must also come down but the sad part is that Finishing up, waiting for the last loads of corn �made their place in this area and other crops such as truck garden vegetables have been tried. What the future brings in this area can not be imagined as of now but there will always be something new to be tried. Feed grains have made a large impact on the economy allowing the formation of large cattle feeding operations in the county. This has really been a boon for the cattle raised here providing a local market that has been very good and stable. The feedlots in this area would not have been possible without the water systems of today using electricity which powers the ever present submersible pumps that bring us the gallons of water needed for domestic and livestock needs. Can you imagine windmills providing this im- mense source of water? The 50's had the setting aside of land out of production called the "Soil Bank" and today in the 80's we see the problem of overproduction being dealt with by the "Congervation Reserve Program". The longer we live the more we see things return to the same cycles of over production or scarcity. The sugar beet industry has come and gone and many farmsteads are long gone from the peak population years ofthe 20's. The day of farm houses on nearly every quarter of ground are a thing of the past. The mechanization offarms and ranches has brought about changes that our great grandfathers wouldn't have believed. Livestock statistics for Kit Carson County; 19?5 cattle on feed, 29,000; all cattle and calves, 137,000. 1981, cattle on feed,37,000; all cattle and calves, 116,000; and cows and heifers that have calved, 34,000. 1986, cattle on feed,40,000; All cattle and calves, 113,000 and cows and heifers that have calved, 27,500. Corn harvest 198?. These figures include 1,000 to 1,300 milk cows and were obtained from the Kit Carson County Extension Office. Statistics on winter wheat, dry beans and corn for grain for Kit Carson County are as Corn in August. lCedar Rose Dairy, owned and operated by Tom I Dobler northwest of Burlington. follows. 1980 winter wheat show 332,000 acres harvested totaling 10,733,000 bushels; 1983 winter wheat harvested shows 368,000 acres with 15,164,000 bushels produced; 1985 the peak year for production shows 385,000 acres planted with 17,595,000 bushels harvested and in 1986 310,000 acres were harvested with 10,841,000 bushels produced. In 1980 7,000 acres of drY beans were harvested with total production on 119,000 l*. hundred wt. and in 1885 11,000 acres were harvested with 205,500 hundred wt. Corn for grain, 57,000 acres were harvested producing 5,669,000 bushels of corn in 1980. In 1982, 62,500 acres harvested with 7,890,000 bushels produced; 1984, 41'000 Spring is lsnbing time on the Dean and Bonnie Witzel farm, FebruarY 1988. just got on your feet financially and had- a good start in the cattle business and then the Irrigating corn with gated PiPe' Part 9 The return of the dust storms and dry years luring the 1950's forced many farmers to ,hink about drilling irrigation wells and the lry years forced the rancher and farmer who lwned cattle to sell their herds at low prices rnd then buy back at high prices. This cycle vas always devastating as it seemed that you bottom fell out. By putting down an irriga- tion well you were assured ofraising feed and grain for your livestock enterprise. Many farmers did drill wells and the age of irrigation on the high plains began. Iirigation made a large impact on th9 agriculture industry in this county. The old stand by crops of corn, milo and wheat now had the potential of producing much larger yields and new crops were introduced such as sugar beets which became a huge source of revenue for many years. Pinto beans have acres harvested with 5,916,000 bushels and in 1986,48,000 acres produces 7,056,000 bushels of corn. These figures do not include corn silage figures. The corn silage figures are; 1980, 10,500 acres harvested at 184,000 tons and 1985, 4,100 acres harvested 97,000 tons of silage. This gives us a good comparison of acres planted in the 1930's and the 1980's. What a story they tel.' With the new markets for grain such as corn sweeteners and ethanol for fuel and other products being researched and tried we hope to see a healthy future for our grain production. Wheat has always been the mainstay for this area due to the climatic conditions. �Agriculture AGRICULTURE T42 Part lO Included in this agriculture history are many pictures showing the changes in farm_ rng practices and equipment over the years and it is hoped that you will be able to paint your own picture of your life and timeJwith these photo essays. Pictures have a wav of saying more than words can ever do ,o it is with this thought that brings the close of this section of our Kit Carson County,s agricul_ ture historv. 1988 Population and Altitude of Towns in the County . _B^ethune: 152,4,257 feet; Burlington: B,2gb, 4,.L65 feet; Flagler: 574, 4,575 feet; SeiLerti 4,710 feet; Stratton: 6b4, 4,AL4 feet; Vona: 120, 4,504 feet. The Kit Carson County Extension Service _1_95, has provided a wealth of informatior, services to this county that has been irreola_ "rri cible. The following are listed in order fhat they were serving in this countv. 1915. Agent RN. Flint; 1918 H.O Strange; 1919 Adelia Alexander, Ass't agent; fSS4 bick Wooan" with S.H. Stolte Ass't and Logan Morton Ass't in 1938; 1944 Bertha WJar came as Home Agent with Nellie patterson Assit: 1947. Albert Brown, Agent; 1952, Don uhactwlck Agent with Ass't Agents Vernon Howard Enos, WarreriMauch, anJ I"r."9 Berl Stedwell in the late b0's. R.L. Croissani came in 1961 with Ass't Agent Leon Stanton; 1966 Norma Pankratz, Home Agent with C;j scracca and Bill Bennett as Ass't Agents; 1969 Darrel Schafer, Agent and .I. froee. Wolfskill Ass't Agent; R.L. Croissant, &;;; until 1979 when Larry Henry came. Noima Pankratz left in 1980 and Bonnie Sherman, Carol Fitzsimmons, Carol pfaffly we.eHome Agents; 1987 Colleen Simon, Home ege"U l^e11v D. Brewer, Jr. came as Ass't Ag"ifiri 1981. w AI,FnfD YTTILLET f Wellet, polo. 8aoge, no:ttte&t oi Bur.tiagtoD.. .['rect lYallett, f... { w ou rtshr, htp. lVallett, i;olo. 'L R&nge near 1y&nett, Colo. W4L w, II. LavINOtoN. tDd halt crop Range, gculb Fdik n€Dubllcsl 'ln laltcar'; Ftaelei. Colo. ilw Is GSV/ rt,IdANSIILAU, Da:rge, Lostmen\Cr€6k. C. 3, WELIJMAN, Llght htp, cyer slrloin. - or, Renge, 8. E, otOlareppelr Cfaremont. DAl0, C' S -J_(- E. MCORILLIA, JL Budlu gtonr Co!e. Known a,s illl double-wrench breDd. Re;ngs, Iaadsmba. _ &ryo John Buol feedlot, 1982. North of Burlington. >t< LCA Left side. U, A, I'}MB. rnge, vtclnlty ot BUrllDgtoo, Burliagtdn. ColO. --J, 0. McNAItir llf Klrt, uolo. ti$gte. z miles oast ot Klrk. Alro li3btDr*; rod braDd on l€tt std€. c H H (rEoReEEEr{DRrOKE. A. ADdreas Adotl, R BurllngtoD, Colo. Range, gand Oreek. yale, Oohb. r&ng€, rreor Tele. Mrs. M. A. B€vler, EurIafton, Colo. rgffiEESEE eU.btDd| oa Ettildo. fisrchornaW. range, eourh srid loutbw€rtb(,goDen, 5 Star Feedlot owned and o^perated by the Cure Family and feedlot in background is operated by the Hornung family northeast of Stratton. � https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/417/History_Part_2.pdf 52894eed6aabdbae23d7bd7fbe8f08e3 PDF Text Text Cutting silage with a Field Queen on the Cure farm' Livingston Simmentals, 1987. IRRIGATION BEGINS T43 :lriiija.:'r: Feb. 29, 1940. Work will start immediately on the construction of the first major irrigation dam project to be undertaken in eastern Kit Carson County. C.H. Parke, who owns ' From field to silage pile, Hasart farm, 1987' land along the Beaver Creekjust east oftown, has taken the necessary steps and made proper filings as to water and ditch rights and ihe-engineering has progressed to-a point where ionstruction will be started at any time. The dam will be of earthen construction, a center core being constructed of clay and the fills both front and back of earth and the front rip rapped with rock, wire and posts' The blui prints call for an excavation 10 ft. deep into which the base of the clay core will be sunk and this core will be built to the Baling hay, Hasart farm. Cutting cane for silage, 1986. height of the dam which is to be 25 ft. above the bed of the stream. The base of the dam, when finished, will be 141 ft. through, with a crest of 14 ft. In length, the dam will be 515 ft. and will be of sufficient height to allow use of a natural sPillwaY. The dam is to be located on what is known as the Ryan place, about 1 mi. east and 1 south of burl, on the NW% 8-9-43. Ditches will carry the water to the Parke place. There has been much talk of well irrigation and some contracts for drilling test wells in Kit Carson County. These and Mr' Parkes' dam project will be watched closely by interested parties as their success would mean a new era for Kit Carson County. Irrigation activity began in the early 1950's with the drilling of wells throughout the county. As of July 1, 1957, there were Pome tlS wlils in the area with more wells being drilled and put into production. The depth of the wells range from 200 to 325 feet, and capacities are generally 1000 to 1600 gallons pei minute, with some wells having a capacity of *ot" than 2000 gallons. Most of the wells are pumped by electric motors, Diesel, Propani, and Natural gas engines, and the cost of pumping is not as great as one would expict. the excellent soil structure, its de-pth and water retention capabilities go hand in hand with economical pumping of the amounts of water required for crop produc- acking silage, Cure farm 1980's. tion. The local soil is a silt loam which is very �easily handled. Seed bed preparation is readily accomplished by a limited number of operations because of the excellent soil structure. The soil ranges in depth from b to 40 feet before any formation such as sand, gravel or shale is encountered. At present, there seems to be no drainage problem. As of July, 1964, it was estimated there were about 730 irrigation wells on 415 farms in the tri-county area, with 400 of these wells located in Kit Carson County. The wells deliver water to about 107,000 acres of highly fertile land. Since the report was made, additional wells have been drilled. Irrigation methods used are open ditch with siphon tubes, gated pipe and sprinkler systems. In 1988 approximately 1150 wells have been drilled and put into operation providing the county with the base of grain and feed production for the livestock industrv. Supplies are more than adequate to suppiy the cattle feedlots within the county at the present time. During the 1970's and early 1980's the farm economy was booming caused by inflated prices and increased land values. This came to a halt and severe declines in land prices prompted the recession for the agriculture community that has severely effected all businesses and communities within the county at the present time. The agri-business sector is restructuring its business practices and lowering its base debt load to position itself in a better financial frame. Two questions pose to be dealt with in the future and they are the declining water levels in the Ogallala aquifer and the cost of pumping the wells in relation to the price of the commodities produced. If the figure amounts to more than what thev would receive in soil bank pa5rments, plus the 50 pct. penalty for non-compliance, they will harvest and thereby break contract with the government. What soil bank payments will mean to the eastern counties is shown by figures compiled by Warren Myers, program specialist in the Denver offices of the Federal Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Agency. The County which will reap the largest benefit is Kit Carson, for which 94,2b4,268 is ear-marked. The money will be paid out at county level from ASC offices in the form of certificates which are negotiable as sight drafts. Before payments are made, however, it is incumbent upon the county ASC committees to determine if the farmers are in compliance with the soil bank law. The payment program, Meyers has estimated, may run into August. Although it was not the intent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to put the soil bank _program into effect for the 19b6 crop year, because the law was passed too late tb affect a lot of basic crops, political pressures were such that the progrem was inaugurated then. As a result, Colorado farmers last year were allowed to put some of their wheat acreage into the soil bank, even though the land hid been planted and lacked promise of any crop because of the drought. The acreage reserve payments in the state in 1956 amounted to approximately $4,472,000. Average rate of payment was g6 an acre. The national average on wheat for the 1957 crop year is expected to be g20.04 an acre. Whether there will be an acreage reserve section in the soil bank in 1958 still is a matter of conjecture. Members of both political SOIL BANK parties have condemned it as a failure in what is,was designed to do - reduce surpluses by T44 In the year of 1956 on June 28, the Soil Bank Act was passed. The bill went into effect in Kit Carson County retroactively for the 1956 crop year. The bill is still in effect as far as any contracts which are not termina- ted are concerned. However, as of March 1960 no new land could be placed under contract. The general program was designed to take a certain nmount ofcropland out ofproduction ofcrops, putting it to a conservation use. This was used in order to help reduce the surplus of crops which was plagueing our agriculture economy at the time. Uncle Sam's treasury on about June 10 will start pumping $22,217,736 into the agricultural economy of Colorado all of it - almost into the eastern plains counties long-smitten by drought. This bonanza will be paymentto more than 8,000 farmers who placed a total of 1,318,826 taking land out of production Last year it cost 9200 million, and still U.S. farm production set new records. Estimated cost this year is more than $700 million. The Lg57 - 1gg4 146 Eldon Shive starts first beet irrigation on the Ben Rudy farm just east of Burlington. f House has refused to appropriate gb00 million for the bank's operation in 1958. For 1957 wheat acreage alone the govern- ment signed up 233,453 farmers in the commercial growing states to take a total of L2,784,968 acres out of production in return for an aggregate of9230,975,4?b in payments. Economists estimated that this should have reduced wheat production by 20 pct. But now the high yields in prospect indiiate another bumper, surplus-producing crop. Thinning beets with a mechanical beet thinner. of the alloted wheat acres into the 19b? acreage reserve of the soil bank. Average payment per acre so put into idleness is expected to be 916.80. Total amount paid to Colorado farmers, however, may be somewhat reduced. Some landowners planted wheat on their soil bank land. Under law, that wheat may neither be grazed nor harvested. Some of these farmers will estimate the wheat yield and multiply it by market price. THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY IN EASTERN KIT CARSON COUNTY Loading beets into the railroad cars. �TIIE GREAT STONE FACE CAPER T46 Mt. Rushmore you say? Miss Bonny Gaunt, now Mrs. C.G. Gould of Burlington, posed with the wives of a camera crew from the Alexander Film Studios, Colorado Springs. The carvings were done about 1923, by Philip Smith of Ttentynine Palms, California and the late Clyde Roberts, both residents of Flagler at the time. Edmund L. Smith, Flagler businessman related that as a younger brother of Philip he didn't get in on the fun. The site of Buffalo Creek is six miles north and three miles east of Flagler on the Weston Fisher ranch. Between erosion and target practice not a great deal is left of The Great Stone Faces. After a lapse of many years, 3/L/L935 Stone Face," has again Seibert's "Great sprung into the limelight. This time through a newspaper story, written by Mrs. M.H. Brown, formerly of Seibert, the mysterious The first beets in the new area were plantcd by Gene Penny (center) on April 26, and on August 16 Earl iowe1 (inset) could be proud of beeti displayed at the fair. Mr. Powell, left and Carl Luft right of Gene Penny. Ben Rudy, Melvin Sall, Conarty Bros., O.E. Powell, Wayne Barber, Earl Powell, and C.D. Reed. From that humble beginning in 1957 the industry grew slowly but steadily each year with more acres and new growers added each year. In the early 60's, when the Cuban sugar import quota was cancelled, because of Stone Face, where a cameraman "shot" more than 200 feet of scenes, those who accompan- early 70's 50,000 acres were being grown here; visiting the relic. These films will likely be shown at some theater in Eastern Colorado, but it is not yet known. probably 25,000 actes was the most Kit Carson County produced. Up until the new sugar factory at Goodland was put into production in 1968 all the beets grown here were shipped by rail to the Great Western factories at Brighton, Loveland, and Longmont, Colorado for processing. Even after the new factory was built, nearly half of the crop was shipped west for processing. By the late ?0's, after the Hunt Brothers had gained control of the Great Western Sugar Company and also because oflow sugar prices, the industry started a slow but steady decline. The crop of 1984 were the last beets planted in the county. The Great Western Sugar Company took out bankruptcy in 1984 and the growers who planted beets that year did not get paid fully for their crop' The West€rn Sugar Company who purchased the northern factories from the Great Western Bankruptcy Trustee chose not to buy the Peconic Station in 1966, piling beets. The birth of the Sugar Beet industry here in Kit Carson County came in the spring of 1957. This was due largely to the efforts of Mr. Earl Powell who had also pioneered deep well irrigation here in our area. He, along with several other influential people of the area, no-ely C.D. Reed and Jack Hines of the county ASCS committee, were able to get a 300 acre Beet allotment for the county for new growers. The first growers to grow beets for the Great Western Sugar Co. in 1957 were Gene Penny, Fred Plautz, Leonard Pieper, E.K. Edwards, Western representative of Universal Films, wired a friend at the Seibert Settler office, that he would be here to make news reels of the freak. He would need some person thoroughly familiar with the location of the cliffs where the sphynx-like object is situated. M.N. Rasmussen is such a person and his help was enlisted. On Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Mr. Rasmussen, his daughter, Miss Rose, Miss Bonny Gaunt and a Siebert Settler reporter visited The Great Castro, sugar beet acreage controls were lifted and the industry grew by leaps and bounds here in earltern Kit Carson County and in nearby western Kansas as well. By the Beet field in Kit Carson County, 1960's. stone attracted attention. factory at Goodland. Consequently this factory was sold to the Two State Equity CoOp to be used as a grain storage terminal for the Goodland, Kanarado and Burlington Co- op's. by Russ Davis ied him taking the part of "sightseers," The excitement caused by the "rediscovery" of this unusual example of stone carving recalls a bit of history. In August, 1923, the Seibert Settler carved a column and a half of a story devoted to the Great Stone Face. M.D. Haynes, now deputy postmaster, had visited the spot and made pictures. At that time, old-timers claimed that the Great Stone Face had antedated their earliest recollections. Others claimed that the work was more recent, some even claimed to have done the work a few months previous to the appearance ofthe article. But although there has, indeed, been some cement work done by way of repair and preservation quite recently, at that time it nevertheless was pretty well established that the work had an early historic origin. The Great Stone Face does not measure up quite to the gigantic measurements attributed to it in the Denver newspaper story, but it is nevertheless of no mean proportions. About nine feet in height, it is caryed on the solid face of a huge boulder which must weigh close to 100 tons. The work is more or less rough, but modeling and expression show a degree of skill not to have been expected among the early cowboys or hunters to whom the work is credited by some. That it is of Indian Origin seems doubtful, too, and the Indian usually expressed his artistic urge in line drawings. The profile, however, is distinctly Indian. Exactly who was the creator of this image will likely always remain a �Saturday afternoon from Denver for a visit with his mother, Mrs. Myrta Christopher' Thev returned to Denver on Monday' V.S. FitzPatrick, well known former editor of the Seibert Newspaper, is now an instructor in the United States Air Corps' He attended a Denver school for several months recently, having first learned flying in 1919' He sold his newspaper in Craig last summer' John Chalfant is stationed at Camp Bennins. near Farragut, Idaho. He is in the meJhanical branch of the service and likes it .it *' T{ very much. iee Bruner is locat€d with the aviation cadet detachment at Scott Field, III' This is not far from St. Louis. A letter to Mr. and Mrs. John Buol from W.A. Robertson, Colonel of Army Air Forces, brings the news that Kermit Buol has been seleJted by the classification board for training as a navigator. He stresses the importance oi thit woik and sends congratulations' Kermit, who is now at Santa Ana, California will be transferred soon to a west coast school for intensive training. Harry and Vernon-Dalke have volunteered for U.S. service and reported at Fort Logan, .': t, { 'r*&'la,'. &':g ' .,tif The Great Stone Face \ Bonnie Gaunt Gould with the wives of the film crew of Alexander Films' Colorado Creek 6 miles north prtifrip Snilrt ana Clyde Roberts' Buffalo Springs. Faceg were ."rr"a""r"""i-G-zil Uv and 3 miles west of Flager' mvsterv. as he would likely find few believers if he should present his claim to distinction' OUR SOLDIER BOYS ARMY TIISTORY T47 Bud Boyles is stationed at San Diego' California. Word from Mrs. Steve Stransky states that her husband has enlisted and is stationed at the Great Lakes Training station,- near These three day passes sure help in seeing the country. Gas rationing is going to put a o.t hitch hiking, at which I am gettilg "ti-o Jong pretty good. Ye Old Pal, Tb John B' Aurner Pvt. Ralph Brunemeier of Rice, California' ** horr" last week on furlough' He returned Mo"d"v. He is in a tank division, being in the service since last month. Mrs. H.B. Morgan writes from San Diego ttrai ttreir son, Lee B' Morgan, is in the U'S' service in Hawaii. He likes it there and says pineapple juice, tropical fruits and ihev ""jov coconuts. W;. Bowker has been in the hosPital practically ever gince his induction in the Colorado November lst. Leigh Short, son of Judge E.V. Short' has been tlransferred from Buckley Field' Denver to St. Petersburg, Florida. He left for there Saturday. A letter from Harold Pearce to his parents came this week. It brings the news that he is stationed in Honolulu and is in training in a motion picture school. Harold was operator at the Mid*"y theater here before being inducted into the armY. Word from Harold W. Thomason of Strat- ton states that he is with the medical battalion in Camp Edwards, Mass', but s-ays tt" ioet.t't know what kind of work he will do as yet. Mt. and Mrs. A.F. Romberg received word last week from their son Donald telling that he had been commissioned Ensign in the Naval SupPlY CorPs on August 26r lt reported for Lctive duty at the Naval Air Station, Alameda, Calif. In November he will be sent to the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration in Boston, Mass', for advanced study. Donald is a graduate of the University of Colorado and has been in the offices of the Naval Net Depot at Tiburon, Calif., since his enlistment last dtti."go. Mrs. Stransky is the former Maxine Lynn. This office is in receipt of the following from John Aurner: The army and I are getting along just fine' armv. i""n., ato-.alled just plain Corpor"l:-I -1- "--fi""t. sargeant. and Mrs. Bernard Litty arrived Wells, Texas, visited here Sunday at the J'W' Larsen and Mrs. R.C. Yarnell homes' Lieut' and friends. He left on Tuesday tor ! t' Leonatd Wood, Mo. Mrs. Litty will remain nephew of Mrs. Yarnell. Have finaliy made Tech. First Grade, Corp' having a swell time with the stars in Holly*ooa."t have been a personal guest of Jagkie Coop"t, Kay Kayseiand Gene Autry'-H-ave Hattie McDaniels, Wallace -Lti".tv Colona, S""ty, iana Turner, Goldie Cantor, Bob H6;,'Dorothy Lamour, tt"94v L^amar and a few others' I have attended the urouman s Ctti"".u theatre, Lockheed aircraft, Douglas uii..uft, and the shipyards of Los A"qul"t' N"*l riU on seeing ihe naval yards of San Diego. -i"t"* Larry Tieman in L.A' Iast week' He is the only persott from Burlilgton I've seen g to March Field' I have been .it "o*it "" itrfo.-"d thit I might be placed in charge of all broadcasts from the field' I am now *otfi"e on a four panel mixer for the field' When completed it will not be necessary to have NBC, CBS, or Mutual to bring their eouipment'to the field for the pickup' I work i;t thil now, but their men have charge and I only helP. - N"*t has been received that Pvt' Frank E' Norton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Norton, has sraduated from an intensive course in aviaiion toechanics at Sheppard Field, Texas, and is now eligible to become crew chief on bo-b"t and win a rating as corporal or Saturday for a few days visit with relatives December. Lieut. Leslie Palmer and wife of Mineral F"m". is a grandson of the Larsens and a Louis Vogt returned Sunday night from has been transferred A.E' from Indiantown Gap, Pa., to Virginia' Dr. Gene Aten is stationed at the Naval Denver. He-has enlisted in the navy and will enroll at Marquettc University in Milwaukee' which oPens SePtember 16th' Verlin Kingsbury came home Friday on furlough. He is in the U.S' Navy and must ..poti"t San Francisco by September 17th' t". *u in Spokane, Washington, which-is is the Wins Commission son of F.L. Aten of Denver and spent his early boyhood days in Burlngton. Mrs' Atencame down from Denver Saturday anct hao Just a late picture of her son in uniform' received - Second Lieut. John W. Todd came down from Denver Monday for a short visit with his oarents. Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Todd' He had visit' for a longer here ---Capt. -Calvin Ttainine Station at Athol, Idaho' He is Lieutenint Commander' His wife and daughatout 50 to 6b miles from Athol' Gene Virgil Brown, who is stationed at -Ft' Deveis, Mass., was home recently o1 -fyr- tugn visited his parents, Mr' and Mrs' ""a H.O. - Brown. Sgt. R.S. Christopher and wife came down iust completed his training in the Artillery bffi..t iandidate School at Ft. Sill, Okla'' and received his commission as Second iieutenant. He has been assigned to It' Lewis, Washington and will leave for that �place soon. Vernon Dunn went to Colorado Springs Monday, then on to Denver, where he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. He leit there at nine o'clock Wednesday night for San Diego, Calif., where he wil Le iritraining for six or eight weeks. He will try to get intJthe marine air school. Burlington friends have heard from Dr. M.E. Robinson. Capt. Robinson left Denver 'I'uesday morning for Ft. Meade, Md. He is a member of Base Hospital No. 29 of the U.S. Armv. First Lieut. John C. Straub, also a member of Base_ Hospital No. 29, left Tuesday for the same destination. Dr. Straub is a former Flagler boy. Lee B. Morgan, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Morgan, former Burlington boy is in the U.S. Army. He is stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. Pvt. Earl McKinney and a friend, pvt. pete __ Hunter, crme down from Camp Carson, Colorado Springs, Friday night and spent the weekend with Mrs. McKinney and her parents Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Wilkinson. Alvin Barber who recently enlisted is stationed at Shepard Field, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Schell received a card from Pvt. Clyde Melton. He is in the Armv Air Service and is stationed at Saint peters_ burg, Fla. He says he will be there fo" . i", weeks. George McNeill, who was home on fur_ lough, returned to camp in Missouri. Glenn Weaver, who is stationed at phoe_ nix, Ariz., came in on the Rockett Wednes_ *"v. U",lg: a lb day furlough. He is looking nne and llkes the Armv. by Myra L. Davis FRANKLIN BAKER MURDER CASE T48 State News: Franklin Baker, the murderer of two ranchmen near Burlington, was taken from the sheriff at Cheyenne Welis by a mob of infuriated men and hanged. Town and Country News: Judge Spere has gone to the county seat to make a rlport of the recent coroner case to the County Clerk. Rectus in Curia. A Murderer Hanged by Popular Justice. Last Saturday afternoon, as two voune men from Iowa were driving toward Burl Iington from Wano in company with a liveryman, and as they wer" p"rrirrj tne shanty of Franklin H. Baker five "Uimiles northeast of Burlington, they came upon a man with wagon and team stopped in front of a house and the man see-id to be in conversation with Baker and his wife. Nearbv the house ran a ravine or draw and the liverv tenm had started down the inclevity whei Baker hollered to the parties, ..Hold on.,;As the driver was checking his horses and loo_king back to see what *as wanted, he saw Baker's wife hand Ba-ker a gu.,'."yirrg, "Here's the gun, shoot the s- b--." ,titfrii the driver put whip to his horses and Baker threw the gun up and fired when the buggy was not over two rods from him. The gun liid been loaded with buck-shot and ptaled saJ havoc at that close range with the occupants of the vehicle. E.B. McConnel's bacf was mangled with seventeen balls, while his companion, John C. Morrison, received three shots-in the back, they piercing vital parts. The driver escaping uninjured,-whipped up nrs rcam and drove to a farm house a half mile away, where the injured men were cared for until taken to Burlington later in the evening. It has been learned that the *"r, -"ri_ tioned as in conversation with Baker and wife at the time the shooting was done had been halted by them and ordered to go back on his way and turn around the claim the road ran through. Baker had become incensed at the travel across his claim and had built breast works of sod at his place overlooking the traveled highway with the intention to" tratt or shoot any and all who passed on the road. There is no breaking and of course no .-". o_n th9 land, nor any sign to give warrrine ;i the_ closing of the road. It was pure and undefiled. deviltry, brutish hate of people at rarge, and a satanic hunger for a bloody row prompting the low born friend. . Arrest followed, the prisoners were guar_ ded out of reach of the citizens of gurli"";on. and a preliminary trial called for attemit to kill while the mutilated boys *rr" ininn between life and death, and o" IUo"a"i morning Deputy Sheriff Jerry Barnes. bv I strategic move, got his prisoner into a buesv and st611ed for Cheyenne Wells at a lightriii! speed, covering the ground to the firit relai of horse, seven miles in twenty minutes. When Burlington people caught on to the move., which they were not long in doing, the popular cry was, ,,Guns, horsei and teims!" and soon two hundred men and every horse in town was in hot pursuit of tne sheriff. fhe chase lasted for the thirty-five miles inter_ vening between the two towns, the pursuine party losing members as horses winded ani hopes weakened. Qeputy Barnes arrived here about one o'clock on Monday and an hour later the advance guard of the pursuers came. , Fate, coincidence, or as some people will have. it, in the-light of subsequent ."""t., providence had delayed the west bound passenger nearly two hours for the first time in months, else we would have closed this bv saying.that the p-risoner was safely lodged in Arapahoe's jail. But the delay allowed"num_ bers- of the- rescuing party to get in and precluded-the possibility of reriroving the prisoner from the depot, where he- was guarded, to the coach in safetv. From two o'clock in the iternoon until twelve that night, Deputy Sheriff Barnes and his deputy, Charles Lynde, guarded the prisoner at_the depot and resolitely bluffed ott a crowd of near fifty men from any and every attempt to relieve them oftheir charge. Guns were numerous and flourished silenil" now and t!en, and attempts were made by I free use of the pen's weapons to overpolier the guards and return the prisoner d Bu;_ lington. The sheriff parlayed the crowd by a clever rrree to telegraph to the governor for legal advice, seeking to gain time for the arrivJoi Sheriff Harper and reinforcements, and ryaking promises to bide the word, knowins that his assistance would come in ihe irrte.l val. The ruse worked well and held peace for several hours, but at twelve o'cloct a sand storm caml up and the crowd gathered determination. At a time least tt de_puties were nabbed by bystande..'"rrd "*p"It"a, " taken away, the excited prisonir rushed from the depot with a notary's seal held above his head with his manacled t ,""av lo L."i" ""a, ti. fir""t-ioi whoever__attempted to bar liberty. Hardly had he gained tt e ai. f"fore he was_ thrown, held and ,oo" *". l"i"i dragged across railroad tracks o"". .i"J"i"E ground and pretty roughly tranatea wtrite lusuy calling on the ,.Jerry" who himself was being hustled over the ground Uy fr"f?l dozen able bodied maskJrs. " The closing scene of the great tragedy was enacted about midway of tle t.essei work ol the west approach of the coal chute. Under a span ofthis was gathered a group ofmufflJ merr; and they in charge of the prisoner, Ji unknown, were irresistibly drawn toJ*d them. A rope ending in a noose was danslins trom over a cross tie in the tressel; under iI the-murderer was dragged and told d;r";. As-he was a pretender of a religion which tre defiled, he was not amiss at thiJand;ilh til; stereotyped form of prayer meetings began with: "Oh, Lord, we are glad that ie a"J i" the condition that we are. Forgive tfrese men: they know not what they do. C"unt -" " fitii" more time that I may explain to these men." At that a voice from the crowd reminded him that- he had given the boys ti-" io pray, and the rope was tightened"o about his neck, and the inanimate form fr.r"g less and was left alone while his sorll -oiiorr_ ;;;;; its maker.and will probably give *u.f, io exprarn. I'hree murders and other attempts to kill are recorded against him on this edth alone. A coroner's jury was summoned Tuesdav morning by C.I. Spere, Justice of the peace. the body cut down, an inquest held and the remains buried near town. The verdict of the jury was to the effect _ that the deceased met his death from hanei; at the hands of parties unknown laboiini -" un1t9r_qn epidemic of transitory f."rrv. Bird McConnell, one whose life waslken - by the murderer's bullets, was one ;i;h;;; whole-souled boys whom everybody and was glad to call a friend. it" *"."d-i*d to t"u" been married on the first of May to . Vo"n* lady in Kansas and had .orir" *".i-ti establish his home before going back for his bride. Before his death he made'a wiil leavine all his property to his affianced. Hi, i;h;; arrived from Iowa Tuesday morning to {o1 the remains. He was a membei of "aie the I.O.O.F., and the members of the order in these parts did all possible to care foi friwounded and dead. John C. Morrison was a stranger in this section and was making his firlt visit io Colorado. He had no .eLtirres -a UuJ former_ acquaintance at Burlington, """ b; ;;; none the less tenderly cared for. Above three items from Cheyenne Wells Gazette, April 21, 188g. Monday'sDenuer Republican had a photo_ graph of and an interview with Mrs. Harriet Baker regarding the murder committed-lv her husband near Burlington on the lbth of April. The reporter's emotions got him and he represents the acc'essory "*"y,ith io tfre murder as an innocent, intelligent and religious, motherly country *o-io, and gives her statemenLs credence. Nothing could be wider of the truth than the accoirnt olthe affair given, and any attempt to manufacture sympathy for the woman will hardlv be a-ppreciated by those who have heard her threats, oaths, and cold blooded ments to kill any and all who attempted """o""""_ to �cross the land as well as they who were instrumental in the gudden death of her husband. Great allowances will always be made for a female criminal, but the Republican's young man rather overdid the matter' Cheyinne Wells Gazette, May 5' 1888' A sensation was created Sunday by the discovery that the body of Franklin H' Baker, ttanged by a mob at this point on the 16th.of lprit. had been taken from the grave' An invesiisation showed that the corpse had been histily dragged from the buried coffin through an opening probably kickcd in the foot eid, dragged in the muddy soilfor-a few feet and ihrown into a vehicle which had been in waiting. From the signs, the body snatchers were-not particular in their care of the remains and ii could not have been friends ofthe deceased. It can safely be set down that some medical student has been taking lectures on strangulation with Burlington's murderer for a subject. State News: A sensation has been created at Cheyenne Wells over the discovery that the remains of F.H. Baker, hanged there by a mob two weeks ago, had been stolen from the grave. A hole had been kicked in the coffi"n, the body dragged out and carried away, possibly for the education of the coming generation of sawbones. Abo*vJ two items ftom Cheyenne WeIIs Gazette, MaY 12, 1888. A Graphic Account of An Early Necktie Party. Tire following article, taken-from the Burlington Coll of last week, we feel sure-will be of interest to all of the Neus readers' There are many people here now who are familiar with faCts as set forth, but the vounger generation scarcely rcalize the tranritioti ttt"t has taken place in Eastern Colorado. Mr. R.A. McConnell, special representative of the New York Mutual Life Insurance Company in San Diego, California, and W{' McC'onnill, president of the California Mutual Finance Corporation of Los Angeles, Calif., passed through Burlington on Monday morning. These gentlemen were in Burlington on April 16, i888, *h"tt their brother, who had been shot by Franklin H. Baker, died at the Montezuma Hotel. Mr. McConnell, Silas Fonts, Dave Spear and Wheeler had made pre-emption filings ott four corners where sectioni 22-23-26 and 27, in 9-45 come iogether. Each one had built a sod house and th"ey had dug a well in the middle of the road crossing for their joint use. After- filing on his land and building his house, Mr. McConnell had returned to Iowa to close up some business affairs and on his way back came by train to St. Francis, Kans' Thi mail for Burlington was at that time broueht bv horse conveyance from St' Francis ;rd young McConnell, with John C' Morrison, another homesteader, arranged for Dassase with the mail carrier. ' Siimiles north and two miles east of Burlington, Franklin H. Baker had pre-empted thJnorth half of the north half of section 4, township 8, range 43, which ls-just-north taken by Mrs' Martha oi ttt" t-d homestead. Mr. Baker had been Coakley as a"tt"rwards a scoul and buffalo hunter over Eastern Colorado during the ?0's and was the possessor of rather a trard reputation. He had stood trial at Holdrege, Neb. on two different occasions, once ?or assault with a gun and once for assault with intent to kill. In the last case he had slashed a butcher across the abdomen with a knife' In both cases he was acquitted on the grounds of self defense' He had brought several parties from Holdre-ge and that vicinity to this part of Colorado, locating them on tree claims and pre-emptions. His practice was to take the train from Holdrege to Wray and from there drive across the country. One party located by him included B.F. Kaiser, afterwards county treasurer of Kit Carson County, W.S. Ready of Stratton and Ed Hoskin. The traveled road from St. Francis to Burlington led across one corner of Baker's land, and he had ordered travelers to go around the corner. The mail carrier, either not knowing about this or not caring, drove across the corner on this Saturday, and Baker fired a shotgun loaded with buckshot into the party in the spring wagon. A trunk in the back of t-tte wagon protected the mail carrier' Morrison received some wounds that were not deemed serious but from which he died some three years later. McConnell, however, died from his wounds on the following Monday. When they reached Burlington, Jerry Barnes, deputy sheriff for Elbert County, accompanied by Frank Mann, drove out and arrested Baker. He was brought to town and kept in the old Bon Ton restaurant; and wh91 it was seen that McConnell was bound to die and that his friends were evidently making arrangements to take their revenge on Baker, Barnel sent Mann on the road to Cheyenne Wells to make arrangements for relays of horges to be ready in case of hurried flight' After the death of Mc0onnell, arrangements were made for the preliminary hearing before Justice of the Peace Page; but before the time of the hearing, Barnes decided that he better put Baker in a safer place and left behind a iast team for Cheyenne Wells. Cheyenne Wells was reached in record time, but the train they expected to take was ten minutes late; and before it arrived, the 4elggation from Burlington was in Cheyenne Wells' The deputy wal overpowered, and Baker washanged to the coal shute in the east part of towi. He asked the men not to bind him and said that he would take his medicine' The mob was orderlY but determined' Baker was buiied at the Wells and his his body afterwards found in the South Smoky tr.totot has it that it was brought to "rrdBurlington and the bones cleaned and wired as a coimplete skeleton' The whereabouts of the skeleton is a matter of speculation' While some of the detailstliven above may be somewhat incorrect, the story in the main is correct and the ColJ will be glad to have any further information concerning the affair that any one maY have. We aie enabled to print the above interest- ing story of early day history through the co"urtesy of Mr. H.G. Hoskin. Reprinted from the Builington Call in Cheyenne County Neu's, June 3, 1926. incident of little pride. It happened during a time of distressed conditions when treacher- ous dust clouds had claimed the land. A dwindling economy' short grass, drought and hot weather, forerunner of the "dirt days," had caused an exodus of many brave people in earlier years. This left vast acres of srassland untended south of the correction l-ine and southwest of Second Central School. In this day, a term for this vast expanse of vacant land was "Free Range." Little farms and ranches were left in limbo as hardy people left to find a better place to live' Some ieft-on foot with their few belongings on their back. No matter how the incident is viewed, basis for the trouble was greed. This unhealthy trait of men, has not subsided and is, no doubt, a single sickening source of man's problems today. For some, this incident was probably an indoctrination of how to use the iaw to further one's financial condition. Local livestock ranchers were aware of an abundance of grassy acreage and ran their herds in the area. Most were amicable, and in reality did no harm to anyone except, perhaps, those still living nearby. 11 1o--st instances, allowances were thoughtfully made to assure each could share in this windfall, providing a chance to succeed for those stili hanging on. Short grass and dry weather created a need for larger acreages to sustain animals on Pasture. There were cattle and sheep men in the area, solid citizens of the community, generally with their own land or land rented for their use, occupying a good share of the area' Local sheep men may have shared in this practice of using "Free Range" at times, without disfavor, owning and renting some of the grass land. The so-called war, was not a battle between those who ran different animals, but between the community, both sheep and cattlemen and a somewhat errant or greedy outsider running !!""P. J.S. Price occupied the old Sexton place on the north edge of this area, running cattle' Jim Kountz ran sheep and cattle to the west' "Billie" Vassios also ran sheep and cattle in this area. Ora Vawter lived southwest of our school using a portion for a cattle operation in the "range.'iConrad "Connie" Stone had bought a couple quarters out in the expanse of iI, intending to use a share for cattle' Robert McCurdy owned an 80 near Connie' West of Connie Stone was Tom Rowland who grazed some of the range on occasion' DoroIhy, hi. daughter, remembered herding cattle orl. it to keep them from eating weeds which grew in patches where the wind blew out and "go-back" fields had not yet g."s.y over. These weeds made milk taste ir".tld"t.". ierrible and Iowered salability of cream' Most of the remaining residents of the area milked cows and sold sour cream. Dorothy remem- bered a time when sheep were relocated' A'B' Radebaugh lived south of Connie Stone at a placed cilled Loco. Charley Smith lived north of Mr. Radebaugh. South and a little east of Charley was Cecil Baxter and his family, trying to grub out a living by milking i:"T'.ffi*l]y,-,*:j:,JiTi S:".?i,iL'$:u]l* srrEEp_cATTLE wAR T49 Wanczyk. Giibert Smith lived a few miles south in Cheyenne County. Fred Mort and Kenleth, had located north of wild A strange event, so named by He-nry son, The Bergman family was located in Horse. in o.."rred Hoskins, unique in the County,south of A'B' Radebaugh' "ou"lv, Cheyenne iftirties. It our community during tit" "#iV perhaps an There were others in Cheyenne County' This was seldom mentioned Jiur*u.d, �is not to say all these men used the .,range," but it was a possibility not denied them] - Though quite young, I knew most persons involved in the incident. Each was law abiding, each a good neighbor. Generally, ' , most attended church on Sunday and all took an active interest in their communities. Thev were good men and helped one another, a necessity required to remain in the countrv. Times were bad with few rains; an incessant dry wind took a toll of remaining grass and crops. As if this was not enough, to be oppressed by thousands of sheep, makes it easy to understand a situation forced on many of the local stockmen. It is amusing to find, as I searched records, few lines .ecJrding encroachment of sheep on private land. Most lines recorded wrong doing of a commu- nity and of legal maneuvers. __In a June 15, 19BB issue of the Flagler News, an article appears with the headline. "Cattle Men Opposed to Running of Sheep.'; This article tells of a proteJt meetins, reminiscent of the old battles between cattle and sheep men. It was held south of Flagler and attended by forty-two people. The shlep were owned by two brothers from a distancl west of Limon. The sheep had been driven here from this area. The sheep men had rented the old Jens Petersen place and had set up camp there. Several protests had been made to the owners when sheep had encroached on a large tract ofprivate land. This was caused in part by dried up water holes and insufficient grass. It was decided at the meeting to send a dozen or so men to make a final protest. These men informed the she-ep owners and herders that the sheep had to be removed that day. Nothing was done about moving the sheep so neig[bors gathered in body and proceeded to movJ the sheep themselves. Basket lunches were taken along and a regular picnic held at noon. No opposition was encountered as the sheep were taken eight miles back to their home grounds. There were about 1000 ewes together with their lambs in the flock. the Junl 29, 1983 issue of the Flagler -_In News, a headline appeared. ,,19 Arrested-For D-riving Sheep Off Range." The description of charges seemed ominous when I read them. Nineteen farmers were arrested on a Satur- day by Sheriff Hollander of Chevenne County on warrants charging them with unlawfully, willingly, maliciously and felo- niously driving a flock ofsheep lB00 head of ewes and lambs from their-usual range. They were owned by two prominent she"ep men, Rex and J.B. Hixon and valued at $5200.00. The Hixon brothers leased several sections of land north of Wild Horse and farmers in that vicinity decided to drive the sheep north to Kit Carson County. A crowd of some fifty men, women and children her4ed_the sheep out of the country. The Hixon brothers signed compiaints for their arrest and informations were prepared by the Deputy District Attorney, J.F. Death- erage. These were gent to the District Judge at Colorado Springs for signature. Since tf,e charges were gerious in nature, an early date of the trial was expected The item stated that warrants have been issued for the anest of the following farmers: C.W. Baxter, Gust Bergman, Donald Bergman, Alex Crouse, Win Cotton. Art Wiltse, Floyd Thompson, Fred Mort, Kenneth Mort, A.R. Farley, Arthur Tryon and son, Andrew Gwartney, Dave Jemmaka, Eugene Schumacher, Gilbert Smith. A.B. Radebaugh, Frank Wanczyk and Stanley Wanczyk. It was said a large trial was expected because of the n 'mber of men involved. At least a dozen witnesses were expected at the trial. The Hixon brothers allege that they lost some sheep and others were injured whiie the band of excited farmers drove their herd off the range land. The article from which information was taken was in the Flagler News and had appeared in the East"ern Colorado Plainsman. Those arrested were named in the article and, inthe opinion of this writer, were good men of high caliber. Memory dictates a reluctance of law officials to become involved in.the problem. It is difficult to proceed in this manner unless a law is broken and can be easily proved. I am told these intrusive sheep were watered during the drive, indicat_ on the range. The cow was fresh; they put her in the corral and milked her. The-rice was much better with a little milk! Mr. Hoskins worked only a few days after the move. There might have been L tocat recommendation that he quit the job. He drew his pay and left for home in Buriineton. He was arnazed, to read in the Flagle. N"*. a few weeks later about men who had entered the. sheep camp and drove off some sheep, intimidating the herder in the process. His short record said J.S. Price might have caused a delay,in the altercation, giving him time to leave. Since Mr. Hoskin's iamiiy was prominent in Burlington, it would not have been good for him to have been involved. He mentioned papers were served on two men from Flagler, five local residents and others from Cheyenne County. It was also men_ tioned land sheep were grazing was leased by some of these men, accounting for such a ing the community group was trying to care properly for them. Many incidents occurred at this time in the community which are not reflected by news media of the time. These are added from memory and interviews with fracas. There is no record that J.S. price had a part in the incident. He was also a law abiding man taking an active part in Sunday schoJl and Church in our community. This was true oi time. records. those who lived and experienced this unusual I was about 7 years old when all this happened, and I didn't really understand until some time in the '80's when I read a short record by Mr. Hoskins of Burlington, giving information about the affair. I reriem_ ber a lot of concern and worry my parents endured, and of nearly losing some of our milk cows. More than this, I remember lack of water when wind just wouldn,t blow to turn the windmills and cows were bawling for water. Water holes dried up, as did the grass and never did it seem so hot. When winl did blow, it was turbulent and screamed so hard we had to shut down the windmills or lose them. Cactus began to gain an edge on buffalo ancl gramma grass; it seemed to like drv times. Always, we were short of funds and mv folks had to do without and utilize what thev had to remain. When things seemed as bad as they could get, the grasshoppers came and cleaned out all vegetation. Caltle were sold to the government for a pittance; many were shot on the spot, to be buried by my father as part of the deal. This instilled in me a wariness of government programs I have never overcome. Apparently in 1938, Mr. Hoskins talked to C.M. Smith. Mr. Smith knew a man in Matheson who needed ranch help. Mr. Hoskins went to him and hired out to a couple brothers on a sheep ranch. He went to work in March, beginning his experience as a sheep rancher. He spent mornings feeding ensilaei from an upright silo and added to hii learniig experiences there, trying to drive a tea- o1 unruly horses. It was lambing season and afternoons w_ere spent trying to match up lambs with their mothers. A careful watcir was kept on the newborns when they were placed as small herds in pastures. As the lambing continued, the entire herd was moved to a ranch south of Flagler. (The lone sheep shed, 2 or 3 miles west of Second Central school). Newborns and mothers were placed in_ a special wagon accompanying a cook shack on the trip. The food wai "ota not very good; no one knew very much "rra about cooking anything. One day, Mr. Hoskins said the Boss brought a sack ofrice. It was not verv good by itself in any form. Mr. Hoskins continued that they tied up an old cow found most local men whose names appear in As I beean to research this happening, I was amazed how many remembered events seemed to fit into the incident of this time. The sheep outfit had leased some land in the area, I am told, but chose to graze the entire area with several thousand animals. This was not an acceptable act, considering previous arrangements. I was amused about the cow Mr. Hoskins mentioned, her milk being used to enhance the rice. I remember Ora Vawter looking hlgn and low for a missing milk cow. It is possible, Ora found the cow a-t last when hc visited the sheep camp after a few hundred sheep had trempled his field. I could be wrone about the cow, I think not; but it is a fact. Ori was assaulted violently at the camp. Hisson, Jim, reported to his school mates what had happened and that his dad had contacted the sh-e1if! charging one of the sheep men. I am told Jim said, "They charged him with assault-and battery!" Ora was a good neigh_ bor and highly respectcd in the Jommuniiv. Certainly, this was an inexcusable act. This Sheep-Cattle incident became verv serious and associated with this time ani event was at least one death. This involved a man killed at the sheep ranch headquarters and listed as accidental and may ,"ll hau" been. Strangely, no one talked with who remembered this incident was convinced the death was aceidental. I found no records of other deaths. One murder, often erroneouslv associated with this time was that of Joe Ruestle. His body was found in November. 1929 in his shack in this area, dead ofa bullei wound. The investigation contained rumors of trouble due to the Ku Klux Klan, religion, neighborhood enmities and other imphed motives. This was before the sheep incident in 1933. Coleman Murphy lived east of Rock Cliff and was engaged in raising horses, much in demand at this time. Al a round-up to prepare them for sale, an excess of 100 head were driven into the home pasture. This must have b-een a spectacular sight. Seventy head of his horses had strayed and were reported southwest of Flagler. Troy, his son, who had worked for Matt Simsenson in his cattle operation, was sent to find them and bring them home. �oerhaps wrong' seemed justifiable' To get fi; this unusual situation trom law fl:ii"?'i irelp in Hi.'?"T.",li""il#i;;T;"; popular pop-ular a not was ;Ht1:"ii$iiqil'iJffi"$'fi"niif"f_:*1? agenc-ies if':x',$,?';':'il":,$ enfbrcement agencres course' enforcement *3HH'ffi'#j which' i""iiJTJr-uv"?i-il"i""t*rence'of feelinss remained from feelings cxistirig Cxistirig ililt". ililt"' trte euerrt, animals *a *t"it"J-data was ;A;;;;i; b""o iilr^.""ia-ir"u" his own' of nls the ""u". ;;;ilr earlier days when one took care ol i'tt often, the unskined -igrrt -i.r. This it"Jia must i#, -"r"" one s,,In sought' sought,was e"t" he been " help ."y outside "uitiJiui.iog n* *tti"rt Had ""i fi"d-ffi;tT"Ti case with rroy. one unan fi;'#;;ii;q probablv probably "o,rrd were was i"r"rber, this area i"-"-b"., .9n .Yntune with the land.,, Troy,s thoughts rrt"'il;;-p#;;;rr""*,i."q1"a i"Jtffi investigation "ril'"i-*"rlo""t"a' an acllive, an conduct to and piace hors-es il;;hhv rrr" il;ilh;;i""e centered on missing and verv restless and As Troy ;"il;;ih; t,orrg .t""p residents very ir-"e"tu-v-t"tiaents *iin ir'"**v *i]t though silent landsc"pJ"uo,rit i-. [""r-rr."a il"n"J rnrq;;;i;';";;6;a anv any most at some bullets range_ " ", open spraving spraying someone rode west he *ossed i Il I I ffiil";F:+i-".r;;idP:i."* benefit' all -t! YT-a tilendlthoueh of little benefit'.all tilendlthough and one haif structure and ;il;;i'i" satisfaction satisfactlon and two room, story s""ai, Little again' easy tt"atrt" breathe could "e"i-tt' shot ["i*Jr.i"." " "oula outcome' Davs followin the p;ti*. ;;;.;;;i;"cedintheoutcome'Davsfollow;;;.;;;i;"ced ""liri"!'..n!E;t1*; -"t'i*.tt ""'v first with retaliations' filled him-the were arrests sig;aletio i"n ing and whining bullet "ligiiu"**"ireditwlii-por."irt"tosaveit' rr"a ri""tiiirt#.tt""p u"tr vr"" srr""o ii3 expectaany g*pecptotally and uncertainty of an-y u.. and uncertaintv ,,tirurinu* wa' no accident. N"I *-"a c"".u ol th" fir" was un- ,rtir..it the fact' tne ,^""if-iirr:ti.v. protection from the law' In tact' of tions iit"t unpreparedforsuchJ";;I";h"eredhis somJJpeculation. causrllq I I^am am r.ro*o, aspect' "r of lop-sided aware verv very was tie t'ook on a *"lt* ti"t sootted mount to tn" -dh;.1o"at Jh"ep -"i *"r" not immune to t"ttut one Une time' this "".i, at guns willing not euni toted *", several uJ ;;ilil;;;;;i-totedtold tension in the area, -t" t#".;;lbd *-.. r""i iJrJ or,'io"a rn""p ;;;il;;;" a cord ibout his neck with a sixremainaninnocenttarletwithnoweaponfor ii;"tr,'d; ;"ii ii*rtrt*ot"acordabouthisneckwithasix,*"t"r,.li* ;;ttb ;; gun with others carried rifles' just in returned tioy gi." day, p,ru"a rti. eit" reco'rse. Next ;il;;;;;; i"ir"il";r*gJ "tl""rtta; "tl""ft.a; with in hand aod cros.ej-ir," ,"r,g" ^no ""il"r, was the sheep-cattre plr or {it X*J;afil,ul":11'*#ffi,TEii$".il created bv greed' ;;G;;:shlnmen ;;#d i;t" rft;ii, ;J9;"ili-si""" ii caison countv, a" "it n:fllm*f*'*i"m*tn5** and acts of bravery of *"'u ih"t" ror. were watching 19ts were times of fear' Mv te*ove the posts-' a-new i'"r-itp.,'iuleto There Jim's r"*r"tt""tt' Icanstatethenextincidentasfactbecause young and ;"ll h;e; ug -{rg t" ;;;";ii;.-t-";1. pip" tittett' Jovce' D-orothv and I nearlv grew up irt" I lived it. As I have said, I was very (Jni#. ili;i"i"""t" ffi '''il*;v': ;f a horse thit ti*e' our saddle .*a j1 ." ;;;h;;;i poor did not understand all that was transpiring. ;;;, ;;;;ri,ig ai.tlir[1""", "t ridins was done bare dozen half a about "f verv ior was looked -rrti"gtt so mostyoung' Mv folks had rg""J;ilffiil;ilp1!1r ;;;i;;t6*. we roamed the My missing. very of our m'k cows *r,i"t,-*"r" for aiiowin! the errant sheei ilitrt' ;;;"t"rt.tilrn on our range one eye in watchful horse a keeping saddre prairie, our riding mother was ariu"o, tlil *T#"i"t rtlr l*r'". r""r" *rri"t and somecar, very Ford, was old voung the "'dil.".;uv, ro"i;;pi;-;;"lved. anl cattle"Dorothv area. Dad and I werl in the horse well' once command aia"'t ii-ur searchinginanother.w""*"overahillanq had io o"rl"J[""ff. ]ilrT";;d;;; mv grandfather's house us. several were shocked at ttre scene below prru"ur, had to pay 'a .ii"vi.tg "t*ost toBringing "r;;;;d, ;;;il;t back the uneasv cows our herd awav' to riil"t trying rorl on intent ";a diiJiliJrri-u..*"i,r;r, ^ men were of last Londing memories are had_been time which thisl"Ji"gr of checks ti into the bed of a .to"['ir-rr-"r ,"u"ra-..u"i;;.;story tiat"o-o*v. father My bottom. in-tire *i""f"i"ttt"ctionswhenwerodeoff'some wash a backed into ira'r"vi'g* .9.Tg;; his ;#ii9;;;i;lriomuiie"qirii" time were' "Don't go had an instant temper, cogin-g fromgun, #3"g, :'Thq; il"-"ruo from this when rirst ir,6 sent to bring in -i"a, ul """r ttt"ttt""p camo!" mother,s side of the fanily. He-\a{ To fi;";h;;-tigrrt il^#"il-i"-""-u"i.r leave the people' I_know sheep the gratefur. see "If vou for which I am now very " ;.rit" lr;". "Ir you.pt.n ;;;; l;;;"",igr', "o cows' home!" These for Luckily, straight head ;;;"""nt! ;; it ."**' use to -aird temptation do!" iiiiig ""a to "Keep an eye out --coirt*i"t rr! might'.ri"a were able to all men ran for *re tiucr little difficult to instructions were akin times!" ao.r-"rrt for rattle snakes at all I leavebefore*"-riu"a]itaveoflenwonderoo l,rorn"rr;uli rs, rssg, tlr" g1u.1"r Astimewent.on'thesheepoutfitdeparted ri.ttirt r ed what would have-liapp"o"a that day had "";;;t. ;;il;;J;ril rr,"T".ii,".ri"" "r ror"" ti*e later' a new man' Mr' Hutton' they remained! Th";H;;;;;ffi;;; is no b"iri,i"*tr, j"alia ili.i.fut" trri* ""J the land' This ended the there "o'tiiJttrougr, t""gtti-*t.of from the ,heep outr.it, xro.19*"q"t r"q,ru.tJd*bv-c.w. ;;;';." ;;nrJ" seem; R*tgu" in the area' Mr' Hutton was a way to prove this. ri"ir"", i&"dd ends of justice^ aii drivi to and was accepted well bv his trying i;iltt*;t# d"i];d"r l riri d;i;;; sheep outfit *u, u.touirli orh" coiue'i"r,"" io, a larse number of sheep in "o"J*ir"iv. people out of the cguntry. sg.t* ili.Rliir;;ri*i*ti"g t""l"d; ;;*ilil; ""iet'uott' about when he sold out' the to followed' talkld have tt'"t I c;;i v""?r Most older peopre d.r9d niri""lii""T?,i';il;;;;;J.'. pasture land for cattle ild "c"t; became co,rirqi" this subject remember cecil w. naTt€.r.ad #;;til;iLa i"-g, ;ffi;;J, Ranch' I do ii probably Harris-Davies piii the cows, to ;l;";il his loss of about five-m'k b4"r, Crg.1".^c1"ii"e)"5.e. land had ;;il this what pr"uioi"ry aig; IL;; not wish to-even mention disaster' also crea manner sucrr ure iile'i";id;t #ffiiiJi!;ei, ii"ir"ii"iJp. hi's pending a diffeiengg, ^r" todav' one i described. rhere was i*i"** r'u"tg,L"lr il;;";; ated bv greed! r cattre were loaded *a t t"o some distanci il"iiJi!;a"u"",igi, .ri"d. Troy distances south of the iooe'rr,""p rifle was shocked to hear trr" .'r""r of a second A bullet a of whizz the I south or the U.P' tracks!-rhe cows-wer: i:'"?]#::HF}"*il#ift',e**#:""" Gnar"a bo,""tl.Td-.ld"rph Martinez' times' XX*L$tH#5;#llfi:r'ifiG"n{iu; in foundinterribleshape.Beingmilkcotllthlv Eacir-time -'lpn@U1 a continuance was sranted and tTr#i::l had dried up and *";-lfii; and thirsty. 'f:ffitti'. 6eitaintv, tt e, *.,",,"iiffi"' one dav. ftff3"r1:'i"il*ttt# storrs Franf with happening )Xf-_:1".,:*tiJ"T*^I:ltl"; ;clt*t"t this bitmissed'Aeainst 19 Farmers'" We come to the .o""iuJJ'-tr'ut r"'tt'"' tttal3f t[e 19 defendants who tr," d;;r"ttu6;tdwith threats made to cecil """J"Jiiir" loi""* felonv and misdemeanor I ;;;;;;ged going to a place i" iir""-'*i'l bv Lvre w. stone t-"-Y:L:* held several $:ffi:$: area, ""itit*"JK;;. canremembertheirleaving.Leon,ason'wasoveramattercon-cerningthedrivingofsome IIENRY IIATCH MURDER rv'a v r-- T60 or F,agrer was thrown into rhe,itt,e town *i:i$:t^nTJ"llily",l'i1!#:'d"l,t!:,]i H'$ilq by thp discovery of Henry Tuesa on ##ftil*lrl*fl,'J,"r:y pi".ia"a. crr"rg"" *"r"-Ii.r"i..JJ north of "*"i;"-*""i at his homestead rt""g ii"i"it;t-ll"tli I cannot. I know it was not freely lnade and iay bv the court has telegra-d"ff;Jil""t" ;;;;:-Dt' Godsman' of siebert'the p""pr" Ivasuelyrememberaquestiono?theability ."vi"g ti',"'irir", il;;";.iiu"a i;" results of at investigation' an countiee prt"Jtt carson Kit -"t" of cheyenne or ii;;;;";[J"q'"g trr" public' rirr"s-a"-"! made since '1ry been i"hittt tt"u" not "o.r'ii time to cope wittr a bad situation. "'i-rti"""gtvbruiseshavebeenfoundonhis had been irr"iir*a,ira"o"vrrJ-*iliitli*""irt"it part of their eource or i#.;ift;fd;"t"il;ffi;;;il*il'"u "rirt"o"" one above the left iaken and no retaliatiin oir""ouery -"d", ilil",ip i", tri"r o" h";a;;;;;* onthe'temple' il;;;itb*w-ir," of the head' The going! back ^;;;;;;; 9"li the for them urane ;;;;J-;;; . .. t'ime it was one could hardly ;;'h fi; l,";ffi vividt{ a'stranger'laterfoundtobe wrriJh qi'J"i-"ttio"tof There were otrrer events of *iir"r" the deceasid' is exerting consiremain in my memorv-aUo,rt ?0. tonswas "o'tir,,rua.wondered ::-:#:;; why these m^en were "r "";"prr"* and suspicion' and he will father, prairie hay, belongirri'to -y "it"n pr"g,r"a w i cloud of uncer- d"tu'bt" comment ;a to explain his to burned opportunitv *iri"t an given tir" prairie be large Lurned in a "p;;;;d ;fi;il#ru;;d;1h;;J;""J*.t""a"ur" theroadwestofseconJbentralschoor.To saturdav evening and the *r*htwnr;ft:ffuy*g, r,"* *lT-"",:'n*;*:^:l'*l;"?*:ii:'"?; ""ll:T;" to Fragrer �desiredtotakeaclaim..Hedroveoutoftown of KitCarsonCountyCoronerBobHendricks D;;;;. -i-h#;":Tom with the murder t,;il;;ffi;iil",n,ou,"ement .com home;;;"ft; ::ldfiti.i"lqp"a il;;l;;";;"t"i"i". rro* srories from made this not to go any further, and soon week by Thomas and charney. "ft"ll""ri"g would not-LJJ-.iil." court of taw. tvtite Jas ,,Theidentification of the other two bodies withJohnKesan,atandto".t";,;t;;;;ilu, officials charged and after being shown Hatch;s x;o i. or*i"Iir*_en;*. very happy with the llnif**l#if:ru'*l?ts"Tif;i $!;,f"*r;:i*$Till"Tfr{:[,T,1"": morning' and save ; il;;;;'"pi; I sundav "," N,r-"i..r.*"r,rir-ceme't age'cies in coro:tt5r:Tfiiyril"*Tt"lT##*:L, ;i*1";Hf;fiir:*:ril:Txj*r*r y;,hi;'d;;; i| :.1ti'T,f:$'{i"F[!i4ilil${ilf,}'; orriciars haie,,ir,o F,*r*, we ;;;"s ;,'il11",, c.,,,,,t] *:1.:3:,r*ti:;i;ri #j ;Tf'#:ffi.:5"*T."'""r101*:r:.f;*i,11 ry;q:j ,#e*-"*:t"fitn# 3fXT.'."fiji""Jil'1"{lL:*ti"f::.:S.i;;;;i Denver' Fe has beeriiocated i" ui.r'ig"" ilTflI,if:il"J'-Yruir*gliil:[tfff for his actions. and agents rrom Jerrerson ililfl.H*j::"''ffi.ft1,,]:*"f::;tjg H:,"h1],jtln;il:**"'en,orthetask focus on the ranch murders. M""v ;;;";;;?urt *"csr shourd rocus r#1"i"grffi:?f#:twru'#affi:: fii** H:"'.|:: ;ililffi ;xitiill p*r, J,i;;;',il,"si, McCORMT.K RANCH .",r.*#W.;rltAn;,.;;;;;; MURDERS rAsK p,,or FouND FoRcE possrBlE .':affH:$l!ili.!".tj,1,1,ff":'ff;. BURTAL ftT,:"",i,'"'ilffi lfi Jiffl l*":ffi:,,"ffillrt':::.**:illi:"::,r* T6r said-. .We asked for'helti;;;"th" ^iB;,";; we did get some initialty in tt One body identified . . . :J$:;.t think thev weie i""r*v "rirrl tr'"i (f " r'"rpr"ii" "e'v 162 gbg) Faced with a sma'budget-and rimited ,1$;f*r6#'ffj','.:l'"Tlf:,*.if;,1: fJ#'f,"",ixi,#*:l:ri{#i+""j:ilrf,"j t" r, reast threi'sker-Jto,,.. e,, examination F:11,":#?,trtlffffiSfilf"i,l""liT-}T fjqtt,i;;:rfrX."'."oi,.". orthe "1i.1 investigate the murders of-three men roirnd ...Thomas went on to. ".ui"i" he was ;-.8:n'H"ilit"j::*#ffiru:T:lX',;3t bv rom M"c;;: "disappointeii".,a 9ay "iu,t,,rbed; at til" crii. iliiTi:r.t:i*fyr ffi;: K.n"pp L-"gi,i't1,"- skeretons to t"ff:'*t;. "'*""u' Henry -_ rh";;''i# ;"' In a two-dav r;j,i:,.T; ai,".to. or pubric sarrry said he span colorado's newest.dirlctor-"f p"ilri'" wants to assign cBi agent David tt":?{1;;:Fyr1;1,:i:l# safetv has spearheaded the push rot dh*-f"I,i otcoior"Jorra-rr.r,r-,goda"r.Knappstated ii t"tt time.to trr"-?*]n; ;;ril force to help investieate theduril;t;;";-G'tHy'# that he.wourd preier to have the skeretons working *ilil iri'".tigators from^Kil or the bodies rouid has d;;-;";il;lv c;-;; remain in the riurlington museum. a;\,1!" \4;"#'Rii;"'1 identified. ngrige a"n"r;;;; . Anexplanati"""ir,i.rindingsisexprained eq:u:, i;'i:,,?"H#r#,1,;,"'$i:r Jefferson countv and now trt" trti"i"a-'i"il- *i*llfi:?l;ffd;fl"1d;"i::g yt r"u"*v';i'fi,6 *r. an'ou'c"d by ;;5;,:t;g#;;Tf"Htrg1ffi,; Lv'r retirrn tt em wittrin the next few davs. r,"- 6J",la" si",; " shourd eve.r.decide to parr Fi"i"T,bi:f;i""'3*t:iH:,:i+l'"*,*ii- k$#.lH"""J.' + d; #$::1n:"*::J::i':'JT:*:Hr:f*r ,",n'i['l{;,.lx::*i:,i;i:i$:lt:i!*T our society and I don't like to ;;L; unsolved." *rro *L-lolr,- .o1r?, 1?, rgzi, "i" -N.rifi with the rT:_1ry end simnlo li-o i. +L^+ rr ;;flti$t;.1}#ir:1;;iiilil;;ijr.ry __,,I have partiaily restored the one skull. ;*.*n::;1#J;:;rk: , or.':t*:'+'**f{:fff':,T:a".i6.? bilitv of forming a task foice-t" i""r.iig"L i;]itiffiJr4id+r$i",J:t"##J';; 1975. He would"il^;; b""." ,.In.anyeveritjiesearethethingslcante' the murders' The thoueht di; L;;il;ffiil 4! #;;;;; p*g9."a. H;ll"l?;;," u'"t rir"J i"i" r,i. " rhe builet pierced vou aroutlr,e iirli"ia"arhe sku' is male, age about s5-ad;ii"uth. rhe skur measure_ F:i'l'""T{5. ti:*Titffii,::il*ti":-il; ffif }i:::"jr,,HHii:' f'"'3i3,"ili*n'ffi,1,n::'ru,"::tli'*:i nnf,*fll,i'k:Tlffi.;.H.$f -:1. "': J,g#'ilf*it?i;"""J""fril:tJiffl?f3, tive trait, llt r."91 iii"'t".il?or"" ,^ or today,s livingj #JHHX1,:H'.%'*j3t"ffi":.t:lt:tj:: 20 vears . . - rtu *". pe9!e are "rii'3"gr'.-'ny ir."^very_good_idea,,, long well become realitv. hiaded. :j*r'r".x"r"il:: ;;.:'#rfl#,'ii"#'j:r:fi:::iJffrf'f';-f, *#iidtl'",1"'*: Lqfiffii'Jffi:tii#Jii;lti.t-;r";"fii see what he wants want-q dnno ltr/o 6i^ L^-.:-- --, done..we bones includef,il;";difl.tiliil'i:""T: iftt"X|f::liil:?: ili;;"; ongoing investigation on the murders ";; irioui ;ffi:iliilril31""i'h,"'"li*ffir'-1fli:'"# with and all the help we can get wiil appreciated." be "ra ;?"il'*"ii":fffJ;T,li f;ff:ijthatboth mon U"t I rtur" .,ynrr sh^,,r,r d^^ +L^* u- L r"* it in at lensr rwn nll,^- ;,,'".:***'#:.Te"tll,::x*ll,* *$f*#'d*il,i;::lH;',ffi "if,"; most #*a:*Hi#i:,*".rd*r;u"i:ff sofre startling stories -lv uitii""i'M;i;;: mick' 28' who is Tom's-son ;J;-ftt-"r _ " p.i{,1iii or"*. r,"-1""" er,rr;;fi;fi . ,,There I. ";thG I can teu you about the i#4["**rijfii?if':#iTr"]T rl fi[-ri,i,,:$]##t,$f",{iq,i},,fth pr"u nv *rooio ii"tir," t".t?or"e.ri"rii put together to investigat-e trr" a""irr. ilirr" i!:i1"{ifiit,-r:f,Hillf"'#fi"*,Tlj 5*#ff.*'i"',l,li'l; tr,","".n-.""ti""} ""Jlfi'ffii#'"":l?i5".{"r burial fuiniture is-a't.ait characteristic of the so-called uiaat" or Archaic period on the phins. ' tr,i. a"ti,,g is correct, the sku, ;$t'*tt**,,?n#i:13""Tff"i:?iiilxt ;*t{,ffg$';thu"r*'"';*;r.l* 'i*;;;;;;; i#:ilxllJ"#flff"u"e"tir,,gi"r,;''"'il; ,.r" one skurr, the bone |j'i3"'iil,{/"!*"*6,tih",:lP":l:lir3 ^ ranch in Kit carson county. ''lF;'i.?;Ts "aaitiofrJir," rt"g-"trt irr.r-"al p".t. of the lower jaws of were peoole. I dnn,r noro ir i+ t*,i"aaiii""Ji*J."., as weu the ;If:,11t'r:iliff1:*.iff:'::?['jjl ". cr'*g". r.'-tl"ii"iJ.n.,ii". round on ranch were never filed, but law enfoic;;;;; going to let this lay,,, Heinz said. ",i,,-u"i �of additional teeth. I can add nothing from these." by Jayne Hubbell THE L929 TRAIN WRECK WEST OF STRATTON T63 In 1929 I was working on the section when a wreck occurred on Spring Creek just west of Stratton. We were at that time called up there and helped where we could so I was i partial eye witness to the aftermath. The Rock Island train headed west in the early morning arriving at a bridge that was weakened by a flash flood and crashed over the bridge leaving the passenger cars in the bottom of the creek. Several people were Work completed, first test run over bridge. drowned and it was a terrible disaster. The Burlington Fire Truck was taken there to pump out the hole that the one car had fallen into and pumped steady for days. (It was an old Model T Ford Pumper). The following story ran in the Denver Post: "I have just come from the most frightful experience of my life awful tragedy - the which snuffed out a number of lives I dontt know how many when the Rock- Island,s - train went through a crack western bound fifty foot bridge over a dry wash three miles west of Stratton, Colorado. Never have I geen men and women behave so heroically. No hysteria, no screeming or weeping, only courage and grim determination to save as many lives as possible from the swirling waters of the wash. Among the heroes of this wreck, I am proud to say, is my assistant secretary, Able -. I have never known him by any othername and have known him for years. He rescued an elderly woman from the car in which I was riding. I was riding in the fifth car back of the Next day the repair crew and equipment started their job. engine, I was on my way to Denver to make km3/ry6*-r .g %tu ')of( / ,^/" ,/*a u &. w i& Ten people were taken from the wreckage who were drowned. Men indicated by arrows are County Sheriff, Bill Hendricks, Paw Penny, and Orin Penny. arrangements for the presentation of ,'The Miracle". I was sleeping in my stateroom in the rear of the car when the crash occurred. Mv wakening was rude. I was thrown out of m-v bunk and found myself kneeling on the sidl of the car, which somehow had become the floor. The car is on its left side. Above me are the windows, the early morning sun is streaming in. The glass has been smashed. Reaching up the edge of the sill, I pull myself and clnm[st out of the side of the car. The front end of the car is submerged in the wash, I see. My end is resting on the bank. The car is at an angle of forty five degrees. The car in front of mine has completely disappeared. The one in front of ihat is completely smashed. The one next to the baggage car is hanging on the opposite bank. The car back of mine is partially off the track, but it is still upright. My car is tilted on its end so that I am about even with the roof of the car back to me. Now the people are pouring out of the coaches. I climb over to the roof of the car behind me and lower myself to the ground. I wonder why I am not excited. I also �marvel an instant inwardly at my own feelings. My attitude is that of an observer rather than a participant in this fearful tragedy. Any minute now the screaming and hysteria will begin, I think to myself, but to my amazement I am mistaken. Where are Able and Thurman, my secretary? We should get busy to see what we can do for those in the front end of the car. The submerged. one in front is gone - completely like myself. He Here's Able in pajsmss rushes up to ask if I am alright. I'll send him back to save our luggage and the books of iiiriartfl ;rrr&rli "The Miracle". He lowers himself through a window. Now he is smashing a window further down in the car. He has found someone. Here is Thurman. tlt, ::1.,{,:t)a.,\aa. On-lookers watching the repair of the tresgel and track. Together we do what we can to help. The waters pour through another window Able i-'. , ::;i] has broken. He is struggling with a body, we help him and just in time, it seems, carry an elderly woman to safety. She is almost nude but is courage itself. She doesn't so much as sob. A fine boy, Able, I'm proud of him. Somehow everyone else seems to have escaped from our car but no one has seen the porter. He was probably in the front and drowned, poor fellow. For what seems like a few minutes, but !i,,: t }'i' actually is an hour, everyone helps take care which were of the injured - those in the cars derailed and smashed. At the end of the hour the water has gone down enough to make the submerged car visible. As fast as possible the injured are taken to Stratton in automobiles along the highway which parallels the railroad. Finally I leave for Stratton myself. Find a newspaper office and send in my story to the Denver Post." The above story was taken from the Denver Post. To heep in touch $rith ERIENDS View from highway 24, notn "guest car" center right. A TELEPHONE in your home is well worth the few cents it costs a day ft runs m&nY errands -handy in and is always emergencres. There is no su.bstltute for four teleDhone. The Mountain $tates Telephone & Telegreph Company Train wreck west of Stratton on Spring Creek. �THE GREAT FLOOD oF 1935 T64 A series of dry years, beginning in the late 1920's, culminated in the dryest of all years, 1934, when less than a five-inch total was recorded in much of the Great Plains area. The "Black Blizzards" of the Dust Bowl days darkened the skies at midday. The year 1935 began no less ominously. Up to the first of May little moisture had fallen. Then began three weeks of almost unceasing rains. The ground was soaked and county roads were like bogs. About May 25 the rains stopped. Up to the afternoon of May 30, mild and sunny days prevailed. Memorial services I Y were held under auspicious weather conditions, although in a few places light afternoon showers occurred. Towards evening, dwellers in the tri-corner of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska described heavy cloud banks in the northeast. Similarly in the locality where Colorado and its three southern neighbors meet, thunder heads were observed at dusk, away to the southwest. How little those who idly noticed the cloud banks realized just what was taking place! For three days a ttemendous low pressure area had been developing along the Canadian border and moving eastward towards the Great Lakes. In like manner, a storm center had been generated in lower California and Arizona and was moving eastward into New Mexico. During the forenoon of May 29, the storm-center nearing the Great Lakes sud- denly halted, changed course and began Taking bodiee from submerged car, photo looking south. moving at accelerated speed to the southeast. It was as if the two storms foci, like two huge angry giants, had suddenly sighted each other and halting, moved forward to do battle. By evening of May 30, the one storm center was over Central Nebraska while the other was at the Southern Colorado border. The stage was set for the most terrifying clash of opposing aerial forces ever seen in this country! The center ofthat stage was a spotjust within the Colorado border, an area in northeast Colorado, between the Republican River and the Arickaree. where those streams cross the state line. There, was the focus of the lowpressure area and there, the two opposing storms met. From that whirling vortex the tempest spread in all directions for perhaps 150 miles. At the focal point of the cloudburst, twenty-four inches of water fell, and most of it in the forty minutes of the storm's greatest fury. Fifty miles away in the same period of less than an hour saw as much as twelve inches of rainfall. It staggers the imagination to picture two feet of water being laid down over hill and valley in less than an hour. The downpour was accompanied by the most incessant and vivid lightning, while the earth shook with the continual roll ofthunder. Over Pulling wreckage from water. most of the area the height of the storm came between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m., although it was a few hours later that the sweeping waters reached the area around what is now Bonny Dam. People huddled terrified in such groups as could get together. At the height of the cataclysm in the western part of Kit Carson County, Colorado, several earth tremors were distinctly felt. None tried to reason this out nor to account for it at the time, but the �green in the May sunshine were now onlv desolate patches of hot and glistening sand. The channels of streams had been altered: huge bowls torn in the rivers'beds revealed the bones of beasts that dwelt on this earth ages before the coming of man. A single leg bone measured nine feet, while a tooth from some prehistoric monster was found to weigh twenty-seven pounds. .&):W.ltt@,t&.& The deluge that drowned thousands of jackrabbits and birds on the plains also washed away millions of cubic yards of the rich topsoil requiring countless thousands of years to build up. Hundreds upon hundreds of old Indian cnmps were brought to light, and it was revealed that at one time this country had been covered by dense and huge timber. June 1, 1935, 11:00 a.m. Overlooking the flooded Republican river bottom, looking north across the river to the Harvey Wood ranch. explanation, or at least the result, was shown later. At last the rain settled to a mild drizzle. By mid-night most of the fury of the elements was spent. The day dawned clear, with fleecy clouds overhead and low valleys wrapped in feathery fog. By 10:00 a.m. the wind came up and from the rapidly drying surface of the ground, dust was whipped up in a few places to form miniature but growing "black blizzards". But what a scene of havoc and death greeted the eyes ofthe thousands ofsearchers who were out at daybreak along the valleys of the rivers and creeks. Word had spread that many who had retired early had been caught by the rushing walls of the water that swept down the unusually dry creeks and river beds, and carried away to die, in a hopeless battle against the icy waters, in darkness and alone. Scores of houses in the lower valleys had been quickly toppled from their foundations. Survivors who had escaped and fought their way to shore or to trees through the long night, had, when daylight came, found themselves surrounded by animals dead and dying. Often human beings were hard put to hold their places of safety against the approach of desperately swimming animals and snakes. For, struggling in the frigid flood, trying to avoid the debris of houses, fences, trees, hay and floating animals, the victims faced the added danger of venemous rattlesnakes, coral snakes and other vipers. Hay meadows that had been warm and Those who had believed they felt the earth tremble at the height of the storm had ample proof of their belief. All over the northwestern part of Kit Carson County and that part of southern Washington County huge cracks had been opened, leading into the bowels of the earth. Some ofthese cracks, extending for miles, were as much as six feet across, and in them, hundreds offeet below the surface. the roar of rushing water could be heard for days. Wind and farming operations have filled the upper parts or obliterated these crevices since, but there are plenty of creditable witnesses to testify to their reality. An earthquake? Well, with nature in such a convulsion. is it to be doubted? The storm was one of the major disasters in America's western history. More than 100 lives lost, and the loss in farm and town property, highway and railroad bridges and roadbeds was estimated conservatively at the fourteen million dollar figure. No one could guess nor calculate the loss caused by depleted soil; people had been made homeless and all the other products of this tragic class of the elements. Rivers more in name than in fact, that usually were dry water courses, ran a mile wide and twenty feet deep, carrying a wealth of property and topsoil into the sea. To most of us, Bonny Dam, and the many similar dams all over this plains country, are places of beauty, of rest and relaxation. But back of all this lies the comforting thought that should there come such another flood. or even any of the many that occur each year in lesser violence, Bonnie Dam stan6. as . bulwark of safety. Augmented by the practices of soil erosion prevention at the community and individual level, such structures guarantee us against another like disaster as that of the memorable night of May 30, 1935. For Bonny Dam indeed makes possible the slogan: Preservation of the soil saves death and loss and toil. by Bonny Gould lrees starting to fall in wake of the flood, note tree on far right. �Br,uo. { mrloN lortharsi of Ctcranotrg. RsEge, Dortbei,rt of ClaretDolt. :*.t' !9],:ntlti:..,;:r:*ali r1.r':":,,'.]". ' :',i;r. ..':i* .f ,:.r' J, P. Evans. *,** . : r,,.,.,ji:,3,.:, *.iJ Cloremont, Co:o. Rlnge, Lostolau's Creek. t.i TTG S, GAIEWO[D, Olsfemont, Colc. Ruge, southeast of Cls:smoDt. w1i.i6.,:... ACI ,ri$ ii*qY auGUsT l'DOLr, Burll!gton, Colo Rauge, neer Landsmen. YINOSN WISSBAUM, )l B Next sequence; tree tumbling down the river. BlrllDgtoD, Colo. range. southeest of BurllnAtoB. Fted llachenbergbr, Lanrborn, KeDs. rolge. nor;hc&st ot nrllngton F -T and rwallow- IOrK lll eactr 61r. BR \/ H. rr. KLIEII'ER, Flagler, Colo. Range, Dutk.Crock B:.'RT n.{.oAlJ, Yale. Colo. Ren{o. C-.i5. South !'o:k llepubltcan. Albeft Bur!s,ri, U Kh'k, Colo. P tlp tl lell, c&r oil g rleh& ear rDllt. raDse, i niltdi ioutheict o! Ktr'[. s.-*'-": * 3{*;dt re-.,.-- Goorgc (*, B&rDer. Newton, Co!o. jYld -- ronfs, h8ad .of :fiiliaw cre6k. m catu€ & hoiect JO Flenpv Scbmi.lt, yole, Oolo. range, wssi ol i,andllla,n. FLX Treee have vanished in flooding waters. INTEREST & PENALTY FIINN. fiSTD FIIN]}, Io Werraptsoutstsnding Dcc, 31,1902 A05.25 llo B€lr. ou iand Doc, u, 1002 "' Colloction.0 rilde, cedlllgtuouan, 32.?l _il waneq!! tilued 0 mo.. eudlrg JuDe !i5. tl6 E0. 1803: Serylger, liold Ov€lsoer Sup. R'd Dlslnctr 194.00 B.0l 6.q) Work on rood Irllllng wellr {i.00 I'o lnt p'd 6 nros, endiEg JuDe i-i.93 ... 6rl in ltands oo. 'l'red,8 JqDe 30,.1903 8{J, 190s 2tJ.{t pv Trens;ep lo cen'l (.o. Rov.uue Fund Be,l. or brnd Juqe 30, r" w&rr&Dt! p'dl fl' nros. end.faB '- June .lsc.il) 80, rrlg pldd Eo! ondrng JuEo 80, l9O3 5..o3 ,'l tnt " Bal. banqr Co. l'rea"s Jun€ ;t0; tgg_llll! 78 t.0r ADDIT}ONTI/ IIOII NTY X'IINI) ,.1'o B8l. handr Co. Treas. Dec. 31, ,18.01 r.' lJoll.ectlou 6 Eos endlng Juncl90U t0, 1903 zriS.sn Py Erl otr b&nd Co. Trear Junr 90, 1903 ??1.00 95.A1 -3108 c-N Cb&rl'it Neoilc/; Burllrrgton, Oolo. reDge, SendcrotE 80.65 FTltTE OF COLORAD(,. | ._^ NITCARSdN COUNTY: iDJ. I hereby celtify tbe tol.egolng . lo !e r truo aDd correci state6ent, of thU sev-. pral qqun-ty Fuuds, lor the rlx mouths endilrs .f uue @, 19C3, a! Bbowtr by the I^lecorda and re: pon8 rD Ery Ollce, Wltneqg py hand iDd seal lhle ?th day of re0q. Julr - (!r.aAL) Wr'..t.r'I BocErr. (lounty L'lerts. renli-atnuel lletemgnt war . 'lhg.fofeSolpg F-xalllrbeg lDd &pproved by tbe Bo&rd ot l;ogn[I_ UomlutsrtoDers of KiI Calson CouDtv. colord4o, !f',f ilsr. ott "[r,ilr',;ff,;.;;. -' v"H:titf'd 6 ttlos, erdlns Juns BurllngtoD, Colo. i?nCe, Dgfth oi Berhuno, Oblo, "+# ?.J3.61 y'y warrontsoutstardlog Junp80, lg0J 21,$ 1903 f,', S, IJle;er, 0halrmaD. J. i. W;rtppte, Ilrtrle, COlo, rriD$.9. RopBblipan r lver. �of the basin, causing local floods on many rivers in Nebraska and Kansas. The south fork of the Republican River and the Arickaree River were the principal sources ofthe flood and had the highest crest discharged in record feet per square mile of any river in the basin, the crest discharge of the South Fork of the Republican River at Newton being about 103,0fi) second feet : ::,":.-:,r t\ l *4x $t* occurring between C"mbridge and Arapahoe, "" Nebraska. Below this point the effect of channel and flood plain capacity in reducing the crest discharge were sufficient to off set the inflow from tributary streams, so that there was a flattening of the flood crest and a gradual reduction of the magnitude of the crest discharge to 170,000 second feet at Ogden, Kansas, and 120,000 second feet at the mouth of the Kansas River at Kansas City, Kansas. The loss of life was greatest in the upper parts ofthe valley in Colorado and Nebraska, where the flood occurred at night. A total of 110 lives were lost. The loss of livestock was 20,593. More than 2?0,000 acres of farm land was damaged, most of which contained growing crops of hay. Several hundred miles of highways and railroad were destroyed or Strobel family watches as Republican river rages away' damaged, also 515 highway bridges and railroad bridges. The number of homes destroyed or damaged was very large, especially in the upper part of the valley, where the water rose to unprecedented heights. In Kansas 1,485 homes and 1,552 buildings other than homes were flooded. The river measurement stations maintained by the Geological Survey and cooperating parties in Nebraska and Kansas were in operation through out the period ofthe flood with the exception of five stations that were destroyed or rendered inoperative. Determination ofdischarge at these five stations were made from flood marks and data obtained by :,' i'' ii i' :.::a.: ,. . - ir,,.. '3 'i.li, observers. It appears that other floods, especially that of 1903, have been greater than that of May and June of 1935 for the Kansas River below Junction City, although the flood of 1935 was the greatest flood that had occurred in upper part of the Republican - Kansas River Basin The Strobels could hear the roar of the water 4 miles south of the river - notice the waves. FLOOD ON THE REPUBLICAN AND KANSAS RrVE*S ,uu StorY 1 An unusually heavy storm of cloudburst intensity in Eastern Colorado and Western Nebraska during the night of May 30-31' 1935, which followed two periods of general rainfall over the Republican - Kansas River Basin earlier in the month, produced the 1935 Flood waters under Vona bridge (railroad). greatest flood on record in the upper part of the basin below Junction City, Kansas' The area of the greatest rainfall contained no precipitation stations of the United States Weather Bureau, but records obtained by local residents who measured the rainfall in miscellaneous receptacles indicate that the precipitation was 18 to 24 inches at some places in the upper part of the Republican Kansas River Basin during the night of May 30-31. During the period of May 26 to June 2. the storm extended over the greater part during the period of historical record' The flood that occurred in the spring of 1884 apparently exceeded the flood of 1903 in the lower part of the basin and is believed to be the maximum flood of record on the Kansas River, although no definite information is available as to its height or to its magnitude. The storm that caused the heavy rainfall on the Republican River Basin during the night of May 30-31, 1935, began just east of the mountains in the forenoon of May 30. In that area local residents measured, chiefly during the afternoon, as much as 20 inches, including some hail, in stock tanks. This storm followed general northeasterly direction across the headwaters of the Republican River and ended a few miles east of Curtis, Nebraska on May 31. The airline distance from the head of the Republican River in northeastern Colorado to Curtis is 215 miles. Within this area the rainfall was concentrated chiefly in the South fork of the Republi- can River but extended along the ridges dividing that basin from the basin of the Arickaree River nearly to Benkelman, Nebraska. Outside this concentrated area there were undoubtedly small areas of concentra- ted rainfall, as shown by the record of 11 inches in Section 24, Township 6, Range 55W, �but only 1 inch two miles farther south. Unfortunately the area of heaviest rainfall contained no Weather Bureau precipitation stations, and it was therefore necessary, in determining the location and approximate amount of rainfall, to obtain from local residents such information as could be furnished by those who had measured the rainfall in improvised rain gauges. Some list€d are on Sec 24, T6S, R 55W, 11 inches, measured in paint can; Sec 36, T65, R 55W, I inch, measured in paint can; Genoa Sec 12, T9, R 53W, 3 inches, rain and hail in can; Arriba Sec I T9S, R 53W, 00 inches, storm did not touch Arriba but there were black clouds all directions; Flagler, Sec 2 T9S, R 51W, 2.5 inches, measured in a glass tube; near Cope Sec 1, T4S, R 30W, 1.5 inches, Weather Bureau; Siebert Sec 34, T5S, R 49W, 7.0 inches, measured in glass tube gauge; near Siebert Sec 11, T8S, R49W, 13.0 inches, measured in concrete tank; near Joes Sec 5, T5S, R 47W ,7 .5 inches, measured in 3 gallon can; near Idalia Sec 22, T4S, R 44W, 5.5 inches, measured in vertical can; Stratton Sec 36, T8S, R 47W, .2 inches, Weather Bureau; Burlington Sec 33, T8S, R 44W .L inches, Do?; Newton Sec 10, T5, R 44, 12.8 inches, measured in stock tank. by Della Hendricks RESULTS OF THE FLOOD T66 Story II In Kit Carson County, the dsmage to farmers along the fertile valley from Flagler to the Kansas Colorado state line was massive. Many valuable alfalfa fields were covered home and caught a limb of the tree as he was swept by. Charles Farr, near Flagler, was rescued from the current by his son, Duncan. Wire fences were washed down stream with The estimated $14,000,000.00 damage to property can in no way reflect the real losses yet recalled by those who lived through that terror-filled time. The horrors of the initial shock, the learning to live with loss of human and animal life, the dreadful clean-up time, the terrible ravage in fields and the years of toil spent in trying to reclaim and restore the loved fields are very real in the memories of many. A statement was published, forbidding anyone to gather posts and wire until it was collected and allocated, so each would get a fair share of the amount recovered. Those who lost their homes in the torrential flood, sought vacated houses, where ever they could find them. Arthur Pugh, who lost his fine cattle, came to town, where he found work at an elevator and lived at the Winnegar building south of town. The barn across the road on the east is gone but the house still stands. Arthur told of his troubles, heavily in debt and nothing left except the two story stone house. which withstood the flood. He was such a fine example of manhood, he must have been demented when he hung himself in a barn. Many down the course of the flood had their homes washed from the foundation and sometimes onto another man's land. This flood caused the government to have the river surveyed and an engineer employed to build a do- across the river and land was purchased, which is known as Bonny Dam and reservoir, the latter is filled with water one mile wide and six miles in length with a depth capacity of 153 feet at the dam. At the C.C. Gates farm, eight miles northflood waters. The piece measured six and one half feet in length and was about twelve inches in diameter. Another bone was discovered, while two men were digging in the edge of the valley, eight miles north of Siebert, which seemed to be a tusk. Other unusual bones were found, so the men decided to let the Colorado water currents on each side of her, sweeping away all loose objects with its furious and divided currenLs. Dawn, to her, was never so welcome. Other down river residents had similar and more harrowing experiences. Frank Chase, who lived north ofthe river saw a boy in a tree some distance across the rolling current. He got someone to help him and rescued the lad. The boy was swept down stream from his T67 Story 4 Rev. Tyner had charge of a memorial service held at the Evangelical Church, Siebert, at 11:00 a.m. Monday for Wayne Gessner, Frances Gessner and Clarence H. Lothian. They all drowned when their house was swept away in the flood the night of May 30th. Mrs. Lothian was away on a visit to friends in Kansas and escaped the fate of the others. Senator Hill of Greeley, a brother of Mrs. Lothian was present for the service, as was another brother, who resides at Flagler. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Gessner maried last January. by Della Ilendricks THE FLOOD IN 1935 T58 east of Siebert a huge bone from some prehistoric animal was washed out by the Mortuary of Burlington. A night ofsleepless terror was described by Mettie Love, alone at her deceased mother's home, with the river flowing on both sides of the house. The rush and roar of the river and elements of the sky were never more chilling, but there was no route of escape, with the VICTIMS posts attached. livestock swept away; fences swept to another man's property, many lives endangered and in one case a whole family swept down stream. The Wayne Gessner family, who lived two and a half miles west of Siebert were victims. Wayne, his wife and father-in-law, Mr. Lothian, were swept away. The bodies of the men were found and buried at Siebert. Months passed; then it was discovered that Nebraska bore the description of Mrs. Gessner. Investigation was made and positive identity made by a ring on a finger. The body was interred at Siebert by the O.P. Penny SERVICES FOR THREE FLOOD Arthur Pugh, who liked to show his pure bred cattle, lost them all in the flood. by six to ten feet of sand, cattle and other a body found and interred at Mc0ook, MEMORIAL University Museum Archeologist examine the bones and dig up the remains. One ofthe peculiar things noticed after the flood, was the presence of mud balls left in the river bed. These range in size from two or four inches to a foot in diameter, some much larger. Some object started rolling by the force of raging water, gathering mud on its journey and the result is an almost perfect sphere. by Myra Davis Hell Creek north of Vona. The water is from melting snow. An interview with my mother. This was a report for history that I wrote as an assignment when in the eighth grade at Liberty School. Regina Whipple Oldham. We lived on the Republican River when I was a kid, John Homm owns the place where we lived. I have some vivid memories of that flood and some people now wonder if we who lived then aren't exaggerating a bit. No, words cannot tell it how it was. We date our lives by before or after the flood because it made such a change in our lives. We had had several years of extreme drought. In the spring of 1935, we had had fierce dust storms too. But on May 30 to June 1. we had water. Momma had a hot bed with tomato and cabbage plants, north of the house, in the fenced lot with the cherry tree. This evening she sent Joe (my brother) and me out to put the frames over the bed as she �feared the threatening storm. Both of us became so fascinated by the clouds that we forgot what we were doing and were startled when Dad shouted to hurry. The sky was all black, whirling, clouds. Such furious energy and churning! The clouds were darker and denser than any we'd ever seen and were all moving to the south west as if driven by a high wind. Dad and all the family were hurrying to secure the livestock and give them protec- tion. I can remember the rains after - itandstarted dark and was just a down pour it was still raining when I went to bed. We were awakened at dawn with a distant roaring sound and my older brothers who slept in the bunkhouse calling for us to come look at the flood. We did. It was just getting daylight and I can remember how frightened and awe struck I was, there was water everywhere. All of the bottom land was under water. Our usual river of about L2 feet wide and at most 10 inches deep was now a mile wide. Dirty, muddy water rolling huge cottonwood trees end over end, making waves as high as a two story house. But Mom and Dad didn't let us look long as they made ready to leave ifnecessary. We dressed warmly and packed food and clothing and bedding. We didn't have to move to higher ground. We were protected by a natural dam or hill which was south of the small spring fed stream which flowed close to our door. In a few hours, it seemed that the water wouldn't come any higher so we children just watched. Later, we learned much about the cause of the flood. What had happened was that a rain, measuring anywhere from 12 inches to 25 inches, fell over a large area. It started above the head ofthe rivers flowing northeast and just followed the water shed down stream. Since it covered such a large area all the draws and fields and sand creeks flooded and converged into the river channel at the proper time to swell the flood. We had about 15 inches at home. Rosser Davis, up river, had an empty cow tank which was full after the rain, depth of 24 inches. Mr. Hershberger, who printed the Stratton Press, had printed an ad he meant as funny. It ran: Wanted: Rain. He said later the he regretted it as they had 17 inches there and he wondered if the Good Lord was reprimanding him. We watched the rolling waters for hours but the older people were busy saving what animals they could. Cattle and horses floated by but sometimes some would be swimming and the men would try to rescue them. My older brothers, Alex and Bob, rode the saddle horses and hurried to cut a fence as some cattle and horses were washed against it and would have drowned; they were saved. Our work horses had gone down stream but were stranded on a high piece of ground. Old Mr. Chase went out with a bucket of oats and coaxed them over to land. They just made it. A big wall of water with a tangle of wire and posts washed by just then and all that livestock would have been trapped and drowned by the tangle. Alex rode all day, channel changed and all the beautiful hay meadows were sand bars. The trees were washed away. Any machinery left on the bottom land was lost. We believe it sunk in the sand. We found an old horse drawn mower because the tongue was sticking up a foot above the sand. Lots of machinery was never found. During the preceding winter and spring Dad had sold or given hay to poor farmers who were desperate for feed for their remaining cattle. He was a frugal man and believed he should keep hay over from year to year in case of a crop failure but often said how thankful that he had not let that hay be washed away in the flood. The aftermath of the flood was severe. We needed supplies. We had no access for several days to a town but did finally make a way to Kirk, mail went out from Kirk. The county road past our place was a route for people north to get to Burlington. People built their own roads, there was at least a mile or more of impassable sand bar from our house to the other side of the river. A trail was broken or planned outand then the men hauled manure and trash to make a solid base so a car could travel across. But the wind would blow that trail full and they would have to haul more manure and eventually built up an elevated track and people could carefully drive over it. They often had to pull travelers across and especially across the stream bed as a car would bog down in the loose sand. We had a miserable time getting to church in Bur- lington, didn't go very often as it took a team to get us across the river and one to get us home. We had to help many people over that sandbar that summer, fall, and winter and summer again. It struck me as odd, the way some people act when faced with a hardship. Some people who needed to cross on the trail would apologize for the inconvenience they caused. Some offered to pay, others would help shovel the sand away or push their vehicle, some acted as if itwas our doings that there had been a flood which left blowing, drifting piles of dirty sand. Many a time our men would have to unhitch the team from whatever they were doing and rescue someone who needed help. Sundays were especially trying as people like to visit or supplies were needed and so they attempted to travel, it was no better at any of the other river crossings all along the length of the river. Once or twice I saw my brothers hurt or angry or just plain disgusted at the treatment they received and other times they felt well rewarded for a difficult job done. One especially trying day we all laugh about now, Alex took a four horse teem to pull a car back on to the track after it had churned until it became stuck. The woman pansenger heaped verbal abuse on his head, yelling for him to hurry, and accusing him of not knowing how to drive horses, etc. Finally, without saying a word, Alex unhitched his steam and started for home. The man begged him not to leave them stranded and Alex agreed to help him but only if she kept quiet. One day that summer while out helping hunt calves I found an iris in bloom. It sat all the leader towards safety and the rest alone in a pile of mud and rubbish and I wondered about the woman who had planted it. Mom told me that if that flower could live and bloom that we could find courage to go on living too. In 1938 we left the river place and moved followed. to a farm on the hills east of Kirk. Those were cattle would be washed to shallow water and would be so exhausted they couldn't get on to dry solid land. He'd help them. Once he turned a herd of horses that were so frightened they were unmanageable but he headed After the water receded. we found the trying times and the 1935 flood changed our way of life. by Regina Whipple Oldham CATASTROPIIES AND BAD STORMS THAT HAVE HIT THE COUNTY T69 aa::.aa ,:,*, Over 200 head ofcattle were found dead in the road ditches and fencerows northeast of Stratton after the 1977 late March blizzard,, the worst storm on record. Some cattle were pulled from the ditches and were still alive two days after the storm. 1886 - January 8, a blizzard 1886 - March 25-26-27, probably one of the worst to ever hit the county. Many cattle drifted away and were lost and frozen to death. Some people even lost their lives. 1888 - January 12, ablizzard. 1890 - A blizzard that caused many cattle to drift. Many wandered to the banks of Hell Gate Creek and were pushed over and were found smothered in the deep snow as they were unable to get out. 1895 - A blizzard in the first part of April. 1905 In April a storm which raged over - for sixty hours caused cattle this region ranging 100 miles from here to make their way to the shelter of buildings and fences with many dying in the streets. Thousands of cattle perished throughout eastern Colorado. Trains were twenty-four to thirty hours behind schedule. 1906 - A bad blizzard that came in March. 1913 - March 13-14, blizzard L924 - August, a tornado struck north of Flagler killing 10 persons. 1935 - May 30 - June 1. Heavy rains fell all over the county and the flood on the Republican River followed, destroying property and causing death to people and livestock. 1938 - Spring. Another Blizzard. Towner tragedy. 1939 In June, Kit Carson county was invaded-by a plague of grasshoppers. There were over 6,000,000 pounds of a combination ofbran, poison and sawdust used to try to kill them. As the plague beco-e worse they had to start to import sawdust from Wyoming and South Dakota. There were over 500 men employed from both Federal and county employees. At one time during the plague it was so bad that the trains couldn't get up the �his home place. There was no other loss to the Shaw and Walters ranches. I The men were away from the Dunham ranch, and three stacks of feed were burned. By the most heroic efforts of Mrs. Dunham, Bessie and Arnold Thomann, and Will Dunham, who came to their aid, the buildings which were on fire were saved. Mr. Little, who had recently moved on his place, lost a new barn, 150 bu. ofcorn, 50 bu. of oats, a stack of feed, hogs, a colt and chickens. Mr. Hudson lost his barn containing harness, seed and everything. Only a few reported losses among whom are E.E. Houseman, who lost his automobile, feed, pasture and five hundred dollars; Joseph Anderson lost his barn, feed and four hundred dollars; J.H. Houseman, lost his feed, a buggy and two hundred seventy-five dollars; Williem Byers lost 75 tons of feed and several horses; Mrs. M. Kelley lost a windmill, tank, lumber and one hundred dollars; Alfred Sandage lost his barn, feed and two hundred dollars; Bert Towers lost feed, a barn, wagon and other losses plus three hundred dollars; Alfred Leander lost barley, a barn. and an unknown amount of feed: May 10, 1936 dust storm with the town of Vona in background. grade outside Hugo because of grasshopperg Lowest rainfall in the county - 1894 had on the tracks. 8.43 inches; 1934-35 had 7.66 inches; 1954 had Smoky Hill. No deaths. heavy weight of the gnow L942 - The limbs from the trees and it is a broke many wonder the damage was not greater. The heavy snow bent the trees clear to the ground. The snow stopped about noon Friday and it was almost clear that night. 1948 - November 19-20. A bad blizzard, followed by two more later in the winter. t957 - March 23-24.The worst blizzard in Highest rainfall in the county - 1904 had 26.90 inches; 1915 had 27.45 inc\es; 1930 had l94l - June 8. a tornado struck around years. 1960 - January - March. Continued heavy snows with no let up. The Drought of 1893-1895 was the worst drought recorded, but no dirt blew. The Dust Bowl years came in the middle 1930's, following a drought. The Drought of L952-L957 was the longest drought recorded but no dirt blew. 6.13 inches. 26.61 inches: 1957-1958 had 26.20 inches. 1910 PRAIRIE FIRE Lewis Chapin sustained a loss of two hundred dollars; Melvill Rogers lost a good barn and a new buggy, in addition to four hundred dollars; John McCracken lost his house and barn; John Armstrong lost his barn and feed; Ed Harbour lost a barn and windmill; Ingeveld Stangiland lost a barn and feed; and many other poor settlers lost all, but we were unable to learn their names from our infor- mant. The bridge across Big Sand Creek south of town was burned; in one instance, a life was T60 in peril as the fire almost overcame a The prairie fire of Saturday, March 26, 1910, was the most destructive that ever passed over this vicinity. The dust was so every obstacle. It traveled faster than the thick and the velocity of the wind was so great that one could see no distance. The smell of smoke gave the first warning. At two o'clock the fire csme sweeping the prairie from the southwest, first striking the pastures belonging to Albert Walters, half a mile south of horseman. The awful furnace of fire rose in majestic form and leaped rods, roads and swiftest race horse! by Grace Corliss PRAIRIE FIRES T61 The old Tuttle ranch on the Republican River northeast of Stratton was owned by the John Pugh family in early days and later the Lloyd Pugh family resided there for many years. At present, the ranch is owned by Tom Price and covers quite a territory in the Spring Creek, South Fork and Hell Creek valleys. It was north of this ranch, in the hills north of the river, where a fire took place. It wasn't a big fire, but costly and did its dn'nage in a hurry. In those days, ranchers kept fire guards, which were about five plowed furrows, then 20 or 30 steps ofgrassland, then another five furrows. It was the custom to keep the grass burned out between the furrows to protect the homesteads, hay stacks and rangeland, because cattle had no feed on a range, once burned. Someone decided to burn the land off that was contained in the fire guard, without doing new plowing. There was a brisk west wind blowing. Gorden Burr, who lived on the homestead which presently is the Harvey Wood ranch, was loading hay onto a wagon A 1958 snow bank on the Clapper homegite east of Vona and was being assisted by Glass Davis. When they saw the fire sweeping toward them at a �high rate of speed, they hurried and jumped on the horses, though harnessed, and planned to help fight the blaze. However, one of the old mares had previously been hurt and if things didn't go right she would lie down and refuse to budge, which she did at this time. Glass is still laughing about the incident; however, it was no laughing matter at the time. The embers were caught up in the high wind and set the stack afire on the top instead of burning it from the bottom. Glass related that the fire did a lot of damage as it burned the haystack and wagon, plus a straw-roofed barn. Rosser Davis, a younger brother of Glass, was at home and becorne excited. There was a pond east of the Davis residence and as the fire swept on, Rosser placed some harness and other items in a cart and pushed it into the pond where it couldn't burn. There is much merriment today in retelling of these stories. However, in the days of yore, homesteaders had so little and everything was so precious, that losing small things was tragic. Glass relates that many times at night, one could see a rosy arc in the skies from fires up the Hell Creek valley, and since there was no wind, the fires would eventually burn themselves out or reach water and be quenched thusly. Mrs. Spoonemore and her daughter Judith swam out of the ditch to dry land. Spoonemore and his daughter, Corinne were washed away and were drowned, McNeill said. The bodies were recovered the next morning on the left shore of the lagoon, not too far apart, and were taken to Hendricks Mortuarv. by Grace Corliss T62 August 22, 1969 - Flash Flood Claims Lives of 2 Persons. Two people perished and two other members of the snme family escaped when they swam to safety at midnight Friday, Aug.22, when they were swept by high water off the top of their car at the side of Highway 24 two miles east of Stratton. The high waters and heavy runoff resulted from a cloudburst which fell in the area Friday, up to eight inches of rainfall being reported in the neighborhood east of Stratton. The drowning victims were identified by the Colorado State Patrol as Kenneth Spoonemore, 39, Newton, Ks,, and his daughter, Corinne,6. Swimming to safety were Spoonemore's wife, Priscilla, 38, and their daughter, Judith, 16. After reaching the shore of the lagoon into which they were swept, the two women spent the night at the Louis Husler farm home, which is adjacent to the scene of the tragedy. They were brought to Memorial Hospital in Burlington early the next morning and were treated for shock and exposure. They were dismissed and left for their home Sunday. Patrolman George McNeill investigated the accident. He reported that Spoonemore was driving west on Highway 24 in a heavy rain when his car came to an area where water was running across the road. As Spoonemore drove his car into the water the vehicle was washed off the roadway into a ditch. Spoonemore, his wife and two daughters managed to get on top of the car. They remained there for some time, but the rising, flooding dry creek water washed them off, the patrolman said. exaggerated, but there were many stranded vehicles in that area. 'We hauled people to the community BLTZZARD BLITZES AREA T63 shift to the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital. He also stated the storm would be terriblv hard on young cattle. 'I'm anticipating i terrible death loss in young cattle shipped in,' Hubbard stated. 'The old, native cattle probably made it, but as yet we don't have a single report.' An estimated 5,000 people in this area of the state were without power for extended periods. As temperatures hovered above freezing Spring blizzard inside the garage Excerpts with graphic clarity tell the story of a harrowing blizzard time in 1979: "One of history's worst October blizzards howled into Eastern Colorado in the earlv morning hours of Tuesday, Oct. 30, deposi- ting t2 inches of snow, closing all roads and 1969 FLASH FLOOD the truck Wednesday morning and that estimates of its occupants may have been center all night,'said Hubbard, who was also called qpott 1or transportation of the morning I recall a number of stories of homesteaders burning off a piece of ground upon which to build a new home, only to lose the lumber stacked on the plot in the process. warmed it up to 70 degrees for the folk who had to spend the night in it.' The sheriff said crews had hoped to reach highways, causing widespread power outages and stranding hundreds of motorists as 60mile-per-hour winds whipped the wet snow into high drifts over a 24-hour period. "Reports of outages, injuries to stranded motorists, emergency situations and overall dnmage were still spotty and unconfirmed at press time Wednesday morning but city, county and state maintenance officials were hoping to clear up major problems throughout the day. Burlington Police Chief Carroll Johnston reported close to 100 stranded motorists had been taken to the Burlington Community Center for shelter after all available lodging in the town was filled. 'It's a mess.' said Johnston Wednesday morning. 'All the streets are blocked and we even have strav cattle in the east end of town, but most of the power is back on now.' Kit Carson County Sheriff George Hubbard called the blizzard a'real paralyzer, one of the really bad one's because of the snow's depth and lack of visibility. 'Our people are exhausted,'he said Wednesday. 'We were out in four-wheel vehicles trying to reach stranded motorists on I-70 but it was impossible to see. We couldn't get anywhere because people were stuck in cars, trucks were jack-knifed, interchanges blocked and even the snow plows couldn't get around all that stuck traffic.' Hubbard said rescue vehicles were still reaching stranded motorists east of Bethune Wednesday morning including a reported 30 motorists who took refuge in a refrigerator truck near Bethune Tuesday night. 'One of the women motorists broke her leg and they put her in the refrigerated truck with a bunch of other stranded motorists,' said Sheriff Hubbard.'They can reverse the refrigerating process in those trucks and the driver just and the strong north winds whipped the snow into drifts, worry mounted for two young men who were reported lost in the blizzard south of Bethune. Doug Beeson and Bill Gramm were reported found at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning after spending close to 24 hours in a field where they had gone to check cattle Tuesday morning. The young men were out in a pasture looking for cattle when their pickup fell into a hole completely obscured by the blizzard, according to Duane Beeson, Doug's father, who was out on horseback when he found the young men Wednesday morning. 'They stayed in the pickup and used the heater until the exhaust plugged up,'the elder Beeson reported. 'After that, they just got cold.' Blizzard damage reports continued Wednesday morning, but local people involved in the monumental work of opening roads and highways to restore service to the area were frustrated by the stranded motorists who were handicapping progress. Sheriff Hubbard also said roads were blocked with eager motorists Wednesday morning. 'It really irks you,' he said, 'the number of people who don't have brains enough to know to get out of the way of maintenance equipment. But people are that way; ifyou tell them they can't, they'll do their best to prove you wtong."' COUNTY FAIR T6,4 Old timers had small street fairs several times in the eighties, but it was not until 1908 that a "real" Fair was held. It was organized by a group of private citizens: J.K. Rouze, Wyatt Boger, A.S. King, Louis Vogt, and G.G. Burr. It was held in the new Auditorium. which had its grand opening the March before, and which stood on Fourteenth Street where the present armory is now located. The Auditorium, which was built and operated by Mrs. Martha J. Coakley and her daughter Pearl, who is now Mrs. H.C. Schell of Burlington, held the exhibits, including the first one to go to the State Fair at Pueblo. The first exhibit went from here to the Interstate Fair at Denver, with a total sum of $238 being gladly spent to show the rest ofthe state that there was more to eastern Colorado than prairie chickens, buffalo and wolves. �..l.,.i* ,?ti .,i.l']'li:., ':i:ll: ,,:llt,,l': Friday - Third Day Free for all pace or trot, purse gl00; One g-ile noveltyrace, purse g20 at each quarter, 980; two and one half mile relay raie, five horses, three to enter, two to start, purse $?b. Saturday - Fourth Day Miscellaneous Matched races, bronco bus- ting etc. 1. All harness mile heats unless otherwise stated will be governed by the rules of the American Trotting Association. 2. Running according to the American running rules. 3. Five entries required to fill and three to start all races. 4. Entry fee of 5 per cent of purses to accompany entry and b per cent additional to be charged against all money winners. 5. Horses will be called at I p.m. each day. Early picture of the Kit carson county Fair grounds, Floral Hall in foreground, 1g20's. The exhibit consisted of frames 3 ft. wide and 6 feet in length that held shocks of wheat, millet and kaffir. a period of eight or nine years to finance the Fairs. Although one pumpkin at the first fair was as large as a bushel basket, the corn was so short that many believed that crop would never be a success here. Not to be forgotten in 1908's big doings wa8 the race progrAm the holiday part. So horse scrapers were -taken to the edge oftown (then two blocks west of the present munici- pal swimming pool), and a circular track made, around which were parked several Stanley Steamers, all the buggy brigade, the surry set and lumber wagons from as far away as twelve or thirteen miles. Best winner that year was a man who was to have horses in this Fair for over a quarter ofcentury, Joe Boyles. A few years later the only world's record made here to stand, as far as is known, was captured by Joe. A pulling gauge, known as a "dynamo meter", was brought to Bur- lington and a team of his own, weighing only 1990 pounds, pulled L7/z ton 27 feet in LL seconds. In its class, this was such a phenomenal feat that offers were made from the Chicago exposition, the Purina company, and a leading beer firm for this team. Immediate- ly after the pulling exploit, the team was attached to a Roman chariot and took a blue ribbon for speed. None of the offers were accepted and the team, ag well as other winners by Boyles, was a feature ofFairs year COUNTY FAIR 1910 T65 a a r r t a lr r t a l a r r t a t rr !ta lrr I t I lt a tt I I r l .rrr!llrrrlrrrrtllrtll.r.rltlrrtriiiriiiiiiii lr r at One Hundred Dollars CASH To a Kit Carson Couaty Couple to be narried at the Kit Carson County Fair on Saturday September 27 at 1:00 P. M. lltany otber handrome gifts fron Kit Carson County Business men. Namer will be kept secret until moment of wedding. Communicate with E. C. Baker, Burlington, Colorario. after year. A need was seen for a new home for the Fair and forty acres, legally described as SEZz of NW% of Sec.36-8-44, where the present Kit Carson County Fair is held today was purchased. However thirty years had to elapse before the county could really own the Fairgrounds. T.G. Price, helped organize the Farmers and Stockmans Fair Association. This was a group of progressive local men who bought the Fair site, functioned from 1909 to 1gl?, incorporated and exists to put on county fairs. The first president was Louis Vogt, with J.K. Rouze secretary. Beautiful gold-encrusted bonds, eize 8y2Xll inches, were sold as shares in the organization at $5.00 each. Rosser B. Davis possessed No. 98 bought Oct. 10, 1910 and H.C. Schell bought No. 200 in 1917, so evidently these bonds were sold over ta | !a tI I tt I I I I I tt I a r t a t I t t I t I I I I l a l I l at I t l a a a rrrirlrrrltrrtlr.lrttr.lrrrtlrr----i--iii-iii 'fHfr |! nr,t\{;Toi.' cAr_1, 6. AJrorse distancing the field or any part thereof shall be entitled to first -or"v.' 7. If owing to bad weather or any other unavoidable cause, the society shall be unable to start one or more of its races on or before I p.m. of the last day such race or races mav be declared "off'and entrance monev shail be refunded. 8. No premium to ruled out horses. 9. Stall rents shall be $8.00 including strain. 10. The society reserves the right to trot or run races between heats. The right also is claimed to change the order of any of these events, should it be to their convenience to further the interests of the contestants. 11. Money divided 60, S0 and 10 per cent unless otherwise stated. 12. A horse may be entered in two or three races and held for the entrance fee in races started. Records made after July 20th no bar. Entries in all races close at 8 p.m. the night before the race. J.K. Rouze Sec. Burlington, Co. To the People of Kit Carson County In announcing this the second County Fair - many years in Kit Carson for Counti. We first want to heartily thank the citizens of this cgunty for their support and help given in 1909, whereby, that fair made the best record ever made in Eastern Colorado. The stock holders of this year's fair have already spent much time and money expecting to make it deserving of the great county it represents. We want in this connection to repeat our declaration of last year when we said the Fair will be open to the entire countv. The citizens of the several railroad towns in the county will have no privileges not extended to those in the remotest corners of the county. We earnestly solicit the cooperation of all the people to make this, the second Annual Fair better, if possible than the Fair of 1909. We would like a good showing of the stock of Kit Carson County, together with the Kit Carson County Fair Burlington, Colorado October b, 6, 7 and 8, l91O Speed Program Wednesday - First Day Green Harness race, purse '50; One half running race, purse 940; One half mile boys pony race (56 inches), purse $20. Thursday - Second Day 2:25 Pace or trot, purse g?5; 7e mile running race, purse $50; t7n mile free for all running race, purse $50. products of the farm and garden. We wish to make this Fair a reunion of all the people in the county. Our motto shall be to build greater, better and broader, and to make this fair a permanent feature of the countv to which our people can look forward to with increasing interest each year. J.K. Rouz, Sec. September 17, 1910 � https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/417/History_Part_3.pdf 0fca309c074a7fa07c7b1db33cfb04a3 PDF Text Text 1915 COUNTY FAIRT66 In June of 1916, a County Agriculturalist (later to be called County Agent) was firsl hired to begin duties August 1. He was P.N. Flint. who served until ill health forced him to resign in April, 1928, when H.O. Strange began. 6ne of his first duties was to help with the 1915 Fair, then to locate a market for all the counties surplus Potatoes. The following commissioners: Wyatt Boger, F.D. Mann George Gates and J.K' Rouz ippeared, at the Oct. 22, L9l.5 mee-ting with a- iequest that the county purchase the Fairgrounds, buildings, and appurtenances for the county, at the cost of $2845'61' from The Farmers and Stockmens Fair Association. In 1917, Mrs. Della Hendricks brought the first 4-H club girls. On July 20, 1918, an advertisement went out for bids for a more elaborate building' to be 38x80 ft., with 8 ft. side walls of concrete, with a hip roof. The first mill levy was partially to pay for this construction, fixed that year at .005 to raise $1'059.15. As far as can be determined, the first premium book was printed in 1919 by Arthur Wilson of the Burlington Call. In 1920' a county club leader, Miss Amelia Alexander, was hired at $2,100 per year to help the boys and girls clubs. The new grandstand was first used in 1921. With it came the first telephone service to the fair. There were improved race track facilities while the poultry building made that year, featured the first big turkey, ducks, and geese displays. The most expensive Fair to date, the grandstand got insured for $2,000 and hail damaged the roof almost at once. The Siebert band entertained the three days of the 1923 Fair, receiving $100 and much praise. FAIR PREMIUMS T67 Beard growing contest for the Kit Carson County Fair in 1948. Winners are center front. They are; I. to i j""t"tnt"g""] second place; Fred Byer, third place; Red Lindsey, first place. L.L. Reinecker in the right in announcers stand. Claude Irwin is on the left. Some true signs of the times appear in a comparison of the premium lists of 1918 and 1958. Dept. A, in 1918 was Horses. In 1958 it was Beef Cattle and Dairy Cattle B. and the horse relegated to third place. In 1918' registered Herefords taking the first prize brought $8.00, second $4, and ribbons were given. In 1958, first place takes $12.50, second $ro, ttrira $7.50 with ribbons for champions and reserve champions, while the junior raiser looked forward to upwards of 30 cents per pound for his fat steer. Still Dept. D, (now termed swine) hog, went up only 50 cents on first place - now $5.00 (1958). Sheep first place gets $3.00, and poultry got $1.00 to 1958 $1'50. Floral and Educational Departments were begun and premiums were about the same. There was a silver cup given for the farmers organization having the best booth displaying agricultural products. A fascinating category was listed in 1918-19 departments In this category, a dollar - "Monstrosities". given for the largest ear of corn, onion, was sunflower, cornstalk, beet, turnip, etc. The wet year of 1938, marked the first free fair. Always before tickets had been bought for entrance, usually at $1.00 each, but in 1928 and afterwards no fee was charged excepting to the grandstand. In 1928, came the affair of the carousel, which has been written about in great detail. August 1,1931, the question ofwhether or not to hold a County Fair was considered, and after discussion it was unanimously agreed that owing to the financial depression which had hit the county along with the nation, the Fair would be dispensed with for one year. But it was not until 1938, however, that the Fair was revived. A feature of the 1948 high jinks was a wonderful fireworks display, and in that year and several subsequent ones, it was obligatory that the men grow beards or suffer a horse tank dipping. They could avoid penalty by purchasing a smooth-shaven permit. The biggest 4-H entry to date was in 1950 and a 4-H style show become a regular feature. An entertainment agency in Denver began to supply good Friday night variety shows, which have become traditional. Right after the 1957 Fair' work went undeiway to furnish the county with a brand new grandstand. Barely finished for the 1958 fair, seating, 2,500, and costing between $50,000 and $60,000. The structure is 250 feet long and 60 feet deep. There are two front entrances, two offices, lounges, six booths in the lower front. A new ticket office and reserved seats for 225. One thing is certain, the solid institution of this County's Fair is an unique, calendar- marked occasion. September 1930 Kit Carson County Fair. �.. :rlil .:r' ,.1'.:..r:rrl.:' .,:,:: coyote while riding his horse on a dead run. .,. r .:,:, ',.r "i.,:r'',ilt: There were eight runs previously in the i: ,ir:tr, Stratton territory. At a drive nearer Kirk, .. , 4200 rabbits were killed. At the nine drives a total of about 24,000 rabbits had been ' slaughtered. One hunt was staged with the following lines: West line, 6 miles west of the Kirk and Stratton road; east line, 3 miles west of Kirk; north line, 2 miles north of the county line and the south line, one mile south of the countv line. Hunters were to be barred from catching any coyotes in the ring. These hunts beco-e very popular, with women as well as men entering into the excitement. It was likewise very beneficial to the farmers because of the great damage . these pests did to growing crops. Several farmers south of Stratton as well organized for similar hunts. In the 1950's rabbit hunts were held as the rabbit population had increased and were 1e30, Note the old wooden grandstand and open bleachers behind the beef barn with the machinery displayed by the Burlington Equitv publican river. Men were dropped o'ff around i:lf?""1*l:,itx,ti#1'l-[]ffiu1f"H'": Exchange. RABBIT IIUNTS *:T:ilI".ISIl3::l?:TJffJ::H:J::: :|;Ir',llY'r"#".:',ll;,:??ti:::fl "li:',li: they were shooting away from each other. The women of the community provided a lunch at noon. The dead rabbits were put in the truck being retrieved by the person who shot them as each man was paid so much per rabbit with the tally being kept by the truck driver. At the end ofthe hunt the count was totaled and was paid for each rabbit helping to pay for the '€ - *,t, An afternoon of rabbit hunting in 1920. .€ aE&8: 1935 rabbit drive on the L.L. Pugh ranch north Stratton. of shot shells. It provided some sporting fun and sharp skills for the participants besides getting rid of unwanted pests. In tgOg the State of Colorado allotted Kit wire netting near the center. As men neared Carson County $678.00 to pay wolf and Around 1935, rabbits became so numerous the corral, the ground seemed to move with coyote bounties. This practice was continued that the farmers and stockmen north of rabbitsandwentintotheopeningofthetrap off and on for many years relating to the populations of the coyotes at the time. On Strattonarrangedhuntingpartiestotrapand two deep. It was estimated that several thousand August 12, 1908 Mr. Ed Boger of Seibert kill them. As Ripley would say "Believe it or not", but'10,000 rabbits were killed with clubs in one drive", which centered just two milesnorthof theMortonDavisfarm. Itwas escapedthroughaweakspotinthelineatthe receivedthefollowingletterfromtheAuditor final windup. It was a sight too strange to of the State: Deartsir: I beg to acknowledge believe. Those present said they had never receipt of yours of the ?th Inst., enclosing seen more excitement. As far as can be found, scalp bounty certificate. We have placed the biggest of nine drives held. Men, in the usual manner, carried clubs, thisdrivewasthelargestofitskindinhistory. sAme on file as there are no funds available cave man style, driving herds of rabbits Seven coyotes were also killed at this drive. for their payment. Yours truly, George D. Statler, Auditor of State. Chris Seal had the distinction of roping a within a four mile square to a corral made of In the 1920's and 30's the fur market kept *lit?'Tlfl{#T{i$*ril*{n'jlili population rose again and the $1 an ear bounty was reinstated. The bounty was discontinued again and due to the loss of livestock both sheep and calves (chickens and etc.) the state came out with the program using 10-80 to poison the coyotes. Today the fur market is active with the very best pale western coyote pelf. bringing $100 each. ffiil;';*; uT:*.-' 'l ommunity rabbit hunt in the 1920's around Seibert. �i& Rabbits being corraled in the pen. GRADING ROADS T69 Commissioner John Lueken of Kit Carson County looking over the new Galion 1-30 maintainer just purchased in the 1940's. s'lAalt (fF col()li^lx, cou*".../4,1'/rr,r',' i i SoAo DrsrRrgr No. -6- ,1.,1,' i" t ,. o ..1 ' , fleccircb tt.' r,,",'" t.,u",'J,:,1.\1.:'i.-- (l.l.a,o ,atu,.nti,! t. ... tist: /o' t/,c yar tq '*1 ,. ,i,!r .' t- :], ,,, ii,::i;.:" Receipt to Frank Boger, April 4, 1898 for $2.00 for labor with team for one day in payment of road tax. by Joyce Miller Getting ready to grade roads in 1925. 1960's OIL IN KIT CARSON COUNTY T70 The Reitman No. 1 test well, 13 miles southwest of Stratton, proved to be a producer Tuesday of this week. However, testing is still underway at the well and according to word received Wednesday night, oil recovery was about 25 barrels per day, which means under some conditions this well could turn out to be a real producer after it has been thoroughly swabbed out. According to information received the well which is being drilled by Harry Royster, Denver, an independent, and the new Drilling Co., was drilled to a depth of 5,732 feet for production testing in Pennsylvania. The oil perforations were placed, however, at the 5,507 to 5,519 foot mark, in the LansingKansas City formation. Since this well had been brought in, no doubt it will be the forerunner of considerable drilling activity in the Stratton area in the very near future, and substantiates the Machinery for elevating and grading roads in 1929. belief of certain local people who have always claimed, and for very good reason, no doubt, that central Kit Carson County would some �qay De the center ofconsiderable oil activity. Ever since this well showed signs it might be a producer, leasing has taken a sudden jump in this part of Kit Careon County. Recovery of 270 feet of oil on a test of Honolulu Oil Company, Kit Carson County, Colorado. Wildcat highlights the oil news for Eastern Colorado this week. The wildcat, in Section 20, 10 south, 47 west, about seven miles southwest of the town of Stratton. is about 40 miles south of the nearest production and is attracting widespread attention in the oil industry. The drill-stem test was made in the Pennsylvania formation at 5510 to 5526 feet. Several previous drill-stem tests were made in the test well, the No. 1 McConnell, and one, made at 1718 feet, recovered a slight gas show. Honolulu Oil, San Francisco-based independent, plans to drill the wildcat to granite at around 6000 feet. The new oil show, coupled with recent discoveries in extreme Western Kansas, is focusing more and more attention on this The Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Company deserves the major credit for starting the play. It entered the area late in 1934, and throughout 1935 operated exten- sively on a well-laid plan of seismic surveying and the subsequent taking of large drilling blocks. The Gypsy Oil Company made one of the largest land deals in the history of the petroleum industry when it contracted with the Union Pacific Railroad Company for all of the road's mineral rights in east-central Colorado. The deal involved more than 900,000 acres of land on which the railroad company had paid taxes and equity in approximately 200,000 acres more on which the railroad had failed to pay taxes. To appreciate the significance of the deal, it gave the Gypsy Oil Company virtually every odd section in an area of forty miles wide and nearly 100 miles long, running from the Kansas border to the west boundary of Lincoln County, Colorado. section of the state where there has been but little exploratory drilling. About 65 miles south of the Kit Carson County wildcat, Pan American Petroleum recovered slight gas shows in the No. 1 Nevius wildcat. This test is in Section 8, 22 south, 45 west, Prowers County, six and a half miles northeast of Lnmar. A drill-stem test of the Des Moines formation at 3992 to 4030 feet recovered 15 feet of gas-cut mud. in the dust storm last Friday at their farm home along Highway 24 two miles west of Burlington. About noon the storm was at its peak, and several persons taking refuge in their home were served dinner, while others who had already eaten were served tea and coffee. Mrs. Rudy drove in to the school to get their daughter, Karen, and on arriving home was not able to see the driveway into their farm. She was stalled on the highway for about 10 minutes before she could find her way. She had been in the house only a short time when traffic began to stop. One carload of travelers were from Vincennes, Ind. on their way home from Denver where they had attended a funeral. Another carload of people were from Burns, Ore. while another car loaded with passengers were enroute to the stock show in Denver from Arnold, Kan. Another vehicle was a truck, the driver being from Kansas City. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rudy, who had been in Goodland, returned to the Ben Rudy home to pick up their son, Randy, who had been staying there in the morning. Harvey Lambert, who had been visiting with Mr. Rudy, and Mr. and Mrs. Melton Rudy and daughter of Syracuse, Kan., ar- TAKING REFUGE FROM DUSTSTORM T7l Mr. and Mrs. Ben Rudy accommodated 20 persons whose cars were stalled or wrecked rived during the storm. By mid-afternoon the weather cleared and everyone from out of town left for their homes, being wished a safe journey to their destinations. $IO,OOO,OOO Oil Operation Start- ed in East Colorado Big Companies Seeking Leases and Royalties Expenditure by major oil companies of between 10 and 12 million dollars for geological and geophysical surveys and for oil leases and royalties in eastern Colorado presages one of the biggest wildcat oil "plags" in the west, in the opinion of Charles W. Henderson, supervising engineer of western field offices of the United States Bureau of Mines. Henderson, in a comprehensive analysis of Colorado mineral resources published Saturday in the September issue of the Mines magazine, described the recent leasing of Dust clouds in eastern Colorado. 1930's. nearly 4 million acres of land for future drilling as of tremendous importance to Colorado and the West. The blocks of leases are mostly in Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Washington, Yuma, Lincoln, Kiowa, Prowers, Bent and Otero counties. Reviewing the history of the development, Henderson said the oil play in 1935, with the exception of the drilling of two wells, was entirely concentrated on the making of seismic suryeys, and the subsequent leasing of large drilling blocks and the procuring of protection acreage. In February 1936, he said, there were at least twenty blocks of leases of sufficient size in this area to justify the drilling of test wells. By June, 1936, there were approximately 635,000 acres within thirty-one separate blocks leased golid and of sufficient size to warrant the drilling of a test on each. Much of the rest is held in rather compact form and ultimately will be converted into drilling blocks. A composite picture of dust storm and rabbils being driven on a rabbit drive in the 30's. �of all citizens of the county. It is a pastorar spot many of us have watched from its days of construction when its potential was scarcely envisioned by any of us to this time when it has become the mecca of fishermen and families seeking recreation on its shady banks and beaches, or boating, fishing, swimming and skiing upon and in its shining waters. Burlington, raging dirt storm coming in from the northwest in 1934. POLIO NAMING BONNY DAM T73 T72 In August 1955 Colorado received $286,000 of federal funds to purchase vaccine and administer the cost of the program. A Polio Vaccine Advisory Committee was appointed to decide how Colorado's plan would be operated as specified in the federal regulations. It was decided by this group that the government funds purchase 25% of vaccine allocated to Colorado and that the remaining 75% be distributed to practicing physicians through commercial pharmacy channels. At another meeting of the Vaccine Advisory Committee. a recommendation was made that the Health Department purchase 100% of the vaccine released. The vaccine was to be administered by Public vaccination clinics and/or by practicing physician's offices. The requested appropriation of $221,330 will be used to provide vaccine for 30 % of the estimated population unvaccinated under the age of 20, and to complete vaccinations with third shots of those in the same age group. It should be noted at this time that the original allotment of vaccine was distributed on the basis of population. Since many areas did not utilize the amount allotted to them, the allotment system was changed to one of supply and demand. Immunization in the school was strongly recommended so that as high a percentage of the children under twenty years of age could receive two shots before the beginning of the polio season on or about June 15. The third shot should be administered about seven months after the second shot. On March 1957, the National Foundation, the State Medical Society and The State Health Department began an intensive polio immunization educational program. The June 1952 Bonny Dam dedication souvenir book has a story of the 1935 flood and the role this catastrophic event had in providing the catalyst that brought about the construction of Bonny Dam after many years of dreaming, wishing, and trying ineffectual modes of water control. But that story makes no reference to the origin of the name. Old timers know that there was once a town called "Bonny". Materials from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation indicate the fact that this settlement, located about 25 miles north of Burlington, once contained 110 people. When a new Burlington post office was dedicated in 1959, Postmaster Dale Pralle indicated in a history he wrote for the post office that Bonny was listed first among the names of nine offices once supplied their mail by Burlington post office. Other offices listed were Beloit, Cole, Hale, Hermes, Morford, Newton, Wallett, and Yale. How long Bonny remained a post office is debatable but his family knows that Charles Barnhart bought the store there and handled the postoffice duties also for about two years. So regardless of how the name was chosen and logical as this choice for the site seems to be, all who frequent the now well-loved recreational setting would say that the name was well chosen. "Bonny" means attractive, cheerful, pleasant, healthful, pleasing to the eye. All ofthese and more are the background offeelings a day at "Bonny" brings forth. So most visitors would acclaim the choice of that name, and rejoice in the wisdom of those who chose the name for the delightful recreational area which is not in Kit Carson County but certainly contributes very much to life in the atea. by Dorothy Smith When the flood of 1935 ravished the surrounding area for many miles and many homesites on the banks ofthe tributaries and the South Fork of the Republican River were swept away with great loss of human and animal life as well as destruction of rich soil and devastation of fields by sand deposits, the role such a structure could play in the eastern Colorado - western Kansas area was clear. That some years elapsed between the 1935 disaster and completion of the structure we know, but it was built and assumed its many roles in changing life in the area. Bonny Dam is about six miles west of the Colorado-Kansas state line on the South Fork of the Republican River near the little town of Hale, Colorado. When it was dedicated on Sunday, June L, t952, with great festivity and ceremony, the program for the days of that celebration was filled with commentary and acclaim for those who had been involved in the huge project. In that program, N. Beth Woodin wrote, "Bonny Dam . . this is the story of a bargain . . . the story of how four million dollars and a year and a half of time were saved in building a dam for the people of the United States." Originally estimated to cost $17,047,000, the completion cost of Bonny Dam was $13,000,000! We would certainly agree that it was a real bargain. How that bargain is utilized is a wondrous thing, too. People from all over Colorado telephone their reservations for holiday weekends; families trail their boat and paraphernalia to the spot with high expectations of leisurely enjoying the facilities; the fisherman dons his gear and casts a line to snag a goodly fish; the water skiiers glide over the glistening waters with joyous abandon; and the farmers down the way from the dam treasure the irrigation process it provides. How much the dam and its impounded waters have contributed to a fuller life in this county as well as others cannot be overevaluated. How we do appreciate the engineering genius and the cooperation between states and the United States government that made it a realitv. RAINFALL REPORT T75 From the Burlington Record owned by Mabel Parke. The following table gives the rainfall for Burlington, Colo. for a period of 13 years, 1895 to 1907 inclusive: 1895, 20.81 inches; 1896, 16.81 inches; 1897, 1920 inches; 1898, 18.14 inches; 1899, 11.11 inches; 1900, 16.23 inches; L90L,L7.23 inches;1902, 19.86 by Agnes Rudy BONNY DAM T74 Mention of Bonny Dam cannot be omitted from the stories in this book. Although Bonny Dam lies outside the confines of Kit Carson County, that site looms largely in the minds inches; 1903, 12.39 inches; 1904, 26.90 inches; 1905, 23.71 inches; 1906, 16.36 inches and 1907, 12.16 inches. 1893-1894 were drought years. In 1894 nothing was raised on the Hi-Plains. The year 1873 was the driest that has been known on the plains. In the year 1908, very little rain fell. Only the farmers who had lived here for �deveran years and had learned dry land methods in farming raised even feed for stock. It was a bad sight to see the homest€aders selling their stock and household goods for enough money to get away. This was the 55Yeqr HistorJ Ollilonthly Cf Annus, Preeipitttion In Stratton condition around Seibert, Colo. Relinquishments on homesteads could be bought for very little, and in many cases they were abandoned when there were no buyers. The year was said to be the driest since 1873. The spring of 1909 was marked by plenty of rainfall. Crops were good in the year 1909, and 1910 was marked as a good corn raising year. Potatoes were so plentiful there was little market for them. T 1.23 0.04 0.13 0.39 0.61 0.17 0.38 0.27 1.00 0.24 0.23 Early Weather ....... The winter of 1885 and 1886 was the .. .... . .. ..... stormiest winter on record in the early history of the plains region that is now Kit Carson County. Extreme cold and one blizzard after another all winter, is told by descendants of the pioneers of the Crystal Springs Commu- ....... ....... .. .... . .. ... ...... ......... ,.,,...,, u..t/ ,........ 0.28 ......... 0.75 ......... 0.37 ......... 0.43 . . ....... 0.50 nity. WEATHERMAN I 0.94 0.32 0.49 0.39 0.87 0.10 0.25 0.13 0.20 Ll0 ......... T76 T 0.76 ..... 0.38 ..,.. 0.m ..... ..... ..... ..... l. Climate A. Nunrb.r oi drr\ in \err: 0.41 0.44 0.18 0.03 T ( lear 15l Prrrl! LLoud\ 108 d.\\ ( lord\ I d!\. . ... 0.00 ..... 0.25 ... . 0.18 ..... .... 0.it0 .. ..... .. 0.15 ... .... .. 0.20 ... .. .... 0.17 ......... 0.r0 ......... 0.19 ......... 0.€ I lh. roral rnnual !\rrigf Drccipir.rion r\ t6.51 inchc\ I Thc rr.rrge trt.inrr!riof n.r monrh. in Ln.h.'_ n: lrrrrr\ N|rrh \tr\ .lun. i.rrrnrbrr 1 7............9.23 TOTALS 19.05 55YEAn 0.35 \ (ioir\ llrgh ll .rth Ar.fu!. I nrnh l). Thr a\era8. numbc! of drt! ber$.en killins too\rs is I40 t A\.rig. d.iil\ leNncrrroru Nlr\imrm 55 58 8: 8t !ln\ 90 98 104 rm 92 9t E8 65 AVENACE Vr{n :8 50 rl APN. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. 2.6 l.0l 0.68 4.70 1.09 1.03 2.94 r.21 SEPT 2.M ocT. 3.m 1.49 0.91 5.70 1.65 0.76 1.69 0.06 0.30 5.41 1.30 0.47 0.95 2.32 1.13 0.93 2.21 2.t7 2.63 0.u 2.8 o.u 1.04 t.92 3.61 0.61 1.07 1.38 1.90 r.04 3.19 0.56 2.57 2.34 0.67 2.39 2.70 2.10 2.36 0.67 0.04 0.18 0.33 2.31 l.m 1.80 1.24 1.07 0.46 0.27 0.50 1.86 4.08 3.07 1.76 6.57 3.05 2.21 1.69 4.08 3.€ 2 I 0.r3 o.t2 2.07 3.02 2.U t.74 o.@ 1.39 5.gz 1.74 0.31 1.81 0.37 0.69 4.29' 0.34 0.67 0.70 0.41 0.35 0.32 r.0l 4.68 3.32 3.04 0.29 1.68 2.55 3.60 0.14 0.62 0.41 0.55 0.46 0.50 0.83 0.rr 1.68 1.36 t.94 1.57 1.60 0.25 1.48 6.24 4.08 3.18 2.43 3.52 1.03 0. 18 1.73 2.14 0.17 0.09 0.19 0.62 0.87 0.65 Lt8 t.t2 0.88 0.33 0.16 r.33 0.04 1.16 0.63 019 0.97 2.32 2.02 2. 0.35 0.38 2.02 0.58 o.27 0.52 2.53 \.71 0.37 28 l0 rt.5 Art Pautler, a farmer like many others in this area, for the last 18 years he had served the Stratton vicinity as the official government weather recorder. For those years he recorded many interesting happenings. Like the time he recorded an eight inch rain that fell overnight on Aug. 23, 1969. The highest temperature recorded these 18 years was 103 degrees occurring July 2, 197 4. The lowest temp. was 22 degrees below zero on Jan. 12, 1963. Also for the month of Jan. 1963, there were 17 days of below zero readings. Lowest barometer reading in these [ears was a 28.95, March L4, L973. Art said that in those years since 1958, he 6.t9 2.n 0.41 1.72 1.67 1.73 1.89 2.@ 0.92 2.43 2.48 1.56 2.t6 4.90 3.47 3.09 0.75 ?.00 0.98 2.46 0.56 0.46 0.15 3.83 l. l3 2.03 0.87 o.o2 0.84 0.26 L& t.49 0.30 0.14 2.03 5.49 0.52 0.24 o.o2 0.61 0.37 0.34 0.03 0.35 0.03 T 4.41 3.31 Lr0 0.56 3.86 2.80 3.81 2.65 0.25 0.34 0.70 0.65 0.56 0.17 3.62 1.70 2.37 0.54 0.34 0.22 0.32 2.34 1.80 1.93 25.39 0.46 l.1l t.99 2.48 9.43 2.58 0.42 4.46 0.08 2.07 0.98 0.62 4.05 1.60 2.37 2.02 r.26 3.i0 0.53 4.20 5.59 1.95 t.12 0.90 2.U 0.15 0.19 2.65 0.28 0.s7 0.49 0.59 0.04 0.70 0.89 0.82 3.39 2.50 4.31 3.s2 2.27 0.78 4.70 ?.t5 0.61 r.23 2.91 2.6 1.98 r.54 3.n 2.fi 4.U o.n 5.46 t.76 0.@ 0.69 0.58 t.72 0.47 o.67 1.71 1.03 4.42 3.74 3.19 4.71 0.54 2. 0.&r 2.\7 1.91 2.74 4.76 4.57 1.81 1.ll 0.n 0.65 0.73 o.28 2.SS 41.6S 2.57 53 2.77 13.48 .7.53 12.58 0.20........15.77 o.t2 0.'l8 t. l6 0.53 0.29 0.35 0.86 1.96 0.02 0.00 0.67 0.05 0.20 1.03 0.43 1.06 0.10. 3.03 1.43 1.86 0.5r t90 0.65 3.43 0.73 t.20 1.02 1.38 L& 0.53........,!5.OO 0.75 0.56 8.48 2.08 3.25 3.08 0.16........18.85 2.tl 0.92 3.78 1.60 2.82 0.62 2.37 4.55 1.44 1.39 0.13........15.21 0.23. .. . 0.29 0.08 3.43 0.75 0.27 0.20 2.@ 0.% 15.44 0.87 r.77 1.40 4.9 15..U1 0.01 1.33 3.31 0.07 1.42 2.67 0.51 0.56 0.71........18,94 0.32 1.58 0.73 0.m T........ 20.03 0.04..,..... 23.21 2.33 2.44 |.21 3.55 3.65 3.45 0.20 4.12 0.30 o.28 1.90 0.50 29.t3 0.58........ 16.39 0.26........ 29.36 0.35 0.91 3.m 1.73 0.9 0.40........10.82 2.2A 0.66 1s.a.t 25.78 l.6t o.u 'r.37 1.84 17.OO 't 3.53 0.53 t.u) 0.49 3.85 t.2l 0.70 0.7 I T 2.21 1.41 1.07 14.'t7 0.48 1.88 087 0.90 0.59 0.07 0.25 0.26 0.69 0.22 2.05 0.55 3.68 0.49 0.53 0.'t2 0.18 0.w........17,02 0.24 0.26 0.04 0.31 0.61 t.46 0.69........ 13.64 1.05 t.19 1.87 0.'15 0.12..... ... . .9.31 0.6 l.16 1.12 has enjoyed doing his "pant" for the weather servrce. Art was born July 4, 1909, has been a farmer stockman for 37 plus years. In 1976 at the age of 67 he planned to ease his way out of farming and turn the chores over to his sons, Gary, Tim, and Leon. They run the farm consisting of a hereford cow calf operation, irrigation, and dryland farming. Art and his wife, Sue, who he refers to as a "Superb House Wife", were blessed with three other children, too: Paul; Angela Beaner, Billings, Montana; and Betty Meierotto, of Denver. by Allen Ilurley 1r.ul 0.57 o.t2 1.93 125 ANIUUAL 0.20 0.58 0.40 0.04 1.08 0.46 0.44 0. l0 L36 ilov. DEC. l.l8 3.32 2.57 6.'t4 3.40 0.02 0.0'r 0.12 0.00 1.73 4.73 0.05 Precipitation record Climate of Kit Carson Countv 0.96 7.20 4.6 0.47 3.E2 ]N tt: 7.'11 2. 0.98 t8 [. Arinual n\c.aar r.drp.rrrLr.. it ] 1.27 4.34 r.8l 0.26 3.30 5.99 4.18 0.22 0.95 r.63 2.89 r4.5 60.5 J9 2.m 2.05 3.63 0.88 4.45 1.52 0.20 0.37 0.54 3.39 0.65 2.43 1.3r 2.20 2.28 3.43 r.5l 0.45 r.32 1.99 2.96 0.56 48 (r4 t.24 2.03 0.4{) 0.46 0.62 T T 1.33 1 17.90 2.14 T 0.36 T 0.60 0.55 0.62 0.55 o.79 1.96 0.26 0.59 1.65 0.55 0.65 0.44 0.64 0.35 t.8 0.10 0.90 0.80 2.05 0.18 0.84 0.40 0.58 79.74 1.45 50.57 0.92 36.85 0.67 0.@ 2.6 0.77 r.3l .... 25.59 0.46........14.37 14.54 15.51 15.31 't5.,t2 . 4.15 e2.o8 0.11 15.54 033........ 16.3a 0.u 0.29........14.60 ...... 23.52 T........ .t3.4a 0.10. . 0.09........16.20 0-33........20.41 r.26.... ... . 18.35 0.33........12.31 0.11........12.90 T........12.Op 0.40...,.....t4.59 ,...... 13.26 0.2s. _...... 26.04 0.99. 0.i0 ,t6.4.1 1e.38 ....... tO.5E 0.s8 22.57 .... g2g,2g o.4't ta.a4 NEqONDS FUNNISHEI' BY ART PAT'TITR Ilate 3lnGG t Tt .ta not offtclel but wcre recorded wlth tlrc .8nc squlDmcnt utGd prlor to gm. :l 41.5 57.5 0.74 0.58 0.75 0.38 �#5, could not stop in time when the bridge across Spring Creek was washed out by a flood. Calvary Cemetery: 1 mrle easf, or Dlrrruuw' north side of U.S. 24 (31-8-46). Claremont Cemetery: Northeast of Stratton % mile north on Colo. 57, 1/z mile east on gravel road. (Sec. 31-8-46). Fairview Cemetery: Northern edge of Burlington (Sec.36-8-44). CEMETERIES Flagler Cenetery: 172 miles east of Flagler T78 Rural Cemetery: Southwest of Burlington, take U.S. 385, tLl/z miles south, then 9 miles west on gravel road, (Sec. 33-10-45), established in connection with Nazarene church; all graves moved to Fairview. Rural Cemetery: L7 miles north of Flagler 4 miles east, 1 mi south and 1 mile east (Sec. (Sec. 6-9-50). Immanuel Lutheran Church: 10 miles north of Bethune, 2 miles southeast of Settlement Cemetery (Sec. 15-7-45). New Friedenburg Cemetery: 7 mi. south of Yona,2Vz miles west (Sec.8-10-48) by Janice Salmans 10-6-50). Seibert Cemetery: Northeast of Seibert, 1 mile north on Colo. 59, then 1 mile east (Sec. 34-8-49). Established 1917. Shiloh Cemetery: North of Flagler. Smit Cemetery: Northeast of Seibert, 15 miles on Colo. 59, east 4 miles then % mile Sue and Art Pautler. Art was weatherman from 1958 to the present. 1986 TRAIN WRECK T77 south (Sec. 20-6-48). Vona Cemetery: ca l/t mile north of town of Vona (Sec. 35-8-48). Grave: Go 14 mi. north of Flagler then 4Vz mile east (Sec. 21-6-50). Beaver Valley: Northeast of Burlington ca 9 miles north of I-70, ca 9 miles. Cemetery: east of U.S. 385, (Sec. 10-7-42), Established in 1919. Private church affiliated. Prairie Home: unknown. Hope United Church of Christ Congrega- tional Cemetery: (Sec. 3-6-45), 11 miles north and I mile east of Bethune. Beloit Cemetery: Southwest of Burlington on U.S. 385 callVz miles south, 10 miles west on gravel road, then 2 miles north, (Sec. 29- 10-45), Established about 1888, with the town of Beloit, some of the graves are identified by the stones. Bethune Cemetery: (Sec. 34-8-45). rli:r,,,,: Train wreck west of Stratton, Aug. 25, 1986. I llil .',,,,, ,::a.::::::,: i.{r: )3,:t). t. Authorities had determined that railroad cars loaded with wheat in Arriba, entered the main track and traveled eastbound at high *::: rates of speed before an untimely collision with a westbound train about two miles west of Stratton, in Aug., 1986. The collision left two crewmen dead. Both were employed by the Kyle Railroad. The accident is speculated to have occurred around 9 A.M. on the 25th, but was not discovered until the early morning hours of the 26th, by Bob Krason, who lived near where the wreck happened. As the runaway 14 car train passed Spring Creek, the west bound train, with two locomotives and 33 cars in line was approaching a cut in a hill. That cut is also a location of a slight bend in the track, which made it impossible for the approaching crew members to see the oncoming train. The impact of the collision was massive. The force of the impact "stacked" cars on top of each other in a chain reaction effect. Speculation as to how the cars started rolling from Arriba ranged from negligence, intentional, and simple gravity however no official statement was yet released. The location of the August 25th accident is only several hundred yards from a train accident that left 14 people dead in 1929. On July 18, 1929, Rock Island passenger train Republican River, Wood Ranch in the 1980's. REPUBLICAN RIVER VALLEY T7S �'- BurttDgtoD, Colo. BrrAe. NOrII! gEof.v. A+ ll B. MccAPLliI, Flaglcr, Colo, RrrnAe. Dtlck Creek GErIBGE AMMAN' Tale. colo. eJr, - A 93 Ranre, southwest of Ysle, t * !r 8. r,'. FLEtrrNc, z L _ LarnborD,I(anc. 3an8e, €ast of BurtlngtoE Coto. :.-=: vF lV. V. Erlckeon, BqrlingtoF, Coio. r+nge. squtboa8i ol BnrllogtoD. A -D AUGUST DEITEGO\VSI(I, BurllngtoD, Colo. nenge, * rolle Dorlh ol BurllDqtoo. slrEltrtAli r' YALE, I H Y yale 1,. O., Cqlo. Range, vlplnity ol Yalo, Y/rc (,. r,, NOIiT0N, tsurlinglon, Uolq. Range, coutlrpast of LtuillDgton. A. B. YARNDLL, Lt 4,f Y on left blp. t- Ylle Colo. Iiange, LosCnlap, n6er Yale, Colo. ___ fJ F e.'n. cnaFine\, Burhngton, Colo llenge. Soutb Beayer. J7 -+ , M. B. IIENDNICKS, _ Seibert, Colo. Renge. near Solbert. RS \J w. R. sltITIi, Clarenrobt, Colo. RaBge, ne&r 0lareuront. J. 'r'. JnNE$. r If .t- uotr, Colo Raxce. Cofl. Colo, A. E. (}RIS\YOLD, rt Bethure.Colo. - raDge, nolth ot Bethqile. HENR,Y ARITKNECET. , 7C A-U Ne$.ton, c0r0. Range, Republican River. .r tr{ tg L . Republican River in the late summer on the Corliss Ranch in the 1970's. l."rr t'ETIitt, J. ToN.DltE. t,rop. Fairbury,-Nebr. srd6 r, c. sHAF'r's1'..3l,irollii.r, R3pge. mouth ol Sand Cro€i(. peer Jaqua. nc A. B. CANT..IELD, _ BurllngtoD, Colo. Il&Dse.9 mller nortlr of Burliugtob. MII.O CR'APITTA\. Burllngto!, Colo. 4 5J ' Balgo. south ol Burllogtou. lo O D' LANGE' NeptoD. Colo. Ren8e. near NevtoD, 1F c. r.. PsaRcE. BorlllElou, Colo. Itenge, eoutb of Burllngton- F -1 r' P' LITrr{E' Bqtllnqton, Colo Boogp. rcqtlrcit d burdo! s' G' gpcny, E D H bnibn ur. r-1q u*ffil$fdllur. Jome cowboys prefer the "Jack Rabbit." �KIT CARSON COUNTY 4-IJ T81 May 8, 1914 marked the passage of the Smith-Lever Act which created the Federal Extension Service and which charged State Land-Grant Colleges with the responsibilities of providing extension work in agriculture and home economics. In Colorado the Land Grant College was the Colorado Agricultural College (now known as Colorado State University). Part of extension work which CSU was responsible for was the development of boys and girls club work (later known a 4-H) within the state. The first established boys and girls club was in Logan County (Sterling) under the leadership of D.C. Bascom, county agent. The projects offered to these young men and women were gardening, canning, sewing, cooking, corn and sugar beet production, woodwork and pig production. Kit Carson County began its boys and girls club work in 1915 under the leadership of R.N. Flint, county agent and by 1919 boys and girls clubs were located in the major communities of the county. Communities such as Plainview, Mizpah, Hermes, Golden Rule, Idlewild, Calvary, Progress, Shiloh, Republican River after the 1935 flood with Gordon Hitchcock and Merton on the Corliss Ranch northeast of Stratton. KIT CARSON COUNTY MAP 1988 Second Central, Rockcliff, Pleasant Meadow, T80 Bethel, Fairview, Jewell, Flagler, Seibert, norttl 4la9IS GENEFAL NIGHWAJ MAP Ol2 34 .: ti II t5: r 5 !! (K -llo JJ i: l2 22 3 r12 HH l,.t t! r- .L. 23 i i'. .i . --1 i20 l22 al i i .i I z2 ao f , , :. 420 t$ l'. ii- ira tro!/lr ! r. i. I, ri L l'l xi.-lt. r'i20 Jl 2a g l. r. ::*-.i-: 23.i T;- .. 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It. ta .f' x I ..\!1 1 i i, r------.'f__i 2 , I ta rot rt 'irr' !a la I 22i 2a 20 .I s2a irc i r. lat ... r' r1 I ta i*i ta ! , oo lr I T cc ll " l. -"r-1 ; i-i. roi ..i: OG ' | 1.. r. la . 12 t3 t415j!6lZ ""^"'i".., rz..r,.re ,rtrf-l-..,-1."*---..rL ..-.,*.;: .,.,,. l.' ,t" . :.1 tro 9 F ll 6 z I KIT CARSON COUNTY 35 s37 s t rc al a? 6 ro l I /2.1 I 30 20 --l 22- i 2. ^ 26 I .l 12! 54 srfl & co. lltt �The first of these was the catch-it-calf progrnm, sponsored by the Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association. This pro- t grnm, the first of its kind in Colorado, provides ten members annually the opportunity to catch a calf at the county fair and raise a calf the next year for exhibit at the fair. During the course of the year, members involved in this program learn good manage- ment and husbandry practices which they can apply to other projects. Each member involved is assigned a sponsor who helps defray some of the costs of the project. by Perry Brewer BILL CHANCE !a,t MURDER T82 From the Flagler News Issue Jan. lB, 1g48 President Harvey Korbelik is placing Green Valley's 4-H club seal on the Charter in the basement of Green Valley school in 1951. Jessee Miller Receives Sentence Stratton, Vona, Bethune and Burlington contributed young men and women to the fledgling "4-H" clubs. Jessee Miller 79, of Seibert was sentenced in Colorado Springs last week to 10 months in Kit Carson County jail, by Judge G. Russel Miller in District Court. Since 1915 there have been many changes in boys and girls club work. Currently there are twelve 4-H clubs in the county. Willing Workers serves Flagler, Go-Getters, Seibert; Merry Mixers, Vonal 4-Leaf Clover and Country serves Stratton; Busy Bee, Bethune; and River, Plainview, Smoky Hill, Green Valley, Rural Route and Sunshine serves Burlington and the surrounding area. On the average each year there are over 250 4-H members enrolled in the 4-H program in Kit Carson County. Providing club leadership are over 150 adult volunteer leaders who teach project skills and administer over the alternating years gives 4-H members who are 9-11 years old an opportunity to experience outdoor recreation and to learn about wildlife and soil conservation. Since 1914 well over 4,000 people have either been a member of or provided leader- ship to the 4-H program in Kit Carson County. 4-H has a long and successful tradition in this county. In the 73 years since its establishment,4-H has contributed manv leaders to the community. 4-H has been an important part of this county, and as long as the traditional values it represents continues to be reflected in the people of Kit Carson County, the 4-H program will continue to be successful. From the clubs in the early 1900's who local 4-H clubs. Seventy-three years has seen vast changes in the types of projects offered to 4-H members. The second event established in the 1940's emphasized only one project, today each 4-H club offers a broad range of projects. Projects ranging from beefenterprise to childcare, and was the Annual Friends of 4-H and Achieve- course the projects which were offered over 70 years ago are still provided today, but with ment Banquet. The two fold purpose of this supper was and is to recognize and thank sponsors and supporters of the 4-H program who have donated either their time, money lor knowledge to the members and to recognize 4-H members and clubs for outstanding performance during the year. Yearly this event draws a crowd of over 300 members, leaders, parents and supporters and ranks second only to county fair as being the largest 4-H event held during the year. The late 1960's and early 70's saw the establishment of the Kit Carson County 4-H Jnmboree. A showcase for talented 4-H members. This event provides an opportunity for 4-H'ers to sing, dance, play musical instruments, perform in theatrical skits and plays and to show their skill in presenting lemonstrations and illustrated talks. In 1969 Kit Carson County 4-H joined with Yuma County, Washington County and Phillips County to form the Golden Plains \rea 4-H Program. With the joining of these :ounties developed an opportunity to share deas across the county lines. As a result of his sharing, the Golden Plains Area 4-H )Fmp was created. The Camp located at the )eecher Island Battle Grounds, The State ,akes (Hale Ponds) and the Flagler Lake, in from foods to nutrition to electricity. Of modern techniques included in the projects. Being a traditional rural county, members locally lean toward more traditional projects such as livestock production and home economics subjects. The basic premise of 4-H has remained the same from 1914 until today. To educate youth in specific life skills, leadership and citizenship. Fun is emphasized, as well, with 4-H club trips, tours and parties, occurring year around. 4-H is a family organization, parents and family members are encouraged to become involved with the 4-H'er to provide encouragement and support for the member. There are many activities associated with the 4-H program. As with most county 4-H programs the culmination of the 4-H year is the county fair. In Kit Carson County the fair tradition has existed for over 70 years. For one week during the year 4-H'ers from across the county are in the limelight as they exhibit their projects before the general public. Cattle, horses, sheep, swine, as well as general and home economics 4-H projects are judged and ribbons and awards are given to the top projects. During the early 1940's two events were established, which have survived until todav. Mr. Miller was convicted of involuntarv manslaughter last October 2 for the fatal shooting of William Eugene Chance, also of Seibert. Judge Miller granted Jessee Miller 20 days to file a motion for probation, but said that he must go to jail at once to begin serving his gentence. From the Rocky Mountain News issue Sunday Aug. 2, 1949 Jess Miller, Who Killed to Keep His Mustache, Will Soon be Free Colorado Springs, Aug. 20. Miller, - Jess 80, who shot and killed Willie Chance, 4b when Chance offered to alter Miller's handlebar mustache with a pocket knife, walks out of jail this week-end. He walks out with his famous mustache, which formerly sprayed out in wild array from beneath his nose, neatly trimmed. Sheriff O.C. Dunlap of Burlington, in whose jail Miller has been since Jan. ?, revealed here today that only last week, when Jess was taken down for his weekly shave, the spry old man suggested that his prize mustache be "trimmed up a little". There will be no fanfare when Jess walks out of the Kit Carson County Jail from a term observers here thought meant a "Life" sentence. "His term is actually up Monday, but I have a Texas trip pending and if it comes through I'll let him out Sunday night," Dunlap said today. No special meal will be served to observe his departure since the jail cook goes on vacation Saturday, Dunlap continued. "He is as pert as a rabbit and had been getting spryer every day he has been in jail," the sheriff reported. Feared He'd Die. When Jess was sentenced to 11 months in jail for involuntary manslaughter on a cold January day last winter, it was feared the aged man, used to an active life and already pacing and aching with the confinement of jail, would not live out the sentence. Taken to Burlington to serve his sentence, �Jess has taken charge of the prison yard, he has worked hard and steadily, been not a bit of the Loom and Apple Computer, and its staff spent up to 18 hours a day on location of trouble, abandoned his cane, and is really in good shape, Dunlap said. during the production which began June 14, and was expected to end June 29. every Friday, and either Sunday or Monday she will come and pick him up . . . and that's resulted in a one-day delay of shooting, by slowing production, restricting movement of vehicles to and from the set, forcing a team of horses to pull a stage coach through mud six inches deep, (in this usually extremely dry country), they had to use fake dust, and as one crew member put it, "giving us an outrageous cleaning bill." Approximately 10,000 feet of film was expected to be shot. His faithful wife has come to visit him all the celebration there will be, the sheriff continued. "I undergtand he and his wife plan to return to Seibert, where Jess has his gas station and home. at least for a short time," Dunlap said. "I have advised him to move away from there as soon as he can since feeling is still running pretty high over the shooting of Willie Chance." to court Threatened Him - According shot after having testimony, Chance was made threats to cut off the old man's mustache with a pocket knife. Evidence was introduced that Chance was walking toward Miller and that his last words were "You haven't got the guts to shoot me." "People are split over 50-50 on the ques- tion. and I think it would be best if Jess moved away from Seibert," Dunlap continued. "The Old man already has disposed of some of his property to pay some $1000 worth of court costs and I understand that he has the balance of his Seibert holdings up for Heavy rains which fell in the county The focus of attention was centered around four shots which showed the history of the farm house progressing from the buffalo on the prairie, to the stage coach, to the steam engine, to the airlane. At the completion of filming in Stratton, the staff will transfer to Dallas where it will shoot the Texas City's skyline which would be electronically impossible behind the farmhouse. After two days of filming, an actor from Los Angeles arrived for the close up shots, but producer Jim Peters decided to add a woman to the commercial. "We didn't want him to look like some old drunkwho lived by himself on the prairie." To fill that void, he turned to the local community and selected Julie Scruby of Kirk to make a brief appearance in the commercial. sale." "He's talked some of coming to Burlington SEAGRAM'S COMMERCIAL THE EAST CENTRAL COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS T83 lington. The COG has established a transportation system for the elderly throughout the area, and have assisted in purchasing minibuses for Burlington, Stratton, Flagler and Vona/Seibert. It also administers s 4sels program for the elderly and has been instru- mental in the formation and funding for senior centers and/or community centers in Flagler, Seibert, Stratton and Burlington. The East Central COG has established a Revolving Loan Fund to assist with the expansion and creation ofnew businesses and thus new jobs in the county, and has been awarded designation as an Enterprise Zone which establishes special tax benefits for new businesses in the county. COG also continues to promote its Other Colorado program . i.e,, Colorado' mountains are wonderful, but so are the prairies, plains and plateaus!!! Kit Carson County residents that were full- time staff of the East Central Council of Governments in 1987 included Jo Downey, Executive Director (Stratton), Virginia Hubbell, Executive Assistant (Vona), Elizabeth Whipple, Senior Services Director (Burlington), Treva Henry, Project SMILE Manager (Burlington), Maudella Reynolds, Bookkeeper (Stratton), and Del Polly, Revol- ving Loan Fund Coordinator (Burlington). Part-time Kit Carson County staff working with the COG's Senior Services and Meals Programs include Betty Bredehoft (Flagler), Bessie Walden (Seibert), Isabell Monroe (Vona), June Pottorff (Stratton), Emma to stay." by Twila Gorton ement plans including Stratton and Bur- Mullis (Burlington), Janet Davis (Bur- lington), Helen Robbins (Burlington), and Debbie Adams (Burlington). by Maryjo Downey T84 Organized in 1973, the East Central Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the town and county governments in Elbert, Lincoln, Cheyenne and Kit Carson Counties. Its central offices have always been located in Stratton. Formed under authority of state legislation which allows for intergovernmental cooperation, the COG is governed COLORADO WELCOME CENTER T86 Research has proven that a warm welcome and high quality information enhances the by an eight-member board of directors comprised of one county commissioner and one municipal representative from each of the four counties. Kit Carson County commissioners serving on that board duing the past years include: Ted Wickham, Ralph Conrad and Doug Becker. Municipal representatives from Kit Carson County who have Home hastily built in a wheat field to depict early days to be used for a TV commercial, in Louis and Margaret Leoffler's field. Nearly 100 people buzzed around the farm of Louis and Margaret Leoffler of Stratton this week, (1987), working on the filming of two commercials for Seagram's Four Roses Whiskey. Polestar Film and Photography Production of Hollywood was in charge of producing the pair of commercials, one of approximately 60 seconds to be shown in theatres and another of about 45 seconds to be shown on television outside of the United States. Polestar spokesman Brigette Peters reported, previously had been involved with production of commercials for Porsche, Mer- cedes Benz, Puegeot, BMW, Winston, Fruit served as board members include Nyla Loutzenhiser (Flagler), Les Hase (Seibert), Zeke Kerl (Stratton) and Don Clemp (Bur- lington). Dean Stevens, county commissioner from Flagler, and Ken Yersin, city councilman from Burlington, are current board members. The Council of Governments has worked on numerous projects over the years, many ofwhich have benefited the entire region and others that have impacted Kit Carson County and its municipalities. Projects include the Colorado Welcome Center at Burlington; grants for Old Town and the Burlington Indugtrial Park; the Stratton baseball field; and the Flagler downtown revitalization project. The COG has also assisted Bethune and Seibert in developing financial packages for new sewer systems and has worked with various communities on mainstreet improv' Colorado Welcome Center located on I-70 near Burlington �experience and extends the length of a visitor's stay by an average of 2.74 days. This extended stay means the expenditure of additional dollars in not only Kit Carson County, but throughout Colorado by trav- elers coming into the State on I-70. To capitalize on these dollars, the Colorado Tourism Board, Cityof Burlington, Colorado Department of Highways and the East Central Council of Governments worked for several years to develop a Colorado Welcome Center on I-70 near Old Town at Burlington. The new center opens May of 1988 on a 10.5 acre site that was donated by the City of Burlington. The Tourism Board will pay $340,000 for building construction and landscaping, and the Colorado Department of Highways has contributed $1 million for construction of interchange, signage, parking areas, lights and related tourist facilities. The new center will be open year round and staffed by a manager and local volunteers. The Welcome Center's contribution to the area's economy ie anticipated to be quite high as it will assist in promoting Old Town, the Carousel, and local businesses that cater to the traveler. Kit Carson County Executive Manager is Kendra Rhoades; Marge Jones is Agsistant Manager. Volunteers working the : Notice the carving behind the saddle on the Zebra and the painting on back of the "sleigh seat". first quarter of 1988 included Don Beethe, Dot Beethe, Dovie Brown, Olen Brown, Part 1 Margaret Collette, Don Clnmp, Irma Clamp, Valorie Enfield, Torrie Haines, Peggy Hubbell, Winifred Jn-es, Elva Powell, Vel Pickard, Mary Richendifer, Oscarena Schreivogel, Georgia Seabert, Sally Smith, Lois Stevens, Stacie Stewart, Cherie Treib, Elizabeth Whipple and Anita Wood. by Jo Downey The Kit Carson County Carousel is a beautifully restored and fully operating carousel located at the County Fairgrounds in Burlington, Colorado. It is a 3-row stationary (the animals do not move up and down) machine housed in a dodecagonal (l2-sided) building. Manufactured by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1905, it was the sixth of 89 carousels built by that company between 1904 and 1934. The Kit Carson County TIIE KIT CARSON Carousel is the only known carousel in the COUNTY CAROUSEL T86 ..:,,.1:.a:a ,i:, nation which still has full original paint. In 1979, PTC No. 6 was designated a National Historic Site by the U.S. Department of the Interior and in 1987 it was awarded National Landmark Status, making it the thirteenth National Landmark in Colorado and the only one east of Denver. Forty-six hand-carved wooden animals including a hippocampus (seahorse), a lion, a tiger, a dog, zebras, cemels, goats, deer, giraffes, and many magnificent horses march counterclockwise on the Kit Carson County Carousel. These elaborately detailed figures are mounted on a 45-foot diameter platform in rows of three. The 16 outside row animals are the largest figures and most intricately carved. Carvings adorning the saddles or the animals, themselves, include full-blown roses, Cupids, a cat with a mouse in its mouth, a goat's head, a cornucopia, and a wooden medallion with a sculpture of an Arab sheik. A giraffe has a snake twined around its neck and on the neck of a deer is a woodpecker. Behind the saddle of the zebra is a gnome sitting in a shell aiming a spear at the rider's seat. The texture of the individual animals' coats had been faithfully detailed and teeth, slathering tongues, and hooves have been carefully included. Toed animals have dewclaws and hooved animals are shod (even the Indian pony). There are real antlers on the deer and real horsetails on many of the horses. All of the figures have glass eyes of a color and expression suitable to the tempera- ment of the animal. Hand-painted decorations can be found on each of the PTC No. 6 figures. An iron cross is painted on the chest of the war horse, a rising sun appears on the cnmel's saddle and intricate flowers of varying design adorn many of the inside row animals. The saddle trappings are reminiscent of cavalry mounts used in the eighteenth century Napoleonic Wars. Housed in the carousel is a 1912 Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ. The organ has Beautiful grey prancing horses three abreast, notice the paintings. been fully restored and is very large, very loud, and very wonderful to hear. The "Monster Military Band Organ", or as it was more mundanely known in later years, the "Style 155", is a 100-key instrument which �measures 6'10y2" high by 8'9" wide by 3'8" deep. This large almost cubic box of brass and wooden pipes used a music roll and sold for 93,250.00 in 1912. This style is known as "The Monster" and its musical results are equal to a band of from 12 to L5 pieces. The leaded glass panels which admit a view of the numerous brass horns inside may be opened, thus making the organ sound much louder. There are 30 pipes for basses, 22 pipes for accompaniments, 100 pipes for violin, violoncello, stopped and open pipes and clarionets, and 72 pipes for piccolos and flutes. The band organ's brass instruments include 51 brass trumpets and 10 brass trombones. There are eight stops; 2 for piccolo and flutes, 1 for clarionets, 1 for trumpets, 1 for trombones, 1 for stopped basses, 1 for open basses, and 1 for bass octavo. The band organ has two drums - a snare and a bass. by Maryjo Downey THE KIT CARSON COUNTY CAROUSEL T87 Part 2 The drive machinery and center of the carousel are enclosed by 45 oil paintings mounted in tiers of three. The paintings range in size from approximately 21/z x 31/z feet to \Vz x7 feet and are representative of the lifestyle and interests of the American Victorian middle class. The artists of this delightful collection of American genre paintings and European romantic scenes are unknown. These paintings are thought to have been completed in an average of hours rather than days and are done with varying degrees of skill. Subject matter ranges from landscapes to fullJength portraits such as the "goose girl" and the Tom Sawyer-type boy Armored horse in all its splendor. teasing a cat. Styles vary from Post Impressionist to Realist. There are four chariots on the Kit Carson County Carousel. The two red chariots have elaborately carved sides but the blue ones are Huntley and I.D. Messinger, met with widespread disapproval over the $1,250, a sum considered an extravagant expenditure in hard times. Huntley and Buchanan chose not to run for re-election in 1928 because of this simply painted to look as though they are carved. Each chariot has two seats and can carry six riders. The back of each seat has a painted landscape. This carousel was originally manufactured in 1905 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company for Elitch Gardens, an amusement park in Denver. The carousel was operated at Elitch's every summer until 1928 when it and the Wurlitzer Band Organ were sold to Kit Carson County for $1,250.00. The county commissioners who approved sentiment. the carousel's purchase, C.J. Buchanan, G.W. In 1931, the Great Depression forced Kit Carson County officials to temporarily discontinue holding the annual fair. The fairgrounds and the carousel were neglected. Cornstalks and hay for feed, made available to local farmers through a government assistance program, were stored in the carousel building and other available spaces on the unused fairgrounds. Mice, snakes and pigeons infested the building and piles of waste accumulated. In 1937, the county fair was finally resumed. The old feed was removed from the buildings and burned. The carousel was scrubbed with soapy water, re-varnished and operated once again. According to Harley Rhoades, the commissioner who was perhaps the most responsible for resuming the fair, the carousel was such a mess that there was much sentiment for burning it up with the old cornstalks! The mice had devastated the band organ, so Western and popular music was played on phonographs or tape machines for several generations offairgoers - about 45 years - until the organ was restored in 1976. PTC No. 6 is unique because it appears that each animal was individually chosen by an Elitch's representative. At the time of the original purchase, the animals intended for No. 6 were finished and in the studio, waiting to be mounted on the turntable, along with animals destined for placement on machines No. 7 and No. 8. The Elitch's agent, instead ofaccepting the order as it stood, handpicked the animals that pleased him from all of those on the factory shelves, even though several The beautiful dog with "Identification" on collar. were not part of the Elitch Garden order. PTC carvers traditionally stamped the underneath of each animal with the number of its machine and row. During restoration of the animals in 1979-1980. it was discovered that several animals bore machine No.'s 7 and 8. It also became obvious after inventorying the row numbers that the animals had not �Deen put back in the seme order as thev had been on the carousel when it was at Elilch's. by Maryjo Downey THE KIT CARSON COUNTY CAROUSEL T88 Part 3 In 1975, a committee of county citizens was formed to develop a project and join with the rest of the nation in the celebration of America's Bicentennial by choosing to begin restoration of PTC No. 6 as the countv's Bicentennial project. Art Reblitz of Colorado Springs was contracted to restore the old band organ, which after the many years of disuse, was literally a "basket case'i. It was returned, fully restored, just in time for the county fair of 1976. Although the Bicentennial was over, the project continued, as did the committee now called the Kit Carson Carousel Association which today still is responsible for the overall re,.qtq1"triott, maintenance and operations. Members include Bette Bailly, Irine Bancroft, Kathy Blakeslee, Don Clamp, Jo Downey, Robbie Fearon, Jim Knox, Bob McClelland, Joyce Miller, Will Morton. Norma Pankratz, Edgar Pratt, Iris Roth, A seaple of the artistic paintings to be found around the center of the carousel. Mabel Scheierman, Jean Schlichenmayer, Dorothy Smith, Ted Wickham, and Wiima Notice the fabulous detail on the saddle on the camel. Woller. - Grant money and donations were sought to further the restoration. John Pogzeba, an art conservator from Denver, was contacted regarding restoration of the 4b oil paintings. In 1979, Morton was given a contract to restore the original painted animals, the four chariots, and the outer rim. This project was eompleted LVz yearc later. Discovered during the restoration was a great amount of th6 original gold leaf and painted decoration. making -this a priceless treasure among America's carousels. The building which houses the carousel is a l2-sided structure with a l2-sided cupola. It was built in 1928 when the catousel- wa. brought to the Kit Carson Countv Fair- grounds. Some of the materials ,r."d in the building were salvaged from early poultry sheds on the fairgrounds. With the iZ large doors lifted, the building becomes completely open. In 1976, the building was refaced with steel siding. Lottery funds from Kit Carson County and the City of Burlington have been contributed to establish a park around the carousel. A 6-sided ticket booth with cupola was constructed in 1986 and contains a large leaded glass window of the Armored Horse. The park is lit by Victorian street lsmps and ornate park benches have been placed around the outside of the carousel building. On May 2, 1981, shortly after the balance of the restoration of the animals was completed, the carousel building was broken into and four inside-row animals stolen. The theft he trade mark shown on the Donkey's saddle. took place during a heavy rainstorm when no one was at the fairgrounds, and at a time when the burglar alarm was not functioning properly. The theft of the three small horsei and one donkey shocked not only the citizens of Kit Carson County but carousel lovers all over the countrv. �Kit Carson County Carousel Association members tied yellow ribbons around the empty poles and then initiated a nationwide awareness program to make potential purchasers aware ofthe rightful ownership ofthe missing steeds. Five months later, the animals were located by the Salina police and the FBI in a warehouse in Salina, Kangas. The PTC figure had proved too "hot" to eell. It was determined that their theft was but one of several by a large Midweet€rn theft ring specializing in antiques. Itte tttt"" horses and small donkey had received only slight dnmage during the "Great Carousel Caper". They were returned to their rightful places on the carousel after a parade through downtown Burlington on Oitober 31, 1981. The damage on the stolen figures has long been repaired, the yellow ribbons have been replaced by commemorative markers and the alarm system has since been substantially upgraded. The Carousel Aseociation will open the carousel on a daily basis during the summer as a museum beginning in 1988. Of the three to four thousand wooden carousels that were carved in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, less than 225 remain today. The Kit Carson County Carousel and the Carousel Association have received numerous state and national awards for the preservation of what ig viewed by much of the nation as the "Jewel of American Carousels"' In 1987, the carousel was featured as one of five subjects in a National Georgraphic special, Treasures From The Past. The carousel has brought national and international recognition to Kit Carson County and its restoration and preservation is now an example to many rural communities and counties as to what can be done to preserve an area's heritage when everyo-n-e works together. The catousel's restorer, Will Morton, states, "But a carousel is more than just machine . . ' it has been called magical -by a a friend of mine. I think of it as a spiritual dimension more than just experience, more than just memories." The Kit Carson County Carousel is indeed Kit Carson County. by Maryjo Downey KIT CARSON COUNTY IIEREFORD BREEDERS ASSOCIATION Hines. he held the office for seven years. The late F.E. Kneedler served for 16 years. Lowell W. Corliss started as president in 1968 and served until 19?3. Larry Homm took the position in 1974 and is the current president of the association. During the years of the association, an emblem was designed by the mother of C.L. Hines. The emblem is a frontiersman riding a horse, carrying a rifle, traveling across a map of Kit Carson County. The emblem is still being used by the association today. In 1946, the association sponsored the first Catch-It Keep-It Contest, during the Kit Carson County Fair. The little wranglers caught young steers and then took them home to bring back to the fair next year as In 1944, the first sale was held and they have had a spring bull sale every year since then at the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds with the Bank of Burlington as the clerk. During those years the Kit Carson County Hereford Breeders Association has sold over 2600 bulls and females. A few herds in the area were actually started through the sale. The association's first president was C.L' lington, CO; Vice-President, Lowell W. Corliss, Stratton, CO; Secretary-Treasurer, Clinton Schlepp, Idalia, CO; Director, Dave Reid, Seibert, CO; Sales Manager, Susan Corliss, Burlington, CO; Members: Thad J. Douthit, St. Francis, KS; Earl Hedgecoke, Aurora, CO; Moberly Hereford Ranch, St. Francis, KS- by Susan Corliss FAIRVIEW GRANGE #2e7 T90 until 19?2 when the Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association staded sponsoring the present day Catch-It-Calf program. During the 26 years, the 4-Hers caught 260 steers. Promotion of the 4-H Herefords has been important over the years. The association started by a money award for the Champion and Reserve Qftnmpion Herefords at the County Fair. In 1966, trophies and plaques were given out instead of money. Today, trophies are sponsored for the Open Class Champion Bull and Heifer, and a $200 award is sponsored if the Overall Champion 4-H Breeding Animal is a Hereford. On the first Hereford tour, the ranches visited were those of Cliff Hines, Ernest Notz, Jesse Jnmes, Rell Morrow, Reuben Rhoades, George D. Young, Jr., and John Homm and Sons. Approximately 400 head of registered Herefords were exhibited on the tour' In the fall of 1981, a state tour was co-sponsored by the Kit Carson County Hereford Breeders Asgociation. Ranches visited include the following: Reids Dez D Hereford Ranch, Lowell W. Corliss, Homm Ranches, Inc., Fairview Grange Hall. The former schoolhouse, 11 miles south of Bethune. Known as Midway #50. Purchased in October 1944. World War 1 was in the offing, transportation was poor, and farm prices were much too low, when 33 charter members met at the Knapp School house on JulY 8, 1916 to organize Fairview Grange #297 ' The charter 40th Annual Show and Sale in true style. members were George and Mayne Keifer, John Bloomquist, Floyd Richardson, Charles and Grace Elder, Fred and Maggie Dodd, Liltian Dodd, Lee and Lottie Raines, George and Emily Loper, O.C. and Lizzie Dunlap, Bert and Mary Loper, Alva and Anna Bacon, There was a banquet on Thursday, February 2. at the Ramada Inn in Burlington. About 100 people enjoyed the meal. Everyone ders, John and Lizzie Armstrong, L. Morgan, Robert Gottbehuet and Sons' and Schlepp Herefords. Approximately 600 Herefords were exhibited on the tour. In 1984, the association celebrated their moved to the high school for the special entertainment. Baxter Black, D.V.M., the cowboy poet, entertained for two hours for Sherman and Clara Ellsworth, Fred Matthies. T.R. and Mrs. Penfold, Martin Lan- Mr. and Mrs. O. Forster, C.E. and Blanche Nickerson. Soon there were seven Granges in Kit the audience of 200 plus. Since our banquet, Baxter Black's column is now featured in the Burlington Record each week. An open house Carson County and alljoined together to buy carloads of coal, feed and fruit at reasonable prices. The seven community Granges were: everyone viewed the cattle and enjoyed coffee and beef jerky. Champion Female was MISS TITANESS Rule #281, Burlington, 1916; Fairview #297, Burlington, 1916; Mizpah #305, Burlington' 1916; Pairview #341, Cole, 1917; Jewell #344' Burlington, 1917; Hermes #346, Hermes, 1917; Milestone #418, Burlington, 1935. By 191? we had 108 members. Depression days hit the Grangers hard. Grange dues, always low, were dropped to one dollar a year, just enough to meet the annual commitment to the State Grange. For several years Grange meetings were conducted at members homes, then as membership picked up, they moved to what the Grangers affectionately called "the Crackerbox Schoolhouse" West Faiwiew #20. This Catherine's Altar and Rosary Society did a fine job. The association is looking forward to many frequently collected blue ribbon honors for their displays of beautiful crops and garden As usual the Kit Carson County Fair- The Kit Carson County Hereford Breeders Association was formed by a group of Hereford breeders in Eastern Colorado and Northwestern Kansas in the early 1940's. The main function in the first years was a tour of the members'herds. tion are: President, LarrY Homm, But- a 4-H project. The association sponsored this was held at the livestock pavilion, where T89 County. The present officers of the associa- grounds was the sight of the Show and Sale on Friday, February 3. The show has become a trade mark of our sale. The judge, Roger Evans of Elizabeth, Colorado, started the show promptly at 10:00 a.m. The Champion Bull was 2M Ll BANNER 254 and the Reserve Champion Bull was 2M L1 SELKIRK 1?4, both were consigned by Morgan and Marcotte Cattle Co. The Champion Female was H MISS METRIC 8322 consigned by Homm Ranches, Inc. and the Reserve 473 consigned by Lowell W. Corliss. As in the past lunch was served on the grounds. Th9 $t. more years of being active in Kit Carson Grand Union #183, Tuttle, 1910; Golden building was used until July 2, 1944. Throughout this period, Grangers had a booth at the Kit Carson County Fair and vegetables. �Fairview Grange organized two 4-H Clubs in 1937 and the youngsters won many honors including several major awards during the next eight years. In 1939, a Fairview Grange girl was named the outstanding girl in the county and won a trip to Chicago, Illinois. In 1944, two boys were lucky enough to win calves in the County Fair "Catch-it-keep it" contest. The 4-H activities continued until 1972 when there were not enough children of the proper age in the Grange to sustain 4-H work. The Grange held many dances and its female contingent served many lunches to raise money for a variety of worthy community projects. Several Grange members served in the armed forces during World War II and those who remained at home strove for food production records. The Grange war bond drives went over their quota. The Grange also staged coyote and rabbit hunts and gave all the proceeds to the Red Cross. Fairview Grange moved into its own building, a former schoolhouse eleven miles south of Bethune, Midway School #50, on October 8, 1944. Every Grange meeting included social activities. In 1949 the Grange furnished Room #1 in the new Kit Carson County Hospital and helped to landscape the grounds. Grange members were active in the Young Farmers and Homemaking clubs during the fifties. In 1964, the Grange hall was sold. Then meetings were held in various community rooms in Burlington. The Grange had always been interested in civic affairs and good education. Grangers have always tried to combine social and business affairs in the best interest of the community as well as the Grange. Many residents of the area will always remember the Grange's annual oyster and vegetable soup suppers every Januar5l and its summer picnics in the park with ice cream and watermelon. The Colorado State Grange was organized in 1874. by Shirley Matthies KIT CARSON COUNTY FARM BUREAU red Jack Rabbit drives as rabbits were a real problem in those years; they even dug out roots of the winter wheat causing the fields to blow as these years were also very dry with small plant growth. Another problem was the grasshoppers which moved in and ate everything in sight. The Farm Bureau and the Extension Service built a grasshopper bait mixing machine. Shipped in sawdust and poison were mixed and sold to farmers at cost to spread on their fields. The 1941 records show H.M. Hines, President and Roy Bader as Secretary and in 1942 the insurance program got started through the Kansas Farm Bureau. In 1943 Kit Carson County had the largest Farm Bureau Membership in the state with Rio Grande County close behind. Membership was 306 with a goal of 500. Dues were 95.50 at that time. In 1945 REA was being talked about and Farm Bureau contacted farmers to sign up. 250 members were recruited for the REA that year and grasshopper mixing equipment was purchased to replace existing equipment. In 1946, Mrs. C.D. Pottorff,beceme the first president of the Association Women (later Farm Bureau Womens Committee) receiving 25 cents from each Farm Bureau membership. A large paint sprayer was also purchased as there seemed to be a need for this in the county. ln L947 the Farm Bureau organized the 10 acre wheat club which was formed for the purpose of signing up farmers who would donate L0 acres of harvested wheat to the county for the new hospital. This was a successful venture. Also a National REA representative met with the county Farm Bureau board to survey the County to approve or reject application for the REA loan. In 1949, the County Farm Bureau office opened with Irene Morrow, Secretary and Miss Bucholtz as assistant. Herb Klusman of Flagler was president. In 1955 Eddie Fuller becnme President and Orvel Aeschlimann secretary. Hildegarde Aeschlimann becnme Womens Chairman in 1956 following Mrs. Luther Tatkenhorst. 1957 shows Art Gaines of Flagler on the REA board. He reported that the REA will rent electric hot water heaters for $2.00 a month and electric stoves for $5.00 a month to be paid with the regular bill and will belong to the owner when paid for at that rate. The office secretary was paid $100.00 a month at that time with hours of f-5 PM. Truman Hooker was President and Mrs. Busby was office secretary. In 1959 our film projector was getting bad T91 The State Farm Bureau organization first began in the early 1930's in Kit Carson and Washington Counties. According to the and it was decided to let the County Commissioners trade it in on a new machine. They would purchase it as the County Farm Bureau had furnished the projector for the County Agents to use for many years. It was records of the Extension Service this organization resulted as the result of trying to form agreed that we could etill use the new machine if we needed it and the county agent county and community organization for the betterment of life on the farms and ranches. In the records of 1917 through 1920 of this county we find that reference was made of organizing community Farm Bureau and Boys and Girls clubs. Minutes found back to 1935 show C.A. Buetell, President, and S.T. Janett Vice President, both of Kit Carson County. The Bureau worked closely with the Extension Service seeking how it could would operate it. 1960 saw Dewey Jackson as President. The office was moved to the Courtney Building and started selling Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance. Mrs. Bill Ford was office secretary. Jack Hines retired ag insurance agent in 1961 and Gary Long was our new agent. Eddie Fuller beca-e District 3 Farm Bureau board member. In 1962 the National Farm Bureau Convention wae held in Denver with Paul Harvey as one of the speakers. Gary Long resigned as insurance agent to go and finish his college education. Bill Ford filled in and also Norm Travis sold hail insurance improve living conditions for the farming community. Community Farm Bureaus were formed and often the County Farm Bureau meetings were held at the local community. The local Community Farm Bureaus sponso- temporarily. Truman Hooker helped until the new agent Dick Bartell became our permanent agent. We also cancelled Blue Cross Blue Shield and joined the Zurick American Insurance Co. Sonny Wright from Flagler entertained us at the Annual Banquet. Dr. Ray was our speaker at our annual meeting in 1965. He also spoke to all the high schools in the County the following day urging more patriotism in our great country. Through the balance ofthe 1960's and the 70's and now in the 80's Farm Bureau has helped accomplish many things that would have been almost impossible for any one of us to do alone. One event that stands out concerned our sugar beet growers from Kit Carson County and our county Farm Bureau board ofdirectors. They were subpoened and had to go to Denver for a hearing when Rural Legal Services wanted to sue our beet growers and have the hearing out of our county, claiming prejudice, but not realizing our Farm Bureau was a state organization having petitions signed all over the state including Denver. The judge dismissed the case. Farm Bureau is a strong organization in our county. They have sponsored a Crop and Gardens Booth at the Kit Carson County Fair for many years featuring many beautiful displays of garden vegetables and field crops grown within the county. The present office building was purchased 10 years ago and we are debt free. We have grown to where we have 2 full time agents. Our county is represented by Hildegarde Aeschliman as Womens Chairman of the Colorado Farm Bureau, District 3 Womens Chairman, Dee Cure of Stratton. and also a number of our board members who serve on the District B Commodity groups of the State Farm Bur- eau. At the present time our board of directors include Orvel Aeschliman, President; Jim Whitmore, Vice President; Florence Fuller, Womens Chairman; Dee Cure, Secretary; Eddie Fuller, Gen,. Nichols, Dean Wigton, Randy Gorton, William Cure, Bob Cure, Eddie Herndon, Leland Strobel, Ted Schaal, Bruce Unruh, Allan Pizel, Dennis Coryell, directors. by Orvel Aeschlimann KIT CARSON COUNTY CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION T92 ATTLEMEN'5 StocrAre The emblem was designed by Janie Stahlecker in 1985 for a contest the association held. �The Kit Carson County Livestock Associa- tion was formed on or before 1898 as they were holding meetings in the Claremont School in 1899, with J.J. Pugh as president, C.S. Wellman as secretary, and Chas. Farr as treasurer. In June, 1901, an annual meeting was held at Claremont. The Kit Carson County Record was designated as the official paper of the Kit Carson County Livestock Association in the year of 1903 in order that the paper could keep the ranchers and stockmen well informed about their livestock problems. The overcrowding of the ranges seemed more apparent all the time. Loco had sprung up and had made a rapid growth everywhere. Pink eye and black leg seemed to spread out among the cattle at this time, causing great losses to the settlers and to the cattlemen and decreasing the number of cattle on the range for a while. In the spring of 1901, it was noted that a new disease seemed to be affecting the cattle, notjust the poor weak ones, but also the best and strongest of the young cows contracted it. No one knew what it was or what to do about it. In every case the disease was fatal. All were anxious for any information about it. One of the heaviest losers of cattle was W.W. Brinkley who lost between 60 and 70 head. Then the next year there was an outbreak of the "Texas Itch". In order to cure this the cattle had to be dipped. Ranchers Parks and Wellman of Claremont had dipping plants and they were kept busy most of the time. This dipping was a move in the right direction as the disease was doing the infected herds a good deal of harm and the only cure was in application of some sort of germicide. The "Texas Itch" or "Mange" as it was later called spread so fast among the cattle that many ranchers became so alarmed that the Kit Carson County Livestock Assn. tried to do something about it. W.W. Brinkley was appointed as Stock Inspector to check on the herds. C.S. Wellman, Secretary of the Kit Carson County Livestock Assn., issued the following notice to the stockmen in June of 1903: "The stockmen should remember that the Annual Meeting of the association will be held at Claremont, June 6, 1903. Mr. F.P. Johnson, Secretary of Cole Cattle and Horse Growers Assn., has promised to attend and give a talk on organization and the State Board of Inspection Commissioners would be there and give a talk about mange and brand inspections. Tell everyone interested in stock raising to be present and enjoy the rich treat that will be given by these gentlemen. The business meeting will be at 10:00 sharp. The speaking 1:00 sharp. Cattle infected with the mange or itch could be detected in the following way: The animal would show a constant desire to scratch or rub. The coat would be rough and bald spots would become encrusted with a scaly scab. If one or more animals were infected the whole herd would be considered infected. The "Mange" finally ran its courge and was completely eradicated due to the combined efforts of all concerned. The number of cattlemen attending the Kit Carson Livestock Association meetings started to fall off and before too many years no meetings were held at all as there seemed to be nothing of vital importance to come that affected cattlemen. The association became inactive. In the early 1900's the cattlemen were trying to improve the quality of their cattle. Harry Cox, one of the big ranchers, went east to get some good blooded stock to add to his herd. Cattle at this time were selling at $3.75 to $4.00 a head for calves and that was consider- ed a fair price. Many were contracted for future delivery around the Flagler area at that price. Some were contracted at an even lower price. Good yearling calves from a registered bull were selling at $12.00 a head. Cattle would be pastured for $1.00 a head for the entire season, May 1 to October 15. Salt and good water and good care would be given them. The shipping prices at this time were very high in comparison for what the cattleman received for his cattle after they reached market. Some declared that they hardly brought enough to pay the shipping bill. The association was active off and on through the next several years. On December 15, 1941, a group of men, composed of George Baxter, Fred Page, C.E. Murphy, B.H. Short, Claude Erwin, A. Pugh, George Ohrman, H.J. Geiken, George Bancroft, Rosser Davis, A.W. Adolf, Harley Rhoades, O.C. Dunlap and Charlie Peterson, met at Stratton, Colorado, at a Farm Bureau Meeting to consider reviving the Livestock Assn., with O.C. Dunlap as the president and Rosser Davis as the secretary. They agreed to affiliate with the Colorado Stockgrowers and Feeders Association. The purpose of this Association was to improve the quality of cattle raised in Kit Carson County, and to study their diseases and cure. Also to work on the tax assessments and laws on legislation concerning the cattle too. Years ago a plastic steer was purchased for a promotional tool in the county. [t was used in some parades and then sat for several years unused. In 1981, it was suggested to make a special platform for the steer and put on official display. The steer can now be seen on Highway 385 next to the John Buol Feedlot. The cattlemen's association sponsored a Light Cattle Management Seminar held in Stratton. In 1982, Colorado State University was doing this seminar throughout the state. The cattlemen in the area really benefited from it. The CSU Extension Office in the county has helped the association so much during the years, a thank you just isn't enough. With the changing years, the office was in need of a computer. When brought to the cattlemen's attention in 1983, they were glad to donate $1,000 to the computer fund. The Extension Office has been a great help in preparing for the 1986 Colorado Cattlemen's State Convention. The computer saved many hours of work and frustration. It has also helped update our membership list for the regular mailings and the annual membership drive. Besides all the help the Extension Office does with the Feedlot Performance Contest, without them it would almost be impossible to get everything done on time. The Futures are always a concern of the cattlemen and the farmers. Lots of discussion has been held on the Futures, in private and public. November of 1983 found Lowell Corliss and Ralph Conrad attending a Fu- tures Meeting in Denver. There were 11 states represented and at the end of the day it was agreed that the Futures are detrimen- tal to the cattle industry. Resolutions from the associations were sent to the different state associations encouraging that something be done about the Futures. Through industry. In L944, they started sponsoring "The the state associations or the National Cattlemen's Association, today this is an issue Catchit" calf contest at the County Fair and that is still being worked on. kept this practice for a number of years, until the Kit Carson County Hereford Breeders took it over. For several years they held a The Kit Carson County Fair is one of the biggest events in the county. The fair queen has lots of responsibilities during that week cattle grading demonstration at individual and all during the year representing the farms. county at other events statewide. The cattlemen and cowbelles were approached to sponsor new leather banners for the queen and her attendant. In 1984, the first leather In 1953, the Cattlemen's Association sponsored a stocker and feeder sale. Buyers from far distances came to these sales because of the good quality of cattle offered for sale, most of them being raised right here in Kit Carson County, These sales went on for many years. Kit Carson County has been an "Accredited T.B. Free" area for cattle since in the 1930's, when all herds had been tested and all T.B. cattle disposed of. In 1958, the cattlemen started working to get the county a "Certified Brucellosis (Bangs) Free" area. The neighboring coun- ties were doing likewise. 1962 saw the comple- tion of this project. The cattlemen have been busy during the last few years in many ways. In 1979, the Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association continued its support of the 4-H Livestock Judging Team. Youth in the county is very important to the association, they are our leaders and future in the cattle industry. Our beautiful landmark at the fairgrounds is a pride throughout the county. A donation to the restoration of the Carousel was definitely in line from the cattlemen in 1979. The ending result will be the pride of the future, banners were made which the girls would be able to keep after their reign. Shandra Adolf, 1984 Kit Carson County Fair Queen, wore the banner sponsored by the Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association, The association also sponsored the banner for Becky Corliss, 1986 Kit Carson County Fair Queen. The association also works hard at continu- ing the Catch-It-Calf program during the county fair. Russell Corliss is the chairman and fair superintendent over this event. The cattlemen enjoy working with the community. They have served two barbeques, one in 1984, for the dedication of the new county airport. In 1985, for the Mike Lounge Day - to celebrate the communities own astronaut! The cattlemen continue with their Feedlot Performance Contest as a fun and learning experience. The contest also provides the funds to annually give out a scholarship to each school for a senior that will be going into an agriculture major. Hopefully encouraging the growth of the industry. The present officers and board of directors �make the association strong and able to continue, they are: 1986-1987 President Charles Clapper; Vice President - John Nichols; Secretary - Lowell W. Corliss; Recording Secretary - Susan Corliss, Board of Directors, District 1, Jim Dobler, Rolland Nider, Gary Rhoades, District 2, Roger Kliesen, Patrick Hornung, Ron Gramm, District 3, Gregg Loutzenhiser, Eddie Fuller and Ervin Jones. by Susan Corliss KIT CARSON COUNTY COWBELLES T93 On October L4, 1954, the cattlemen and their wives had a dinner meeting in the Montezuma Party Room in Burlington. The purpose of this meeting was to organize a Cowbelle group in Kit Carson County. The Cattlemen attended to their business and Marguerite Klamm from the State Office explained the work of the Cowbelles. The Kit Carson County Cowbelles was then organized, with Burdine Homm elected to serve as president, and Avis Bader elected as secretary. The Cowbelles metwiththe Cattlemen and arranged for the social and entertainment part of the meeting, and had charge of the refreshments. The first year they were organized, they gave cookbooks (Beef recipes) to most of the new brides in the county. To take care of their finances, they would serve at the various cattle sales in the countv. They affiliated with the State Cowbelie Association. The Cowbelles have been active during the past twenty years plus, on their own and by working with the Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association. During these years, they have had several presidents. The years were unavailable which they served. Mabel Parke, Mabel Scheierman, Florence Fuller, Anita Price, Nancy Pratt, and presently Virginia Corliss have been the presidents to keep the association alive. Years ago the Cowbelles worked together to make a beautiful brand quilt. Hazel Mitchum embroidered the quilt and Nettie Hasart quilted it. The quilt was then raffled off and won by Mabel Parke. The Kit Carson County Cattlemen's and Cowbelles'Annual Banquet is held in April each year. The Cowbelles furnish their brand nepkins, placemats, and table decorations. The table decorations are always given away as the Cowbelles' doorprizes. Most years feature a raffle for a leather tooled clock, telephone book cover, album, hanging lamp, or many other leather items. The Cowbelles created a brand napkin years ago. The napkins are used at the Annual Banquet every year and for many years at the Hoof and Horn Restaurant. In 1985, with many of the brands outdated, the Cowbelles revised their napkin. The napkins were really appreciated during the Colorado Cattlemen's State Convention in 1986. To help promote the beef industry, the Cowbelles have entered several floats into the Little Britches Parade. In 1982, the Cowbelles float followed the theme, "Now and Then" on how to cook beef (from the sampfire to the outdoor barbeque). The Cowbelles took first in their division. For three years, the Cowbelles gave the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital beef to serve to its patients on Father's Day. This project was cnlled Beef for Father's Dav. Later, the Cowbelles continued the Beef for Father's Day. Something new for Father's Day? Yes, they surprised one "Expecting" father. The first baby born on or after Father's Day won his/her new Daddy a beef certificate at a local grocery store. Iris Roths was the chairman for the Beef for Father's Day for several years. The June Beef Month continued in 1982 with all the June brides receiving a Cowbelle Cookbook from the Kit Carson Countv Cowbelles. Gay Cure was the chairman of the June Bride Committee. The Kit Carson County Fair is always a big event in the county. The Cowbelles have offered their support in several ways. The past six years the Kit Carson County Cowbelles have put up an informational booth with all kinds of beef tips and also offering the Cowbelles Cookbook for sale. In 1984 and 1986, the Cowbelles have sponsored the Kit Carson County Fair Attendant's banner. During the Beef Round-Up in lg82 at Digchner's IGA, the Cowbelles lent a hand. One day during the promotion Marcia Kliesen handed out packets of literature. During the rest of the two weeks, the customers sampled Beef Brownies, Beef Candy, and a couple more of the recipes from the Cowbelles Cookbook which were made bv Virginia Corliss. Dischner's IGA placed in the Beef Round-Up Contest. In 1984, the Cowbelles again helped by passing out beef samples. The Kit Carson County Hereford Breeders Association celebrated their 40th Annual Sale. The Cowbelles had a booth il1d gnmples of Beef Jerky made by Susan Corliss. The Cowbelles gave a donation to the 1g84 Cattle Drive for Hunger campaign. The drive was to help the less fortunate through organizations such as the Salvation Army. The Career Days in the Stratton High School found the Kit Carson Countv Cowbelles promoting beef. With lots of litlrature and the Colorado Cowbelles Beef Buzzer Board, the Cowbelles were kept busy by juniors and seniors from all over the local area. Marcia Kliesen,, Dee Cure, and Virginia Corliss worked during the Career Days. The Cowbelle Beef Cook-Off is a big event at the State and National levels. In 1984 and 1986, Kit Carson County has had entries. The Colorado Cowbelles have started a new cookoff. The Beef Bash is designed for Home Economics students in the state. The Beef Bash was held on March 28, 1986, in Greeley, Colorado. The Kit Carson County Cowbelles put an added incentive for the schools in the county. One entrant from each school would receive 925 and show their display at the 1986 Annual Banquet. The student participating was from Stratton - Patsy Miltenberger. She received Honorable Mention in the contest. Officers for 1986-1987: President - Virginia Corliss; Vice President - Marcia Kliesen and Secretary - Sharon Powell. by Susan Corliss EASTERN PLAINS ANGUS ASSOCIATION T94 The Eastern Plains Angus Association was formed in 1952 to market Registered Angos cattle. The Colorado Angus Association asked that districts be formed to help market Registered Angus. The districts and associations did not stop at the county or even the state line. Many members were from different counties and the edge of different states. These sales were held annually at the Kit Carson County Fair Grounds cattle barn. One sale was held at Producers Sale Barn. Eastern Plains Angus Association had a sifting committee that went around and checked the cattle at the different consigners, this kept the quality of the cattle offeied in the sales high. The first president was A.W. Adolf from Bethune, Colorado. Some of the directors and officers were: Marvin James, Burlington; A.W. Lambert, Yuma; Floyd Witmore, Burlington; W.R. Rehfeld, Arapahoe; Paul pollreis, Kit Carson; Chester James, Burlington; Jim Redfield, Arapahoe; Bill Lambert, Yuma; Terry James, Burlington; Carlyle James, Burlington; Doren Whitmore. Burlington; Bill Koeller, Vona; all from Colorado and William A. Davis, Goodland; Edwin Rainbolt, Kanarado; Ted Eberhart, Kanarado; all from Kansas. In 1944 A.W. Adolf bought approximately 20-25 head of registered Angus cattle from Mr. T.A. Smart from Missouri. He became a lifetime member of the Aberdeen Angus Association in May of 1949. Other Angus breeders and commercial Angus breederJ of Kit Carson County are: Lyle James, Burlington; Joe Garner, Stratton; Jacob Smit, Vona; Ray Plummer, Burlington; A.W. Adolf, Bethune; Buck Fisher, Flagler; Sidney Hunt- zinger, Flagler; Al Kitten, Stratton; Dave Richards, Burlington; Harry Smit, Vona; Burton Smit, Vona; Eddie Fuller, Flagler; Roy Johnson, Burlington; George Paintin, Stratton; Guy Paintin, Stratton; Wayne Davis, Burlington; LeRoyJones, Flagler; Gus Schreiner, Vona; Rueben Schreiner, Vona; John Smith, Vona; Benny Schreiner, Vona, all of Colorado. This is only a partial list. by Chet James DYNAMIC DIMENSIONS, rNC. T95 Dynamic Dimensions, Inc. was originally incorporated as the East Central Colorado Regional Board for Developmental Disabilities in November 1974. Following the com- munity centered program concept its purpose is to provide services for those with developmental disabilities in east central Colorado. The board's first program was the adult life enrichment class that began in July lg7b in Burlington. This activity skills and vocational training center used the current administration building at 1778 Martin Avenue from February 1977 to August 1g80 and moved adult programming to a new facility �educational program. at 1776r/z Martin Avenue. On February 24' 1986 the ECCRBDD officiallY became James Leoffler published the Kit Carson County Chapter's "Moment of Thought" with the initial edition being written on Dynamic Dimensions, Inc. (DDI). The DDI workshop provides vocational training for about 2? adults and features the manufacture of items that are aseembled primarily with the use of indugtrial sewing machines and we recycle aluminum cans. Work evaluation to identify job potential for December 5, 1961. This was an informationfilled letter mailed to every box holder in Kit Carson County and in surrounding areas (approximately 3000). "Moment of Thought" was frequently published during the year and discussed many topics quoting the "Congressional Record", J. Edgar Hoover, community placement as well as work activity for individuals in the workshop setting is also included. The life enrichment area allows clients to gain skills in minimum academic, work idjustment and socialization. Special education studenta between 16 to 21 years of age are also placed at DDI if the staffing process Jim Leoffler and Charlie Turner, Charlies 2 children. and many other authoritative sources. The "Moment of Thought" was the leader in opposing the wheat referendum. The wheat referendum offered government controls of wheat farming. The referendum was defeated in Kit Carson County by a two to one vote. identifies needs appropriate for vocational training there. Developmentally disabled people have potential for growth, development and learning. In order to realize this potential' they muit have the opportunity to make decisions, experience normal daily living, take normal risks and cope with normal consequences' exercise rights and freedoms, and take responsibility for as much of their own lives as pbssible. Our living situations are intended to provide training, guidance counseling and normal life experience to facilitate the developmentally disabled persons growth toqard more independence and self-reliance. This assumes that individuals entering our progrqm have the potential for and in fact will be moved into more independent situations. We do recognize, however, that not everyone will progress at the same pace' nor will everyone always reach a level of independence where they will not need some supervi- and Country. The information from the "Moment of member on March 18, 1962. The local chapter of The John Birch Society was organized in Kit Carson County on October 16, 1961. Don the truth again prevailed. ual needs. national defense only. All other responsibilities are reserved for the states and individ- sion and assistance to accommodate individ- The residential program began in January 19?7 with the opening of one co-educational group home for six adults at 1776 Martin Avenue. This home is currently a residence for eight females, focusing on personal and domestic skill training. A new home at 212 Marion opened in January, 1981, and provides independent living skill training for six males. These homes prepare residents for the semi-independent apartment next step living in the- community. Residential courtselors are available to work with these adults on personal skills and adjusting to community living. As these adults move into total independent living in the community, follow along counselors are available to assist them as needed. by Douglas S. Deines THE JOIIN BIRCH SOCIETY T96 The John Birch Society was founded by Robert Welch, a successful candy manufacturer. The Society was founded in Indianapolis, Indiana during a two-day presentation on December 8 and 9, 1958. Robert Welch chose John Birch as the name of his organization from a Baptist missionary in China who was murdered by the communists a few days after WW II ended. John Birch's beliefs and ideals very much embodied what the John Birch Society supports: Loyalty to God, Family, James Leoffler joined the John Birch Society on May 8, 1961 and becane a life Vondra from Boulder, Colo. was the first state coordinator. The first presentation of The John Birch Society was held a month earlier at the Leoffler home where nine members joined. All but two members continue to live in the community and still are active in The John Birch Society. The chapter membership slowly but steadily grew. The John Birch Society's goal is to return the responsibility of running our lives to each individual by returning to the very limited government that is allowed in the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution sets up a Republic, not a Democracy. Our Founding Fathers realized that a Democracy is a very dangerous form of government. Our Constitutional Republic is limited basically to uals. The John Birch Society is non partisan and functions only as an educational organization. Its sole goal is to educate the American people to the dangers of big government. The quantity of government is more dangerous lhan the quality of government. This is done through meetings, handouts, expert speak- ers, billboards, books, films, videos, letters, and many other lawful means. The Society endured some turbulent years during the 60's. The troubles started when members decided to put up along U.S. 24 a large "Impeach Earl Warren" sign in early December 1962. Earl Warren was the U.S' Supreme Court Chief Justice at that time. The decisions made by the Warren Supreme Court were unconstitutional and destroyed those freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. This large sign was burned down, the poles were chopped down, and many other attempts were made to destroy Thought" snowballed until the referendum was soundly defeated nationally two years later. Everyone said it could not be done but Every year the local members traveled with books, brochures, and other educational materials to the National Western Stockshow, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Colorado State Fair, and Kansas State Fair. The members visited many county fairs presenting information to interested Americans. "Get U.S. Out of the U.N." billboards have also been an integral part ofthe JBS progrnm to inform the American people to the dangers of World Government. The billboards are today there warning how the United Nations is designed to destroy America's sovereignty and, therefore, abolishing the freedom we enjoy. JBS members went from door to door having citizens sign petitions demanding that the United States get out of the United Nations. Today the JBS declares that the United States must get out of the United Nations and the United Nations must get out of the United States. Americans are awakening to the dangers of the United Nations. "strike for Less Government" was published in two editions to counter the American Agriculture Movement's demands for more government involvement in agriculture. The demand for parity was asking for total government. "Strike for Less Government" proved that the government is the "middle man" who is charging the consumer the high prices. The local chapter stated that returning to the competitive free enterprise system was the only solution, the government had to be removed. "Tax Reform Immediately" fliers are distributed to inform the American people about how the U.S. Congress is spending America into debt and thus charging our posterity for our expensive spending programs today. These fliers help show the American people how most of this spending is unconstitutional. Also, it shows how each this sign. The members rebuilt the sign after each attempt. Our freedom of speech and private property was under attack. James Leoffler was interviewed in front of the sign by a Denver television station. "The Denver Congressman and Senator votes on spending bills and how much it costs each of us. Today The John Birch Society also publishes every three months the "Larry McDo- published many articles and pictures concerning these signs. A "Newsweek" reporter with the communists is suicidal for America. Why do we spend $300 billion a year to protect ourselves from the communist countries but then give them loans, technology, Post" and "The Rocky Mountain News" interviewed James Leoffler but the "Newsweek" editors only published a picture of the sign. Some of the people who were misled and helped to destroy the signs came back later and helped put the signs up again. Some even apologized for being deceived and thanked the John Birch members for their nald Crusade to Stop Financing Communism." This flier shows how aid and trading material, and foodstuffs so they can continue to threaten us? This flier algo shows how each congressman and senator votes on bills dealing with aiding and trading with the communists. �John Birch Society members vigorously promoted "Stop Aid and Trade" petitions to send to the United States President, Colorado and United States Senators, and this area's United States Representatives to stop any further aid and trade to the communist countries. Approximately two-thirds of the Kit Carson County residents signed these petitions. The local chapter ofthe John Birch Society sponsors expert speakers for presentation in the area. They mail books, magazine reprints, and any other pertinent material to local residents. Local Chapter members take part in local parades advocating the importance of less government and how powerful groups of people are trying to direct America towards a World totalitarian government. This World government would offer no freedoms to the people of the world and would be operated closely along the same framework as that of communist countries. The John Birch Society follows its slogan: Truth is our only weapon and education is our only strategy. The truth always proves just and the American people are beginning to realize that America is in trouble and what the Society is presenting is being proven correct. The John Birch Society is the voluntary association of individuals whose ultimate goal and belief is that with "less government, more responsibility, and - with God's help - a better world." by James Leoffler ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION TS7 Blomendahl, Roy Bader, and C.L. Hines of Burlington, Elmer Kueker and Art Gaines of Flagler, John Schritter of Bethune and Earl Livingston of Seibert. The first officers elected were Art Gaines, president, Earl Livingston, vice-president, and Elmer Kueker, secretary-treasurer. Trips to Washington, D.C. followed a formal application to REA, but the proposed unit was not considered feasible by REA in view of the high cost of power in this area. Changes in an application plan were turned down a second and third time, but the board persevered despite the grim prospects for REA coming to this area of Colorado. In March, 1948 the board began negotiating with Inland Utilities with offices in Hugo. In May final arrangements were made for purchase at a meeting in Kansas City attended by board members, Inland officials and REA officials. In the summer of 1948 the first loan of $3,875,000 was approved by REA. This loan was to cover the purchase oflnland properties in this area and defray the expense of building the distribution system into Kit Carson County and a generating plant. Hugo, Bovina, Arriba, Seibert, Vona, Stratton, Bethune and Cheyenne Wells were being served by Inland Utilities and the Town of Flagler was purchasing power from Inland on a wholesale basis and retailing to its consumers. On September 10, 1948, Elmer Kueker as treadurer ofthe new REA unit wrote and gave a check for 955,000 to Inland officials at Hugo. The new organization had already been incorporated under the name of K.C. Electric Association. John Rose, who had served as manager for Inland Utilities, was retained as manager for K.C. Electric, as well as all other Inland employees. The first major project was construction of 108 miles of main lines and the construction of distribution system lines throughout Kit Carson County. Completed in 1951, the first rural installation occurred on Thursday, April 26, 1951, at the home of Herbert Klusman, southwest of Flagler. By July the west half of Kit Carson County was mostly energized. The Korean conflict caused shortages of aluminum and copper materials but in general construction proceeded fairly close to schedule. On May 5, 1951, KC Electric began taking power directly from the Bureau of Reclamation Big Thompson project over lines that came to Limon; from there KC took .C. Electric Association original board of direcrs elected in 1945. L. to R.: George Blomendahl, the power. L. Hines, Elmer Kueker, Earl Livingston, Art nes, Thornton H. Thomas (attorney), John systems in the towns served by KC Electric began in spring 1952 with Hugo; Flagler and Arriba in 1953; and later Seibert, Vona and Schritter Records indicate that the first formal action in organizing an REA cooperative in this area of Colorado was in 1942 at a Flagler fiarm Bureau meeting, when Art Gainesjsr. pas appointed to look into the matter. Some palk had gone on in the'30's around Flagler, put nothing transpired in that regard until [he fall of 1943 when a committee appointed py the Kit Carson County Farm Bureau pomposed of Art Gaines and Elmer Kueker pf Flagler and Roy Bader of Burlington began pork to obtain an REA unit for the Kit parson County area. Following meetings with from influential groups late 1944, the up" for REA began in "sign fn [,he county in January of 1945. During 1945 Jnany representatives h meeting of interested persons in the county elected the initial board of directors: George The rebuilding of electric distributions Kit Carson, closing with the rebuilding in Stratton in fall 1954. Subsequent loans were approved which enlarged the area served into rural Cheyenne County. KC now serves 4,236 consumers with 2,201 miles of line in Kit Carson, Cheyenne and Lincoln counties. Annual operating revenue exceeds gl million. 'r-+ I rl � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Kit Carson County Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A history of Kit Carson County as record in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:421 2020-03-23T10:18:42Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/421/Memories.pdf 184ea68e01942c9373c7ac51b265e5ba PDF Text Text ON BEING AN O.I.C. T447 I was so pleased (to put it mildly) when they told me I could be an Officer-in-Charge. The fact that I'd never heard ofthe place or had any idea of where it was located didn't bother me at all. As it turned out, the little town (Stratton) is about 25 miles from the Kansas border, and a friend kept teasing me by saying such things aB "you better take groceries with you 'cuz they might not have stores out there in "Kansas". Other alleged friends recounted horror stories ofwinters on the Eastern plains and told me how desolate and windswept it was. By the time I left home, I had the car piled full with things I would need for camping out; planning on no electricity, running water or inside plumbing. The last things I strapped on were a wash tub, my grandma's gcrub board and my little dog. As I headed east, my car turned into a Conestoga wagon. The land was so flat that the level ground seemed higher than the road. I felt like I needed to stand up to "see". There was a momentof apprehension as Pike's Peak faded from view but then a spirit of adven- ture swept over me and I could hardly wait to begin my new job. The first day I was at the new office, the local newspaper man came over. He was also the owner, the photographer, the pressman, and the delivery boy. He wanted to photograph the dear, departed REAL Postmaster and the "new lady". The next evening, I went to the one and only restaurant in town, the Golden Prairie. An oldtimer, wanting to show hospitality to the "new lady" put a rattlegnake's rattle on the table near my plate. Gleefully, with missing front teeth, he told me "old George caught 500 of these just outside of town last summer". I touched it gingerly with a fork handle and being careful of the inflection in my voice asked why old George "caught" them. He gave me a look that seemed to marvel at my stupidity and said, "Why, lady, he sells the meat to fancy restaurants . . . tastes just like chicken, ya know". He ambled off before I could ask if the Golden Prairie was on the snake hunter's client list. I spent a few days rearranging the furniture in the office. It was one of those "open" offices where you couldn't even sneeze with- out a customer saying "gesundheit". They would come into the lobby at 8, watch us scurrying around and say "The REAL Post' master always had the mail boxed out by now", or "Ain't ya done yet?", or "Whatcha been doin' all morning?" My days were also filled with running back and forth between the front counter and the bor section. No one in town used their P.O. box keys. In the mornings, the older folk would come in and say "Let me have my mail and Gertie's too (some ancient or infirmed neighbor) and then "No, I don't know what her box number is. . . it's around the corner there, kinda high up. The REAL Postmaster always gave it to me". In the afternoons, the children would come in'kin I have my dad's mail, please" standing on tiptoe, big eyes beseeching, and my heart would melt. In the meantime, Dad had already been and asked for his own mail, and mom and grandad's too. Duringthe third week, people were beginning to say, "Oh, I forgot my key". By the fourth week, we had put the Postal Service in the red with a booming business in key sales. The office has two clerks, both of whom It was suspected that he had killed Allen, who was the foreman of the Bar T Ranch, which have been with the Service for several years. covered several miles along the Republican River. He supposedly hid in the ditch and shot Allen as he rode by. "They can do everything the REAL Postmaster can", I was told. Try as I might to be decisive and assertive and convince them I was no dummy, they knew I was in deep . . water. . when I spent hours up to my ears in the Account Book, Stamp Ledger, DMM, F1 and the FOM. There was also the spasmodic hiccuping of the calculator and the waste basket filled with reams of tape that gave me away. But they are so helpful and I appreciate them more than I can express. In one week's time, we had three major storms, one of which was the worst of the entire winter. My friends were right; the wind roared and howled and blew for a solid 48 hours with gusts up to 70 miles per hour. When I opened my front door the next morning, I discovered two feet of snow against it and there was a four-foot drift behind my 4-wheel-drive vehicle. I shoveled a path out to it, walked around it, looked under it and behind it and walked back inside, shaking my head because I knew I couldn't get it out. I looked wistfully at my fuL\ Club card but knew that even if I had a 'phone, there was no tow service to call in this small town. Finally, my determination and not-to-bedaunted spirit took over and I lunged back out to my car. After all, had I not survived past winters in a place often called the coldest spot in the Nation? I wasn't about to let a little ole eastern plains "blow" get me down. I rocked it back and forth and then with a mighty roar, when over and out of that drift, amid cheers and smiles of watching neigh- bors. I lurched and lumped away over the frozen, drifted road to open the Post Office for another day ofbusiness. All the roads into town were closed and no mail trucks could get in, but we were there to sell a stamp or commiserate about the weather. By the next morning, the snow was piled even higher, but someone had plowed the Post Office parking lot and had even shoveled a little path to the rear door near where I parked my car. These people take pride in "their" Post Office, and that day especially, I felt really proud to be part of it. I look forward to the day when I can be a REAL Postmaster. Written while Interim Postmaster at Strat- ton, 1984 by Michele McHenry THE MUNSINGER STORY T448 When Anna and Herman Homm and children came to Colorado in 1892 they rented some land on the ledge where the Launchman and Republican Rivers meet, just above the Bonny Dam is now located. To the northwest of them lived the Hracheck's. He went to Denver and worked in the brick yards for months at a time. Southwest of the Homm's lived the Munsingers. Mr. Munsinger was a locator, who hated all cattlemen. There was much friction in those days between the cattlemen and homesteaders. Munsinger was notliked in the community. The Hracheck's hogs had wandered over to Munsingers and when Mrs. Hracheck went after them, Munsinger beat her up. One night Munsinger went to Herman Homm's to get some medicine for one of his children who was sick. Munsinger was wearing a pistol which was not unusual for men in those days. The Homm's oldest daughter, Lena, went outside to get a bucket of water from the pump.When she came back inside, she said she had seen August Meyer, a bachelor, who worked for several of the ranchers, and Mr. Hracheck coming from Burlington in a spring wagon. They had gone to town to swear out a warrant for Munsinger's arrest. Abruptly, Munsinger said he had to leave. Right after he went out, they heard a shot. August Meyer came hurrying into the house and blew out the kerosene lemp. He was carrying a rifle. Herman Homm lit the lamp again. He wanted to be able to see what was going on since he did not trust Munsinger. A little later Hracheck pounded on the door, then ca-e in and said, "I killed him and I had a right to". That night Munsingers body was covered and left just outside the door where he had fallen. They had to wait for the coroner to come. During the night it snowed and the body couldn't be seen. Gutting, another neighbor, who lived about 2 miles west of Herman Homm's, nearly stumbled over the body when he came the next morning. Gutting said in German, "Turn the swine out". He hadn't liked Munsinger either because Munsinger had burned his house down. The inquest was held the next day at Herman Homm's house. The body was brought into the kitchen and laid on a bench. Since it was winter, and the only heat in the house was in the kitchen, the children, Lena, Kate, Minnie, Alma, Mary, George and possibly Tillie and John had to go to bed in the other room to keep warm since they weren't allowed at the inquest. At the inquest, Meyer and Hracheck testified that Munsinger was wearing a pistol, had called them names and had threatened to kill them. Later August Meyer told Anna Homm that Hracheck had suggested to him that since he was a bachelor, he should say that he had killed Munsinger, then skip the country before the trial. Anna told him she thought he shouldn't confess to the murder if he hadn't committed it, just to make it easier for Hracheck. He said he guessed he shouldn't either. No one ever went to jail for the murder. Munsinger was buried in the southeast corner of his place and was later moved to a cemetery. At the inquest, Mr. Dangberg, the consta- ble, who lived northeast of Idalia, told Herman Homm, "If you had done it, it would have been alright, but the ones that did kill him were no better than Munsinger". This territory was then Arapahoe County and Denver was the County Seat. by Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Homm �RATTLESNAKE TALES T44S An early day resident recalls an incident of about the year 1895, which happened to him at an old ranch about five miles west of Arlington, around 20 miles north of Rocky Ford, Colorado. This boy was still a lad in his teens when he had this experience. He was in charge of caring for some cattle and horses for Charley McCabe, during the owner's absence. The adobe was a large, oneroom house. The lad blanketed down on the floor in a corner of the room. There were no bedsteads. After going to bed, yet not asleep, he heard a noise which he thought might be a bug. He heard the noise as it passed by the head ofhis bed where he lay and went on toward the northwest corner of the room. He raised up to get a match to see what it was. He said, "Behold, it was a big rattle snake!" Being kid-like, he was so excited that he tried to hold a match in one hand for light while trying to put a boot on with the other hand. By the time he had his boots on and the old lantern lit, he threw a few sticks at it. The sticks were the kindling he stored to cook his coffee and biscuits next morning. Then by the dim light of the lantern he watched the snake crawl along until it crept into an old cupboard secured from the back of an old chuck wagon. Those old cupboards also were called a mess box. The door to the cupboard was off; therefore, it made a good place for the rattler to seek refuge. The lad said he was at a loss knowing how to get the snake out so he could kill it. Finally he took a piece of paper and set it afire and threw it back into the box, thus warming up the rattler. At this point, my friend began laughing so hard it was difficult for him to relate the story! When the rattlesnake retreated from his lair, the lad was standing near the side of the cupboard for protection and struck the gnake's head with a small piece of firewood. He thought, perhaps, the rattler had entered through a mouse hole near the door. Next question was, would there be another; so, being sort of squenmish about going back to hia original bed, he decided he would change his corner. There was a heavy table in the room, made from 2 x 6lumber. He decided he would be safe there, so he rolled up his bed quilts and placed them on the table where he slept soundly the rest of the night. Another tale of horror comes from my friend . . . There was a shack on the Smoky and he resided there for awhile. It was wonderful to have some company in early days as it was rather lonesome living alone. There was a man who came along at dusk in the evening; rather it was really dark by the time this young fellow and his company entered the shack. The man planned to eat supper and stay overnight. They were really enjoying a good conversation and visiting when the young man reached over and picked up a piece of wood to make some shaving with which to start a fire in the stove. Their only light was from an old lantern. By experience, we who have used kerosene lanterns know their feeble light is very inadequate to light a room. Deep shadows shroud the corners. Since the first piece ofwood was too hard to cut for shavings, he reached for another. He heard the frightening rattle of a snake. The visitor grabbed the lantern so the snake could be seen more clearly. By that time the snake had started to crawl back into the corner. The young man pinned the rattler to the floor by using another piece of wood; the snake then backed up, pulling its head out of the hole and they finally succeeded in hitting it on the head. My friend, who was the young man in this story, laughs a lot as he tells these tales and remarked "that was one time I was glad I had company to whip the 'snake's tail'." by Grace Corliss 4.H YEARS T450 4-H was a happy time when I was growing up. Many young people belonged to 4-H. We had a club in our neighborhood, and north of us was a very large number of young people in 4-H club work. There was also a large club south of Vona. One year all the clubs met at Vona, and we went on the train to Burlington to stay three days at the fair. The girls stayed in a tent, and the boys stayed in the barns with their animals. In remember Bertha (Boger) Wear stayed in the tent with us. I thought if I lived in town I sure wouldn't stay in that tent! We were about out of food our last meal and Bertha made us pork and bean sandwiches. They were plenty good. One summer the 4-H clubs canped for two days at what was called Davis Lakes - towhat the is now Bonny Dam. I remember going Art Boese home south of Vona to a 4-H club picnic. One time after a big rain we girls were walking to our leader's home. The ponds were full of big frogs, so we took off our long Elbert Co. Republicon", though I'm not sure except that it was, the 'Republican'. Cunningham moued upon the site of the uillage soon after. After about d year, Cunningham left and the 'Republicon'ceased to be. On my pre-emption claim southwest of town, and later on the northwest quarter of Sec. 25 south of town, I printed a small religious paper,'The Messenger of Loue'.In early Oct. '91', W.H. Lavington and David Swayzee induced me to begin a local paper and I named it'The Flagler Aduance'. Atthe Jan., 1892, session of the Co. Commissioners, the Aduance was given the contract for all the county printing for that year. Perhaps the only time it all went out of Burlington. As I remember, in Jan., '93', the commissioners gave the printing to the Burlington Republican and the Aduance, but I do not remember what share to each. (In 1894, the Aduance was given an even smaller share and finally expired of starvation in Dec. of that year.) I failed to say that the Ad.uance was moved from the country to the home I built for it in a story and a half building, north of the section house, which I sold in '96'to Fry. It may be ofinterest that one ofthe earliest church services held in the Flagler neighborhood, I held in a shack or vacated saloon building in the bottom some 40 rods northwest of the Republican railroad bridge, perhaps July 25, 1888. Malowe, as we tried to call Flagler first, was mostly a village or camp of tents, W.H. Lavington had just opened a grocery store in a tent. I was a customer of his. The post office was in a god shack a mile farther east, and the eccentric postmaster had it named Bowser in honor of this canine companion. My homestead was the NE quarter of Sec. 35-9-51, which with my tree claim aCjoining it on the south, I sold in the late '90's'to Edley T. Epperson for $400. The editor of the Ad,uance taught a four months school at Cope, carried the Star Route mail six months to Arickaree and to Thurman, then taught 8 months at Vona. Part of this time I was driving to Cope twice stockings and filled them with frogs. When y€s, you have we got to our leader's house guessed, we had fried frog legs. a month to conduct services for the Congrega- by Fern Summers (then Claremont) 24 members and Arriba, 10. Flagler paid 960, Claremont, $60, Seibert $25, and Arriba, $30, and the Missionary Society C.IV. SMITII T45l A Flagler pioneer corrects history of the town, by a letter to the editor of the Neurs, on Oct. 25.1934. tional people. In 1896, I was called to take charge as home missionary of the Flagler field, Flagler with 20 members, Stratton paid the remainder. This will show the cause of mv interest in Kit Carson Co. Sincerely yours, C.W. Smith by C.W. Snith Dear Mr. Guard. I read with interest Bessie Guthrie's "History of Flagler" in your issue of the 18th. There were one or two inaccuracies quite natural for one not on the scene in those olden days. In July, 1888, I started from Decatur co., Kans., for Elbert Co., Colo. I am quite DEATII OF PIONEER'S BABY T462 sure it was July 23 ofthat year, that I entered Colo. and Elbert CO. at Kanarado, and reached Crystal Springs the next day. The 25th I started to look for a claim in the Valley of Mud Spring Draw, southwestof "Malowe". We stopped at a shack on a ridge, a quarter of a mile east of the present town limits. In that shack a young man, Arch Cunningham, was printing what I think was the second I believe "The issue of the Republican, - "Februar5/ 12, and 15, 1887, were clear warm days and we newcomers thought we were going to have several days of good weather. Three of the neighbors took advantage ofthis and started to town for hay, grain and provisions. One of my neatest neighbors went, also another neighbor who lived nine miles farther, making him forty-four miles from town. His child had what he though was �a cold with some fever. He said to his wife: 'I will go to town today and will be back tomorrow night and will bring medicine for the child.'Kissing his wife and baby good-bye he start€d on the longjourney before daylight on the morning of February 15 with a team that had lived on half rations all winter as the grass for miles and miles around had burned off early in the fall. Late that evening the little child died. The young mother was all alone in the dugout. She started across the prairie about eight o'clock to a neighbor about three miles away, carrying the dead child in her arms. This man lived alone as his wife was to join him on the homestead in the spring. Between sobs she asked him to go about nine miles to a friend's home and bring her back with him. This friend was our nearest neighbor. The man stafed on his errand and the heartbroken young mother trudged back to her dugout hugging her dead child close to her breast. The reader will understand that we left our buggies and spring wagons back east and had only heavy wagons. The mode of travel was slow and tedious. The man arrived at our neighbor's home about midnight and related his sad story. This woman said: 'My husband has gone to town and I am afraid to take the children with me as it might be diphtheria or scarlet fever.' She told him there was a young man living on the claim south of them, but that she did not like to take her children to him so late at night, but if he would stay until morning she would get the neighbor to take care of the children and go to the sorrowing mother. piece of fat meat from which he seemed to derive much pleasure, especially if we were generous with sugar. While we were out doing chores the little girl came running out, yelling that the baby was choking. We ran to the house and, locating the trouble, jerked the meat out of his throat. Later he cried some more and we gave him more meat, but this time tied a string to it and after fastening it to the foot of the bed, charged the little girls to pull on it if the baby showed signs of choking. About sundown we saw a dark object far off on the prairie which we were sure was the children's mother. Bundling up the children we started to meet her. How glad the mother was to see her little ones safe; so were we, to know that the responsibility was off our Peaches .25, Eggs .25, Meat 1.80, Coal L.?5, Apples .25, Beans .25, Rice .25, Soap .25, Sugar.50, Coffee.25, Tea.25, Raisins.20, Lye .10, Blueing .05, Wash tub 1.25, Broom .2b, Starch .10, Coal oil .25, Pepper .10, Thread .10, Gingham 1% yds. .10, Wash board .25, Water pail .50, Grain 1.17, Postage Stamps .20. Total amt. for March $21.15 by Joyce Miller 1959 BLIZZARD HITS STRATTON T454 shoulders. The neighbors who had gone to town on the 15th had been delayed by the blizzard and did not arrive home until the morning of the 18th, shortly before sunrise, and with them the father of the dead child. By this time others had come. We failed to find a loose w board to make a coffin, but pulled one off the side of the stable. We laid a pillow in the little box, but when the young mother saw it she cried bitterly. She said that it was more than she could bear to see her baby put away in that rough box. She brought a black dress and asked that it be cut up and used to trim the coffin. Soon two feminine hands had made a wonderful change in the appearance of the little box. The funeral was held'that afternoon. We were all a bunch of inexperienced young Toward morning it had snowed about two inches, but when daylight ssme it qrss snlm with a heavy black cloud in the south west which soon spread toward the northwest. Soon the wind whipped to the northwest and between the snow that was already on the ground and what was coming down, we were in the midst of one of the worst blizzards that we ever went through, and have seen a good many of them. The storm was terrific until about nine o'clock in the evening. The morning of the 17th was bright, clear and crisp with long drifts of snow here and there. We could not help feeling out of sorts with the elements which one day play such havoc and the next morning turn around and ask the first child buried in what is now Yuma County, then Arapahoe County. This gives the reader some faint idea of the heroism of those young wives who came to Colorado in the days when the land was forgiveness. young, leaving comfort, friends and relatives Soon after sunrige we saw a team and wagon approaching with several people in it. They proved to be our neighbor's wife and three children. She told the sad story and asked us to take care of her three children far behind to stand beside stalwart young husband who fought to wrest eastern Colo- people so there was no funeral service beyond an attempt on our part to sing a hymn, repeat the Lord's Prayer in concert and sing another song. While singing at the grave, which was a little distance from the dugout, we heard the mournful howling of three coyotes on a little hill nearby. We quickly placed ourselves FuIl corrals face ranchers between them and the young mother and the children and frightened them away." This eightcen month old child was perhaps rado from the desert. by Mary E. Evans that day. We felt we could take care of the two little girls, but were not sure about the three month old baby boy. However, we were willing to do our best. She said she had just given him a good breakfast and he would probably sleep until noon, but ifhe awakened and cried very hard, we should give him a FRANK BOGER LEDGER piece of fat meat to suck. With these instructions they started on their way, for we all realized that the young mother and been all alone in her dugout with her dead child two nights and a day through the blizzard. When they arrived the young mother was putting a pretty ribbon on a little dress. With the three children we had in charge all went well until about eleven o'clock when the baby boy opened his big blue eyes and looked around for his rDirnmo, We allowed him to cry until the little girls said he might get spasms, then we hurried and gave him a T453 The following was taken from an old ledger of Frank and Flora Boger. Shows expenses of :::i::r;iii :r..'{1''i Snow, snow, snow! the month. Frank brought his bride to Colorado: March, 1896 Stove Pipe $.60, Stove 1.00, Tobacco .20, Meat .35, Crackers .25, Apples .10, Overshoes 1.00, Lodging 1.00, Horse Collar 1.00, Candy .10, Corn .30, Crackers .25, Coffee .25, Matches.05, Meat.30, Sausage .25,Beef. .20, Bread .50, Corn .50, Sugar .20, Bread .25, Canned Fruit .48, Flour .90, Potatoes .45, The season's first snowfall of the year came in the form of a paralyzing blizzard that whipped across Eastern Colorado closing traffic on all highways - but best of all brought welcome moisture to relieve the several year drought condition. All highways in Eastern Colorado were closed beginning early Friday morning and because of the huge snow drifts many side �roads were still closed Wednesday and will be blocked for a number of days yet. The moisture began falling Thursday evening about 7 p.m. in the form of a very wet snow and as the night proceeded the wind velocity increased. By early Friday morning the wind velocity was at least 70 miles per hour whipping the west snow into huge snow banks. The velocity of the wind did not begin to diminish until the middle of Friday afternoon; however, the blizzard did not abate until late Friday night. According to the local weather man 1.13 inches of moisture fell in the Stratton vicinity. Drifts of at least ten feet were seen about town, inundating cars. Schools at Vona, Stratton, Burlington and Seibert were closed until Wednesday because of the blocked roads. Even then much Stratton until about 6 a.m. Saturday, having worked through the night to open the 18 miles of highway. John Buol of Burlington lost five cattle when they drifted onto the railroad tracks near Peconic switch station between Burlington and Stratton, and were killed by the railroad snow plow. A number were reported to have lost livestock in the storm. Ernest Cure lost ten head of cattle when the animals took refuge in a ditch and were covered by the drifting snow. Tom and Jim McCormick lost a number of sheep in the storm. Other rumors of stock dying in the storm could not be confirmed at until today, Thursday. Although the snow drifted badly the temperature never fell below 20 degrees so that much of the snow melted where it fell or drifted. This storm covered a large area including Wyoming, northeast and eastern Colorado, parts of Nebraska and Kansas. Much concern was in evidence about the town of Stratton all day Friday, during the storm. because of the K.C. Electric maintenance crew, James Hansen, Albert Gwynn, Max Toland and Sam Crocker, who had left in their trucks about 2 a.m. Friday morning when the storm interrupted power distribu- tion in this area. About 3:30 a.m. Max Toland and Sam Crocker became storm bound when their truck slid off Highway 24 about 800 feet east of the driveway at the Jack Luebbers farm home. But since they did not see the farm home or could tell otherwise where they were located because of the dense, fogging wet snow, they remained in their truck until 1:30 p.m. Friday when they made their way to the Luebbers home. James Hansen and Albert Gwynn bucked the blizzard until their truck became stalled in a huge drift on highway 24 about three fourths mile west of Bethune. They stayed in their truck until the blizzard let up enough so that they could make their way to the Eugene Taylor home in Bethune. Each of the crew had radio facilities on their trucks but because of the storm could not contact the Hugo central station but a few times. In the meantime, the wives of the crew and friends made preparations to look for the men. They knew the approximate places the trucks had become stalled because of the radio contact. About 7 p.m. eleven men with two cars and a tractor left Stratton in search of the linemen. The men, J. Oscar Smith and son Richard, Lee Carpenter, Vic Carpenter, Tom, Gene and John Clark, Bob Best and Mike Lewis found Max Toland and Sam Crocker safe at the Jack Luebbers home about 8:30 p.m. All the men then went on from there battling the drifts and arrived at the second stalled K.C. Electric truck about midnight. Hansen and Gwynn had left their truck but a note in the car informed the searching party all was well. The highway snow plow left Burlington about 5:30 p.m. Friday and never reached as overalls 55 cents and rope 40 cents. At round up time in the spring and fall, representatives ofall the outfits were present to handle the cattle and identify their own. About 1896, when he was working for Met, he was with a round up group camped at the Limon Breaks after a big blizzard. While night herding the cattle, the cowboys listened all night to the wolves howling from nearby. The boys in the round up crew slept cold in their tarpaulin beds. Mrs. Fisher, the former Stella D. Strode, came to this county by covered wagon also in 1887. She was born at Mason, Texas, and her this writing. by local newspaper difficulty will be encountered by school bus drivers when they pick up and deliver the school children for some time because of the depth of the snow. Seibert schools opened Tuesday while Stratton schools did not open the account book showing expense when he was out working were; dinner at Hugo 25 cents, horse shoeing 75 cents, bed and breakfast 50 cents and personal items such FISHER T466 Mr. Fisher, who passed away January 10, 1959, at the age of 83, had spent 72 years in this part of Colorado, and had the rare privilege of seeing this area change from the prairie that had known little change for centuries into our present day world. The days of the big cattle outfits whose cattle ranged over thousands of acres were already numbered when he came here. Homesteaders were beginning to settle the land and a few years later Mr. Fisher, himself, located on a homestead and began ranching on his own. Mr. Fisher was like other young men of his day, a working cowboy, working for the big cattle outfits in the area. He took part in many round ups and was known at that time as one of the best bronco busters. Although Colorado had become a state in 1876, about ten years later when Mr. Fisher and Mrs. Fisher (who was then Stella Strode) came here, this part of the state was mostly prairie with only a few inhabitants. Large cattle outfits were located here and there where there was water and ran their stock over many thousands of acres. Mr. Fisher worked for numerous cattle outfits, one of them being the Quarter Circle. The Quarter Circle worked from the Fort Morgan area to the Arkansas River with headquarters where Sugar City is now. At the time Mr. Fisher worked for them they had 425head of mares from which to raise their saddle strings. In speaking of the early days, he recalled the last buffalo hunt which occurred in 1887. The last two buffalo ever seen in this area were railed to the flats north of Seibert after being flushed from gullies northeast of Hugo and were shot close to Hell Creek. Mr. Fisher also recalled the big Texas cattle drives, the last two of which were in the springs of 1892 and 1893. The big herds of cattle were being moved from Texas to Montana when ranching was begun there. Later Mr. Fisher told his family he wished that he had gone along on those drives. At that time he was employed by W.N. Leeper on a ranch southwest of Flagler. A family keepsake is a small account book put out by a livestock commission firm, Blachard, Shelly and Rogers of Omaha, Nebraska and Kansas City. In it he noted that he began work for the Met Cattle outfit in December 1896. The late C.J. Farr, father of Duncan Farr, was the foreman. Items in father had migrated to Missouri, then to Colorado where he took up a homestead on the Republican River. It was known for a long time as the Ranney place. The Fishers and the Strodes were among the first settlers to arrive and their houses were mostly dugouts and sod houses. They recalled that near what is now Flagler the Pugsley Brothers of Hugo had a small cabin and some corrals. At that time the railroad had not been built so settlers had to go to Akron or Haigler, Nebraska, or to Hugo for supplies; the trips taking several days depending on the distance traveled and the means of transportation which was usually a horse and wagon. The Fishers were married in Flagler on May 6, 1903, and moved to her homestead where they went into the cattle business. Mr. Fisher was the first in this area to breed up a herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle. Another highlight of the cattle business which occurred about 1918 was the building of a community dipping vat at the Fisher place. At that time it was a great improv- ement over anything that had been used. This was a cage-type affair into which the animal was loaded and dipped in the vat with power furnished by a team of horses. It was built at the Fisher place due to the central location. and the number of corrals available. It was in use for several years with ten or twelve men there every day working with the stock during the dipping season. The Fishers retired in the mid 1940s. moving into the town of Flagler. Copied from the Flagler Nears, February 12, 1959. by Editors RATTLESNAKES T456 Not many years in the past, Orval Monroe, who lived ten miles north and one and a half east of Vona, found a den of rattlesnakes on his farm. He was driving his car and saw a snake. While killing it, he saw another. His brother came to help, and in two hours they killed eighty. Within the space of five acres and with the help of other men, that day and the next, they killed a total of one hundred and twenty-five. They now knew why the little Monroe girl had been bitten by a rattlesnake a few days earlier. South of Stratton we also had a den of rattlesnakes. This was near the Herb Griffith �fields and all fields had to be fenced to keep range stock out of crops. Framing was done with horses and mules. A few homesteaders LIFE FOR THE HOMESTEADERS T467 A new day dawns on the prairie, a quite undisturbed land with its own familiar sounds - the song of a meadow lark and a turtle dove as they greet each new day, the yapping of the coyote as they prowl the prairies at night; sounds that remain unchanged with the passing of time. By the time the homesteaders came, the Indian camps were gone, the large herds of buffalo, once so numerous in this area, had disappeared - all that was left as a reminder of their presence were buffalo chips and bleached bones of buffalo carcanses that dotted the prairies. farm. Tom Holm, Bob Piper, Bill Ferhenbach, Ray Schlichenmayer, Bill and Herb Griffith, were some of the men who helped in that vicinity. They would hunt in the spring and in the fall. Results one time: twenty-five, fifty-five, sixty-eight. They never failed to get good results. Dead rattlesnakes are good results! Mrs. Harvey Wood found a four-foot rattlesnake in her garden about the time of the Monroe killing. Mrs. Nick Stoffel also killed one in her garden here in Stratton. In earlier years, Leo Klotzbach was bitten by one. No hospital, no serum! Dr. Beechley was the resident physician here then. Leo has not verified, as it was rumored, that Dr. Beechley knew herbs, as did our grand- parents, and picked a prairie herb that helped in the healing of Leo. Even then he was sick for a long time, but did reeover. Mrs. Leiber and Mrs. Cecil Eisenbart, both from south of Stratton. were bitten while in their gardens, but there was serum available drifted too farm, they worked them back closer to home. Blocks of salt were kept out for stock. There was lots of hard work, but communities found time for pleasures, too. Neighbors were neighbors - always ready to lend a helping hand with extra work or in times of and wagon, drove around looking for bones. The bones were sold and shipped to a place where they were ground and used as fertilizer. wagons with barrels of water and head in the undulating buffalo grass. There were soapweeds, pancake and pin cushion cactus, plus a variety of wild flowers that bloomed each spring. There were birds that nested on the ground, prairie dogs, prairie owls and rattle soaked gunny sacks in water to beat the fire out. They sometimes plowed a ditch as a fire guard to stop a fire. People exchanged work at harvest and threshing times, or when ever any extra help was required such as laying up sod, building buildings and fences. Commu- snakes, as well as bull snakes, hog snakes. There were ground squinels, jack rabbits, cotton tails, badgers and coyotes. All this and the prairie was still treeless. The homesteaders had many hardships to contend with coming to a virgin buffalo grass prairie - to an unmarked piece of ground that was to be their new home, with no buildings, no water, no trees, no fences -just a vast open prairie land with nothing as far as the eye could see. Brave, courageous, pioneers of Kit Carson County - Homesteaders. The first and most important things to be done were to provide something to live in and a well and windmill. The building material available was sod, so that is what most homesteaders first buildings were made of. It was an open country with free range for cattle and horses. It was not free range for sheep. Sheep could graze on the buffalo grass, but only with a herder. Sod was broken for trouble. Prairie fires were not uncommon. and any and all who saw smoke would load direction of the smoke to fight fire. They nity basket dinners were a time of getting together to pitch horse shoes, play ball and visit - everyone was welcome. Everyone was welcome at the country dances. Dances were held in homes - people would move furniture out of a couple rooms and have a dance - or in barns or hay lofts or in school houses. John Bloomquist and Lee Raines had nice barns for dances. Smokey Hill had dances in the school house and it was also used for church and Sunday School. by Isophene D. Lesher CHRISTMAS AT CAMP LEWIS T458 Camp Lewis, Washington at that time. A rattlesnake does not have to be coiled to strike. I saw one strike two feet in the air while uncoiled and flat. One Sunday Boots Wilson killed a rattlesnake and out of the wound crawled sixteen little snakes. The local papet, The Stratton Press, carried the picture. The story of the rattlesnake still continues as late as 1983. It was in the fall of the year. Jim McConnell was getting ready to wean his calves, when his son Raymond ran upon a rattlesnake, but it ran in a hole before he could kill it. A few days later, on a rather warm day, LeRoy Herndon and Leonard Beese went to Jim's pasture known as the "Fred Wagner place" to get one of their calves. In a low bottom along the sand creek they ran upon snakes and started killed them and they killed about thirty-five snakes. LeRoy's dog was helping and got bitten and they had to rush the dog to the vet or they might have killed more. by Florence Mcconnell Central Community, used oxen. The weather was the deciding factor in raising a crop. There had to be summer rains to grow a crop. There was no irrigation in these early days. Rains would fill ponds and lagoons that provided range water for stock, otherwise stock had to go back home or to a watering place. Good stockmen rode to check on cattle and horses and if the stock had roamed or And these, too, would soon disappear, gathered up by the bone pickers who, with team The land was a prairie carpeted with Boots Wilson killed this rattler with her young. even had oxen. The Griggs, in the First Rodeo at the o'c' Dunlap Ranch �don't know whether Grandpa Sam Schaal had it published in the Record,the CalI or . Our Dad, Jake Schaal, trained as a medic with Field Hospital Company 252 of the 13th Sanitary Train Regiment. World War ended before his outfit was shipped to Europe, and Dad wae discharged on Apr. 5, 1919 at Ft. D.A. Russell (near Cheyenne), Wyoming. Dad learned many useful things in his field hospital training and was adept at giving first aid, doing special and "pressure" bandaging, setting broken bones, applying and wrapping splints, etc. He was always grateful that he had been trained to help the injured and bind rather than having to up the wounded maim and kill the-enemy. by The Rev. Herbert Schaal way back east and do a little shooting once in a while so the dudes would have something to talk about after they went back home. These dudes, or tenderfeet as we called them, were our best sport. We just had to pretend a little and their imagination would do the rest. A few shots and a wild dash past the ranch house after dark was about all they could stand. They liked to ride and just had to do it. It was the most fun when you slip them a horse that was gentle in the corral but became a bronco as soon as he cleared the gate. I have seen them come to a gate and struggle around to get it open and closed and then find they had the horse on the wrong side of the fence or maybe they would be. We did not milk any of those wild cows, but once there was a fellow there who had to have some milk. Well we told him of a homesteader TOM DILLON AND THE BAR T. T459 I was born in Springfield, New York, in 1885, just one year before this part of the west Jake Schaal in his World War I uniform. Enlisted in U.S. Army on Aug. 27, I9L8. was opened for homesteaders. I did not come here until 1906, but there was still some homesteads to be taken so I took one, 15 miles north and one east ofBethune. I did not come to homestead though, I just saw the opportunity in taking one and saw that it would not interfere with what I really came for, and that was to sell draft stallions. We knew in New York State that they January 1, 1919 Dear Folks: I will try and write a few liens to let you know that I am all O.K. yet. hope you are the same, I received your letter, (Christmas) cards and check. Thank you very much for the same; was very glad to hear from home again. Well, I hope you (had) an opportunity to go to the program on New Year's eve. We had a nice Christmas program. Had a tree about 25 feet high, strung with red, yellow and green with one big white light at electric lights the top of the -tree which looked like a star it from a distance. The tree is (outdoors) sure is a pretty one. - We got pretty good treats and a fine Christmas dinner from the "Y" (YMCA). Last night we had a big New Year's program, and got treats again this afternoon. The band furnished the music for both programs. Well, I suppose it is quite cold back there now. We are having ice and heavy frosts the past three or four mornings. We did not have to drill from December 24 until January 2, but we will start to do something tomorrow again. I see the other boys (from home) quite often here lately. They are all O.K., too. Did any of you folks see Jake Weisshaar since he came home? The way they talk around here, we won't get out of here for several months. Well, this is about all I can think of now. Church services will start pretty soon now, so I will close. I wish you all a happy, brightNew Year and best wishes. Goodbye 'till we meet again. From your son and brother, Jacob Schaal We have the above letter on an old BurlingSon newspaper clipping which has no masthead or further notation on it. So we needed horse power in opening up the west, so my uncle persuaded me to come out here somewhere and form companies to buy a stallion. I recall that Henry Goebel, Posie Chandler, Lee Woodcock and Henry Johnson were in the first company. I was equipped to teach school and I took the school known as the Tuttle School. It was made of rock and I taught John Richards, his brother Harry, sister Edna and another sister, Cora; Ethel and Bertie Ragan, Clay and Hazel Yount and others. I do not remember any church close, but we held services at the school house and when a minister came through we had a sermon. Here is something that happened while I was teaching. John Richards and his two sisters were coming to school one morning, driving an old mare and the girls were picking on John. John tried to take care ofhimselfbut they were getting the best of him, so he hit the old mare a good one and threw out the lines and said, "There you are girls, I hope that old mare runs off and I hope we are all killed." But the old mare had too much rheumatism. They were not killed and John lived to raise a nice family. Yes, I worked on the old Bar T and I guess that was one of the most popular ranches of the day. Its big days were before I came. Burt Ragan came there as a poor boy and later became the manager. They never owned much land. They did not need to, they just turned the cattle loose as there were no obstructions in the first days. The cattle would drift in the storms clear to the Arkansas River and then fall in and drown. I did not hear much of the killing that took place out there. We had guns, but it was not necessary to wear them and there was plenty of n-munition. We had to wear our guns when the ranch was entertaining guests from who lived down the trail about five miles who milked a cow, so he got on a horse and started out. This man was pretty hard on a horse and he bounced so much that when the horse's back was going up he was coming down. Well he made the trip alright, but the milk must have been a little rich and sour for he had a little paddy of butter and some whey when he got back. I married in 1909 to Jessie L. Kellogg from my old hometown. Her father was out here before that buying buffalo hides. He was down in Kansas near Norton one day and there were just two little stores there. One of these men must have been new to the region for a large group of Indians came through and he was really scared. They were loaded with buffalo hides. Well, in a quick transaction Mr. Kellogg bought out the store and the same day traded the entire stock to the Indians for the hides. Those were great days that I spent at the Bar T, but it is better now. I would not want to go back to them. Mostly I helped put up hay and then went back to teaching school in the winter months. Burt Ragan, the manager then, was about ready to start out on his own as he had about 200 head of cattle. Henry Goebel was managing the Spring Valley and he traded and bought a lot. He was an accommodating man and you could always sell an animal to Henry. You could drive in a cow, calf, or even a hog and Henry would buy it for a fair price. by KCCC RATTLESNAKES MOVE IN T460 Our sandy ground is covered with a variety of grasses, sagebrush, soap weed and cactus. It is home for our cattle, horses, the coyotes, rabbits, pheasants, gophers and a few snakes. The snakes have a free range unless I discover them in my yard or we see a rattler. In October 1983, we began seeing more rattlesnakes that normal on the roads. Lyle Garner owns property to the east of us with rock cliffs facing south. We presume several rattlers were scouts, then passed the word that they had found a nice sunny location to hibernate for the winter. Lyle and Theo Borden went to these rocks looking for something to shoot at. They found �were going to get some rocks or not, but you could take a rock claim with another claim if you could find one and you could also take what you called a desert claim the same way. A desert claim was one that the government thought was too sandy and hilly to support a family. Anyway, they were on their way to this rock claim and were intending to go through the Bar T, as was the custom, and the Bar T was liking Mr. Munsinger less all the time, for one more homesteader meant a little less grass for the Bar T. Before they came to the Bar T Rattle Snakes Move In! (photo from Rich Gaddy) more than their wildest imagination would let them believe. They ca-e to get Garold and Tony to bring more guns and shovels to help them kill snakeg. They had killed 250 in just the few hours before sundown. The hunt went on for six weeks before the first snow. Each step was chosen with care. A live snake would be right beside a dead one. I was thankful for the sport of getting themselves a trophy of the skin or rattles. We kept a count from people that reported to us the number they had killed. I didn't want to know how many were taken out live in ten gallon cans. The dead ones totaled eleven hundred ninety five. Had there been this many rattlesnakes in the area for the summer, we would have seen them competing with the bullsnakes for the bird eggs. We would have been doctoring noses of curious horses all summer. Any that escaped probably decided not to trust that scout the next winter! It turned out to be an extra cold winter with lots of snow. We haven't seen many since. by Jean Paintin WE CAME FROM RUSSIA T461 This is the story of Fred Bauder as told by his wife Minnie on Januar5r 12, 1958. Fred was born in the area of Odessa in Russia in 1877 but, of course, he was not really Russian but German, as his grandfather had migrated from Germany to Russia. Fred and his parents arrived here in America in 1888 and took a homestead upon arrival, seven miles north of Bethune and just a little east. When Fred was 16 and his brother, Andrew, a little older, they were out looking for work. At first they worked on ranches as far away as north of Denver, Fred was back here working on the famous Bar T before he was 20. Most of the things that were typical ofoutfits like this happened before Fred went to work there. I have heard my father speak of some of them. One was about the time when the farm hand shot down the Mexican, when it was just a misunderstanding about a pair of gloves. Then there was another story about a man from Denver by the name of Munsinger who was making a living by locating homesteads and charging for it. He also did suweying. I do not know if he was qualified as a surveyor but someone had to do it. One day my father and Mr. Muneinger were going north to the Bar T to a rock claim. I don't know if they gate, one of the ranch wagons fell in just ahead of my father and Mr. Munsinger and told them not to come in. When the Bar T men produced three guns, Papa and Mr. Munsinger had to withdraw, but Mr. Munsinger was mad and turned around to go arm himself. I guess it had to come to showdown sometime to see if this land could be homesteaded, and the Bar T fenced in. Papa kept trying to get him to change his mind, but he kept right on going and did get a gun and come back, but he finally gave up and went the long way around to get to the rock claim. Later on they clashed again southwest of the Bar T headquarters. I think that Mr. Munsinger was surveying; he could have been as they kept getting closer with this work and Munsinger was armed this time and they shot it out. Munsinger killed the foreman and shot the heel off another man's boot. Someone asked Munsinger why he got one shot so low and he said he aimed low and did not want to kill the second man. Yes, Fred had some experiences while working on the Bar T, but they were the kind that fell the lot of all ranch hands at that time. There was lots of saddle work for they rode for miles and miles. There were lots of other things to do that the boys who think they would like to be cowboys never connect with ranch work. There was the time that he had to go to Lamar with two other men and get a trainload of Southern steers that were coming in. The train had been held up on the line by something they could not help. It may have been a washout or a wreck, I cannot remember anJrmore, but the steers cnme in in terrible shape. They were in the cars so long their hips were raw and they were awfully weak. Then they had to be branded before they left the yards, for as soon as they got them out of town they might mix with other cattle or some would stray away. There were a lot of them. I think it was 1,000. They got them branded and then started out with them through Lamar to the ranch north.Three of them were so weak that they dropped in the etreet before they got out of town and few more after that, but it was way after dark before they got them out far enough to let them bed down. Then the men were ready to try and get themselves something to eat, but before they had started, here came an official from Lsmar and said that they had to move those dead cattle out of town. They did just that with nothing to do it with but their ropes and the tired saddle horses. The year that they got this big shipment ofsteers from Lamar the ranch said that they had not made any money and Fred did not get paid his wages. They were supposed to give him $5.00 extra for every horse he broke and I think he received that. Water was sometimes the biggest problem. There was always plenty at the main ranch on the river but the cattle were many miles from there at times and wells were few and those old mills that they had then were not what we have now. Fred had to work on windmills and wells a lot and the help he had was not always good. He was working on one when the pipes slipped and came down on his hand. He had two fingers that were just dangling, so they rode into town and the doctor sewed them back on. Then the doctor left town, but not for good, just for a while. Well, this did not turn out very good, and Fred's hand startcd to mortify. They were afraid he might even lost his life. It did not seem that there was anything that could be done. But someone told him to go see a man by the name of Allen who was selling drugs in Burlington. This man had served in the Army and had been in the Hospital Medical Corps, as an assistant. He looked at Fred's hand and swore. and said "such a doctor." He removed the fingers, did some cutting and stitching, and the hand got well. Fred and I got married in 1907 and took a homestead 7 miles north of Bethune. It was not easy to establish and keep a home then, but then it was much better than when my folks started. We worked hard and we finally did get a nice ranch for ourselves totaling 1,319 acres. We raised four children and gave all a good education. Fred always did all he could to help in the community in whatever way he could. He suffered out the dry years like everyone else but hung on. Age and health forced him to give up the farm and move to town in 1946 where he could take life easier. He passed away in the spring of 1957. bv K.C.C.C. CHILDHOOD MEMORIES T462 As a child I cannot remember any special hardships. Now my parents are both deceased. We were just a short way from the South Dakota border which was then an Indian reservation. The Indians used to start prairie fires which the settlers spent many days control- ling. At present, this country is a fine ranching and farming area. When the time came for the government to ope-n the country for settlement, many people lived in sod houses. The sod houses were always cool in the summer and warm in winter. In our sod house, we used a topsy stove one winter for heat. This had what was called a drum oven on the pipe for baking. My mother baked many loaves of bread and other goodies in it. My mother had many beautiful flowers in the windows. In early days, there were no churches but there was a family who had moved into our neighborhood who organized a Sunday school. The father of this family had been Governor of the State of Nebraska. He was a fine man and worthy to be our Sunday school superintendent. This Sunday school was held in our little school house. Many are the happy memories of those days when I attended a rural school. To me, it is doubtful if anything can ever replace the rural school for children. To me. that is one �of the reasons for a strong America. The following poem recalls many blessed feelings. brothers considerable trouble. The wild stallions would come into their horse herds Our kitchen seems to be the place Where all the family gather. Round the table they will sit, Because they say, they'd rather. Our kitchen seems to be the place Which makes our house a home. and steal many of their mares and drive them miles away from the Wagner's range. The brothers at last got permission from the State Government of Colorado to shoot the wild stallions whenever they were caught stealing mares. Most of the stallions were smaller and not nearly as valuable as the Here we dance and sing and play And have no thoughts to ronm. by Grace Corliss LINCOLN HIGHWAY 19 13 the cities where there is a cattle market today. There were a good many wild horses in this area at that time and they caused the Wagner T463 According to the Cappers Weekly on Oct. 29, 1963, Halloween of 1963 was the Fiftieth Anniversary of a celebration dedicating the first proposed route of the Lincoln Highway which passed through Kit Carson County about where Highway 24 is now. I well remember Burlington's part in the celebration. The town folks had received advance word from members of a thirty car caravan of eastern people who planned to make the first transcontinental trip by car on the new Lincoln Highway that would pass through Burlington on a certain date. So the Burlington town folks, wishing to give those eastern tenderfeet a taste of western hospitality and wild west entertainment, arranged in an old fashioned chuck wagon feed and a small rodeo at the fair grounds. The caravan arrived on schedule with probably the most automobiles that had ever been in Burlington at one time; thirty four autos. The chuck wagon feed was a grand success. My brother Millard, and I, had ridden forty miles from our ranch to bring in some bucking horses. Apparently the visitors had never seen a cowboy and a bronco in action together before. They had cameras of all kinds, shooting us from all directions. For something special and different, my brother Millard put his saddle on his bronco backwards, then mounted, and rode backwards. The four cowboys that took part in the bronc riding that day were: Jim Jones of Kanorado, Bert Townes of Burlington, Millard Harrison and myself, Carl Harrison of Vona. by J. Carl Ilarrieon IIORSE RANCHING T46'4 Wagner's domesticated horses. The brothers were also given permission to catch, brand and break any of these wild ponies that they desired. So one winter they made quite a project of catching wild horses. They chose winter time when the wild horses were thin and not very strong. They would ride until they found a wild herd, then with their well fed and strong saddle horses they would be able to rope the wild horses on the prairie. They would then put a rope hobble on their catch, turn it loose and rope another, proceeding in that way until they had spent their saddle horses or caught what they wanted. In doing this the hobbled horses could be herded together and driven to their ranch headquarters without too much more trouble. Corraling a loose wild horse with a saddle horse is about like trying to corral a jack rabbit or a coyote. Since these horses had never known or learned to respect a barbed wire fence, it was almost impossible to keep them in a corral or a pasture. Keeping the horses gave them more trouble than catching them. Fred Wagner told me that they tried some horse steaks from some of the wild horses that they killed. They never relished horse steak as it always seemed to have a sweet sweaty horse like the smell of a sweaty horse. I have heard it said many times in the old days that John Wagner was a real wizard in his handling and breaking of wild horses. He seemingly cast a spell over extremely wild horses. He could then accomplish things in their handling and breaking that no one else could. The brothers had a horseman friend and neighbor in Cheyenne County, Colorado by the name of Pinky Henderson. Pinky came to them with a hard luck story. It seemed he had sold, loose on the range, about fifty head ofhorses, to a New York buyer to be rounded up, loaded and shipped at a certain time. When the time came to deliver them. he found that he was unable to corral them. There were some wild horses running his, and some ofhis horses had never been in a corral. When he was crowding them near a corral, the wildest horses in the herd would break back like jack rabbits in all directions and while he was trying to stop one critter the rest would break and run and soon the herd was scattered and gone beyond hope of stopping Two brothers, Fred and John Wagner, moved into Kit Carson County from Cheyenne County, Nebraska in 1903. They them that day. Henderson knew Fred and John were excellent horsemen with a good string of broughtwith them about seven hundred head extra good saddle horses. He had come to ask them to come down into Cheyenne County and help him corral the horses that he had ofhorses. John took a homestead about eight miles south of Stratton where they made their headquarters for some time. The government land was all open so their horse pasture qr6s elmssf, boundless. There was a fair market for horses in thoge days to the Army for cavalry horses. Many were shipped to the eastern United States and a great many were shipped to Europe. There was a good horse market at about all sold. Fred and John moved down near Henderson's place. They took with them a chuckwagon and a string of good strong saddle horses to help Henderson corral his horses. The next day the three of them went out and spent a good share ofthe day getting the horses rounded up and back near the home corral. As they neared the corral a few of the wild "quitters" as Fred called them, began to get nervous and tried to break out and leave the herd. With strong fast mounts the men managed to hold them together almost to the corral gate. A wild stallion broke back between the horsemen. In trying to stop him, they left other gaps open and a few seconds later horses were scattered and running in every direction. They let the wild horses go for that day and tried again the next day with the seme results. On the third day the wild stallions, that had succeeded in escaping twice before taking the rest of the herd with them, repeated the performance. Fred and John were pretty badly disgusted with their failures. When Henderson wanted them to try it again, they told him that they were tired running their saddle horses for nothing. They said they wouldn't help to try to corral the horses again unless he, Henderson, would allow them to shoot the quitters whenever one started to break out of the herd. Since Henderson wouldn't think of letting them shoot any ofhis horses, Fred and John packed up their chuckwagon, took their saddle horses and went home. After a week or ten days of unsuccessful attempts to corral his horses or to get other efficient help to do the job, Henderson again appealed to the Wagner brothers to help him. In the deal, he would allow them to shoot the quitters. Their next attempt at corraling the herd proceeded about as usual until they were nearing the corral gates. A big beautiful sorrel stallion broke back. Fred said that he thought, as he saw that big beautiful horse breaking for safety, "I would sure hate to kill that horse if he were mine, but he has got to be stopped." He took aim and let him have it. By the time the smoke had cleared away, he and John had killed four or five quitters. They were then able to corral the remainder of the herd without much trouble. When the gates were closed securely, Fred said, "I rode out to take a look at the big sorrel stallion that I had just killed. I turned him over to see if he was branded and dnmned if he wasn't my own hoss," by .I. Carl Harrigon CHRISTMAS ON THE PLAINS 1930 STYLE T465 The weeks before Christmas were filled with much preparation for the school program. Our school never had more than seven students enrolled in all eight grades but we always had a program that would last about 2 hours many skits, memorized solos, duets, groups. We "readings", songs - by their hems to form would hang sheets dressing rooms and curtains to draw. If the pupils had younger brothers or sisters at home they were encouraged to "speak a piece". This was always looked forward to and enjoyed because you never knew for sure what would happen. My sisters and I always had new dresses for the program that my mother had made usually out of used fabric that some of the family had given her. I remember especially a beautiful tan colored dress trimmed with a �pretty bright plaid. I had put it on to wear for the very first time and in the hurry and commotion to get ready a bottle of hair oil that one of my brothers had out to use got tipped over and spilled down the front of my new dress. Of course I had to wear something old and since the fabric was not washable (wool) the dress had to be discarded. We always had a church program to take part in also however since it served a much larger area there were alot more people to share the responsibility. I remember the church Christmag tree looked huge to me and since no one had trees in their homes it was a real sight. Real candles were placed on the tree and were lit during the program. One of the men of the congregation would stand close by to put out the fire should one occur. Santa made his appearance at the end of the progrrm with treats for all the children. I remember getting a package in the mail from Grandma Jameg (she died when I was five or six so it must have been her last Christmas.) It sat in the unheated "parlor" until Christmas morning. No present was ever opened around our house until that magical morning. In the mail also would come a box from an uncle who had a goodjob in the Oklahoma oilfieldg. We didn't open it either but we knew it would be a 5 pound box of a luxurious gift! chocolates - What I remember the year when I was about six years old my parents had given me some chickens to raiee. They told me if I took good care of them I could sell them at Chrigtmas time and I would have some money to buy presents with. When December came I asked my Dad if he would take my five hens to town and sell them for me. Realizing that the effort of catching them and taking them to town was going to be more trouble than they were worth he got out his pencil and paper and proceeded to make me a business deal. He figured out what each would probably weigh and what the going rate per pound was at the time and wrote me a check for the amount. I was very proud ofthat traneaction and altho the check was a few cents less than a dollar (this was during the depression) I managed to buy something for everyone - Mother, Dad, three brothers, and three sisters. Christmas Eve was always a very special partly because we were excited about time Santa- coming and presents waiting to be opened next morning but mostly because of the tradition of the white tablecloth and the light€d candles while we ate our bowls of steaming oyster soup. Before we started to eat however we listened to the reading of the Christmas Story. I always wanted to go to bed right after supper so morning would come faster. My sisters and I would be up in the morning long before daylight to see what Santa left in our stockings. Dad would hear us up and he would get up also to get a warm fire going in the heating stove. Our presents from Santa were usually small enough to fit into our long cotton stockings (the kind we wore daily). The foot of the sock was always filled with candy and nuts. On the table would be all the pretty bowls that we never used any other time of year and they would be heaped high with peanut brittle, hard candy, peanut clusters, nuts of all kinde. Compared to the 1980s our presents in those days were really nothing at all but I cannot ever remember being dieappointed with what I got in fact I always felt like a very lucky little girl as indeed I was. by Reta James Lounge herding cattle and horses on the free range, milking cows and delivering the cream and eggs into Vona seventeen miles away by team and buggy. by J. Carl Harrison 65 YEARS A FARMER. RANCHER T466 As I heard and saw our 1979 cattle selling at record high prices I wondered how many of our 1979 cattlemen remember or have heard their father or grandfather recall the cattle price situation back in the 1930's when there wae a surplus of cattle and a shortage of feed. There would be a fair crop of thistles on land where the planted crop had failed. The thistles were mowed and raked and stacked where, in some areas, that was the prevailing cow feed. In some instances, the stalks of the thistles were so had and stiff that a cow couldn't eat them so in a good many instances a farmer with an old type thrashing machine would make the rounds in the neighborhood and the etacks of thistles were run through the machine which ground them up fine enough that a cow could eat them. The winter weather wae hard and people were losing cattle from starvation. F.D. Roosevelt put a law through suggesting the killing of surplus cattle, and in return the government would pay the owner for what was killed. It was either that or let them starve, so I called for government assistance. At last the government crew anived. It was a hard pill to take to etand in your cattle corral and watch those government riflemen stand and shoot your cow herd down one at a time, but it was either that or see them starve. We were paid twelve dollars per head for our cows and four dollars for calves. Several of our neighbors were present at the time and I told them to butcher out anything that had any meat on them and they did. I bought corn for twenty-five cents per bushel for supplemental feed for the few cattle that I had left and bought replacement calves the next year for $1.00 per head. I have seen hundreds of head of horses on the free range of which very few were claimed by any one, almost like the old wild horse days. All that a cowboy had to do was to pick out the horse that he wanted and help himself. It used o be said that a well-mounted cowboy had a $10.00 horse and a $50.00 saddle. I fed out a carload of gteers in the early twenties on 25 cent corn and delivered them to Kansas City by rail for $6.15 per hundred pounds. And along about that time a license tag wasn't required on a car and no brake and light inspection. There was no income tax and in L924, the tax on our half-section homestead was just $12.00. About that time, I taught a country school, and was bus driver and janitor for $50.00 per month. At least it kept me off W.P.A. In the summer of 1926, I rode a horse from our homestead south of Vona to Colorado Springs to attend a summer session of a teacherg review course at Colorado College for six weeks. During that time, my wife, Winnie, and our two small boys ran the ranch alone; raising chickens, caring for the hogs, CORN HARVEST SIXTY YEARS AGO T487 Back in 1916, corn was the main cash crop in Kit Carson County, especially north of the Rock Island Railroad. There was no deep well irrigation in those days, so corn was a dry land crop. All was picked by hand as the corn picker had not yet been invented. Thirty or forty bushel per acre was considered a good yield. In those days, a corn picker was one man with a team of horses hitched to a lumber wagon. The wagon had two or three sets of side boards and a high bump board on the off side to stop the ears of corn as the shucker threw them at the wagon. A good corn shucker in getting to the field by day light and staying at it steady till dark could shuck between seventy five and a hundred bushels, depending on the quality of the corn and the general size of the ears. When a farmer hired a corn shucker, he was paid about three or four cents per bushel for his work, which amounted to somewhere from $2.00 to $4.00 per day. This depended on his speed and staying power. The shucker generally furnished his own team and wagon for which he would receive feed for his tenm and his own board and room. The boss would measure the corn that the shucker brought in as one bushel for every inch high filled in a standard wagon box. Then he had to scoop his load off after dark. A great deal of the corn raised north of Stratton was hauled directly into Stratton and sold to the Stratton Equity Coop. The Co-op bought thousands of bushels of corn by wagon box measure, which was one bushel to the inch. This was ag accurate as weighing a load and paying for one half of the weight as corn and the other half of the weight as the cob for which they received nothing. Around .500 per bushel was a fair price in those days. During the rush of corn picking season on most any day you could see a continual line of horse drawn wagons loaded with ear corn coming into Stratton from the road running straight north. There would be a solid line of wagons as far as you could see. The Co-op would have the corn unloaded in long ricks on the open land just north of the Rock Island Railroad where Miller's car wrecking yards are now. The Co-op then shelled the corn and left the cobs in long ricks which they sold back to the formers and town people for $1.00 a load. They used the cobs as fuel for cook stoves and heaters. There was a time during the 1920s when corn was so cheap that many families, mine included, didn't bother to shell the corn off the cob. Instead they used ear corn for fuel in place of wood, wood, or cow chips. by J. Carl llarrison �THE LAST ROUNDUP T468 Probably the last old style cowboy-chuck wagon roundup to take place in Kit Carson county was brought about by an odd group of circumstances back in the early twenties. But before getting to the story proper, a little back ground material is necessary. A good many residents will remember a couple of good old dry land farmers, who settled northeast of Stratton, brothers-inlaw, H.H. Woods and F.P. Powers. They decided to spread out a little in a partnership cattle venture. They went to some southern market and bought around 400 head of aged southern steers. Now for someone who had always handled gentle docile native cows, there was quite a bit to learn about handling a herd of aged southern gteers on the open range. But not knowing anything of the wild roving nature of their newly purchased herd, they decided to make use of the open range that was pretty plentiful yet in the southern part of the county. They made a deal with a farmer about 14 miles south of Stratton, Herb Ellis, to furnish water at his windmills and ride herd on the bunch. Ellis let them know that he would be pretty busy farming, but that they had a little cow pony mare that his wife could ride and that she could keep an eye on the steers in her spare time. Eventually the cattle arrived by rail. They were unloaded in Stratton, and driven out to the Herb Ellis farm. They arrived at the watering place about a half mile from the Ellis home, but just out of sight of it, about sundown. The cattle took a good drink and laid down to rest. The three men, Woods, Powers and Ellis, thought that it looked like the end ofa perfect day and from then on all they needed to do was to watch those nice gentle steers eat, drink and get fat. So they all retired to their homes without the least thought of worry. But little did they realize what was in the minds of "those nice gentle steers". The next morning at the Ellis farm, after the chores were done and breakfast over, Ellis and his wife cranked up the Model T, deciding they would drive over the hill to the herd, check the water, and perhaps make a count. But to their bewildering surprise as they crested the hill in view of the watering tanks, not a single steer was to be seen in any direction. "Oh, well", Herb says, "they likely just moved over the next hill. We will find them right there". But What!! No steers over the next hill. At that turn of events, Herb decided to drive back home, get the old saddle mare, lead her behind the car until they found the cattle and then the Mrs. could drive them back near the home place. They acted on that decision. They drove till they played the old mare out leading her behind the car and never found but 30-40 head. Then they tied the old mare to a fence, as she slowed them down too much. and drove on into the afternoon. I might mention here that what Woods, Powers and Ellis didn't know about this particular breed of long-legged steers, was they were accustomed to moving 6 to 8 miles at a time, or if they should become frightened by a dog or car they would stampede. It was nothing for them to run 8 or 10 miles without stopping. So before the day was over, Ellis and his wife decided to go home and send word to Woods and Powers of the developments and ask their advice. Early the next morning the owners, Woods and Powers, drove to the Ellis farm themselves, visibly disgruntled at the Ellis'carelessness and disability to effectively ride herd and keep tabs on a bunch of"nice old steers", and immediately took off in their car to find, round up and return those "nice old steers", to the home stomping ground. They drove a good share of the day, back and forth, round and about, and to their surprise found very few of their cattle. They did locate a small bunch near the Buzz Dunlap ranch, where they stopped and talked tn Buzz, telling him of their dilemma and asking his advice as to how best to get their wayward steers located and gathered. Wher- eupon, Buzz advised them to get an old fashioned chuck wagon, hire a crew of cowboys and conduct a real old time roundup. So, that is what they proceeded to do, and inside of a few days had secured a horse dravm chuck wagon, and hired a few cowboys and a few extra saddle horses. The cowboys that were hired were: Maynard Dunham, Buzz Dunlap, Roy Chamberlin, and myself Carl Harrison. Also helping was H.H. Woods sixteen year old son, ding snort and the stampede was on. The drivers barely escaped with their lives, as that 200 head of steers turned in fright, as one solid mass and thundered off into the night. They had done it again, only this time the bosses had seen how it happened. They learned quite a lot in those few short moments about the temperament and disposition of those nice old southern steers. They realized that it wan an impossible task to try to stop them or to bring them back in the dark. We cowboys knew nothing of the episode until we returned Monday morning, only to find our last week's work had come undone in a few fateful minutes. The bosses were out in their automobile frantically scouring the range for their wayward steers. Before noon the bosses were back in camp empty-handed, looking rather sheepish. We soon got organized and were on our way again. We tracked the herd to a sand creek about 2 miles south of Dunlaps, where we counted about 200 fresh tracks, where they crossed the sand creek still at a trot. The rest of the roundup was somewhatuneventful. We found some of the steers within 10 miles of Cheyenne Wells and First View. We spent almost another week before we found them all and delivered them back to the home range. Woods and Powers had learned through some costly experience that the farmer's wife Harvey. The two bosses manned the chuck wagon, took the extra saddle horses in tow, in her spare time with one little old pony mare was no match for that bunch of long prepared the riders three meals a day, and set up camp at night, any place night happened with a good tight fence. That is where our to overtake us. With the accumulation of steers that we found each day and added to the herd, we took turns night herding for fear of losing them all again. We started covering an area about 20 miles in diameter around the Ellis farm. At the end of 4 or 5 days we had found only about half of the herd. With Saturday night coming up, the cowboys decided they wanted to go home and rest over Sunday. Powers made the remark to us before we left, that he didn't understand why anyone should have any trouble holding that bunch of cattle. "Why," he said, "A ten year old boy with a threelegged horse should be able to keep track of that herd of steers." Oh!! What he didn't know, but was soon to learn after his help was gone and before the night was over. The bosses watched the cattle for an hour. some grazing, some lying down, so they decided to pitch their tent a few rods south of Dunlap's corrals. Just before dark, the two men had some misgivings. Powers said to Woods, "Just suppose we should sleep too soundly and those cattle should decide to move again tonight, don't you believe it would be the wise thing to do, to put them in Dunlap's corral?" They agreed that that was best. So, shortly they were out around the legged steers. So the owners rented a pasture roundup terminated. But before the cowboys left for home that last night, one of them admonished Powers, that he should get that "10 year old boy with the three legged horse", on the job for safety.!! by J. Carl Harrison BIG ROUNDUP T469 In the early 1900's the land in Kit Carson and Cheyenne Counties was principally devoted to stock raising. Most of the land was not fenced as yet, and the ranchers let their herds of horses and cattle graze for miles in any direction almost without limit over the open and unfenced prairie. Most ranchers employed range riders or cowboys who rode the range almost constantly for the sake of keeping tab on the whereabouts of the loose cattle, checking to find how far from the home ranch they were ranging, and turning some bunches back in toward the home place that had wandered too far off their home range. Some large outfits that allowed their cattle herd bunching them and driving them toward to range for many miles in all directions the corral. There wae one more thing these men hadn't realized and that was these cattle hadn't been raised around the habitats of civilized men. Namely; houses, barns, autos, men on foot, and last, but not least, as they would conduct a round up in the fall for the attempted to drive them during the time that dusk turns to darkness, past the camp tent, in which a lighted lantern had been left. At that particular instant a playful puff of wind co-e along, flapped the sides of and the entrance flaps of the already spooky looking tent. A dozen leader steers let out a resoun- sake of sorting out the sellable stock for market, branding and weaning calves, and keeping the herd near the winter feed supply. I attended one of these big roundups in Cheyenne County in 1913. It was conducted by two brothers, Bret and Ike Grey who were large operators in that area. The Grey brothers employed about 15 cowboys for the roundup. Some ofthe boys brought their own saddle horses, and with those that the boss supplied, there must have been 35 saddle horses in the remount supply string. It was �one cowboy's job to ride herd on the saddle horse herd, and follow up with the chuck wagon whenever it moved. This cowboy was cdled the horse wrangler. He would also bring the horse herd into camp, usually in the morning, or any time of day when fresh mounts were required. The cowboys would make a corral of lariat ropes, the boys themselves acting as poets in the fence. Then each cowboy in his turn would go in and catch the mount he wanted. Meals were served at the chuck wagon, I DROVE TIIE STAGES T470 Yes, I drove the stage coaches and I am not surprised that you are surprised for there are not many of us left. I do not know of any of the men that I drove with that are living. Stage coach driving had its incidents and some of them would seem precarious today, but at the time it was just a way of life and the fastest transportation that we had. It prepared by the roundup cook. Those meals were certainly relished after a day of hard riding. We each had our bedroll and slept on the softest place we could find on the ground would get you there and just about anywhere that you wanted to go. You have come a little late to get the story that I could have told you 50 years ago when drifting too far at night and also to keep them from stampeding. We never experienced a stampede on the Grey roundups, but I have seen real stampedes of herds of wild cattle who becn'ne frightened by a noise or a light at night and from any experience that was no use trying to stop a stampede of wild frightened cattle at night. I have known them could have told you of several single trips that under the stars. We took turns at night herding to keep the gathered herd from to run and travel for eight or ten mileg before stopping. Since the roundup was a good time and place to break in a green bronco there were generally a few in the remount string. Most every morning, some cowboy would draw a wild one and we would have a little exhibition. The wild horse, after being roped, would be snubbed to the saddle horn of a gentle horse, then blindfolded and eared down by a man on the gentle horse until the bronco was saddle and bridled. Then the rider got on, the blindfolds were taken off, and the horse turned loose to do his worst. This particular roundup was in process for about three weeks, and the country covered pretty thoroughly from the U.P. Railroad to the north line ofCheyenne County north and south, and from about even with Cheyenne Wells to Wild Horse east and west, moving the chuck wagon headquarters in a big circle, adding the cattle that were gathered each day to the holding herd was was moved alongwith the chuck wagon each time it changed snmping places. Several of the smaller ranchers in the areajoined the roundup for the sake of gathering their own cattle that might be scattered somewhere in the area. The cowboys were told to pick up all cattle carrying the brands of the several helping ranchers. This was my case, as I was gathering for my father, A.W. Harrison, who was located about 20 miles southwest of Stratton. Some of the old timers may remember some of the nnmss of the helping ranchers: Billy Lang, Mustache Barber, Al Hungerford, Win Cotton, Ben Brown, and Mr, Freeman. The roundup ended near an old cow camp about 20 miles NW of Kit Carson, known then as "Lost Springs", and we had nearly 2,000 head of cattle. We held them there several days working the herd, cutting out the cattle of each of the small ranchers in turn and holding them some distance from the main herd, until each was sure he had all of his brand, I then headed for home with about 30 head of my father's cattle. My time with the roundup had been well spent. by J. Carl Harrison my memory served me better. When I climbed off the lagt coach on my last drive I would have made a good story, but today I cannot remember the towns I went through. I can remember, though, some of the hills, especially coming down them. Going up a hill was of little notice when the horses had something to pull on but going down took skill and courage more than once. The passengers never knew how many times I have felt my heart up high in my throat. There is one thing that I have often wished I could do, and that is to have 4 "4-up" or "6up" of some of the horses I used to drive on one of the old stages on the same old road filled with some of the kids here in Flagler. It would be something they would never forget. This is as I remember it. Our state route was 365 miles long and it ran between Schanico and Corvallis, Oregon. My run was from Prineville to Schancio, or anyway I can remember climbing off at the end of the run in those towns. I well remember those wonderful horses. I do not see how a company could put together such a string of animals. They were of various colors but much of the same built; tall, good bodies and muscular with stamina to spare. You could not keep them from running, no matter howyoupulled they went, but just a mere whoa that they could hear and they would stop. I crossed several streams and hills and the hills were where I had to be real careful. There was one bridge of a sort and it was a $500 fine to run a horse over it. I could pull the horses down so that they were going slow, but they pranced and still shook the old bridge. I had to come down quite a hill just before going on this bridge and one day, pull as I could, the horses kept gaining speed and I noticed that the coach was pushing on the tongue team. I looked at the brakes that were on the back wheels and one of the shoes was gone. The other one was not effective for the shoes were on a benm that was hung under the coach and when I pushed on them with my foot it applied pressured to the center of the beam. This equalized them. I could not slow them down nor stop them and they acted like they really were having a time at last, but the bridge stood it and I was not caught but I thought I might be for one of the passengers knew the bridge and told me at the next stop that I was supposed to walk the horses over it. If she only knew how close they came to losing their driver on the curve leading on to the bridge. I was satisfied. We hit the bridge with dl four wheels on the planking and I was thinking as we approached it that two of them might not fit. I have a soft spot in my heart for the days I drove the stages and I think of them a lot. We came in to the station on a tear, dust fogging. That was the only way the horses would do it. I had to use the brakes, for the stop was sudden and if I did not use the brakes the coach would push the tongue tesm and tongue into the lead tenm. I climbed down and attended the baggage and passen- gers. I was through with the horses for someone else took over that. Sometimes I drove six horses, but mostly four. I carried up to 1,550 pounds of baggage and mail. This took very little time. The fresh horges were already out and hitched when we arrived. On some coaches the tongue clipped onto the coach so all you needed to do was unclip it, drive the foamy horses offand back the fresh ones in and clip their tongue on, but on most of them you had to drop the tugs on the tongue team. That was the most the servicemen ever did. They hitched the lead teams. They clipped on and off and, no matter how, changing horses never took one minute. I always looked around and usually hailed someone I knew. Conversation was loud and fast. Sometimes there were orders for me that were hard to hear. I climbed up, and on the way saw that the baggage was hard fast. I picked up the lines and released the brakes and we were off right then and just like we came in. These horses always cnme in fast and left the same way. Passengers in the back seat faced the front and more than once the start caught one of them leaning forward and I would hear their back clump against the back of the seat. At one stage stop I had to drop the mail bags off at the post office, turn a corner and then stop at the stage depot. It was at this place that I had a lead team that I well remember. This team had been passed up by several drivers because they were so hard to control. Some thought they had been used on a fire engine somewhere for they never wanted to slow up until you were ready to stop. They pulled harder on the bits than some 6-ups. I drove these horses out one day and outside of the pulling that I had to do on the lines I did not have any trouble. I will never forget though the sudden stops and quick starts. They always stopped, too, when they were supposed to. They knew we stopped at the post office and they always did, and they knew, too, that it was just a little ways and around the corner where we stopped again, but would they take it easy? No! We came into the second stop on the double. The service had a cooling offstop where they stood for awhile and they knew where that was, too, so that just as soon as they were unclipped from the stage they slid the attendant to their cooling offplace. I wish you could have driven that tenm. I rather expect that stage stops were different than most people picture them. There was lots of interest in the stage aniving. Anyone who was not in town too often made it a point to be there when the stage came in. There was more interest in the stage than in the trains. News was so valuable and more carelessly given, as it was not authenticated like it is now and, ofcourse, the isolated areas were more eager to get it and repeat it. There was no style in dress except that it seemed the more the ladies could put on the more in style they were. The bigger and wider the hat also. It looked like some of the men coming from the east had worn all the clothes �they had. These were the men coming in to make it their home and somehow get their living in this new land. They were the dandies, too, who dressed the part and told the tallest stories. I was in full charge of the coach on the road. The passengers were in my care and if I gave them an order it was to be obeyed. They were wonderful days; very, very wonderful for a young man like me. Some of the drivers were well known for only old timer's store in Flagler and probably in the county. My wife and I are enjoying good health. We hire no help and have not thought of retiring. Some of our slowest moving items have been here for some time. Anna and I saw Flagler born and have seen it grow and it has been a happy experience, a happy life being a part of it. by Roy Bader, deceased one reason or other. The stories oftheir deeds that made them known were told and retold around the stage stops. I was born July 30, 1881, and was named Earl Brown. We came to Flagler in '88 after living three years at Brewster, Kansas, and took a homestead, the northeast quarter of section 12, township 9, range 50. My wife Anna, coms for the same reason, to take a homestead, only she came later and alone and I soon changed her nnme which was Boethin to Brown. We were married September 1, 1913. We had two children that did not survive us, as one lived just for a short time and we lost the other in the 'flu epidemic of 1918. We saw the rails laid into town and it eure had a big meaning for all of us. Before this we had freighted everything from the railroad that was south of us and had gotten our mail from Bowserville. Merchandise of a minor nature was also sold at the post office and the new road came close to this and it was built fast as so many crews worked at different places. They were near Bowserville on July 4th, 1888, and the crews got in bad shape from celebrating with some kind of liquor. They said they got it at the post office and there was trouble about this as you could not dispense liquor from such. Federal trouble was trouble then, as now,as there were forts here and there. The closest one here was on the Arickaree River north of here. I was here to see some of the last cattle drives and while I understand lots of them watered at Crystal Springs, the ones I saw were west of the town of Flager. They were large droves and I think 25 or 30 men were with each drive. They powdered the earth and drank the river dry. They were not always steers, in fact, lots of times they were nearly all cows. I was pretty young and maybe that was why I was always late in getting there to see the whole thing, but I never did get over there and mingle with the punchers like I would now if I just had the chance. There was one homesteader who built the wall for his barn out of ties and that was when they were building the railroad. Well, a man from the Flagler headquarters went out and told him that he would have to return them as they were building a railroad and not barns. Well, the fellow told the railroad official that he could not make him return Union Pacific ties and they had to leave it that way. The ties stayed in the barn wall. We had our fling at the cattle business, but my father liked business better and entered it early. The homesteaders start€d raising grain just as soon as they could get it planted and about that time Dad started buying it. Everything then had to be sacked and he loaded out two cars one night after supper and that was in the early nineties. There were about a dozen farmers helping him and each car held about 500 bushels. I think I have have established a record in Kit Carson County in one respect. We have been in the some store since 1903. It is the Corn shucks were used for bed ticks (mattresses). There were also feather ticks, but that took lots of feathers. Pillows were also made of feathers. Chicken was a summer time meat and the soft feathers and down were always saved from the fowls. Kerosene lamps were used for lights and kerosene lanterns were carried for any out door chores or anything after dark. The cave (cellar) was a cool place to keep things. It was a place for potatoes, winter vegetables, fruit and all kinds of canned goods. LIFE AS A EARLY FARMERS T47l Saturday was 'town day' for the farmers a day to take in the cream and eggs and do the trading. All farmers had milk cows. Milking was one of many regular morning by Isaphene Dunlap Leeher JOIIN WILLIAM BORDERS and evening chores. The milk also had to be separated (hand-powered separator) and by Saturday, creom and eggs needed to be taken to town. Cream was kept in a cool place in five or ten gallon cans and had to be stirred with a long special stirrer during the week. Eggs were carried in egg cases (twelve, six or three dozen size) or in a bucket with grain (barley, wheat or milled) poured over them to keep them from breaking. Farmers did their weekly trading, visited neighbors (who were also in town) and on Saturday evening in Burlington, the Bandstand was pulled to the intersection of Senter and 14th Street (Main Street) and there, local talent played various band instruments. It was good entertainment. All farm wives raised big gardens, set incubators or hens and raised baby chicks. Roosters were used for fryers. Oh, how good that first 'fryer tasted about the 4th of July! Pullets were raised for the next years'layers'. Incubators cnme in 500 - 250 - 110 - 50 egg size with a kerosene heater underneath. A thermometer was placed on the eggs in hopes of keeping the heat regulated. Each egg had to be turned over every day by hand. It took three weeks from the time of setting to the hatch. Butchering was done in the fall after the weather became cool because there was no John William Borders. refrigeration. Pork meat was cured with liquid smoke and hot pepper rubbed well on the meat, or fried down. After the meat was fried and put in large stone jars, hot lard was poured over it to cover and seal the meat. Sausage was especially good prepared this way. Pork was also smoked. Beef, pork and chicken were also canned in mason jars. The fat was trimmed off the pork meat, cut into pieces and cooked in a large container, then lard was rendered off. The cracklings were used to make soap. Lye and water were added and cooked to the right consistency, then left to cool. Later it was cut into chunks and put on a board to dry. Fuels for stoves (both cooking and heating) were corn cobs, coal and cow chips. Cow chips made a good quick hot fire, but Oh - the ashes! However nothing went to waste. The ashes were put in a barrel resting on a sloping board and water was added which leached the lye from the ashes. Shoes were shined by turning a stove lid upside down, using a little water with the soot, and this was applied to shoes with a cloth or brush, then rubbed to polish. Manda I. Borders T472 �J.W. Borders was born to Mr. and Mrs. James Borders on December 3, 1881, in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. His mother was the former Miss Sarah Tabitha Musselman. J.W. was educat€d in the grade schools of Wiscon- sin and graduated from high school in Stratton, Colorado. Although he held a teacher's certificate, he never taught. He cnme to Stratton, Colotado in 1897 where there were only thirteen people in the settlement and worked with a railroad sec- tion crew for 13.5 cents per hour. About 1905 he took out a tree claim locatpd three miles north west of Stratton and fatmed for several years. He then becnrne a partner of Nason Fuller in the operation of a grocery store. After a week of this partnership, the store burned down, but was rebuilt. Later Mr. Borders went into the grain business. J.W. Borders was a widely known grain dealer throughout Kit Carson County, Colorado and also in Lincoln County, Colorado. He was the manager and main stockholder of the Snell Grain Company in Stratton for many years. The Snell Grain Company had six branches, located in Stratton, Vona, Genoa, Hugo, Flagler, and Arriba, Colorado. Mr. Borders became a grain buyer for Snell Milling and Grain Company of Clay Center, Kansas in 1911. In 1912 he bought out Mr. Snell and built a grain elevator that was added onto many times. The Snell Grain Company was reorganized and incorporated and its n'me was changed to the Snell Grain Company. It was also a closed family corpora- tion. Although the Borders Family is no longer involved with Snell Grain Company the company is still in existence in Arriba, his farming operations and through general merchandising with the development of Stratton and that section of Kit Carson County. He lived a busy, useful, active, clean and honorable life and left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. Nason Fuller was born in Canada February 6, 1846, and there pursued his education until he was sixteen years of age, when he moved to Piatt County, Illinois. He was quite small when his father died. At a young age he began work upon the home farm and when the family moved to lllinois he assisted his mother with the farm work. The family consisted of six sons and two daughters. Mr. Fuller and his brothers carried on the farm in Piatt County until he was twenty-four years old. The family then moved to Mcdonough County, Illinois, where Nason secured employment in a wood shop. He assisted in the building of wagons and in other wood County, Illinois, the daughter of George Gregg and Lydia (Majors) Ingre-. George Gregg Ingram was a stonemason and farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Nason H. Fuller moved in September, L872,to Iowa, where they resided for eleven years. Mr. Fuller worked at various occupations, but mainly did blacksmith work and farming during the period. He was successful in almost everything he undertook throughout his life. He was a man of sound judgment and discrimination and thus his named Ira D. He married Bertha Arnold and lived in Vona, where he conducted a general store. Ira and Bertha had two children, Hoyt and Susan. In 1884 a second child, Manda Iva was born from Burlington. The railroad was completed in May of 1888. Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Borders becn-e the parents of four children: Floyd, who married Rena Mae Hartwig of Vona, Colorado; Halbert (deceased), married Olive Cozine; Hazel who married Hershel C. Harrison; and Marion who married Eleanor De Walt of Longmont, Colorado. There were five grandchildren: Richard Lee, married to Pa.tricia Lowe; Donald Dee, married to Sandra Simson; Robert, who married Zulma McDermott; Diane, married to Tom Moore of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and John Wilson, married to Margaret Schwall. Robert is now married to Emma Jean Sewell. Halbert Borders passed away in 1946. Mrs. J.W. Borders passed away on March 29,L962. J.W. Borders passed away on October 29, L970. by Marion Borders T474 February, 1872, Angeline was born in Warren daughter of Nason H. and Angeline (Ingram) Fuller, on April 19, 1901, at Stratton, Colorado. Manda cqme to Stratton with her parents in a covered wagon in April of 1888. Her father, Nason Fuller, rode the first train and returned on the first passenger train SAILING AND GOOSE HUNTING were united in marriage on the 22nd, of opinions were often sought on points of law. On the 3oth of December, 1875 a son was out of the Stratton to Burlington, Colorado by Marion Borders work for three years. During this time he net his future wife. Nason H. Fuller and Miss Angeline Ingram Genoa, and Hugo, Colorado. J.W. Borders married Manda I. Fuller, Congregational Church. He served for two years as county commissioner of Kit Carson County and was recognized as a valued and progressive citizen. born to Mr. and Mrs. Fuller whom they Dennis Orth, Burlington, CO. 2 geese shot around HaIe, CO. Dec. 12, 1985. Weight 10% lbs.,9% lbs. to Mr. and Mrs. Nason Fuller. Manda I. became the wife of J.W. Borders in April of 1902. J.W. Borders managed the elevator at Stratton and was in partnership with Angeline Fuller, Manda lva's mother. Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Borders had four children, Floyd, Halbert, Hazel and Marion. Mr. Nason Fuller and his family began farming on the homestead at Stratton. His health became impaired and moved into Stratton, where he conducted a general merchandise store for two years. Mr. Fuller then sold out and engaged in the cattle business, living on the old homestead. He remained there for thirteen years and was successful but again found the work too hard for him and again left the farm. He and his wife moved to Burlington, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. After two years in Burlington they returned to Stratton at the request of their children. Mr. Fuller once more conducted a general merchandising store, but a year later his store was destroyed by fire. He was entering his store with a NASON HOYT FULLER T473 Mr. and Mrs. Nason Hoyt Fuller and family moved to Colorado in the year 1888 and homesteaded at Stratton. Mr. Fuller was closely identified through lighted lamp when he suffered a heart attack and the lamp fell, breaking, starting the fire. His friends rescued him from the burning building. Mr. Fuller sold his farm in order to obtain ready money to resume business. Nason Hoyt Fuller remained active in business until his death. which occurred on the 27th of December, 1917. Mr. Fuller belonged to the Masonic Fraternity and was a faithful member of the Dennis and Jean Orth, Bonny Dam, 198?. Local sailors have returned from a variety of late-summer regattas. Physical manifestations of their struggles are worn like badges. Many are noticed favoring aching limbs, lame shoulders or knees. Others are repairing chapped lips, exemining bruises or treating cuts, abrasions, blisters, nicks and scrapes to the skin referred to in sailing circles as "boat �bites". In spite of the inherent risks in the sport, area sailors entered and placed in two major races held recently by the Ogallala Yacht club on Lake McConaughy near Ogallala, Nebr. First place in the Trane Mac went to Sam Schreiner of Stratton sailing a Sun Juan 23. Crewing for Sam were Dennis Orth and Glen Veihmeyer of Burlington. There were 78 in the off-shore and 128 entered in one-design. Competing in the offshore division were skippers: Sa- Schreiner, Hugh Balkwill and Glen Veihmeyer. Crewing of Veihmeyer's Eagle was Bob Cook from Grant, Neb. Sa- Schreiner placed first in the off-shore "Open 2" fleet of 20 boats. In August 1987, Glen Veihmeyer also participated in a regatta out of North Platte in his Eagle trimaran on Lake Maloney. Curt Veihmeyer crewed for his father in these events. by Dennis Orth THE LARGEST AND TIIE SMALLEST T476 been the smallest man in the service, but it is upon the variation in the size of these two men that the Burlington post makes its claim. Pratt's clothing is especially made, his trouser measurements being 66 by 38. Magee takes a 32by 24 trouser and wears a size five shoe. by Marlyn Hasart THE SHORT NIGHT OF A COWBOY T476 "When you ask me to recall the by gone days when I was a young cowpoke, the one thing that came to my mind are the short nights. I know that I'll never forget them. They stand out in my mind so vividly and were so much a part of my youth, that it has always been a wonder to me the short time that a cowboy could spend in that wonderful bedroll. About the only thing that I would know was that I had been asleep and I would feel the boss kicking me, and it seemed that I had hardly closed my eyes. I cannot ever remember awakening in the night except a couple of times when the cattle went on a stampede and then I expect I got the usual kick to get me going." "Yes, the ground was hard and sometimes it was cold and sometimes it was wet and raining or snowing, but it was always the same - I rolled up and that was the last thing I knew until it was morning." These words were spoken by Emil Stalgren. We found Emil playing poker that afternoon of May 18, 1958, with his brother, Roy and two friends. We might have known it would be poker or craps, for the horses were all gone from his place and his life was made up about equally of the three. Many times we have seen him in days gone by, on his knees rolling dice with a blanket spread out on the prairie and a complete circle of cowpokes around the blanket, winning a little and losing a little with Emil and ueually losing just a little more than they were winning. These ga-es were a regular Sunday event. The boys started gathering about ten in the Rube Pratt of Kirk and C.L. "Jack" Magee of Burlington, members of The American Legion, Post No. 60 of Burlington, Colorado. morning and the dice were soon warming up. They took time out to eat a sandwich that was on the back of their eaddle or to drink a cup of coffee that was on the fire, and sometimes a drink of something a little stronger. Then about one in the afternoon a few of them would ride off over the prairie and bring in a bunch of broncoe and the rest of the day would be spent in riding these animals - not to break them to ride, but to see how hard The largest and the smallest members of they could make them buck. These same the American Legion bece-e the challenge of the Arthur Evans Post No. 60 of Burlington, horses were sold like any other horse with not Colorado. The challenge went to all other Anerican Legion Posts in the United States to match the variation in the size of it's two members. The members upon whom the Burlington post bases its claim are Rube Pratt, farmer living near Kirk, Colorado and Clarence L. Magee, local attorney. Pratt, who it is claimed as the largest marine in service during World War I, stands six feet ten inches in height and weighs 375 pounds. Magee, who is five feet one inch tall weighs 125 pounds, does not claim to have a word eaid about how they had been used, to anyone coming along wanting to buy horses. Emil Stalgren was born September 29, 1882, in Stockholm Sweden. He arrived in this country with his parents, Charles Alfred and Hannah Sophia Stalgren in 1884, along with his brother Gus and sister Hannah. Seven other children were born here: Herman, Ida, Josephine, Pearl, Maude and Anna. They stopped first at York, Nebraska, but in a short time went on to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Here Emil's father opened a tailor shop. As there was not too much business, the Stalgrens moved again. This time to Wallace, Kansas. Emil did not say just how long they remained at Wallace, but there he learned much about how to care for himself and how to mix with the outfits and cowpunchere. He learned a lot about horses, too, and decided he liked them. He was roping, branding, herding and doing many other things when he should have been going to school. He did not like the pay and so he decided to go back to Wyoming. He was about 17 at that time. He ceme to a Settlement called Pine Bluffs and was soon working for a man by the nnme of Parker, but he could not remember the name of the outfit. He was to get 930.00 per month, meals included. As he was youngest man in the outfit he was called "Kid" or "Slim". Wild horses were not much to Emil's liking and he did not try to tane any, but his brother Gus broke a few and some of them gentled down about as well as any other horse. Emil said he just did not like them and you did not have much of a horse after you went to all that trouble. They were mostly too small. Emil had to mention again here how short those nights were and we asked him how short they were, and he said he thought that in summer they were about 5 or 6 hours put in in the bedroll. One man had to stay up all night. That was always done so as to keep an eye on things and the horses that were kept close by in a bunch. If there were seven working cowboys that meant there were ?5 or 80 horses for them; four well broke horses to pull the chuck wagon, and an old skate that the cook rode and a few good ones for the boss to ride. Sometimes they would not get a bunch of cattle finished that they had rounded up that morning, and that meant that someone had to hold them together and away from the other cattle. So many were the nights that some of the cowboys were up all night. A horse and rider, moseying around after dark, always seemed to have a quieting affect on the cattle. An occasional cough, a little singing, and always that shuffling around was all that was needed, but it had to be done. The first thing the boys did when they were kicked out in the morning, was to drink coffee that was always on the fire. Biscuits of a sort were always on the bill o'fare, the rest varied a little. Fresh beef was a standby, although when they used the last of the beef they usually waited a few days before another was prepared. The other things were salt pork, prunes and raisins. Emil spent nearly all of one winter rounding up stray horses. Horses could get around pretty fast and when they got 75 miles from the home ranch that was considered far enough and they shooed them back always. He had a partner most of the time. He would be someone representing another outfit. Emil could not remember any of them that he rode with that wintcr except Emil Foreling, who later became sheriff of one of the wegtern Nebraska counties. He even saw him in later years when he went back to see his old time stomping grounds. Well, they just rode and rode and looked and looked. One thing of note was that in all that riding that winter no one asked them where they came from, where they were going or what they were doing. Emil said that you did not agk questions, you waited until information was given or you �went without it. They did stop in at places, eat and stay overnight or longer if it was necessar5r', such as storms, etc. They were on legitimate business and were not reluctant to tell who they were, whom they were working for and what they were in the vicinity for. No place was locked and they went in and stayed just the same as if someone was there. No one thought anything of doing this. They all did it. We knew Emil when he bought cattle from people far and near and he was a fair and square dealer. He just took a little time to look them over and then made a bid. He never dickered. The bid was always just a little under what he thought he could ship them for and still make a little profit. People who did not have a carload to sell liked to sell to Emil. You could buy from him also if you wanted cattle. The old Texas Trail went though Emil's stomping ground and he thought he was on the last drive. This was a drove of 5,000 that were being taken to Montana and they were moving and grazing slowly along. This trail meandered over a trail that was about 20 miles wide so there would be a little grass to eat on the way. This one went close to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, and all the boys that were on the drive got drunk and things were held up until they got over it. He left Wyoming in 1906 and came to Kit Carson County, Colorado, to homestpad. There were not many people for neighbors as most of the first homest€aders had left and the grass had come back pretty well where they had tried farming. Emil got into the cattle business right away and soon built up a herd that numbered 400 at the peak. He thought that as soon as he had acquired the same number as his father had, he could be considered a rancher. His father had already come to Kit Careon County. He was hurt seriously out on the range when he was riding a horse that wanted to act mean all the time. The horse seemed to hate people. He had a fit when Emil was in the saddle and fell and pinned one of Emil's legs under its side, and also that foot was still in the stirrup. He had to maneuver so ae to get the horse to slide over and yet not get up, becawe if the horse did get up and his foot was still in the stirrup he would be drug to death. After some time he decided he was free, so he let the onery horse get up. His ankle was broken and the knee that was .wheeled around on the ground under the horse bothered him all the reet of his life and he never could seem to get it into a comfortable position. The cowpunchers were always welcome at the Stalgrens and they liked to step in. Everyone behaved. It seemed no one ever doubted Emil's ability to keep order. Just a little remark from him and everything wan right again. He had a way with people of any caliber or mentality or character. There never was another man like Emil. him to. One time when Reuben was elsewhere and not watching Archie, he tried it. It turned out alright. He pulled leather and asked why he did it, he said that he was not going to be thrown off the first time. They all had a lot of good clean fun. Emil regretted somewhat that some folks thought that pioneer life was lived like barbarians and heathens lived. He informed us that it was just a mile and a half west of his place to the Wallet Post Office. The minister stopped there at times and people could get married, baptized or have a funeral preached. Emil was a little on the rough side and we never saw or heard of him being in a church, but it wasjust on the surface for there was a lot of charity in his heart for anyone that needed it, the church or anyone. He was always ready to help. It was Emil's thinking that it was time someone was writing about the early cattlemen, for he said there were so many twisted ideas about the days gone by. They had no chutes in those days but they worked the cattle with horses and got the job done just as well. They did not have the cattle diseases that they have now. Cattle used to lay down outhouse were erected. The sod blocks were cut from a thick rooted grassy low place on the land and hauled by team and wagon to the building site. I was a small girl at the time but remember helping Dad with all but the first part of the house and barn. He made a sod cutt€r, a sort of sled drawn by a team of horses. Dad, being a blacksmith, fashioned the cutter; the sod was cut twelve inches wide, four inches thick, in long strips and then Dad took a sharp spade and cut the strips into 18-inch lengths and turned the sod out upside down to cure. The blocks were hauled on planks, laid on the running gears of a wagon. The blocks were laid up brick style and reinforced every so often through the wall with a twelve-inch board, with windows and doors being allowed for. A plate was put on top the walls for the roof rafters and 12 inch boards laid, covered with tar paper and sod was then put on the roof grass side up. The inside of the house could be plastered to keep out mice, sparrows and snakes. Our floors were 12 inch boards also. The doors were homemade. About 1914, Dad dug a tions in the pasture that there is today. Emil sweat€d many a horse until they were cellar under the kitchen and bailed the dirt out with a box sled with one horse hitched on a chain. It was my job to lead the horse. In 1915. I started school in a sod school house and completed all eight grades here. My two sisters and one brother also attended school here until the school was abandoned. and we moved to Limon. Colorado. in a lather and panting to get a doctor to help a person in need. The first doctor who was a by Margaret Berry Slise in a different place very night. The more separated they were the healthier they were. Black leg was bad but it seldom struck for they did not have the reasons for getting it that they do now. There was not the varia- good doctor in his way of thinking, was old Doc Fergeson and they were all pretty fair after that. He has seen a lot of improvement in the way of doctoring, but none of them had ever helped his bad leg and now it was his whole side. On June 21, 1958, Emil's brother, Roy, with whom he lived, went to town to get groceries and returned home and not finding Emil in the kitchen as usual, looked in the bedroom, He was lying on the bed. Emil Stalgren was dead. He was buried in the Beaver Valley Cemetery, the cemetery he had helped start and helped care for since he was a young mErn. Many of his relatives lay there waiting for him. by Roy Bader SOD IIOUSE LIVING T477 I will give you a brief description of our homestead northwest of Flagler, Colorado. In 1907, my father homesteaded the SW % Sec. 7-6-51 in Kit Carson Co. and in March 1908, he cnme out from Goff, Kansas to erect sod buildings. He stayed with a bachelor neigh- bor, Mr. Guhr. DIGGIN'UP OLD BONES T478 When Glass Davis was a young boy, he and his brothers recall gathering buffalo bones to sell. At one time, hunters slaughtered the buffalo very indiscriminately, leaving the meat . . just slaughtering for the hides. After a number of years, the early settlers began to arrive and there was a market for loads of buffalo bones at Haigler, Nebraska. The grandfather of the Davis children would drive the team, hitched to a wagon, while the youngsters gathered the bones, which brought $8.00 in cash or $9.00 in trade. One evening, several carcases were found close together up the South Fork of the Republican River. There were large bullet slugs under each carcass and also a whet rock, or as we call it today, a whet stone. No doubt the skinner who lost it must have had quite a loss, as it would have been a long distance to a settlement where one could have been purchased. The Davis children gathered many piles of buffalo horns and they were considered of Dad put up a two-roomed sod dwelling at the Stalgren's every Sunday afternoon. first, with rooms 14 X 16 feet. Mom and I value. One day a couple of eowboys came up the Dee and Carl Dillon were two of the main riders. Frank Barnett was there just learning. arrived May 1, 1908, after having spent a few Reuben Andereon took on one just once in a while, but he was just a kid and did not try to tough ones until the rodeo moved over the the Frnmer Ranch, which was the last place they were held. Reuben's kid brother, Archie, was always wanting to ride, but it was not river; one stayed and talked with the Davis children. He admired a pile of buffalo horns which were becoming very scarce or might Indiana. There wae a period when there was a rodeo anything for kids and Reuben did not want weekg with my Probst grandparents in Later, in 1916, Dad erected an addition to the soddy making a nice three room home which was quite comfortable through the severe wint€rs. Other buildings consisted of a tar-roofed barn, a granary and a garage in 1917. Also a small chicken house and an have been considered antiques, since there were no more buffalo roaming the prairies. This fellow admired the horns and selected several pair ofthe beauties. Buffalo horns are somewhat of a "kin" to ivory tusks. Soon the other cowboy returned from his errand to the Tuttle Ranch. The cowbovs had about a �gunny sack and a half of beautifully matched horns, and all of a sudden they spurred their horses and took off at a gallop, leaving the children with their mouths open over such an outrageous trick. In later years, Glass accompanied a man to the foothills where one of these fellows was retired in a small shack among the cedars, and was in very poor health. The visitor, who was acquainted with the buffalo horn thief, was amazed at the number of cigarettes the man was smoking. Cigarettes apparently were a new commodity. He remarked to the old cowboy, "You will kill yourself smoking those darn thing", whereupon Glass remarked, "Let him alone, he is getting just what he deserved", recollecting the high-handed thieving deal of the nice buffalo horns. Today, buffalo heads and other parts ofthe animal are often found along the South Fork of the Republican River after flood waters have receded. Many are washed out of the soil, from 10 to 12 feet deep. Many Indian relics also are found, but are becoming more scarce each year since there are so many seekers. Large Iimestone bluffs, located north of Bethune on the South Fork ofthe Republican River, have yielded large fossilized remains of giant sea turtles which have been estimated to have weighed over a thousand pounds. claimed to have originated from beautiful Arabian horses brought over by the Spaniards to ride while on their conquests. Enemies of the wild herds of horses in Kit Carson County, in early days, were ferocious wolves of the plains. The means used by early-day ranchers to protect their horses in the corrals at night were by hanging lanterns around the corral to frighten the wolves. Mountain lions are known to have been killed in this part of the country in early history. Glass Davis relates that an old horse wrangler dieclaims the stories about wild stallions having a large herd of mares. He declared that a stallion noses out (runs away) the young colts and keeps his original band. It was quite a thrill and much enjoyment to see the little bands of frolicking mustangs appear, working their way across the verdant prairie, finally making a wild and thunderous dash for their favorite watering place in the river. The river skirted the south hills of what by Grace Corliss SIM T480 now is known as the Corliss Ranch. Of course, the Wood and Corliss places had not been homesteaded at that time. All land around the Tuttle and Davis places were virgin prairie of buffalo grass with no fences. This little band of mustangs roamed the river valley and adjoining hills. My parents, Sim and Dolly Hudson, with me (Georgeanna Hudson Grusing) at the wheel on Lake Mead, Nevada, Summer 1938. If it were a hot day, Davis recalls, occasionally some mustangs would lie down in the cool, historical things that are held privately, as many are becoming lost and scattered. spring-fed waters and wallow. After their thirst was quenched, they would loiter off toward the south prairie. In those early days of history in Eastern by Grace Corliss their range hands out to round up all cattle There should be a large museum built in Kit Carson County to gather in the many with a gate and not much extra. It was located on a ranch owned bv McCrillis. Colorado, large cattle companies would send THE LAST HORSE ROUND UP T47g According to a bit of historical knowledge given by Lewis Glass Davis, Burlington, Co., about what he considers was the last round up of wild horses in this part of the country around the "Old Tuttle Ranch," and Elias Davis Ranch, located on the upper part of the South Fork of the Republican River, about 15 to 23 mileg northeast of Stratton, Co. The Davis family arived here in the spring of 1887. At present, the "Old Tuttle Ranch" is owned by Tom Price. The Davis ranch was abandoned after the big flood of 1935 and later annexed to the Harvey Wood Ranch. This part of the country in Kit Carson County was the range where a band of 11 mustangs roamed the river valley and hille to the south. According to history, mustangs lead a carefree, playful life, loafing along whenever they felt like it. Mustangs were noted to be the speediest horses for travel on the western prairies. Bands of horses are reputed to operate a form of protection to keep the herd from danger, by having one or more as an advanced guard to give an alarm at the approach of danger. This alarm is expressed by a sudden snorting, at which the body of horses gallops off with the most surprising swiftness, with their heads high and tails in the air. When the mustang got a "man-Bmell" he was off like a shot and the rest of the herd ran with him. Mustangs had a keen senee of smell and could smell men from a long distance, on a breeze. The first wild horses in North America are they could find between the Platte River and the South Fork of the Republican River. Then they would divide the cattle by brands. It is claimed also that from the Republican River, south to the Cimmarron River, large roundups in like fashion took place. When these large ranches wanted extra horses, according to what is told by histo- rians, they would send a group of horse wranglers, otherwise cow-hands, with a chuck Slqmpa George Barker and my stepmother, Hazel Hudson, stirring a "mud pot" while I (Georgeanna Grusing) look on. Later Summer 1939 in Yellowstone Park. wagon to carry their food and bed rolls. At night the cowboys would bed down on the prairie. One day, around the last of May, Davis recalls seeing such a round up in progress in the river valley, south and west of the Davis homestead buildings. Glass recalls seeing the herd of mustangs coming down the valley from the west, from the direction of the Tuttle Ranch. Some of the herd cut through a bunch of cattle rounded up while a rider appeared hazing part of the herd eastward in the vicinity of the present Wood ranch buildings. Evidently the rider had been Qhasing the horses since early morning, as his horse looked very worn. Eventually, the mustangs joined in the wild running and crossed the prairie southwest of the Davis buildings. They ran across the river by the Davis place and disappeared into the south hills where Glass says no doubt there were fresh riders waiting. After that, Glass says he never saw them again. In later years, Glass says he heard reports ofwild horses southwest ofSeibert and on the Smoky, but those were the last in this neighborhood. Glass recalls in early days that he saw ruins of a wild horse corral on the Launchman River northwest of Burlington. The corral was in fair shape but not usable. According to information, it was a dry-wash Not only did my dad, Sim Hudson, get a picture of me (Georgeanna Grusing) feeding the bears, but he also caught a better photo of Hazel, his wife, feeding a bear while Grampa George Barker and I watched. You can see I was about ready to jump out of my skin! Late summer 1939 in Yellowstone Park. Sim Hudson wasn't always an easy man to live with since he had an energetic drive that sometimes mowed people down he - but certainly was an interesting man! Long before he shot the head off of a large rattlesnake about to strike me (when I was a baby playing in a sandpile) to long after he brought my 15th birthday present (a live, full grown horse) into the house in order to surprise me, �we never knew what to expect from him! He wouldn't allow me to call him Dad, he *@LqT'1Y:,,'r":i3'i I'i:r41'rtf8lv1liYf'. man came to the lumber yard and said, "I didn't ' sleep last night because of what you said, so I got up this morning and had breakfast and decided you called me a liar and that you will have to take it back." According to Dad, he replied "Well, I slept wouldn't let me ride a bicycle, he wouldn't teach me how to drive (and he, a car dealer!) yet when I was only 10-11 and scared, he ingisted that Mother and I each ride a mule with him down to the bottom of the Grand all right, but I haven't had any breakfast, so because what was good for the goose was- good for the gander, and the gosling ae well. Sure enough, we all had a fantastic experience! He wanted photos of me feeding the bearg in Yellowstone, and of mystepmother, Hazel, we are about even." The other man was about Canyon fifteen to twenty years younger than my father, who was already well along in his thirties. They decided the place to have the fight was in the intersection by the lurnber yard and they hadjust started when I arrived and sat down on my wagon load of papers. It was a bare knuckles fight and an unusually and of Qlnmpa stirring the mud-pots and geysers, and he got them! Due tothe beef shortage duringWWII, Sim shipped Mexican oxen in by rail, driving clean fight. We later learned that Dad's opponent had been a boxer at Kansas State University and considered pretty good. Coyote Hounds them on foot from the depot on the north side of Burlington (across lawns, through rosebushes and once-clean laundry hanging on clotheslines) to a pasture 11 milee south of and where town, where they were fattened - catching a Sim conned my Iowa cousin into Once when Dad struck his opponent on the left shoulder, he went down. It was not a knock-out blow but it was a powerful blow and he went completely down. When he got up he rushed my father and grabbed him big ol' bullsnake and getting him drunk. Thereafter, for several months, the snake ehowed up regularly at the stock tank for hig "happy hour." Sim hunted and we 6f,e nlmqst, everything: bear, possum, pheasants, jack rabbits, elk, deer and antelope, to say nothing of the frog legs that kept jumping around in the frying around the body and legs. Dad hooked his left arm around his head and I heard him ask "Do you want to break clean?" Evidently he did for they did break clean and resumed the fight. Every so often I would look up the pan. Coyote Hounds Sim had a vast variety of friends, and interests, becauge he liked people for what water. I returned quickly to see the hound eat they were, not who they were. Coneequently, he hosted many a person at our dinner table (with Hazel and me doing the cooking and cleanup): old and young doctors, artists, cowboys, farmers, sportsmen, mentally retarded, business men, physically handicapped, hitch-hikers and goldminers. Sim wanted me to know dl kinds of people, but he aleo wanted me to "grow up right" and saw to it that I regularly went to Sunday School and Church, even if he did not. Although Sim and I were as different as bacon and eggs, I nm both pleased and o-uged whenever someone says I'm getting more like him every day. He was a character! He had character! He was not a hypocrite: he said what he thought; he was what he was. He provided well and loyally for his family, especially his mother; he was honest, made many loans to people down on their luck, had a good sense of humor and was a great story-teller. If I can do as well with my life as he did with his, the world will be a better place to live in. by Georgeanna Hudson Grusing COYOTE HOUNDS T48r My father-in-law, George Paintin, was proud of the hounds he kept to hunt coyotes. He rode a good horse that didn't mind carrying his catch on the saddle. He tried to convince me of the merits of keeping hounds. He may have succeeded had the hound not eaten the chicken I was preparing to clean. I placed the chicken on the doorstep while I ran in to get the scalding the last bite. by Jean Paintin THE GREATEST FIGHT I EVER SAW T4a2 Back in the forties, I saw Sonny Liston in a prize fight in Denver. Liston was in his prime and at that time he was not afraid of anyone. He was a power man and it was a real demonstration of his strength and power. But the greatest fight t ever saw was in Burlington at the corner by the Foster Lumber yard, just one block east of Winegar block on Main Street. So far as I know, there were only two spectators. I had a ringside seat (on a coaster) wagon) and Hugh Baker - the Sheriff of Kit Carson county, saw it from one block away. I was twelve or thirteen at the time. It was elmsst, six a.m. on a Sunday morning. I had been to the depot to get the Sunday papers. I had them on the wagon, as they were too much of a load to handle on a bicycle. My Dad had talked to a customer about his bill the day before as it was way over-due. The man had promised many times, but no payment had been paid. He again promised to make a payment in three weeks and my Dad said "You lied to me the last time - how can I believe you this time?" I don't know what the man said, but he did promise to pay in three weeks and it was left at that. Dad was also up before six and went down to the lumber office to work on the books. It was the end of the month and he wanted to bring his "list of accounts" up to date. That was the list of accounts payable to the lumber yard. Shortly before I arived at the corner, the street and I would see a man in a cowboy hat (HuSh Baker) looking around the corner of the First National Bank. About every ten minutes the other man would stop and ask, "Have you had enough?" Dad always replied, "You have as much to fight for as when you began." Finally, after about one hour of really heavy fighting, excellent boxing - both men still on their feet and only one knock-down, I heard my father give his seme reply to the question, "Have you had enough"? I didn't'hear what the other said. My Dad said lat€r that he said "Yes, but I think I understand you a lot better." That afternoon we went for a ride - I remember how terribly bruised my father's face was. His upper lip was swollen and I couldn't take my eyes off it. The other man canied his left arm in a sling for two or three weeks because ofa "cracked" bone. The fight was in the news service in about five minutes. Evidently, HUGH Baker went to the telephone immediately and called someone in Norton, Kansas, because Dad got a call from his boss in Norton before the day was over. The man never did pay his bill! by Carl Sr. Bruner I PUNCIIED COWS ON TIIE CHICAGO RANCII T483 The Cattlemen's Association knew that when they wentto talk to Joe Boyles he would take them back agood manyyears and he did, back to 18&t when his father, Andrew Jackson Boyles, had come to this country in a covered wagon. Joe did not remember much about that early day in Colorado thought, as he was not born until his father had left for the fulfillment of an appointment as U.S. Marshal in the Oklahoma Territory. Andrew did not stay long in Oklahoma after the strip was opened up, but returned to Colorado, where Joe grew up. In 1904 the Rutherford family had sold out �to a company from Chicago that had recently of how it had been brought up from Cheyenne come from Denmark. There was A.L. Ander- Wells in the very beginning and placed in Old Burlington, then the main part of Burlinet. ,.. Then later, how it wag moved to its present sen, Lars Larsen and Nels Nelsen. These men had connections in Chicago and called them- selves the Chicago Cooperative Livestock Conmission Co. And it was here that Joe got his firet job, and he thinks he was about 16. He was to etay with one farnily and was to get $15.00 a month and all the oatmeal he could eat. They had it boiled for breakfast, warmed over for dinner and fried for supper. Joe cannot eat oatmeal yet today. The Chicago Ranch had from 600 to 1,000 head of cattle and they ran on the wide open spaces. Joe was on the range most of the time. There was a large sheep ranch farther south and Joe found himself down there many times and he always managed to be near a sheep shack at meal time eo as to get a little variation from his oatmeal diet. Farther east from the Chicago Ranch was a big horse ranch operated by a Mr. Eversol. The Chicago Ranch was supposed to get several hundred horses from Kansas City but they never showed up. About seventy head was all that they ever had. The Chicago Ranch lost plenty of cattle that were never found and just a few horses. They all carried a 4 slash T on the right hip. There were a lot ofbutcher shops around and it was thought that here was where most of the missing cattle went. Joe's rougheet winter on the Chicago was a wintpr following a drouth and there was lots of snow. Cattle could not get through the enow to find what little feed was shipped into Burlington. He used a teqm of horses and a tenm of mulee on two sleds and would go after a load one day, stay overnight in Burlington, and on home the next day. He did this day in and day out all winter and he thought the winter would never end. Joe remained at the ranch several years and must have been a fair cowhand because he received severd raises. He gaved his money and in due time thought it was time he was getting married. Thee was a girl by the name of Vera Coad who had come to Burlington in 1906. Her parents had heard of the nice climate here so had come from Wieconsin, to take a homestead. They were married in 1914. Joe and his father saw a lot of changes take place around the Burlington area. They saw all the livery stables come and go in Burlington. Joe remembers the time his Uncle Billie's stable burned down and how 16 tenms perished in the flames. The days ofthe boots and saddles were into a slow decline when the Andersens left the Chicago Ranch. Mr. Andersen got Joe to drive his last horses into Burlington to be sold. He delivered them to the Livery Stable that stood where C.D. Reed was selling tractors. One was a horee that Joe will always remember, a good horse, strong and true, with a mild manner, eorrel in color with a white mane and tail. The last owner of the Chicago Ranch, while it could be called a ranch, wag Wm. Mead. It contained about 2,000 acres and wag all fenced. During the depression years, he went broke and the ranch was sold and was cut up into small parcels of land. So ended the historical and friendly daye of the Chicago Ranch, with not one incident to mar the good character it always carried. Joe laughed when he got to talking about the Montezuma Hotel. He recalled the story location by the use of eighteen teams of horses and mules. It seemed that it was the ambition of all its owners to keep pace with the growing Burlington. It was refaeed again and again and added onto'and remodeled. They never wanted to turn away any guests. Finally after a few years with business on a decline and the taxes much too high, they gtarted to make it smaller. Then in later years what did it do but burn to the ground. But the hotel did not die. It was rebuilt and carried on as before. Joe saw the Lester Beveridge Ranch develop and become one of the leading rancheg. They brought in registered cattle to help improve the quality of the cattle in the county. Joe was always known throughout the area for his horsemanship. He rode in the first rodeo ever held in Burlington. He never lost interest in good horses. He had many pictures of them in his home. by Roy Bader Anyway it was a lot of fun and created quite a stir. by Henry Y.Iloskin ADOBE HOMES T485 George and Agnes Paintin cnme to Colorado in 1912. Their first home was a two room sod house. It was warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The roof would always leak when it rained. One leak was sure to be over the bed, regardless where they moved the bed. Occasionally a mouse found a way in and a large bull snake tried to take up residence on a pile ofcozy quilts. It had a short life once discovered. One of Dad's philosophies of life was "it is never to expensive, if you do it yourself'. With this in mind, he and mother decided to build a bigger and better home for their growing family in 1919. Their preference was Oregon l'-ber but money was scarce so they chose the native adobe dirt that could be made into blocks. This was plentiful south of the William HOOTCH MELON STORY T484 A story worthy of mention is the "Hootch Melon Story". This was probably conceived by a number of persons. The story that ran in the Roc&y Mountain Nea.rs is as follows: "A contract which is unique is recorded to have been signed here yesterday between V.H. Chandler and three of the leading real estate firms of Burlington. Mr. Chandler, who is one of the oldest settlers in the area and one of the most successful watermelon growers in eastern Colorado, had contracted to plant and care for one acre of watermelons for each firm. In the middle of August, when the melons will be about half grown, Mr. Chandler plans to plug each melon and to plant in the cavity from which the plug comes a special yeast of his own invention. The outer part of the plug ig them replaced, and the whole covered with adhesive strips. Not only does the yeast, acting on the natural sugar content of the melon immediately begin to develop alcohol Among the tissues, but it stimulates the growoth of the fruit to a tremendow degree. Within a week the place where the melon was plugged is marked only by a brownish scar and within a month from the date of the operation ninety-six out of a hundred melons will show at least 10 percent alcohol and will exceed 30 pounds in weight. These real estate men who are, A.W. Winegar, J.A. Swenson, and E.L. Powell, are to pay Mr. Chandler $1.00 for every melon that exceeds of equals 10 percent alcohol or 30 pounds weight, and payment to be made on tests oft€n average melons from each acre. Mr. Chandler estimates that there will be from 900 to 1000 melons on each acre that will meet the test, and plans are being made for one of the most extensive real estate campaigns ever canied on in the United States." This article appeared April 1921. Thyne place just two miles south. Uncle Joe and Aunt Susie Garnerwould build oneatthe same time. Aunt Susie's father, Clark Hampton, was the engineer for the project. They built forms from wood to shape the adobe blocks and dug a round pit about a foot deep. This was the east part. To get the project underway they drove the teems of horses pulling wagons to the site ofthe adobe dirt, loaded them by hand shoveling, hauling this dirt back to their pit and unloaded, again by hand shoveling. Straw and water was added to the adobe in the pit. The mixing was done by tying a rope to the tail of one horse and the bridle or a horse behind. Several were tied in this fashion and as they walked around and around in the pit, being led by one person, their feet did the mixing. This process made the straw and adobe stick together. Once again, the shoveling began to fill the forms which were placed on a flat, level area of ground. The mud was mixed and formed at the Paintins one day and at the Garners the next. This gave time for the mud to set and shrink so the forms could be lifted off. The blocks were allowed to dry before they were laid on a concrete foundation to build the walls. The original Paintin home had four rooms and the Garners had five. The Paintins made an addition to theirs in 1929. It had a steep roof that formed a flat area on top which was covered with tin. The chimneys came thru this area. The tin was used as a fire prevention measure from sparks coming out of the chimneys. The steep roof provided a loft area above the ground floor making extra living space available. This was warm in the winter by the chimney coming thru but it was like an oven in the summer unless a shade tree was in the right spot. The stairways were built to accomodate feather beds or mattresses that would bend. The modern mattress and box springs of today proved to be a problem going up or down. Both of theee homes stand today. The Paintin home needed new replacement windows that were no longer available. Over the years the yellow jacket wasps carried the adobe away from the ceiling joists. The �knowledge for these repairs went with our pioneer parents. With the s'me philosophy as Dad's in mind, Garold and Jean buift a new wood frnms hm. in Lg77. Tbo generations of children grew to adulthood-in the adobe !oa9, \,Iarilrn and Tony wilt bring their familiee back to enjoy the new home. The old adobe home will be preserved for our collection of articles of the past. The history will be there for our grandchildren to eee. ;ouch and wonder about the etoriee behind them. by Jean Paintin THE LAST BUFFALO HUNT T486 Ae told in the 'Burlington Call,, by H.G. Hoekin, Feb. 21, 1985. When the -Union P-99ifc Railway was completed in 1g?0, it divided the vast number of buffalo oo ihe plains into two herds, the northern and the eouthern. It likewise brought facilitiee for the easy ehipment of buffalo hides and start€d the industry of hide hunting, ultimately exterminating the buffalo as a wild animal. By the early 80's the extermination was almost complete and only small scattered bunches exist€d over the west€rn plains. In the region now called Kit Carson countv. these buffalo passed through Burlington, in the summer of 188?. At this time Burlington was locat€d about where the John Lueken farm house was, and many of the businesses houses were only tents. Among the businegs tents, was the drus store of Maynard E. Cook. (Mr. Cook later moved hie stock of drugs to the present site of_B_url, about where the Dunn garage stood.) Mr. Cook's story of the hunfstated ,, . . . Remember it was quite warm, when someone gave a ehout, "buffalo!!" Only a few ofus had transportation of any kind, but managed to get somethiag to ride horses, ponies, wagons, buggies and carts. Everybodf that codd goi away on the chase. One cow, her calf and a bd -: and how they could run. Howdy! It w-aq a lonrg chase for many miles across open plains. Talk about rought riding . . . It was the most erciting race I ever saw, except the time we chased the deputy gheriff wiitr ota man Baker, to Cheyenne Wells, where he was 6rrng to a coal chute. I don,t remember now who helped-kill the buffato, but we captured the cow and the calf and the bull wa.g killed !V manV shots fired. Dr. Biehop claimed the bull and he got the hide which-he had made into a big fine coat, which I purchased from him when he left Burlington. Mr. T.G. price got the head and had it mounted. I kept the ".-oat until about six years ago (lg27), when the moths got into it and ruined it." John Anderson got the calf and sold it to Elitch's Gardens. The mounted bull's head was kept in Mr. Prices office in the court house until around 1900's when he sold it for $250, to Mr. S.B. Hovev. I! wag later said a Hoyt and Cole of Oxford, -_ Nebraska were the last of the professionai b-uffalo hunters to operate in this county, and that Dr. Hoyt was really the one who kiiled the bull. by Janice Salnans BUFFALO SKULL PROVIDES MYSTERY T487 "When the Kit Carson County Courthouse in Burlington was remodeled, ihe commis_ sioners found they had the skull of a buffal<r (supposedly the last buffalo to be killed in the area.) on their handg. They decided to take it down but eo many citizens put up a fuss. they decided to clean it and a rr-riii-U""t rpl Now comes the mystery: When Shirlev Fundingsland started to remove the dust ani accumulation of grime, a picture of an Indian spearing a buffalo was painted on it alone with the inscription; ,We were monarchs o? the Plains.' The comm. and Fundingsland were started and wanted to know who painted it?" wrote a Denuer posf article. We haven't been able to find out who painted it but the history ofthe buffalo head r1_wgll_known by the Burlington Garden CLul. The story dates back to 198g, upon receipt of a letter from a Mrs. Durineer. daughter of S.B. Hovey, one-time R"oc{ Island agent here. Inthe-letter, Mrs. Duringer explained that the skull originally hung in the o?fice of T.G. Price, Burl. real estate and insurance man. for many years. Upon his death, Mr. Hovev acquired the skull, and it followed him in his many transfers along the Rock Island. Even_ tuallV, the skullpassed along to Mr. Hovey's son-in-law, Mr. Duringer. Upon Mr. Durine_ er's death, his wife offered to send the skjl here, knowing the history of the last buffalo hunt in Kit Carson counrv. Members of the Garden club accepted the skull, and it was decided to hand it in th" court house. Harley Rhoades, H.G. Hoskin. Mrs. Bessie Wilson, and Mrs. pearl Scheli chose the spot. The skull remained in the court house until the remodeling project, when it was taken down to be cleaned and rehung. Apparentlv. the origin of the painting goei bacl severai years. Members of the Garden club believe now that the painting was always on it, but was o-nly discovered when Fundingsland started to clean the skull. by Janice Salmans FULLER MEMORIES T488 I was born in 18bb, in Warren Countv. Illinois, and cnme to Colorado in April, lgdd with husband and two children in a covered wagon. We lived in our wagon until our sod house was built, which wasin June. We were advised to come west because of my hus_ band'g health. Our household goodJ were shipped to Haigler, and later weie freighted across to our homestead, which was loiated at "Old Columbia". There was nothing in sight when we came, just stretches of prairie. dug a hole in the ground, cut a piece -We o! s-tove pipe in half and laid it over the top of the hole and built our fire there. We used no mattresses, pillows or sheets. Imagine how thrilled I was when we got our sod hdme built and had our furniture again. We had slept in our clothes-so long that it seemed queer to undress and go to bed. We also appieciated eating on a table and having a cupboard for our dishes, instead of putting them awrv in a box. We brought corn meal-and bea"s;iih us and that is what we lived on for a month. We would have fried mush for Ureamasi ana supper and bean soup for dinner. When we got some flour I made biscuits and baked them on top of the ,.stove". Si"ce we coJJ get no milk, eggs, meat, or potatoes, we had. to be content with fried mush and bean soup with biscuits, but we enjoyed this as we trai healthy appetites by not overeatine. I remember the first Sunday aftJr we had o-ur habitation, that my husband said. iokin_ gly, that he would invite the Cnmps over tor dinner. (The Qnmps were people *e l"e* i" lowa.) 8ut since he couldn't invite them, he broqsht home two lady school teachers anJ the Methodist minister, Rev. F.F. fhomas; we had bean soup for dinner and a happv afternoon. When we first located on our homestead, the- greatest problem was to get water. We had to go four miles east to h;ul ,rt", froa well, but oftcn there would be so manv ahead of us that my husband would have 6 get up at 2 o'clock and get in line so he could get home before night. When this well woJd get out of order, we had to haul water from a water hole about B miles west of here. Often times we would find pollywogs and othei things in the water, but we siraiied it throush a cloth two or three times, then boil it to mafe it fit for use. Later we got water from the railroad well dug in this vicinity. On Sept. g. our own well was finished and we drew water with a windlass. We felt that we *"r. lli" richest of people. We were never sick and mv hueband was gaining in health everv dav. " -*a Mr. Fuller built a blacksmith .irop operated it for B years and then sold it and opened a grocery store and general merchan_ drse business. We built a two_story frame house and lived upstairs and had tire ,to.e downetairs. One evening Mr. Fuller went down to the store and fainted. I hard the thud and went downstairs to find the store in flames and I pulled Mr. Fuller to the outside. I called for help. A neighbor came to n"m lui we lost everything. _ W!"" the town, Claremont, was estab_ lished, everyone moved to the new to; and that is where we started another store. _ In the fall of 1888, Mr. Fuller went back to Iowa to help harvest a corn crop ana wnen tre returned to Colorado, he cami thru on the trrst passenger train that went over the new railroad to Colorado Springs. by Angelina Fuller PAINTIN BARN BURNED T489 20, 1968. We had gone to the - It wasinJune funeral Stratton for Henry Ledpp. O" ou, we-saw heavy smoke norih of town. lly 'l ne lome trre truck was ahead of us but we had no idea where it was headed. We were only two ttfles from home when we discovered just where the smoke was coming from. We weie frantic.not knowing whethei our son, Tony, and his McGriff, were safl. 'I IIey hacl-grandfather, planned to fix fence in the pasture. We were relieved to see Tony run"irig to "s. �His Grandfather had told him to stay on the doorstep at the house while he went to see if he could save the horse that was in the barn' Garold ran to find my Dad and turned off the electricity on the waY. Once we knew everyone was safe, we looked around us. The large barn was completely burned. This was a heavy loss to us' All of our milking equipment was gone. Twenty five trundrJd bales offeed in the loft were burning and one horse was lost. Once the fire got started, it exploded and threw fire in every direction. Anything in the area that was wooden or didn't have a tin roof burned. All feed bunks, trailers, corrals, buildings, trees and the pasture were on fire' The neighbors and everyone frlm the surrounding areas helped to control the fire' Dwight Lewis turned his ir-rigation puPp.ol to sirpply water. Ernest Cure brought his water truck in close to the house to water down the roof. The feed bales would form pockets of gas and explode repeatedly. ParL- Malone broughtlhe County bulldozer out from town and d'ugtwobigtrenches attwo A.M' the next morning when they saw there was no way to control-the blaze. He pushed all the burning feed in the trench and covered it with dirt' The neighbor ladies helped serve -the huge amount-of food they prepared and brought in along with the plentiful supply that- Ed DischnJr sent out. Lots of the neighbors helped us walk the area to cover chunks of smoldering debris and get our milking facili- ties back into operation. They came back several weeks lat€r to help build the new barn. We lost a lot of material things. We only had one pitcMork left. To this day, we don't know what start€d the fire. by Jean Paintin A MODERN PIONEER T490 I emigrated to Colorado in 1957 - not in a but in a 195? Buick. I had "ou"r"d-*"gon, been further West than New York, never married only two days, and all of my belongings were in the backseat ofthat car. I am sure I ielt like a real "pioneer" at that time' especially after everyone had convinced me that ttreie were still Indian uprisings West of the MississipPi! I recall that tears flowed profusely as we drove, and drove, and drove some more over the vast "wastelandg" of Kansas' Was love really worth this? When we finally arrived in East€rn Colorado, I was greeted warmly in a home that even had electricity, a phone, and indoor plumbing - those people were-wr-ong after all - and fhadn't even seen an Indian for 1500 miles! I was very impressed by the vastnees ofthe plains and when someone said we were just going down the road a bit, I wae-not prepared Ior the 30-mile drive. At "social gatherings", people all talked about the weather and a new recipe they had tried. I thought this -was rather dull, but have since found outjust how important these two topics are to a farmer's wife; especially the recipes - I never knew people expected three full-course meals a day! th" l*gouge bewildered me and it took awhile to learn what all of this meant' Needless to say, I was the brunt of many a snicker! Where I grew up everyone went right or left, not North or South; in fact, ! don-'! recall ever knowing which way was Northl Dinner was our evening meal and I learned the hard way that this is the "noon meal" here after several people showed up for "lunch" when they had been invited for "dinner". If you use your imagination, you may be able [o visualile the thoughts I had when told of the "barrow pit" - we only had ditches in the East. A cattle guard must be a person standing at the gates!! What a boring job' We pioceeded West to California where we remained for 13 years, returning to Colorado in 19?0; this time in a station wagon loaded down with our belongings plus two children and another due anY moment. At this time, I beceme a full-time farm wife (and this is someone who would not even date an Ag School student in college). I lel:ned some more new expressions, such as "How could you have let all those pigs get ayay, I TOLD :you to hold them there" (exit for the i'You drive the pickup across the house); river and the"aocows WILL follow you' no problem" (as they take off on a run in the opposite direction); "ANYONE can drive a tiactor, could you disc the corn field?" (so how did I get caught in the fence row with the disc implanted in the back tire); "Could you take the jeep and check on the cows, there's NO WAY to get stuck in the river" (Help! The jeep is stuck, the tractor I got to pull it out is iuried and I a- running out of options); "Willyou take a load of hogs to the salelan:r" (he diin'ttell me I would have to BACK UP); and the most dreaded of all requests "Would you run to town for some repairs" (for some reason I can have every number in itt" U*t and the part WITH me and still come home with the wrong thing). Perhaps the most traumatic of all my experienies has been dressing-chickens' Ttre ottiy t*y I had ever seen a chicken was under saran wrap in the market. I can now pick feathers in less than three hours, but what as I to do when my mother-in-law can no longer pull off the heids! To this day it is a familv eame to trv and decide what part of the ihi"k"tt they are eating since my skills in this endeavor leave much to be desired. After being a "Westerner" for over 30 years, -*d I can now say that I love the country the horse collar was responsible for the phenomenal glowth of America during the 18th and t9th centuries. This unhearled implement harnessed the horsepower and fed, built and transported our youog nation. Although it was invented by the Chinese in 300 A.D., the horse collar was not widely used until European settlers brought it to America in the late 1600's. Tlie ox cart was the most common form of labor in Europe. But American settlers soon learned that the slow and dumb ox is no match for horse power. A horse can pull five times more weight than an ox. A collared horse can be easily managed through the use of a bit in his mouth, something an ox cannot wear. A horse's feet can be protected and his footing improved by iron shoes. The ox's split hooves make shoes imPractical. Finally an ox cannot wear a collar because of the formation of his neck- A collar chokes him. Instead, he must be harnessed by a large and cumbersome yoke fastened to the top of his neck and shoulder. The building of America can truly be said to be the horse collar age. Every industry and distribution system depended on the horse's collar for production and transportation. The tree in ihe forest couldn't become the building or bridge or boat until the horse in his collar, traniported it. The ore in the mine wag weless until the horse hauled it out' It was the horse with his collar that plowed the field and cultivated the grain. The horse collar enabled horses and mules to harvest the crop and carry it to market or storage. The great wagon roads and railroads that united our growing nation were graded and filled by collared horses. And who can think of the Old West without remembering the stage coach - powered by collared horses. The horse collar played an important role in the CivilWar because the armymoved in sections where there were no railroads or waterways to transport soldiers and equipment, -dug trenches, built embankments, and carried the wounded to safetY. One might say that the horse collar won the West. After carrying thousands of settlers to the new western territories, horses and mules provided the vital link between East and West. Roads leading west were streaming with freight wagons creaking and groaning, piled high with food and supplies, and being pulled by 10- or 20-mule teams slowly across h"u" even changed mY mind about Kansas - that "wast€land" is really an lhe desert or mountains. A whole years lf6, but in a different way -- You - will triins returned loaded with hides, to be expanse of growing corn and wheat! Regardini the "Indians", they still play a part in my frequently find me walkingthe rocks with my head down looking for artifacts. I have never recretted my trek "West" and would advise *"yott" whoasked that "Love" IS worth it! bY BeverlY McArthur supply of sugar, salt, coffee and other gtoceries-, clbthing and tools were delivered to the big western ranches by wagon- The waggn processed and made into clothing, harnesses, and other suPPlies. The 19th century was the age of animal power. Better plows, combines, tillage tools, drills, planters and harvesting equipment were designed to be drawn by collared horses and mules. Horse power remained important until after World War I. THE UNHEARLED HORSE COLLAR T491 The greatest invention since the wheel, the horse collar was written about in the Farrn' land News, 1972, by Ben Millikan, of Parnell, Mo. Perhaps more than any other invention, by Jin llasart �the _K.C.C. carousel. It took nine months for the Hasarts to complete th" _-tlui, ancl hours of delicate work over """o"."t a workbench and palette. "We hid in the basem""i-Ju-r-iin HASART'S MINIATURE CAROUSEL T492 While attending a showing of the Kit ^ uarson_ County Carousel Bob McClelland asked Jim what he was carving o" mentioned that he was thinkinlg of makinel ";;:;; miniature carousel and Bob ."ltiea ;,i;;; would like to see that". Jim went t o-" start€d on what is now a very rare piece"rrJ of artistry. in August of 19g8, Jim and - -Beginning Marlyn started working on their fascimile of most of the winter working on the as thq! winter was very coid and had-f,ot^s ""iou.j ; snow," said Marlvn. .. {hat began as a fascimile evolved into their own interpretation of the ;i;; only two rows of animals on "*";J the H;;;;;; carousel compared to the origin"t .""o,r."i'. thrge.- no chariots (the origiial ilA;;t: and the paintings on the center piece of the sl:uclur9. were changed by Marlyn, in an enort to "do her own thing.', But for the most parJ, the Hasart reproduition ,esembles the K.U-L;. prototype. There's actual horsehair used as the tails on certain to..". i"1i"ii ] common in both carousels) and the brieht colors used were mixed to imitate the;;ii; carousels color schemes. Throughout the winter, asJim would finish carving each animal, Marlyn *o"fJ o"i"t using oils as her medium p"vi"e ,J""i"l attention to detail in the smali ;f ""]_ir. had a lot of trouble painting tfr" said, in reference to the shar*p black ""Ur".r;.fr" arrd stripes-.J-im _agrees that detail i., wliite or"tJii" more difficult things to consider when car_ vrng. 'l'o nelp highlight details, he uses basswood fbr all of his cawings. Taken the Linde_n tree, basswood i. t[" roft".t hardwoods according to Jim. from of ifiu M*ly"-!"gan painting with the help of ^ urace Uorliss and studied under Daryl Elliot in the 1920's and she."o" b"g* t"i"t-iie"; fcw kids on her ovm. Jim l"i* .*"i"e"ii 1972.when Mgl1. bought t id ,o." supplies as a Christmas present. "*ing As.you walk through the Hasart household you'ct sweru the ducks, pheasants and prairie chicken scattered through the liri;;;;;; genuine. "We,ve had a lot of peopleiell us our prairie chicken looks real," ^."ia ff,f""-iv" ;if, the detail that makes tt Jiff"i*"".; 'jl-qnting on wooden decoys "i, ;;;h-;;;" painting a picture,,, .h;;;d. {ifficult.than rrecrse details in the carving and painting of a {e_coy are necessary to mike ii;;i-rtii.* MaryJo,Downey, it"i.-"" oi ir," iild.c. ^ uarousel Association supplied them with beautiful colored photographs ofth; apmaf from which patterns were drawn """ou"ej to stz,e whtch proved to be a difficult task. It took the Hasarts nine months to inish - their carousel, from the first stagls oi;;r_ out animal forms from t""S-e Uto"kr;? basswood, to the final screw"f"t;;th" stand on which the carousel ,"r't* Wh;;;; p.rojec-t was finished, a private .t o*irrs-*", neighbors and friend. oI th" 9lageo t'or flasarts. 'l'hese few were able to witness the unv_eiling of the second mostfamous;;; in Kit Carson County. They were t".* f,ne mtnrature carousel spin into action, "li" with The Hasart'e carousel from a different view. the help from a rotisserie moto. fo""l"Ji"ifru base of the stand which also h;;;;h;;;; reco-rder which plays recorded -"Uai". fi"'the, Monster Millitary Band Organ, a music matrtng machine located at the original carousel. The miniature carousel has been displaved at the National Carousel Co"u""tio" ti"ii ii S""p5+lgt of 1984, Stratton D"y ild;;l;; or ryu4, the preview showing ofthe television p.logram of the National Geographic Society "Treasuree From the pagt"" f"-"t*irs'thi p.T.c. No. o,lr,L sii?tt {.p,_c._cgrousel, Public Library in the spring is8i,. ;Ji-; " "r Just been shown at the reception center of Coor's- Brewery, Golden, Cotor"ao--i"oil December L2, lg87 through January 6, lggg 1fo-ng with other carousel a"ti"t"s i"ilfi; ih; H-;*t,; Miniature carousel in the ;;;J carved from wood ""ly C_olorado Carousel Society. in the stat€ and one of five in the nation "i CJ"i"a. by Marlyn Haeart The miniature carousel hand made by Jim and Marlyn Hasart, winter of rggg-g4. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memories Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource History Description An account of the resource Various memories from citizens about important events or places in Kit Carson County as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:424 2020-03-23T10:18:29Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/424/Post_Offices_and_General_Stores.pdf 9ccb8a0da9da24d82816c883b7a4eb9e PDF Text Text were children. Many of us made our first purchases at these stores. Most items were staples such as coffee, flour, sugar, bread, lard, and other sundry items. Most of us will never forget the glass candy jars and the containers holding crackers, one of which is now my bread box with the words "National Biscuit Co" on the front above the glass POST OFFICES AND GENERAL STORES T98 Many of us can remember the little "Pa and Ma" grocery stores in our towns when we K IT I -r-r-----]--T; I I I tLCnt: o talley CARSOIi COUIJTY N o ioCarey I i-:. 9Cnapin i i oTu i: lel €.lAVea6a re oYa le G =#t - Lrvsial ofoyt r - 5 ia. 1r I can feel the excitement of going and Ct.''r i )l ll o 3:a. i2l 3e io i l I c c',a.': Poin I I o ,o.o o pest . preSent insert. These same stores were found on the prairie to provide the "necessities" for the growing rural population in a community. We must remember that transportation was by walking, riding a horse or taking the buggy to get the mail and make a purchase or two. I I inch = 10.6 mil-es The Colorado Prospeetor l;Xl:r tl c't \t!,t possibly meeting a neighbor and hearing "the news" filling the social needs of people who were rather isolated on their farms. Today finds us deep in the search for these small etores and post offices tucked away in the corner of someone's home or maybe in it's own building with a hitching post out front. From several maps and written sources we have been able to gather biLs and pieces of this puzzle and hope that you will find a new name to add to our amazing history of Kit Carson County. We know that some of these Post Offices and General Stores are missing from the material that we have including "Valley" and Eastonville southwest of Seibert which was a Post Office and Store. The map is incomplete but it is included so that you may have an idea where these places were located to help serve the people living in Kit Carson County at the time. Name, County, Established, Discontinued. Ashland, Kit Carson, Jan 14, 1890, May 15, 1909. Baltzer, Kit Carson, June 4, 190?, Dec 14,L907. Beaverton, Kit Carson, Oct 17, 1910, Nov 28, 1915. Berry, Kit Carson, Apr 13, 1911, Apr L5,tglz. Bethune, Kit Carson, Jan 19, 1889, May 15, 1.905. Bonny, Kit Carson, Jun 3, 1915, Feb 29, L924. Burlington, Kit Carson (Elbert), Apr 29, 1887. Cary, Kit Carson, Dec 12, 1910, Dec 30, 1916. Carlisle, Kit Carson (Elbert), Jul 21, 1887, Jun 9, 1890. Chapin, Kit Carson, Feb 15, 1890, Nov 10, 1894. Claremont (Stratton), Kit Carson (Elbert), Sep 11, 1888, Apr 24,L906. Cole, Kit Carson, Mar 7, 1907, Dec 31, 1919. Dodgeville, Kit Carson, Sep 14, 1907, Dec 14, 1907. Elphis, Kit Carson, Dec 8, 1916, Dec 14, 1923. Farley, Kit Carson, Mar 8, 1908, Oct 15, 1908. Flagler (Bowser), Kit Carson (Elbert), Oct 12, 1888. Goff, Kit Carson (Elbert), Apr 23, 1888, Jun 15, 1910. Hanover, Kit Carson, Jul 7, 1908, Jul 7, 1908. Hermes, Kit Carson (Yuma), Sep 11, 1908, Nov 15, 1919. Kukkuk, Kit Carson, Lpr 24, 1907, Apr 15, 1908. Landsman, Elbert-Arapahoe-Kit Carson, ".".r'':'1 ...1 ; I {1. r iL "..rrq.i Piolo co[rtcry Denvcr Publle Ubriry, WcJtcr! lllrtory. Old County Mep Nell's l8t9- mep of Colgrado show towns In Klt Cerson County that have long slnee faded from the scene. requent relerenees !o these pleces ln eerly newspapers lead one to belleve that al on€ tlme they served ite a populatlon. Mar 27,1883, May 31, 1908. Lansing, Yuma, Sep 17, 1886, Feb 28, 1910. Loco, Kit Carson, Mar 11, 1903, May 3L, 1922. Morris, Kit Carson, Mar 18, 190?, Mar 15, 1914. Oriska, Kit Carson, Dec 22, 1910, Dec 31, 1917. Seibert, Kit Carson (Elbert), Oct 17, 1888. Stratton, Kit Carson, Mar 24, 1906. Tuttle, Kit Carson (Elbert), Mar 27,1883, Mar 31, 1918. Valley, Kit Carson, Jun 2, 1898, Aug 15, �1901. Vona, Kit Carson (Elbert), Jan 19, 1889. Wallet, Kit Carson, Apr 8, 1890, May 15, 1907. Yale, Kit Carson, Sep 10, 1891, Nov 30, 1905. by Marlyn Hasart Beaverton (rural post office) was located about 12 miles southwest of Bethune or 12 miles south and 3 east of Stratton, and was in operation from about 1906 to 1920. It was on the correction line east of Paul Lowe and the Werner places. It was on the south side of the road and a windmill is still there. In 1906 Jim McPheters bought and ran the store ASIILAND T99 Ashland (rural post office) was located about twenty miles northeast of Burlington, and the Ashland post office was in operation from 1890 to 1909. AVENDALE T100 Avendale (rural post office) was located about ten miles northeast of Seibert. The Avendale post office was in operation from 1889 to 1890. at what was later known as the Dave Megel place. In 1916, John and Libby Higgons were the next operators. They sold groceries and notions. Then, they built a new sod building and moved the store to the corner just west of the Megel place, which is known as the Art Lowe place. About 1919, Mr. and Mrs. George Church bought out the Higgons goods, built a frame house for a store with living quarters in the back, just about a block east of the First Central School in Sec. 3-2-46. Mr. Church had to haul all supplie5 from Stratton about 15 miles, and at first by wagon. Later, he bought a truck with solid rubber tires. They kept a general store with a nice supply of items and I think they bought eggs and creom. When people got more cars, the business got unprofitable and they closed the store. After there was no longer a Beaverton, (sometime in the 20's) this building was used by some of the teachers at First Central for BEAVERTON Tlol housing. When the acreage was lost, someone moved the building and so closes another chapter of one of our pioneer towns. Sally (Church) Bauder (whose parents were once the owners of the Beaverton Post office) was one of Burlington's teachers for a number of years. by Isaphene Dunlap Lesher and Mrs. Gertrude (Sally) Church Bauder BELOIT Tl02 The Beloit Post Office was located about nine miles southwest of Bethune and was in Beaverton Poet Office and Store dated 1911, note cream cans and adobe brick or sod brick construc- tion. operation from 1888 to 1894. Mail was originally brought from Cheyenne Wells. When the route for the new railroad was first surveyed in 1886, it was announced that it would go west from Colby to Colorado Springs. Acting on this information and the information that the B & M railroad was going to build between St. Francis and Pueblo, the founders thought that their town would become the biggest town in the eastern part of the state. The men interested in the townsite were: the Roberts Brothers, J.T. Marion, D.H.Lem, Frank Durland, Shelby W. Betzer, M.F.L. Bezinge and Clement L.V. Sampson. Posters in red and white, 4 ft. long and 2 ft. high were put up all over central Nebraska. These posters invited settlers to come to Beloit, the future site ofthe county seat ofeastern Elbert County. Beloit was the voting precinct 12 and the elections were held there and at the Hoskins ranch until 1894. This did not come about because the railroad went west from Goodland and the B & M stopped in St. Francis. They were a full 8 miles off. Some of the organizers had been at the birth of Seward, Nebr., and they felt that they could duplicate the success of the city in eastern Colo. Beloit was laid out with this in mind. The townsite was in a tract of 44 acres at the points of Sec.'s 7, 8, 17, and 18, in township 10, range 45. 11 and onefourth acres were taken from each section in such a way that the section lines ran through the townsite center. A well, 200 ft. deep, was dug at the intersection and the buildings were placed in a square about 300'back and facing the well. This well furnished water for the entire countryside for a number of years. W.M. Hollowell of Columbia surveyed the Beloit-Cheyenne Wells stage road, Feb. 11, 1888. Parts of this road can still be seen running as straight as the crow flies across country. Where it crossed the Imoky, a barrel for water was sunk for wa5rfarers. Following excerpts were from the Cheyenne Wells Gazette: Feb. 11, 1888 "Already a store is in operation; a printing office is being built and two young men from Nebraska will publish a paper; a blacksmith is preparing to open a shop and a butcher shop will follow soon." April 28, 1888: "A mail stage will be put on between Beloit and Wells next week", May 5, 1888 "Beloit mail is now being carried between that office and this three times a week. The route will be extended to Floyd". The J.T. Roberts General Store and the Townsite Office were located southwest of the well. To the southeast was the sod residence of Marton Roberts which was afterwards used as the office of the Beloit Weekly Bugle. The Editor was named Betzer, then later Frank Gregoire (who died of typhoid fever). To the southeast was the Ed Hoskins blacksmith shop and the sod residence of C.L.V. Sampeon, which was also used as a school house. The Matthies Bro. Hardware store building and stock of the J.T. Roberts were later moved to Claremont. The Ed Hogkins blacksmith shop was moved to his ranch, two mileg east of Beloit. The Beloit Weekly Bugle outfit was sold to one of the Burlington papers and a special Beloit edition was printed for a few weeks and then ceased. Cattle rubbed down the sod buildings, the windmill and pump were sold and the well Beaverton P.O. and General Store dated 1914. filled up. In 1894, the county commissioners established a public road where Main Street should have been, but the dry years of 1893 and 1894 were too much for the community. The settlers moved away until there were �only one or two families left, and in 1894, Beloit ceased to exist. CAREY by Editors BOWSER (BOWSERVTLLE) CLAREMONT Tl06 Carey post office was established 16 miles north and 3 % east of Vona in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carey, in 1910. Postmaster Carey was a farmer and ran the general store in one of the two rooms of his house. Mr. N.D. Guley Tl03 The town of Bowser, better known as Bowserville, was named for the dog of a settler in the area. It was a promising town until the coming of the railroad. At that time, Flagler developed at the site of the siding. For the next several months, Bowser provided was appointed mail carrier from Carey to Tuttle, located nine miles east of his home. He made the trip by buggy, three times weekly by using his faithful team, Sampson and Dolly. About 1915, the Vona mail route was extended into that community and the route from Carey to Tuttle discontinued, so the Carey post office ceased to exist. T109 Claremont was laid out by R.S. Newell from Frankfort, Kansas and G.P. Wilson of Topeka, Ks. In May 1888, the Chicago Rock Island Railway Co. had completed construction of their tracks to a point 3 miles east of present day Stratton on the Sand Creek. Claremont consisted of a railroad depot; store, owned by Mr. Bell; blacksmith shop, operated by N.H. Fuller; a saloon; hotel, operated by Miss Smith; printing shop; the Claremont State Bank, Mr. Root, President; drug store; hardware store, owned by Hobart Bros., with the post office located in part of their store; and Dr. Tripp, M.D. was Claremont's first physician. J.T. Roberts store (moved from Beloit) was the only store on Main Street, at first. A Mr. mail service for Flagler until Flagler was able to obtain a post office. Bowser was eventually absorbed by the developing of Flagler. CARLISLE TroT Fuller sold his blacksmith shop and he BONNY Carlisle (railroad post office) was located about eight miles northeast of Burlington. It was originally Lansing but was changed to Claremont. About 1904. the Rock Island Tlo4 Bonny (rural post office) was located about eighteen miles north of Burlington, and the Bonny post office was in operation from 1915 to L924. THE BROWNWOOD STORE TroS In the spring of 1916, the cement building that became known as the Brownwood Store was erected by Nick Brownwood and Charlie Davis. It was built on Brownwood'g property, 15 miles north and 1 west of Vona. The Brownwood Store carried groceries, as well as a line of general merchandise. It served quite a large area and customers came from quite a distance to bring in their eggs and milk and to do their trading. The store building also contained the Elphis Post Office. Elphis was the official name for the community but, most just called it the Brownwood Store. In about l922,the Brownwoods sold out to 'Mr. and Mrs. Dick Roorda and family. After Mrs. Roorda's death, Mr. Roorda's sister, Mrs. Rena Loopstra, came to help in the store. She was later joined by her husband, Fred. It was at this time that the Loopstras took over the store. During the early 30's, the store was a popular gathering place on Saturday afternoons. The people of the community enjoyed Carlisle so they could secure a post office box. This post office, in 188?, provided most of the mail for eastern Kit Carson County. There is no record of the platting of the town of Carlisle in the Burlington Platt Book. But apparently it was platted somewhere else because it was supposed to have had a total Mr. Bell was the first post master in decided to change the town name to Machias, due to the fact that so much freight was being sent to Claremont, California. The post office retained the name of Claremont. This was found unsatisfactory, and after much discussion the railroad and the Post Office Dept., agreed upon the name of Stratton, Colo. of 43 or 45 blocks. The town was established long before the coming of the railroad and was the point to which supplies were freighted from the B&M and the Kansas Pacific Railroad. It was located I % miles east of Peconic or in the S.E. %, sec.29-8-42 and was for 3 or 4 years a busy trading post that included several storeg, newspaper and even a school. It was later absorbed by the development of Kanarado and Burlington. The store was foreclosed in favor of the Wholesale Company. Frances E. Chaney, Elbert L. Callinger, William Hoyt and Armond Winn were associated with the early town. One person from Wallet neighborhood would go to Carlise on Tuesdays, pick up the mail, leave it at his home and the people would come get it. Mr. Elmer Fasse has farmed the Southeast l/t sec. of 29-8-42 for 30 years and in the center of this quarter is where the town of Carlisle was. Mr. Dara Hines told me he and his uncle used to deliver produce to Carlisle coming from Almena, Kansas using oxen to deliver potatoes, flour, beans and other groceries. When Elmer started farming this quarter there was a spot where the store stood and a deep dug pit no doubt what was left of the cellar where we found lots of pieces of stone crock ware and broken pieces of dishes. A person can still find the spot but due to farming over the area there is just a little depression there now. visiting and ball games. It was during one of these ball games, that Ralph Flageolle was killed and Burt Smit seriously injured when they collided while running after a ball. The Loopstras ran the store throughout the 1930's. In the early 1940's they moved to Englewood and sold the store to the Bill Weisshaars. The Weisshaars operated the store for only a short time before moving the contents to Idalia. The building, which is still standing, has about six miles northwest of Avendale, and the Chapin post office was in operation from been used as a granary since then. 1890 to 1894. by Ilorace Boger bought the Roberts store, then a few years later sold it to Fred Matthies. CHAPIN COLE T110 Cole (rural post office) and town was located about fifteen miles south of Burlington, in the residence of the family living east of the school about a half mile, on the Cole and Thompansen ranches. But was later moved to a location 13 miles south of the east side of Burlington. The family also kept some groceries for the convenience of the people that were always stormed in during the winters. Lee Moore said during the winter of 1918 (a WWI year) the snow was very deep. George Movis was one of the early postmasters in the town. The Cole post office was in operation from 1907 to 1919. COLUMBIA Tlll Columbia was platted next to the Rock Island and the platwas filed on May 28, 1888; however, Columbia never obtained a post office by the name Columbia and was little more than a plat. July 21, 1888, according to the Cheyenne Wells Gazette: "a post office has been established at Columbia under the name of Oranola. The old name was not permitted by the department owing to there being a Columbia in California" In the late 1930's. a Mrs. A.H. Fuller writes: TtoS "We came to Old Columbia and it was not Chapin (rural post office) was located known then where the depot would be built. When it was built, it was four miles west of where we were, and the nnme changed to by Janice Salmans Claremont, then Machias, and then later Stratton." Claremont vied with Burlington for the sit€ of the county seat, Burlington received 451 votes and Claremont 170 votes. �i1..li{ia August 18, 1888, "The contractfor carrying the mail from Cheyenne Wells to Tuttle has been awarded to Latham A. Smith of Columbia, at eight hundred and sixty seven dollars a year. It was a cheap bid." ullrEs. I lr9 uwv Duvry uuuuruE, wdD uquL uJ W.A. Richards. The first story had rock walls which housed the post office, creamery and store. William Richards carried mail with team and buggy every third day up and down the river. The supplies for the store were ordered and came by train to Burlington. Mr. E.E. Harrison distributed them to the small CRYSTAL SPRINGS Ttt2 On July 3 and 4, 1888, Lloyd Gross first surveyed the town. Crystal Springs was laid out on the NW %, of Sec. 9, south of range 50, and consisting of a tract of 1,902 ft. from east to west and 1,930 ft. north to south, in the SE corner of quarter section. Presumably the railroad was to pass through the center of the section, but to get a better river crossing and grade, it swung half a mile further south. Carilla M. Strode proved up on this piece of land and sold it to Stephen S. Strode, who laid out the townsite. The town had twenty blocks, part of them being 300 by 400 feet and the remainder 300 by 410 feet. Main street was 100 feet wide and the others 80 feet wide. Rather a unique plan for naming the streets was adopted. The first four streets running north and south were called: Chicago, Rock Island, Colorado and Railway. The other streets were named Spring, First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth. In 1889. Mr. Strode filed in the office of the county clerk an affidavit to the effect that none ofthe lots in the townsite had been sold and vacated the survey, by Janice Salmans ELPHIS TrrS Elphis (rural post office) was located near the site of Carey; the Elphis post office operated from 1916 to 1923. by Janice Salmans FLOYD T114 December 31, 1887, "Mr. Lewis Dyer of Floyd, a new town just located fifteen miles west of Burlington on the Rock Island survey, was in Cheyenne Wells today." Mr. Dyer was a member of the Floyd Town Company. May 19, 1888, The Beloit hack made regular trips to Columbia, Floyd and Tuttle. by Cheyenne WeIIs Gazette Today, Goff Store on the Spring Valley Ranch, 1988, formerly the McCriIIis Ranch. a post office located at the Lee Yount Ranch on the Republican River, then on to Hermes post office at W.A. Richards, then on to Yale post office located at the Sam Schaal Sr. Ranch and then back to Burlington a distance of 45 miles. He would make the trip three times a week, using horses and a spring wagon and sometimes a top buggy. by llarry & Ruth Richards WARNER STORE the Spring Valley Ranch 18 miles north of Burlington. Mr. E.E. Harrison, an uncle of Ruth Bauder's mother, carried the mail for several years. He would leave Burlington and go to Bonny post office located at the Harvey Runge Ranch, then to Goff, then to Lansing, Earlv 1900's. Art and Sarah Warner built the Warner Store in the early 1920's. It was located 16 miles northwest of Burlington. This store was built along the road on their farmstead by Art and Cecil Warner. It had a tall square "store front" with a gas pump in front. The merchandise that was carried consisted of groceries and other general store items along with overalls and men's work shirts. The people who traded there came from quite a distance along with the close neighbors. Sunday afternoons were special as the community gathered and had ball games each week and of course the store was always open with all the family helping to run it. The Warner's son, Warden died at the age of29 in 1933 and their father, Art died in 1934 leaving Sarah and Leila to care for the store. Leila married Ray Plummer and they moved to Burlington when he was elected sheriff. Sarah remained on the farm and ran the store until 1946 when she sold the place to Ed Knodel. Sarah died in 1968 and Ray Plummer died in L974. Leila now makes her home in Burlington. Leila's sister Elma burned to death at the age of 7 years. GOFF POST OFFICE The post office known as Goff, from 18971905 was located at the McCrillis Ranch; it's the big square house on the hill, which is now Richards, WiIIiam Richards, Edna Morrisey, May'rne Richards and man with gun unknown. T116 by Leila Plummer TllS Hermes Post Office, L. to R.; Unknown, John HERMES POST OFFICE TllT About 1908 Mr. Richards started a general store known as the Ranch Supply Company and a creamery and post office known as Hermes. On Section 35 Range 5 South 45, west and south of Old ldalia. Colorado 10 Hermes Post Office, now a barn on the Homm Ranch 1988. post offices and stores around the country going first to Bonny, Goff, Lansing, Hermes and Yale by team and buggy. Dances were held at Hermes for several years. On one occasion, December 25, tgl4, a group of young men, cheerfully celebrating Christmas, dared one of the men to ride his horse up the outside stairway which led into the dance hall. He did just that! How the horse got down I do not know. William Richards had some seven or eight of the young men arrested and brought into John Gerber's Justice of the Peace Court on December 26. Each one pleaded guilty as charged. All were charged with disturbing the peace, using boisterous and profane language and all had to pay fines and court costs. The post office and store were discontinued about 1917 or 1918. Mr. Richards sold the place in 1919 to Elmer Scherrer in Denver. Part of the building is still being used on the Homm Hereford Ranch as a barn. by llarry and Ruth Richards �YALE The paper was later sold to Mr. Robert Henry TllS Yale Post office was established in 1891 about 18 miles northwest of Burlington on what is now the Martha Schaal place. Sherman Yale was the first mail carrier and his wife was the postmastcr having the post office in their home. He carried the mail for 12 years and made the trip on his long route from Burlington to Goff to Landsman and then Yale three times a week with horse and brggy, some feat for the roads of that day. Mrs. yale was the postmaster until 1908. In the later years they had a little store in the home for the neighborhood's convenience. After he quit carrying mail, Mr. Yale was a county commissioner. In 1909 the first daily mail came into this area served by Yale post office out of Bethune and Yale ceased. Sam Schaal bought the Yale property. IIOYT T1r9 $ x Patterson. Later he moved the paper to Seibert and called itthe Seibert Freee Press. This plant was then later moved to Burlington and run as the Kit Carson County Record, by Frank D. Mann. When the railroad came through in 1888, it was located five miles to the south, so it missed the town of Hoyt and it folded up. The last business to move to Seibert was the restaurEmt. LANDSMAN Tl20 Landsman (rural post office) was Iocated near Landsman Creek and about twentv miles northwest of Burlington. There was always quite an argument over just how the Landsman Creek got its name, but as to the words of one old-timer: "A trapper named Dutch Jake had a camp on the creek where he shot buffalo for their hides and trapped the smaller fur animals. When a few packs of fur were ready he would trail down the creek to Indianola, Nebraska, and trade his hides for supplies. He usually stopped at ranches along the way, and his invariable greeting was, 'Wie Gehts Landsman'." The last word ceme to be applied to the creek on which he had his camp. The creek has been known by the name of Launchman, Landsman, Lostmans, and Lonemans Creek, but the United States Geographic Board officially named it Landsman Creek on October 3, 1928, and so answer was received: "On October 3, 1928, the United States Geographic Board rendered this decision regarding the name of the creek about which you inquire: "Landsman, a creek rising in south west corner of Kit Carson county, tributary to the was built. Hoyt (rural post office) was located about 5 miles north of the present day Seibert, about on the farm formerly occupied by Flory Jones. This was the stopping place between McCook, Nebr. and Hugo, Colo. for emigrant and supply trains. All mail was addressed to "Hoyt, via Hugo, Colorado, El Paso Co." Hoyt was also a few miles east of Station #22, at the meeting place of the South Fork and Sandy Creeks. The town of Hoyt had been nn-ed for Dr. J.S. Hoyt, a very early settler and first Doctor in that area and on whose land the town was situated. When the town reached its peak, it had several places of business including a saloon started by Jnmes H. Priest in 1887. Jim Priest filed on a homestead south of Hoyt in April 1887. A man by the name of Schieb had the first store in Hoyt. It was a two story frame building and apparently he used it for a drug store. Bert Hendricks also started a drug store. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Hutchens kept a general merchandise store in Hoyt. They kept the Post Office also. T.G. Oles moved a Bond printing press here in 1887, and put outthe Hoyt Free Press. Tt22 Jim Short and four sons, Oscar, Marion, However, to eettle all arguments on the matter, a letter of inquiry was sent to the Federal Board of Geographic n'mes, this buildings were moved to Seibert when the railroad LOCO POST OFFICE AND STORE Millard and Sam, came out to Flagler, Colorado in a covered wagon. His wife it remains. Hoyt 4t/z miles North of Seibert. The original 4 Carson county, to a J.C. Markle, who held it until his death. Republican river from the southwest. (Not Lastmans, Lostmans, Launchmans, nor Lonemans.)" This would make the neme of the creek on the highest authority: Landsman Creek." by Janice Salmans LARSEN Tl21 Larsen was originally platted on land homesteaded by James Stuart. The town was laid out on the southwest quarter ofSec. 298-42, a mile and a half east of Peconic by the Elbert County Townsite Company. The Company consisted of J.S. Markle, President; J.F. Keller, Vice Pres.' H.W. Clement, Sec.; L.C. Morris, Treas.; and N.L. and J.W. Clement were Burlington lawyers. Larsen was laid out on a large scale having 53 blocks and covering the entire quarter section. Among the lot owners were Lee Ramsey, County Clerk ofElbert county; Leo and Lucy Thomann, H.G. Stout, M. Doneland, W.S. Wagner and others who afterwards became prominent in Burlington history. Larsen died so rapidly that in 1890, it sold for taxes at the first tax sale held in Kit Martha and three daughters, Minnie, Pearle and Lena, came out on the Rock Island train several months later. Jim and sons left Colbv Kansas January 1, 1910. There were no roads or fences at that time. Jim and two sons. Oscar and Marion, each had a homestead south of Flagler. Marion's land was about 18 miles south and a mile east of Flagler. Marion built a house on his land and about 1911 he built on to his house and started a countrv store, which he called "Loco" after the loco weed that was so prevalent there. It affected horses and cattle, they acted crazy, stood around by themselves and would not eat much but the loco weed. Naturallv thev became very thin. There was a post office called Loco also. but I do not know where it was located. This post office was established March 11, 1902 with Charles D. Davis appointed as the first postmaster. About 1912 Marion Short moved the Loco post office into one corner of his store and he became postmaster there. Marion ordered some groceries for the store from Montgomery Ward and bought some in Flagler. Fish, pickled and smoked, came in small barrels as did crackers, pickles and other things. Candy came in bulk, he put it in glass jars. He stocked coffee beans. everyone had a coffee grinder. Then there was Prince Albert tobacco, with papers so you could roll your own. Later a cigarette roller came out and if used they looked almost as uniform as the packaged cigarettes. The cigarette holder was popular for awhile, it kept the brown stains off your fingers. Marion also sold shoe soles as people mended their own shoes at that time. Sleeve holders for men were popular, they were round elastic bands covered with colored rayon thread. He sold shoes and some clothing. I remember the ladies dress shoes. They were high topped and buttoned all the way up, you needed a button hook to fasten them. The store kept kerosene for the lamps and lanterns. In the fall everyone who raised corn bought a lot of shucking mittens. Since it was so far to Flagler, Marion often went on his saddle horse, unless he needed supplies. One thing about horses, if it came up a storm and you did not know which way was home, you just loosened the reins and the trusty horse always brought you home. They also watched for rattlesnakes. If they heard one rattle they would pivot on their hind legs and start back the way the had come. The country was quite thickly settled at this time, so there were many cowboys and farmers who traded at the store and made use of the post office. Loco was a busy place much of the time. The post office and store were really appreciated by the community. Marion married Susan Laws; they had one son, Howard. Sue enjoyed helping in the store. They began buying cream and eggs. Or �rs the farmers said, traded them for groceries, lhus the phrase, going to the store to "trade". Ihere were no flies here until settlers brought them here in their belongings. About 1918 Marion sold his farm and went ho the Army in World War I. I am not sure of the date he sold his store to Alvin B. ORISKA "jl..,1,:.', t. t:..'ltt':..,, Tt26 i!,,i:::iiliir:t::i:: :l.i.,,,, Radebaugh. Alvin lived one mile east and one mile south of Loco. He moved the Loco store and post office to his home, which was a sod house. In a year or so, Alvin built a frame building next door for the post office and store. He began selling gasoline as more people were buying cars. The two mail carriers I remember were Dick Burris and Lewis Clark. Mr. Burris lived on a farm and Mr. Clark lived in Flagler' When Marion came back from the ArmY, he and his family moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado. I believe Mr. Radebaugh was the Iast postmaster at Loco. The Loco post office was discontinued May 3L, L922. Loco (rural post office) was located about fifteen miles northeast of Wildhorse. The Loco post office was in operation from 1903 to 1922. Loco remained on the map into the 1940's. by Lena (Short) TYeatherlY LOWELL From 1910 through 191? Oriska was a thriving small community south of Stratton' T123 The Lowell Townsite Company with A.J. Senter as the president had the town of Lowell surveyed by T.P. Chamber on the S.W. % of Sec. 31-8-43. The date was April 20, 1887. On May 20, 1887, Lowell consolidated with Burlington. The agreement was as follows, Burlington came over from its original site on S.E. % Sec 34-8-44, and taking in the site of Lowell but retaining its original name of Burlington. The site of Lowell was originally an Indian Oriska (rural post office) was located about 22 miles north of Kit Carson, somewhere in the south part of Township 11, Range 47. Oriska had a store run by Ted Martin and a post office in operation from 1910 to 1917. There was a place called Mount Pearl on south of Oriska. Mail was brought to Van's The government erected a number of bins there for grain storage and later sold them off. We want to give thanks to Winifred James, TL27 A siding on the Rock Island Railroad, now September 1, 1888 "The name of the new town of Malow in Elbert County has been In 1919, right after World War I, Joe by Cheyenne WeIIs Gazette MORRIS T125 Morris (rural post office) was located about sixteen miles northeast of Burlington, and the Morris post office was in operation from 1907 to 1914. Morris was also called "Cottage House." by Janice Salmans became a hog buyer for Hugh Baker. Later on in the 1930's Highway 24 was oiled PECONIC the Kyle Railroad, is six miles east of changed to Flagler." and Lowell Boger. Later Herman Dane picked up. Then the homesteaders picked up their mail at the Oriska store. Noble Bradshaw was the last mail carrier. Carl Harrison was the last teacher of the Oriska School. MALOW (FLAGLER) Tr24 grain shed. It was operated by Herman Dane and this took the traffic from Highway 40 Iocated one mile north of Peconic. The Colorado Courtesy Patrol had an office there at Peconic in 1934. lnL927 Harry Vallin managed the elevator and Roy Martin helped him. In the late 1930's and early 40's Jay Duffy ran the elevator. Rabbit drives were held around there and many bands of sheep were unloaded there. Point from Stratton and Ieft at Oriska to be Campground. by Janice Salmans A dance hall was located at Peconic for a while, the hall was not much more than a Burlington, Colorado and is six miles west of Kanorado, Kansas on Highway 24. Elmer Fasse, Glade Larsen, Roy Martin, Millie Hines and Don Teman for this information. by Chet James Swenson and A.W. Winegar were instrumen- tal in bringing a lot of land buyers to Kit Carson County and to Eastern Colorado. In 1923 there was Postal service at Peconic and it was operated by a man named Loyal Brown and his wife Lena (Young) Royer. Following a blizzard one time a nine year old Glade Larsen, son of E.J. Larsen, who lived four and one half miles north of Peconic, remembers getting on his saddle horse with a flour sack and going to Peconic for supplies. About 1924 or 25 aman, Ross Tucker, and the Swenson Land and Cattle Co., built the elevator at Peconic. It was after World War I and the price of wheat was high-the people just knew that wheat would hit $5.00 a bushel and it was over $4.00 then-but it never did-the thirties and the depression set in with prices dropping to unbelievable lows. Joe Swenson was killed while rabbit hunting. He was crossing a barbwire fence and his gun discharged. PERRY'S CORNER T128 Peny's Corner (place name) is shown about fourteen miles southeast of Seibert on a 1916 map. PIKES STORE Tt29 The old frame building that stood as a landmark for so many years was swept into a mass ofbroken boards and scattered debris as a tornado swept across the prairie Sunday evening, Oct. 17, 1971. The roof of the building was lifted off as if gentle hands had picked it up and carried it nearly a quarter �-il:,':,.]l]l 1880's. Herman Tuttle was the first postmaster and several others followed. In 1909, Alma Root became the postmistress. This was the year that my father and r,,4..:at:lr,;: ..r,tr,irr,u: mother, N.O. and Bertha Gulley, homesteaded 16 miles north and 4 east of Vona. The next year my father was appointed mail carrier. His route was from post office Carcy, Yz mile west of his home, to Tuttle. He carried the mail three times a week with a team and buggy. It was a round trip of 18 miles. He remained the carrier until Carey was discontinued when the Vona mail route was extended to our community. This little rock building remains a landmark to those who remember it as it was in 1910-1920. Going to Tuttle meant a long ride on the hot days of summer and the cold days of winter. My mother was substitute carrier and often took me along. I always looked forward to getting our mail, as there was often a post card for me from my Grandmother Gulley or some cousins in Missouri. I have those cards still, and others, badly worn and the corners bent or missing, but the addresses of Carey and Tuttle are still clear. Social gatherings were sometimes held at Tuttle. I remember well one July 4th. We went by wagon to attend a picnic there. It was very hot and there was little shade at Tuttle, but a few tents gave some shelter from the sun. There was a merry-go-round, the first I had ever seen. It was owned and operated by Pike Store after tornado in 1971. mile away and set it down in one piece, the boards unbroken and still intact. The steel windmill was bent over flat on the ground by a mighty wind. general store; they are now used for storage. Mr. Culberson carried the mail in his 1913 Ford. building when I first went there with my parents. We did not often go to Pike's Store as there were stores nearer our home. Sometimes though, my parents, N.O. and Bertha Gulley, would go there to buy groceries. We went in from the west and I still remember the hills and valleys we passed through with the horses and buggy. Pike's remained a store until sometime in the 30's. After the store closed, the building was a house, but at the time of the tornado the building had been empty for a number of years. The out buildings had fallen down and the old cottonwood tree had died but it was laid down by the wind. Though Pike's Store no longer stands, the site will be remembered by those of us who knew it in the early 1900's. Pike's seemed a lonely place, even an ugly place some would say and yet it was a source of security, for within it's walls were stored the necessities of the homestead families. and a basket dinner. Fireworks were planned for the evening, but a rain storm came in the late afternoon. It settled into a slow steady rain that lasted several hours. My mother herded my sister, Velma, my brother, Nolan and I into a canvas covered dance platform. There we waited for Memories Of Tuttle Pike's store was built 12 miles north and 6 miles east of present day Stratton a few years after World War I. It was still a new a Mr. Clair. There were races and horseshoes This is a story that my mother, Opal Boger, sent to a local paper. After the story appeared in the paper she received the Ietter that follows this from Mrs. Mettie Sisson of the rain to cease. There was music and Stratton. dancing but, I crawled under the bench where some ladies were sitting, and to the beat of the music and many moving feet, I fell asleep "Tuttle, today would hardly be recognized as a place that was once the general store and post office of the community, 17 miles north and,4Yz east of Stratton, though the main part of the post office is still standing. Tuttle post office was established in the on the cold damp floor. It was still raining lightly when we climbed into the rain drenched wagon and started on our journey home with nine miles of muddy - w: &,',. by Opal Boger TUTTLE Tr30 Tuttle was located about 20 miles northeast of Stratton, adjacent to the Messenger homestead, and was in operation from 1883 to 1918. Tuttlb was one of the earliest post offices in this county. For several years it was a growing center of trade until the coming of the railroad. The early town boasted of one of the first regular church services taught by Mary Beiver. Three of the original buildings are standing, these include the post office and r.,,;,rg;t| i r *t Tuttle Store and Post Office in 1913. L. to R.: Aaron Burkart, The Root family, "Mother Flora", Alma, Doyne, Greta, Albert the father holding baby Carl, little boy Edgar, Vern, Eva, and Mr. Culberson the mail carrier. �:oads to go. We, who were small children that long ago Iuly 4th, remember Tuttle as a place where ile met and played with our friends. We :emember our parents taking time from their rork filled days to take us there. Most of all, I remember my father. That his lamily might have clothing and food, he drove rut each mail day morning, in all kinds of reather, with his open buggy and faithful, iast stepping team, Dolly and Sampson down ;hat long wagon trail to Tuttle." Mrs. Opal Boger Dear Mrs. Boger, "I enjoyed your article on the early days very much. The circumstances in our lives ilere very much the same. My father, Roy E. trones, canied the mail from Stratton to Iuttle for six months on a sub-lease, the winter of 1909-1910. He got $50.00 a month and used three beams. We lived 13 miles from Stratton on the lirect route to Tuttle. My brother and I would have a fresh team fed and harnessed, ready for him, when he arrived from Stratton rnd then again when he returned from Tuttle rbout two o'clock in the afternoon. He carried bhe mail six days a week. The snow was about two feet deep that winter. He made a little sled about 6 ft. long with a box about 2 ft. deep. With a lantern and a heavy comforter, covered with denim, he kept fairly comfortable. He often had passengers. One morning he new homesteaders. On had two ladies . this trip father stood on a ledge on the back of his sled and it happened that he had his most flighty team. The ladies were driving, a scarf fluttered and scared the team. They started to run. Father was a man who liked jokes so it was fun to see the ladies'excitement. He let them run a ways before taking the reins and bringing them to a halt. The ladies wouldn't drive anymore. One Saturday morning, father told Mr. Root he had a sick baby at home. Mr. Root said we will fix that so he held the mail in Tuttle until two o'clock. too late to take it to Stratton, so father could stay home that night and took the mail in the next day. I remember attending a Fourth of July celebration in Tuttle but don't remember any of the details. However, I remember the skating rink and dance hall in Tuttle. We went to just a few of the dances. I remember the Clark twins. They were so nice and were identical. The skating rink . . . I only remember going once. I thought I wanted to learn to skate. My brother got me the skates and put one on for me then I lost my nerve and wouldn't let him put the other one on. However he put them on, skated down the hall, came back quite speedily, and out of control. The stove was at this end of the hall and red hot. He had no control, hit the red hot stove with his hands and pushed himself back and landed in the laps of Mrs. Carl Root and another lady. They looked daggers at him. However he got to be a good skater and spent a good many Saturday nights in Tuttle. Good clean fun. A lot more crazy incidents but enough said." Sincerely, Mrs. Mettie Sisson by Joyce Miller VAN'S POINT TlSl known Missouri Freighter, Alexander Majors, also a Methodist lay preacher, and formed the R.M.W. Partnership, to fill government contracts to supply the Western Van's Point (place name) is shown about 11 miles southwest of Bethune on a 1916 map. WALLET POST OFFICE Tt32 The Cattlemen's Association of Kit Carson county asked me, Belle Winter, to recall events and history of early days, and especially the Wallet Post Office, of which my father, Alfred Wallet, was the post master during its entirety. The Post Office was opened on April 8, 1890, and discontinued on May 15, 1909. Before this date of April 8, my older brother, Fred carried mail from our community to Carlisle, south, and back twice a week on horseback. Peconic is now near where Carlisle stood; it was later absorbed by Kanarado and Burlington, after the Railroad came through. Later, the mail route was formed and another office was added, Ashland, northeast of Wallet. A Mr. Seifert carried the mail for awhile, when Mr. Teaman father of Henry and the late Charles Teaman of Burlington and Mrs. Lester Sheldon of Kanarado, carried the mail for several years with horses and buggy. All our neighbors always gathered at our home on Tuesday and Friday afternoons to visit and wait for the mail. The Ashland Post Office was later moved to the George Pratt home and I believe was discontinued at the same time as was the Wallet P.O. Fred Wallet also took care of the cemetery records for a good many years. Rev. Willis homesteaded in the Wallet vicinity and also Mike Higgins. The Huff family lived 2 miles w. of Wallet. by Janice Salmans LEAVENWORTH AND PIKES PEAK TRAIL, THE PONY EXPRESS Tr33 The earliest history we have of what is now Kit Carson county was when the great Army posts. In March 1859, they employed E.L. Boyd, to survey the Leavenworth and Pikes Peak Trail. For the lines in the Kansas Territory to the gold fields, they purchased; 52 of the famous Concord coaches, at $800 each and 800 of the finest Kentucky mules; each coach requiring 4 to 6 mules. Boyd was to survey the most direct route to Denver's gold fields, and place the stations as close as 25 miles apart or as water could be found. The freighting firm was stationed at Leavenworth, at the junction of the Republican and Soloman rivers. The stage line shortened the trip to the gold fields by keeping to the high divide between the rivers until the Republican veered northward and the route went 60 miles north to where Benkelman is now. to find Station #18. The stations were known entirely by number. Station #19, followed up the river to a point near Jacqua, Kansas, entering Colorado at that point, and the next station was #20 near the town of Hale. Station #21 was at the Arthur Pugh ranch. Station #22 was NW of Kipling, riding west out of Seibert and North to the Republican river, near "Rose" school. Station #23 was near the KP Ranch headquarters on the edge of Lincoln Co. At Station #22,Horace Greeley was known to have written dispatches and sent them east to the Neru York Tribune, , on the next stage. " . . stayed overnight at #21, and next day reached #22 about 5% miles northwest of Seibert . . traveled 35 miles since seeing water. At #22, therc was water bubbling up in the bed of the river." Here they, (Horace and companion; Albert D. Richardson, whom Greeley referred to as "My companion", in his book An Ouerland Journey, in 1859.), were met by the Butterfield stage, which had left the early Smokey Hill trail at Big Springs, located three miles east and 20 miles south of Seibert). Coaches traveled in pairs some distance apart but close enough to give protection or help if needed. All the way the L. and P. Trail was on the south of the Republican River until Southwest of Flagler, where there is a curve in the river. It crossed and went to the springs at the "KP Ranch" then on to Limon, and on into Denver on 13th Street. They traveled from Station #21 to #22 on June 3, 1859. They arrived in Denver the night of June 6, where Greeley and Richardson met Villars, who had to take the coach over the Northern route via Julesburg, then down to Denver. freighting firm of Russell, Majors and Wad- The partnership suffered important losses dell decided to have as direct a route as could be found from Junction City, to the Denver gold fields where there was sufficient water to supply the stations. when the freight trains were attacked by the Mormon's in the Mormon War of 1857-58. On April 3, 1860, Russell persuaded his partners The "silent partner" William Bradford Waddell, was a prosperous Lexington, Mo. merchant. He was a descendent of Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth Colony. His thriving wholesale and retail businesses led him into a host of other enterprises. In 1853, he and William Hepburn Russell contracted to send several freight trains of military supplies to Fort Riley. This venture making a profit that led them, in 1854, to send another freight train to California. In 1855, Waddell and Russell got together with a well- to launch the colorful, romantic, but financially unsuccessful Pony Express. The Pony Express maintained some 190 way stations along nearly 2,000 miles between St. Joseph, Mo. and Sacramento Calif. Eight lightweight, strong 14-15 year old riders, using 200 tough horses (to start), changing mounts every 10-12 miles. The riders covered about 100 miles before being relieved. Messages were written on half ounce tissue for $5.00 each dispatch, with elapsed time 10 days to lines end. As events proved, the price in money, horses, and men was too high and �Janice Salmans ale, cofo. Stalion 2 0 Vona, colo. 1885-1887 JAMES E. KNAPP, McCrilLis Horse Ranch Stations were on Lhe Leavenworlh and Pr.kes Feak Line in 1859. This line had the first Bar T Ranch mail contracl. year he-ce and moved north to Julesburg, rlc -^rLdgtrr ..)vpr nrnrprtrnn f lrei Station 2 0.Id Tuttle Ranch Burlhgton, Colo. R&!gc, 8&nd Cr€ek. The ]ine ran l 1 nlintihd ri'L!LY p1ed (Lovu.Lu '-l-hr" P!uJJ ^racc fOute rn nrirc Uent NUTEEAFOR,D BBOS. Boruntlont Colo. fnr Lhe Rrrnle. cil S;nok?. +h^ +h.! LrLdL PL ^r;-l^4 firsL rssue of the Rocky Mountain Nens, ApriI 22, 1859 rn Denver, Colorado. Selbert. Colo. goitls, left slde, r&nre. bottveaD RoDub hora€s loft slroulder. llcai rlvcr& Hell ofeet.. t- A'&-J. C, BR*DFEAW.', A Where Doc Hoyl shot Lhe lasl Buffalo in the summer of 1887. olerenoirt. Cclo. RrDge, lear Clarorboqt, AT JOIINl IIEDDINCI-A: co'I, Colo. ronge. ncal eofi. tz, HoyL, Colo slation 22 IJRA}I}TEIEII, BROF. Burllngtou. C.clo. T rouLbwert of BurllrgtoD. C. IY. FULIJMER,. F BuruDston' coro' EI d, c w nortltwert Bowser Col,orado u, *(o o 0ld K-P Ranch or Bu{:nston. rengo. StaLion 23 7 F Fl I I u 3 T|EIi,DBAMESBERGER, iurllngtoo.Colo. range, LortEa,q'r cieek. D. H, JONES, JTB old rtoct 01 BullDaton, Colo. rsuso,6outh or younl rtock. Wi.Llow Springs YVr|r. L'LAUSSEI{i Station at Iugo Co-1o. the Pony Express ended in financial failure after only 18 months of existence in 1861. As told by Eatinger, an early resident of Kit Carson County, "There was no trail up the North Smokey and mail was carried from Cheyenne Wells via Tuttle to Wray. Tom Reed who took a spring wagon and 3 men, traveling by camps, made a trail (by throwing up sod with a spade at short intervals) to Cheyenne Wells. The price for hauling was 25 cents per hundred. The Kit Carson Trail was another very early trail, extending from Bent's Fort, south near the Arkansas River, and north past the west side of Seibert to Cope Via Fort Morgan and on to Ft. Laramie near Cheyenne, Wyo. Addison W. Rogers'homestead was 11 miles North of Seibert (on the west side of Highway #59) known as Kit Carson Trail. A. W. Rogers'youngest daughter was the first white child born on the Kit Carson Trail. by Janice Salmans I Nowton, (lolo. ronge, soutb o! &sDublicau rlver. GEORGE &OSE: S6r.bert, Colo. Ranse. R€Dubllea,n nhd Dutll creel:, or left, sldo a&r nratE. crdD leftI undsrbl', ilsht Jc J. OAIIIP, tsurllngtonr eolo. r&pg€i Dortb of RurUDCiop. .r I 1 | F. J. HACHENBEIiCIER. uurlhgtolr, Colo. rriltc. 6 rnlles nortltgost of Burllurton u'"1eJ,T''"o,.,. 'oon [$hi:i r&nge, l.oEtmens creek. :f __ . R. 0. npsrEAD B3lbprt, colo. faDiae,.{Z rllllgs portheasl ol SeiP€rt. q, v - J. w. YA',rE8, St. Josepu, Mo. RaDge. Dear Fla.cl€r. Colp. C. W. gtDlttr, atent. Fl,rtler, Colo, rIFE E. T. EiEkrro, old dpttls, on ellilcr srde l oalves, on lrorEec, oD h:p shoulder Vona, Coip, IreDge sorrtb ol Yone' ! I � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Post Offices and General Stores Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A record of the Post Offices and General Stores in Kit Carson County as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:427 2020-03-23T10:18:16Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/427/Seibert.pdf 065f9ef25cbd9fa5038454a0b4ec7783 PDF Text Text A history of Seibert must begin not with that town, but with the town of Hoyt, Iocated originally about four miles north of Seibert between the Republican River and Buffalo Creek. Hoyt was established in 1887 by a Doctor J.S. Hoyt on whose homestead the town developed. Doctor Hoyt, along with many other newcomers, established his Howard Kious and children with an early day auto 1916. ready to go to Church north of Vona - homestead along the Republican River because it was such a tremendous source of water, As a locator and surveyor, Doctor Hoy't was instrumental in bringing homesteaders to Colorado from Haigler, Nebraska. It was he who established the trail from Haigler to the new town of Hoyt by surveying the route and Seibert, which was incorporated in 1917, was a patent town, meaning the town's lots were given away. In order to own a lot a person had only to pay the taxes on the lot. If the taxes weren't paid, the lot was put up for auction. Many individuals claimed lots in the town, but few managed to pay the taxes, thereby losing their lots. Nevertheless, businesses did spring up. by Judith King SEIBERT T332 turning up the sod along the trail. Once a trail had been established, he helped freight homesteaders from Haigler (at that time one of the stopping points on the railroad) to Hoyt. Two of these homesteaders were his mother and sister. Not much else is known about Doctor Hoyt. He seems to have faded from the picture after Seibert was established in 1888. He may have spent little time in Hoyt since he surveyed other trails than just the one from Nebraska to Hoyt. Although Hoyt only existed as a town for about one year, a great deal of development occurred there. The town sported a restaurant run by Mrs. Wiveness; a drug store and saloon operated by Jerry Sands; a post office with Leander Hutchens as postmaster; a An 1892 view of the Davis General Merchandise establishment. blacksmith; a livery stable and feed barn run by Bert Hendricks and George Tucker; two general merchandise stores, one run by Kate and Leander Hutchens and the other by \ Seibert water tower erected in the 1920's. A 1921 view of Seibert Main Street with Mrs. Punshon's Cafe on the right. Seibert in the 1930's. V.S. Fitzpatrick published the "Seibert Settler" newspaper. Arenscheild and South; a hardware store operated by Mr. Scheib; a hotel; andthe Hoyt Free Press, owned and operated by G. L. Olds. Hoyt also had a school which was in a sod house just south of the town. It had a dirt floor, homemade desks, and books gathered from the settlers. The first teacher was Mrs. E.P. Trull. Other teachers were Charlotte Rose (whose family homesteaded near Hoyt), Lora Scheib, Luella Bell McKenzie, and A.P. Blair. By the time Hoyt was fully established there were approximately 150 people living there. For entertainment, dances were held wherever there was enough space. Many were held in Scheib's hardware store, where the participants would dance up and down the aisles between the counters. A Fourth of July celebration was also held in Hoyt. Numerous people attended, including the men from the Rock Island grading crew and cowboys from the KP Ranch in Hugo. James Priest, an early-day homesteader, estimated there were 500 people present. Several fights broke out between the grading crew and the men from the KP Ranch. Priest said the drinking and fighting kept things exciting. When the railroad came through Colorado in 1888, water stops were established. Seibert, which was named for Henry Seibert, an official of the railroad who donated books for a library, was developed from one of these stations. Since the workers needed food, the first business moved from Hoyt was the restaurant owned by Mrs. Wiveness. The grading crew used their mule teams to haul this building to the new town site four miles south of Ho1't. It wasn't long before other merchants moved their businesses to Seibert. In little time, Hoyt became a ghost town and Seibert became an important stop on the railroad. Kit Carson County's first National Guard drilling for Army service before going to France in World War I at Seibert looking northeast. A July 3 celebration in Seibert in 1909. w, r'. DAvrs, 'rt. .rut A letterhead for the W.P. Davis store established in 1892. �""d;;i;;'tuilding south of the hotel was used for various purposes including a real estate office and at one time was a store run by Oliver Hendricks, though not for long. Also on the east side of the street, several Iots south ofthe hotel, stood a building built by L.C. Rogers, a carpet weaver. This building also served as a post office of which Rogers was postmaster. A carpet weaving loom was in the front room to the left of the door as one entered. The post office was in the northwest corner of the building. When a person wanted his mail, Mr. Rogers would quit weaving, unload his mouth of tobacco juice, and then go across the aisle to get the mail. Rogers'wife Mary was an agent for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad for many years. Located about one hundred feet north of the post office was the Seibert Free Press, formerly the IIoyt Free Press. Its owner, G.L. Olds, sold the paper in 1889 to a Mr. Patterson who only published it for a few months before it failed. The paper's assets were sold to Frank Mann who used them to start a paper in Burlington. Thie early day store is the 1988 site of the Seibert Food Store. The first hotel, located at the north end of main street where the Seibert Community building now sits, was built by Oliver Hendricks. His sister Kate Hutchens and her husband Leander ran the hotel. Leander had Water well in the center of town in Seibert. Water was piped from the original Rock Island Railroad well to center of town. ?] dn i71 Sfrcef Seibert's resident physician was Doctor been the postmaster in Hoyt, but if he continued in this capacity in Seibert it was not for long. For a short time two brothers nnmed Davis operated a store from one of the hotel rooms. Kate Hutchens was a great supporter ofthe town and was fondly referred to as Aunt Kate. She did everything she could to further the town and was notorious for matchmaking. She gave parties at her house and organized the singing for Seibert's Fourth of July celebration in 1888. Kate and Leander had one son, Corta, an Indian boy whom they had adopted after his parents were killed in an Indian massacre. Corra, known to everyone as Hutch, was a good person and well liked, but he did have his bad traits. He had a tendency to get drunk and take up with women he didn't know. Hutch eventually maried Zella Buchanan, the daughter of the section foreman. In later years they moved to Denver to live. They had , h Jct bc r t :'-t,,r',j, : L;l' " .. ::...,..:.4'.,. f Paul Godsman. Along with his business partner Sidney Laune, Godsman ran the Seibert drug store. Though its exact location is uncertain, the drug store was probably located on the east side of main street north of the post office. Dr. Godsman had a consulting room in the back ofthe drug store, though much of his practice came in the form of house calls. Dr. Godsman married Charlotte Rose, a teacher in the community and daughter ofJohn Rose whose homestead was near the old town of Hoyt. Godsman and Laune eventually sold the drugstore stock to Bert Hendricks, and Godsman and his wife turned the drug store into a residence. Even though he was a doctor, Godsman was interested in the law and decided to change professions and became a lawyer. In time he developed a law practice in Burlington and later became a county judge. In 1918 he was elected State Representative for Kit Carson, Lincoln and Cheyenne counties, and even became a candidate for governor in 1922. He withdrew from the race, however, before the election. Paul and Charlotte Godsman's only child was a boy, Sidney, who also became an attorney. Bert Hendricks built the first house in Seibert, but he never lived in it. It was used as a saloon run by Jake Hoffman. The location of this house is unknown. The Hendricks family was quite large and several of them lived in Seibert. The most prominent, however, was M.B. (Bert) Hendricks. He owned a general merchandiee store situated on the west side of main street nearlv across from the hotel. by Judith King An early day Seibert street scene. �oEpot, Seibert, Colo Thistles stacked for cattle feed. for the street cars. Bert Hendrick's brother Oliver, who had built the Seibert Hotel, and his wife Tamah had four children: three girls, Hattie, Eulah, and Myrtle, and one boy, George. George was about a year younger than his cousin, Corra Hutchens. The boys often rode their horses together. On one such occasion the boys had tied the horses together with a rope, each end ofwhich had been fastened to the neck ofthe horses. The horses were about one length apart with George riding ahead of Corra. Seibert depot in the early days. SEIBERT T333 He also ran the livery stable to the west of his store. Hendricks and his wife Cora had two children: one boy, Abe, and one girl, Cordy. Bert and his family moved to Denver where he became the head of the track crew Suddenly, Corra's horse stepped into a prairie dog hole, stumbled, and yanked George's horse over backwards. George fell to the ground, and the horse fell on top of him, crushing him. Corra also fell from his horse but was not injured. George was taken home and attended to by Dr. Godsman, but he never regained consciousness. George died before the next morning. Naturally this was a terrible blow to his family. The lumber yard in Seibert was managed by a young man named George Bryant who ran it for a well-to-do uncle. also named .bffi &, Trucks, Seibert. The Holiday homestead near Seibert. Bryant, who lived in the east. George Bryant did not particularly like the lumber business, but he was in love with a woman named Dell Rhinehart whose brother was the telegraph operator. However, when Bryant's love for Dell came to nothing he gave up the lumber yard and left Seibert. The uncle came to Seibert to see about the business. he was anxious to find someone to take over the lumber yard. After having asked Paul Godsman for advice, he asked the doctor to take it over. Bryant eventually persuaded Godsman to take the business. However, because he was now county attorney and needed to be in Burlington most of the time, Godsman engaged Jim McCombs, who owned a coal yard near the lumber yard, to work both yards together. McCombs did this for a number of years. Later, McCombs, along with Stephen Bell, purchased the lumber yard. In years to come, a man named Weaver became the manager. Jim McCombs, who ran both the coal and lumber yards, had settled on a homestead near the old town of Hoyt near the homesteads of his sister and brother. He hauled lumber and coal from Wray or Haigler until the railroad was finished. McCombs was a great talker and a very personable man. However, he had a terrible birth mark on the left side of his face. One person described it as looking like a bunch ofgrapes; another said it didn't look like human flesh. Even though g How most folk paid for their groceries. The egg and cream money was the only ready cash. this birthmark hurt him socially (some people couldn't even beat to look at him), McCombs was described as a fine man who managed to get people to overlook his affliction. However, it did prevent him from having a family of his own. Stephen Bell, who later became one of the �The second Seibert post office building with Jim Priest, John Kistler, Joe Smalley standing; Francis Hendricks, Bert's daughter, and Effie Priest sitting with Bill Shanahan. ,, Mae and Jess Messinger in their grocery store in Seibert, Colorado in 1925. Homer Hughes had this rare spotted mule, the only one known in the United States. which he sold for $200. Jess Miller, a well-known Seibert oil dealer and collector of artifacts. Doc Williams and his 1911 Maxwell. owners of the lumber yard, and his son hauled water from Hoyt to Seibert before a well was dug. The railroad dug a well which was to be used only by railroad personnel. Everyone SEIBERT T334 w else had to drink the water from the barrels that had been hauled from Hoyt and had sat in the hot sun. The section foreman's wife, Nellie Buchanan, frequently gave settlers water from the railroad well. She felt that the settlers were important to the growth of the west and deserved to have fresh, cool water. The supervisor came and told Mrs. Buchanan that she was not to give anyone but railroad employees water. She told him she would not refuse anyone a drink and finally convinced the supervisor that she should be able to give the water freely. As it was, the well never went Fosha Gorton, Jr. in the 1930's by his Conoco pumps and station. Until the railroad built a section house, the Buchanans lived in railroad cars to the north of the tracks. Seibert also had a large depot drv. in which town activities and church services by Judith King held for a number of years. When the railroad went out of business, the depot, which is greatly different from the original, was Jess Miller's old home at Seibert. moved to a point along highway 59 and is at this writing a gas station and cafe. Scheib's hardware store was also moved to �gas station and cafe on the west side of Highway 59. by ,Iudith King SEIBERT CEMETERY T336 The Seibert Cemetery is located one mile east and one mile north of the west edge of :il;fi Seibert. After checking through available records, I find the first marked and identified graves in the Seibert Cemetery are Mary Agnes Glaister 1870-1891 and George R. Hendricks 1882-1891 and Henry Howell 1882-1893. The oldest persons buried there are David Herald Born, 1817-1894, and i*1 .t& l' Joseph Glaister, 1819-1909. ,,]s Seibert in 1955, looking from southeast to northwest. Another interesting resident of Seibert was Jess Miller. Jess claimed to be related to the notorious Jesse James. He also claimed to have killed a man in Missouri. He did kill a man in Seibert in 1948. Jess had a filling station on the northwest corner of the There are many unmarked graves in the section which we have no way of identifying in any way. So it is very possible there were others before our records indicate. There are ten World War I veterans, three World War II veterans, six Civil War veterans, two peace time service veterans and one Spanish American War veteran, that are identified as such. There are a total of 34 Veterans buried in the cemeterv to this date. 1987. by Twila Gorton intersection of Highways 59 and 24. He also sold "historical" relics and had a cottage camp. Diagonally across from Jess's filling station was a beer bar. Some of the men who frequented the bar had taken to harassing Jess who was getting on in years and was somewhat senile. One day Jess went over to Chicken ranch on south side of Seibert, owners: Emmett Bell and later Martin C. Johnson. Seibert and was located on the west side of main street in about the middle of the block. Bill and Charles Blake ran freighting business and used oxen teams to haul merchandise from Hugo and Haigler. A large school house was built by the railroad in 1893. It was located about four blocks south of the present - day school house. However, this building burned. Part ofthe present school also burned in 1971. The students were sent to school in Vona. Later, the Seibert and Vona schools consolidated, forming the Hi-Plains School District. In the 1920's Seibert also had a bank. However, it closed during the depression years. AIso during the thirties, in order to provide much needed jobs, the Work Projects Administration (WPA) sponsored the building of the VFW hall (now the Seibert Community Building) after the Seibert Hotel and the building next door burned down. One of Seibert's most prominent citizens during the late 20's, the 30's, and the early 40's was Valentine (V.S.) FitzPatrick. He operated the town's newspaper, the Seibert Settler, and served six terms as mayor. During the difficult depression years he and his associates created the National Directory Company and published business directories for Colorado. FitzPatrick, who at this writing in 1987 is 101 years old and resides in Aniba, Colorado. has written a series of books titled The Back ?roil which recounts his life and give a history of specific areas in Colorado. the bar to get a beer. The men began harassing him, pouring an open beer in his front pants pocket. Then one of the men threatened to cut off Jess's long handle bar mustache of which Jess was quite proud. Jess told the men if they tried to cut off the mustache he'd kill them. He then went to his station. One of the men followed, weilding a knife and telling Jess he was coming to cut off the mustache. When the man reached the station, Jess took out his gun and shot the man between the eyes. A trial was held, the verdict of which was justifiable homicide. Businesses thrived during the 20's, 30's and 40's. Although they are too numerous to list individually, they included grocery stores, gas stations and service garages, creameries, hardware stores, a blacksmith, a telephone company, real estate offices, insurance salesmen, restaurants, a bank, a pool hall, and a theater, to name just a few. The number of businesses declined throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's. The major businesses in Seibert in 1988 are as follows: the Seibert Food Store, located on Main Street just south of the Seibert Community building; the Seibert Equity Co-op Association, located on the north end of the town; Steel Corner, a welding shop, located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Highways 59 and 24; Witt's Travel Shop, located south of town just off Interstate 70; Seibert Liquors and Seibert Self Service, located east of Highway 59 on the west side of town; Turner's Service, located on Highway 24 one block west of Main Street; and a SEIBERT LIONS CLUB T336 The Seibert Lions Club was chartered Tuesday, May 10, 1949, at 7:30 p.m., in the old red brick high school gymnasium. It was done at banquet attended by the new members and their wives. There were 42 charter members; of the 42 members 23 have passed away as of 1987. Sponsors of the Seibert Lions Club were the Flagler Lions CIub. The charter night chairman was John Bear; welcome was by Robert Snell, Mayor of Seibert; invocation by Dr. A.G. Hahn, Pastor of the Congregational Church in Flagler; Toastmaster - Rev. A.J. Abel, Pastor of the Lutheran Church in Arriba; gift of sponsoring club - Bill Stebbins, President of the Flagler Lions Club; presentation of Charter - George A. Doll, Lions District Governor of Fort Morgan; acceptance of charter - Fosha S. Gorton Sr.. President of the Seibert Lions Club; and benediction - Rev. T.A. Marks. Pastor of the Evangelical United Brethen Church in Seibert. The first club officers were President Fosha S. Gorton Sr.; First Vice President Robert G. Snell: Second Vice President - Zoder N. Golliher: Third Vice President Harley L. Greenlee; Secretary - Howard Taton; Treasurer - B. Dale Hargrove; Lion Tamer - George B. Grey; Tail Twister Ralph L. Rowley; and the Board of Directors - Ward H. Cheu, Ben H. Short, Earl Livingston, and Cecil Boren. Members still in the club for the 20 year celebration were: Earl Boren, Earl Livingston, Ralph Gorton, Howard Taton, and Roy Dykstra. Through the years some of the clubs projects were seeding the park, starting a tennis court and an ice skating rink in the park. Home demonstration Clubs helped �with many of these projects. But through lack of use these soon deteriorated and are now gone. Glasses were purchased for the needy children. They helped build wooden bleachers for the school's outside activities, some ofwhich are now at the gun club. They helped sponsor the Seibert Labor Day celebration on Monday, September 3, 1951. They helped with all community activities. Through the years, following the chartering of the club, members began moving away, dropping out as members, and many passed away. This caused the elub to gradually grow smaller in membership. The last elected officers, found in the records, to be installed was in April, 1972, and, were: President - Hulon Webb, Vice Presi- dent Lion - Robert Schmidt, Secretary Lion - Gerald O. Guy, Lion Tamer - James Smith, and Tail Twister - Roy Dykstra. Both Hulon Webb and Robert Schmidt resigned and moved from the community in early 1973. The club was disbanded in 1973. by Twila Gorton It was becoming such a hardship and attendance was dropping gradually. As soon as the V.F.W. purchased the Old Post Office Building in 1963, we immediately started meeting in the small hall. We continued to meet there until September 1978, when the Vets decided to shut off the utilities in the hall because of the expense. We started meeting in our homes and are still meeting in our homes, There have been 133 members joined the auxiliary since it was chartered, many are deceased, moved away and are non-resident members. Many continue to pay their dues for the insurance we have as a group. There are 56 paid members in 1987. Highest membership was 67 in 1982. There are four charter members of the auxiliary still in the organization. They are Marjorie Gorton, Lois Atkins, Bortha Niles, and Alice Rose Stoffell. Officers are holding the offices over and over to keep the organization going. At this writing, 1987, the offices are: President - Nancy Phillips; Senior Vice President Delphia Burr; Junior Vice President - Mar- garet Tovrae; Secretaryflreasurer - Twila IIISTORY OF POST # 6492 AUXILIARY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WAR T337 Gorton; Chaplain - Louise Gamble; Conductress - Carol Smith; Guard - Ellen Cruickshank; Trustees 3 yr. - Jean Jarnagin, 2 yr.Lois Atkins, 1 yr. - Marjorie Gorton; Color Bearers # 1- Shari Graham, # 2 - Dee Felker, # 3 - Donna Gorton, # 4 - Jeanette Kemp; Historian - Marvel Geiken; Patriotic Instructor - Myrtle Shaw; and Musician - Bonny Hughes. by Twila Gorton The Women's Auxiliary to our post was instituted in May, 1947. First president was Mae Cruickshank; Sr, Vice President, Lois Atkins; Junior Vice president, Marjorie Gorton; Chaplin, Rose Kemp; Treasurer, Minnie Fingado; Secretary, June Short. The 2nd president was Lois Atkins, 3rd president, Marjorie Gorton,4th, Mabel Linder, and 5th Juanita Greenlee. They were a great help to us in getting our post home equipped. During out first three years they gave $50 towards building the stand, $275 to buy chairs, $100 for ladies shower room, lumber for the tables and cupboards, stove for the kitchen, helped to buy the stage curtain, gave money towards installing the ceiling, and gave the post cash services. When time came that the "White Ele- phant", our old V.F.W. hall and skating hall, was to be renovated into a new community building, we donated the big blue velvet stage curtains to "Old Town," in Burlington, in 1986. "Old Town" is now being developed into a tourist attraction. "Received Mar. 16, 1888" office of First Assistant Postmaster General. Signed by A.E. Stevenson: Washington D.C." "Post office to be located NE quarter of Section 16, Township 8, South Range 49, West of 6th Principal Meridian, County of Elbert, State of Colorado. This would be located on the direct route from Tuttle to Hugo on which the mail is now carried two times a week. Hugo being 40 miles southwest and Tuttle 28 miles northeast. The name of the nearest Creek Buffalo on the north, name of the most prominent River south fork of Republican on the South. Number of inhabi- tants in the town of Hoyt being 40 but expecting to supply 600 or more with mail." Instructions were to select a short name for the proposed office, which, when written will not resemble the name of any other Post office in the state. Hoyt was the name the Post office was called. A note of interest written at the bottom of the page signed by Charles H. Scheib, is as follows: "The town of Hoy't is located on the north halfofsection 16, township 8, south ofrange 49, west 6th PM. Elbert, County, Colo. No post office within 28 miles, the nearest being Tuttle, Burlington being the next which is 35 miles. Hugo is our nearest Rail road station at which place our people get their supplies, being 49 miles south west of us on the Kansas Pacific Ry. We desire a special Post Office and mail pouch so we can get supplyed from Hugo. Hoyt has five stores, one printing SEIBERT POST OFFICE T338 office, one livery, and five stables, one lumber yard, and one blacksmith shop. Charles H. Scheib prepared P.M. The first post office in Seibert was housed in a two story building which also served as a hotel and general merchandise store. Lee Hutchens was the first postmaster as well as manager of the store and hotel. Several people served as postmasters in the early years after Lee among them, John Sutton, Lee Erskin. W.A. Weaver. L.C. Rogers and Miss Lint. Robert Wrenn was postmaster for many years. In 1918 Mae C. Cates was postmaster followed by Mrs. Simmons in 1925 and later Zella M. Hutchens. Meryl D. Haynes became Zella's clerk in May 1930 and later served as postmaster from May 1936 until November 1943. Meryl many times. Some of their first money projects were serving for dances, sponsoring a basketball team, giving plays, and bake and rummage sales. The charter members were Dortha Niles, Mae Cruickshank, Rose Kemp, Rosa Akers, Minnie Fingado, Katherine Gleason, Norma Arthur, Marjorie Gorton, Alice Stoffel, Minnie Crum, Betty Cox, Edith Boren, Bertha Ricks, and Lois Atkins. Through the years the auxiliary has purchased or received by contributions, several hospital items which have been loaned throughout the communities at no charge such as hospital beds, crutches, wheel chairs, walkers, coffee pots, and folding chairs. We have also assisted with funeral dinners and Of interest is a copy of the application to establish the Post office at Hoyt, Co. dated 2-28-198 , which has been acquired through the Archives. This was applied for through the Post office at Hugo, Colo. by Charles H. Scheib, and through A.K. Clarke Postmaster at Hugo, the 12th day March, 1988. The application has a cancellation stamp recalls his salary in 1943 was 91500.00 a year. His clerks were Gladys (Andre) Kerl and Donna Fingado. His wife Myrna followed him as a temporary postmaster for about 9 Seibert Post Office, 1988. good Way back when days - in thethe townold before Seibert was founded, ofHoyt was located 4 miles north of the present location of Seibert. Mail came to Hoyt from Hugo once a week via wagon and horses. The rails hit Seibert Aug. 14, 1888, and Seibert was founded in 1888 and the mail came by train. The business places then moved from Hoyt to Seibert and the Hoyt post office "via Hugo" was discontinued. months. The post office was located in the bank building then. Two south routes were established about this time with Clarence Bell and Frank D. Allen as carriers. The routes were combined and Fosha S. Gorton Jr. started carrying the mail for both routes in July 1937. Fosha Gorton retired Dec. 1980. Ralph F. Gorton substituted as mail carrier for the rural routes from 1943 to Oct, 1980. After the Haynes moved to Pueblo where Meryl took another position with the Postal Service, George Simon was appointed postmaster in 1944 and served until his death in January, 1960. Earl Atkins who was clerk at �the time took over as Acting Postmaster with Arthur O'Neill as clerk; he held this position until May 1961 when William A. Fitman was appointed postmaster. Earl went back to his job as clerk, which he had 19 years in, having served from January 1946 to January 1975. Phyllis E. Fox served as clerk, having repla- ced Earl upon his retirement. Bill Pitman retired July 1979 with over 18 years as postmaster. The Cope Star Route has been in effect for Dick Baker secretary. A2 V2 H.P. siren was ordered March 1956 and was installed 1 block east and one-half block south of Main Street and Highway 24. The firemen were called at 6:30 PM Aug. 30, 1956 to respond to a flat car loaded with poles on the railroad track which had caught fire. The fire was extinguished with less than half of the poles being damaged. The April 29, 57 election resulted with Ralph Gorton fire chief, A.A. Curtis Asst. many years and some of its early carriers were chief, Fosha Gorton Jr. Sec. RobertW. Work, HenryGaylor, Mr. Winkler. Ezra Atkins had the route from 1942 to 1959. Vern Miller contracted the route in October 1959 and a few years later his wife Kay took proposed a fire District Aug. 19, 1957, Dale Hargrove and A.A. Curtis and bill Pitman to contact farmers & etc. Hargrove reported over with Vern and Kathryn Myers as The Seibert Volunteer Fire Dept. first substitute drivers. Other subs over the years most farmers contacted were skeptical of phone service. Curtis reported the town Greenlee among others. council decided the truck could not go out to fight grass fires, only to protect farm build- have been Martin Johnson and Harley Parker D. Calvin was one of the mail messengers bringing the mail from the Rock Iskane Depot to the Post Office when the mail came by train. George Simon also hung and picked the mail from the train when the Rocket came into being. In the early years the Post Office was located in a small building on the east side of Main Street. It was moved to the old bank building in 1936 and back to the east side in 1944 where it remained until Postmaster Bill Pitman had the new building constructed on the corner of Highway 24 and, Main, which they moved into in November, 1961. Since Bill Pitman's retirement there have been several changes in the Postal department. Sandra Claus to Colorado Springs was appointed as O.I.C. (officer in charge) and served from Aug 1979 to February 8, 1980, when Phyllis Fox was appointed Post Master of Seibert. Charles Turner was the clerk from 1980 till he transferred to Burlington post office. Jim Levin started as substitute Nov. 1980 and was appointed the Highway Contract Routes July 1, 1981, carrying both the former rural Routes south of Seibert that Fosha Gorton had been carrying. Eleanor Short was appointed clerk June 29, 1985. by Twila Gorton SEIBERT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. T339 ings. Officers elected April 21, 1958 were Fire Chief Bill Pitman - Asst Chief Richard Baker and Sec. John Martin; same officers were of Vona. Colorado. One Ford F-600 used truck chassis. 1975 purchased - Pumper unit built by Steve Miller Vona, Colorado. The command car, purchased 6,23,1984, from the Flagler-Seibert Community Ambulance Service, is a 1970 Chevy Suburban that was used as an ambulance til 1984. The building houses 3 fire trucks, one command car, two ambulances. The original members of the new district were: Vern Miller Chief - Gene Hase, Assistant Chief - Jim Cowen, Rick Dykstra, Stan Geiken, Fosha Gorton Jr., Ralph Gorton, Jerry Guy, Wilford Huppert, Ervin Jones, Ed Killiam. MelvinLevin, Glen Myers, BillNoel, Ernie Noel, Jim Smith, Clifford Hughes, Mike Hatfield, Jim Levin, Kenneth McCaf- Bill Pitman Sec. June 2, 1959 orders were issued by the Board of Trustees that the fire truck could no longer be taken out of the incorporated boundaries of Seibert because of limitations due to insurance, and not having a 2nd truck to remain in town. At this time the only firetruck was a 1938 Ford pumper truck which had been pur- chased seconded handed and as of this date December 1987 only had 4049 original miles on it. Firechief elected 1965 was Earl Atkins Asst chief, Les Hase, Bill Pitman Sec.; 196770 Les Hase elected Chief. Gene Hase Asst Chief, Bill Pitman sec.; 1971 Les Hase elected Fire Chief, Glen Myers Asst Chief, Bill Pitman Sec.; 1972 Earl Atkins Fire chief, Dale Murphy asst. Chief and Bill Pitman Sec. Besides the phone being used for fire calls all these years at the Gorton Hardware store and the Ralph Gorton home, a special fire phone was installed in the hotel lobby in 1976. However. the whistle still had to be rung manually. Members wishing to retire from the board Mar. 15, 1976, were Dale Hargrove, Wanen Bowser, Bill Pitman, Alva Cruickshank and Les Hase. Officers elected in 1976 were Earl Atkins Chief, Asst Chief Vern Miller, Jim Cowen Sec. Again in February they tried to organize a Vona - Seibert fire District by getting members of Vona Farmers Union, Seibert ton Fire District but apparently this idea was also dropped. fire chief - Bob Anglen assistant fire chief - unit was built on the truck by Steve Miller frey, Carlos Arnold, Leon Blackwell, Dick Keiter and Wes Pelser. Meetings were to be held the 3rd Monday each month, Bob officers was held resulting with Ralph Gorton One Ford F-350 4WO Crew Cab 1980 chassis was purchased new and a fire fighting Elected Officers Mar 21, 1960 were: Ralph Gorton Fire chief, Asst, Chief Dick Baker, Farm Bureau, Vona's mayor and councilmen, were presented to the town council for approval, 19 members had signed for active status and 1 for inactive duty. Election of steel building. Contract signed 4-10-80. retained 1959. Seibert Volunteer Fire Department was officially organized in October 1954, and bylaws were written up at this time. Bylaws Committee: Orville Thisius chairman, Art Anglen, Chairman, presiding. November 15, 1954 Bylaws read: active membership be limited to 20, and must be 18 years or older. Three members were elected to the membership committee and were: Dale Hargrove, Virgil Hase and Les Hase. January 17, 1955 the copy of the bylaws director, Vern Miller lst Fire Chief. The building contract went to Don Herman Construction of Burlington for a 76 ft x 40 ft Vona's Fire Department and Seibert PTA together, but this didn't materialize. In 1965 they discussed joining with Strat- The first organization meeting with a lawyer was held Dec. 16, 1977 for a fire district. Seibert Fire District legally was established March 27.1978. A bond election to finance a new building and trucks was held February 12, 1980 for the amount of $80,000.00; this passed 84-2. First bylaws were approved November 19, 1980. First board members of the new district were Jerry Guy President, Bill Livingston Vice President, Ervin Jones Secretary, Rich- ard Herman Treasurer, Harry Hatfield * Herman, Bob McCaffrey, Dick McAuley and Stan Scheer. Present membership is limited to around 20 members. There are radio and telephone contact spread throughout the District, to help keep contact with the truck with messages, and also water trucks farmers have ready to go to assist if needed. A second fire whistle was purchased and installed about 1983 or '84 and is located by the fire house. Fire phones connections to the whistles were installed in six homes or businesses in Seibert so that it will ring into all at the same time and the whistles can be rung by any of the connected phones. The first ambulance housed in Seibert was in a garage at the time owned by the town and Iocated just north of Melvin Levin's residence, but is currently owned by Mel Levin. Seibert started housing their first ambulance in 1976, and the ambulance was moved across the street when the fire shed was finished in 1980. Also "Old Green", the Army Red Cross unit the service has as a back up unit, is housed in the fire shed too. The present ambulance we have is a 1976 van which was used by Flagler until the new unit was purchased and we received this unit May 10, 1984. by Twila Gorton SEIBERT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION T340 In the early fall of 1954, Evelyn (Scheidegger) Wanczyk, Leona (Scheidegger) Cowgill, and Twila (Murphy) Gorton, got the idea of starting an alumni organization. They immediately tried to get addresses and locate as many people as possible. In September, 1954, a meeting was called to gather interest- ed parties in the community, and the ball started rolling. Many hours were spent writing letters and with the cooperation of the Seibert High School Superintendent, George Cuckrow, we were on our way. The first banquet was held Saturday, October 9, 1954, in the V.F.W. Hall. Seibert organizing officers were: President - Leona �Cowgill, Secretary - Evelyn Wanczyk, and Toastmaster - George Simon. September 24, 1955, elected officers were: President Ralph Gorton Sr., Vice President - Cecil Boren, Secretary - Arthena (Aumiller) O'Neill, Treasurer - Lillian (Schemerhorn) Reid, Toastmaster Russell Goodwin, and Bylaws Committee - Russell Goodwin, Charles Boren, and Paul Short. The banquet continued for every year following. In 1958 other parties decided we should combine Homecoming and Community Day. Donations were asked for and a free barbecue was added to the event of September 27,1958. A large crowd attended at noon and a nice alumni banquet was held in the evening. In 1959 it was back to just a class serving the noon meal and no barbeque. In 1962 the graduating class of 1922, consisting of Ralph Burden, Martha (Abbott) Boggs, Ellowise (Allen) Pearson, Royal Reul, Olive (Johnston) Hill, Elmer Everett and their superintendant Homer H. Bishop, were here to celebrate a big day. September 20, 1969, a suggestion that possibly a potluck supper might encourage a better attendance, was tried, but the result was the worst attendance we ever had, with only 53 attending. Saturday, September 26, 1970, having no football game, the Roping club helped with the afternoon at the Rodeo grounds with activities and junior events. There was a 12:30 soccer game with Bethune, which ended up in a l-1- tie. At 5:00 p.m. there was a demolition derby west of town at the old baseball field. Because the Seibert High School burnt down on April 1, 1971, and the Seibert High School students were now attending school in Vona, the day's events were held on Vona's Main Street. The football game, Hi-Plains (Vona-Seibert) vs. Genoa was held at the football field in Vona. Seibert still held their alumni banquet at Seibert and continued to hold the annual dance in the V.F.W. Build- ing. In L972the Blue Vona Wildcats and the Red Seibert Bulldogs soon became the Red, White, and Blue, Hi-Plains Patriots. We then decided to hold our alumni banquet open to the public. Several attending the day's events suggested that they would like to come to the Seibert banquet, and it was decided that they could come. Both Seibert and Vona held separate banquets with Vona's being a buffet supper in the Vona lunch room. It was decided at both banquets to hold a joint banquet the following year. On September 29, 1973, the joint banquet was held and a large crowd attended. The banquet was held in the multi-purpose room in Seibert, CO. At this banquet it was decided to combine the two associations to the Hi - Plains Alumni Association, officers elected were: President - Larry Pickard (V63), Vice President - Kelly Burr (568), Secretary - Marjorie (Boren) Blackwell (S54), Treasurer - Ralph Gorton Jr. (364), Corresponding Secretary - Hazel (Thompson) Ford (Va5) andTq/ila (Murphy) Gorton (S41), and Historian - Mary (Jackson) McCaffery (V54). It was also voted to eend a girl to girls'state as has been Vona's custom. The parade and all day events, including the football games, are always held at Vona football fields with volleyball games, if any, being back in the Seibert gym. On Saturday, September 2L, 1974, the banquet was held but after discussion and lack of response to letters of invitation sent out, it was decided to try the Alumni banquet by not sending individual letters because of postage expense. It was thought that by just putting it in the papers and on the radio enough people would respond. In 19?5, after discussion as to lack of response, it was decided to try the alumni banquet every five years. In 1980 again the banquet was held with a good crowd. Again in 1985, there was a good crowd for the banquet at the school and the dance held later in the Seibert Town Hall. Twila (Murphy) Gorton has been an active officer of the Seibert Alumni Organization since it was first suggested and organized. She has also added some enjoyment for the old and young as a clown, throwing out candy and gum. For many years her grandchildren have also joined the ranks as clowns with her; even friends and her children have helped out, In later years many classes are holding their class reunions on the annual Seibert Day. It is always held on the last Saturday of July, this way people know ahead of time when it will be and can plan ahead for their vacations. This is also a convenience for most children do not attend school in the month of Julv. by Twila Gorton �l't' :: url.',t:: lli:' :' i:lar: ..r..il : $d,- "X*.6.. ;ee$ :. .:'u L $ '::' !!$ '.rr'ri:}lr:' l$' ''':'':."'*; -.rlF*J*. :4, $s'*!!lld1*il!*$'' N$ry"'$ "..'tl'" : @qtr$i �SEIBERT BRANCH, RLDS CHURCH ,,N' {t Reid was appointed Pastor. Bro. Wilbert Richards of Denver and Gerald Gabriel were also in attendance. Ministers from Denver. Genoa, Goodland, Wray, Pueblo and other communities helped with the spiritual growth through the early years. Some names which appear in the first decade ofour history were those mentioned above and Wesley Evans, Apostle D. Blair Jensen, Ward Houg- as, Owen Self, A.H. Christenson, Hilton Lamphere, Kenneth Buckmaster, Ernest Crownover, J.R. Graybill, Steve Bullard, Charley Zion, Conrad Graybill, Don Cash, Ted Sammons, Walter Lutz, Bernard Buchanan, Peter and David Judd, Calvin Carpen- ter, Pete Harder, Malcolm Barrows, Missionaries Herb Linn, Larry Shoemaker, Dale Argotsinger, Arthur Gibbs, and Norman Page. In 1956 the Seibert Mission became The original Seibert Branch of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Chriet of Latter Day Sainls building in November, 1956. part of the newly established Kansas-Colorado District. In 1957 Wm. Livingston was appointed pastor as Lewis Reid's health was failing. Lewis passed away February 27, 1958. Seibert was organized as a Branch in May 1972. Those having served as Priesthood in our congregation are Wm. Livingston, David Reid, Orlen Reid, Roger Reid, Norman Eagleton, and the late Lewis Reid and James Boren. Pastors of the congregation through the years have been the late Lewis Reid, David Reid and Wm. Livingston. Ground breaking services for the present building were held August 25, 1974, just north of where the church building was located at that time. Apostle Russell Ralston turned the first shovel of dirt, followed by Bishop Jack RLDS Church, Seibert. The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church in Seibert, Colorado had its beginning when a few people from the Fair Haven community, 8 % miles north of Seibert. attended a tent reunion near the river by Cope, Colorado, in 1920, hearing sermons from J.Charles May, J.D. Curtis and J.R. Sutton. This led to these missionaries holding a series of meetings in the Fair Haven School. Some were baptized at this time and church school was held in the school house almost every Sunday. Many of the people traveled by horse and wagon to attend. Priesthood from other congregations came when they could and others were baptized from time to time. Some of the early members of the church were the families of Alva Cruickshank, Lewis Reid, Earl Boren, J.A. Brown, Ernest Akers, J.W. Gales, Ralph Roberts, Ben Bartlett, Ernie Bancroft, Claude Hughes and Mrs. Fischer. (These names are from memory and if we left someone out we apologize and would appreciate hearing who, so we could up date our history.) In 1951 a rural schoolhouse was purchased and moved into Seibert. It was set on a basement in what is now the parking lot just south of the sidewalk. This building served as our place of worship until the present structure was built in 19'i4-75. On October 5, 1952, with 30 members on the roll and a congregation of about 60 people in attendance, including some from Denver, Genoa and Goodland, Kansas, Bro. J.A. Hufferd, Counselor to the D.P. declared us a mission of Eastern Colorado District. Teacher Lewis Curtis, R.A. Lewis Landsberg, Seventy Norman Page, Edith Boren representing the eldest member of the congregation, Earl Boren, Mayor of Seibert and Sr. member of he building committee, Gordon Hamit, contractor, Rogene Livingston, Women's leader, David Reid, Bishop's agent, Sandy Hughes and Cheryll Levin representing the youth and others, followed by Wm. Livingston, Pastor. The service closed with Bonny Hughes singing "How Great Thou Art". Jack Curtis gave a benediction. A hamburger fry followed with about 40 people in attendance. We held our consecration service on December 2L,L975 with over 100 in attendance. Elder Wm. Livingston presided, southeast Colorado D.P. Lawrence Colby, Platte River D.P. Bernard Buchanan of Yuma and western Kansas D.P. Vaughn Young of Tribune, Kansas, extended greetings and made brief comments. The sermon of consecration was delivered by Apostle Russell Ralson of Independence, Mo. He stated it was his hope that this church building might become a center for the achievement of God's purpose in all who came to worship, and all those whose lives are touched by those who worship here as they reach out. We consecrate not only the building, but also the people, that the cause of Jesus Christ might become known among all men. Bro. Ralson said that as we consecrate this church and its people, we challenge you to respond to the challenge to be a light unto the world and this community. Other priesthood assisting in the service were Lewis Landsbe.'g, Elder David Reid with Orlen Reid as Deacon in Charge, assisted by Norman Eagleton. The dedication services were held September 5 and 6, 1987. Howard Sheehy, member ofthe First Presidency of the Church, was our special guest for the weekend activities. Bro. Sheehy grew up in Colorado and was pleased to renew friendships from his teen years. Dedication activities included a hamburger fry and pot luck picnic in the Seibert park September 5, with approximately 50 in attendance. This group returned to the church where the youth group, under the direction of their leaders David and Betty Reid, entertained with skits: Vickey Eagleton led the group in campfire songs; movies and slides of years past were viewed (My, how some of us have changed!); memories were recalled and special recognition given to Alva and Ellen Cruickshank who have been members of this congregation the most years; to Bonny Hughes for many years of service in the music department and a special moment for Pastor Bill and Rogene Livingston. David Reid served as emcee and President Howard Sheehy shared some reflectoins with us before we closed the evening with the group holding hands singing "We Are One in the Spirit" followed by prayer. Sunday September 6, dawned bright and beautiful as we gathered for services on Dedication Day. A communion service was held at 9 A.M. High Priest Lawrence Colby of Pueblo brought the ministry to worship. He and Sister Regina Colby sang "He is Worthy" as a special. We experienced a first in our congregation when we had two ordained women priests, Regina Colby and Barbara Reid of Maquoketa, Iowa, assisting Priests Norman Eagleton of Seibert and David Carlock of Pueblo in serving the communion. The world church began ordaining women to the priesthood following the revelation which was presented to the 1984 World Conference. A beautiful spirit blessed the congregation as the service ended with congregational response of prayers and testimonies. The dedication service began with a welcome and a "Praise Medley" sung by the choir; Jacque Levin, Norman, Vickey, Dawn and Carma Eagleton, Nick Price and Betty Reid, directed by Bonny Hughes. Carla Herman was organist. President Sheehy brought the sermon. Bro. Colby gave the dedicatory prayer. The choir sang "Faith of Our Fathers". Following the services a pot luck lunch and roller skating were enjoyed at the community center. Some people played volleyball at the park. We have at various times sponsored Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Skylarks, Orioles, Zion's League, Women's Dept., Young Adults and Choir. Some projects we have enjoyed are service to families such as taking in meals, cleaning, ironing, mending, etc., visiting rest homes, community Good Friday and Easter Services, Easter breakfasts, bread baking, goodie boxes to service people, fruit plates or baked bread for the elderly shut-ins or those alone at Christmas, community vacation church school, pageants at Easter and Christmas, serving banquets, retreats, cook-outs and swim parties or volleyball, riverside picnic and worship, community mother daughter banquets, world day of Prayer, funeral dinners, Christmas caroling, witnes- sing weekend, church growth classes and workshops, family social, puppet, clown, and chalk talk workshops; temple school classes; craft fair; Sr. Citizen dinners and activities; Scripture study and many more. We haven't done it all, nor have we done it all right . . . but we have done many things to try to further the work of the Lord here in Seibert. Some of the furnishings in the church bring to mind special memories . . . the pulpit was �a gift from Bro. Orval Schall of Loveland. Various memorials given through the years have proved our library, candleabra and brass flower stands, public address system, bhe curtain for the kitchen serving window, ceiling fans and our new organ. Our heritage is rich with the blessings of God and the cledication of the Saints. We are grateful for all who have contributed in the growth and progress of the work of Christ in the community. Praise the Lord! by Betty Reid new church organized, with 11 charter members as the Seibert Congregational Church. August 1, 1896, Rev. Charles W. Smith served as pastor of the Seibert Church. In the year of 1906 in order that a church building might be erected, grant loan of $215.00, was secured from the Congregational Church Building society, and a frame building erected, and dedicated on June 16, 1902 with an ordination service by the then pastor, Rev. N.H. Hawkins. With membership growth and church work growing during the pastorate of Rev. E.P. Owen, another grant loan from the Congrega- tional Church Building was secured for SEIBERT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH T343 $400.00 and a new building was completed in 1914. In 1915 the old building was sold to B.E. Roller, and the interior of the new building was remodeled and completed. In the following years m{rny different pastors served the church, and most of them preaching in other churches, such as Stratton, Cope, Flagler and others, and progress was very slow. The following persons served as pastors from the time the first church was built until the year 1920: E.S. Hughes, Jas. Read, Jan J. LeFebre, Mrs. E. Shimrock, E.P. Jnited Methodist Church, Seibert, built in 1914. Owens (who was pastor at the time the present church was built), Rev. A.E. Hartman, P.R. Kiplinger, Charles W. Smith and Mrs. Charles W. Smith, who alternated Sundays as they served for a second time, having served first before any building was erected. Serving from 1920 to 1926 were: Rev. A. Sturgis, Rev. W.P. Barton, Rev. Charles D. Gearhart, Rev. S.J. Snyder, Rev. Peter Rasmussen, and Rev. J.N. Trompin, officiating when there was no other pastor. There was little progress and being left without a pastor, they requested advice from Rev. I.A. Young, Evangelical Pastor who was visiting his daughter in Seibert, Mrs. John Schekel. Rev. Young suggested that the Evangelical Church might be able to supply pastors if the people so desired, resulting in Rev. B. Barthel, the District Superintendant of Colorado Conference of the Evangelical Church, visiting the Seibert community, and at the following conference session in 1927, Rev. F.D. Dexheimer was appointed pastor of the Seibert Mission. Rev. Dexheimer arrived and people of the community rallied immediately to his aggressive manner and much progress resulted and at a publicly announced meeting of the memberg of the Seibert Congregational Church held on August 25,1927, it was voted to see if the church would become an Evangelical Church, results being 28 in favor, none opposed. Rev. D. Barthel preached several Sundays before and following the above action. October 5,1927 , the Seibert Congregation- vlethodist Church today after brick was added to he exterior of the building 1988. Religious work began in the town of Seibert n 1889, by a D.H. Minich, a Home Mission- ry of the Congregational Church. Others vho helped get it established were Robert (nowles. Rev. Lee and Rev. Jones of lowa. In the spring of 1892, Rev. E. Tuttle, who vas commissioned Home Missionary for lastern Colorado, came and served as pastor rntil 1896. Meetings were held in the Seibert {ouse. Feeling the organization was not rroperly organized, it was voted to disband md reorsanize. On Februarv 10, 1896, the al Church disbanded and became the new Seibert Trinity Evangelical Church, a community church. Sixty-four people were received as charter members. A class was organized resulting with the following elected as Trustees - S.M. Abbott, President - H.C. Greenlee, Secretary - Martin C. Johnson, L.M. Brown, and John Schekel. A full basement was built under the church. A house was secured and purchased for a parsonage which was diagonally across the street. With the new basement and purchase of the parsonage a new debt of $465.66 was acquired. With the transfer of propertv from Congre- gation Church to Evangelical, the grant loan from Congregational Church Building Society became due in the amount of $615.00 plus interest. this was not discovered until twelve years later, however. The Seibert Trinity Evangelical Church was formally dedicated Nov. 4-5-6th 1927 by Rev. B. Barthel Dist. Supt. of Colorado Conference. Other ministers present besides the Pastor R.D. Dexheimer were: Rev. Nash of Genoa - Rev. I.A. Young, Denver Alameda church - and Rev. L.D. Hale of Stratton. A large crowd was in attendance and rejoiced throughout the day. During the following months, calls from Bethune, and many surrounding schools came for someone to preach, and Leslie E. Gabel was appointed by the Dist. Supt. Rev. B. Barthel to serve as Assistant Pastor of the Seibert Field and to serve many nearby appointments. He arrived March 15th, having been recommended as capable for the Gospel Ministry be the Sterling Congregation. Regular preaching services were held at Rock Cliff twelve miles south of Seibert, Second Central fifteen miles southwest of Seibert, Prairie Gem twelve miles northwest of Seibert and Bethune and Seibert. The Pastors daughter Roberta Dexheimer preached at Rock Cliff, and Rev. L.E. Gabel Second Central and Bethune. Rev. F.F. Jordan, an evangelist from Illinois, held revival services at Seibert and Second Central with many souls being saved and uniting with the Church, and by Conference time 1928 there was a total membership of 150. Christian Endeavor Societies, Women's Missionary Society were organized and also there was an active Ladies Aid Society. At this Conference Session the Seibert Society requested the Conference to be put on the selfsupporting Fields and this request was granted. The following year Membership reached 194 and a total of $3,620.00 was raised for all purposes, excluding building. The next year, however only having a parttime preacher, a steady decrease of membership and amount of money raised resulted. The severe depression, crop failures and dust storms caused many people to move from Seibert and businesses were discontinued. In the year 1936 and '37 a low of 94 membership was left and only $771.00 was raised for all purposes. From this time on the steady decrease, resulted in the church again being placed on the list of missions. However there was an increase of money raised and progress in spite of the war conditions and workers going to supply the war jobs. In 1938 the Church was painted, and in 1940 the balance ofthe indebtedness of$200 was paid off. In L943-44 the entire interior was repainted and varnished. Pastors who served the Trinity Evangelical Church include Rev. R.D. Dexheimer L927 -28 with Rev. L.E. Gabel as Assistant part-time - Rev. J.A. Brewer a short time 1929 - Rev. Wm R. Van Devender part-time 1929 - Rev. W.C. Johnson moved here from Colo. Springs Trinityin Nov. 1929, to May 1931 -Rev. A.G. Hettler May 1931 to December 1932 - Rev. T.A. Marks May 1933 to May 1935 and also serving Stratton 2nd year. Rev. B. Barthel Dist Sup t. from May 1935 to Sept. 1935 when Rev. V.H. Schroeder served Seibert and Genoa for some months and secured a supply pastor. Rev. S.E. Parrott who served under the Supt. until May 1936. Pastor L.E. Gabel served the feild from Mav 1938 to 1944. In �May 1942 the Smokey Angle, formerly part of the Kit Carson Mission was added to the Seibert Mission and the pastor who had also been preaching at the Cope Congregational Church took it on also. This field showed promise of a fruitful Mission of the Evangelical Church along with Joes Territory; Cope is 26 miles north of Seibert and Smokey angle 35 miles Southeast of Seibert. Rev. C. Lafoon served several years followed by T.A. Marks who carried on the ministry until 1950. Rev. Oliver Davidson was here one year, followed by Francis Bayless, assigned here from Stratton in 1952, serving two years. Rev. Raymond Scott followed him in June 1954 and progress strived all these years. A large Sunday School class of young people, youth and adults developed. Other accomplishments were interior redecorating of the walls, new furniture for the front of the church being added as memorial gifts. A Hammond Spinet Organ was given in memory of Fosha S. Gorton who passed away in 1955, by the Gorton families, and many other items. Money for floor tiles were given. An addition was added to the west side of the church during the ministry of Rev. Francis Bayless and the front of the church shifted from the north side of the church to the west side in the new addition. Under the ministry of Rev. Raymond Scott a rededication Service of the Evangelical United Brethern Church was held. In June 1958 Rev. Scott was transferred to Peetz. Co. and Rev. R.M. Churchill came to Seibert. During the year of Rev Churchill's pastorate, the E.U.B. Church was given a new coat of paint, a memorial fund was set up in memory of Mary Tiffany in a savings account. In 1959 a Wurlitzer piano was given in memory of Dale Jones by Irene Jones and the children. April 23, 1968 the Evangelical United Brethern Church and the Methodist Churches merged and beceme United Methodist Churches, and the first session of the uniting Conference began Tues, April 23, 1968 with Bishop W. Maynard Sparks presi- ding. June 18, 1968 Seibert took formal action to change its name to United Methodist Church, Seibert, Colorado with Dist. Supt. Lloyd D. Nichols here. panelling down stairs, padded cushions for the pews, paint for the interior, carpet for the church floors, all this brought about by the labors of the ladies by quilting, bazaars, selling nuts, making hen door stops, (which are in many countries of the world), and new tables for the basement. Except for the Adult Senior Sunday Class, the Sunday School was nearly defunct in 1975. April 1975 the church members decided to brick the outside of the church instead of painting. The Conference was contacted and a request for a loan from the money from the sale of our parsonage was made and the loan was granted. Mohave brick was ordered Nov. 1975, new doors were added from memorial money, and new storm windows were added at the time of the bricking. Under the pastorate of Rev. George Dageenakis in 1976 an active Youth group again was organized. Following Rev. Dageenakis was Rev. Frank Harvey and Interim pastor who filled the pulpit from June 1979 til Pastor Doris Bingham came Sept. 1, 1979. After Pastor Doris came the church once again grew in active membership and attendance and Youth activities. In 1980 the Dist. Supt Jon Nieves was approached about the possibilities of a full time pastor at Seibert, but we were informed by the Supt. that we would have to have an additional $9000.00 in conjuction with the $11,000 budget that we were trying to meet before we could think about it. So after much discussion and hopes it was decided to set up an improvement Fund and thus it was started. But still in 1987 we are still a two charge church and hopes dim. 1981 brought about a speaker system for the church. The young ladies Carpet Capers U.M. groups also installed two much needed ceiling fans in the church. Later they have gotten a stereo, T.V., kitchen stove, microwave oven, and other help. New Gold Choir robes were purchased from a personal gift for the 14 robes. Doris Bingham was pastor in 1981. Improv- ements to the church included a new roof. new ceiling fans, choir robes and a P.A. system. A thirty member group, including Seibert's U.M. choir, presented a Christmas Contata directed by Denis Stahlecker. Choir members also joined Stratton's choir to Pastor David Newman was here in 1969 but when Rev. David B. Finley was here in Jan, 1970 we were a two charge church with present ajoint Easter Contata. Fourteen were Stratton. membership was recorded via transfer. The In 1970 the church Membership voted to sell their parsonage (the former John Martin home) to Hulon Webb. Year 1972 showed still a decrease in Sunday School attendance, a week of Special meetings were held with Dr. Nichol Presiding. Dr. Charles Wood came to Pastor the two churches inl972. The front of the church was paneled to add a great appearance to it. Due to an apportionment assessed on our churches by the Conference, which was based on membership, it made it impossible to meet the apportionment, as many of the members were older persons and non-resident members who wished to still have their names remain on the roll. The United Methodist Church does not recognize an inactive list for such members, so our apportionments were too high to be met. Without the help of the United Methodist Women through the years it was next to impossible to survive. Many times they came to the rescue with finances in various wavs. Special Seder services were held on Maundy Thursday. Pastor Lewis started "Kids Klub" which was geared towards Grades One through Six. The children of the community met once a week for study, recreation and refreshments. The Seibert/Stratton parishes cost shared a VCR, but this was dissolved later. Seibert participated along with other local United Methodist congregations in a special program in Burlington in honor of Bishop Sano. Pastor Doug Lewis moved to South Carolina in June with Pastor Marge Huffman coming on board as his replacement. Membership rolls were updated and audited showing a decrease in membership to 54. Recognition was given to Bessie Short who celebrated her 100th birthday. Richard Gilbert completed his six year term as District Superintendent. Mason Willis was named new District superintendent for the Greeley District. The Seibert congregation participated in a "Hats Off' Celebration planned by the Stratton U.M. Church honoring Pastor Marge Huff- man's ordination as an elder. The Youth Group has remained active over the years and has almost always had representation at Buckhorn Camp and/or the Up With Youth Conference every year. They participated in a variety of activities, usually in conjunction with the Stratton U.M. Youth. Another active group over the years has been the United Methoidst Women (U.M.W.). They hold an annual bazaar and use the profits from this event for local church needs as well as various mission oriented concerns. The U.M.W. distribute fruit baskets at Christmas and send cards and visit sick and shut ins throughout the year. The Carpet Caper Group, composed of the younger U.M. members, also contribute to church and community needs. This group has made hundreds ofwall hangings over the years and are now concentrating on barbed wire wreaths and country crafts. Other yearly traditions include Galilean Services at Bonny Dam, Bible School held jointly with the RLDS Church and a Sunday is set aside each spring to honor graduating Hi-Plains seniors. by Twila Gorton confirmed and baptized and an additional Pastor reported six funerals and two weddings in the Seibert community in 1981. The Seibert congregational joined in voicing their opposition to homosexuality in the church. Pastor Doris Bingham left our parish in May and Eldon Shoemaker served as pastor for a brief period of time until his death. Reverend Douglas Lewis came as a interim pastor at the close of 1982. Pastor Lewis continued to serve the Seibert parish on a part time basis until June at which time he was asked to serve Seibert/Stratton as full time pastor. The combined choirs presented an Easter Contata directed by Maxine Matthews. Seibert's choir was a part of a community contata, directed by Denis Stahlecker, which was presented on Good Friday. Seibert voted to participate in the three year Church Development and Redevelopment Program, a fund raising effort to enable the construction of additional United Methodist churches. Seibert's membership totaled 95. SEIBERT CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE T344 A Church of the Nazarene was organized at Seibert, Colorado, Sunday morning December 22, 1940, with Rev. C.W. Davis. District Superintendant in charge. This organization was the result of the revival held by Rev. and Mrs. Paul Doddy of Casper, Wyoming. Rev. Vogt and Rev. Mize started the revival. The Lord wonderfully blessed and gave us souls and victory in this meeting. Rev. George Vogt acted as pastor, his salary started at $4.00 per week. Charter members were: Miss Daisy Hase, Mrs. Hope Hase, Mrs. Opal Hase, Mrs. Margaret Hase, Mrs. Laura Sawhill, Mr. Ben Sawhill, Mrs. Opal Sawhill, Miss Dixie Sawhill, Mr. Robert Sawhill, Miss Nellie Sawhill, Miss Betty Sawhill, Mrs. Isabelle Clifford, Mrs. Mertie Bigelow, Margaret �Clevenger, and Floyd Clevenger. In 1941 the elected trustees were: Brother Ben Sawhill, Brother Floyd Clevenger, the Sister Isabelle Clifford, to serve one year on the annual board. Three trustees for the church board were: Sister Laura Sawhill, Sister Margaret Clevenger, and Sister Isabelle Clifford. Rev. Vogt appointed Isabelle Clifford, secretary, and Brother Ben Sawhill, treasurer. The church started holding their meetings in the Blake Building on the west side of Main Street. July 6, 1941, Rev. Vogt was Pastor. In September 1941, Sister Lillian E. Johnson, sister:in-law of Pastor Vogt, came to serve. They rented and began meetings in the old shops building across the street, north ofthe Griffith, the Elphis Church be moved to Seibert as property of the Nazarene. The property located two blocks east of Main Street and one block south ofHighway 24 had been donated to them. At July 8, 1946 annual meeting, permission was given by District Superintendant, Glen Griffith, that the Elphis Church could be moved to Seibert where a basement had been made for it. The church still sits there in 1987. Rev. Walden rode the top of the Elphis Church in the chimney from north of Vona to Seibert. The cost of moving the Elphis Church was $800.00 and the money was borrowed from the District, and was paid back on a monthly basis. The money was raised by Laura Sawhill, who raised chickens big White Elephant building on the north end and sold them. purchase the shoe shop building and did at a tax sale October 17, 1941, for approximately come, the church voted to purchase other lots to square the property. New song books were $350.00. In 1941, The Women's Missionary Society, also purchased. of Main Street. They decided to try to made a quilt for the campground, bed spread for the Missionary Cottage, two dresses and a blouse for a Missionary family. The wallboard petitions were taken out of the building to make room for services. With the help of the Stratton Church and Mrs. Howell of Vona, the church was soon ready for public worship. Two rooms in the back were living quarters for the pastors. The celotex wallboard was given to Rev. Vogf, for two stoves. In February 1948, after Rev. Fraley had In April 1951, it was decided to buy some seats from the county for the church. Sister Lorraine Ripper and Sister Berneice Markey came to serve the church from August 1954 to July 1956. In August 1956, Rev. Helsel came. Permission was given to his Pastor Johnson resigned May 30, 1942, due request to lower the ceilings in the parsonage at his own expense. Discussed telephone for parsonage; prices to be checked. Sometime before the end of 1956 an overheated stove has caused a fire in the church, and asphalt shingles were put on December 1957. Rev. Helsel left for a calling to Manzanola on to his health. Miss Anna Nuter, of Broadwater, Nebraska, came as pastor to assist Pastor Johnson a while. Rev. Anna Nutter left the following notes, in part: "I arrived in Seibert, June 20, 1942, were here in November 1959-1960. Restrooms were put in the church at this time and that night a hail storm damaged the church roof and broke a west window out of the church. Oil stove purchased $5.00, a heater $1.50, and a bookcase $1.00 for parsonage (Mrs. Combs of Hastings, Nebraska, gave a rug for the church, Mrs. Johnson donated an organ stool.) As offerings increased the board decided the salary to be $5.00 per week. The entry way January 12, 1958, and Rev. Guy, of Burlington, filled the pulpit until another pastor could be gotten. Rev. Floyd Totten and wife also. October 1967, the church was cleaned and floors varnished. In September 1968, a gas stove was purchased for the basement. Rev. and Mrs. Walden returned in November 1960, to serve the Seibert Church. Membership having gone downhill, due to people moving away, transferring of member- ship and deaths, had made it financially on the north was built before winter and made the parsonage more comfortable and unfeasible to maintain the church any longer. by Floyd Clevenger. The church paid Mrs. closed. warmer. Coal and cobs for fuel were furnished Johnson for the linoleum on the kitchen floor. April 4, 1943, five members were taken in. Six children were dedicated to God. On May 13, little Betty Noel's funeral was held. A stove was purchased for the church for $12.50. The minister was recalled and accepted, salary was increased to $6.00 per week by a vote of members to increase the salary a $1.00. The pulpit, altar and piano was varnished and the church roof repainted. Brother Ben Sawhill furnished over half of the expenses and did most of the painting. Mr. Perrine was hired to help and also donated part of his time. Attendance average was 15. (End of notes). At the annual meeting in 1943 it was voted to get Brother Ben Sawhill a preacher license for the coming year, this was granted' and was also granted for the following year. Rev. Howard and Anna Howetter carne in 1944' 1945. Brother Walden came as pastor in 1945. It was agreed to have Pastor Walden see about having the Elphis Church, north of Vona, moved into Seibert. A motion made at the request of the Seibert Church, that through the courtesy of District Superintendant So due to failing health, Brother Walden retired on July 1971, and the church was Brother Walden and Mrs. Walden are making their home in Seibert, CO, where they purchased the parsonage building and prop- erty in approximately L972. The church property was sold approximately the same year to Edie and Carol Reed. by Twila Gorton ..WIIITE ELEPHANT'' COMMUNITY BUILDING' T345 The "White Elephant" as it became known for its size after being built as a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project about 1934 or 35 was never completely finished until the VFW was formed in Seibert, Colo. It had a finished stage floor and one of the meeting rooms on the side had flooring finished, but the other one and the main floor had a sub floor in it with a little flooring laid. However, when the veterans tried to lease it, they had to wait for sometime to start work as the Moser Grain elevator had wheat stored in it for a couple years prior to that, which had to be gotten out. The VFW. John Maurice Wren Post # 6492, Ieased it in Jan. 1947, and held every kind of a project to help make money to complete the building as the school, needing a bigger gymnasium wanted to lease it, so the veterans borrowed money from the bank to finish the building. The school used it for several years until the new school was built in 1952, and the veterans lost their lease. A mortgage burning ceremony was held March 14, 1953 for the debt incurred on the hall. The veterans had a 99 year lease on the hall with the town. But due to the dwindling of active members and various things through the years the expenses became too hard to meet so the veterans bought the old small Post Office building on the east side of main street in 1963, and the big hall was turned back to the town. The building housed the Civil Defense emergency hospital unit for about 25 years, beginning in the 50's. This unit included everything necessary for a good hospital in a disaster, including an operating room which was stored in crates, stacked 4 feet out from the wall and to the ceiling, and a generator, cots for 200 patients. But all this equipment was disposed of about 9 years ago by the civil defense director Agnes Loutzenhiser. During the years the VFW had the hall, the building was used for roller skating weekly and in later years as it started to go down in activities, it was used only through the summer months for the skating due to heating the building. Early years activities were regular Saturday night dances, men and women town team basket ball games and town team leagues being formed, and many town team tournaments. About 1982 the town board made a financial commitment to maintenance of the building and repaired the roof. The community started suggesting the necessity of a nice community building perhaps in the city park, where some beautiful sod had been placed and some new buildings for a picnic area and barbecue pit had been erected. After the state highway department had some loads of dirt to be placed somewhere (more than was needed on the streets), Dale Murphy suggested to Mayor Ralph Gorton, that they dump it into the northwest corner ofthe park area, and try to fix it into a nice area for uee. Thus it was taken before the town council and the park project was soon begun about 1982. So once again Dale Murphy, being on the town council, suggested that there were great possibilities of the "White Elephant" being renovated into a nice community building, since it was already sitting there and of no use and deteriorating. He drew some blue prints which were presented to the town board with favorable reactions and the possibilities of checking into grants was suggested. The search for money in the emount of $65,000.00 for the work that was planned began. Murphy Construction submitted the low bid for the remodeling work on the building of about $48,000 to lower the ceilings, build walls, partitions, heating, laying carpets for the new town office, kitchen and dining room area, and rest �rooms, which had to meet specifications for the State Health Department for preparing meals for Project Srnile for local senior citizens. These appliances were purchased separately by the town, councilman Jeny Many people prefer the hall now be called the Community Hall instead of "White Elephant". I still think "The White Elephant" holds a distinction for Seibert, Colorado. Guy said. The rear of the building was also renovated by taking out the old rest rooms, two rneeting rooms and a storage room and shower rooms and the stage to make the skating area about equal to the previous area plus the bleachers on the north side were removed. by Twila Gorton DAYS OF THE OLD WEST Renovations came about from grants received with the help of the East Central Council of Governments, with Mary Jo Downey's help. Ten thousand dollars each The "sqauws": Anna Guy, Minerva Stone, Elnora T346 Yti:J,J:'irt|;rs plav their roles well at the "Davs came from Coors Foundation and Baughman Farms, which had formerly had large farm holdings in the Seibert Area. The Arthur E. Johnson foundation in Denver and Gates Foundation contributed $15,000 each. With the renovation finished in 1987, the outside was ready for a coat of paint. Jerry Guy town councilman was visiting with County Commissioner Bill Hornung and was told of the program offered by the army. Bill had a nephew, Lt. Col. Michael Pendergast, who had told Bill about the battalion and cities participating in an adoption program where local communities "Adopt" Fort Car- Y;;"'.. 'lri::ili.,irr,., :ill *),,,,;... The 1939 enactment of "Old West Days" begins. son units, and the soldiers have and will continue to do volunteer civic projects, such as painting the town hall. Units and their cities also exchange invitations to social, athletic and entertainment events. Carol Levin, city clerk, was instructed to contact Lt. Col. Pendergast and soon the bond was made and Seibert adopted the 68th Transportation Battalion. July 13th, 1987 Capt. Anthony Swain and four other soldiers flew to Seibert in a large Army Red Cross helicopter and landed on the school grounds near the ball field. A survey was made of the building as to the facilities to accommodate the crew to come (there were some ladies) and to what would be necessary for the job. While the 'chopper was landed the The wagon train prepares to make camp while Indians are at their tepees in the background. ehief White Eagle the only real Indian in the Indian raid enactment. I children and adults were invited to inspect the chopper, go aboard and even sit in the pilots seat. What thrills! A bus load of 27 soldiers of the 68th Transportation Battalion arrived Friday, July 27th and the project began, in spitc of high winds. Dinner was served by the community for volunteers who helped. Again supper, breakfast and dinner on Saturday was pre- pared and served before they departed for their base in Colorado Springs, the job finished. The association with the soldiers was a very enjoyable one. The Indians attack the settler's camp. Soldiers from the 50th Ordanance Co. participated in the bed race on Seibert Day July 25, 1987, and kept their record of winning by defeating over 8 other teams, and being known locally famous as winners. Other members of the 68th transportation and 50th Ordnance Company enlivened the parade with the Battalion color guard and company guidons, and also participation in other events of the day. The Battalion Commander and Sergent Major acted as targets in the town dunking booth. Another highlight of Seibert Day was when Lt. Col. Michale Pendergast flew in, in the big Army Red Cross helicopter, landing at the school first, then taking the chopper to the vacant land south of the city park where the day's events were taking place, and people could look at it and visit if thev wished. The flurry of gunsmoke and dust obscures the view as the battle rages. The old "prospector", John Peterson, 1939. �not. A large beef barbecue lasting for hours awaited the hungry actors and observers. Later, there were parades, trained horses exhibitions with a set of four putting on 'i ftr. "rn-ai*." mounted for the attack. interest the other business men in staging a re-enactment of that massacre. Some of the "settlers" in the Old West Days: Fosha Gorton Jr and Sr. with Dorothy Lundey and Elfie Gorton. "Most of those businessmen had a thousand reasons not to do it. They voted it down, 10 to 1. "It'd be a nice thing," they said, "but people are to hard up ." But a few including Fitz, went ahead and did it anyway. The result was open air theatre which would rival Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in excitement and authenticity. Featuring more than 400 local people, the show highlighted a full day of activity that became nationally known in its three year existence, 1938-40. Preparations began long before the big day, which was Labor Day each year, with creation of props and costumes, and with development of the script. The day before, truck loads of horses and riders would move into town from as far away as Loveland, and one Aurora man would bring his wagon and four %--j head of trained oxen. About two dozen cowboys would ride in from the south country, Second Central south ofFlagler, and east of there, on horse back, and bed down in a local barn. Early the next morning, the "Indians" went into makeup. Their skin color was darkened with liberal doses of brick dust (which didn't come off very easy, especially if you had wrinkles), and they were decked out in Indian garb crafted from burlap bags and bows and arrows built by local Boy Scouts. At 9 a.m. the large crowd of observers gathered on a hillside, to watch the show. A long prospector, with long whiskers and an old burrow, wandered into view, and as he slowly made his way across the basin, under the watchful eye of the audience, the "Indians" quietly slipped out of sight behind the hill, to await their moment. As the prospector left the basin, a train of about 40 covered wagons entered and formed a circle. The horses were unhitched and taken behind the hill to avoid scaring them. Then came the Indians over the hill, in single style. Roughly 140 of the Indians were mounted: others were on foot. The Indians { George Simon, another "settler", perhaps. t attacked, dragging the settlers and their families from the wagons, "killing and scal- ,1 r2 t:,. ti tr d$ ping" them, or riding off with a few as prisoners. But the Indians didn't have it all their own way, either. The settlers fought "\. "Indian" Warren Kemp . . . Old West Days. In 1859, Indians attacked a wagon train of settlers near the site of present day Seibert, killing most of them. In the late 1930's a few of Seibert's merchants, led by former news- paper publisher V.S. Fitzpatrick, tried to back, firing black powder blanks, and "dead" Indians fell from their horses to lie in the dust. True to their roles, the "dead" men lay still as a hundred horses continued to race back and forth, but never stepping on anyone. And then it was over, with the surviving Indians racing back to their tepees, leaving scores of massacred settlers, and at least one burning wagon, in their wake. The squaws and the maidens entered the battle- field only long enough to "finish off' the crippled. But while the show was over. the dav was square dancing on horse back, prize fights, rodeos and horse races, culminating with a square dance in the street, which lasted to 3 or 4 a.m. During the first year, as the Highway 24 ran through the town, patrolman directed traffic and many people upon being stopped, would be amazed at the bustling busy little town, and when told would immediately pull off the highway and take the days activities and the word passed fast to other parts of the nation, and in 1939 the Iocal promoters sold nearly 2,100 tickets for 25 cents each, and when the show started, there were 748 cars registered in 34 states among those parked on the hill. In 1940 all 48 states were represented. Two of those out-of-state visitors were in the motion picture business, and they almost had the Seibert celebration on the film for posterity. In 1940, a movie producer and five crew members were coming to film the show. When they didn't show up on time, the show was delayed for an hour or more, but as the crowd grew impatient, the show went on without the film crew. Later, they received the word that the airplane carrying the movie crew crashed somewhere near Deer Trail, enroute from Hollywood, killing all aboard. An end came to the show in 1941 when the United States entered World War II. Men of fighting age joined up or were drafted, and there no longer were enough cast members to stage the massacre. It never was staged again, although a rodeo and barbecue continued for several years. During all three years, with hundreds of people on the ground in the field, with horses running and milling about, with cowboys and "Indians" lying "dead" onthe ground. . . no one was seriously injured. One man was burned by the direct hit with a wadding from a blackpowder pistol, and Fitzpatrick was kicked in the leg by a horse. "But at the end of the show, I offered up a prayer of thanks, that nobody got hurt," said Fitzpatrick. AII in all, things pretty well came off without a hitch. There were riders, horses, mules, warriors, gquaws, Indian maids, oxen, wagons, cattle and herders whiskered oldtimers, emigrant women, and old-fashioned boys and girls. Yet, by use of the timed script, the show proceeded like the real thing, with only one rehearsal. "Nobody had a dime, coming out of the thirties," but they gave a lot of themselves. One of the years a true Indian Chief was here and took park in the celebration. He was Joe Davis, "Chief White Eagle." There are many fond memories of these celebrations. It is impossible to write the excitement in put into your blood stream at the time. by Twila Gorton THE SEIBERT BOY'S BAND T347 The Seibert Boys Band from Seibert, Colorado, composed of boys ranging in age from 8 to 15 years, gave a serenade in front of the News and Times office vesterdav �August 27, L889 from C.F. Jilson Trustee of the county of Shawnee, Kansas to School District # 37 of Kit Carson county, Colorado, all of lots 1 thru 18 block 27 in the town of Seibert. A deed made May 2, 1918 went from the school to J.L McNeill, the school board members were: Pres. A.C. Tinsley, Sec. Frank D. Allen, Treas. Elmer Everett. Later Oct. 6, 1919 it went from McNeill to Felix A.C. Schmitt April 18, 1921 from Schmitt to J. Henry Tihan, Bishop in Denver, - then onto Bishop Urban J. Vehr. The property is cunently owned by Louise L. Gamble of Seibert. All transactions ofthis deed are not included just some to tie the school and church into this story. Apparently there was a little white building used for the school for a short time prior to the building of the two story frame school. Dwight Frankfather said the first school was a single story white frame building located in Ted Cruickshank, 7 year old drummer, was the youngest member when the Seibert band started. In 1916 Mr. G.W. Klockenteger organized the trained the band. afternoon. The band, in company with the five Seibert business men who financed the enterprise, is on a tour of the state in five automobiles, and for the last few days has been camped in the tourist camping grounds in city park. The band was organized two years ago by it's director G.W. Klockenteger, a Seibert banker, and is primarily a character building plan. While it is founded on a somewhat similar basis as the Boy Scout the National Guard - El Paso Countv Democrat. by Twila Gorton SEIBERT SCHOOL T348 movement, it is independent. But tho it would seem that the music is only incidental, too much cannot be said in praise of the boys and their directors as regards to their playing. Scorning ragtime and "easy pieces", the Khaki-clad kids rendered different overtures and marches with all the ease of seasonal musicians. When one considers the ages of the boys, he can realize in a degree the credit due Mr. Klokenteger for their performances. The present trip is an educational one H.L. Cated, C.D. Frankfather, E.L. Smith, Dick Hendricks and their director - the founders of the organization - furnishing the cars and meeting the expenses. They have visited so far Colorado Springs, Seibert school built in 1893. given by the Seibert Boys Band, an organization ofthe boy scouts from a little town of300 population on the Rock Island in the eastern part of Colorado. The boys are on a tour of the state, traveling in automobiles furnished by the vice president of the Seibert State Bank, Mr. G.W. Klokenteger. Mr. Klokenteger organized the band last September at his own expenses and trained the boys himself. Seibert is the little town in eastern Colorado that within three days after the call of President Wilson, furnished a Company for Martha Abbott (Boggs - Allen) says she went to school in the one story building starting in 1918, and went three years of her high school years, while three grades were combined to each of the four rooms, grades L-2-3- 4-5-67-8-9 and 10-11-12 being together. Her senior year she attended school in the second story which had been built and finished so in 1921 fall classes began in it. This addition was being done in 1921 at a cost of925,000. Their class being the first to graduate from the top addition, they also had given the first Junior - Senior banquet in 1921, was the first class to organize and have a class sponsor. An excerpt for the annual says, "We also had the went to school in Seibert School in 1910 in the white two story frame building. A copy of the "first High School Annual - One of the big features of the Mask Ball last Thursday night was the band concert deeded to the school District all of block 13 and 14 in Seibert, July 17, 1917, and on this property the large red brick school house (a half basement and one story) was erected. honor of naming the Seibert High School Annual "The Yucca". which name shall be carried through all the forth coming years." A note from Maxine Messinger (Radcliff) is: A note per "Reminiscence" by Della Hendricks is that Elaine and Bill Hendricks Canon City and Cripple Creek, traveling .slowly enough to take in all places of interest and to inspect all interesting features. Yesterday they visited the rifle range and gave the guardsman a concert. They will remain in Denver till Thursday in order to view the circus today, leaving then for Estes Park Denver (Daily) News, August 23, 1916. the southeast edge of town, and was built by the Rock Island railroad in the late 1880's. The picture included shows the white frame building after the second story had been added about four years later, making it a grade and High school. The picture says it was built in 1893 and was the first grade and high school. The first graduating class of 1919 including Reva Sawhill - Florence Muck Lida Cruickshank and Elizabeth Schauffler graduated from this building, but no exercises were held, Paul R. Veeder the Supt. Records in Book 7 4 page 581 at the county clerks office shows that G.W. Klockenteger "1922" in the hands of Maxine, which was Seibert School built in 1917, top floor added in 1921. dedicated to The Seibert High School shows; Faculty: V.E. Worley, Mrs. W.I. Conley, Marie Farquahar, Mrs Avis Simmons, Lora Mae Moore, Ora Cruickshank (Maxine's 2nd After much researching there isn't much to be found on the history of the early schools of Seibert. However after many phone calls to a few of the old timers who are living that attended the first Seibert school and the Red Brick school, I will try to piece together a bit there was a consolidationin1922 with several other districts, and many new students joined of history. their ranks from these districts, which was Records from the Abstract Office in Burlington, shows a warranty deed record # 6260 from C.F. Jilson to school District # 37 was recorded at 3:15 PM January 9, 19 893 by R.G. Cambell. recorder. The deed was made apparently when students began coming to town to attend high school to graduate. The two story white frame building in block 27 was torn down and twin houses built from the lumber according to Dwight Frank- grade teacher) and Agnes Beedy, her 1920-21 year. From the annual the information is that �of the building and stopped and reported it. It was in the early pre-sun-up hours. The fire was extinguished and kept contained mainly in the northeast class room of the middle section, and the evidence was discovered. Some typewriters and other articles were missing from the building. The gymnasium is the three story red brick building, being to small for regulation basketball games was condemned for the league games, the school district leased the V.F.W. Hall (The White Elephant) from the veterans for their basketball, proms and other activi- ties from 1948 to 1953. In the 1940's a small frame building, the old Progress country school was moved from 12 miles north and 3 Vz east of Seibert to town and was located to just the north east of the brick building and was used for some Jr High classes and a shop. Later this building was sold and it once again returned to the country to the Denis Stahlecker farm. The fall of 1950 brought about another Hi Plains High School, Seibert, 1988. furter. These houses are now owned by Ervin Jones and Gladys Tovrea, and were built approximately 1918 to 1920. I have received much help from many people and wish I could include all the remarks but it is impossible, but I wish to thank them for the help, for without it, it would not be possible to put this information together for an almost lost history. Thanks to John (Jack) Messinger, Dwight Frankfath- er, Martha Abbott (Allen), Vernis Boger, Myrna and Meryl Haynes, Dwight and Pete Guy, the telephone visit was great. &:r',. ., ' $i ,,' -.;l $ View from south west part of Library and Home Ec section after the fire. There was a fire in the Red Brick school in 1948 during school vacation, which had been deliberately set, as inflammable soaked rags were found under each fire hose at each flight of stairs in the building. A trucker coming from the east on Highway 24 (The only highway then) saw flames in the east windows .:at:: ..,....:,. .r:i:,\i..a.,.:r,:i:',,:, consolidation, this time bringing the remaining country pupils to town, ending the area of most small country schools. The Seibert School then became Seibert Centralized School R-2. After the high school and gymnasium had been built and in service for several years the need for a new and safer elementary facility began to be discussed among the patrons and a committee of: Luthur Tatkenhorst, Chairman; Marvin Burr, Orlen Reid, Lloyd Short, and Fay Knapp started checking into the possibilities of a new addition, in Oct 1959. In addition to the road for a safer elementary school building it was brought out that other school needs included. a well on the school property, landscaping, a lighted baseball and football field, a kindergarten, and elementary teachers salary closer to the line with High School teachers salaries. A bond Vote in February 1960 carried 5 to 1 in favor ofthe above proposed. This would also help with the accreditation ofthe school, as it seems that prior to this accreditation requirements were on the High school. A multi purpose room, lunchroom combina- tion, new administration offices, teachers lounge, and the seven class rooms for elementary were added. Later some landscaping and lights were put up for the baseball field. The Addition had been added to the west side of the gymnasium and high school unit, and stretched to the south. The year of 1960-61 was the first kindergarten class in Seibert, with Ollie Taton being the teacher, this was held in the basement of the old red brick 3 story building. The pupils were: Mike McElroy, Nila Niles, Charles McCaffrey, Deborah Hughes, Theresa Bancroft, Michael Mitchell, Connie Livingston, Charles Pelser, Terri Taton, Kenneth Viken and Doyle Atkins. After the new elementary was built the first Kindergarten class to attend were: Johanna Atkins. Sheree Mitchell, Jo Ann Miller, Kathryn Webb, Janice Knapp, Marilyn McCaffrey, Fred Bloom, Seibert School in the 1950's which burned on April 1' 1971. Rodney Smith, John Levin, Randy Gorton, Joseph Marx, and Cordell Atkins in 1961-62. June Short the teacher. April 1, 1971 brought disaster to the Seibert community when by-passers out on I-70 spotted flames in the windows of the gymnasium area of the school at 3:45 AM and once again came in to town to report it. The previous day had been one ofvery high winds and dusty conditions with the winds continu- �ing through the night and into the next day. The fire had evidently started in or near the g'ym area, from something caused by the high winds. The gym and the complete high school addition of the building were destroyed, but with the help of fire fighting equipment from Vona, Flagler, Stratton, and I believe Burlington was bringing a water truck, the elementary wing of the school was saved. The high winds at this point were a contributing factor in saving the part of the building that was saved, because it was blowing so hard from the northwest that it helped to keep the flame away from the west wing. The rest of the school term was finished in the local churches, VFW Hall, Elementary Classrooms. Mr. Hardy's home (a teacher), and the multi-purpose room, and kitchen, which the fire protection safety commission had okayed as being safe for use. The graduation ceremonies were held on the church yard of the Re-organized Latter Day Saints Church in Seibert. C.L. Stiverson a former Supt. giving the address. by Twila Gorton Year 1929 - *Albert Bell - *Ben Wrenn *Bonny Gaunt (Clay Gould) - *Bruce Jones - Cecil Boren - Goldie Mae Lambert (Cox) - Richard Plecker) - Robert Edwards - *Robert McBride - Shirley Short (John Matthews) - Vivian Smith (Murl Mayberry) - *Virgil Short - Voyle Larson*Lila - Claude Ingram - Inez Jones (Melton) Johnson (Reginald Allen). Year 1930 - Herbert Shults - Joe Campbell Doris Stewart (Baum) - Ada Brower -(Clarence Scheidegger) - *Marguerite Bonham (Heber) - Madeline Ott (Leander Becker) - Gwendolyn Eaton (Elmar Kerl). Year 1931 - *Harley Greenlee - *Viola Sheets (Seal) - Wayne Jones - Loretta Bonham (Collins) *Duane Oldson - Floyd McCart - Norma Johnson (Conoly) - John (Jack) Messinger - *Lucille Rose (Chris Peterson - George) - Shirley Bonham (Tay- scHooL Year 1919 - Reva Sawhill (Ed C. Wolfe) *Florence Muck (Anderson) * Lida Cruicksh- ank (J.B. Richardson) - *Elizabeth Schauffler (Green Dwight Cruickshank). Supt. Paul R. Veeder. Year 1920 -Zelma Probasco (Bridge) Supt. A.B. Cook. Year 1921 - Gladys Messing (Anderson) - *Grace Minter (Joe McCannon) - Marie McMulkin (Deutsch) - Charles Conley (first Male Graduate). Year L922 - *Olive Johnston (Herk Hill) - *Elmer Everett Martha Abbott (Boggs Allen) *Ralph W. Burden - Royal Reul Ellouise Allen (Pearson) - Supt. Homer Bishop. Year 1923 - *Mavis Leao (Maitland Helderman) - *Mabel Zimmerman - *Lillian Schermerhorn (Lewis Reid) - *Walter Burden - *Lindley Cates. Yeat 1924 *Julia J. Howard (Clayton Kivett) - Ruth Beckman (R.8. Elder) Vaughn L. McKenzie - *Ted Albert Cruickshank - Dorothy Burden (Everett Beckman) - Supt. James P. gttit. Year 1925 - Hazel Holton (Don Stewart) Myrna McKenzie (Meryl Haynes) - *Murl Mayberry - *Zella Sawhill (Lester Yonts) *Clio Huff Iva Ross Paul Reul Mary - Huff. Year 1926 - *Zelma McKenzie - *Maurice Wrenn - *Ruth Minter - Evelyn Duncan (Blythe Allen). Years 1927 - *Wayne Gesner - Robert Bancoft - Mary McCart (Martin - Blodgett) - *Francis Reul - Jerome Hinshaw - *Aubrey Edwards - *Velma Campbell (Miller) *Effie Priest Cogswell). Year 1928 - Nelta Cates (W.8. Copeland) Yarnell - *Velma Manion (Stewart) - *Edna*Murray (Williams) - Clara Yarnell (Ritch) *Robert Walker - Short - Lloyd S. Roberts - George Van Der Koi - Charles Boren. Year 1938 - Earl Allen - Lorene Miller (Scott) - Evelyn Johnson (Rabou - Smith) Russell Goodwin - Don Parrott - Eugene Perrine - *Paul Short - John D. Martin Christine Johnson (Bill Simmons) - Eugene Edler - Supt. E.G. Bjornstad. Year 1939 - Wayne Peterson - Lois Jones (Kenneth Smith) - *Doris Copley (Baker) Dorothy Gillispie (Berger) - *Katherine Clark (Crabbe) - Cecil H. McCormick Delbert Rowley - Robert Miller - Raymond Cox - Eloise Ruth Livingston (John Martin) - Maxine Smith (Wayne Peterson) - *Cecelia Ruth McCormick (Sterling Johnson) - Dorothy Rasmussen (Cribbs) - John Aegerter *George Thomas Winkler) Supt. E.G. Bjornstad. - Year 1940 - Juanita Perrine (Chester Jackson) - *Irene Aumiller (Eddie Thweatt) - Pearl Martin (Geo. Pfalzgraff) - Asa Faye Johnson (Ernie Bancroft - Savage) - Ralph Year 1932 - Garland Guy - Viola Short Edward Miyoshi) - Supt. E.G. Bjornstad. Year 1941 - Robert Guy - Burleigh Sharp *John Atkins Donald Hamilton - Jacqueline Olmstead (James McKee) - Esther Simon (Cecil McCormick) - Winifred Kemp (Thaine Ingram) - *Leila Gillispie (Hicks) Twila Murphy (Ralph Gorton) - Supt. E.G. Bjornstad. Year 1942 - George Simon - Leonard Watson) - Vernis Boger. Oleta Gillispie (Eide - Hollman) - Harley Short - Leroy Guy - Dougal Robbinson - T349 E.G. Bjornstad. lor) - Robert Andre - Gladys Andre (Kerl) Melvin Shipman - *Dan Oldson - Bernice Harmon (McBlair) - Pearl Minter (Bert Floman) - Dorothy Short (Lt. Col. James (Earl Pursley) - Roland Shults - Emily Jones (Ervin) - Bertha Larson - Ralph Schekel - GRADUATES OF SEIBERT HIGII (Don Parrott) - Ray Stewart - Viva Livings- ton (Vernis Boger) - Eugene Oliver - Supt. *Ruth Sperry Orville Larson Fannie Boger (Robinson) - Lila Jenkins - Kenneth Eaton. Year 1933 - Albert Larson - *Alice Alexander (Oldson) - Lloyd Edwards - *Glen Newton - Marjory Manion (Miller) - Vera Livingston (Wallace Gattshall) - Arvetta Shipman (Mauldin) - *Paul Scheidegger Elwyn Hays - *Ray Sperry - Homer Killalay - *Minnie Anderson (Walter Eastin) d Merl Ingram (Baker) - Gerald Shults - Lavon Eaton (Roland Shults) - Clem Patrick McCart - Supt. M.H. Brown. Year 1934 - Frederick Lyle Aegerter *Nita Elaine Mason (Paul Miller - Frank) Sterling Johnson - Marjory Edweards (Lammerman) - Gertie Vera Sears (Pat Shea) Gerald Max Roller - Leona Irene Scheidegger (Peters - Earl Cowgill - *Birney Eugene Short - Fosha Sheldon Gorton Jr. - Eva Rowley (Murray Walker) - Fern Lavinia Gardener (H.J. Martin) - Rodella Henrietta Hase (Chas. Boren) - *Pearl Faye McCart (Art Gaines) - *Mark Garrett Stewart Frank Marion Allen - *Leora Mae Andre (Phil Garlick) - *Gordon Erskine Clark Ruby Letitia Perrine (Murphy - Murphy) Supt. M.H. Brown. Year 1935 - Jane Simpson (Gearhart) Marion Simpson - Clyde Jones - Florence Sheets (Harold Adair) - Viola Perrine (Baxter - Gettman) - *Leroy Newton - *Tom Holland - *Marie Jones (Frank Smith) *Thurman Shipman *Leigh Short *Leigh - - Short - *Jay O. Guy - Thaine Ingram Robert Brown - Mildred Woltkamp (Lyle Eagerter) - Donald Everett - Supt. Richardson. Year 1936 - *Lucille Bonham (Weiser) *Edwin Cox) Judson McCormick *Ralph Gorton - Norvin Gillispie - Weldon Parker *Dale M. Schekel *Rose Rassmussen - *Lucille -(Barstad) Knowland - Alta Sessler (John Pulver) - Supt E.G. Bjornstad. Year 1937 - Alice Short (Burr Keller) Hope Smith (Virgil Hase) - Troy Murphy Norma Brown (Gerald Brown) - Max Parker Marcella Sawhill (Ground) Las Perrine -*Helen Jo-es (Reynolds) - Fern Aumiller Aegerter - *Norma Olmstead (Daily - Kemp - Betty Aegerter (Bob Miller) - nGerald Cox Darlene Akers (Zuckelwoski) - Illa Mae Jones (Hojara) - Donald Clark Loyd R. Moore Jr. - Supt. Art Watson. Year 1943 - Dixie Belle Sawhill (Gouge) - Marvin Taylor - *Eva Rose Livingston (Leonard Kemp) - Doris Rose (Crum Gagnon - Loyd Murphy) - Eleanor Scheidegger (John Atkins - Flood) - Betty Jo Stittsworth (Ray Schroeder) - Arthena Aumiller (Dick O'Neill - Ruby Wood (Flageolle - Van Winkle) - *Dale Taylor - Supt C.W. Lanning. Year 1944 - Jack Chew - Elbert E, Akers - Vivian Radebaugh (Morford) - Ma"y Christie (Earl Allen) - Martha Lou Ricks (Lloyd) - Gene Clifford - Maryld Edmunds - Supt. C.W. Lanning. Year 1945 - Robert T. Sawhill - Orline Reid - Wayne Aumiller - *James Boren Dorothy Johnson (Gene Cummings) - Dale Bartlett - Supt. W.G. Brandstetter. Year 1946 - Josephine Atkins (Joe Mazella) - Ira Cooper - Ruth Laffoon (Cline David Reid - Neville Dunnan Jr. - Jo Anne Bancroft (Bob Waldron) - Juanita Winfrey (Adrewjeski) - Louise Johnson (Azel Dorsey) - Supt. A. O. White. Year 1947 - Wm. Earl Livingston Jr. Joyce Aumiller (Bob Austin) - Betty Lou Cox (Orville Monroe) - Edna Blanche Aumiller (Akin - Gerald Duncan) - James William Akers - Dorothy McCart (Ray Atkins) - Supt L.W. Mortenson. Year 1948 - Marjory Aumiller (Merrill Amsberry) - Ruth Lange (Ruhter - John Stewart) - Norma Cruickshank (Arthur Nisson - Hunter) - Katherine Jackson (Paul Short) - Ruby Lange (Kunkel) - Betty Paxson (Jones) - Eleanor McGriff (Harley Short) - Rogene Boren (Bill Livingston) Supt. Chas. Berhens. Year 1949 - Betty Lou Hughes (David Reid) - Donna Rae Paxon (Hawley) - John Graham - Gale Corwin - Dorothy Cox (Virgil �Schwartz). Supt. George B. Guy. Year 1950 - *Vera Barnes - Dorothy Akers (Claude Rogers - Noel) - Jeanne Malm (Pursley - Bosley) - Barbara Boyd (Wm. Snow) - Bonnie Boren (Clifford Hughes) Floyd Reid - *Paul Eugene Bramlett Jr. - Supt. George B. Guy. Year 1951 - Dale Steele - Vern Miller Doyle Atkins - Erma Fulton (Jim Boren) Supt Geo. B. Guy. Year 1952 - Duane E. Miller - Esther Bramlett (Lawrence Taylor) - Sam Brewer Mary Lou Miller (Dusty Henderson) -*Irene Fuller (Orlen Reid) - *Shirley Hartley (Elbert Akers) - Melvin Levin - Betty Malm (Berelue) - Bob Kramer - Supt. George G. Guy. Year 1953 - Joan Boyd (Donald Finken) Sharon Linder (Leonard Mullen) - Myrna Belle Clifford (Brecheisen) - Carol Ann Wold (Malm - Rothgeb) - *Patty Boren (Richard Baker) - Virginia Kelley (Duane Miller) Gary Tagtmeyer - Phyliss Levin (Bob - Fox) - Thomas Weaver - Colleen Oliver (Ira Cooper) - Charles Boren Jr. - Wilma Bloder (Angel) - Supt. Ray Bartlett. Year 1954 - Marilyn Kay Malm (Norma Kent) - Clinton Lee Jones - Roger London Reid - Ruth Marie Bramlett (Sylvia Pierce) - Jacque Kae Boren (Melvin Levin) - Arnold Duane Kelley - Carol Imogene Hase (Melvin Mullen) - Ray White - Ethel Arlene Taylor (Goin - French) - Patricia Ann Harmon (Weihmuller) - *Harvey Leroy Bowser Alice Brewer (Don Burch) - Frank Lee Miller - Nylen Bruce Bartlett - Marjorie Lee Boren (Leon Blackwell) - Irvin Leon Blackwell Supt. Ray Bartlett. Year 1955 - Bonnie Peters (Dick Wharry) Blackwell (Thomas Sims) - Doris - Arliss(Bowser Fuller - Randall - Vernon Pelser) Sonja Viken (Al Randall) - Warren Golliher - Richard Herman - Annabel Oliver (Steinke Jr.) - Koenig) - Margaret Weaver (Ken Potter) - Barbara Cruickshank (Jack Scheidegger - Smith) - Marjorie Smith (Norman Crabb) - Doyle Fulton - Ronnie Hartley Supt. George B. Cukro. Year 1956 - Janet White (Jacoby) - Mary Golliher (Wayne Weaver) - La Vada Reid (Hefner - Britt) - Marlyn Hase (Don Herman) - Edith Malm (Stough) - Shirley Cowgill (Roy Tatkenhorst) - Tom Sims Donald Herman - Junior Kelley - Eugene Hase - Harold Dykstra - Roy Tatkenhorst Jim Miller - Floyd Taylor - Donald Levin Supt. O.B. Lauth. Year 1957 - Robert Hase - Alma Tatkenhorst (Marvin Dove) - Verda Maloney (Don Weaver) - Marvin Dove - Leo Thorson Beverly Harmon (Claude Robinson - Tom Miller) - Helen Hase (Bruce Colyer) - Al Leo Leoffler - Patty Martin (McFarland - Herman) - Bill Oliver - Supt. C.L. Stiverson. Year 1958 - Meredyth Hargrove (Richard Herman) - Iris Hargrove (Lynn Fisher) Dallas Weaver - Helena Hase (Jim Milller) - Lloyd Kelley - Barbara Harmon (Harry Lee) - Gene Miller - Ralph Zrubek - Bonnie O'Neill (Lloyd Kelly) - Grace Levin (Robin- son - Jagger) - Darlene Herman (Larry Fadenrecht) - Florence Pelser (Delmar McGriff) - Raenita Monroe (Artzer) Shirley Smith (Ray Daily) - Supt. C.L. Stiverson. Year 1959 - Carlos Eugene Arnold - Ethel Kay Cruickshank (Vern Miller) - Aileen Faye Hase (Dhooge - Leroy Lamb) - Gordon Lesley Hatfield - Ronald L. Kelley - James A. Levin - LaNell Mason (Harold Dykstra - Dunn) - Benny L. Noel - Don L. Ray - Jerry Ray Short - Jacque Marie Taton (Saunders) Roberta M. Thorson (Lee Miller) - Donald L. Wanczyk. Supt. C.L. Stiverson - Neil W. Patty Eastin (Dennis Hickman) - Supt. Hulon Webb. ty Twila Gorton Williams (last 10 weeks). Year 1960 - Larry Leoffler - Larry Hase - Larry Schnell - Vernon Tovrea - Sue Short (Gerald - Maloney) - Gerald Maloney - SEIBERT HISTORY T360 Ralph Atkins - Donna Herman (Corky Patterson) - Dixie Herman (Delmar Mullen) - Peggy Martin (Hamm-Rick Eckroth) Supt. Neil W. Williams. Year 1961 - Myra Tovrea (Elrod) - James Harmon - Virgil Taylor - Margaret McElroy - Everett Urie - Ardis Jones (Ronald Kelly) - Deborah Murray (Joe Balweg) - Supt. Neil W. Williams. Year 1962 - Dee Ann Gorton (Donald Felker) - Paul Pitts - *Sidney B. Hedgecoke - Barbara Graffis (Dewey Staatz) - Margaret Ward - Patricia Weaver (Larry Leoffler) - Ronnie Tovrea - Bonnie L. Tatkenhorst (Paul Pitts - Miers - Larsen) - Marvin Kelley - Supt. William W. Welsh. Year 1963 Stanley Scherr - Mike Hatfield - Stanley Graffis - Fred Bloder - Gary Atkins - Dick McAuley - Faith Hase - Myrna Jones (Roger Gosnell) - Sharon Tovrea (Jarnagin - Jolly) - Charlotte Santala (Lonnie Polzin - Marvin Thomas) - Supt. William W. Welsh. Year 1964 - Ralph Francis Gorton Jr. - Merikay Erck - Donna Eastin (Horton) Keith Taton - Joe Tatkenhorst - Bob Stevens - Margaret Conarty (Earl Hedge- coke) - Jacqueline Phillips (Kalb - Anderson - Wise) - Allen Niles - Ernie Noel - Rex Reid - Supt. William W. Welsh. Year 1965 - Glenna White (Terry Clapper) Betty -(DennisTaylor (Wilkins) - Ardath Pitman Fowler) - Pamela Joan Gorton (Dwight Young) - LeRoy Miller - John Phillips - Larry Kemp - Charles Ward Larry Hostetler - Supt. William W. Welsh. Year 1966 - William Cowgill - Ervin Jones Seibert Community building. T - Hazel Stahlecker (Lengel) - Jeanette Kay Gorton (Larry Kemp) - Jerry Eastin - James D. Smith - Carol Atkins (James Smith) Steven Santala Supt. Wayne Lorance. Year 1967 - Cheryl Conarty (Bill Reese) Linda Kemp (Dan Denke) - Linda Johnston (Gilley - Wahl) - Barbara O'Neill (Rick Young) - Jerry Millsap - Beverly Hase - .. -r,..:*i-. ,-1: ' ' t'*-.: ;,;:/;Xf),,; l',::;* The old depot moved to the west side of town in 1959 is now Nile's Restaurant and Gas Station. 1980's. Darice Pitman (Larry Hostetler) - James Gorton - Ron Phillips - *Dean Short - Supt. Wayne Lorance. Year 1968 - Kelly Burr - Melva Stahlecker Bowser (Ron Towea) - Cathy - Margaret Short (Leroy Miller) - Merla White (Ron Oneal) - Tom Taylor - Keith Specht - Terry Tagtmeyer - Maxine Hill (Scott) - Sup t David MacKaye. Year 1969 - Marilyn Atkins (Kenny McCaffrey) - *Robert Graham - David Hostetler - Mickey Livingston - Meredith Murphy (Bezdek - Slocum) - Rodney Murray - Larry Newman - Vickey Reid (Norman Eagleton) - Gary Short - Barbara Turner (Schaffer) Supt David S, MacKaye. Year 1970 - Marlis Jean Conarty (Hamm) - Ronnie Lee Hase - Roger Lynn McCaffrey - Denis Stahlecker - Ralph Lynn Specht Mary Jo Tagtmeyer - (Stan Ravencamp) Mary Ann Turner (Sebert Morgen) - Supt. David S. MacKaye. Year 1971 - Fred Niles - Kenneth Lynn McCaffrey - Doris Graham (Jim Leoffler) Original bank Building as seen today 1988. �STRATTON T35l To tell the story of the development of the Town of Stratton is a formidable task. $m Everyone sees and recalls things differently; tgoo Jro; N.H. Fuller's Store before 1908. This store burned in 1908. Seibert Days, 1986. i r', r;,:.',:9 Interior of Fuller Store after the restoration ltll following the fire. r,.l1.' ':a, ft.l ,,9, 'l :i.14 few remain who were here even in the 191015 period who were old enough to be sure of their memories, and so constant is the evolvement of any city or town that it is difficult to explain in an accurate, meaningful manner. With these realizations in mind we L:3 ?; have written the story of Stratton. When the town of Claremont was laid out by R.J. Newell at Frankfort, Kansas, and G.F. , :l Seibert Days, 1986. J'ct ry Jilson of Topeka, Kansas had the town of Claremont site surveyed on July 13, 1888, the stage was set for two other prairie early day towns to cease existing and another one to assume their place. The location the men platted and surveyed was Section 36 in Township 8, south of Range 47. This site we know today as "Stratton", a warm and friendly community, located in a richly endowed farming area in central Kit Carson County, Colorado. The year this book is published marks the centennial year of the town of Stratton. Records indicate that on May 6, 1888, the Chicago Rock Island Railway Company had laid its roadbed and tracks to a point on the sand creek three miles west of what is now Stratton. A small town called "Columbia" had been laid out previously three and one half miles south and east of the site where the railroad finally passed. When it became Seibert Equity Coperative Association. 1976 - Seibert Park. obvious that the railroad was bypassing Columbia, reality had to be faced. With the railroad built and a depot erected and well drilled, the town of Columbia was moved to the railroad site and the name of the new settlement and post office became "Claremont". Among those moving establishments there the fall of 1888 with four good teams and wagons was a Mr. Bell who moved his store �office located in part of their store. Dr. Tripp, M.D. was Claremont's first physician. Mrs. J.W. Borders recalled those times and how her father, Mr. Fuller, sold his blacksmith shop and bought the general store from Mr. Bell. She told of very trying times when her father would travel to Benkelman, Nebraska, for supplies for the store, leaving her at home alone. Once three or four gaunt and bedraggled Indian braves came into the yard and looked things over before they started walking round and round the house. She tried to keep completely hidden, thinking they would finally go away. They peeked in the windows and stomped about but did nothing menacing and in a few hours trailed off across the prairie much to her relief. Five farmers lived around Claremont Wellman and Kern east of town along the railroad, Fuller on the north and Hobart and Chalmers northeast of town. Otherwise the expanse was open prairie. People became discouraged with farming for the years of the '90'g were less than favorable for crops. Records reveal that many soon moved away. s Cleaning up after the October 6, 1908 fire that destroyed the whole block where N.H. Fuller Store stood. and all its stock from Columbia. (It is known he had a post office in his store as he was a postmaster, but whether it was Columbia or Claremont post office no one is certain.) Mail was delivered from Claremont to Beloit and also to Tuttle, an inland post office located about eighteen or twenty miles northeast of Claremont. Then J.T. Roberts moved his store located in Beloit to the new town of Claremont. Mr. Roberts was paralyzed in both legs and had to handle his business from a wheelchair. Sam Schaal, Sr. wrote in the Norrotiues of Stratton Dessie Cassity compiled in 1967 that Jim Roberts had "dry goods, drugs, groceries and a little hardware. He sat in a wheelchair, as he could not walk, but his head was all business. To get trade he would pay one or two cents per dozen more for eggs, and sell a sack of flour five cents cheaper than Burlington, and that would do it. He got around pretty good in the store. At noon his wife would come after him for dinner and bring him back, and the same morning and evening." They built a board sidewalk wide enough to accommodate his wheelchair from his home to the store. In a few years Claremont consisted of a railroad depot, the two stores owned by Mr. Bell and Mr. Roberts, a blacksmith shop operated by N.H. Fuller; a saloon; a hotel operated by Miss Smith located on the lots across the street south of today's Stratton Equity Coop Hardware store; a printing shop; the Claremont Leader edited by A.V. Griggs; the Claremont State Bank, Mr. Root, presi- dent; a drug store; and a hardware store owned by the Hobart brothers with the post A Stratton Day Float in 1912, probably a first; Mrs. Fuller at left, Children: Floyd, Hazel, and Hal. Roy Jones driving and his son to the right. Then the saloon, bank, and drug store closed. Mr. Roberts purchased Miss Smith's hotel and made it into a residence, where he lived many years, until he sold his store to his nephew, S.O. Otis Roberts and moved to Rogers, Arkansas. by Dorothy C. Smith �the Roberts store which had become a general store handling everything from groceries and hardware to patent medicines and anything one would choose to order. "Order farm implements, plows, wagons, and in two weeks you would have it and you paid for it when you got it. I got two John Deere plows and a Moline Wagon from him, and saved ten dollars each on them," Sam Schaal, Sr. related. The first school had Charlie Dickinson as teacher to seven pupils in a small frame building on the spot where D.G. Liquor now stands. This building became too small and in 1895 a two story school building was erected on the ground where the school building stood the next 15 years. Teacher in 1896 was Miss Ruth McCoulogby, pronounced McCalby. Her students included Hazel, Inez, and Susie Roberts, Manda Fuller, Clara and Billie Lindford, and Albert Bradshaw. In 1900 Jennie Wellman was the teacher. About 1904 the Rock Island Railroad decided to change the nnme of Claremont to Interior of N.H. Fuller Store, with Mr. Fuller on right rear. Note the gas lights before the fire. STRATTON T362 At some time in this span of years the post office had been moved to Hobart Bros. Hardware, so that when Hobart Bros. elected to close their hardware store and go into the sheep business, the post office was moved to something else because of many mixups caused by express and freight being sent to Claremont, California. The abbreviations Cal. and Col. were making mail and express a mess. A daughter of one of the pioneers ordered white fabric for a July 4th celebration dress. but it didn't come and didn't come. After waiting many months, authorities put a tracer on it and found the material in California. So with this and other dissatisfaction and complaints the United States Postal Department changed the office's name to "Machias" there was one like it in Maine, but they didn't think this would cause problems. But the Rock Island would not permit that name to be used for their station, so after lengthy negotiating the name "Stratton" was compromised upon. (The young Iady got her dress material for Christ- mas.) At that time the legendary Winfield Scott Stratton, a millionaire created by the discovery ofColorado gold, was scattering his monies prodigiously among colleges and other state institutions and some one must have thought this gesture might bring something to the town. No one has recorded any recognition of this man's response, but it is a plausible idea. And the name "Stratton" stuck, Winfield S. Stratton notwithstanding. In 1906 Stratton grew very rapidly. The Foster Lumber Yard was opened and another lumber yard known as the Square Deal was The firgt elevator in Stratton, Floyd Border's dad in picture. Stratton Friends! ,r t "{rF {{ '\.. I L lr ?41t & built on the block occupied today by the Twin Oaks Motel. When this yard closed in 1917 Joe Collins bought their lumber sheds and converted them into the Collins Hotel. The south half of the south wing of present day Twin Oaks Motel was that lumber yard. On October 1908 there was a disastrous fire along the east side of the main street of Stratton which consumed the general store operated by Mr. Fuller, a hotel, the land office, and the J.W. Borders residence which they had lived in only a few days. All were soon replaced except the hotel. From 1908 to 1910 the town experienced a real building boom at which time several impressive business houses were erected ,r.l .....,r;;?cl1i': ' tlq The hotel which bore many names. "West Side", "Farquahr", and "Commercial" about 1908 or 1909 operated by a Miss Smith and others. Some folk called it the Stratton Hotel. including the Stratton State Bank on the east side of Colorado Avenue in the building now occupied by the D.G. Liquors and the Linford Building in 1910 which is now the Someplace Special site. The Linford Building was built with a large hall on the second floor for use of lodge meetings, public meetings, dances, �STRATTON T353 The oldest building in Stratton, the "State Bank Building" built in the 1980-1910 era. The interior and dining room of Stratton Hotel when owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Amos L. Ryun. who owned and operated the store. Later the building was used as the post office. After the post office was moved, Logan Woodson, Jr. purchased the building and operated a dry goods store there for many years, living in the apartment overhead converted from what was once the community meeting hall. In intervening years this store housed a variety of businesses among them an interior decora- and picture shows. One can yet read the faded Spotlight published by Rick and Beverly original "W.H. Linford - 1910" sign in bold Ietters and numbers high above the Some- news. Currently it is the location of Someplace Wiley Baker and his father A.J. were also land agents at this time with their land office located on the west side of Main Street (Colorado Avenue) south of the Linford Building. Joe Collins and a Mr. Blair later bought the building and continued the land Special, a clothing store. In June of 1909 Hugo Stedman completed a large cement building on the west side of Stratton's main business street which housed a meat-market, a cafe, and a drug store with a hotel located on the second floor. A.B. Combs was the druggist. Later he sold the store to H.E. Janeway, who in turn after some years of operation sold it to Tom Harpham. Ivan Houtz purchased the drug store later and in the 1940's sold it to J.C. Bradshaw II and III, with J.C. ilI the acting pharmacist. The store became known as B & B Drug. Today the store is owned and operated by Charles and Julie Nelson who purchased the building and business in February 1967, and it is now known in business circles as B & B Drug, Inc. place Special marquee. The first Stratton newspaper was owned and operated by a man named Sharp, but it soon died as did the next one that was started. The "Stratton Democrat" was founded and edited by Wiley Baker in 1908 and on April 30, 1919 the name was changed to the "Stratton Press", a name which continued for the local newspaper for many years through numerous changes in ownership and editing. Roy and Gladys Herburger published the paper for many, many years, selling it to J.C. Carnathan in 1959. J.C. continued publication ofthe Stratton Press until 1979 when he sold it to Bill Schweitzer who ran the paper until November 11, 1982, Today the Stratton Gaddy appears weekly with local and area business. For many years Ready and Linford operated a blacksmith shop west of the Linford Building approximately where the William Cure home is today. D.O. Beahm and Eden Wade operated a store in the Linford Building for some years, then sold it to J.C. Bradshaw, Sr. by Dorothy C. Smith tor and two or more dry goods stores. Church in early times was held in school houses in the country. In Stratton the first known church service was held in Mr. Dryer's grocery store. In 1908 the Congregational Church built the first church building in Stratton. Later this site was purchased by the Evangelical Church which later became known as the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Today this church is the Stratton United Methodist Church at the corner of Kansas and Third Avenue. The first service of the Catholic congregation was held in the Woodman Hall in 1910. Originally "Robertson & Watt" Grain Company about 1910; Iater part of Snell Milling and grain, located west of main street. By Tuesday, September 22,L910, St. Charles Congregation dedicated the ground for the first building and conducted the cornerstone laying on November 17, 1910. During the intervening years the congregation has made many building changes and additions. Today the beautiful St. Charles rectory, church, and hall are outstanding structures one sees upon entering Stratton from I-70. The Seventh Day Adventist Church was built in 1913 and many faithful members kept it in operation until so few remained to attend that it was unfeasible to continue. Then the church was closed and remained empty for some years. In 1985 this historic �building is gone from Colorado Avenue and the old grade school houses the local bowling alley and a popular eating establishment. In 1912 Snell Grain Company of Clay Center, Kansas built a grain elevator in Stratton, and J.W. Borders became its manager. About the same time Robinson and Watt Grain Company built another elevator west of the Stratton main street which was purchased in later years by Snell Grain and in turn by Stratton Equity Co-op. In recent years this land mark was razed. By 1913 Stratton's population had reached 350 persons. The newspaper was The Enter- prise, formerly the Vona newspaper. by Dorothy C. Smith Ed Davis Ford Garage. landmark in the community located at 331 New York Avenue was purchased by the town of Stratton and remodeled to house the town library. Although the first service of the Church of God was held at a country site, the original church building was built in 1920 and St. Paul Lutheran Church also built within the next year. A few years later the Nazarene Church was erected, but this congregation closed services in 1949. St. Paul Lutheran then purchased this building and remodeled it. In the following years St. Paul's congregation diminished so that they sold the building which was then converted into a lovely, modern home. School had enlarged by 1910 to such a point that a two story brick building was built to replace the two story frame building used prior. Then in 1935 this building became too small and another cement building located north of the original building to be used for the grades one through eight was constructed as a WPA project. Part of this building was a large gymnasium, one of only a few adequate in its time. In 1951 additional construction joined the two buildings in such a way as to create areas for school shop classes, a music department, and a lun- chroom and kitchen. Since that time further changes have located the high school on Illinois Avenue in a structure dedicated in March, 1961. In 1976 a fine elementary buiding was completed in the vicinity of the high school building forming a small campuslike arrangement with the playgrounds, football and athletic fields between the two school buildings. Today the old high school -6char*{ " ,i 8&-A ! ,i i: ]i t:1 ,:t::,,,& :?1;a A I I I lT:l: The original St. Charles Catholic Church with old Stratton School in background. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seibert Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A history of the town of Seibert as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:429 2020-03-23T10:18:03Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/429/Stage_Routes_and_Trails.pdf 58073161ad732d6c7daaa326497c1d74 PDF Text Text such environment would be classed as a StnoKey Hfrl .l4Bice Salmans Vona, Colo. tenderfoot. rral-r Besides that, he had been in a run-away. Let's let his companion, Albert Richardson, tell us about it: "Descending an abrupt hill, our mules, terrified by meeting three savages, broke a line, ran down a precipitous bank, upsetting the coach, which was hurled upon the ground with a tremendous crash and galloped away with the fore-wheels. I sprang I I Krt Carson Serbert Fort 8.1 HauLhorne SPrlngs out in time to escape being overturned. From a mass ofcushions, carpet sacks and blankets soon emerged my companion (Greeley), his head rising above the side of the vehicle like that of an advertising boy from his frame of pasteboard. Blood was flowing profusely from cuts in his cheek, arm and leg, but his face was serene and benignant as a May Morning. "He was soon released from his cage and taken to'Station 17', a few yards beyond, where the good woman dressed his wounds. "Spent the night at'Station 17'. As usual we slept in the coach which vibrated in the strong prairie wind, rocked like a cradle." LosL SPrinqs Now anyone in a run-away with mules as motive power would not be held accountable o for some time to come afterwards-what he K1t carson Hill said, did, or wrote. So perhaps we should take these statements he made at this time with a couple of grains of salt. We have given you an over-all picture of this trail. Now, let's get down to the local scene and trace it more specifically. ttl .,\,cfrl qnrindc Zce 'r I ) a I Smokey Hill Trail a - I SouLh Fork RepubJ ican Rrver When the route left Beaver Creek near Ludell, Kansas, it went over a high divide in a northwesterly direction, entering Nebraska at a point 76.26 chains (305 rods) west from the southwest corner of Section 35, Township L North, Range 34 West, thence going down a long draw or creek, 8 or 10 miles, coming to the Republican River in Section 28, Township 2 North, Range 35 West, then up the river about a mile where Station 18 was located in Hitchcock County about one mile from its west border, a short distance from where Indian Creek comes down from the northwest on the north side ofthe river. This was about twelve miles below The Forks. Then it followed the river up past The Forks and re-entered Kansas at a point 9.65 LEAVENWORTH AND PIKES PEAK EXPRESS ROUTE Tt34 "On this route there is no poisonous or alkaline water, nor sagebrush, two peculiarities and disadvantages of the Santa Fe route. There is no sand except in one body of 40 miles in extent and this is along the Republican with plenty of water, timber and grass at hand. Now we wish to present some of the merits ,f this route and later on the reason for its ,bandonment. "They further say that the region which they have just traveled is the best grass country in the West, that there is an abun- The Leauenworth Tirnes of April 3, 1859, dance of water and timber for emigrants and that in these respects it is far superior to the rublished the following account of two nembers of the surveying party: i'hursday afternoon Messers. Ewbank and )owning, two experienced mountaineers and ,ld Californians, returned from the reconraissance upon which they with others, had reen dispatched by Jones and Russell of the )verland Express. Their statements are clear nd explicit and most effectively put an end o all outside caviling as to the wisdom and oresight of the company in adopting a route rhich they pronounced unequalled for the equirements of travel, and of which the oaximum distance is not to exceed much ,ver 500 miles from Leavenworth to Denver )ity. Platte route." This does not exactly coincide with Horace Greeley's statement that we mentioned in our previous article, where we quoted him as saying: "For more than a hundred miles back, the soil has been steadily degenerated until here, where we strike the Republican River, we seem to have reached the acme ofbareness chains (39 rods) west from the southeast corner of Section 31, Township 1 North, Range 37 West, and continuing up the South Fork to Section 34-1-39 where Station 19 was Iocated. The above information about the trail from Station 17 to Station 18 and on to Station 19 we have obtained from our good friend, E.S. Sutton of Benkelman, Nebr. Mr. Sutton and Mr. Carmody found the site of Station 19, there being part of a sod enclogure 100 by 103 steps and trenches that were still visible in 1940 when they made their investigation. The survey on the Kansas-Nebraska line was made in 1859 shortly after the trail was established and the surveyors made mention of it, both where it entered and left Nebraska as the "Jones and Russell Wagon Road to Denver City." As to the exact location ofthe trail up the South Fork was somewhat uncertain we and desolation. I could match this station and its surroundings against any other scene on decided to see if by checking the surveyors' field notes we could obtain some definite our continent for desolation." But we must remember that Horace Greeley had been brought up in the East where there were lots of trees and timber, that he was a city dude, and coming out West from information. The results were very gratifying. Cheyenne County was surveyed in 1873, the township lines in 1872. The surveyors made note of crossing this trail 50 times in laying out the �section lines up and down the river and only four times did they fail to make mention of it. from South Benkelman, Highway 61 crosses the old trail, a little over one half mile (184 rods) south of the state line. In the Asa Clapp and John Ramsey neighborhood, it entered Section 30-1-38 102 rods east from 4 the northwest corner of said section and left it 80 rods south from said corner. By the E.S. Carman place it crossed the section line between Sections 17 and 20-2-39, east 215 rods from the northwest corner of Section 20, 56 rods east of the river where it was then. By St. Francis, the road that crosses the railroad tracks going north past the old stockyards, crosses the trail 8 rods south of the corner where the road turns west. The trail went in a southwesterly course from there and was west from the power plant beyond the old railroad grade. It went where the old railroad grade was made or very close to it on up to the old Benkelman Ranch and passed just a jew rods north of the old building site in Section Ll-4-41and where the present buildings are. The so-called Burnham bridge further up the river is where the trail once went. The river was further west at the time of the t survey. ,q -al -J^ g a E !r ,+ I $g ?r, at :6 'd, It crossed Battle Creek about 40 rods north + of Section 29-4-4L, crossed a dry creek or I : z 0,) ? q Io a )q' B o ?/ z ' : ! s.' , 3 C z Iq o +o! \r+ , r t J o z z E I o c u I .{ z o went up to higher ground, continuing sou- thwesterly and westerly for six to eight miles before getting back to the river. One day in January, through the courtesy and guidance of George Homm, an old-time rancher in that locality, we were able to locate the view the old wagon track of said trail. In Section 25, Township 5 South, Range 44 West, they can be seen dimly, but in Section 35-5-44 they can be seen as plain as day; in t ! draw 30 rods northeast of the stone house on the Sheldon place, went midway between the old Jacqua store and the section line corner south, crossed the Kansas-Colorado line at a point 66 rods south of the northwest corner of Section 4-5-42 a few rods south of the remains of the old lra Whipple place on the state line and thence on up the river valley pastHale and BonnyDam in southeastYuma County, Colorado, continuing on up the river from there. It continued up the river in much the same manner until it reached Landsman Creek, or as some called it Launchman. It followed this creek upstrerm about a mile or more then I r'l o i I fact, they can be seen a half mile away. It's quite interesting to view some of the old markings left by those early travelers who o I : t 3 o <l t 2l o o{ I I .*"t; Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Route 1859 4 blazed trails through what was then a wilderness. Installment 4 One can't help but stop and think ofThe hopes and aspirations that caused them to press forward to an unknown goal. The hardships and suffering they encountered along the way. The heartaches and disappointments that overtook so many ofthem before reaching the journey's end, some falling by the wayside, caused by hunger and thirst, some overtaken by the wintry blasts that swept the plains and freezing to death by the lack of shelter, and others slain by some foe they could not defend themselves against. One cannot help but think of these things when one beholds the markings of the old �trails. Contrast that with the comfort we have today in going from place to place. May we verify the above statement by quoting from some writings of men who were participants in this trail blazing drama of crossing the plains, almost a century ago. But first let us get the setting where some of this took place, and the reason for the suffering and privation that overtook these travelers, who had set out to cross the plains, in their quest for gold, or for a more comfortable living than they had 'back home' in some of the eastern states. Many of whom never reached their destination, but perished along the way. First, let us quote from the field notes of E.D. Boyd, chief engineer for the L. and P.P. Express Company: "Station 22, (supposed to have been \Vz miles northwest of Seibert, Colo.) on the south bank of the Republican; large spring in bed of river which sinks immediately below. "Since first striking the Republican our course has been nearly parallel with it and our which we descended, seeming no more than two miles away. At last we struck the old trail from Santa Fe to Salt Lake, rode a mile along the dry bed of Cherry Creek, and at eight this eleventh morning, reached Denver City." Horace Greeley wrote the following in his diary: "Here is 'Station 22,' and here are a so called spring, and one or two considerable pools, not visibly connected with the sinking river, but doubtless sustained by it. "And here the thirsty men and teams which have been 25 miles without water on the road, are met by those who have come up the longer and more southerly route by the Smoky, who have been traveling 60 miles since they last had water and shade. "The Pike's Peakers from the Smoky whom I have met here, have driven 60 miles at one stretch, the time required being two days and the intervening night. From this point westward, the original road nearly level. Smoky Hill route is abandoned for the one we have been traveling, which follows the Republican some 25 miles further." "For the last 23 miles there has been no wood or water, but grass is good. "The Smoky Hill routc comes in from the southeast. Then beyond there"A ride over the rolling divide of some 20 miles brought us to the'Big Sandy,'running southeast to become a tributary to the "The South Fork of the Republican comes in from the southwest." Now quoting Albert D. Richardson, writer for the Boston Journal, and traveling companion of Horace Greeley, on their trip over the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Trail, from his book, Beyond the Mississippi: "June 3, 1859, met several Indian villagers, their ponies drawing lodge poles on their backs. "Passed hundreds ofemigrants. Spent the night at Station 21 (a few miles above Bonny Dam). June 4th. We still follow the Republican which at one point sinks abruptly into the earth, running underground for twenty miles and then gushing up again. "After riding twenty-five miles without seeing a drop of water, at Station 22, we crossed the Smoky Hill route which, from a point far south of ours, abruptly turns northward across the Republican to the (South) Platte. "Emigrants who have come by the Smoky Hill tell us they have suffered intensely, one traveling seventy five miles without water. "Some burned their wagons, killing their famished cattle and continued on afoot. "We are still on the dessert with it soil white with alkali, its stunted shrubs, withered grass, and brackish water. End of day's journey." "June 5th. At daybreak, Pike's Peak, more than a hundred miles away, appeared dim and hazy on the horizon and we began to feel the inspiring breath of the mountains. "Our dining station was Station 25. Towards evening Pike's Peak loomed up grandly in the south west, wrapped in its ghostly mantle of snow. In the northwest Long's Peak was sharply defined against a mass of ominous black clouds. "Supped at Station 26, we made a comfortable bed in the coach, and rolled on at the rate of seven miles an hour, slept quietly through the night. "June 6. Woke at five, still in motion, and obtained a glorious view of the mountains, their hoary peaks covered with snow and their base, thirty miles across the vallev into Arkansas. "Like the Republican it is sometimes a running stream, sometimes a succession of shallow pools, sometimes awaste of scorching sand. In the course of the 20 miles or so that we followed up its northern bank, I do not remember of any willow or paltry cottonwoods. I recollect only that the grass at intervals along its narrow bottoms seems a little better than on the upper course of the Republican." Unquote. Installment 5 This portion of the Smoky Hill route and on west was called the 'Starvation Trail.' More people died on the Smoky Hill from hunger and thirst than Indian attacks. The following is taken from the Rocky Mountain Neus, as of May 7, 1859, explaining how the 'Starvation Trail' got its name: "Two footmen have just arrived via the Smoky route. They appear to have suffered severely from hunger and thirst. They report having passed some 10 or 15 bodies unburied and many graves. These men say the lived for nine days on prickly pears and a hawk." A pioneer train arriving in Denver about the same time reported: "We picked up three men who had given out and laid down to die ofhunger and thirst, having eaten nothing for four days, and brought them with us. "We traveled 150 miles without water, except for melting snow, which fortunately for us, fell twice during that time." Now quoting from another source: "The emigrants came in covered wagons, and on foot, even with push-carts and wheel barrows. "Poorly equipped and scantily fed, they braved the chilling winds, and the snow and mud of early spring in their eagerness to reach their goal, the desolate city oftents and cabins which were to become the'Queen City of the Plains.' "The Smoky, like the Oregon Trail, was lined with abandoned property, broken wagons, dead horses and oxen, and many unmarked graves." Here below is a story more gruesome yet than anv of the rest. as quoted from the Colorado Magazine, Volume 7: "Daniel Blue was rescued by the Arapahoe Indians and brought into'Station 25'in the early spring of 1859. "Statement of David Blue, late of Clyde Township, Whiteside County, Illinois, made this 13th day of May 1859, at the office of the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express Company, in the City of Denver" "We arrived in Kansas City on the 6th of March, taking the Smoky Hill route. Myself and eight others then continued on our journey, while the rest remained behind for the purpose of hunting buffalo. "Three or four days elapsed after the separation, when we lost our pack horse. Our stock of provisions was then very much reduced, and we packed whatever we had left and pushed onward. "After having traveled eight more days, two other members of the company left us. "Upon their leaving, our provisions became exhausted, and for ten days we lay still, endeavoring to kill a sufficient amount of game for our subsistence. "A few hares, ravens and other small game was, however, all that came within our reach. Our only firearm was a shot gun, all other arms having been thrown away in consequence of the weakness of their owners. "At the same time three others parted from us, with the intention of making for the nearest settlement for the purpose of securing relief to the remaining one-leaving but the three brothers, Blue, and a man by the name of Soleg, from Cleveland, Ohio-all of the part being very weak and nearly exhausted. "After a short effort to continue our journey we were again compelled to lay up, and the next day Soleg died from exhaustion and want of food. "Before he breathed his last he authorized and requested us to make use of his mortal remains in the way of nourishment. "We were then, I later learned, on Beaver Creek (should be East Bijou), one of the tributaries to the South Platte, and about 75 miles east of Denver. "After the consumption of Soleg's body, Alexander, my brother died, and at his request, we used a portion ofhis body for food on the spot, and with the balance resumed our journey towards the gold region. "We succeeded in traveling ten miles, when my younger brother, Charles gave out, and we were obliged to stop. For ten days we subsided on what remained of our brother's body, when Charles expired from the same causes as the others. "I also consumed the greater portion of his remains, when I was found by an Arapahoe Indian, and carried to his lodge, treated with great kindness, and a day and a half thereafter (that is on Wednesday, the fourth day of May) brought to the encampment of the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express Company's train, enroute to Denver City, under the charge of superintendent B.D. Williams, where I was received and taken care of, and left at Station 25, to recover sufficient strength for the continuance of my journey. "By direction of Mr. Williams, the second coaches that came along took up and brought me safely to this point free of charge." End of statement. In reviewing the statements made by the above mentioned persons-and comparing it with our lot in life as of todav-we certainlv �;1il"ffi ;:itrffi#il;'ru;ffi il'l,"Jl;iJil and our surroundings miserable. Nor to cuss and damn at the least provocation when everything is not coming our way. After all, most of us are not too bad off. Installment 6 If the detailed field notes of surveyor E.D. Boyd and his mileage chart and his descrip- tion of the terrain up the river is correct, 'Station 20'should have been in Section 304-4L on the old Charley Frodin place, about 4 miles from the Colorado line. Boyd's notes read: "Station 20, on bank of river. No trees. 1 mile west of dry run (dry creek) going northwest." The old wagon tracks can be seen on each side of the place, the south bank is 20 feet high or more and no trees ever were here. In section 25-4-42, they are very plainly visible, in some places, several tracks are to be seen side by side a foot or more deep. 'Station 21' was located 29.5 miles above 'Station 20,'and should be on or near the old Tuttle Ranch, somewhere around ten miles above Bonny Dam. A very dependable mail service was inaugurated by the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express in 1859 to Denver and points west. They charged a 25 cent fee above the regular postage charges for every letter delivered. Now we will let a mail clerk tell something about the mail service: "The post office was usually the first place emigrants inquired for. Then they could distinguish between mail and express. There wasl no mail opened on the road, of course. "The average time consumed in traveling across the plains was about thirty days; the stage made it in six and this naturally led the travelers to expect to hear from home immediately on arrival. "Our office was often the place of amusing incidents. Our patrons were continually trying to play smart tricks on us. Frequently they would return letters and demand the return of the money. At first we could not see through the trick. A letter that was not worth 25 cents to them after they had learned its contents, was almost sure to be brought back with the claim it was not their letter but was for someone elee of the same name. "We at first assumed everybody to be honest and conscientiously desiring that the right person should have his mail, we would . refund the money. But it was not long before we were paying out almost as much money as we were taking in and were loaded down with letters marked,'Opened by Mistake.' "We saw the necessity of changing our method ofdoing business, so, in case ofdoubt, when mail was called for, after questioning whence the expected mail, we satisfied ourselves (in case as a last resort a letter had to be opened to prove its identity) by opening it ourselves at the supposed owner'g request. "I remember, on one occasion, of opening a letter, that the applicant requested me to read a little of it and in that way he could tell if it was his. I did so. It commenced by saying: 'Dear Bill: Your wife has been raising hell ever since you left!" The man said,'Hold on, don't read no more-I think that's my letter.' He took it and paid for it and disappeared in the crowd which was constantly hanging around the window. "Another case of about the same character was a letter from some point in Iowa. It commenced by saying: 'My dear beloved #;'il-: Hi "::r"iT Ji:' *frXil1''iil,"l!,Ti the quarter and read the rest myself.'He took the letter and paid for it without any further public reading." The Marysuille Sentinel published this early-day item: "Traveling the hard way-two men passed through our town last Monday evening enroute to Colorado. They had their'grub' and effects packed in a wheel barrow and seemed determined to make the trip in good order. Both are stout, hale fellows and every mile or so they'change posish'-one walking along leisurely and the other giving motive power to the wheel banow. If they don't succeed and make their 'pile,' there is no virtue to perseverance." From the same paper we glean this com- ment about the styles ofthat day as expressed by a red man: orawn Dy rour mures or norses," These terms no doubt obligated Jones and Russell to adopt the road by way of the Platte regardless of their earlier preference for the shorter route by way of the Solomon and branches of the Republican. E.D. Boyd, surveyor and describer of the earlier route, had this to say: "If it had not been for Jones and Russell's connection with the Salt Lake City mail, the change would never have been made." A writer in the Leauenworth Herald of February 18, 1860, had this to say: "In the spring of 1859, Jones and Russell sent a corps of experienced men to view and mark out a route from Leavenworth to Denver City. To avoid crossing large streams, it was thought best to keep the divide between the Smoky Hill and Solomon Rivers on the south and the Republican on the north, and I doubt very hoop skirts on, he exclaimed: 'Ugh! Heap big much whether a better natural track for a road the same distance can be found in the United States than there was found to the head of the Solomon River. From that point wigwamt." the viewers had no guide other than their own "The other day, while a big Indian was calmly surveying a "white squaw'with large Some crossing the plains in the early days met up with such things they did not seem to appreciate too much. Here is the way one gave vent to his feelings about the'eats': "I loathe! Abhore! Detest! Despise! Abominated dried-apple pies. I like good bread; I like good meat, Or anything that's good to eat. But of all poor grub beneath the skies, The poorest is-dried-apple pies. Give me a toothache or sore eyes In preference to such kind of pies." Installment 7 The question may be asked, and rightly so, what caused the abandonment of the route up the Republican Valley? The gold rush to California and the Mormon migration to the valley of the Great Salt Lake increased the demand for improved mail service to those western communities. The first government contract for a regular overland mail service was made in 1850 with Sa-uel H. Woodson of Independence, Mo., who was engaged to serve the route between that frontier outpost and Salt Lake City by way of the Oregon Trail. This service was none too good, partly because of poor equipment, Indian raids, rough terrain and the Iengthy route. Several concerns had the mail contract for a short time. In April, 1858, a contract was made with John M. Hockaday of Independence for a weekly mail from St. Joseph to Salt Lake City by way of Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie. When Congress, early in 1859 failed to pass the customary appropriation for the support of the Post Office Department, the Postmaster General felt obligated "to review the existing mail service of the country with a view to its curtailment." It put J.M. Hockaday & Co., in a tight squeeze, causing them to sell their line. On May 11, 1859, Jones, Russell & Co., of the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express notion of the direction to Denver City. The course taken from that point was north of westwhich I presume was to strike the waters of the Republican as soon as possible, perhaps a mistake on the part of the viewers instead of going due west." The same writer goes onto say: "It became in the interest of the express company to move their coaches and stock to the Kearney route-not from choice of route as I under- stood from the agent-but they have purchased the contract for carrying the mail to Salt Lake City by Kearney, therefore, the express company changed the passenger route but retained the new route (Republican valley) for their heavier wagon trains in carrying stores, etc." By the above statement we draw the conclusion this route was used for some time. When the Kansas-Colorado state line was surveyed in 1872, the surveyors made this notation: "Cross wagon trail oftroops." So no doubt it was used at times by the troops, by buffalo hunters and others who had reason to follow the river. No doubt those who came up the river to locate a good site for the Benkelman Ranch came up this road and used it going up and down the river. In all probability, John Dunbar, W.W. McKay and John Goodenberger, who came up from Benkelman and located the site of the new town of Wano, traveled this road. The emigrants who were surrounded by Indians on Battle Creek and rescued by troops, undoubtedly traveled this road. The mail route from the Benkelman Ranch and on to the Tuttle Ranch used it, as well as ranchers who lived up and down the valley. Thus we have tried to give you a comprehensive account of the establishment of the Leavenworth Pike's Peak Stage Line Trail, its use, the terrain and condition of the country it traversed as it appeared to those who traveled across this trail almost a century ago, and the hardships and difficulties they encountered. Co., purchased the Hockaday contract which called for the transportation of the mail "from St. Joseph, Mo., by way of Fort Kearney, Nebraska Territory and Fort Laramie to Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, and back once a week in 22 days each way, at $190,000 per annum, the service to be performed in carriage or covered wagon, by Marsha C. Squires and Simon E. Matson �OLD STAGE COACH LINES tlargler, Nebraska; wray, uolorado; or statlons on tnrs route were dlscontlnued ln Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, an old railroad town. Most supplies came from Cheyenne Wells as that was the closest. 1860. In the early 1800's an old stage coach route angled across Kit Carson county from Haigler, Nebraska to Cheyenne Wells. Later the stage coach ran from Cheyenne Wells to Beloit then up to Columbia, a place east of Stratton, then north to Tuttle Post The price was 25 cents per hundred pounds with 4,000 pounds being the average load. In 1859 there was a stage coach route that passed through the county, following the north fork of the Smokey Hill River, known at that time as Boyds North Fork. At a point south and east of the present town of Flagler it crossed over to the north side of the Republican River and went northeast to one of its stations, known as Boyd's Station #22, which was between Crystal Springs and Flagler. This route to Denver was used only a little over a year, as the government demanded the mail be carried over the more used route that went through Julesburg. The Tr36 office on the Republican River, and came back by way of Burlington to Cheyenne Wells to complete the two-day trip. This trip was made twice a week. The road from Cheyenne Wells to Columbia was made by Tom Reed, with the aid of a spring wagon, and three men. Later a stage route was made from Cheyenne Wells to Burlington. Frank Man drove the Stage- by Janice Salmans Jake Brommier and C.J. Eatinger wete early day freighters making the two day trip. coach. All the supplies were freighted from , Wallot, Colo. i'ang", lb nlUes northenst bt Rurlilrgtoq. t+- J. F. Gray, range, south af liiebsft, S€lbert, (loio. F. W. Buchele, ( o Bulllugtor,, iiolo' faug.e, soutFwesp of Gq I Fgtrelope IJuu', -r futtle' 0q1P' a,nd FT I -T lat:rr,t lailign5 , Colo '1n!t.,,1 arbort Pcrcr'9nt i) A '* yorrrg slocf. L'{'g Cid Sfage Reule Sharr 6, WFtteE, rlqilhgl,oD, Oolo. range, l0 nrlles southeagt of " /i r)gnr Dlp J if:.i t.t i.l $*ure 1a nllca north'e,Ist ot olore'rlont. i::io.r..i,l x/z Ee.r T L, !. pt U,0.,Iolrn8co, l,plrlbol'D, Iaans. r"nge.xoJtlr S]laII - Ranc:l ll !fllo!, Seomau,. h Burllngton, Colo. a r&nge, lortbe&st ot * 3r S' L. Howell di; Cbas. Howell' ltU I r' - voiro,, core. r|)Dge, 2 mlles nortb ol VoDa. E, A, Brddlc, Brirlinqton CcJ or adl Seibcri, Oelo. cilttle oll lett slde or bip, lrorEes on left shoulder. ljredltatthres. F H F Bcthune, C0lo. c&ttle on left sldA, horsis ou left, sho[lder. lRjoge. I mlles north of }lclhune. Fl.. J, Drulbar. Goll, Colo. RaDSe west of GofJ, (l('lo te-L o-i L Cc Ior.rdn 'inr ec i!o I tn& (i. \Y. llro&(iswold E r .{\ ^ HDtc, colo. It&ogc Dedr Ilr,le. spr i nq g !,le rL:.l Le .:r"l',:'.r'lg i.hi: .f.rai-i , p.li.rrli -o,i nvery few:cJ: ';irri,:rt i.; i C llU. BOrqurD, Claremont. Colo. E it Cheyenne hells Coloraiu J6 s l'aDge, Dbrtheg,st of Cler€mDnt, Henry Ha,rtstloe, 2 -H Laftborn. KaDs. raDgs, west trom Stole lrne. w) I, P. E!re, EurllbgtoD. Colo. rango. Dottboe|tJo Burllogtori. C [/) - c' w' smlth' rl., fb$€ir L'Ul'i. taol!, beif li'lrllt. Old Stage Route -{ �SMOKEY HILL TRAIL COUNTY Tr36 rlqers f,nat were rnf,erested m seerng how tast they could run their route of 18 miles. The first rider picked up the mailbag on the state line 5 miles east of Bonny Dam. The pickup was made at L0:35 and they made the transfer 4"n*Ae o a I ? €u b: .f Betty Reimer adding letters to the "mail Bag" from Kit Carson Countv. \\ 't t 'lr I I ,t I i( Making the run, Dave Corliss and Betty Reimer with Betty Corliss in back, through Kit Carson County. store designating it as part of the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak stage line 1859 to 1984. Tuesday morning, May 15, the Kit Carson County riders resumed their responsibility of running the mailbag through the county to the next exchange with Lincoln County. Seven riders and several interested neighbors gathered for coffee and rolls at the Dave Reid ranch north of Seibert. They left about 8:4b and followed the south fork of the Republican River southwest toward Station "22" cafled. Crystal Springs. The seven riders were Dave and Betty Corliss, Dave Reid, George Trail of Death with present day towns shown. by Editors PROJECT MAIL BAG Tr37 to Kit Carson county riders at 12:10. They were a colorful bunch of riders that ranged in age from L6 to 24. They were Julie and Collette May, Dee Kerst,Ron and Kelly Chamberlain and Louie True. Some 25 riders, newsmen, and interested residents met for a sack lunch and a lesson on Dave Corliss ranch, which was near the Bag" was to stimulate the public's awareness of the original Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express route across Kansas and Colorado. The route was the white man's first commercial "wagon road" through the country. The reason for the line was the discovery of gold in the Denver area that began the "Rush to the Rockies". The Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Route had 27 stations. Four Mile Park was probably is as close a site as can be found. Betty Corliss, Betty Reimer, Elsie Lidle and Tuttle Store and Crystal Springs. The Boy photography and storytelling. The arrival of the mailbag at the Yuma-Kit Carson county line, May L4, L984, was an exciting event for all of those gathered five miles west of Hwy. 385. Jim Mclaughlin and his riders made a colorful entry into the little parkway designated as a spot where we would make the mailbag switch. They had six relay Hubbard, Ernest Cure, Buster Jenkins and Shorty Hostetler. They reached the dam at 11:00 and then rode on to Flagler where the mailbag was turned over to Mary Liz Owens from Lincoln County at the Airport Cafe. The purpose in having a "Project Mail Dave Corliss, Buster Jenkins and Fred Magley rode together with the mailbag to the original station "21". The Tuttle Store Marsha Magley placed a marker at the Tuttle the last stop along the route. Kit Carson County has two of these historic stations; the � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Stage Routes and Trails Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource History Description An account of the resource A history of the Stage Routes and Trails in Kit Carson County as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:431 2020-03-23T10:17:46Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/431/Stratton.pdf b5a03677078f4e660b59c4a44ee7f953 PDF Text Text "Main Street" in Stratton, looking south, about 1910. Linford Building in center back. The Holloway Garage interior. W.T. Tyne and Montgomery Garage in the 1920's, now the site of Clark Storage called "The Barn", but used in many other ways during the years. In 1914 Clarence Reish built a large cement garage on the west side of the main street, Part of the Stratton Hotel dining room where meals were served family style. Ruby Ryun Pugh is at the piano and her sister, Almeda Ryun is on the right. The picture is of Amos L. Ryun. STRATTON T364 becoming the agent for Overland and Maxwell automobiles. He also built a large three story residence which Joe Collins Iater bought and used as his home. Ada Osburn and daughters Irene and Maxine lived there to care for Mrs. Nellie Collins. This establishment became a popular rooming house for railroad men prior to a disastrous fire. Later it was razed. Today the site is marked by Virginia Malone's home. In late 1914 interested persons of the Stratton community organized a Farmers Cooperative selling shares of stock. R.M. Farquhar was the first manager. Dick Rose was manager for many years and the business grew rapidly although while weathering the depression and dust bowl years the "going was tough". Today this establishment is the largest employer in the town and has ramifications in its operation that rank it among the top co-operatives in Colorado as well as the nation. Ben Davis has been manager since May 1, 1968. Stratton in 1926, looking toward the southeast; taken from the water tower; Collins Hotel in center foreground. �was elected the first mayor and the first town trustees were J.W. Borders, S.W. Messenger, E.W. Tarrant, A.D. Gemmell, D.O. Beahm, and Jes Holloway. Stratton's mayors over the years: 1919-21: J.E. Holtz; L92l-23: E.W. Tarrant; L923-24: Alex D. Gemmell; L924-25: Roy S. Wingfield; L925-28: J.W. Borders: 1928-34: Thomas J. Murphy; 1934-36: C.W. Waters, pro tem; 1936-38: I.D. Messenger; 1938-40: C.S. Wall; 1940-44: J. Ivan Howtz; 1946-48: J.R. Zur- cher; 1948-52: L.L. Pugh; 1952-58: G.L. Zutcher; 1958-64: 8.L. " Zeke" Kerl; 1964-66: Floyd Borders; 1966-68: Samuel Crocker; 1968-72: Max Toland: L972-74: Charles Nelson; 1974-82: E.L."Zeke" Kerl; 1982-86: Ezra Stratton's Men's Band beside the Stat€ Bank building. Eberhart later came into possession of the building where they conducted an implement establishment doing extensive construction to accommodate their business. In the mid '60's they sold this site to John and Dick Buhr for their grocery and locker plant. Mel Hatfield bought the business from the Buhr's and in 1966 sold it to Ed and Marlyn Dischner who have their very outstanding grocery business housed at that site. In 1915 when talk of incorporation of An early 1900's view of Stratton, looking north. In 1915 the Holloway Brothers built a large cement garage on the east side of the main street and became agents for Chewolet. That same year Collins and Blair opened a hardware store on the west side of the main avenue which they later sold to White and Mavity. B.M. Johnson was a later purchaser of this business. Carlos Dillon and Bob Stratton began, E.W. Tarrant was named chairman of the movement. On March 2, 1915, an election was held between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Linford Hall to vote for incorpora- tion. The vote was 64 in favor of and 49 against incorporation of the Town of Stratton. The incorporation papers were filed with the county clerk on March 15, 1915. This move was followed by city elections in ensuing years. The first election occurred on April22,1919 at the Linford Hall. J.E. Holtz Yoder; 1986-90: Roy Tatkenhorst. In 1916 J.N. Bradley built a large two story structure north of the Holloway Garage. The main floor housed the William Long Hardware Store, with living quarters on the upper level as well as office space for Dr. Cavey. In time the hardware store closed and Mrs. Florence Cavey operated a dry goods and variety store there for a time. Later the Frozen Food and Locker Plant operated by John and Dick Buhr occupied the building. Today the upper floor is apartments. A second disastrous fire in 1918 destroyed a home and the post office. These were replaced by brick buildings which housed the post office and the First National Bank for many years. In 1968 the post office was moved to a new permanent location at 313 Colorado Avenue. On November 4, 1918, the Federal Reserve Bank Charter was issued to officially create the First National Bank of Stratton The first cashier was M.E. Denver, president, E.W. Tarrant, directors: T.W. Triplett, E. McChesney, and Jes R. Holloway. Until its move to a new building dedicated November, 1962, the First National Bank was located at its original site. Many other businesses have occupied the old post office and bank buildings since, but in 1988 the town hall with its offices and court room moved to the bank building. The Stratton Spotlight and Golden Plains Insurance offices are housed in the old post office in the 100 block of Colorado Avenue. The minutes of town board of the 1920's when the board was accountable to only themselves were brief and to the point with little explanation. Today minutes are by Dorothy C. Smith STRATTON T355 One of the earliest fire ensines at Stratton. The famous Collins Hotel with its fabulous sunken garden which employed a full time gardener. �three year old sister died from scarlet fever at this time.) In the early years every home had a windmill or a hand pump and there were few if any trees for many years. One individual who planted many trees all over the town was Raymond Hughes, Vena Scheierman's brother. Until the first town well was drilled trees took second place. The wells which serve Stratton originated when the first well permit was procured in 1919. The town fathers were foresighted enough to procure four lots for the watertower site that year and paid for two in 1919 and two in 1920. In May of 1921, R. Salisbury, an engineer, appeared before the town board with information regarding the probable cost of installing water and a light system in the town, but, although local citizens were interviewed and A 1920's airplane view of Stratton and the "Golden Belt Highway" looking east . . now Highway 24. was 421. On February 24, L920, an ordinance was passed which prohibited the exhibition of motion or moving pictures and the opening of other places of amusement on Sunday, The west side of the Collins Hotel built in 1917. violators to be fined no less than $5.00 or more than $300.00 and costs of prosecution, and to go to jail until all costs and fines were paid. Although 88 petitioners tried to have this measure rescinded, the town board ignored the petition. In the fall of 1930 an epidemic of scarlet fever struck the community. And on November 16, the town ordered that all schools, churches. theaters. and so on be closed to check the spread of the dread disease. But on November 23, by order of the physicians, the town board lifted the ban on closing the school and decided to allow them to reopen. This disease was a terrible scourge in the years before modern day medicines. (Your author recalls things like this vividly for her ,'' ar.... meetings held, nothing transpired in this regard. Then in November of 1921, brave souls that the town board must have been, they awarded a general contract to Gordon Construction of Denver for the waterworks at $26,950, a $5,700 contract to Chicago Bridge and Iron Works for the water tower; and a $1,590 contract to Eureka Fire Hose Company, Denver for fire apparatus. James A. Reisch, Stratton, was given the contract to dig the wells for $2.25 per foot. Drilled in 1922, that well was located where the water tower currently stands. The first water bond was to "Construct Waterworks for Fire and Domestic Purposes" and was made possible by an ordinance passed in August, 1921, which the people of the town of Stratton voted on: 53 votes "for",43 votes "against". The Sundberg Garage with Chrysler auto sales and gas pumps was built in 1923, with a home in the south side and daughter's apartment across the front above. This building has known other uses through the years. . sale barn site, etc. But today it is known around town as "The Barn", a storage facility. At some time through the years a broom factory was established in a brick building behind what is now the Co-op station. For two years this was in operation, then in 1924 a northeast room in the factory building was ;i&w*15r$g A pleasant country home north of Stratton built by the Joe Garners in the 1920's. detailed, long and copious, in order to better document the town'g proceedings which are under scrutiny by not only the local people but the state also. But those early minutes reveal some interesting detail. By the 1920 census figures the town's population .L Coming into town from the north this is what one saw in 1918. A 1940's harvest scene on the Colorado Avenue approach to the elevators where waiting in line to unload was a many hour experience. �rruLcu uP ruf a Jau. Many fine homes were being built in this period, too, and the town board minutes note that it would Iike to haul dirt from any basements to the city street for use in building them up. Some of those building new homes at this time were families named Fuller, Borders, Weddington, Tarrant, Dages, Long, and the Gerke's, who lived at the farm now owned by Kenneth Pottorff, a showplace in its heyday; even then they had electricity, a bathroom, and forced air heat. The town had a marshall named William Hoeck who was very busy in those days but his pay was determined per dog destroyed! In the town board meeting on January 3I,1932, the board voted to pay 300 per hour for a man and 500 an hour for a man with his team, and one man and two teams 700 an hour. Apparently a job with the city was prized in that day. In February of L922 E.A. Brown of Kansas City estimated for the town that bringing electric current the 18 miles from Burlington would cost $19,488, and although the board's consensus was that this was much needed, it was quite some time before the project was accomplished. One big event July 8, 1929, was a terrible train wreck on Spring Creek west of town when lives were lost with some bodies not found for a time. This was so traumatic that people talk of the occasion yet today. But 't t \ apparently the railroad was soon running again, for the Stratton Press carried advertisements for a special round trip by Dorothy C. Smith STRATTON T356 excursion to Denver or Colorado Springs for $3.00 on the Rock Island by the next summer. The papers were full of farm sale ads . . sometimes three as week . . so times An influential couple in Stratton's history: Mr. and Mrs. Ray H. Calverley. ./:" f' tfria '$V W,n', A 1962 train derailment that occurred in town between the Kirk highway and the Stratton Equity co-op fertilizer plant. "& ."Va44. A big time in Stratton especially for the kids . "fur#WWm ittr' . installation of the swimming pools . 1973. were growing more economically depressed. The names of G.W. Waters, L.G. McChesney and Doctors Cavey and Keen appeared often in social news and advertising. Two barber shops were running competitive ads. Arrangements were made for a golf tourney on the Stratton course north of town on May 30 and there were numerous entrants. The Stratton Press was taking subscriptions at 91.50 per year. Several oil companies were leasing land in the area, among them Phillips and Gypsy Oil. Excitement was hiehl �directors. In 1950 the system was in place in Stratton. By 1956 having natural gas in the area became a reality when Kansas-Nebraska Gas was granted a 25 year franchise on March 1. In accord with the times an early 1956 ordinance granted the privilege of Social Security to town employees. In October 1962 discussions were frequent about a zoning 1:--'= ordinance but no action was taken. As early as February, 1959, the town began retaining an attorney, Dick Thomas of Burlington. In this era the Stratton Mobile Home factory was in full swing with 25 or so employees at the lst Street site across from today's Stratton Equity Cooperative hardware dock. The Zurchers were responsible for this business venture. October 1962 sawthe formal opening of the The lineup for Stratton Day's famous barbeque. city at 250 per gallon. The city was proudly maintaining its image the city library in 1966 by budgeting $525 for outhouses nuisances; because of many complaints, these were ordered abandoned and owned by the First National Bank helped the Iibrary greatly. Moved to the 331 New York in 1936 when the town board declared The American Legion Flag corps always heads Stratton's parades: left to right: Max Toland, Sam Rueb, Wayne Greenwood, Ray Schiferl. removed. Erv Jeppe received payment for orange paint he used in marking curbs and parking spaces, so some curb and gutter was in place. In August 1939 Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph received a 20 year franchise in the town. The town purchased blocks 3 and 4 in July, 1930, for $55.89 and received a quit claim deed for land that was the future park. MSA Federated Women's Club worked to procure a WPA project and funds necessary for planting upward of 100 trees. The club members and their husbands planted and carried water to start those trees. The next spring $250 was approved to pipe a fountain and install hydrants plus build a tennis court with WPA labor. At the same time the WPA was utilized in oiling 7 blocks of Colorado Avenue, the main street, and grading and graveling 30 blocks of side streets. Rotary Club began in this era. Lions Club came later in the 1970's. Celebrating Colorado's Centennial along with the nation's bicentennial was a memorable time. In March of 1934 Stratton's famous girls' basketball team played in the state championship game at a Stratton hosted tournament and went on to Wichita for national finals. In spite of "depression" talk the matter of an airport for Stratton was under consideration, yet the town board voted as an economy measure to turn off all lights on the streets except at each church, two at the Collins Hotel and those on the west side of the main street as well as at the Highway 24 intersection. Total Town of Stratton expenditures in 1933 were $8,582.21 which included the water bond payment. The 1988 total expenditures of the city were in excess of $200,000. Some contrast! At one point in 1935 the town had water problems for a gtocery filed a claim for damages to a compressor because they were not told the water was being shut off. Costs of $41.00 were paid. The need for water was increasing, and in July, 1935 a new pump was installed. The Rock Island Railroad was granted permission to obtain water from the First National Bank of Stratton in its new building. A significant mid-60's event was installing the swimming pool, owned by Stratton and located in the city park but leased and operated by the Stratton Swimming Pool Association. The town first began to assume some financial responsibility for The war years were trying for all and rations books for town vehicles were extra hard to procure. In November of 1946 Inland Utilities appeared at town board meetings regarding a new lighting system, and on January 20, t947, a contract was signed to provide this service. A new town well was drilled and pump installed in 1948 at a total cost of $4,619.75. Crops were good and prices high, so things looked promising. But people complained to the town board about the same things they do today: rowdy young people; running dogs and licensing of dogs; upstairs tenants in downtown apartments tossing bottles, water and refuse out of windows; occasional cesspool or sewer trouble; the securing of stop signs for intersections; hiring and firing marshals; and on and on. Problems of the times do not seem too different over the years. In 1949 Stratton became a member of the Colorado Municipal League and soon requested information on starting a sewer system, it estimated cost and the availability of any government funds for financing. In steps which followed with petition elections, Frank Liebl was elected secretary of the sewer that purpose. Free housing in a building Avenue home in the former Seventh Day Adventist Church, the library now occupies an historic landmark of the community. Today when Stratton's 1988 population is estimated at 654, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of its platting and becoming an early 1888 frontier town. With this story we have tried to recount things that will excite your personal memories, helping you appreciate the genius and effort of the hardy, farsighted persons, the events and circumstance that led to this time in our history. If you recall persons such as Mrs. Blakeman, a pianist at the theater; Dr. Chamberlain, a dentist; the Chautauqua or the Hillman touring troop which came to town especially during Stratton Days; the lovely dress shops of Mrs. Mamie Weddington and Esta Bowers or Hazel Tuttle; of Wolgamott's ice plant and Hubbel's shoe repair shop; the lawyer Ikey Friedman; talk of the KKK cross burnings in the 1920's; that Stratton had its own "jet set", members of which wore tuxedos and formals to its evening and cocktail parties; of great meat markets run through the years by Lulu Dack, Hugo Stegman or the Kruse's and later by the Preedy's; of a 5 and 100 store; of five groceries at once in town and 3 or 4 cream- eries; that the West Side Hotel was still operating in the 1920's as Tressie Pugh does because she had to stay there once when she was detained from getting home to the ranch north of town; that upstairs in the Linford Building was a beautiful dance floor and the Odd Fellows met there: that the hardware store carried coffins; and how wonderful it was to visit the confectionery/bakery by the pool hall which was near where Jones Sporting Goods is today, and on and on . . then we have achieved the objective we had in mind when we started to write this story of Stratton. Sincerest thanks are due those who reminisced, or spoke of long ago stories, or told of the early years; to the town clerks over the years who wrote notes from which we drew many of the facts; to old newspapers and diaries; and to wonderful critics who helped by reacting to the story as it was being �written. Without you this would not be much. As it is, there is so much we have not said! by Dorothy C. Smith STRATTON PICTURES T357 :' 'Y,3, id'l'',, ' ::' :i- " _ W:X r,- b-- l --.--" -, .{ __.5=_-\ A parade entry when Limon was an arch footbsll rival. ll 0uE's Dodie Crocker in front of her clothing store in the Linford building before she sold it to become "The Family Affair" and they in turn to "Someplace Special" as it is today. September 1987, Mayor Roy Tatkenhorst received the official recognition of the Colorado lottery role in building the gazebo in the town park. Mel Grantham, Colorado State Lottery Representative made the presentation at homecoming. With the coming of I 70 the complexion of the south side of Stratton changed . . . the Stratton Equity Co-op's "Country Store". �{*-a"'l t{&s, tt A locomotive after the trains ran less and less. l! ':.a:.a;:,., ".6i\ More signs of the weather and its action in Kit Carson County and Stratton . . . thistles. The Stratton Bicentennial Committee, Zeke Kerl, Kenneth Scheierman, and Ida Boecker, receiving the Bicentennial Flag in 1976. Rotarians Gene Clark and Ugene Brown sacking candy for Santa's delivery some Christmas time. A Stratton Day Homecoming parade moving down Colorado Avenue. The girls'basketball team in 1933: Front, I to r: Miss Idris Phipps, Calista Schiferl, Leva Campbell, Stella Sholes, Helen Bardwell, Lucia Gerke, Lilah Druse. Back row: Violet Hernbloom, Sylvia Krauth, Netta Bertrand, Evelyn Ackerman, Magdelen Leoffler, Doris Beck, Coach Robert Murfin, forerunner of 1934 State Champions. �Burlingt on ne pu b lic an, August 7, 1903 Trunks and traveling Mtllisackg. *" w &4,''. & to: IjooalQood _qu-rlity and toir y_ejqh{€ on at Abbott'e. i ; A 320 aere ranch in tho Weet end jof tbe ibunty for sale. An ib'aldl rncs of water at cix to te; fcrt.' 'I{or priee aod termt iuqurrr at.Itepu$[ioai offics. Stratton observed Colorado's Centennial on August 1,1976, with a big bash sponsored by the Stratton Garden Club. Many familiar faces in this crowd watching the awarding of prizes for the day, before the birthday cake was cut. For Mnrtland f,ump and Jnpeflqi uut cod, posts, wire and atl llndt oJ building msteiial ca.ll at, the oflcc bf Iroster .Lumber Co. Burhnqton, Colo ,Groaeriee coet you F great deal in p vear. Tou .can sove a D.rce 8um oB youi groclery bili if fou let ug setl it. C. M. ilillisack. [heap Excursion fiate TO TFIE EA$T GffiEAT ROCK ISLAI'IT} ROUTI A 1930 banquet given by Ray B. and Julia Hoskins, the IHC dealer in Stratton, after the sale of one freight car load of IHC cream separators. Note the separator in the far background. BPECI.AL TRAINS ONI' NICHT oUT 'r'O OHICACC. Ttclrrr: also good oD regul&r tfalDs. olct,Y DrliEcrt r,ir'rr: Fnoru cr)LoRAE.SPIiII,TGS AND MANITOU. !f . II. Fj itTll. G. A. P. D.. Donver, Oolo&irln E. W. l:)ornDcon, A. G, n ,1.. Topekr Kat' John Sebastlsn G. P. A., Chltsco. IU. I I I i l 'rVHffAT WANTED. , (,'boice milling wlteat w::nte.,J 'fop rnnrket pnr:t. .I. W. Pnxror,l, Pr6r, itlre rllll. �theater was open only 2 or 3 years. Dad and Uncle Bob ran a roller skating rink in the building for a while. Aunt Kitten, Uncle Bob, and Bobbie lived behind the stage in the 3 dressing rooms and the film winding room during this time. On Thanksgiving Day the members of my mother's fanily (she, Aunt Ruth, and Aunt Kitten were sisters) had Thanksgiving dinner on the theater stage with a large table made of saw-horses covered with boards and sheets. At least 20 of us enjoyed this great celebration. Seen through the eyes of a child, what a glamorous place to live and to eat a special dinner. Our house with plain furniture seemed very ordinary in contrast. The roller skating business did not last but a couple of years. The Stratton High School then took over the theater for graduation exercises, plays, and to use an a gym for both boys and girls basketball games and practice. My brothers, sisters, and I played basketball on this court. Sometimes dances were held on Saturday nights. During W.P.A. days, when the new school addition was built, a g5rmnasium was included in this work. The old theater building was torn down shortly after this Shades of the 1930's but this was in 1977! school improvement was completed. by Belle (Beck) Danforth a l,.l f'" i*" r,l' l'. {t ;:t PROTECT' 8*' I DtSr ,l'ffi ,l *tr.,,, , Later day fire protection district equipment. TITE MAJESTIC THEATER AND ANNEX ice cream parlor with my Aunt Ruth Dages as proprietor. She sold all kinds ofwonderful T358 I was 6 years old in 1919 when we moved to Stratton from the farm about 20 miles south of town. Soon after that my father, Lewis Beck, and uncle Bob Collins built the Majestic Theater and Annex just north of what is now Bob Miller's store in the business district. Bob has old cars parked there now. The theater faced the west with recessed double doors in the middle and large windows on each side and a lobby all across the front. The ticket window was directly in front of the doors with entrances on both sides of the ticket window. Double doors on the north side of the lobby opened into the Annex when there was a movie showing. The annex was an ice cream and soft drinks, also sandwiches or popcorn if you were hungrier. Booths lined the south wall and there were those beautiful 'ice cream' tables and chairs through the middle. About 3 years later Aunt Ruth married Bill Dew. who worked for his uncle in Dack's Meat Market and they moved to Colorado Springs and the Annex was closed. Later Ada Osburn had a cafe in the building. The latest movies were shown in the theater and sometimes dances were held after the show on Saturday night. John Calkins or Percy Collins operated the projector, my dad sold the tickets, Uncle Bob played the violin, Aunt Kitten (his wife) played the piano, my mother took the tickets at the door. When we children became tired ofthe show and sleepy, we laid down on a comforter on the floor. behind where Mother sat, and went to sleep. Times were hard and monev was short. The �STRATTON T369 THE STRATTON POST OFFICE T360 To begin this history we take the liberty to quote from Nanatiues of Stratton, Colorado by Mrs. Dessie Cassity who lists the Stratton Postmasters as follows: Louis Roether, appointed September 11, 1888; George Hobart, appointed February 26, 1889; James T. Roberts, appointed March 24, 1906, Williem R. Smith, appointed December 29, 1906; Joseph M. Smith, appointed July 22,1908; Eva B. Hamilton, appointed May 1, 1913; M. Gladys Pugh, appointed November 2, 192L, name changed to Quinn, December 17,1925;8. Velma Logan, appointed April 25, 1934; Marie E. Greenwood, appointed April 15, 1943, serving presently. (These names are �Colo. and Dave Meyers from Colorado Springs during the interim before the present Postmaster, Geraldine L. Troyer, was ap- pointed on Aug. 3, 1984. federal government. A contract was awarded to Lloyd L. Pugh who constructed a new brick building with a parking lot at 313 Colorado added to Routes 2 and 3. Rex Powers served as rural carrier from 1924 to Dec. 31, 1959 when he retired. Fritz Kruse, who was the substitute at that time, served the route until Rich May received his appointment Sept. 1960. Fritz Kruse continued as substitute until he retired, Nov. 1966. Then Ray Schiferl subbed until he became acting postmaster Nov. 30, 1971. Other substitutes for Route 2 have been Darrell Fox and Jan Fox. Guy J. Brown was another 37 years career postal employee. He began carrying mail at Lake Village, Ark., then Jaspar, Mo. and Timpas. Colo. He came to Stratton, Colo. in 1936 and served on Route 3 until he retired Dec. 31 1959. He and Rex Powers retired at the same time. Norman Smith was his substitute and continued to carry until Jim McConnell was appointed Sept. 3, 1960. He continued to sub until Jim retired. Norman Smith began substituting for Guy Brown when he moved to town in 1948. After Brown retired Dec. 31, 1959, Norman carried the mail until Jim McConell was appointed Sept. Stratton Post Office was dedicated Aug. 10, Jim retired at the end of March 1985. On 1968. March 27,1985 Norman Smith was appointed regular carrier on Route 32. Fred Erbert is his substitute. Over the years the Post Office was located in various buildings a hardware store, - merchandise furniture store, general store, and a hotel. The quinns moved the Post Office to the front of their building, now designated as 125 Colorado Ave, and lived in :t,.i::::-,.:r.:. ",. . .. Stratton Post Office in 1988. the back. When Mrs. Logan was appointed, she moved the Post Office to the Linford Building, corner of Main St. and Colo. Ave. Mrs. Greenwood continued operations in that building until it was sold by the owners, the Bradshaw family. The Greenwoods then bought the Quinn building and the Post Office returned to 125 Colo. Ave., July 1, 1946. During the 1960's the Post Office Dept. instituted an Improved Mail Service progrem part of which was providing the Post Offices with more ample and permanent facilities. Under a lease-construction program, a local citizen would construct the building, paying taxes in the community, and leasing it to the The Linford Building, site of the Stratton Post Office from 1934 to 1946. Ave. The move was made and the new It would be impossible to name all the postal employees so to avoid the risk of ;-a*,. M ffiwxex,r Bob and Joan Nowak on a Sept. 1951, Stratton Day float presented by the post office. omitting someone I will mention only a few. According to Mrs. Cassity, Milo Davis and James L. Dages were two of the earlier carriers. There was a Thomas L. Van Hook who served as rural carrier several years before 1920. One of the most outstanding carriers was Noble L. Bradshaw. Appointed in 1911, he served for 40 years, Stratton until 1938, then Burlington until 1941. His con- veyances consisted of horse and buggy, mailcart, sled, seven Model T Fords, and several other makes of cars. Another faithful carrier was Raymond Hughes, appointed about 1920. When the snowdrifts were too deep, Raymond would stike out with a team and sled, go as far as he could by nightfall, stay all night with a farmer family, rest and feed his team, and complete the route the next day. About this time the Stratton mail carriers went together and had a snowmobile made. It was a kind of motorized sled that climbed over the drifts and they took turns using it. When I went into the Post Office, there were three rural routes and one Star Route going to Kirk, Colo. Route 1, extending northwest and southeast of town was served by Joel C. Bradshaw. Route 2 reached out northeast of town above the county line and was served by Rex P. Powers, and Route 3 was laid out southwest of town and was Rural carriers out of Stratton Post Office, Novem- ber, 1971: Rich May, Jim McConnell, Tom Conarty. dates were obtained for me by Representa- tive Donald G. Brotzman when he was serving in Washington, D.C., May 1963) Continuing with the above statistics, Marie E. Greenwood served as Postmaster until her retirement, Nov. 30, 1971. Ray W. Shiferl was acting Postmaster until his appointment on Feb. 4, 1972. He retired January 31, 1984. The Post Office was managed by two Officers-inCharge, Michele McHenry from Gunnison, Simon, David Finely, Norman Zogg. Tom Conarty retired June 31, 1978. At this time Route I was discontinued and the mileage served by Guy J. Brown. The Star Route carrier was Earl AtkinsJoel C. Bradshaw began his career as rural mail carrier when he started serving as 3, 1960. He was Jim's substitute then until On the Star Route other carriers besides Earl Atkins were Bill Thyne, Cecil Niles, Russell Spurlin, Bill Ehlers, Duane Spurlin, Ruth Spurlin, Leona Meyers, Audrey Eisenbart, Walter Meyers (17 years), Kathy Thompson, and Allen Greenwood. When Ruseell Spurlin was on the route it was extended from Kirk, through Joes, and to Cope, Colo., April 13, 1964. Elmer C. Kruse was another long-term employee. He was appointed post office clerk by Velma Logan, Oct. 1, 1941 and retired Nov. 30, 1971. He and Marie E. Greenwood retired at the same time. At Elmer's retirement party he remarked that at the time he took office, Iocal first-class mail that stayed in the office could be sent for one cent an ounce, letters on local rural routes cost two cents an ounce, and out-of-town letters were three cents an ounce. Over the years some of the other clerks were Albert Kimminau, Ray W. Schiferl, Joe Simon, Tillie Kruse, Betty Fox, Ray Droste, and Lucille Liebl. Ray Schiferl was associated with the Postal Service from 1952 until Jan. 31, 1984. He substituted on all three rural routes until he was appointed substitute Post Office Clerk in Sept. 1960. He served as acting-postmaster from Nov. 30. 1971 to Feb. 4. L972. He then received his appointment as Postmaster under the New Merit System established by the Postal Service. He retired Jan. 31, 1984. I would be remiss if I did not mention the substitute for his brother, Noble Bradshaw, Post Office custodians who so faithfully scrub, wax, and dust in the building, then Sept. 1, 1917. He substituted on several other routes until he got his regular appointment on Route 1, May 1, 1938. He retired June 30, 1955 after more than 37 years of service. He estimated that he had traveled approximately 600,00 miles during this time. Ray Schiferl, who was his substitute at that time, served the route until Tom Conarty was appointed Aug. 1, 1955. Other substitutes on the route besides Ray Schiferl were Joe Liebl, Joe water the lawn and the flowers in the planters out in front. Leona Meyers served for many years and now Kathy Thompson. Leona also subbed as star route carrier for her husband, Walt Meyers, and Kathy Thompson subs for Allen Greenwood. Bonnie Miller was another lady who took care of the premises. Terri Troyer, appointed Postmaster, Aug. 3, 1984, is the friendly lady at the window these days. She and her two genial clerks, �Lucille Liebl, appointed Nov. 11, 1973, and Ray Doste, appointed Oct. 12, 1974, are the ones responsible for keeping our mail rolling to its destination. After reviewing this history, Mrs. Troyer wishes to add these words of greeting: "The current Postal Personnel considers it both an honor and a privilege to serve the proud and friendly community of Stratton" by Marie E. Greenwood STRATTON PUBLIC LIBRARY T36l Legion Auxiliary were active in assisting with some library events and gifts. During the 1970's the main individual responsible for keeping the library abreast of developments in the state library connection and managing the local library was Doris Peters. Her devotion was exemplary and she served as long as health allowed. It was she who really interested the city in assuming some responsibility for financing of the library. Others who became involved after Doris left the library were Willa Peters, Darice Hostetler and Flossie Reeder. Membership in the High Plains Regional Library Service System, Greeley, and the services of the Northeast Colorado Bookmobile became essential in providing a large array of materials for the library's clientele. Purchase of the historic Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1984 with some city revenue sharing funds started the process that led to a move into a larger and more desirable location for the facility. Although remodeling had been undertaken without outside assistance other than community and city support, an early 1985 application for a Title II LSCA grant was honored by the Colorado State Library, providing monies to remodel and furnish the new site at 331 New York Avenue. The Century Club added further funding, demonstrating the commu- nity enthusiasm for the project. Rewiring, insulating, plumbing, refinishing and painting, a new roof, construction of shelving and desks, carpeting and new sidewalks and a remp preceded the formal dedication held on October 13, 1985. MSA Club further demon- Stratton Public Library housed in the historic landmark: Seventh Day Adventist Church of 1913. strat€d its interest by providing sod to landscape the area. A uniquely charming library sign designed and made by Will Morton, noted carousel restorer and artist, marks the historic site so heavily used by today's patrons. A 1987 Title I LSCA grant was received which made possible the purchase of a computer and its peripherals for use by library patrons with computer expertise as well as for librarian use. That the computer speedily links the local library with the loan services available through High Plains Regional Library Service System became possible, also. As this is written in 1988, Jewell Banister is the amiable librarian, assisted by Esther Lewis, a Green Thumb volunteer, and Dorothy Lucas who gives many hours of volunteer help. A University of Colorado architectural Doris Peters when librarian at Stratton Public Library. Establishment of Stratton Public Library began in an informal fashion in the 1950's when interested and devoted women recognized the need such a facility could fill and proceeded to organize their own books and materials into a small library collection. Gifts and some purchases with their own funds further enlarged the holdings. The first site of the library was a small room in the American Legion Hall, and some of those persons most involved were Dessie Cassity, who never flagged in her enthusiasm for the project, Patti Best, Rena Borders, Florence McConnell and Lucile Lepper Clark, who all took turns acting as librarian a few hours each week. In time the library was moved to a small building on Colorado Avenue where it was for many years. MSA Club and American student drew plans for an equal-sized facility as a class project which he presented to the library. The day is speedily approaching when consideration of making that addition may be necessary. by Dorothy Smith L945. . . GREATEST GRAIN CROP T362 Kit Carson County in 1945 became the wheat and barley center of the Middle West. Two days after the harvest began the elevators at Stratton were overflowing with wheat running as high as 55 bushels an acre and winter barley to more than 95 bushels per acre. With at least two weeks of harvesting A big harvest meant standing in line on Stratton's main street. Looking north toward the elevator. left, two of Stratton's largest garages were being used as storage space. Those rapidly filled up and farmers piled the precious grain on the ground with no immediate transportation relief in sight. A heavy rainstorm at that time would no doubt have caused a loss of thousands of bushels of grain. Farmers being handicapped with the lack ofsufficient harvest hands worked from earlv in the morning until long after sunsei, endeavoring to save the record-breaking crop. It was estimated that there were 80,000 acres in wheat and 70,000 acres in barley in the county. The following article taken from the Rocfry Mountain Nerus gives a very good account of the county's bumper crop: "With the rich prairie's soil yielding better than for many years past, the only sour note in the harvest picture is an inability to obtain railroad cars to move the heavy crops to the markets. 'I haven't seen anything like it in my years', Dick Rose, manager of the Farmers Equity Co-operative, said. 'I haven't seen so much grain, but I don't believe more than one car has been shipped out. The three Stratton elevators are full and the bins are filling up. Grain is being piled on the ground.' "J.R. Zurcher, mayor of this small farming community located in the center of sprawling Kit Carson County, had the same story to tell as did County Commissioner Tom Kennedy and Dr. James L. Keen, president of the Rotary Club. The harvest got underway two weeks ago and will continue another three weeks they said. The wheat is standing well and though there is a shortage of manpower, the huge wheat crop is being rapidly combined. With farms running from 160 to 1,500 acres or more, many individual farmers are harvesting in excess of 50,000 bushels. C.D. Pottorff, who farms 1,500 acres two miles south ofhere, is averaging 50 bushels ofwheat to the acre, and Joe Droste, who has 1,400 acres in wheat six miles northeast of Stratton, it getting about 35 bushels of wheat and 45 bushels of winter oats to the acre. "'This will be our biggest year since 1940', R.O. Woodfin of Burlington, Kit Carson County Extension Agent since 1933, said. 'There is a lot of 40-bushel average wheat in the county. The county average should run about 25 bushels to the acre, which is exceptionally good. We are getting a five-year crop of wheat barley in one year, as barley usually runs about 12 bushels to the acre. This year the farmers are averaging about 55 bushels. One field owned by Leo Dusharm who farms north of Seibert is getting 95 bushels of barley to the acre.' Woodfin attributes the heavy barley yields to a mild winter last year and the use of two barley varieties, Ward and Reno, which are adapted to Colorado's eastern plains.'The lack of cars for shippping purposes can become very �serious if rain comes,'Mr. Woodfin said.'The weather is ideal for the harvest, but if it rains there will be losses in the wheat piled on the ground.' "'A few years ago people were calling this a dust bowl area,'Mayor Zurcher said.'I wish everyone in Colorado could see this haryest. You have to see it to believe it!"' We have seen great crops piled on the ground since, rows of grain bins on farms, and watched as huge silo-like elevators were erected in all the towns of the county. The transportation of grain has changed to accommodate the passing of the Rock Island Railroad in this area, and trucking is commonplace now. But there are many persons who recall vividly that 1945 year with the bounteous golden harvest, the essence of prosperity and joyous reaping. by the editors STRATTON PUBLIC SCHOOL T363 Tradition says that the first school in Stratton was held in a small frame building that had originally been a butcher shop, located on the spot at the corner of Colorado and Main where today's DG Liquors is located. Seven pupils taught by Charlie Dickinson attended. Very soon that building became too small and in 1895 a two story school building was erected on the area where the school stood for so many years. Pictures of the early Catholic Church show this considerable building in the background. According to records, Miss Ruth McCoulogby taught there in 1896 having the Roberts girls, Hazel, Inez and Susie, Manda Buller, Billie and Clara Lipford, and Albert Bradshaw as pupils. In the early 1900's Mrs. Jennie Wellman became the teacher. Her ntme appears consistently in Kit Carson 3rd and 4th grades, Stratton schools, 1923. County school records. Schools involved little expense in those days even if the money was hard to come by. Teachers and pupils handled all the work of modern day custodians and made sure there was fuel and that fires were kept as well as brought the drinking water. You know where the bathrooms were. Teachers salaries were so modest then as to be almost non-existent. By 1910 so many people had settled in the area that a larger building was necessary. Then a b rick building that has been torn down in recent years was built on the same location to replace the two story frame building used for 15 years. As athletics became part of the school program, space for playing floors was found in buildings about town. Many recall playing basketball in the Majestic Theater, located just north of present day Miller Store. This had a large floor suitable for not only the theater showings but dances and use as a gym floor. It was in those years of the 1930's that girls' basketball predominated over boys. Stratton girls went to a national tournament in 1934, and, although they lost in the early games, the town of Stratton was given great "press" in the newspapers and the laurels that came to those players is still recalled by many. A demise of girls basketball carne when injury or illness caused the Colorado school authorities of that day to drop all girls' competition from then on until the late 1970's when they were reinstated. Under the WPA programs begun in the 1930's by the US government a cement building which housed a modern gymnasium and four elementary classrooms was erected north of the brick building. Until 1961 this glrm was home floor for the many fine boys basketball teams flourishing in the school in those years. The home team locker was located in the furnace room under the stage. That stage with heavily gold fringed green velour stage curtains was the scene of many splendid productions in the form of class plays as well as the renowned Drama Club .,J productions under the direction of Mrs. Kivia Slade who is remembered as a teacher of mathematics and Latin during nineteen years at Stratton High School starting in 1942. Christmas operettas, National Assembly programs, productions by local clubs and organizations were also performed before the footlights of that stage. Many students recall painting the setting backdrops in preparation for a play or cleaning the footlight trough and replacing the lightbulbs. During the '50 and '60's this gym was the setting for elaborate Junior-Senior proms. Lots of romancing occurred behind those stage set flats, no doubt. In 1951 the two buildings were joined together by another structure which made The building which replaced Stratton's first school; used continuously until 1977 as a school. possible a school shop and its finishing rooms, a music department and a school lunchroom and its kitchen pantry. Previously the hot �Superintendent J. Oscar Smith carried the plans forth. Building was done on an almost sacred spot to past football players . . . the football field. Impressive dedication ceremonies were conducted on March 5, 1961, following the move into the building in January, which was done in one day with students managing the many trucks as by Dorothy Smith Today's Stratton Elementary School in 1988. lunch program had begun under the direction expectations of those persons so dubious kitchen to which everyone trooped at noontime. There was no shop program until J. Oscar Smith was hired in 1950 with this program in mind for the community school. The music program had no area of its own, but with the forming of a Music Club and the funds they generated for instruments and just come about. Stratton Schools under the direction of Superintendent Arthur G. Wat- of Marge Brown in the American Legion band uniforms, Joseph Lombardi in 1950-51, was able to organize the band that originated bands of today. Home economics had a program for a few years in the late 1930's but during World War II cutbacks this was dropped. In 1950 Dorothy C. Smith initiated a new department housed in the basement of the high school. One must recall that this year was the period of school reorganization and Stratton schools were trying to meet the The Stratton School pupils in 1915. about the wisdom of consolidation which had son at that time did a great deal to augment its programs and revitalize its offerings especially at high school levels. In the mid-'50's as state standards for school buildings became more restrictive, the constant cost of keeping the old high school building "under code" was studied again and again, and the feeling prevailed that a new high school building was needed. This was the era when St. Charles Parochial School was coming into the public school. With well thought out local plans, the services of an architect and bonding company and all the preliminaries needful to promote and produce this new buiding, the school board and �buildings, however. It's the story of people and activities. But without writing a volume of its own one could not mention it all either. Suffice it to say that Stratton Schools have a reputation for offering a diverse curriculum which has prepared many students for the college and vocational training they later pursued, that Stratton has had its share and more of outstanding football, basketball and wrestling teams, that music is an integral part ofthe school activity each year, that the home economics department and its related Future Homemakers of America organization has provided many state and district officers as well as one national officer, that the shop students are famous over the area for the splendid products of their efforts, that science fairs and related activities occur frequently, that dramatics is still an interest for many students, that the commercial and business offerings are distinctly geared to today's expectations, that the school boasts two libraries which are heavily used, and that the community is justifiably proud of its school. The Eagle Chapter of National Honor Society inaugurated and chartered in 1958 has chosen outstanding students who have made special niches for themselves in the entire world. People are a school, too! There are teachers' names that linger and are often mentioned around the community wherever those who felt their influence gather. . Margaret Walthers, Orville Reddington, Helen Price, The first grade at Stratton School in 1923. Violet Davis, Eleanor DeWalt, Ruth McChesney, Mabel Hemphill, Nell Van Devender, Idris Phipps, Harry B. Davis, H.C. Beibee, Curtis Bradshaw, Margaret Holstine, Wallace James, Hazel Chalfant, Frank Osta- noff, Kivia Thorene Slade, Olive Thiringer, Mildred Shenandoah, Jennie Tressel, Thelma Allen, Ruth Gulley, Virginia Felch, Rosemary McCormick, Lucile Lepper, Mabel Guy, Gladys Quinn, Helen Traylor, Joseph Lombardi, J. Oscar and Dorothy Smith, Arthur G. and John H. Watson. Coates Bradshaw, William Leckenby, Betty and Fred Rock, Lee Carpenter, Adeline Sawyer, Leland Monroe, Joan and Larry Vibber, Earl Knox, Elizabeth and Bill Kercher, Ron Neeley, Virgil Watkins, George and Jane Clark, Helen Mclean, Alyce Lewis, Elmer Boone, Joan and Harold Hagan, William McKinley, Robert Sparks, Roy Towns, Richard Buck, Ron Atkins, Betty Smith, Glen The Stratton Public School from 1895 to 1910. STRATTON T364 ues to house the Stratton High School. By 1975 plans for a new elementary school had been completed and the fine structure directed by each department instructor. This building with some modification and the addition of a separate shop building contin- Wry Stratton "S" Club has a homecoming "float". which now houses the elementary school was occupied Feb. 18, 1977. Envisioning a day when all the Stratton school might be located in a campus-like arrangement with playing fields and playground between the two structures occurred when the high school was built and the land was procured in the mid 1950's. When the present elementary building was constructed that long ago dream was realized. Yesterday's elementary building is now a bowling alley with two restaurants and the old annex houses a number of office spaces. T'e old high school has been razed and many former students have an old brick to stir nostalgia for times long past. MSA Club made arrangements to move the original bell which so long called pupils into school to a site near the present elementary school as a preservation measure. Any story of a school is not the story of Hunter, Roy Ingram, June Short, John Trued, Terry Miller, Nick Wilhelm, Wilbur Ziegler, Tom Pannell, Franceis Coles, Kathy Pickard, Cheryl Barry, Linda Stevens, Jim Martin, John Sporleder . . the list could go on and on. Superintendents through the years include some whose names may not have been recorded. Notable among the listed ones are Homer Peck, R.F. Murfin, Gerald Scofield, Harry Zinn, Arthur G. Watson, R.F. Becker, John H. Watson, J. Oscar Smith, Norman Downie, Carl Weigand, Valerie Sullivan, Wayne Brown and currently David Cockerham. No story is complete without the names of graduates either so they are given in another article entitled "High School Graduates Stratton and First Central". And how remiss it would be to conclude this account without reminding us of all the blizzards, the school bus incidents, the dust storm days, spring's muddy roads, the many trips to district and state events, the heartaches of losses or the glories and elation of victories, the long, long �with having played a considerable role in their lives. by Dorothy C. Smith *****{c****rfc***:l€ Freshman class; Stratton,1945-46: Front row, I to r: Rock Luebbers, Joe Weibel, Bill Fehrenbach, Allen Greenwood, Johnny Luebbers, Dean Campbell. 2nd row: Barbara Schermerhorn, Bertha Balanga, Mary Anne Green, Bernadean Rose, sponsor, Dolores Jostes, Doris Paintin, Marlyn Schmidt. 3rd row: Wayne Greenwood, Margaret Meade, LaVilla Sealock, Shirley Ferris, Dorothy Messinger, LaRene Herberger, Verla Jean Reisch, Ida Knochel, Norma Jean Hershey, Bob Bush. Back row: Bill Griffith, Norman Zogg, Sonny Webster, Bob Pickerill, Alfred Flageolle, Dick Borders, Harvey Rose, Donald Torline. bus rides daily for many kids, the patient highorhighschool,revolvearoundtheschool parents who waited for those who practiced, and its activities. That the life of any the beautiful spring days when school could community is determined by its schools is hardly"keep". . andonandon. . .thiswas recognized nowhere more clearly than in part of school, too. That Stratton schools Stratton community. Many have gone from have been a pervading element in the com- this community to higher education and into munity and county throughout the years is endeavors here and all over the world. Most mostevident.Thelivesof allfamiliesoftoday of them will credit Stratton Public Schools having children in school, elementary, junior Machinery "graveyard." June 23, 1988 Market report ..'.$3.51 Wheat .$3'00 New corn Livecattle'....$63.90 Feedercattle. ..$71.00 LiveHogs ...'.546.25 Grades 5 and 6, May 1925, Stratton: back row: Eugene Spurlin, Roy Folsom, Bob Reddy, Sonny Collins, Ernest Lidke, Paul Weddington, Ralph McFarland. Next row: Sarah Sholes, Ruby Ford, Dorothy Bardwell, Teacher, Edna Folsom, Beryl Montgomery, Dorothy Spurlin. Next row; Belle Beck, Lucille Holloway, Thelma Heltzel, -, Lois McOolloch, -, -. Front row: Claude Ellis, Jimrny Rogers, Curtis Rogers, Robert Davis. -. �Homecoming and Stratton Day were combined in 1966 for the first time. The Assn. began to organize the parade, plan the Stratton 5th/6th grades, 1926: Front row: Del Holiday, Floyd Hetzel, Carl Wood, Durward Riggen, Robert Holloway, Wayne Campbell, Vaden Hn-lin. Second row: Stella Chilili, Lucia Gehrke, Evelyn Ackerman, Lucille Chamberlain, Ruby Wolfrum, Dixie Turner, Stella Sholes, Lelah Kruse, Norma Scott. Third row: Evelyn Pischke, Allie Jean Beck, Helen Bardwell, Lloyd Einspahr, Roy Davis, Violet Davis Teacher, George Harnlin, Donald Wolgamott, John Brady. STRATTON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION T365 In March of 1949 a group of Stratton High School graduates gathered to form an Alumni Association. A set of by-laws were drafted similar to those used by the Burlington Assn. The group's main function was to keep an accurate record of the Stratton graduates as well as to raise money for contributions to the school. Some of the early fund raising activities were box socials, carnivals, and plays. The first Alumni banquet and dance were held in 1953. This also became the time when twelve members were elected to the board. When the Assn. was first organized only the twenty-five year class was honored. The graduates from First Central School were initially honored around 1961. Over the past years it has become a tradition to honor the ten, twenty-five, and fifty year classes at the annual banquet. Classes are recognized and given an opportunity to reminisce with old friends. Beginning in 1964 the honored classes had their pictures in the paper. banquet, and the Homecomingdance. Before this the Alumni had held picnic lunches on Homecoming Day. In order to increase the size of the parade the Assn. invited school bands from surrounding areas. Donations to the school have been made frequently and helped with the purchase of musical instruments, speaker system, trophies, the senior class picture album in the High School and the bell tower. Due to the hard times during the Depression the classes of 1934 and 1935 were unable to have their pictures in the senior class album. In 1986 the Assn. donated money to have these pictures framed. The Alumni began charging one dollar dues in 1965 to help cover expenses. After raising the Association's dues to five dollars annually or thirty dollars lifetime, the Board of Directors formed an Alumni Scholarship to be awarded to the most qualified applicant from the graduating senior class. The amount of this scholarship was originally $250.00 but has been raised to $900.00 due to the generosity of time and money given by the Stratton Alumni Assoeiation members. Key: Graduates of Stratton and First Central: *Deceased, FC First Central (Married name) 1909 Mable Pugh (Guy)* 1916 Grace Johnson (Tompkins); Loretta Taylor* 1917 Joel Bradshaw, II*; Marie Chandler (Greenwood) 1919 Evelyn Mulnix (Anderson) 1920 Leonard Hamilton*; Clara Pugh (Baker); Fern Vanhook (Reddington)* 1921 Curtis Bradshaw* 1922 Eleanore Cochran (Beahm); Allan Long; Aliee Mulnix (McNaryl); Gray Spurlin; Frank Wilson 1923 Floyd Borders; Violet Campbell (Barr);Joseph O. Chandler; Gertrude Church (Boulder); Ruth Church (Schaal)*; Fern Ford (Craig); Mary Horrell (Dvorak)*; Alice Poppert (Beal); Lillian Radspinner (Underwood); Theodore R. Smith FC; Fred Weibel*; Elizabeth Zittle (Woolsey) 1924 Blanche Beattie (Dove); Dorothy Cochran (Reish)*; Iva Crocker (Engelage); Virginia Felch; Florence Huscher (Ford); Harold Huscher; Amy Wood*; Ruth Pischke (Wells) 1925 Clarence Connaway; Grace Evans (Weybright); Esther Gerke (Scheierman); Esther Lindley*; Marshall Sims; Ida Smith (Boecker) FC* 1926 Ave Marie Kellogg (Parks) FC; Norma Mavity (Moody) 1927 Amanda Fuller (Borders)*; Mrs. Earl Carpenter; Annie Connaway (Spurlin); Mrs. Carl Hamilton*; Laura Powers (Shupp); Ambrose Williams*; Garvin Church FC 1928 Lewis Adkins; Gladys Beattie (Clair); Erma Gerke (Thompson); Vena Hughes (Scheierman); Leona Jones*; Gladys Lindley"; Roy McColloch; Justus Rose*; Ava Barr (Magnuson) FC; Glenn Smith FC 1929 Lucille Brantley (McColloch); Bertha Chamberlain; Margaret Day (Huppert)*; Verla Ellis (Pieper); Ruth Gerke; Helen Holloway (Jackson); Hilda Kruse (Claussen); June Rose (Schofield); Ruth Thyne (Spurlin)*; Helen Weibel (Berger); Ruth Wilson Stratton High School in 1988. (Norwack); Lawrence Erickson FC 1930 Burnelle Adkins (Horton); Belle Beck (Danforth); Edith Beeson (Murray) FC; �Bernice Brady (Kenper)*; Reva Braley (Jackson); Frank Brock; Irene Calvin (Hern- bloom); Mae Ellen Calvin (Kellogg)*; Edith Campbell (Johnson); Velva Collins (Beeman); lnez Dunhe- (McArthur); Velora Mulnix (Davis)*; Lee Ora Tuttle (Hanrahan);Wilbur Barr FC;Albert Glad FC; James Greenwood FC; Lyle Kellogg FC. 1931 Harry Holloway*; Lucille Holloway (Woodson); Margaret Holloway (Houtz); Leo Kirkendall; Robert Logan*; Georgia McCollough (Berandt); Robert Ready; Viola Wolf (Gacnik); Irene Dunham (Kennedy) FC; Clarence Iseman FC; Lloyd Parks FC L932 Aletha Allen (Bowers); Ted Burggraff; Robert Davis*; Helen Duncanson (Ancell); Luella Hernbloom; Marie Mase; Lois McColloch (Currier); Beryl Montgomery (Hutchins); William Morgan; Maye Rose (Blodgett); Lee Dunham FC; Claude Ellis FC; Ralph Greenwood FC; Warren Hodge FC; Helen Mitchell FC; Lloyd Perkins FC. 1933 Charles Allen; Helen Bardwell (Al- len); Allie Jean Beck (Iseman); Melvin Calvin*; Earl Collins; Ruth Gulley; Lyle Hooper; Helen Kennedy (Kerl); George Klocker*; Magdalene Leoffler (McKenzie); Ralph Pelle*; Edna Blucheck (Carlton); Collosta Schiferl (Swogger); Dorothy Hodge (Peters)* FC; Violet Norton FC; Wanda Norton (Perkins); Harold Pelle; Kenneth Scheierman FC; Norman Smith FC; Cloyd Storrer FC; Nora Wright (Johnson) FC; Orville Wright FC. 1934 Evelenne Ackerman (Folsom); Helen A. Bertrand (Lichety); Irvin Binkley Lucia Gerke (Cowles); Kathleen Green (Sister Evangeline); George Hamilin; Violet Hern- bloom (Kirkendall); Lilla Kruse (Campbell)*; Lillian Murphy; Iona Penne (Hous- mann); Stella Sholes (Arends); Reid Strong; Robert Barley FC; Clair Barr FC; Leonard Beeson FC; Loraine Iseman (Wood) FC; Marie Kiper (Lesher) FC; Ella Storrer (Lebsack) FC; Parker Swann FC; Wesley Taylor FC*. 1935 Lylah Ayers (Ness) FC; Doris Beck (Engelbrecht); Donald Bertrand; Mary Burggraff (Calloway); Lena Campbell (Keelet); Clarice Christian (Johnson); Mertie E. Christian (Crouse); David Davis; Evelyn Einspahr (Burnett); George Green; Mary V. Klocker (Dill); Clara Pautler; Ben Pelle; Oswold Pautler; Inez Perkins (Batholomew) FC; Evelyn Ritzdorf (Poland); Lenora Stom- bought (Scott); Harold Thomason; Leonard Willey*; Virginia Wilson (Foster); Edgar Geisit FC; Russell Glad FC; Lunette Swem (Kibble) FC. 1936 Earl Atkins; Lewis Beck; Lee Binkley; Rueben Beecker; Jeanne Bradshaw (Bruner); Louis Brueske; Helen Burggraff (Morris); Eugene Byrne; Mabel Garner (Scheierman); Dorothy Hanner (Danekas); Alfred Holloway*; Dorothy Huppert (Pierson)*; Willard Kirkendall; Sylvia Krauth (Bowers); James McFarland*; Juanita Nixon; Agnes Powers (Stramel); Doris Proctor (Peters); Eloise Proctor*; Faye Proctor (Byrnes); Fern Proctor (Penick); Magdalene Stoffel (Heiken); Viola Waechter (Ancell); Frank Wolf*; Mavis G. Ayers (Smith) FC; Agnes Iseman (Leonard) FC; Dale Lesher FC; Helen Magnuson (Smelker) FC; Ivan Smelker FC; Vaughn Taylor FC. 1937 Evelyn Atkins (Paintin); George Bowers; Nadean Brown (Zwetschke); Lois Jane Calverley (Schlihs)*; Wava Campbell (Hetzel);Alyce Dischner (Lewis); Arlin Erf- man; Irene Erfman (Hibbits); Delmer Glaze; Edward Klocker; Edmund Green*; Gordon Hernbloom; Frank McFarland; Thomas Moyer; Mary Pautler (Carnese); Ruth Sealock (McFatridge); Galen Thomason; Isabella Thompson (Kerr); Herbert Waechter; Maebelle Wolfrum (Boyer); Eldon Wolgamott*; Velma Beeson (Davis) FC; June McArthur (Martin) FC; Elywin Swann FC; Mary Alie Swen FC; Vance Taylor FC*. 1938 Lucille Bertrand (Wharff); Helen Churchwell (Rockwell); Veralee Conners (Schillings); Dorothy Feirstein; Louis Feirstein; Ruby Gehrke (Bates); Lucille Glaze (Clark); June Courtright (Hampton); Evelyn Gauge (Edmunds); Mary Knochel (Marnell); Emma Lucas (Lempp)*; Wilda Paintin (Pratt); Lewis Powers; Rev. Homer Rich; LaVerne Thomason; Mary Thyne (Flippin); Ralph Tryon; Marie Zubrod (Navrot); Paul Baetz FC; Maxine Iseman (Chandler) FC; Ila Magnuson FC*; Ella Mae Young (Meade) FC. 1945 Millicent Beller (Luebbers); Wanda Bishop (Churchwell); Roberta Calvin (O'Halloran); Marion Dischner (Borden); (Gibble); Lelia Reish (Raines); Juanita Rum- Helen Green (McCormick); Thelma Greenwood (Hutton); Marcella Knochel (Schaefer); Jim McConnell; Norma Jean Messenger Thompson (Gabelman); Arlie Vannatta Harley Pottorff; Almetta Russel (Johnson); mel (Johnson); Raymond Schiferl; Olive (Camp); Lyle Bunch FC; Dean Smelker FC; Dorothy J. Taylor; (McArthur) FC. 1939 Johannah Atkins*; Edith Bardwell; Joel Bradshaw III*; Myron Brown; Mary Burne (Gerligk); Alberta Collins (Rowe); Gladys Hernbloom (Hooper); Herschel Hoo- per; Lucille Hooper; Ruth Krauth (Slick); Agnes McConnell (Boecker); Irene Osburn (Buhr)*; William Parsons*; Neoma Rafferty (Smith); Ethlyn Ready (Springer); Olive Rowley (Eppelsheimer); Wanita Sealock; Catherine Simon*; Irene Stewart (Brown); Lucille Wolf (Kenney); Hazel Wolgamott (Guerin) Maxine Young (Wolgamott); Mary Pfaffly FC*; Shelby Taylor FC*; Donald Thompson FC. 1940 Clark Beck; Herman Bertrand*; Doretta Brown (McEnter); Lola Mae Calverley (Kidd); Gertrude Collins; Earl Davis*; Marcella Dischner (Greenwald); Wanda Gar- ner (Sweet); Clarice Hernbloom (Fager); Cleona Hernbloom (William); Letha Holstein (Lorraine); Jim Keen; Harold Kitten; Gerald Lempp; Julia McCormick (Lowe); Edna Payne (Godfrey); Bill Reish; Vesta Russell (Geoffrey); Bert Stombaugh*; Irene Zubrod (Cannon); Helen Zurcher (Glenskie); Rose Mary Zurcher (Cox); Clark Beeson FC; Charles Bunch FC; Alvin Lowe FC; Velma Lowe (Pratt) FC; Jessie Rich (Gaunt) FC. 1941 Bob Bowers; Arthur Dischenr; Tom Kennedy*' Laurine Kitten (Schiferl); Charles Krauth*; James Leoffler Sr.; Faye McColloch; Clarence Muchow; Lola Lohrman (Gramoll); Louis Pugh; Betty Reish; Joe Simon*; Loren Stombaugh; Pauline Stombaugh; Frances Thomason; Peggy Warrington; Francis Byrne; Dorothy Wilson*; George Wilson; Rev. Phillip Cline FC; George Kirkendall FC; Vivian Smelker (Whitmarsh) FC. 1942 Myrtle Collins (Mumford); Everett Holstein*; Violet McOonnell (Wolski); Rosemary McCormick (Gergen); Zelma Kennedy (Eubanks); Rev. Russell Meade; Marion Powers; Ethel Wolgamott (Evans); Julianne Zurcher (Savada); Rev. Oscar Borden FC; Oris Bunch FC; Wayne Iseman FC; Violet Magnuson (Bunch) FC; Bertha Swann FC; Darrell Taylor FC. 1943 Leon Beck; Marianne Beller (Stevens); Melva Freeman (Cline); Neona Gade (Pierce); Norma Garner (Borden); Laura Greenwood (Thomason); Evelyn Heintz; Floyd Hooper*; Kenneth Lindley; Russell McFarland; Leona Meade (Rich); Howard Pickerill; Lucille Rich (Schreiner); Bernadine Rose (Ardueser); Margaret Simon; Salvador Valesquez; Marion Webster; Verla Smelker (Martinez) FC; Shirley Taylor (Thompson) FC; Walter Rich. 1944 Joyce Beck (Clark); Vivian Bush (Schlichenmayer); Mildred Pelle (Drietz); Goldie Waechter (Doane); Charles Sholes*; Darlene Taylor (Pottorffl FC. 1946 Glennadene Copley (Cline); Keith Kruse; Luella Lucas*; Clifford Messenger; Lela Pottorff (Wilkinson); Florene Schmidt (Weibel); Dorothy Smelker (Clark); Mary Valesquez (Suazo); Rosalie Webster (Jorden); Andy Weibel*. 1947 Altha Borden (Ely); Bill Collins; Ed Dischner; Ardis Heningson (Valesquez); Dale Kindred; Betty Pelle (Lobmeyer); Betty Russell (Sutton); Dale Shermerhorn; Jerry Simon; Colleen Zogg (Travis); Eloise Valesquez; Rita Zurcher (Vinduska); Arlene Bunch (Rains) FC; Patsy Bush. 1948 Roberta Collins (Higley); Marvin Edmunds; Netha Hansen (Kindred); Melvin Hatfield; Roy Herberger Jr.; Conrad Jostes; Elva Lowe (Akins); Velva Lowe (Pickard); Ted Sallee; Melvin Smith; Dean Spurlin; Jim Spurlin; Don Valesquez*; Dale Wolgamott. 1949 Bertha Balanga (Johnson); Dick Borders; Pearl Collins (Hair); Shirley Ferris*; Alfred Flageolle; Mary Ann Green; Allen Greenwood; Wayne Greenwood; LaRene Herberger (Kauffman); Norma Jean Hershey; Francis Husenetter; Delores Jostes (Erbert); Ida Knochel; John Luebbers; Rock Luebbers; Dorothy Messenger (Weaver); Edna Miltenberger (Stegman); Bob Pickerill; Verla Reish (Hall); Harvey Rose; Barbara Shermerhorn (McDaniel); Marlyn Schmidt (Dischner); LaVila Sealock (Clark); Rosalie Stoffel (Greenwood); Joe Weibel; Kathryn Waldron (Burd); Norman Zogg; Maryarct Meade (Thomason). 1950 Lloyd Borden; Donald Borders; Anne Bradshaw (Struthers); Dean Campbell; Donna Carpenter (Borden)*; JoDell Carpenter (Talley); Theresa Isenbart (Baylor); Bill Fehrenbach; Bob Fox; Marvin Hatfield; Joan Nowack (May); Doris Paintin (Vondy); Donna Rae Pelle (Englert); Ellsworth Pottorff; Bill Pugh; Shirley Scheierman (Zoeg); Carcl Smelker (Newman); Arla Smith (Franke); Mary Spurlin (Newton); Claudine Stoner (Messenger); Betty Vinduska (Schawe); Eugene Waldron; Vera Sue Wolgnmell (Grimes); Peggy Zogg (Hubbell). 1951 Richard Bayles; Douglas Bishop; Maynard Bowen; Robert Fehrenbach; Duane Ferris; Chester Frankenfeld; George Miltenberger; Lavina Pugh (Decker); Virgil Pugh; Betty Jo Quinn (Roehr); Charles Sallee; Dorothy Schermerhorn (Neva); Franklin Smelker; Gordon Smith; Bob Spurlin; Melvin Thomason; Kay Webster (Wendler); Lily Woller (Hinton). 1952 Norman Beattie; Clifford Borden; Bill Day; Marlis Dinger James Brachtenbach; (Weaver); Lyle Garner; Joy Hatfield (Blancken); Leroy Herndon; Mary A. Isen- �bart (Sister Mary Cecil); JoAnn Jostes (Day); Kenneth Lobmeyer; Lelan Lucas; Bernetta Luebbers (Curver); Max Mason; Myron Powell; Eileen Powers (Tschetter); Connie Rhea (Decker); Sherry Rose (Martie); John Schermerhorn; Twila Smelker; Paul Smith; Frank Spurlin; Kenneth Stull; Delbert Tanner; Mary Waldron (Keeling); John Webb; Nola Webster (Engstrom). 1953 Carol Lee Conarty (Eberhart); Lodema Courtright (Templeton); Ferdie Knochel; Borden; Audrey Brachtenbach (Eisenbart); Dale Conrardy; Robert Dischner; Richard Flageolle; Darrell Fox; Janice Husler (Collins); John Husler; Dennis Kordes; Nean Liebl; Kathy Mitchem (Hartzman); Danny Rose; Neoma Sisson (West); Gladys Smelker (Norman); Velva K. Smith; Connie Stegman (Baker); Kathy Stegman (Leavitt); Ronald Stoner; Bill Swanson; Bernadean Tesmer; Bob Werner; Donald Wood. 1960 Lila Borden (Gilley); Barbara Bra- fler (Daugherty); Karen Potterff (Ziegler); Marilyn June Powell (Overholt); Colleen Stegman (Stutzman); John Schulte; Mary M. Selenke; Jean Shean (Erker); Robert M. Stegman. 1966 Dale Boecker; Kathryn Buhr; Larry Crocker; John Dasenbrock; Rodney Davis*; Joyce Dischner (Stockwell); Diane Flageolle (Miller); Doris Flageolle (Dombeck); Jennifer Garner (Singley); Delores Goodin (Setter); Vickie Hornung (Sutton); Jana Dee Johnson Claus Hume; Benny Miltenberger; Virginia Pelle (Malone); Kenneth Pottorff; Dan Schaal; Frances Selenke (Torline); Doris Spurlin (Stevens); Dale Strothman; Carrell chtenbach (Eisenbart); Dr. John Bruckner; Galen Conrardy; Charles W. Cure; Genevieve (Shalata); Linda Lewis (Miller); Dennis Merritt; Diane Pottorff (McCartney); Patrick Rueb; LaRita Sawyer (Addams); Sally Shean (Ehlers); Shirley Smith (MicHaelis); Bonnie Toland (Swann); Arlene Weingardt (Weisshaar); Gerald Thompson; Harold Sal- denberger); Joyce Hornung (Austin); Berna- (Rueb). 1967 Darrell Bezdek; Gary Brachtenbach; Stull (Blakely); Geraldine Summers lee; Maxine Urban (Erbert); Denise Verbiest (Kozial); Jack Wolf; Verla Wolgamott (Skufca). 1954 Delmar Beattie; Mary Ellen Bowen; Raymond Bowen; Ora Carrell; Dean Herndon; Roger Kliesen; Janet Luebbers (Bancroft); Martha Mclrvin (Baxter); Opal McNees (Nelson); Donna O'Halloran (Eberhart); Harold Pelle; Orilla Pugh (Harless); Kenneth Sallee; Eleanor Scheierman (Herndon); Albert Selenke; Una Smelker (Reese); Jean Smith (Mason); Marvin Tanner; Carol Webb (Powell). 1955 Ronald Atkins*; Shirley Bohling (Pearson); Paul Brown; Betty Jo Calvin (Bell); Louise Dvorak (McCormick); Gwen- dolyn Einspahr (Schlichenmayer); Charles Fox; Phillip Helsel; Palamon Hornung; LaVon Jostes (Taylor); Bob Krei; Glen Lucas; Dale Mason: Zella Mclrvin; Donald Peters; John Spurlin; Kenneth Stegman; Darlene Verbiest (Strothman); Delphine Verbiest (Wharton); Florence Denise Wilson (McCon- nell); Amy Marie Wood (Smith); Doug Woodson; Patsy Young (Havens). 1956 Harold Churches; Bonnie Bishop Droste (Rubio); David Flageolle; Delores Flageolle (Luebbers); Jerry Fox; Phyllis Goodin (Worthington); Anita Homer (Lin- dine Husler (Gelizeus); Lolita Klotzbach (Ramos); Carolyn Krei (Feldhousen); Mary Lou Liebl (Zink); Carolyn Mclean (Miller); Ronnie Meyers; Phyllis Pottorff (Albrecht); Beverley Scheierman (County); William Selenke; Doyle Smith; Janice Tesmer (Burrow); Ronald Wolf. 1961 Dan Anthofer; Judy Bohling (Payne); Margie Brachtenbach (Colpitts); Don Churches; Roy Conrardy; Charles DeCastro; Shirley Erker (Bruckner); Lorena Flageolle (Kimminau); James Garner; Alberta Lang (Schaal); Douglas Paintin; Luella Paintin (Hershberger); Doris Pelle (Weir); Doris Pugh (Durham); LaDonna Sawyer (Peters); Lynn Scheierman (Johnson); Pauline Selenke (Pesek);Audrey Wood (Smith); Patricia Thomas (Forbes); Mary Kay Werner (Huppert); Myrna Wilson (Bill); Jack Young. 1962 Rollan Bauman; Sylvan Bauman; Larry Brachtenbach; LeRoy Brachtenbach; Anita Conrardy (Balman)*; Betty Cure (Brossman); John DeCastro; Cecilia Isenbart (Fox); Diannen Erker; Marcia Grasser (Sister Mary Carol); Kenneth Hornung; Gary Huppert; Betty Jean Kordes (Brachten- (Schumann); Jack Brachtenbach; Rose Marie Droste (Stoos); Jerome Fox; Ruth Isenbart (Kimminau); Esther Mclean (Herndon); Drusilla Mitchem (Spurlin); Robert bach); Nancy Liebl (Feist); Teresa Liebl (Douglas); Glenn Pence; Sandra Pottorff (Berry); JoDell Pugh (Musgrove); Leonard Pugh; Lyle Sawyer; Betty Bea Scheierman (Short); Bonita Sisson; Charles Smelker; Virginia Stegman (Dobler); Leon Thomas; Robert Smith; Dean Smith; Donna Spurlin; Duane Spurlin; Andra Stegman (Maxon); Melvin Strothman: Carmilla Werner (Pelle); Barbara Wilson (Edmunds); Raymond Mil- Janet Zrubek (Lasinski). Pottorff; Darlene Powell (Freytag); Marie Pugh (Idler); Elsie Smelker (May); John tenberger. 1957 Martin Bauman Jr.; Keith Beattie; Margene Brown (Smith); Raymond Droste; Betty Eisnpahr (Hansen); Albert Hornung; Ed Husler; Elaine Jostes (Hubbard); Tom Luebbers; Vera Malone (Noyce); James Mather; Juanita Meade (Marrow), Diane Pelle (McDermott); Leona Peters (Krentz); Mary Margaret Quinn (Sandy); Geraldine Rose (Ludwig)*; Herbert Scheierman; Elaine Smelker (Hornung); Gary Smelker; Richard Stramel; Carlyn Werner (Gerwick); Edna Woller (Robinson). 1958 Elaine Anthofer (Krueger); Ivan Beattie; Linda Calvin (Torline)*; Judy Conarty (Smith); Glenda Dinger (Levins); Bill 1963 James Best; Lynette Dasenbrock (Fankhauser); Ron Downey; Charles Ehlers; Donnie Flageolle; June Goodin; Anne Helsel (Young); David Hernbloom; Esther Husler (Luther); Robert Kerl; Charlie Mclean; Gary Pautler; Robert Pelle; Mary Proctor (Ehlers); Diane Pugh (Schulz); John Rueb; Delores Smelker (Rehor); Doyle Smelker; Linda Storrer (Swanson); Diane Werner (Kloeckner); Larry Wolf. 1964 Gene Beattie; Joel Bradshaw IV; Christine Calvin (Brachtenbach); Janice Conrardy (Anderson); Cynthia Davis (Beck- er); Carol Ann Droste (Whitten); Ernie Flageolle; Hary Fox; Verlin Garner; Linda Gramoll (Nemec); Gary Helsel; Irvin Husler; Wayne Huppert; Donna Jones (Fox); Robert Ehlers; Leo Isenbart; Walter Isenbart; Ange- Meyers; Jerry Miller*; Linda Paintin (Amack); Carolyn Pugh; William Rueb; Peggy Schwieger (Fox); Rose Selenke; Keith la Flageolle (Isenbart); Kathy Homer (Dobler); John Huppert; Robert Jacobs; Bill Krei; Weingardt; Kenneth Wolf; Daryl Wolfrum. 1965 James Bradshaw; Pam Bruckner Jerry Lucas; Danny McCormick; Ivan Schaal; Rita Selenke (O'Hayre); Richard Smith; Nedra Swanson (Pierce); Loretta Tesmer; Larry Torline; Ruby Urban (Mauer); Rita Werner (Ziegler); Jeanette Wolfrum (Embacker). 1959 Cordella Bauman (Pickerill); Theo (Jones)*; Vickie Calvin (Hahn); Diane Cibol- ski (Albertson); Paul Clark; Robert Coles; Ethel Mae Cure (Martin); Kathy DeCastro (Woodrick); Robert Downey; Ronald Einspahr; Darrell G. Garner; Terry Hornung; Dennis A. Johnson; Beverly Kordes (Beattie); John Liebl;Phillip Liebl; Sondra Leof- James Christopher Carnathan; Kenneth Clark; Edward Cure; Mary Ellen Cure (Bohnen); Dorothy Droste (White); Richard Grasser; Patricia Griffith (Alderson); Jerry Homer; Ronald Jones; Kathy Lempp (Lewis); James Leoffler, Jr.; David Liebl; Glenda Jo Pfaffly (Bauman); Connie Pottorff (Volskis); Pamela Powell (Boles); Dan Ricke; Leon Schaal; Carol Shean (McAlister); Linda Stegman (Johnson); Penny Brachtenbach (Carpenter); Timothy Weibel; Kenneth Witzel; Gary Wolfrum*; Larry Wolfrum; Edward Zrubek. 1968 Kenneth Bezdek; Mike Davis; Karen Downey; (Kerschner); Mike Eisenbart; Marvin Garner; DeeAnn Goss; James Sidney Hubbard; Jeanette Husler (Schreiner); Dennis Kindred; Mark Laue; Janice Lempp (Perkins); James Lewis; Marvin Megel; Beth Ann Miller; Gail Paintin; Leon Pautler*; Terry Pfaffly; Mary Ann Price (DeVinney); Elaine Rueb; Mary Lou Schiferl (Hubbard); JoAnn Schulte (Willis) Jolyn Schulte (Garrison); George Stegman; Dessa Shutte (Jantz)*; Connie Vinduska (Foose); Mike J. Werner; Gerald Wolf. 1969 LaDonna Brachtenbach (Anderson); Linda Cibolski (Miltenberger); Vickie Corliss (Schlepp); Pastor Clyde R. Denslow; Willetta Garner (McKee); David Gwyn; Delores Heit- schmidt*; Steve Hornung*; Sue Hubbard (Marrone); Sherry Krei (Merritt); Patsy Kordes (Eisenbart); Mike Laue; Mike Mclean*; Tom Mills; Janice Pottorff (Ecke); Steve Powell; David Ricke; Lester Schiferl*; Ed Schulte; Becky Schulz; Calvin Shean; Darris Taylor. 1970 Judy Best (Wall); LuAnn Brown (Lucas); Greg Buhr; J.D. Coles; Cheryl Courtright (Richards); Bob Cure; Kay Cure (Unruh); Marsha Davis (Kravitiz); Mark Dischner*; Dan Erbert; Larry Grasser; Rick Kordes; Bob Lewis*; Deborah Mattix (Huppert); Judy Pottorff (Winick); Sherry Pottorff (Lupher); Terry Pottorff; Bill Rau; Joan Ricke (Hick); Lois Schulte (Tilley); Tony Schulte; Patty Schwieger (Witzel); Linda Shutte (Einspahr); Dan Witzel; Donna Witzel (Gwyn). 1971 Virginia Bezdek; Candice Clark (Spicer); Deborah Courtright (Conrads); David Cure; Jane Cure (Hubbard); LuAnn Dasenbrock (Berens); Rick Davis; Bill Dykes; Jim Dykes; Jane Flageolle (Smith); Lynn Gramoll; Mary Gwyn (Tart); Billy Homer; Cindy Hornung (Luebbers); Pam Hotter (Smith); Jane Jostes (Ingram); Gary Kindred; James Liebl; Bunnie Mitchem (Chartier); Wanda Nusser; Randy Pickard*; Nick Price; Tom Proctor; Rex Salling; Charles Schulte; Della Shutte (Calhoun); Denis Smith; Pam Smith �(Liebl); Delmar Stegman; Leon Vinduska; Gary Wilson; Janet Zogg (Churchwell). 1972 Dennis Cure; Nona Eisenbart (Woller); Linda Flageolle (Davis); Mark Flageolle; Niles Ray Garner; David Hornung; Walter Hubbard; Janice Kindred (Still); Valerie Kordes (Thyne); Jeanette Lempp (Leurquin); Nancy Lowther (Sneed); Jo-es Mattix; James Monroe; Marilyn Paintin (Cranmer); Valerie Paintin (Taskila); Larry Pottorff; Sherry Reeder (Monroe); Marla Salling (Flageolle); Doyle Schiferl; Allen Schulte; Daniel Schulte; Barbara Schwieger (Hornung); Larry Shutte; Steve Stegman; Cindy Weibel (Ridder); Rick Weingardt; Roxie Wilson. 1973 Suzy Critchfield; Michael Cure; Rhonda Davis (Peterson); Mary Jane Dischner; Frank Droste; Andy Flageolle; Gail Grasser (Allen); Dianna Greenwood (Husem- an); Neta Griffith (Rau); Nancy Hadachek; John Malone; Sue Matthews; Joanne Monroe (Jones); Patty Parker; Timothy Pautler; John Rau; Mike Ricke; Stanley Rueb; Darrel Schulte; Theresa Stegman (Amos); Marie Toland (Wolfley); Diane Twomey (Denslow). 1974 Jody May Atkins; Bonnie Clark (Mattix); Rusty Critchfield; Alan Cunningham;William Cure; KathyDavis (Sims); Rick DeMichele; David Dischner; Terry Erbert; Steven Fox; Jackie Griffith; Jerry Hasart; Patrick Hornung; Kent Jostes; Alan Kopplinger; Alice Leoffler (Smith); Susan Leoffler; Neal Luebbers; Donald Malone; Karen Mattix (Albers); Kathy Megel; Carolyn Miller; Laurie Mittlestead; Sherry Nusser; Shirley Nusser; Edward Parker; Randy Ramos; Sheryl Reeder (Grant); Keith Rogers; Rita Schulte (Erber)*; FLaDean Wigton; Ronald Wolfrum; Devin Wood. 1975 Ronald Borden; Myrva Buhr; Bill Courtright; James Hadachek; Joyce Ann May (Malone); Mike McCormick; Tony Paintin; Arthur Price: Marc Pottorff: Laura Ricke (Strick); Terry Rogers (Atkins); Linda Schulte; Elizabeth Stegman (Pautler); Mike Weigand; Charlene Wigton (Gorton); Colleen Wilson (Weigand). 1976 Douglas Beeson; Janell Brachtenbach (Woods); John Cure; Lisa Dasenbrock; John Dischner; Norma Eisenbart (Fox); Al Finley; Greg Flageolle; Keith Greenwood*; Lester Hasart; Arlene Hornung; Kenneth Malone*; Mark McClay; Debra McCoin; David Megel; Paul Pautler; Debbie Pottorff; Edward Pottorff; Bill Price; Robert Rueb; Ruth Schukar; William Schulte; Lori Thyne; Janet Wood; Trish Zogg (Dorsch); Greg Grasser. 1977 Glenda Borden; Russell Corliss; Ron- ald Cure; James Fox; Patricia Fox; Sandra Garner; Carl Graham; Karen Greenwood; Edward Herndon: Kevin Hubbard: Kevin Jostes; Marilyn Leoffler (Turner); Gregory Liebl; Kathy Logan; Cindy May; James May; Paul Miller; Jennifer Page; Theresa Peters ; June Radabaugh (Daniel); Marcia Schulte (Stauter); Ramona Schulte (Wagner); Vean Spurlin; Cindy Stegman; Angela Thompson; Shirley Wigton; Lance Wood. 1978 Robin Arends; Shirley Brachtenbach; Donna Courtright (Hake); Theresa Cure; Tom Dischner; Tina Eisenbart; Fred Erbert; Janine Hornung (Fox); Corrine Graham; Terry Ingram; Kurt Jostes; Kendra Kliesen (Monasmith); Linda Leoffler; Dean Liming; Brian Luebbers; Dan May; John McCormick; Rick Peters; Craig Pottorff; Kim Pottorff; LarryRicke; Rita Stegman; Michelle Thompson (Cure). 1979 Carl Anderson; Drusilla Beesley (Jostes); Jeanette Beeson (McCormick); Judy Borden; Gay Nell Courtright; Trenda Garrett (Weisshaar); Stan Hornung; Ted Ingram; Lisbeth Jensen; Moira Kliesen; Vernon Knox*; Beverly Malone; Tom May; Jim McCoin; Laura McCormick; Marci Pickard; Jenny Pottorff; Mark Rueb; Ted Spurlin; Dennis Schulte; Richard Thompson; Tim Greg Whipple. 1988 Roger Austin; Devin Bauman; Kristy Dieterle; Kelly Eisenbart; Brian Fox; John Hornung; Mark Hornung; John Howe; Scott Huppert; Stephanie Krason; Mark May; Patricia Miltenberger; Chuck Pautler; LaDawn Polzin; Daisy Reese; Tonya Schwindt; Dan Topp; Judy Wigton. Wehling. 1980 Rhonda Austin; Marc Banister; Carol Beesley;Kim Downey (May);Bill Fox; Keith Fox; Christy Graham; Peggy Grasser; Annette Hornung; Tony Isenbart; Lynette Jackson; Kris Kimminau; Trina Kliesen (Benson); Jim Malone; Liz May; Stacey Mays; Monte McCormick; Tammy McCor- mick; Pat Price; Mark Schmidt; Janell Wigton. 1981 Lyle Austin; Brenda Eisenbart; Robby Edwards; Jacque Erbert (Schmidt); T.C. Garrett; Carol Herndon; Bill Hornung; Cindy Isenbart; Ed Isenbart; Jeanette King; Kevin Lueck; Trudi Malone; Steve May; Patricia Maya; Del Schiferl; Nean Schmidt; Terry Schwindt; Janice Simon (Pautler); Tammy Solberg; Jeanine Stegman (Hor- nung); Justin Tatkenhorst; Dave Thompson; Lisa Thyne; Kathy Wieton. 1982 Debbie Austin; Joy Borden; Bob Brachtenbach; Dorothee Bruckner; Todd Fehrenbach; Dennie Flock; Pam Fox; Whit- ney Hornung; Amy Isenbart; Barbara Isenbart; Wade Kliesen; Scott Pottorff; Dick Remos; Mary Ricke; Justin Rueb; Jackie Stegman; Denise Price; Darla Swanson; Jenni Thyne; Joe Valenti; Kenny Valenti; Deb Wilson: Pam Smith. 1983 Julie Austin; Diana Banister; Tammy Flock (Beeson); Connie Brachtenbach; Doreli Bron; Tanya Fehrenbach (Taylor); Rochelle Flock; Jon Fox; Leroy Frazee;Pat Kear; John Lempp; Joy Lowe; Tony Garrett; Steve Huppert; Tim Isenbart; Mary May; Ray McConnell; Tim Miller; Tom Miltenberger; Todd Pottorff; Laura Shulda; Ted Simon; Judi Smelker (Mitchek); David Solberg; Doren Spurlin; Bernard Stegman; Rodney Thompson; Rona Weis. 1984 Kendra Berry; Jacqueline Brachtenbach; Zane Brachtenbach; Cheryl Drescher; Donald Fox; Kenneth Fox; Michelle Fox; Susan Hornung; Timothy Hornung; Dolores King; Dana Kliesen; Garrett McConnell; Donna Monroe; Michael Ramos; Robert Schulte; Steve Schulte; Tricia Schwindt; Mitch Swanson; Rebecca Topp; Lawerance Yoder*. 1985 Shandra Adolf; Karine Berry; Eric Brachtenbach; Pam Brachtenbach; Christine Conrardy; Paul Conrardy; Russel Eisenbart; Greg Engel; Geri Freiberg; Roger Hopewell; Larry Hubbard; Joseph Isenbart; Melinda Isenbart; John Lightle; Kimberly McCombs; Deena Monroe; Ann Simon; Juleen Stegman; Carole Lightle. 1986 Lora Abbott; Cheryl Beeson; Howard Craig; DeAnna Fox; Lisa Gorryn; Anna Hartzmann; Mark Kelley; Ed May; Mike May; Bobbi McCombs; Jim Ramos; Leroy Shields; Karen Simon; Danny Shulda; Bruce Thompson; Gerald Weis; Rhea Wigton. 1987 Kerstin Berry; John Brachenbach; Matt Isenbart; Janine Martin; Rodney Martin; Lonnie Drescher; Craig Fox; Kim Fox; Donna McConnell; James McCormick; Gretchen Neumann; Layne Polzin; Jill Pottorff; Julie Pottorff; Lori Roesch; Alice Schaal; Pam Stramel; Rick Stramel; Wendi Swanson; ..CHURCHES' T366 Of the many facets of pioneer life that played meaningful parts in settling the area we know today as Kit Carson County, nothing assumed greater roles than education and faith in a Higher Power. This is evident from the large response to school stories and having a story submitted for almost every church in the county. With "Churches" we are calling to our attention that four of the churches featured in the 1970 book. White Churches of the Plains, written by Robert Hickman Adams and published by Colorado Associated University Press are about churches whose stories are recounted in the Kit Carson County History Booft: Seibert United Methodist, Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune, Stratton United Methodist Church and the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Stratton which is now the Stratton Public Library. In his foreword to that book Thomas Hornsby Ferril, famous Colorado author, stated "People lacking beauty tend to create it." In its unique fashion the prairie was and is beautiful, but the stark and unending sweep of the plains before fences and roads, the trials, disappointments and daily monotony, the vicissitudes of weather, and the ceaseless change of seasons accompanied by infrequent times of exulting in accomplishment drew those hardy souls to attempt fulfilling their fragile dreams by grasping for some visible and constant symbol of beauty and steadfastness that would stay within their grasp. Building and maintaining these churches reflects to us the love and dedication and yearning of great hearts and minds among the early pioneers and their descendants reaching even into today. by Dorothy C. Smith CHURCH OF GOD T367 In the homestead days of 1912 and 1913, Grandma Thomas, who lived north of Stratton, felt the need for a church in her community. Mrs. Thomas began conducting cottage prayer meetings in her home. Grandma Thomas had contact with the Church of God in Kansas. Through her invitation Rev. Clarence Bright and wife held a revival in an adobe school house known as the Thyne School in the year 1916. Near the close ofthat year or the beginning of L9L7 a Sunday School was organized. In August 1918, Mrs. Pearl Norris and Miss Birdie Luther held a two weeks meeting in the same school house. At this time they decided to change from a Union Sunday School to Church of God Sundav School. �to raise money for the Building Fund. This began the practice of a Fall Ingathering Dinner which continues as a yearly extra project for the church. In 1965 bids were opened for the construction of the present building. Geo. H. Allen Construction Co. of Denver was the low bidder. Dan Rohwer was the architect. The Building Committee was Wendell Arnold, Howard Taton, Ray Bishop, Mrs. Joe Garner, Mrs. John Hasart. Kenneth Scheierman and Loyd Hostetler. The new church was dedicated October 24, t965. A dream of 12 years had come to be a reality. The church paid off their loan in 1972 and they are free ofdebt. A new building fund is being held for the construction of an educational unit. Merrill Smith pastored the church at the time the new building was constructed and returned to pastor the church again in 1987. The roster of Ministers is as follows: R.E. Hooper 1918-1923, T. Wade Good The Church of God, Stratton, 1942, in the process of being remodeled. (ready for the stucco). who lived in Stratton, and he was afraid to carry the loan so they refinanced to pay him off. In just a few weeks after the church paid him, the local bank failed, and the man lost all his money. The first building was a one room structure with no basement at a cost of between $2800.00 and $3000.00. It was dedicated in May 1920. Rev. Hooper pastored the church until . ot;-.'1."1*-r-' -,* _,-),'t- .r* The Church of God as it stands in 1988, built in 1965. They began using Church of God literature. R.E. Hooper, who lived south of Stratton, had felt his call to the ministry and he began preaching in the Thyne School and held services Sunday mornings. A.G. Lovell held a revival for the small church in the little school house in November 1919. This meeting brought out people from town. The people were in the process of starting a building fund to build a church. On December 6, 1919, a business meeting was held at the Thyne School for the purpose of deciding as to the wishes of the congregation in regard to building a new chapel and such other business as might be considered. The motion was made and carried that the church be built in Stratton. Will Sweangen was elected President of the Building Committee and R.E. Hooper was elected as SecretaryTreasurer. Pledges were taken and totaled $1850.00. Those who pledged were Mr. and Mrs. D.B. Sealock. Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Garner, Rev. and Mrs. R.E. Hooper, Mr. and Mrs. Will Sweangner, Will Sealock, Mr. and Mrs. D.B. Thomas, Laura Sweangen and Merlin McNees. Lots were purchased at the site of the present church buiding. The money was raised by pledges of money and articles from the farm. Some gave horses, cattle, chickens, machinery or whatever they could give which was sold at a public sale. The balance of the money needed was borrowed from an individual. The money was borrowed from a man 1923. T. Wade Good followed him and was with the church until 1926. Rev. Good supported himself one year during his pasto- rate in order for the church to pay off their debt. In 1934 Rev. R.E. Hooper returned to pastor the church again. The church purchased a parsonage and the Hoopers moved into it. It was located in the block south of the present parsonage. During his pastorage the church was remodeled and a full basement put under the church. Rev. and Mrs. C.W. Baldwin came to the church when the Hoopers left. The Church sold their parson- age and purchased the Hasart house which is still used as a parsonage. It has been remodeled since then. In 1945 the furnace smoked filling the church with thick black oil webs. The ladies of the church cooked meals and the men and women came in to clean away the heavy black smoke. They were very thankful that the church did not burn. In the early 1950's the church basement was enlarged to make ready for an enlarged sanctuary. In the middle fifties a building fund was started for a new church building. A God's Acre project was promoted one year when different farmers in the church gave a few acres of crop to the building fund. There was a drouth during this period and the amount of money raised was small. Kenneth Scheierman then offered to give up the lease on a quarter of land he was farming which belonged to Baughman's. The church rented it and farmed for the Building Fund. This proved to be a big boost to the Building Fund. During one year of this time, the income from the land had to be used to pay the current church expenses, Pastor Harold Taves and his brother-inlaw fished in Canada each summer and when they came home, they would have a fish fry 1923-1926, J.N. Richardson 1927-1930, W.B. Morgan 1930-1932, David Lighty 1932-1934, R.E. Hooper 1934-1943, C.W. Baldwin 19431947, S.C. Ritchhart 1947-1948, E.C. Arthur 1948-1952, Fred Bruner 1952-1958, Harold Taves 1958-1959, Merrill Smith 1960-1968, Wilbert Nelson 1968-1973, Merrill Cunningham 1973-1978, Wayne Woodworth 19781980, Donald L. Bloomer 1980-1987, Merrill Smith 1987-. by Mabel Scheierman SAINT CHARLES BORREMO CHURCH T368 Even before 1900, Franciscan priests from St. Elizabeth's Church in Denver served as missionaries for communities in East Central Colorado. In 1909, the Franciscans turned these missions over to the Diocese of Denver. Bishop Matz assigned Monsignor Godfrey Raber and his assistants to serve the many missions in the area. In Stratton, Mass was usually held once a year in the hall over the old bank (now the Roadrunner). Priests who came to Stratton during the years of 1909 and 1912 included: R. Charles Hagus, Fr. Cloppet, Fr. Felix Abel, Fr. George Fenske, and Father Alphonse Kieffer. In 1910, a committee was formed to raise funds and build a church. Leo Craig was appointed chairman by Fr. Raber. O.S. Taylor and C.E. Malamphy also served on the committee. Members of the parish contributed funds, labor by constructing the basement, and items to furnish the church. A Mr. Leofflor, who was not a Catholic, donated the land. The Catholic Church Extension Society donated $500 and an altar. A local builder, Mr. Huntington, was hired as the contractor. The cornerstone of the first St. Charles Church edifice was laid on November 17, 1910. Planks placed on nail kegs served as pews. Mass was then held once a month. In May 1912, Rev. George Fenske was appointed pastor of St. Charles and its missions, which at that time included Hugo, Burlington, Kirk and Seibert. Due to Fr. Fenske's illness, Rev. Alphonse Kieffer was appointed pastor in 1913. He first lived in one of the Sacristies in the church and ate his meals with the Ollie Taylors, who lived across �to travel on because ofthe ruts than were the side roads through the prairie. The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Dubuque, Iowa arrived in September of 1919, and taught school in Stratton for the next eight years. Sister Mary Charles Duffy was the first directress. She became ill with the flu and died here on March 21, L920. She taught the upper grades and was an artist. Sister Mary Loyola was the next directress. Sister Mary Arangelia Duffy taught music for the eight years and gave individual violin lessons in the kitchen. Sister Mary Therese was the teacher for the lower grades. Sister Mary Agnes was the cook for the school and for Fr. Schmidt and the caretaker. She used a coal stove. Clara Knockel recalled sitting with her feet on the oven door to get warmed up. Other teachers included: Sister Mary Clara, Sister Mary Annunciata, and Sister Mary Juliana. Three lay teachers also worked during the last few years this particular order of sist€rs were here. Miss Mary Horrell (later Mrs. Joe Dvorak) taught the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades, in 1924-25 for 925.00 per month. Miss Grace Comerdy taught the first and second grades one year, and Miss Lucille Wisco the 5th, 6th and 7th grades in L926-27. This was the last year that the Presentation sisters cnme to St. Saint Charles Borremo Church built in 1910. Charles. In 1920, the cornerstone was laid for the St. Charles Academy. The initial cost of the building was $42,000, but the total cost was eventually $125,000 due to the accumulated interest. This was a controversial project from the beginning. It was commonly agreed that a larger school was needed. Some people felt that an academy where girls from the surrounding area could board and room would help develop the parish. Other people felt that this was too ambitious a goal. Once the decision was made, however, many people St. Charles Catholic Church built in 1949 replacing their first structure. The new Parish House and Religious Center built in 1983. replaced Father Kieffer. One of Fr. Schmidt's accomplishments was extending the church to the east in 1918, the new part being the Sanctuary. In 1919, Fr. Schmidt moved into the little white house so the Sist€rs could live and conduct school in the rectory. The south half of the rectory was for the upper grades. The lower grades were taught in the adobe addition. The adobe had double seats with three to a seat. There was a well with a windmill, also a cistern northeast of the The two story brick rectory built in 1915. the street to the west. With his own money, Fr. Kieffer built a little white house, approximately where the church stands today. This little one story house was moved, in later years, to the southeast of the church, but still in the same block, and the caretakers for the church property lived in it. At one time, George Quinn was one of the caretakers. In 1915, the two story brick rectory was built. An adobe addition was later added on the east side. Fr. Kieffer had his office in this addition, with a bedroom upstairs. He had to go outside and up the staircase to reach his bedroom. The adobe also had a cellar under the porch. In 1917, Father Felix Schmidt rectory. Sister Marie Therese would pull out a bucket of water and the students would all line up to get a drink after dinner. In the winter, since there was not much heat in the adobe, the students would take turns standing where the heat came into the room, holding their books to study all the while. Some children c'me by horse and buggy; some walked. Josephine, Alice and Anthony Walker walked eight miles to school when they couldn't catch a ride. The Knockel pledged funds. Unfortunately, a period of drought and hard times followed, forcing many to leave their land and move away, leaving the debt on those members of the parish who remained. Father Munich arrived in 1921. During the 1928-29 school years, the children attended public schools, and Father Munich conducted religious classes in the church each Saturday morning after Mass. Clara Knockel wrote that after Father Munich was sure individuals among older children knew their Iessons he would have them help with the lower classes. Miss Knockel would go up front and ask the lst, 2nd, and 3rd grade girls their catechism. Helen Weibel (later Mrs. Joe Bunger) was sent up to ask the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd boys their catechism. The Sisters of the Most Precious Blood from O'Fallon, Missouri taught school from September 1929 to May of 1960 when St. Charles.Academy was closed due to a shortage of teaching sisters. Sister Mary Walburges was the first Superior. Sister Mary Geraldine taught music. She had been on the stage in Europe before she became a num. Other sisters from that order who taught during these years included Sister Madeline, Sister Christine Marie, Sister Virginia, and Sister Aurelia who also taught piano to many children had to travel seven miles to school. Miss Clara Knockel remembered that the driver would put the top down on their Ford so that it could go faster. She recalled the time of a blizzard and two of the sisters wrapped her up in their shawls for the ride young men and women. Father Munich served St. Charles parish until 1936, when he became ill. He died in Denver in 193?; Father Henry J. Ernst was appointed pastor in September, 1937. He became ill in 1946, and home. In bad weather the highway was harder Fr. George Spehar and Father Edward Dinan �each assisted in the interim. Father Dinan was later appointed pastor and served the parish for over twenty years. Due to the growth of the congregation, a larger church was needed, The cornerstone for the new church was laid on February 23, 1949. The church was dedicated on July 28, 1949. A large hall containing an auditorium, kitchen and dining facilities was built in 1952 and dedicated on Dec. 15th of that year. In 1983, the old St. Charles Academy was torn down because its state of deterioration made it an unsafe place to hold CCD classes. The rectory was replaced by a building which functions as both the parish house and the religious center. The new rectory was dedicated on June 19, 1983. Pastors since Father Dinan include: Fr. II. These members, wishing to continue to observe the teachings and practices of their God-given faith and also to be loyal to the 2000 year tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, sought out priests, who were loyal to 'eternal Rome'of St. Peter and his successors. to offer the Traditional Latin Mass, the Mass of the Saints. Father Placid White, O.S.B., the first resident priest, came to the area from Springfield, Colorado where he had served the Catholics of Southeastern Colorado for sixteen years. At present, Father Eugene R. Berry of Aurora, Colorado offers the Traditional Latin Mass on a scheduled basis at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Chapel, Stratton. by Joann Hornung Maclnerney, Fr. Bannigan, Fr. Sobiesczyk, Fr. Wm. Murphy, and Fr. Edward Leonard. Fr. John Krenzke is the priest in 1988. Boys from St. Charles who became priests were: Rev. Hugo Pautler, ordained in 1932, Rev. George Weibel, ordained in 1948, and Rev. John Holloway, ordained in 1955. Girls from St. Charles who became nuns include: Barbara Wurtele, Mary Dvorak, Helen Wein- gardt, Augusta Weingardt, Elenora Byrnes, Kathleen Green, Mary Alice Isenbart, and Marcia Grasser. Early families in the parish include the Anthofer, Balanga, Brachtenbach, Brock, Dischner, Dvorak, Evans, Fierstein, Flageolle, Ford, Heiman, Horrell, Hahn, Taylor, Jostes, Knockel, Leoffler, Wm. Nowak, Paut- ler, Pelle, Quinn, Schiferl, Simon, Stoffel, Strick, Walker, Thomas, Thyne, Weibel, Weingardt, Wolf, Zurcher, and Thomasen families. Many descendants of these families are still active in the St. Charles parish and the Stratton community today. The history of this church were taken from materials written by Miss Clara Knockel in May of 1969, and a letter from Mr. Leo F. Craig in 1953, and personal conversations with Mr. Louis Pautler. by Elizabeth Whipple OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATIIOLIC CHAPEL T369 Int974,a group of Roman Catholics joined together because of the radical changes caused by the 'so called' reforms of Vatican Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Chapel near Stratton. ST. PAULS LUTHERAN CHURCH T370 St. Pauls Lutheran Church was built in L92L. In 1949 the congregation purchased the Nazarene Church which had abandoned services in Stratton. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, was started in Stratton by the Flagler Church as their mission church. Their pastor, Rev. Beirwagen came and gathered several families together for worship. In 1920 they organized into a congregation. The charter members came from the following families, the Wollers from Vona, Gaddys, Gerke, Pischke, and Lucas. They gathered in the John Gerke home for worship under the leadership of Rev. Vuesing, who interned here for one year. They were encouraged to build a house that could be used for a church. At that time they were a part of the Kansas District of the Missouri Synod. Funds were borrowed from the mission fund of the district and Mr. Joe Collins gave them the lots and helped them build their first house of worship. The church was dedicated in1922 free of debt as they had paid the loan off by that time. Their first Pastor was Rev. Webber. Next came Rev. and Mrs. Christ Adams. They stayed for a year and one half leaving due to health reasons. Rev. Biens came and stayed for a long time. During this time the church grew with the addition of the Grammol, Chris Zogg, Erth- man, Meyer, Einspahr, Scheierman, Mucho and other families. Later other families joined them from the Burlington area. They were the Lucke, and Seelhoff families. The Hasart family joined in the thirties along with others who cannot be recalled. In 1949 they traded their "house" for the church building of the Nazarene Church. The Nazarene Church wanted to sell their building but couldn't find a buyer prompting the trade for the house . . . Worship services were held there until 1979 when the congregation voted to fold due to declining membership. The Church building along with some of the contents was sold in 1980. Mr. Curt Jostes purchased the building converting it into a lovely home. The old bell went to Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington. Mrs. Hilda Lucas is the only remaining charter member living at this time. by Hilda Lucas STRATTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH T371 The Constitution and By-Laws of the Claremont Congregational Church were adopted March 10, 1888, when it was organized in the home of Mrs. Lucy Hobart. She and her daughter Clara were the only members. Rev. Martin H. Meade was a traveling pastor who came through and held services when he could. In 1889 a building fund was started. Rev. George E. Tuttle was the first resident minister, moving to Claremont on March 1, 1892. By July, 1896, when he left, there were 27 members, Some names that are familiar are Mr. and Mrs. N.H. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Davis, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wellman. Starting in the winter of 1896 services were held only once each month so the pastor could travel farther west and carry the message to more people. He served Seibert and Flagler, also. Rev. C.W. Smith then served Seibert, Flagler, Cope, and Kirk part-time and Clare- mont all of the time until March 1. 1901. Brother Peter Rasmussin of Cope preached a few Sundays at 3:00 p.m. until Rev. N.H. Nash came to Claremont on May 5, 1901, for a salary of $100 per year. His parish consisted of Cope, Seibert, Bethune, and Claremont. On March 1, 1903, Rev. F.S. Hughes became the preacher in this parish. On July 3, 1904, he preached his farewell sermon to the Claremont Church. Rev. J.W. Tipton of Burlington filled in until September 4, 1904, when Rev. J.L. Read was called to be the pastor for a salary of $200.00 per year plus a parsonage, which was bought from Mr. Book for $450. At that time the average Sunday service attendance was 36. In 1906 the members voted to take up a collection at each service to be used as needed for the church. On June 14, 1908, the name ofthe church was changed to the Congregational Church of Stratton as the town's name had been changed. The Methodists had built a basement and used it for a time but were no longer able to continue having a church in Stratton. So the Congregational Church bought this basement and built the First Congregational Church on it for a total cost of $2,012.69. During the next 14 years there were increases and decreases in membership, pastors came and went, and services were held when possible. Sunday School was held regularly and officers of the church were elected and active. On September 22, 1922, Rev. Barton, pastor ofthe Seibert Congregational Church, became pastor of the Stratton Congregational Church, also. His salary was $1,600 per year paid half by Seibert and half by Stratton. Rev. Barton resigned September 16, 1923. Several ministers c"me and delivered a sermon but did not want to serve two churches. On Novembet 24, L924, Rev. J.T. Bainbridge of the Methodist Church in Burlington came over and held a worship service at 2:30 p.m. He agreed to do this on �I i i : AA Iu ,,"-m Stratton United Methodist Church, 1988, one of the "Little White Churches of the Plains" On October L2, 193L, the trustees of the Congregational Community Church voted to lease the church building to the Evangelical Church for 925 per year, although no payment is recorded in the financial statements of the following years. At a special meeting held in 1942, the Stratton Congregational Community Church became the Stratton Evangelieal Church and the deed to the parsonage and church property was turned over to them. The parsonage was sold to Mrs. Anna Scheierman and the house on the corner of 3rd and Colorado Avenue was Community Congregational Church, now United Methodist Church at Stratton, t920-23. an irregular basis. Then from December 1, 1926 until May 1, 1927, Rev. Jockins of Idalia Methodist Church served as pastor for the Stratton Church with two services each month. In February L927, a fire broke out in the little room under the stairs in the basement of the church. Mr. Stoner repaired the damage to the building for 9266.35 but the organ had to be replaced. ' A special meeting was called on March 28, 1927, with Rev. Jockins presiding. Under consideration was the changing of the church to an Evangelical Community Church or, if that did not pass, changing it to the Stratton Congregational Community Church. The motion for the first change did not pass, but the one for the second name change did pass. On May 2, t927, Rev. Alfred Alf came to Stratton, with his wife and 2 daughters, to serve as the full time minister of the church. A new constitution and By-Laws were written and charter memberships were accepted until the end of May, 1927. Rev. Alf served in Stratton for about one year. Sunday School and other activities were continued after he left but no regular minister was assigned. A worship service was held only when a visiting minister could be available. The Evangelical Church rented the sanctuary and started having regular worship services on February 10, 1929, with a membership of 46. Rev. C.E. Glaze was the pastor. bought for a parsonage. In L946 the Evangelical Church merged with the United Brethern Church thus the Stratton Evangelical United Brethern Church came into being. At the annual meeting held on March 27, !947, the pastor, Rev. Erickson, presided. The following officers were elected: Marge Brown, secretary; Geneva Hill, treasurer; trustees, Elora Calverly and Russell Sawyer; class leader Adeline Sawyer; assistant, E.R. Smith; Sunday School Supt., Earl Kindred; 1st asst., Vena Scheierman; 2nd asst., Marge Brown; secretary, Dessie Cassity; Membershin cnm E R Smifh ond Elnro fa"l.'."|.' Tearing down the church steeple and remodeling the kitchen were discussed and referred to the Ladies Aid. During the next few months the church steeple was discussed but nothing was done about tearing it down. In April of 1948, a building committee was elected to start on plans for remodeling the church. Ernest Pottorff, Vena Scheierman. and Art Lowe were elected. A goal of g12,000 was set for this project. Rev. Francis Bayles, Jr. came to Stratton as the pastor in June, 1948. The Building Committee was instructed to get an architect to make plans for the remodeling. In September the plans were presented for the remodeling at an estimated cost of$8,100. 96,100 was on hand or pledged, $1,500 promised from Conference, 91,100 promised for new pews by the Ladies Aid, making a total pledged of $8,700. The committee was instructed to proceed with the remodeling as economically as possible. On March 3, 1949, the estimate of amount needed to complete the project $b,260. A campaign for more money was started and the Ladies Aid would help to make up the difference. Volunteers could be dependld to do some of the labor. A loan in the amount of $6,000 was secured so the building could be finished. On January 15, 1950 plans were started for the rededication of the remodeled building. The rededication was held on March 19, 19b0, with an all day celebration. The Reverend Virgil J. Lnmm came to Stratton in June, Lgl2,to be the pastor ofthe Stratton E.U.B. Church. At the Administrative Council meeting held in November, 19b2, the three pulpit chairs were given to the Bethune E.U.B. Church. At the November. 1953 Council meeting it was announced that Stratton's invitation to host Annual Conference had been accepted. The dates were May 26, thru May 30, 1954. Plans for beds. breakfasts, and transportation for some of the guests to stay in Bethune, Kirk, and Seibert were discussed. Some of the meals were to be served by the Ladies Aid in the Church or perhaps in the school lunch room. Because of this careful planning the whole affair was a great success. During the next years, under Rev. Lamm's strong leadership, the church grew in mem- bership and attendance. Helen Kerl was appointed church treasurer in March, 19bb. Money was always in short supply but with every-member canvasing and a firm understanding of stewardship the bills were always paid even if things were pretty close sometimes. With faithful giving and some sacrificial giving the financial position ofthe church slowly improved. In June, 1957, Rev. Lamm suggested that the membership was increasing and it was becoming necessary to acquire more space. It was reported that the property north of the church might be available. Also the parsonage was getting very rundown and inadequate. Extensive remodeling and improvement was needed. Building a new parsonage might be more economical than the work on the old one. On April 23, 1958, the Council voted unanimously to buy the property on the north side of the Church for $8.800. A letter was sent to every member and a special meeting was called to vote on buying this property.On May 7, 1958, the vote was 84 for buying it and 18 against. At that time the average attendance at Sunday School was 115. The cottage on this property was greatly needed to use as Sunday School class rooms. The cottagewas dedicated July27,19b8. The final payment on the property was made on Sept. 17, 1958 instead of on the due date which was June 1, 1960. During the summer and fall of 1961 several suggestions on a new parsonage or remodel- ing were investigated. On September 21, 1961, a special congregational meeting was called to vote on trading the current parsonage at the corner ofColorado and 3rd Ave. for Nusser's lots, north of the E.U.B. Cottage, and $4,000 cash. The vote was 19 yes and 18 no and the exchange was made. Guy Ancell was given the contract to build the new parsonage with a full basement for 917,000, not including the wiring and fixtures, about $500, as Max Toland had pledged to do the wiring. Financial statement for the building of the parsonage - Cash on hand $4,127; borrow $7,500; making a total of 917,500. In March it was voted to borrow the $6.?50- still �owed the Conference at 6 percent interest, served nearly 4 years (through June' 1983). Sunday evening 18, and prayer meeting 16. In June 25, 1964 Rev. V.J. Lamm was sent Niwot, Colorado moved to Stratton on July the District and Conference Mission Teams. Membership remained a little above 100 for these years. In June, 1982, Rev. Bingham accepted the Hotchkiss/Crawford charge in getting more youth and more young families into the church. On September 7, 1966, he reported an average attendance at Sunday Greenwood, having married Ernest Greenwood, a long time resident of this community. The Auxiliary received a charter in June, moved to Stratton and served the Stratton/Seibert parish until his death in November, 1982. Rev. Douglas Lewis served this parish on weekends from January, 1982, until in June, 1983, when he became the fulltime pastor until June, 1985 when he moved back to South Carolina. Rev. Marge Huffman was appointed to the Stratton/Seibert Parish in June, 1985. Great plans are being made for the Stratton United Methodist Church's Centennial Celebration The charter members were Ursula Fitzgerald, from the Stratton First National Bank at 5 percent interest and pay off the Conference loan. At that time the average attendance was: Sunday School 80, worship service 70, to Peetz, Colorado. Rev. David Finley of 28, L964. Two of his first concerns were School of 46.0 and worship service 46.5. October was designated as Church Loyalty Month to boost attendance' Dorothy Smith and Helen Karl were appointed to prepare a prospect list and implement it with a followup call. In 1967 the 3 churches in Stratton, Church of God, St. Charles Catholic Church, and E.U.B. Church, started working together on helping the migrants in the community. A Joint Conference meeting with Kirk, Bethune, and Stratton on September 19, 1967' was held and the members were reminded that as ofApril 23, 1968, our churches names would be changed to The United Methodist Church. The curriculum of the E'U'B. and These were good years for the Stratton U.M.C. with a strong Sunday school and youth program. The United MethodistWomen were very active with members serving on the western part of Colorado and is still serving there in 1988, but is now Rev. Doris In June, 1982, Rev. Eldon Shoemaker in May of 1988. by Belle B. Danforth Methodist Churches had been written to- gether for the last two years. District orientation groups were suggested. The mortgage on the parsonage was paid off and a celebration service was held on October 29, 1967. It was suggested that the church recognize the uniting ofthe two churches in an appropriate STRATTON AMERICAN LEGION POST way at the discretion of the pastor. Rev. Finley used part of his vacation to attend the Uniting Conference in Dallas. A new bulletin board was erected south of the church and was dedicated on May 12, 1968. The memorial fund was reserved for a new organ. During the next four years membership decreased slightly but attendance at Sunday school and worship service remained stable. New hymnals were purchased. In June, 1972, Rev. Charles M. Wood was assigned to the Stratton/Seibert Parish. The membership in Stratton was 137, with an average attendance in Sunday school of 56 and in worship service 64. New loudspeakers were installed. A memorial plaque was placed in the church and.a2 drawer file cabinet with lock was purchased to be placed in the parsonage. A Baldwin organ was bought from Hershberger, McCook, Nebraska, for $2,395. A new furnace with air conditioning cabinets was installed with air conditioning to come later if money were available. A Building Committee was elected to work on plans for an education building. In June, 1974, Rev. George Dagenakis was appointed as pastor for the Stratton/Seibert Parish. After much work and some disappointments, the work of the Building Committee finally paid off. The contract was let to Ezra Yoder and the building finished near the end of 1977 at a total cost of $65,000' The trustees signed a 6 month note at the Stratton First National Bank which was paid off in 4 months. The dedication and mortgage burning was cause for real celebration with Greeley District Superintendent Jon R. Nieves joining in this time of joy and thanksgiving. In July, 1978, Rev. Frank Harvey came to the Stratton/Seibert Parish on a temporary basis. Rev. Doris L. Bingham was appointed fn fhio norioh fhe firsf nf Sentemher end T'J72 STRATTON AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY T373 The American Legion post and the Auxilia- ry were named for the first two World War I veterans killed in service, Nagel-Rehms. 1926, with J.G. Ford, Commander, and G.E. Quinn, Adjutant, conducting the ceremony. Ada Hunt, Cora Janeway, Gladys Quinn, Jane Pugh, Margaret Epperson, Olive Bertch, Anna Quinn, Inez Ford, and Henrietta Barry. Meetings were held at the Collins Hotel sitting room. Later they moved to the homes where they pieced and tied quilts to sell. They moved to the present Legion Hall which was built in 1948 after World War II. Activities through the years have included having Capper's hospital equipment for community service and use, making and sending knee robes to Fort Lyons and the VA Hospital in Denver, sending cookies with Christmas gifts and a TV for use at Fort Lyons, buying and selling poppies to help the Disabled Veterans, sponsoring space for the library for several years, sponsoring a girl at Girls' State, and hosting Gold Mothers teas. The Gold Star Mothers were Elva Holloway, son Alfred; Nettie Taylor, son Vance; Carrie Wolf, son Frank; Clara Hoyda, son Chester; Esther Mclean, son Chester; Clara Doddridge, son Philip; Lula Hooper, son Floyd; Rosie Gray, son Kenny Hanson; Hilda Lucas, son Ernst. Each year we fix decoration for the departed veterans on Memorial Day. We have a three generation trio of ladies and members: Grace Greenwood, Vera Greenwood, and Karen Greenwood Eastland. Two generation members are Edith Fehrenbach and granddaughter Tanya Fehrenbach Taylor. Our meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month in the dining room of the American Legion Hall. by Lola Gramoll The home of Nagel-Rehms Post No. 138 since 1948 in Stratton. Application for membership to maintain a Post of the American Legion was granted to Stratton. Colorado on June 15, 1922, to be known as Nagel-Rehms Post No. 138. The name Nagel-Rehms was chosen to honor the first two men from this area who had lost their lives in World War I. After World War II the membershiP swelled with World War II veterans being eligible for membership. The old Midway Theatre building was purchased to maintain the Post. The present building was erected in 1948 and continues to be the center of much community activity as well as providing the Legion's home. The Post now has a membership of 86. by Ray Schifierl M.S.A. CLUB HISTORY T374 "M.S.A. Club was organized in 1933 by a group of sixteen Stratton ladies who sought by inspiring relationship and mutual ex- change of ideas to better themselves, their families and their community." The first of 54 scrapbooks has this rather stilted sentence to explain the beginnings of M.S.A. Club. The first meeting was held Oct. 3, 1933 with Helen Liebee presiding as President. The second meeting wae a tea honoring Mrs. A.G. Fish. President of Colorado State Federation of Women's Clubs. Topics that were discussed at that meeting were Hitlerism, Monetary standards, Inflation and the N.R.A.Code. Of these Inflation and Monetary Standards, are still timely as are many topics that the ladies delved into during the years with emphasis in 1987 on obsewing the Bicentennial Celebration of the America Constitution. Now bv Derusing through fifty-four year- �worthy projects - the Community Scholar- ship Fund, the Heart Fund, A.M. Cancer Fund, March of Dines, CARE, Stratton Swimming Pool, the Kit Carson County Carousel Restoration Fund, Deric Bauman Day, and a donation to the United Methodist Church Library in memory of the late Doris Peters in recognition of 28 years of faithful membership in the Club. Another project sponsored by the Club was the establishment of a City Library, Mrs. Dessie Cassity, Chairman of the library Committee will always be remembered for her tireless efforts in finding a suitable building, soliciting financial support from the town, promoting the donation of books and securing the services of the Bookmobile beginning April 7, 1959. In 1968 the Club bought a set of Encyclopedia Brittanica for the Library. Much credit should be given to other members who supported the Library or served on the Board including the late Doris Peters who dedicated so much of her time as Librarian. When the Stratton Public Library MSA Club, the sponsoring organization for this book. Back row, left to right: Marie Greenwood, Shirley Hornung, Mabel Scheierman, Patty Witzel, Wanda Sweet, Florence McConnell. Middle row: Marlyn Hasart, Henrietta Schlte, Belle Danforth, Betty Stewart, Dorothy Smith, Dorothy Stegman, Eileen Cure. Front row: June Pottorff, Sharon Todd. books and scrapbooks we can recall that the M.S.A. Club has promoted a great variety of programs and projects such as Guest Night, Mother's Day Teas, Husband's Parties, reports from Columbine Girls State which the club helped sponsor, Safety programs, Energy Saving and Community Beautification programs, reports from 4-H Club members some of whom were delegates to the Citizen's Short Course in Washington D.C., talks by Foreign Exchange Students, a demonstration bythe County E.W.L., Ambulance Director, high school parties up to the year 1948 when we changed to honoring the High School Senior Girls with a dinner and evening of entertainment, In 1971, a program, arranged by Dorothy Smith and open to the public, featured a guest speaker, Mrs. Galla- gher, the Director of Ridge Home. Other outstanding programs have been "History of Early Pioneers", the Colorado water situation, Child abuse, Keep America Beautiful, Living with a Handicap with Irene Armistead, a paraplegic, as guest speaker; lawyer who explained the legal processes of estates and wills; The administrator of a Nursing Home, Hugh O'Brian Reports; Organ Donors; Reports on National Conventions; and County Nurse on Sex Education in the schools. In 1946, the Club entertained the other Clubs of Pikes Peak District with a pageant of Colorado History, using original script written and directed by the members with Oct. 26th, and are preserved in the scrapbook for that year. On Oct. 22, 1983 the Club celebrated its Golden Anniversary. Several State and District officers attended as well as former members. and members of other Federated Clubs. A history of the Club was read as well as letters from former members. One former member who was 96 years old that year is still keeping in touch with the Club at the age of 100 years in 1987. M.S.A. has had many outstanding pro- grsms and special speakers. On February 19, 1974 the club hosted a group ofboys from the Colorado Boy's Ranch, LaJunta, Colorado. After partaking of a scrumptious supper, the boys favored the club with a musical program and Indian dances for which they are famous. This program was open to the public. In 1977, Jo Downey, Executive Director of East Central Council of Governments, gave a program on Housing and Community Beautification. Other enjoyable programs were on poetry by Bonny Gould, Art by Roy Duell, Hummell Collecting by Frank Liebl, Doll Collecting and repair by Naomi Allison of Greeley and Oil Painting by Sally Bauder of Burlington. One of the most enduring projects of M.S.A. Club is Stratton's City Park established in 1939 with tremendous physical effort from members and their husbands who carried water to nourish the trees. This site is an attractive addition to Stratton and the many tourists who use its shade and ameni- correlating background scenery. In 1947, the ties each year. The public swimming pool and tennis courts are there. Now a part ofthe city many of the organizations in Town participating and competing for prizes. government's responsibility. M.S.A. is very proud of the latest improvement, the delightful gazebo provided with lottery money. The Club has made a number of donations to the San Juan National Forest in the name of bereaved members. They have also contributed to many health drives and other Club put on a Talent Show Contest with In 1958-59, The Club celebrated its Silver Anniversary. The past presidents were contacted and the letters which they wrote constitute history in themselves. These letters were read at a special Guest Night on outgrew the small downtown building, the club supported the city of Stratton in its mandating of efforts to establish new quarters and develop greater use of the town's facility. M.S.A. Club chose sodding of the area and some floral plantings surrounding the historical site, once the Seventh Day Adventist Church, as its major contribution to this project. As M.S.A. Club members as well as Stratton Public Library board officers, Belle Danforth and Dorothy Smith have been closely involved in this endeavor. In order to finance their activities the Club has had many money making projects. For the last seven years it has compiled and sold Community Calendars to the people in the Stratton Community. Birthdays, anniversaries and community and sports events are recorded on the calendars. During the years, the members have been actively involved in the pursuits of the District and the State Federation of Women's Clubs. M.S.A. Club has always taken its turn at being convention hostess club. Several members have served as State Chairman of various departments. Four members have held the office of Pikes Peak District President - Manda J. Borders about 1950. Mabel Scheierman in 1964-66, Florence McConell in 1972-74, and Shirley Hornung in 1976-78. Many awards have been received at District and State Conventions including ribbons on our scrapbooks. Others have been environmental undertakings and several years the Club was cited for collecting the most cancelled stamps. In 1982 they received the Sears Community Improvement Award. One member, Dorothy Smith, was sponsored by the Club as the Colorado Mother of the year 1973 and was honored by the Colorado Mother's Committee as a Colorado Merit Mother at a luncheon in Denver April 21, t973. In 1982, the Club nominated Whitney Hornung, daughter of member Shirley Hornung, as teenage volunteer of the year. Another community project was the preservation of the old bell and belltower taken from the recently demolished old brick school building and placed in front of the new elementary school building where it was dedicated during the Stratton Day-Homecoming celebrations Oct. 8, 1983. The most recent large project sponsored by M.S.A. CIub with members Marilyn Hasart �November and December being combined through the years 1962 ending in October and Dorothy Smith as co-chairman, is the monumental task of gathering and compiling a History of Kit Carson County to be published in 1988 in celebration of the 1966. In the following years they have gone back to March through October meetings. They have enjoyed lessons on many garden subjects led usually by a club member. They have toured gardens in the community and have had some interesting field trips to other gardens and green houses from Goodland, Kansas to Denver. Colorado. county's century of development. Past Presidents: Helen Liebee 1933, Winnie Bradshaw 1934, Genevieve Murfin 1935, Florence Cavey 1936, Mary Evans 1937, Gladys Herburger 1938, June Scofield 1939, Ellora Calverley 1940, Gertrude Rose 1941, The Club promoted flower growing and Dessie Cassity 1942, Leona Stapp and June Scofield 1943, Polly Thiringer 1944, Gladys Herburger 1945, Myrtle Hanley 1946, Marie Greenwood 1947, Manda Borders 1948-49, Mabel Guy 1950, Lucile Lepper 1951, Mary Anne Bradshaw 1952-53, Dorothy Smith 1954-55, Mabel Scheierman 1956-57, Lucile Lepper 1958-59, Eleanor Proctor 1960-61, Betty Miller 1962-63, Doris Peters 1964-65, Florence McConnell 1966-67, Wanda Sweet 1968-69, Helen Mclean 1970, Dorothy Smith 1971, Doris Peters 1972-73, Mabel Scheierman 197 4-75, Belle Danfofih L976-77 , Eileen Cure 1978-79, Dorothy Smith 1980-81, Florence McConnell 1982-85, Patty Witzel 198688. by Marie Greenwood STRATTON GARDEN CLUB T375 The Stratton Garden Club was organized in 1957 fulfilling the dream of Mrs. Dessie Cassity. Mrs. Cassity had visited friends and relatives who were members of a Garden Club and her keen interest in gardening prompted Stratton Garden Club soon after organizing: Left to right: Mabel Scheierman, Helen Mclean, Dessie Cassity, Belle Pottorff, Edith Malone, Gladys Kerl, Cora Hansen, Marge Brown. her to action. She invited a group of ladies to her home on June 19, 1957. She also invited members of the Burlington Garden Club to give direction in the organization of a Garden Club for Stratton. The Club began after that meeting with Mrs. Cassity as its first president. The CIub elected to not become a federated Garden Club because ofthe reports and emphasis on items that were not of interest to them. Dues could be kept at a lower figure and Mrs. Cassity wanted women to belong. Gladys Kerl, Louise Smith and Mabel Scheierman became members in that first year. Helen Kerl was an Associate Member for a number of years in the beginning of the organization. The three ladies who became members that first year have been members of the club all through its 30 years of existence. The Club year begins in March and ends with an enjoyable early Christmas party held in the month of October. The Club held monthly meetings the entire year except for arranging by holding flower shows in its first years of existence. In 1957 they had a flower arrangement show in connection with Stratton Day. They gave three prizes; first of $1.50. second of 750 and a ribbon to the third place winner. Mrs. Marie Greenwood won the first prize, Mrs. Heiman won second and Mrs. Marge Brown the ribbon. The Club has had many projects to beautify its community. They had a very lovely flower bed in the city park and also a flower garden around the flag pole at the old grade school. They planted evergreen shrubs at the new school and donated for landscaping at the High School. They have made donations to Stratton Library, the swimming pool, and Christmas decorations for the town. They helped the Rotary Club in donating in the Park for Christmas. They have been faithfully donating to the Stratton Community Scholarship Fund. They have made floats for many Stratton Day parades and have won money several times. Several years they took Christmas goodies to the elderly and shutins. They have had art shows which included not only flowers but quilts and other types of hand work. Stratton's observance of Colorado's Centennial on August 1, 1976, was spearheaded by Stratton Garden Club. Deceased members have had living memo- rials placed in Stratton City Park and the United Methodist Church yard in Stratton. This Club has not been a money making club. In all of its 30 year existence it has probably only had one big money making project. by Mabel Scheierman IF AN ABSTRACT COULD TALK! T376 Studying abstracts for several properties in our search through Stratton history revealed the wealth of history one could glean from an abstract if given time. The excitement of acquiring a piece of land, the struggle to keep its expenses currently paid, the taxes espe- cially, the regrets and sorrows that were attached to letting it go into other hands or the thankfulness of getting it off one's own hands . . . it is all written between the lines. This is the "story" told by the abstract of the oldest building in Stratton today: the one at the southeast corner of Colorado and Main which today houses the D.G. Liquors and Stratton Garden Club members on a June 20, 1985, tour of the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Governor's mansion: Standing, I to r: Kenny and Mabel Scheierman, Dorothy Flageolle, Dorothy Smith, Karen Topp, Marge Brown, Charlene Garner. Middle row: Doris Gulley, Eileen Cure, Laurine Schiferl, Gladys Kerl, Helen Kerl, Marie Greenwood, Louise Smith. On floor: Lib Boone, Joyce Clark, Belle Danforth, June Pottorff. Roadrunner Cafe and Bar. Built in 1908 or 1909, Stratton has been a town for several years and most buildings built to that time had been frame construction. Fires destroyed blocks of the town during that period of time, so no earlier building remains. Kit Carson County was yet Elbert County and had not resolved the Morton vs. Kit Carson County naming choice when the � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Stratton Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A history of the Town of Stratton as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

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https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/433/Vignettes.pdf 7f92085a73de4bc346d85c24dead8dbd PDF Text Text VIGNETTES t' ,''.'' ,:.' , . ,,t: "Prairie Life Blood" by Sally Bauder .',':,,, �COLORADO SKIES T42l MOM'S CREAM PIE T42A normal for this area. About 2 P.M. the color changed from dark blue to red. That wasn't normal. This cloud was headed to the southeast. COLORIDO SKIES At evening when the setting sun Spreads its brilliant rays across the sky, \:e gaze in rapture, as one by one, The flan:e-tinged clou(ls go uafLing by. i{e aatch the change from lold to gray, As the miraculous beauty fades from view, And niAht creeps on in silent array, l'Ihile moonbeams shine with siLv'ry hue, The eternal drama in the skies, Fron' evening's glow to daun's fa i nt rays, Reflects llis promise "l vill arise," .\nd brings bright hope to darkest days. Garold's parents, George and Agnes Pain- inisce about when we are together, such as the old Majestic Range, mince pies, chili suppers and cinnnmon rolls. But the thing that always tin, and I stood on the doorstep and watched a tornado go pastjust to the west ofthe barn. We could feel the force it created as it went past us. It was deathly still where we stood. As objects came to the edge of the whirling cloud, they would drop to the ground. One was a new binder canvas that was still rolled bring joy to our hearts and tears to our eyes is "Mom's Cream Pie." It was some eort of a custard pie. You could tell by the color and the nutmeg on the bubbles that would form on top. Mom would say, "I think I'll make a cream pie" and all four of us boys would be at attention right away. Why she seemed so powerfully proud of it, we may never know, as it certainly wouldn't take a prize at the County Fair. Just how it was made I'll never know, even though I saw the process many times. It was made in a pie shell. The filling was made with milk and included sugar and flour. There was not a crust on top, but the filling was sprinkled --DeIla Hendricl<s by Della Hendricke WHEAT HARVEST TIME I.916 There are many things we talk and rem- T422 There really wasn't much wheat planted in Kit Carson County in 1916. Most of the homesteader's farm crops were a few acres of corn, some cane, or millet cane for horse feed, and millet for cows. There was an old saying among corn farmers that their corn should be layed by the 4th ofJuly. Then a good share ofthe farmers would head for Kansas to find work in the wheat harvest. They would leave their wiveg and farnily to hold the homestead down, take care of the pigs, chiekens, and milk cow. A man could hire out single handed to work in a header barge for 91.50 per day. If he worked as a stacker he could draw 92.00 per day. All wheat in those days was harvested with horsedrawn headers and horsedrawn barges to catch the wheat as cut by the header. Then the headed wheat was stacked in the wheat field. Then as soon as the stacked wheat had gone through the sweat, which took a few weeks, it was thrashed with the old thrashing machine. I went to harvest wheat in 1916, south of Colby. I took six work horses and was lucky enough to get ajob. I ran the header for 97.00 per day for me and the horses, and board for myself and the horses. After the wheat was cut, the farmer hired me and the horses to do some summer fallowing. This was in the form of blank listing with a two row lister. At least this short session ofcash wages would supply me with some ready cash to help finance myself through the fall and winter. with nutmeg. As it baked, you could see the top ofthe filling set and form big bubbles that would rise and turn first gold then brown and then burst. When it was done it was not one half inch or one inch deep - it would be about one fourth inch thick or perhaps three eighths inch at the very most. It was vaguely like a custard but not a sissy-type custard. It was a solid layer of crust, sugar, flour, milk, and nutmeg of a pretty uniform consistency and quite durable. You would take it out of the pan and bit it and feel it and taste it and it was good. Then, you could put a piece in your jacket or pants pocket and hours later you could take it out and eat it and it would be in one piece and it would taste the same. It was good and it was durable and Mom was proud of it and we never talk about it but that we laugh and cry at the same time. No one will ever make anything at all like "Mom's Cream Pie." up and landed undamaged. The tornado was on the ground for nearly a mile. Garold and Melvin Sweet had just gone to the Joe Garner place and were within 300 yards of the house when they realized there was a tornado in that cloud of dust coming at them, so they vacated our pickup truck and hit the ground. It began to hail so Garold moved under the truck. A moment later the tornado turned the truck upside down, leaving the well tools that were in the back, in the spot he had just left. Joe Garner was in the house at the time. He laid on the floor until it passed. Although it was damaged, they drove the Garner car back to the Paintins. There were no serious injuries. Their pockets were full of sand and we had to pick cactus needles out of their backs. Our truck was thrown about 100 yards up a hill and almost completely demolished. The Garners had most of the outbuildings destroyed including a large barn. Some livestock were killed and trees uprooted. The house was da-aged but left standing. It took only about a minute to demolish a life time of work. by Jean.Paintin TO A SOD HOUSE by Carl TY. Bruner T426 TO A SOI] HOUSIJ THAT WAS MY TRUCK Come, pause beside the crumbling walls Of this aged sod house standing here Upon the wind-ssept loneLy plains-- T424 It was May 8, L952. The clouds began to form in the west about noon. That was A passing relic of the oLd frontier. Once these walls were olde and straight, Fresh sneLling of the ner Eurned sod, NhiLe on the broad, Iow windo\i sills A bride had placed geraniums to nod. SheLtered here from nature's elements \ sturdy broocl of lusty children Sreui Absorbed the homely virtues of the waLLs; liax€d bravely slrong, upri3ht and true. And these sod hones across the land Made possible a conquered west; So, Let us pay homa3e to an oLd pioneer For the many lives its roof has blest. --SeLetha Broton by J. Carl Harrison by Seletha Brown That was my truck! �I'LL DRM, YOU PITCH T426 usually would head for the barn, not necessarily taking the shortest route. They would usually go thru a fence row or two on their way home. This action could happen with the hayracks, too, but wasn't as dangerous to the driver. The Paintins built a large barn with a loft in 1929. It was handy in the winter to pitch the hay down to the alley below, but it was work to get the hay up to the loft before this feature could be used. Once the racks were loaded, they were driven into position below a large door near the top ofthe barn. A pulley was hooked into the sling which was on the bottom of the rack. The pully ran on a track inside at the top of the barn. This was pulled up and thru the loft by the horses hooked on at the opposite side of the barn. This large barn, along with twenty five hundred bales of hay in the loft, was destroyed by fire June 20,1963. Picture from the collection of Gladvs Paintin Gieck. by Jean Paintin The Paintin Barn, 193?. The farmers and ranchers etill hope and pray today, as they did in the early years, that their feed crop, which was planted early in MORNING IN JUNE T427 the summer, would escape any drouth, grasshoppers or hard rains and hail at the wrong time. Even a quick moving thunder shower would deposit enough moisture to reach the thirsty roots of the sorghum plant in the sandy soil. The Paintins farmed just a short distance up the hill from the Republican River. A good feed crop was a blessing but the process of harvesting this crop depended on the patience and strength of men and animals. They equipped their hay racks with a sling made from rope and boards which were stretched across the bed of the rack. They would be up before dawn to feed their horses. After a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, MORNING the hay field on their first trip. This was at least a two man job per hayrack. Depending on how well broke the horses were was the deciding factor whether one man drove the team while the other pitched on the hay. If they were broke well enough to trust them to react to voice commands of "getup" or "whoa" you had it made. Both could pitch on the hay from wigwam fashioned shocks of feed which had all been done by manual labor or from windrows previously made by using a hayrake. The hayrake was pulled with their most trustworthy horses since this was a dangerous piece of equipment. It was light weight and easy to pull. If the horses decided to spook and run, the driver could get the thrill of his life if he was lucky to be able to hang on and not fall under the rake. A trip to the ground meant getting rolled thru stickers, dirt and eventually one or more of the rake teeth getting to him. Once out of control, the horses by Opal Boger FAREWELL TO MY SHANTY T429 FARE-II"ELL TO MY SHANIY irJ::r-cli to trllr pre-eDption sLranty, I have $ade my final proof. The cattle will hook down the salls And some will steal off the roof. Fareuell to my sheet iron stove, That stands in the corner all cold; The 3ood things I've baked in the oven Tn Lan3uaJe can never be told. FarewelL to my cracker box cupboard, llriEh a gunny sack for a door; FarewelL to my stoc!( of 3ood thin3s, That I uever shal1 rvant any nore, to n:y I itL Ie pine bedstead, Tis on thee I slunrbered and sLept; FareweLI to the dreams Ehat I dreampt llhile the centipedes over me crept, Fareue l I IN JUNE i\lhat 's so rare as a mornj.ng in June? My morning rides are over too soon. 1 check the cattle over the hill, And then return to the old windmill, Where I get a drink fron the bottom of the uell. The tefrp and flavor, one just can't tell. I shate my drink with my faithful mount, Before I finish the cattle count. Now who in the world could ever say, There's a better uay to start the day? --J. Carl Harrison Farewell to my down holstered chair Ii'ith the bottom sagged to the ground; Farewell to the socks, shirts and bretches, That filled again to the ground. Farewell to my nlce littLe table, hlhere under I have oft put my fee!; And think of many good things, Such as bacon and beans to eaE. Farewell to my sour dough pancakes, That none but myself could endure, lf they did not taste good to a stranger, They were sure the dyspepsia to cure. eggs or steak, biscuits and gravy with lots of coffee their work would begin. They wouldn't get a coffee break. They harnessed, watered and hitched the horses to the hay racks and loaded the water jugs which were wrapped in wet gunny sacks. Maybe they wouldn't be quite on the rack and one horse would take off with a jerk. Depending on the weather, the horses were usually pretty frisky at that time of day and would give them a bumpy ride to hours late to work. The problem was that no one had thought to call Gus and tell him of the hunt, so he spent the hours wondering what the delay was and Ruth was left wondering whether she would have threshers to cook for or not. Farewell to my coffee, tea, and crackers; FareuelL to my water and soap; by J. Carl Harrison THE LION HUNT FareweLL to my sorgum and flapjacks, Farewell to my lallacadope.': Farewell to my entire pre-emption, Farewell to your hills and your sand; I've covered you up with a mortgage, T42A There was a year, along in the late 40's, when rumors went the rounds of a pair of lions that were making their home in Kit Carson County. They were reported to have been seen in the Kirk area and south of Stratton. On one occasion our community, 13-15 miles north of Vona, wag alerted. The men were to go to the Gus Schreiner home early that morning to thresh wheat. Very early that morning, the phone rang. Burt Smit said a lion was seen going into the grove of trees just t/t mile east of the Harry Smit house. He said the threshers were all going to hunt it down, so Horace Boger and his man, Fred Lowery, went too. We called Harold Summers as we knew he would want to be in on it. So, eight or ten men stalked through the small grove of trees ready to shoot but no lion could be found. If there was one, it had escaped or perhaps a large yellow tomcat had been mistaken for big game. Be that as it may, the men were two Farewell to my quarler of land. --Jack Messenger *Gravy made with bacon grease, flour and wat er . poem by Jack Messenger WHEN I MET RUBE PRATT T430 I saw Rube Pratt three or four times in my life. Once I saw him standing in front of the Daniels and Fisher's Tower dressed in his red suit and the great coat with the brass buttons. He was opening the doors for people as they drove up to the store. He made a very �impressive sight for the tourists and customers. That was the last time I saw him. I believe I remember him at a baseball game and I heard my father say "I didn't mean it Rube." I think I saw him crank start his model "T" auto once. I know others would talk about how he would lift it up to crank it rather than PIONEER DAYS IN COLORADO T431 by Mrs. Sarah Blakman to get down on his knees. But I do know when I first met Rube Pratt, I remember it quite well. Rube was a big man, he was reported to be the biggest man in the Armed Forces (Navy) in World War I. He stood about or over eight feet high. Considering his size, he had a small head, anyway, on him it looked small. His head was always bent forward as if he were looking down. It was said that he had hurt his neck as a boy doing acrobatics off a hay stack. We were living in Stratton at the time, about 1918. I would have been about seven years old. There was a store on Main Street, we called the "Ten Cent Store." It was a narrow, long store, with a door in front, and display windows on each side of the door. Display tables were placed on each side of the aisle and goods were piled on top ofthe tables for almost the length of the building. Now, I don't know for sure how I got there, although I have a vague recollection that my mother was not far away. I was underneath one of the tables about half way back in the store. I was playing with or looking at something, I really don't recall what. I heard the door open, the floor was covered with light, then a shadow. I looked up and saw the shoes. They were gize eighteen or nineteen at least. The soles were almost one inch thick. When they hit the floor, the boards shook and they were coming almost directly at me. I PIONEER n:i{YS IN COLORADO When I left my home in Nebraska, for Colorado I was bound; And when I arrived at Claremont, I viewed the country round. There were antelope, coyote, prairie fox and cent.ipedes galore, And such a wild and desolate place I had never seen before. There $rere prairie dogs, or.rls and rat.tlesnakes; they lived under the ground together, And the dogs would come ouE and bark at you, in almost any kind of weather. We put. up at the Claremont Hotel, and the people \rere very kind; But, dear me, I was homesick for the home I had left behind. And when our household goods arrived, we rented a two-room shack, But I thought I would freeze to death for the floor was full of cracks. I covered them over with papers and put carpet down, And so we lived for over a year in this little Claremont town. Then we built a nouse on our homestead, I sure thought that was great, And now I love Colorado, more than any other state. --Sarah Blakeman scooted back a little but not much, fascinated by the size of the man that wore those shoes. Away up on top was this tiny head sort of looking down at me. It seemed to me as if he had to duck his head to keep from hitting the ceiling. I think he saw me, a small smile appeared on his face, maybe he said something, I don't remember. I can't tell you whether he came back to the aisle or went out some back door. But I do remember and will never forget the day I met Rube Pratt. by Carl YY. Bruner WASHDAY T432 Washday started with trips to the milkhouse where our water supply was located. Water ran directly from the windmill into a Iarge, cement tank. We carried the water to the house in milk buckets and sat them on the stove to heat, even on the hottest days, when the range threw out a great deal of heat. Up until about 1916, Mom washed on a washboard and wrung her clothes out by hand. Then they got a "modern" washing machine which was operated by hand. For me, that was much harder work than rubbing the clothes on a board. The lack of soap was a great drawback. We had no powders, bleaches or fabric softeners, only the great chunks of lye soap that Mom made from rancid grease, lye, and water. Soap making meant building a hot fire under the huge iron kettle and then one had to stand by it for 3 or 4 hours and stir round and round. Then the soap cooled overnight and was cut into bars. After rubbing the clothes with the strong soap, the white clothes had to be boiled in more soap and water, then rinsed and wrung and finally rinsed again in water, to which bluing had been added, wrung out again and finally hung out to dry and sun. It was a terrible job and my Dad always helped with the washing. We only washed once a week. by Opal Boger �THE DOCTOR T433 Williams Pharmacy Letterhead by Fred Page and Vivian Williams TIIE DOCTOR I ile! Doc lli [ | iinis, I thoughE the man was srirr I l. He dldn't carry surplus aei;lrt, And neithcr sas he ti I l. t^lhen f irst we vis lced for qutle u wiri I c Dlscuss ing thir1..!s ac hand, And as orrr frlend Iy clrat progressed, He seemecl to just exp0nd. .{nd lf a dead beat beat his bilt, Doc didnrt seem to nrind; He'd srnlle and say I'cr sure thac child Will not be deaf or bIlnd. The woman that's so s1c1( Upon the bed of pain, I'n sure my pilts vcry soorl l^tiIl end the aufuI strain. And tf I do oot get tllat bilt, I'l1 get by sonrelrou; It's better far co end tlri.s uuY, Than t€ke their only cou. I'd hate Eo take a big faL fee Fron one so short of breath, And 1n a fee short weeks flnd out The lady starvcd to deatl). And so In just a fek short years, The man I oncr thou8hc small, Burlington Centennial Parade, May 14, 1988 Had eldened to a large expanse And stood most sl.x feet tall, When civic problems ralsed their lread And ended in I fight, You'd flnd old Doc a busy nran Just batt lln; for the right, For things t() really helt, hls torn He aluays ilave hls basL, And at a fairly eartt age, to resL. Worn out, he lent And as we journey through this lle look down on a pup, But vhcn ue ileet a nrarr like Doc It'e're aluays looking up, Llfe, llou strangc lndccd ln thirty yeors The man I once thoughl snall, llould seam to have enormous wei.ght, And toeer above us aIl, If he and I should n'eec again, And I believe ue wilL, Ua'l I .lut .^ ^no Doc,IneedapllL '.,i I I {nrArr,'^t He'll say, does anyone remenrber nc, Or even love f,re still? I'I1 say, Yes, Doc, buc only chose L'ho tried to pay thelr bills, --Frederich Russ and Alene Davis Pagc Pn,:'SCI1IPTION SERV J CI' SEIiVIN(; IIASTI]]IIN ('OLC)IIAtrr) SIN(JIt 190{i WILLIAMS PHARMACY l\t. l'. end l-. 1,. \\'illi:rlrrs FLAGLEN, COLORADO \' l.)TllR I NA lrY strt,nLlES �MAKING BUTTER T435 We did not just walk in to a store and buy a week's supply of butter. We milked the cows, strained the milk through a flour sack, then separated the milk from the cream by running it through a separator, which was turned by hand. We sat the cream away to sour (overnight, I think) then it was put in a churn and the churn was turned by hand until butter formed. We drained off the buttermilk and drank it for supper. Then the butter had to be washed through many changes of cold water until all signs of milk was removed. Then it was salted well and molded. We did not have a butter mold, in Mom shaped the butter with her hands and made a fancy design on the top with a knife. Remember though, that the milk buckets, straining cloth, separator, churn, and the dishes used in the washing and molding all had to be washed thoroughly with soap, rinsed well and sunned for several hours for purification. All the hot water for those jobs was carried from the supply tank at the milk house, heated on the stove, and carried back to the milk house to wash these items. by Opal Boger "Carousel Pony" in stained glass by Rene6 Loutzenhiser THE FLOUR SACK T434 One of the faithful standbys of the depression era was the flour sack. Its uses were many and varied. We had a large tin can with a tight fitting lid that we used for a flour bin. The sack was opened and the flour poured into the bin. The sack was then completely opened up by removing the string. This string was no less aprize than the sack. All string was carefully saved and used for tying sacks, packages, for sewing ripped clothing, and even for quilting. The sack bore the brand name of the flour, printed in bright colors that were very hard to remove. This was in the day before Clorox One of the messiest jobs was making cottage cheese. The curds of milk were poured into a sack and hung on the line to drip out the whey. Then the sack must be washed out in several batches of water and rinsed 'til all the dried milk was removed. There was no end to the uses ofa flour sack. by Opal Boger -a or other bleach. My mother soaked the sack in kerosene then scrubbed it with homemade lye soap. Usually the sack went through many washings before the printing faded out completely. Some of the brand names I remember were, "Pride of the Rockies," "Snells" and "Clyde's Best." Many flour sacks were made into clothing. Most common were our "bloomers" or "drawers," aprons, bonnets, and even dresses. They were also used for tablecloths, curtains, dish towels, and lining for quilts. Some were not ripped apart but were left in sack form to store dried fruit. dried corn. seed corn, dry beans, chicken feathers, etc. On every farm clothesline 2 or 3 of the snowy white squares flapped in the wind. These were used only for straining milk, morning and night. Then they were washed and scalded and hung out in the sun until the next milkins. Drills of vesterdav �DUST STORM T436 I'ioT cu,{FF, B1JT DUST i.rhen the <iust storm was over, the wind its force had spent, We grabbed the broorn and duster and oter the house r\re went. I,,'e shook out all the curtains, we swept it out with care; The dirt lnas over everything, it aLmost made me s\{ear. But at last the worll was over, the cleaning job r,ras done. If ever a pound was taken out I knew r,;e took a ton. The wind it stopped its blovring, we didn't know it then, But it r'as resting up and getting prinred to do it once again. At 50 nriles an hour it came r^rith its dust cloud and its roar, And filled rhe house up all again just as it did before. It. riled me up a litEle then t.o come again so soon; By steady work, and patience, too, we cleaned her out by noon. When bang! There came another just like the one we had. trrterll srneep out the house no more, Ehis dustrs become a fad. hre just wipe off the table, arnd scrape it off fhe shelves, And srveep some pretty little paths around to suit ourselves. It'e wipe our feet off nice and clean before we go to bed, hie crawl right in and take the quilL and cover up our head. i'lhen dawn has come and time to rise and take another chance, I lay the covers carefully back and then I dust my pants, Put on my shoes and socks again, and sweep a little land, Then spend the day a spittin' dirt and wishing it would rain. But happy days will come again, as sure as you're alive, And we'll talk and laugh for 40 years of the storms of '35. of what would happen if their parents should hear of it. They watched to see if the peddler would stop at the next house and he did. The boys became more worried and watched the road for their parents to return. At last, they saw them coming and they saw the neighbors go out and stop them. Then down the road the buggy came bouncing. The mother climbed out of the buggy crying, "Oh my God, everyone in the country will think my boys are crazy! Oh, how could you shame us so?" And on and on. Jake said he wasn't so much worried by his mother's tears as what his dad would do to them. When he finally got up nerve enough to look at his father, he was surprised and relieved to see a smile and a twinkle in his dad's eyes. He knew his dad thought that that was as good a way to get rid of a peddler as any. by Opal Boger DIRTY'3O'S T439 After reading the article in the November 15th issue of the Farmland News headlined "The Colorado Plowdown," I'm inspired to write some of my first-hand experiences on the plains of eastern Colorado. In the early nineteen hundreds, in the free range days and my early cowboy days, I distinctly remember that we had the high winds that have always been the case on our high plains, but there was never any dust raised by the high winds. The prairie had a solid cover of mostly blue gramma and buffalo grass. We cowboys had to tie our hats on but there were absolutely no "tumbleweeds" rolling across the land. A few years later, when a few farmers and ranchers began plowing up more Iand and trying to raise more crops, I always supposed that the weeds that began to appear came in with the seed that was brought here from other parts ofthe United States or other --C.C. Rivers poem THE CATALOG THE PERILS OF THE PRAIRIE PEDDLER T438 Blowing dust and the tumbleweeds, and other varieties of weeds accompanied by a My aunt and uncle, Gertie and Jake Dircks, lived about 17+ miles east of our place. One drier-than-normal weather cycle became the common thing in the 1930's. I know of several small farms in the 30's T437 The Sears Roebuck and Montgomery flard catalogs were used for many things. We did not order much in the years before 1918 nor did we order much during the 20's, but it cost nothing to wish. When we received a new catalog the old one was not burned. I went through and cut out families of paper people, furniture, and so on. We put the old catalogs in a hot oven and heated them to put into our beds at bedtime bo take off the icy chill. We used them to rest our hot irons on while ironing. Some were covered and made into an attractive door ltop. Finally they were taken to the back house rnd suspended on a string - the latest in toilet bissue. day they went to Kirk, leaving their sons, Jake Jr. and Ted, home alone. Ted was cooking dinner and Jake was working at a work bench behind the house when a man arrived at their place, traveling by bicycle. He was selling Bibles and he made his business known and asked ifhe could get dinner there. Ted couldn't refuse. The peddler asked if he was all alone. Ted, always ready for excitement, said, "Oh no, my brother is outside, but he is crazy and dangerous, so watch out!" Then he excused himself to get a pail of water from the water barrel. He ran by the work bench and told Jake to act $azy. Jake was willing! Soon he came staggering in with a wild look on his face. by Opal Boger countries. I always wondered where the Russian Thistle came from. I never saw our very common Kochia weed until in the 1940's. The peddler never took his eyes off of Jake and when Jake grabbed up the butcher knife and started for the peddler, the poor man ran for the door and sped off on his bicycle as fast as was possible in that sandy soil. The boys laughed in glee until they thought that had the entire layer oftop soil blown off, down to the yellow clay that wouldn't even grow weeds. When blowing like that occurred and drifted over onto adjoining grass pas- tures, the soil covered up and killed out the buffalo grass. There were times in the middle of the day, when an old dust blizzard came over that it became almost as dark as night. If you happened to be driving on a highway, you were not sure of the road ahead and yet you hated to stop. You couldn't see a car ahead ofyou but you could see the headlights ofthe car behind you. You could not distinguish the car. I have seen tourists from the East who stopped in one of our towns and they were so frightened they didn't know what to do. I've had fences that first filled solid full of tumbleweeds, then the weeds filled solid full of dust to the top wire to the extent that the horses and cattle walked over the fence and the top wire was out of sight. In that case I built a second three wire fence right on top �of the one that was drifted under. This might be a good place to insert one of my tall-tales: "I went out one day and dug a quarter of mile of fence post holes, planning on setting up a new fence. Well, the wind came out terrible that night but I went back out the next morning to continue my fencing. When I got to where I had dug the postholes, I found that during the night the wind had blown all the dirt away from around those postholes and had left the postholes sticking up out of the ground! I might add my sons' comment. He reminded me that we went along and kicked those postholes over so we wouldn't stumble over them as we continued building our fence!" That is the end of the tall-tale, now to continue my story, and this is no tall tale: During the dusty years I've seen snow drifts that were half dust, and my wife taped the key holes shut to keep some of the dust out of the house. The cattle would seek protection from the blinding, choking dust in barns and windbreaks. I suppose you wonder how we survived during those dry, dusty years. Farming and raising cattle just could not provide our livelihood so I took a second job. I was a country school teacher for twenty years. My first salary was $50.00 per month and later raised to $80.00. That kept us off any handouts and W.P.A. With the small portion of the land plowed in those days, I dread to think of what could happen if and when weather conditions return to the dry and windy conditions ofthe "dirty thirties" with such a big percentage of fragile, marginal land being plowed up today. by J. Carl lfarrison THE DINING TABLE T440 which it was fashioned. My most vivid memory of those table legs is that they are where I learned to dust. Frequently, I had to do the task repeatedly. I often thought that Mother could see a speck of dust a block away! The table could be expanded by inserting the leaves that were kept in the pantry. Three times a day the table was used for its original purpose, meals. At that time the entire family gathered around the oilcloth covered table together. What a warm, cozy feeling to have us all together. How uneasy I felt when someone was absent. The table was used all during the day, every day. On ironing day the smooth, sweet smelling sheets, pillowcases and towels were placed on the dining room table to be neatly folded before being put away. When Mother cut out garments to be stitched together on the treadle sewing machine at the south window, she spread the material on the table and carefully pinned the newspaper pattern pieces on the cloth. The up to 900 quarts of fruits and vegetables which were put up every summer for survival were prepared around this table. How well I remember, as soon as you were old enough to snap a bean, pod a pea, peel a tomato, peach, pear, pit a cherry or help prepare any other food item that could be preserved by canning, you joined the crew around this table. Packages for mailing and packages for birthdays and Christmas were wrapped on the table. On school nights, homework was done around the table where there was space enough for opened books, notebooks, maps and pen and ink. A kerosene lamp provided a limited radius of illumination. When the lessons were completed our reward was popcorn, or an apple or hot chocolate and the pleasure of playing games (Monopoly, rummy, and pitch were favorites) until time to get ready for bed. At times two or more families gathered for supper and the evening. Then the men used the table for cards while the women visited. During the day Mother also used the table as a desk for writing letters, making out lists, or figuring household accounts. As I left the demonstration of the new wonder appliance, I decided that if it could serve just half the purposes of our old dining room table, it would be worth twice the price. by Irene Armistead That dining table today! While watching a demonstration of a kitchen appliance chopping, shredding, sli- cing, mixing, and almost serving the meal, I couldn't help but wonder what my mother would have thought of such a household device. Then I remembered that we also had multipurpose possessions and the most versatile we called the "dining room table." We had other tables; the kitchen table, end tables, the library table and a lamp table, but when someone said "the table" it meant the dining room table. Our dining room was an extension ofthe kitchen. The table was round with claw legs as sturdy as the oak tree from Mrs. Perrv's "Sod House." A. G. Perry's "Sod House." �SHERIFF'S EXPERIENCES SIIERIFF'S ExpERrENCIs I:x".:';":Hif::: j:i,.i.?,"lii::".:::: I44l Calls come by night and calls come by day, They may be near or miles away. The telephone rings and soon by heck Wetre headed for the country to cover a wreck. Before we have taken our Ehings from the Erunk, We see that the driver is just plain drunk. Hets wandering around not a scratch on his hlde, While his victim3 lay stretched out side by side. I begin to question him, he breaks lnto tears, He says, ttl have just had a couple of beers.tt Today we hunt evidence, and dig up the facts; Tomorrow we're struggling with detinquent tax. Next day qre're hunting a motEled face cow, Ihen stay up all night at some nice family row. Next day we have court and the lawyers rave; The defendent sits there in need of a shave. ttWhere hrere yourtt they beller tton the first of November?tt Ihe defenddnt replies, ttI dontt remember.tr They argue around tiLl half past three, Then Ehe jury goes out and fails to agree; The judge sends them baclc, till their duty is done; But several hours later theytre eleven to one. Non that's just a sample of what we do, An endless variety of old and new. It may be a prowler, a burglar, a drunk; your watch or your trunk. He may steal your billfold, We set out to catch him and we do our best, We catch lhe percentage and lose the rest. You canrt catch them all, for some leave no clue, They don't leave their cards as you and I do. Sometimes they plead {uilty, and the judge will Then half the country will want him parolled. scold, They blame the depression, the new deal, the tariff, A few of the folks put the blame on the sheriff. Sometin:es there are fireworks, an officer gets shott While doing his duty, he's out on the spot. Just latel.y tv,o sherif fs were killed, By a maniac's gun, their blood was spilled. Ihen he set fire to the buildings, they had to burn, The sheriff and deputy will never return. So this is the way ttto men paid the costs ' To the wives and the chi ldren a provider r,ras lost . You cantt get excited when you're out on a call, Cause you might clo the thing you shouldnrt do at a11. You nrustnrt get nervous or Lose your head, For if someome gets shot he is a long time dead. Itrs a job requiring judgement' Patience and grit, So we have to eliminate those that don't fit. It takes a lot of time their mistakes to explain, I{hich is time wastecl without any gain. So it's quite a game, if you stay rig,ht in, You'Il get a pat on the back and a sock on the chin. But I like it all, and I'm shedding no tears' And by the grace of ?od, I'11 fill out ttro more years. --O.C. Dunlap, Sheriff �J.A. Grigg, separator man, the engine. His face and neck were burned almost to a crisp, his right eye was burned out, both legs were broken below the knees and his entire body was battered to a pulp, sup- over 40 acres before it could be extinguished. Many of the neighbors were not aware of the explosion until after the fire had been put under conto atoms trol. Williams. who was not (Taken from the 1915 issue) posedly by the fierce impact of injured, dragged the men into Submitted by Lowell the furnace door as it was the circle that had been burned blown open. The steering over and saved them from beDunlap wheel that Grigg held on to ing burned up. One of the worst accidents was found nearly a quarter of Pugh stated that tne cause that ever happened in the a mile away. of the explosion was the fact history of the county took Fred Pugh was blown back Grigg had tightened the place near the Fred Dodd over the separator, falling on that pop-valve several times as he farm, l8 miles southwest of his head. One of his arms was thought the engine was this city, when the boiler of a broken, both hands badly ing off too soon. is blowIt suppossteam threshing engine explod- burned, and besides numerous that the steam gauge was ed, killing one man and cuts and bruises over the body, ed not working in proper manseriously injuring another. is suffering from a concussion ner and failed a register the The force of the explosion of the brain. His condition is exact amount to of steam the threw large pieces of the boiler considered very serious, but it engine was really carrying. over a radius of a quarter of a is thought that this young man Grigg started in to tighten the mile and tore a good sized hole will finally recover. The body valve before they had finished in the ground where the engine of the dead man as well as the the last job of threshing, and stood. Not enough of the injured man was taken to the the wonder is, the explosion engine remained to hardly residence of Fred Dodd. The had not occured when more identify the machine. remains were later taken to the men were around the outfit. The threshing outfit was the F.D. Mann undertakine The wreck was viewed by the property of Fred Pugh of parlors. deputy state boiler inspector Doctors Merrill and Bergen, Stratton and was being moved of Denver, and he siated that from the O.C. Dunlap ranch with Mrs. Dr. Merrill and to accomplish the results, the and was traveling on the road Mrs. Clark as nurses, were engine must have carried 500 when the accident occured. called to the scene and ad- pounds of steam, so complete The crew was composed of minstered medical aid. was the destruction of the Fred Pugh, owner; J.A. Nothing is known of the dead engine. Grigg, separator man; and man, except he is said to have The only part of 'rhe engine Geo. Williams. water hauler. a cousin residing near BeaverThe fact that Williams was ton. He had been in the coun- left near the place where it riding on the water tank try but three weeks, coming stood were the two front behind the separator, pro- here from Utah. In his pockets wheels and they were bent in bably saved his life. The was found a certificate of bap- toward each other. One of the escape of Fred Pugh, the tism into the Mormon church. large rear drive wheels was owner, is nothing short of a A small !'lcte book was also blown fully 8CI feet and left miracle. Grigg, the dead man, found stating he was from upright imbedded in the was horribly burned and bruis- Hobart, Okla., and was a ground. Heavy boiler iron was ed and died five hours later in member of Hobart Lodge No. torn like paper. Scraps of iron, 40, K. of P. The lodge was pieces of wheels, were strewn dreadful agony. The accident occured at communicated with. but no over the ground for a radius of about ten o'clock in the fore- reply was received. Unless over a quarter of a mile. noon and is without doubt one relatives are located. he will be Coroner Heiserman of of the most tragic in the annals buried in the Burlington Flagler, was called, but decidof this county. Grigg, the man cemetery Saturday. ed that an inquest was unwho lost his life. was at the Immediately after the explo- necessary. Late reports insteering wheel at the time and sion, the dry grass was set on dicate that Fred Pugh, the inwas blown fully 15 rods from fire. and burned over an era of jured man, will recover. almost instantly killed Fred Pugh of Stratton seriously injured Traction engine is blown THE GOOD LIFE L975 T442 We feel that we have been very fortunate to live this good life on our little ranch in Eastern Colorado. Here, I will mention a few of the special blessings of this good country life. First, the blessing of living in this beautiful world of prairie pastures and farm land. Also we have the blessing of as pure a water supply as is found anywhere in the world. It is not full of distasteful elements and minerals as is the case with much underground water and cannot be contaminated with waste spilled into it from above ground. I also feel that we have as clean and pure air as can be found anywhere. No smoke, smell or smog to afflict our health as is the case in many areas the world over. We are also free from the noise, the clatter and the rumble of the cities, whose noise is really a hazard to health and hearing. Sometimes it makes it almost impossible to concentrate or meditate on one's thoughts, reading or prayer. We don't have the hurry and flurry that are almost continual night and day in the large cities and many suburban areas. On our little ranch we have plenty of elbow room and are not crowded at any time. Not the least among our blessings is the fact that we have plenty of useful work that we are still able to do, which gives us much pleasure in the feeling of usefulness and responsibility. Winnie and I have the feeling that we are still contributing something to the good of humanity and that we are not too much of a burden to anyone although we are in our 70's and 80's. To us, it is a thrill to ride or drive out over our beautiful pasture land, most of it as virgin as when God made it. dotted with a herd of whitefaced cows and calves contentedly grazing which will leisurely come to my call expecting some small portion of food which they will eat from my hand. Each animal is an individual with a special name, description and date ofbirth all recorded in our "cow dairy-record book." Also, my saddle horse comes from the pasture on a run on hearing my whistle, expecting some special feed. During the temperate and warm part of the year I saddle my horse early in the morning about sunrise and ride to the pasture at that most beautiful time of dav to count the cows �and calves, check on water and salt and some mornings ride a mile or so of fence to check for needed repairs. On these early morning rides one has a feeling that you are really "away from it all." I occasionally would see an antelope, a coyote, a fox or a badger. The animals like our pastures as there is no noisy traffic within sight or hearing. I imagine that they have the same feeling that I do of being alone with God and nature and with no time schedule that must be met. Among the trees and flowers at home there are always the many different birds and the bees. Winnie and I have been bird watchers for years, a very interesting hobby. Some years when the clover blooms well we keep a few hives of bees and they are always industriously at work gathering pollen and nectar from Winnie's beautiful flower garden and also cross pollinating the blossoms on the fruit trees which causes the trees to produce a more abundant crop of fruit of which we have a plentiful supply most years. As winter approaches we find our basement well stocked with many kinds of vegetables, the product of Winnie's expert culi- nary art. Old Buttercup supplies us with plentiful good Jersey milk and cream of ,&: ,: il*!r-i: *' ''l r' Waiting to catch the wheat in the header barge. which we use a lot. Yes, and the biddies keep us in eggs. several times, mending worn spots on Mother's sewing machine. The monstrous, smelly I believe that Winnie and I are in better health than the average couple ofour age. So when we sincerely count our blessings, we are certain that you will agree with us that this is still the good life. We have a little country things were almost more than we two girls and Dad could handle so it wouldn't break all of Mother's precious sewing machine needles, but it seemed like machine repair was so much better than hand sewing, that we church here close where a small group of country neighbors meet faithfully each Sunday to study and discuss the Word of God. At the close of day we watch the setting sun, There's the evening meal when the chores persisted. Slats had all been replaced where needed and newly riveted to lie tight and flat. Roller bearing cages were rechecked and sickle blades replaced along with being sure are done, The stars light up as night draws nigh, And darkness drives daylight from the sky, We thank the Lord for His guiding light, Before retiring for the night. by J. Carl Harrison HEADER AND BARGE HARVEST T443 Back view of the header and the start of the wheat stacks, right of picture. sunbonnet ever tighter when gnats tried to get under and into my hair. "Sis!" No mistake now, and out I rolled. Sliding into fresh clothes left laying on my bed. . . soft, clean underthings, an old worn blouse and well-worn overalls, with comfy shoes over old socks - and I was ready for a bite of breakfast. Mother felt it was too hard for me to keep up the day-to-day going to the field with the menfolk, but it saved quite a few dollars and Daddy bragged on me so much and so eloquently that it would be a shame to let him down. Never sick, I couldn't pretend to be, so at age eleven I felt equal to the job and it did not hurt my budding ego either. Yes, it was harvest time in the mid 1920's, done at our farm with header and barges. The Harvesting wheat, front view of the header. "Come on, Sis! Get up. Daddy's harnessing the horses." My mother's gentle cajoling for probably the third time in the early morning of each summer harvest day rolled by my ears like so much buzzing from the pesky gnats in the harvest field. It bothered me but I'd brush it off and turn over, burrowing deep into my pillow to muffle the sound, just like I tied my stacker, a Mr. Scudder, had come from Salina, Kansas. He did it every year and worked very hard for the 912.00 a day that my folks felt he richly deserved if he could keep up with the young grain pitchers who tossed the fluffy yellow straw with loaded heads up to him from the header barges to shape into a wondrous stack that would shed rain and keep its loaf-like shape for the weeks until threshing time. Well over 60, he was often curt and snappy with those young whippersnappers who tried to make his life miserable in multitudes of ways as kids often do until their respect for someone older grows. We'd had the header canvases in the house the worn head was as good as could be so all those parts of harvest would go as well as one could prepare for ahead of time. We'd even made new rope to hold up the elevator. With a dozen dried apricot halves in the pocket of my overall's big front, some soft old gloves, two glass jugs wrapped with sewn-on denim thoroughly soaked for keeping our water, my sunbonnet as well as my straw hat, and remonstrance to "keep sharp," off I'd go to meet the men in the two barges and Daddy waiting with the six horse team, ready to sally forth to the field nearby or at times three miles away. My job was to keep a header barge under the elevator and move up and down at whatever pace was needed to make it relatively easy for the person in the barge to fill it very full and evenly all over to drive to the stack. We had two plodding old teams that knew the job so well they probably could have done it without my help, but together we made an essential part of the harvest crew. And I put up with a lot to get to be part of it . . . teasing, scarily riding the top of the elevator dangling my legs while one barge moved out and another pulled under in making the barge changes, oodles of chaff down my neck and scratches on any bare spots from the itchy beards, and the long tedious hours of round and round the field. But I remember it with relish. Seeing each field become a row of several stacks all lined up for the thresher to come and moving on to another field before a hail or rain could ruin it all seemed a real life-and-death matter and I was glad to be helping. No doubt, there were some events that scared me very much like horses acting up, but my dad was equal to anything, I thought, and I never felt any �danger. If we were harvesting on the home place, dinner was a beautiful sit-down affair with ham, chicken, noodles, macaroni and cheese or meatloaf and sometimes salmon loaf as a main dish, with accompaniments of gravy, over fluffy mashed potatoes, peas or green beans from the garden, cole slaw or jello, pickles and relishes plus pie or puddings. When the field being cut was several miles from home Mother would bring the meal to the field in the back seat of the car so the horses wouldn't have to travel, but rather get to eat and rest. It always seemed to me that the horses really controlled the harvest about as much as the weather. Ifone got colicky or they grew too tired, it would mean a shutdown and when the whole affair took a month maybe, there was no time to waste, so great thoughtfulness was taken for the horses. But dinner was glorious in the field, too. About the same food, served from skillet and pans as we stood or squatted in the barge's shade, topped off by lemon meringue pie was Mother's choice. And she'd bring freshly pumped water too if the wind was blowing so we'd have cool water for the afternoon. I can't remember that coffee or other drinks were part of the meal, but it wouldn't have mattered to me. But Daddy was always so tired, he seldom ate very much, but rather stretched out on the cool cement porch floor or under a barge and rested until he knew it was time to get going again. The harvest time was grueling for he always had the full care of the horses, currying and harnessing them, while they munched the oats and hay he had placed in their mangers. Furthermore, it was he straddling that sinuous header rudder wheel all day, guiding the huge machine around the corners and over the bumpy ground up and down the mile strips of wheat. It was no wonder he grew thinner than he already was with the passing weeks and often had deep pains in his side that Mother secretly feared was appendicitis ofthe chronic kind. It never really got him down but he wasn't much to complain, so we never really knew just how miserable he might have been. I can clearly remember how thin his overalls became in the crotch. and it made me wonder how much bruising his legs took. We worried about him a lot. If we had a break-down or a shower I was rather glad. He could have a change of pace, at least for a while. These were the usual kinds of chores to do too, like milking, and hogs to slop, and windmills to keep working, plus cattle to check on frequently. And Mother was doing her thing with garden, laundry, chickens and turkeys all that time, too, plus canning some if there was anything left to put in a jar after all our wonderful meals. Now, as I look back on that time each year, I am somewhat awestricken. Folks think the combine harvest days get wild and nervewracking. They should have been around in the so-called "good old days" of harvesting with header and barges! by Dorothy C. Smith IIOME BUTCHERING T444 cious as they made their clandestine plans. Maybe I felt a bit "left out." Then, shortly before they left, two of them came back in the school house and asked me to go along and I Did! by Marie E. Greenwood THE LADIES AID T445 by Eda llartman THE LADIES AID Home butchering at the Elvin Wilson's in the late 1940's. As a young girl I remember watching and helping with the butchering. Dad always did his own butchering, usually with the help of neighbors. He built a fire under a large barrel of water, and, when it got very hot, they scalded the hog and scraped the hair off. It was then left over night to cool out. When butchering beef, they always skinned the beef and sold the hide. Next day after butchering a hog, it was brought in the house and Mom would cut it up with Dad's help. The hams and bacon were salted down to cure. Was that ever tasty meat! They put them in a big stone jar. The sausage was ground and seasoned. Because there was always too much to keep fresh, Mom made patties, cooked it and put in jars and poured fresh grease on it and sealed the jars. She also canned beef and pork. It was my sister's and my job to cut up the fat for lard into small chunks. The next day Dad would get his kettle out, build a fire under it, and dump in the cubed lard and T'was in the spring of '35 Important plans s;ere laid, Before we knew r^,hat we had done I,le started Ladies Aid, In thirty years the sales rve served The piles of quilts we made Would stagger many a weaicer soul But nd the Ladies Aid. In characters boEh great and small In wonderous plays we played No acEor out in HolLywood Coul-d touch Ehe Ladies Aid. The money made in thirty years Put Con3ress in the shade. That's nhat Ehey need co run this land. They need a Ladies Aid. From l{odeL T's to Cadillacs In every car thats made No matter what the weather is I{e wenE to Ladies Aid. i'le wa Lked, we rodq ne pushed, we pulled And oft with mud were sprayed. !^lhaE if our ha ir was s light ly down I{e got to Ladies Aid. cook it until it was melted or rendered. Then he put it through a lard press and it was stored in stone jars. Mom used the lard for cooking and baking. When it began to be too aged, she used it to make homemade soap. She kept some of the cracklings and used them in making cornbread. .:.:r. l_ ,;,i.'rr,, by Florence McConnell MISS CHANDLER DID IT! T446 The other day thoughts of teaching school at First Central back in school year L922-23 came to me. So here is a bit of reminiscing about the high school where I was teacher that year. There were nine or ten students and we occupied one corner of the north half of the building which also accommodated the 5th,6th, 7th and 8th grades. I was 21 years old and the high school students were in their mid-teens. I think Theodore Smith was eighteen years old. However, they were a studious and well-behaved bunch and we had good rapport. Maybe I was being a bit kiddish when I joined them on the swing for a group The 1922-23 First Central High School students picture. Theodore Smith, Russell Greenwood. On the swings: Gertrude Church (Sally Bauder), Clara Radspinner, Hazel Lesher, Ruth Church, Ida Smith (Boecker), and the teacher Marie Chandler Near the end of the school term, the young folk decided to have a "sneak day" like the high schools in town. I was trying to be dignified and authoritative but not suspi- and Miss Chandler (Marie E. Greenwood). On top of the swing, I to r: Chester Storrer, Bertie Austin, (Greenwood). �VONA � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vignettes Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A series of poems and short anecdotes about life on the prairie as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:434 2020-03-23T10:17:14Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/434/Vona.pdf 513a37a5bfbad3a2e9317ec92e8d113c PDF Text Text railroad was progressing. The first entry on the abstract is June 19, 1888, when R.S. Newell obtained a patent for a 240 acre plot of Elbert County land, legally described as -ffiffi ST I -f -t----r---l sF#,F- | 'J' l*l 'J' l* * a [ llt l'l,Fl'l+l,l'"t4'l t t'l:lGI 'tuJJJrlJ!.t ST SI $ffiI........-n ffi- ffinffi!t l'H+l+l't'l"l{'4',| E% SW V+ and. SE% 536 8 R47. The July 3, 1888, warranty deed to C.F. Jilson preceded the July 13, 1888, plotting of Claremont when the original confines of our town were set. The entries of the years through 1914 are a series of land exchanges some of which were Nffi entry that makes one know there was a building is a December 31, 1914, item when 1I "Stratton State Bank" appears on a trust deed item numbered #30. The liquidation sale for the real property and bank equipment appears as item #42 with Henry G. Hoskins notarizing. That the town's name !n s \J s ,sT s s N \ 1--,;_l|-rI. \ due to tax sale with name of McCauley, Campbell, A.W. Winegar, Ferris, Bourquin, Hugo and Clara Stegman, J.A. Collins and Blair involved in the transactions. The first f- x #+4 ffiffi N fljJ11dfinfl ROC/( /SLANO PuaL /c .5rl sr H/6Huay y^ti;":,L was now Stratton is clear. The ensuing transactions are a review of names associated through the years with Stratton's development: Stratton State Bank to Harstine, and then to C.S. and Nora Wall; Nora Wall to Claus Rose Jr. and Justus Rose at the death of her husband; the Rose's to George F. Batt; the Batts to Swidbert A. and Edith A. Hornung, and so on through the years to the present owners D. and - Donald Patricia C. Guernsey. If all the joys and heartaches of those who owned this property t{ t! a I VONA through the years could pour out of that abstract, what a story we would have! by the Editors VONA HISTORY Story 1 T377 Some of Vona's History as taken from the book Vono's Yesterdays and other sources. The information was compiled by the Vona Centennial-Bicentennial Com. in 1976, the members being: Joyce Miller, Barbara Thorson, DeAnna Cure, Keith Gurley, Wilma Woller, Claude Rasmussen, Lila Taylor, Harriet Ford, and Carl Harrison. Submitted by M.D. Haynes: "The Rock Island was the by Janice Salmans VONA'S HISTORY T378 {i ':.iat ,3:'',t : last of the trunk lines to cross the eastern plains of Colorado. Vona, in Kit Carson County, was named for a niece of Pearl S. King, a Burlington lawyer. Some say he was a printer not a lawyer. There were no settlers, only living things being jack rabbits, prairie dogs, and a few coyotes and antelope. First people were those connected with the railroad, such as depot agents, section bosses, and pump men. In 1888, a contract was taken by E.H. Haynes to grade two miles of Rock Island road bed at Bethune. The engineers indicated to Mr. Haynes where the Vona station would be located, so he filed a homestead entry adjoining that spot. However, no town lots were to be laid out until nearly twenty years later, when the southwest forty was platted, and about that time a plot was deeded for the cemetery. A brother of Mrs. Haynes, Z.J. Kiser, filed on a quarter section cornering to the south-west." The following history was written by Elmer H. Haynes, probably in the late 1930's. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes first lived north of the AF ;; .:':* i t,::::'..:1.. t. ., *?* :'1,L1,1 Vona street scene l .: section house in a dugout, but later they were able to secure a frame building formerly used as a saloon. "Vona those living some - For distance from our town, we will say that Vona is located in Kit Carson County in the exact center from north to south and almost the center from east to west. The location is just rolling enough to insure good drainage, the soil is a rich sandy loam. All vegetation common to this climate and elevation grows well. Blue grass lawns do especially well without irrigation or occasional irrigation. Water is found in unlimited quantities at about 80 feet and chemists find it pure and healthy for drinking purposes. For several years the town was kept by the railroad, the school being maintained entirely by the taxes �country was rapidly settled. Early in 1908, Wiley Baker, a young man recently arrived from Iowa, established the Vona Enterprise. i*,. fi l iI*' doz.; 2 lbs. coffee, 250; Gasoline, 164; Percale, 100; Gingham, 70;4 pkgs. starch, 250; 19 lbs. sugar, $1.00; and Flour, $1.65. Area population in 1913 368; Bethune - Burlington 25; Stratton 350; VonaSeibert - 250; and Flagler - 100; 250. The Vona band -performed at the first- Flagler Fall Festival in 1913. Members: Iversen. Karver. Scheid- Vona street scene looking north. )-l Baker's paper was the only democratic paper in the county and strenuously supported the Democratic ticket that fall, which ticket by strange coincidence, with one exception, was successful. The county was overwhelmingly Republican, but dissatisfaction with the way the county assembly nominated the ticket, caused rank and file to rebel. Possibly Baker's paper contributed to the result, but there is diversity of opinion. The Enterprise was later moved to Stratton. In 1908, E.H. Haynes was elected county judge and moved to Burlington. In 1916, he returned to Vona where he resided until just before his death in 1944. A sample of Vona's 1908 grocery items: tall salmon can, 114; coffee, 170; lb. bread loaves,4 for 150; sardines in oil,3 for 100; and peanut butter, 100. From the Vona Enterprise Prices in 1909 - Town Lots, $1.00 each; Hay, $12.50 per ton; Eggs, 15q per Coal chutes were also erected for coaling engines. John D. Delaney of Kansas, was the first section foreman, and Henry Wallace the first permanent railroad agent. A Mr. egger, Carlstedt, Smith, Alexander, Mohr, Mohr Jr., Hansen, and C. Hansen. Postmaster Dawson moved the Post Office to the I.D. Fuller store on Feb. 4, 1909. Brinkman was pumpman for years and lived on a farm northeast of here. Erastus R. Johnson operated the first store in town, in a frame building, where Buck's filling station was later on. The store was built in the summer of 1889. Later he went out of business and was succeeded by the Erskin Bros., Lee and Jim, who later took on John Delaney as a partner. The first lumber yard was established by Z.J. Kiser. The stock consisted of three carloads, but the demand Old Alexander Hotel in Vona. being meager, the stock carefully assorted, it supplied the demand for about a year, when the enterprise went out of business. The same year, 1889, Will Rogers started a newspaper, which considering the population of the town was about 20, survived for more than a year. The nearest doctor, Dr. Paul B. Godsman, was at Burlington, 28 miles distant. Incidently Dr. Godsman was married at a settlement by Janice Salmans VONA'S HISTORY T379 w, %.t t-. W: r,-rii All ready to leave for Calif. from Bert Kvestads Their set up included a boarding house, paid by the railroad. When the railroad was Men were paid $20 - $25 a month and board. A few months residence each year was required by the government before a patent 'fuas issued to a homesteader. For several years Mrs. Haynes and children held down the claim while Mr. Haynes was away on earth moving projects. Final proof was made on the homestead in 1895, the family left, and were not to return until 1907. In 1906-07 the bulk of settlers filed on claims, as the attention of the settlers again turned to the fertile lands surrounding Vona, and the looking for a point on the line to locate a watering and coaling station, they found an inexhaustible supply ofwater at a reasonable depth. A well 16 feet in diameter was sunk 3/ of a mile east of the station and piped to the station and this, for many years was the main watering place for engines. (A man was put in charge of pumping machinery at the well. Water was made available to one and all, and some homesteaders hauled water for as far as 10 or 15 miles away.) commissary, blacksmith shop, stables and many tents. They had 30 fine mule teams. *''' 1- , 'l -": 'r-m ffi north of what is now Seibert, called Hoyt. The settlement even had a newspaper, called The Hoyt Free Press. Hoyt moved south to form Seibert when the railroad went through. In 1888, the nearest habitation to Vona was located at the W.P. Davis ranch, located on the river, 6 miles north. The 3 Dunlay brothers did the grading through the Vona territory, with their camp 3/+ mi. east of town. , ,t"& Vona Baseball Team Story 2 The town of Vona was incorporated on June 9, 1919. The first mayor was William E. Melling. The town clerk was H.K. (Harlan) Haynes. The trustees were as follows: Adam Elsey, Ben Wilson, Jim Stover, Charles Davis, Charley O'Neil, and William Odle. Other mayors were: Oscar Strehlow, Gus Fuhlendorf, Ray Roberts, and Robert Edmunds. The present mayor in 1986 is Leslie Tanner and the town clerk is Katy Burd. Council members are: Tom Burian, Lucy Clapper, Gary Currie, John Cross, Bob Fox and Sherri Stone. Dale Richards takes care of the water and Leslie Tanner is the park caretaker. In the late summer of 1920, George Moyes and Clair "Herk" Hill organized the �Van Meter American Legion Post #1b6. It was named in honor of the Van Meter bov who was the only soldier from the Vona area to be killed in the World War I. In the summer of L921, Marc Waynick, Stanley Haynes, and Clair Hill having heard about the game of golf, laid out a six hole course, \ri in the pasture of Mr. E.H. Haynes. ^ i.', ,@;)'''''''t:"'" ffi ..,,,. ':;..1,. ' -'', i.;,t,,,t*,, .. I 4 :,.;:t:L: i l:,.l,l,,ii" After the fire looking to the east 'Loveland's "Grand Lady of Golfl' Practiced on Vona's Course'taken from the Loueland Daily Reporter and Herald in 1974, told about Vi (Violet Munter) McDill, using the Vona cow pasture golf course in 1922, when she was the principal of the Jr. High here in Vona. In 1924 the businessmen of 3 towns in Kansas, Brewster, Goodland, and Kanardo; and 3 towns in Colo., Burlington, Bethune, and Vona; held a meeting and organized a Class "D" Semi-Pro Baseball League. It was planned for Mr. Hill to manage the Vona team and be the catcher, but the other towns nominated Herk to act as Pres. of the league, which was to be under the supervision of the Sports Editor of the Denuer Post. So a new manager was appointed for the Vona team. The season was a success with Brewster the Champions, and Vona finishing 2nd or 3rd. Also in L922,Rev. Mathews, a Baptist church, and started to teach several people how to play. As Mr. Hill said "Several of us did pretty well, but they always beat the socks off :ii. us!" ,* In 1920, Mr. A.V. Jessie of Seibert bought iarl: the Vona Bank and hired Marc Waynick from Pagosa Springs as the cashier. 'Vona's Bank Robbery Scare' as told by Clair Hill: "At the time I was working at the International Trust Co. in Denver, They sent me to come to Vona as the assistant Cashier, which I did. Mrs. Waynick was the bookkeeper. In the fall a bank robbery and burglary crew were operating out of Colorado Springs. The Sheriff of the county at Burlington got word from the underground that a bank somewhere in this area was next in line to be knocked off. So he came to Marc and me and told us what we Pictures after the Vona Fire in 1936. I might expect. But he said emphatically . . . "Don't keep a gun in the bank at all, your lives are worth more than the money they could get." But, he went up to Haynes Hardware store (second door from the bank) and had him load two rifles and put them where he could get them quickly if he needed them. Then, in case of a night burglary, he told us every night to wipe the safe and the vault door with a coal oil rag, so that he might get some fingerprints if possible. Nothing happened for months. Then one bitter cold morning in January 1922, Marc and I had picked up the mail at the Post Office and gone to the bank at about 8:45 and left the front door unlocked as we would be open for business at 9:00. We had gone around to the front window and let the blind down for better light and was reading the morning mail. About that time a stripped down auto (I mean stripped down just a seat for two, - a steering wheel), and no cover for the engine) ,t_ drove up and stopped at the curb right in .& &.gr 4* a:*, Fire destroyed almost an entire block of buildings. front of our window. Because of the bitter cold the men had handkerchiefs over their faces. When we looked out at them sitting there like that we just hnew what was going to happen to usl Well, . . . the men got off the car, took the handkerchiefs from their faces, went in Carey's and got a sack of groceries, came out, got into the car and drove off. Marc and I were so weak all dav we could hardly walk." �k June 7, 1936, Hotel, Barber Shop, Pool HaIl, Dance Hall and Hardware buildings leveled after the fire. H.K. Haynes was the candidate for State Representative the fall of 1934. The first l11t:., l;y:.1;'.,1.,,t1ifi l .rr, :,.1ii.,., serious setback experienced by Vona came in the early morning of June 7, 1936, when a fire of unknown origin started in the pool hall. As Vona was without proper fire fighting equipment, all adjacent buildings were consumed. The Gagnon Hotel, the dance hall, Carey's general store, and the two-room Haynes Hardware Store were a total loss. Only the " I'r'rlrl ,1, .;.r, ,ii;;,;,,::',t,,:li11l1:' ,1.i .,:,|t, arrival of the Burlington Fire Dept. with a chemical engine prevented the spread of the fire to the other buildings, thus saving the entire east side of town. At the time the principal businesses of the town were represented by two general stores, lumber yard, wholesale oil establishment, two elevators, show house, drugstore, restaurant, hotel, and pool hall, the Baptist and Christian Churches, both with good substantial buildings. E.R. "Buck" Weaver's filling station was saved by the application of what little water there was. by Janice Salmans VONA HISTORY Taken 1906, L. to R. Glenn Howell with them, S.L. Howell, Charles Gray, Ruby (Fuhlendorf) Clark Howell, Harry Howell, Clara Howell, unknown woman and Shep the dog. by Janice Salmans T380 NUBIAN ffi WATERPROCF BRUSHING t.,I Two early businesses which were along the south side of the park in Vona. �LAND AND FAITMS ln Eastern Colorado For Salc, Trilcle, Rcnt or Lcerse Juit a ferv of thc many bergaina in Eartcrn Colorado Land that I have listed. lJon't wait. Time nreans Money if you care to take advantage of these figurer. Ilanch of -l$rl rreru:. ,\ !().)(l frtnle house, harl rocrlr lor ii hr'.rrl ol;tock. l'ell. rlin<ltnill an,l t.rnks. .lr) ltr.> u.rtlcr c'ultivatiou, eoocl l.r:l-l,c for irrt(t lrc.tl of stock. Itricc S.l.l5 r. roo(l tcrl:ls. F:..'rl of i6() acraJ, ail rrririqr itilce lrn,i cross ftrtcetl, ('0 ircrt's rrrrrlcr i-tr]tir'.rtior: f rirnre hrtrsc and llaru , gotr l * r.)l arrd s'intlnrill; 1 nrile frr.,rrr tosrr Sl.5(Xt. irrrm ar:rl l)astlrre of +s() acres, iril ttntlrr fencr; h()us(, btrn. too<l grovc, 16() acres undrr culti\'ttiotr rll lrVel lJil(i, ort r rttral illril rottt!', I'rr, c $iirt)tt Farin of 161) ircrcs, lli trr,,lcl le:rrc, good frarle hott.e, lr.,rrt, '.reli, R,r:tl franrt chickerr lioilsc, "ltt a('r.r\ ul)rlcr crrltivntion, i nrilcs ir,rrn torvl. I'rice $:tr')rt, Farnr of 3lrr rcras, I rnilc frtlrrr toln. lrotrse, barn, gr.rnJr]-. rvell, rrirrrlrrrill, r.ll turder fcnc.'atrrl cross lctrce,l. tit) rcres uuder crrltilatiorr, ell t illairit' lrurtl. I)ricr. S:S-it). A iarr:r oi l6() r,.res ,i 1.i nriles fronr i(,,,\n, ll(rise, steblc, rll lu1(icr feil,t,::, .ifl J(i,-s urirltr ctrltir.rtion, $(rn{l \1.eli ii leer d., 1,. ;'ri. c $i+(r0. Ij.rrrrr oi 16,) r\res. : l,iic. frorrr tou,t, fLiir,rt lrorr:e, barn, end orrt buildings, +r) reres, les: than lJ fect to \rctrr. 27 asrcs of alfrlfa, rveli aud rvixlrnjl[, all trutler ferrce, \'olr;;g grove, snrall orch:rrl IrIing rlatcr, 1,5{) trcre5 oi trllairlc land. I'ricc $.i.35{): ' j rlola, l{ irr one ycar, l:,t]311"a ,, tw() J(irrs, ilrttrestat6per eLI)i I,ayr!)lc arrntrallt'. -\ l.rrgc rnr()lr,:t of rlcerled iiind fronr $(i tu {il.-5al l}('r acre, accorrtrrrg ..o distiulce frr)ru toNll. 'l-irree lots iu the torvn of \:onir, free for a tlour rnill sitc, shallors ',o ri'atcr.rnd J S,.\r\l stll)i)l-t of it. .\lsavs havc I.Irrnrrsreatl Relinqrrishrrrrrrts orr lrand. \\'rite me itr regard to tllcln. '['orvrr lots in Vona for saie. For a Quick Sale and Square Deal, Iirt your land with me. S. L. Howell Vona, Colorado. Land Agent of 25 years' Experience in Colorado. 1,r ! �1l ,!.. ... .. I .,..' .:ii'"'ar:l . {r r,.r:,.,r]i, i:rjl -.,:,. , 'a1: '' 1r / 1,.' i Uili6tt l'uld ,r;,', ! '|".a i c*or rur .f, , I rora ot lrnrlitrsn\ t *bdrtlrd'r No. slr &b6r t t,re. \o. i { $9'lkbot1rr.lrB !'' t,!id no. i &l&hslt eft, oi.t ao i InLo! *u q@oll Cantiltg.,it ': I I re I 471 l.!,:!t, .,t:: d: f ,1,.,.,,.,,,;,,,tt;&,{,,;1,.,,,; Shffi'r*fl&rfi Yatrlrltiur.,Pa& t"/{'(:'--: S.N. Howell and Eliza owned the grocery store where the Post Office is now. -, /t \teai**&':$. 1S8.t /,5froLLAgs, 'l- nr.&{. ill!mrr\.' by wagon train to Colorado with the S.L. Howell family, and the DeWitt Walton families. Next from Harriet Mohr Ford: My folks came to Colo. as homesteaders from Corsica, So. Dak. in the fall of 1908. Father, Mother, Brother Bill, and myself. I was three years old. Our household goods, machinery, horses and cattle cnme by emmigrant car. We came by train. Our sod house, 1 mi. north and 1 mi. east of Vona was built before we arrived so we moved right in. I started school in the old two room school in Vona, later I went to the 3rd, and 4th grades in the small building in the west part of Vona. My 1st teacher was Mrs. Laura Alexander. My father had a harness shop in Vona, he learned the trade from a school in Chicago. Harness business was limited so most of the work was repairing ol Ptnpty,$ VONA'S HISTORY T381 Early Families The Howell Family by Glenn Howell: My father, S.L. Howell, came to Vona in 1887, before the Rock Island Railroad was built. His closest town was Haigler, Nebr. and he traveled by team and wagon. I am the oldest person that was born in the Vona area that I know of. I was born 8 mi. north and 2 mi. west of Vona in 1889. When the Railroad cnme through, my father homesteaded 2 mi. north of Vona in 1890 and 20 years later I homesteaded just crossing on the northeast of his place where the buildings are now. I built the cement house and barn on the place.* *tI (Janice Salmans) believe the place he is referring to is known to us as the Bernard Waidron place (owned by Kenneth Pickard) and where the Carl and Barbara Matschke now live with their children: Larry, shoes and other leather goods. He later opened a cream station. Some memories of J. Carl Harrison: The land adjoining the Haynes homestead on the west was homesteaded by a man named Perle King, who plated the town and named it "Vona" after his daughter, Vona King. The only families living at the Vona site in 1890 were Mr. Saggua and family, Jack Kiser, and E.H. Haynes family. But a few homesteaders settled North of Vona in 1887, before the railroad. Some of the names familiar to old timers were: W.R. Linford, S.L. Howell, D.C. Waltner, Nobel, Fisher, Corrall, Gardner, Thomas, Shaffer, Gunther, Deakins, Bryant, Phillips, Vernon, Pickenpaugh, Shotwell, Bun, and Besdecker. At that time, the settlers went clear to Haigler, Nebr. for provisions, and hauled water from a spring on Hell Creek, about 15 mi. Northwest of Vona. W.P. Davis settled north ofVona in 1888 and later was elected County Treasurer. Alvin Ferris, the forefather of all the Ferrises in the Vona and Stratton area, came in 1888, the forefather ofall the Ferrises in the Vona and Stratton area, came in 1888, then with the Linford family, moved to Vona in 1890. He helped build the first school house in Vona. Linford Linford Ferris another past resident of Vona was later employed by the Rock Island, coaling trains. Mr. Wm. Burnett homesteaded north 1 mi. and west 1 mi. of Vona. told in a letter how she came with her family His daughters Ruth and Alice were early day Earl, Jessica, and Anna in 1986.1 Flora �VONA IIISTORY T382 OUTNe0u0nmo ,,,,1:;.,6,*{,ii: :e:tttiir,l Fnnp FLauaeas t I k*. Ernnl L Jupn {i (. Publi+\eJ by Feeo FlaruaoaN voNA, cor-oRiDo Rabbit Hunt 1930's Out In Colorado Vona. By Opal M. Boger: In about 1910, Carey Poet office was established 16 mi. north and 37r east of Vona in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carey. Postmaster Carey was a farmer and ran a general store in one of the two rooms in his house. My father (N.O. Gulley), Vz mi. from Carey, was appointed mail carrier from Carey to Tuttle Post Office, 9 mi. east of his home. He made the trip 3 times a week with Rabbit hunting around Vona. teachers, and his son Wm. Burnett, was County Supt. of Schools for term 1893-94. He was the 3rd. Supt. Another Vona homesteader, George Bent, was about the first County Treasurer of Kit Carson County as it was cut of Elbert County in 1899. ' outThis history was furnished by Mrs. Flora Linford Ferris, a daughter of W.R. Linford (who built the Linford building in Stratton. It is now the "Someplace Special" store on the main street. By 1908 in the south area there was a homesteader on every quarter section. By Mrs. Ben Boese: The Pleasant Valley community was settled by a group of German Mennonites from South Dakota. They built the church in 1912. Some family names were: Boese, (A.M., Ben M., John, Henry J., and Jacob) Corneilus Schultz, Dirks (Harry, John, and Ben), Adolph Schmidt, Unruh (Jacob and John), Matilda Kliewer and Mary Heinricks, A.B. Becker (father of the Beckers of Vona), Ratslaf, Wiens, Peterson, Buller, Pankratz, and Wedels. Some of this group left after proving on their homesteads, others stayed on a few more years. One by one they all left but the Ben Boese and A.B. Becker families. A.L. Boese. Wilbert and Leander Becker, were all prominent in the Soil Conservation south of horse and buggy. Carey Post Office was discontinued when the Vona Post Office extended to our community in 1916. The original Carey still stands enlarged, remodeled and owned by Mr. Woods. Now, some 76 years later, few seem to remember there was once a place called Carey. History of the U.S. Postal Service of Vona, Colorado 80861. Established in Kit Carson County 5-18-1889, Erastus R. Johnson; Henry Wallace, 2-1change of postmaster 1980; Change of Postmaster Alvin L. 7-9Ferris, S-11-1894; Office Discontinued - R. Erastus 1907; Est. in Elbert County in Vona 1-19-1899: Reestablished Johnson 1-2L-L907; Change Archie L. Ferris - Stover 8-30-1907; -Postmaster James M. Change Postmaster - Wm. H. Dawson - 12A. Louise 9-1908; Change Postmaster Haynes 9-18-1914; (she died-2/14/77, aged - changed from Fourth to Third St. 90) Office Wm. L. 10-1-1919; Change Postmaster -Butler 4-L5-L924; Change Postmaster 6-9-1936; Change Postmaster Ray L. Ford 10-13-1949; InauguraMerlin C.-Ford -tion ofthe United States - Postal Service 7Joann Pickard 1-1971; Change Postmaster (sister to Merl Ford) 5-3-1985; Vona's first two mail carriers - George Smith, and - 1986 South Route August Carlstedt; Today Pat Rueb, Asst. Abe Frll, North Route -Rita Rueb; clerk Nancy- Megel. - by Janice Salmans ETIN L. &DD �And I l'll .d *1ll !h.6 !!t to to q th.E !. ou .!d o! S.L .ll hjp Frank Boger in his blacksmith shop in Seibert, Co. sf^roM l!,B0G[n' BIACKSMruA $.H0P,.,,,,: r-.i.r:a'wd,::'i:. -.. !u rhooruj*h!'! rh. 3ld, tlrd v x. *esi hrnd THE BOGER BLACKSMITH SHOP T383 Frank Boger started his blacksmith shop in Seibert in 1929. It was built by Frank Boger, John Boger, Elmer Everett, and Jess Miller and was painted by Jess Miller. He was assisted in the shop by his sons, John and Vernis, for the first few years and then operated the shop by himself for several more years. Failing health forced him to close the shop in about 1937. The building is still standing on the south side of Highway 24 about one block east of Main street. The building is now owned by Twila Gorton. by Joyce Miller Statement from the Boger Blacksmith shop. VONA'S DOCTORS Dr. V.M. Hewitt T384 The Stories as told by Mrs. Hewitt: In 1923 after completing his medical education, Dr. J.T. Myers drove to Eastern Colorado in search of a spot where a doctor was wanted and a community of such that he would want to bring his family and make it a home. As he traveled he drove into Vona, a thriving little community, with two churches, several grocery stores, a lumber yard, bank, two grain elevators, a cream station, restaurant, hardware store, two hotels, two garages, and believe it or not a livery barn. Rock Island gave good service in and out ofboth passenger and freight. Yes, and the depot was well taken care of by the pleasant helpful agent. The post office was in the front room ofone ofthe homes, accessible to every one in town. It was later moved into a separate building facing the street which ran parallel to the railroad track. The crops had been good and looked favorable, so after talking to businessmen, of which S.L. Howell was chairman, he decided to locate here. S.L. Howell found a place for his family to live and in a short time after the doctor got settled in his office, his family anived October 10. The house was quite new and very nice, but there was no electricity, so the coal oil lamp was brought into use and for better light, the Coleman gasoline lamp. A small wood stove did a very good job of heating and cooking �too. There were no indoor toilets. but we did have water piped into the house, which was unusual for such a community. School was close by and all grades were taught. Within several months the men of the town got together and bought a Koehler plant, which was housed in a basement. if I remember right, and even if we didn't have but one or two lights on at a time we were happy with it. After sometime, K.C. Electric Company came in and then most everyone had accommodations of electricity. There were only two or three telephones in the town, ofwhich one was for the doctor. Out in the country there were very few phones and those that were there, the telephone wire was barb wire fence, but somehow in case of necessity, willing neighbors were on hand to give assistance if needed. Roads were not very good and out on the prairie it was mostly trails which led to one farm house then another and so on, so in case you were not familiar with all these trails you stood a good chance of getting lost, which happened many times. In wintery weather Dr. Myers many times went as far as he could by car, then some one would take him on in by wagon, sled, or horse to give medical aid to a sick patient or deliver a baby. One time when he was called out about eighteen miles or so and after giving medical aid to the sick he started home and was caught in one of those awful blizzards. He drove as far as the car would go, not knowing just what to do and realizing he couldn't stay in the car, he looked out into the storm and saw a dim light in the distance. He decided to take a chance and walk toward that light. Cold and half frozen he finally made it and there found a door opened to him, a welcome refuge, a warm fire, and a hot cup of coffee. After about thirty-six hours the storm subsided and he with the help ofthese friends, got the car dug out of the snow and he got on the way home. In the meantime we at Vona had had no word from him and all were very concerned as to his welfare, so the men got a posse together and started out to look for him. After going several miles they met him coming in, a wonderful relief to all, and thankful to God for his safe-keeping. Many were the experiences similar to this one, but there were also many happy times when we all got together for an evening of singing, homemade ice cream, taffy pulls, and popcorn. During these years the Doctor's health was failing and in 1928 he went to be with his Lord. About a year later the men of Vona were anxious to get a doctor to take Dr. Myers' place. One day Dr. Hewitt was driving to Denver; he stopped to get gas for his car and something to eat. Some one heard he was a doctor and the news spread like wild fire. Soon several men encountered him and tried to interest him in locating here. They advised him that Dr. Myers' office was intact and everything he needed was there and the rent was paid. After making several trips to Denver and back he decided to locate here. The news spread rapidly that Vona again had a doctor. Calls began to come more and more in town and out into the country. He was not acquainted with the country-life; having formerly always lived in the city, nor was he acquainted with the winding country trails that led over the prairie to some distant frame house or adobe hut. Therefore ignorant of these conditions, he would have some young man who knew the country, go with him on these calls or drive for him. He could be called out at any time day or night. Oft times when far out into the country he would stay hours with a sick patient or maybe a night with an expectant mother until her baby was delivered. Thus he grew to love these folk and knew them as no one else could. Many of these calls were very hazardous especially in winter when snow was falling or the wind blowing up a gale. Sometimes he had to be met somewhere with a horse-drawn sled or a pony to ride to get to the home of the patient. One day he asked his young man who went with him, "What in the world do people away out here in the country do, when someone is sick and desperately needs a doctor?" Hesitating a moment the young man said "Well, I guess they would have to call the doctor two or three davs ahead". by Mrs. Hewitt VONA'S DOCTORS T385 There were no hospitals close until a few years later, thus many minor surgeries were done in the office, such as pulling an aching tooth, setting a fractured arm, or shoulder, taking out a pair of tonsils, or opening and treating a festering boil or varicose ulcer. Sometimes he fitted needed glasses to one whose eyes needed help. In Vona the people recognized the need for some place for sick folk to stay while being treated daily for their ailments, so several homes were made available to fill such a place and also some were readied for an expectant mother due for delivery, especially in bad weather, til the child was delivered and both were cared for until they were ready to return home. Other homes were made available for older folk who could no longer care for themselves; they could in these homes find needed medical help and care. During the drought and depression of the thirties plus the terrible dust bowl days, the country calls were just as hazardous as in the winter blizzards. High winds, plus the droughts, blew out crops and left much of the prairie barren, even of a little grass. Cattlemen had to feed their cattle with feed thev hauled in or maybe drive some to distani pastures, or sell some in order to provide for his family. Money was scarce, but those who possibly could paid for their medical services and those who couldn't, would bring the doctor what they had, be it poultry, eggs, milk cream, or a pig, or whatever they had, you nrme it. It made a wonderful relationship between them and their doctor, one he never forgot; he loved them with all his heart. On one particular occasion after delivering a baby, he looked for something to wrap the baby in but found nothing, maybe just a few rags. On leaving after the care of the mother and child was complete, he reached into his pocket, pulled out some bills and gave them to the mother to buy some needed clothing. On another occasion a young man came to visit his brother and family, who lived north of Vona. He had heard much about the rattlesnakes or buttons on the tail of a rattlesnake and longed to have some, for some had any number of rattles or buttons depending on their age. One day while out hunting they came across a big rattlesnake. They tried to kill him but he made for his hole, and this young man, not knowing the danger or ways of this snake, grabbed his tail while he was going down his hole, thinking he would get those rattles. The snaked turned and bit him in the thick part of his thumb. The brother immediately rushed him to the doctor and treatment was quickly given, but the venom had already gotten into his system. The doctor worked with this man the rest of the day and all night and well into the next day, and finally won the battle for his life, but Iater on he lost part of his hand. Others who in one way or another were bitten by rattlesnakes, didn't survive for medical help came too late and these are the tragedies that grieve a doctor's heart. When rains began to come, grass began to grow and everything and everybody began to regain that cheerful, hopeful, upward look, which is so prevalent in these wonderful eastern Colorado folk. Hospitals were being built, roads and highways improved, many modern conveniences were made available, all of which made the doctor's life much easier, although he still answered calls be it day or night. He learned to love this country life and most of all he loved the people he had served so long and given them his best. He was a most capable physician; he knew his medicine, symptoms and treatment as very fewdoctors knewthem, and he was numbered among the best. As he realized his health was failing, he made one request, that his remains would be Ieft among the people he so loved and served. He died in 1957 and as he requested, he was buried in the Vona Cemetery. by Janice Salmans OTHER CHURCHES IN THE VONA AREA T386 In the early homestead days, church services were held in most of the countrv schools. The following established churches were also in the Vona area: Church of Christ, 13 miles north of Vona; A Catholic Church, 17 miles north and z/q west: Church of the Nazarene, 15 miles north and 1 west; and the Holland Church, 15 miles north and 2- % west of Vona, called the Dutch lst Reformed Christian Church. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VONA T387 The First Baptist Church of Vona, Colorado was organized July, 1912, after Rev. M. Hatch labored faithfully to unite the Chris- tian fellowship who became the fourteen members to sign the charter. They were: Messrs and Hubert Dawson; Dr. and Mrs. J.W. Thomas and daughter Irene; Mrs. Bertha Fuller; Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Thomas and daughter Jannie Mae; and Mrs. S.L. Howell. Jannie Mae Thomas Mumford was the youngest charter member and has con- �Stevens in March 1924. Brother Steadman led in his second evangelistic campaign, services long remembered for the 136 who came to the altar and the membership of the church was raised from 46 to 250. A quotation from the annual Church letter reads, "We have freed our Church from all debt, have First Baptist Church of Vona. tributed much of the data for this history. The lots on which the Church was built were donated by Mrs. S.L. Howell. The people were not able themselves to finance the construction of the church building, so a loan was secured from the American Baptist Home Mission Society and a mortgage was given for the same. Many years later, after much sacrifice and trust in God for provision, the debt was finally erased. Out of the experience came the purpose and motto, "We shall pay as we go henceforth." The services started in the shell ofthe building even before there was a floor, using the joists as seats for the worshippers. The Sunday School was organized as a union school in 1909 and met for classes in the school house. Later a Church was built on the hill, intended for use of the Union Sunday School but when it was dedicated as a raised the Pastor's salary to $1,500.00 and are planning to enlarge the church building. The average attendance at the Young Peoples' Class is 30. However, it was not until some years later the annex was started. In December, 1926, Rev. E.R. Clark was called here and served the Church until July 1928, to be succeeded by Rev. J.F. Starr in September 1928. Brother Starr continued as Pastor during the critical financial period of the "Dust Bowl" years. Nevertheless, during the ministry the annex was finally started and the basement completed. Money was raised from proceeds of ten acres of water melons harvested on the G.M. Ott farm north of Vona; by returns from ten acre harvests donated by various farmers; by a gift of $72.00 from the Calvary Church (a group of believers who assembled in the old Boger School, twelve and one half miles north of Vona until in 1931); and in addition, numbers of individual gifts of money and chickens. Because of hard times, the Church was disappointed in not being able to complete the building at that time. The financial wife brought a chapel car to the siding on the conditions had become so bad our Pastor and his wife doubled their pledge and voluntarily accepted a reduction in salary. Brother Starr accepted a call to the First Baptist Church in Golden, Colorado in June 1936. For several months, supply Pastors came to us, until in October 1936, Rev. W.L. Bledsoe accepted the call to the ministry here. He labored with us faithfully and patiently, finally inspiring us to proceed to the completion of the work on the Church building. He assured us that God would surely supply help, as he certainly did, for Rock Island Railroad and held meetings things were accomplished no one ever during the fall of 1912 and the spring of 1913. thought possible at the beginning. The annex Christian Church, the Baptist group separated themselves as soon as the Baptist Church was under construction. Mr. J.M. Thomas was elected Sunday School Superintendent and he served until 1918, when he moved away. He was succeeded by John Warrick, who led the school for nearly 19 years, and was followed by Chester Burd. After the charter was granted to the newly formed Church, Rev. M. Sangston and his Several converts were gained by the meetings and added to the Church to strengthen it. The first resident Pastor to be called was Rev. Ira J. Calahan, who ministered from 1913 until in February 1915. Recently a pulpit chair has been dedicated to his memory by the gift of his daughter, Mrs. Erie Colm of Ashsland, Ky. He serviced the church faithfully for three years until his death while still Pastor here. He was succeeded by Rev. E.L. Crane, State Missionary Evangelist of the Colorado Baptist State Convention. He served for one year, to be followed in November, 1916 by Rev. E.M. Lockhart who continued through 1917. Rev. J.L. Rupard began his ministry in June 1918 and served until June 1919. During his time here, he and his wife lived in the back part of the church, formerly the classroom of the Hi-Fliers Class. It was at this time the building ofthe parsonage was started. Brother James Davis held special meetings in 1918 and several new members were added to the church. In July 1919, Rev. J.C. Matthews came art Pastor and during his ministry of two years, the first meetings of the Eastern Baptist Association was held in Vona. Rev. E.M. Steadman, also held his first series of meetings during this time. Rev. B.I. Compton became Pastor in October 1921 and servedfor two veers. to be followed bv Rev. Charles was finished, providing a chapel, Sunday School room and Pastor's Study. The Auditorium was redecorated, installing a new ceil- ing, and the exterior of the Church was painted white. Both members and friends of the Church gave generously of time and labor until the Church was completed and building was dedicated on September 4, 1938. On this date, the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the original Church building, the new annex was dedicated. Dr. W.F. Ripley delivered the morning address, which was followed by a chicken dinner served to 130 persons present in the basement dining room. During the afternoon, the history of the Church was read by Mrs. E.B. Wilson, prepared by her and Mrs. Ray Deakin, the latter overseeing this present edition of our history. Greetings were received from Pastors and members not able to be present. Special music was rendered by a male quartet. Former Pastor, Rev. J.F. Starr of Golden preached the dedicatory sermon, and an address was given by Rev. W.L. Jaeger of the Colorado Baptist State Convention. Rev. W.J. Peterson of the Flagler Church led in the prayer of dedication. 147 persons attended the services. Brother Bledsoe continued to serve until in August, 1939 and was succeeded by Rev. George Thompson, who settled here in October 1940. Brother Thompson was one of our minist- ers ordained here. The ordination taking place November 12, 1940. While Pastor, he and his wife met with an auto accident in which her face was disfigured and she was left with severe nervous strain. With determined devotion, they continued until in January 1944. The two pictures: "The Three Wisemen" and "Christ in Gethsemane" were painted and donated by the art pupils of Mrs. John Hale. The Christian and American flags were donated by Lela and Imogene Burd in 1943. Special meetings were conducted by Evangelists Arthur Nyborg, Leonard Get- tings and E. Woody Hodson, the latter donated the large pulpit Bible used in the services so many years. Through their ministry, the Church was greatly strengthened so that it assumed full responsibility for its financial program. At this time the bathroom was installed in the parsonage. Splendid B.Y.P.U. programs stimulated large attendance under the leadership of Mrs. Thompson, the record attendance being 183. The Thompsons assisted the young people in publishing "The Ambassador: a newsy, spiritual monthly, primarily for the purpose of giving cheer and of lending spiritual support to "our boys" in the service. The Chester Burds helped to carry on this work until the war was over, also donating the mimeograph used for the paper. Several boys from our Church served in World War II in the armed forces of our country and an honor roll was kept in memory of them. Only one gold star appeared on the banner, and that for Wayne Adams who was slain in action. His memory is also honored in the name of the local American Legion Post - Adams Crum Post. During Brother Thompson's ministry fifty five were added to the membership, sixteen were lost by letter or death, and eighty three were dropped from the Church roll by revision of the Board of Deacons. Three Pastors have been ordained here: Rev. James Bennett, July 20, 1924; Rev. George Thompson, November 12, 1940; and Rev. V.M. Horton, June 1, 1947. Two others were to have been ordained here. but due to bad weather which prevented a sufficient number to attend, it was postponed to a later date; when Rev. W.J. Peterson and Rev. John Falconer were ordained at the Flagler Church, the latter under the direction of the Vona Baptist Church, December 16, 1926. Rev. Clifton McGlothlan came to the Church, April 30, 1944 and served here until September 29, \947. During his ministry the Primary Department and the Young Married Peoples' Class were organized. State Evangelist, Edwin Boone and Evangelist "Big" Jim Kramer held special meetings, and the Pastor also conducted a two week series of meetings. Brother McGlothlan preached once each month at two school houses, one north and one south ofVona. The church sent the Pastor as a delegate to the Northern Baptist Convention which convened in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1946. Upon his return he urged the Church to support and cooperate with the Conservative movement. A back porch was added to the parsonage and a distillate furnace was installed. Up to this time Pastors had to provide their own stoves. A light was placed at the entrance to the annex and a piano was purchased for the prayer room. A lamp was also installed on the piano in the auditorium. Rev. Virsil Horton, a student enrolled at �the Rockmont College in Denver, came to the Church as Pastor, April 6, 1947. He was ordained here June 1,1947. On Januar5i lst, 1948, our church joined the Conservative Baptist Association of Colorado and pledge support from our undesignated missionary giving; 50Vo to Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission, 40% to Conservative Baptist State Mission, and l0% to the Rockmont College in Denver. Improvement to the Church included a built in kitchen, with sink, range and hot water heater; a new chimney and new baptistry. Evangelist Jesse Powers of the Fuller Evangelistic Foundation of California choral work, especially at Christmas and Easter. by Myra L. Davis VONA CHURCH OF CHRIST T388 held a series of meetings and there were thirty five additions to the church. Fourteen were dropped from the roll. Brother Horton was succeeded by Rev. Nihl D. Johnson, who began his October 1, 1948. Two of our young men enrolled in the Rockmont College in Denver in October 1949, they were Forrest Tanner and Wayne Gouge, the latter with his fanily residing in Denver. The Church voted affiliation with the Conservative Baptist Association of America, January 26, 1949. A new Church Constitution and By Laws replaced the former constitu- tion which were lost, January 25, L949. by Evangelist Roy R. Boese, who as a young walls white, building a shelter and steps to the back entrance and a new entrance door at the head of front steps; cement walks and steps were put in at all front entrances to the Church; a table was built and a cupboard loaned by Mr. and Mrs. August Carlstedt; a reed organ was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller; an upholstered davenport and chair were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Pickard; and a circulating heater was purchased to better heat the basement for gervices. Brother Johnson greatly improved the parsonage by contributing materials, redecorating the walls throughout and building in the kitchen cabinets and shelves. He also installed and contributed electric wiring and outlets for the Church's kitchen, a yard light as the rear entrance to the Church basement and installed a transformer and buzzer system for the Sunday School. Special missionary speakers were: Rev. and Mrs. Paul Okken of Belgian Congo, Africa; Rev. and Mrs. Bernard Von Ehrenkrook, Vona Church of Christ. The church located on the corner of East Second and Howell Street in Vona is known both by the term Church of Christ and/or Christian Church. According to the Sept. 15, 1923 Christian Standard, page 5, "The Vona Christian Church was organized in the fall of 1909 by Minister Gill, whose daughter, Mrs. John Collins, is still a member. The organization failed in 1916 and was not revived till the fall of 1919 when only five members could be found. For some few years they have been without a settled minister, but April of this year they were in a position to call David Graham to the charge. The membership now stands at forty-five." Some records were lost in a fire in 1955. The following has been partly gathered from memory and more recent records. On March 27, L9LL, Judge Elmer H. Haynes deeded the land to the Church of Christ. A building was constructed by volunteer labor pouring hand-mixed concrete to make the 8" inch walls with a small furnace room basement. The baptistry was built in with the platform. Mr. W.E. Melling designed and made the pulpit, communion table, and railing along the front of the platform and they are still being used (1936). David Graham, R.J. Frederickson, R.C. Turner, Dr. W.L. Straub served as ministers in the 1920's. Rachel Boast and Mrs. St. John also served in the early days. Ministers from Burlington and Arriba, William Sutton, Lloyd M. Green and Hany Bixel held afternoon services for a time in the 30's and ing the Moody Bible Institute film, "Dust or church basement and preached full time from January 1, 1941 to February 28,L942. Charles Baer preached some in the 40's. Mrs. Amelia Africa. Baccalaureate and Commencement services are held annually in our Church by the High School. Two annual Good Friday gervices have been held with communitywide participation. The choir under the direction of Leander Becker renders a real service in served an internship to the Christian Mission to the Chinese in Hong Kong and influenced Wong Yan Wing to come to the United States for Bible College and Seminary training. Wing is now back in Hong Kong, president of a Bible College he was influential in starting there. Clair and Karen (McArthur) McManigal were called to serve the Vona church after the Palmers left in 1972. The church doors were closed from Feb. 19TB through Dec. 1977. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Palmer returned to Vona in Dec. L977 and again started having appointees of the C.B.F.M.S. to Brazil, South America; Rev. Robert Welsh of French West Africa; and other speakers were: Mr. William Ward, field worker of the Red Feather Lakes Conference; and Mr. Charles Wilson, show- Destiny". The Ladies Missionary Fellowship sends barrels and sacks of Whit€ Cross materials to the Okkens for use on the Mission Field in thur, and Paul Palmer. Karen McArthur served a summer internship to the Navajo Indian Mission in Arizona. Paul Palmer services on Jan. 15, 1978 with eighteen present. In the fall of 1983 and spring'84 the church members and friends lowered the ceiling of the building and installed a new lighting system and paneled the walls and did some painting. This improved the interior Special evangelistic meetings were conducted man lived in the area, from June 12th through the 26th, 1949 and from June 4th through the 18th, in 1950. These services met with fine success and attracted wide interest with good results from each series of meetings. Church improvements included redecoration of the Church basement by painting the these years the following members of the church went to Bible Colleges: Charles Baer, Hazel Burian, Rogeray Palmer, Karen McAr- 40's. Eugene Raymond Palmer lived in the Howell kept the Sunday School together many years when there was no minister to help. Brother Palmer returned to Vona in June 1948 and continued with the church through June 1972, working on the side to support his family. During this term of ministry there were at least 38 that made the good confession and were baptized and at least 18 others transferred their membership. Also during decoration and has helped with heating the building for services. Special gospel meetings were conducted in August 1981 by Elbert and Ruth Moreland, in September 1984 by Tom Weaver and Alan Barber, and in September 1985 by K.O. Backstrand and Alan Barber. Many other ministers and missionaries from various places have shared their time, talents, and message with the Vona church over the years. The church has had a large percentage of its younger people attend Colorado Christian Service Camp, also a number of adults, and has reached a lot of children in the area through vacation Bible Schools. The congregation has fluctuated during the years due to people moving in and out of the community, young people going elsewhere after graduation from high school, and the normal death toll. The church continues to have regular Sunday morning services with Bible School classes and worship service with communion and preaching. Frequent fellowship dinners and home Bible studies are also held. Eugene Palmer passed away Dec. 4, 1986. by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Palmer THE NEW FRIEDENSBERG MENNONITE CHURCH T389 The Mennonite community south of Vona was mainly settled in the year 1907. Most of these folks came from the Avon. South Dakota territory, There the Mennonite Church is nnrned 'The Friedensberg Mennonite Church', meaning: Hill of Freedom or Peaceful Hill. Our Church was named The New Friedensberg Mennonite Church. Even the shape and gize was modeled like the South Dakota Church. A Charter for the New Friedensburg Mennonite Church was issued by the State on Nov. 18, 1910. In early 1912 the Church was dedicated by Rev. H.R. Vothof Kansas, and a English sermon was delivered by the �shattered by a loud grating noise descending down the wall. All eyes were turned to about the middle of the south wall. Soon we heard slight scratching noises ascending the wall. All was quiet for a while. But then again that loud descending noise, followed by that slight ascending noise. By this time Bro. Bergen was getting somewhat frustrated. Nobody was listening to his sermon. In rather a loud voice he said "Don't pay attention to the noise. Who ever is there is paying more attention to my sermon than you are". After the services we got hammers and New Friedenberg Mennonite Church. 17 mi. south and,2t/z mi. west of Vona Rev. John H. Epp of Hillsboro, Kansas. Rev. Henry U. Schmidt was our first Pastor. He was very instrumental in organiz- ing the New Friedensberg Mennonite Church. Rev. Schmidt was from Oklahoma, but had also lived at Avon, South Dakota previously. He deeded a four acre plot of ground from his homestead in the northwest corner of the northeast V+ - 10-48, for this Church. The Church designated that one acre on the south of this deeded land be divided into lots for a cemetery. In the early days this Church many times was filled to capacity of around one hundred. But so many homesteaders did not remain long. The attendance was very sporadic and usually declining in numbers. Rev. Schmidt served this Church until the first part of 1920. Rev. Schmidt sustained a grievous loss in the death of his wife in March of 1920, due to the birth of a little son and the death of the little boy a few days later. He, with the younger children left for Okla- homa, where He pastored a Mennonite Church for many years until he was well in his eighties. With the departing of Rev. Schmidt our Church was left without a regular pastor. We kept on with Sunday School and special programs and many times had a minister from our General Conference serve us once a month. Among those visiting our Church other than the Rev. Voth and Rev. Epp mentioned above were the Reverends Frey, Unruh, Regier, Harold Ratslaff, Richard Tschetter. John Barkman, John Esau, Derksen and others. Rev. Roy Boese, when visiting his relatives, would serve our church and also when he was pastoring the Vona Baptist Church, would give us a sermon numerous times. Eldon Boese would also give us a sermon when he was visiting his home folks. In the early fifties we had a regular Pastor in Leonard Ewert, who served us so ably. Later Rev. J.W. Bergen from the Mingo Mennonite Church, south of Colby, Kansas, served us very well once a month. It was during the Iate fifties, when Rev. Bergen was at our Church that the well known event of coons invading our Church occurred. The first episode of coons was an event that will not soon be forgotten. Few had ever seen or even knew that coons were in the vicinity. That morning we had a period of singing and a long time in Sunday School classes. Prayer to God was made on that beautiful quiet Sunday morning. Bro. Bergen was in the midst of an intense interesting sermon, when all of a sudden the quietness was screwdrivers and opened a small space in the wall where the noise appeared to come from. The beam from a flashlight revealed shining eyes from some little furry animals clinging to the top of the space between two studdings. We did not have to wait long. Soon that Vona School which was replaced by the present building. About 1918. loud grating noise descending, but this time the noise stopped at the opening, and out popped a cute Iittle raccoon, about the size of a half grown cat. Soon we had four of these cute kittens scampering on the floor of the Church. All of us were excited. We had to dodge the path of those coons as we and the coons clambered all over the floor and furniture of our Church. I don't believe any of us knew the behavior of raccoons. The boys finally captured the four kittens in gunny sacks, and they were taken home by some of the boys. The coons had dug a hole underneath the foundation. and somehow had found an opening between the studdings, and could reach the attic of the Church. The four little coons must of got trapped where there was no opening at the top of the wall. We piled rocks on top of the hole. The coons pulled the rocks away. We found one t..:' ,: 1920-1921 Vona School dead coon in the attic. So we left the hole open. We were afraid the coons may die in the walls where we could not get at them. In time we did not notice any evidence of coon activity so we piled more rocks atop the hole. That did not stop the coon activity. One Sunday morning what did we see but big bare Vona School in the 1950's spots on the roof of the Church. They had tried to go to Church again by crawling up the corners of the Church, and tearing the shingles off the roof. We could see the scratch marks on the west corners of the Church. We covered the two west corners of the church with sheet metal. The coons crawled up the east corners, and ripped off more shingles, so we covered all corners with metal. We have not noticed evidence of coons at our Church for several years. They are smart cunning animals. We will wait and see. Since the parting of Bro. Bergen, attendance at our Church, The New Friedensberg Mennonite Church southwest of Vona, Colorado had decreased until even Sunday School has all but ceased. It is a sad situation, indeed to see the seemingly end of worship at this Church, and the deterioration of a Church building. Building the Vona School Gymnasium in the 1960's by Wilbert Becker VONA'S SCHOOLS T390 As told by several of Vona's past and present citizens, Elmer H. Haynes: "The first School was held in the residence of E.R. Johnson, located Vr mile east of town . In the summer of 1889. Mabel Dascod was the teacher. During the fall, a frame building was erected on the Haynes homestead by the district. The school was erected on the hill about 300 feet north of the depot. E.H. Haynes was the teacher during the winter of 1889-90. Later the school was disposed of to private parties and a larger two-room build. ing built in the north part of town. Later this was sold and the present buildings, with the �*,.:,:i:,:a.- ''. .' :,,.f,,',,r,l;1 ;: Old Shop and finished symnasium ward to better things ahead. Mr. A.M. Boese cheerfully volunteered a number of acres in the southeast corner of his 160 acres known as the S.W.% of 33-9-48, 6 miles south and tYz west of Vona for the school. The school house was no sooner finished til plans were under way for celebrations. No holiday went by without pie suppers, oyster suppers, box socials, watermelon feasts, picnics in the summertime which usually had a high-spirited baseball Beme between the single and married men. The first year of school started in 1908 with Miss Emma Ligget as teacher. Miss Amber Palmer, a homesteader taught 3 years. They taught all eight grades with 30 to 40 children. This was District #47." Opal M. Boger: "In 1911, a small adobe brick building was erected 1% miles east of Carvey. (Carvey was located 16 mi. North and \Vz mi. East of Vonal) This was our school, District #42, commonly called Kechter. It was also our church, meeting place, and Hi-Plains Grade School, Vona. capacity of 200 pupils was built at the cost of $6,000.00, in 1917." Glen Howell "My first teacher was Ruth Bernett in the early 90's. I think she got about $10.00 per month. She lived on a homestead." J. Carl Harrison: "At that time (1930's) there were no consolidated schools. All country children went to one-room country schools. Only town children went to the town school. There were five country schools in the south Vona trade area and I think about the same north. Church and Sunday School was held in several of the country schools. Some of the first area teachers in the south were: Jim Barrett, John Matthews, Mr. Thompson, Marie Farquer, Blanche Johnson, and Carl Harrison." Harriet Mohr Ford: "Our school system now (1976) operated jointly with Seibert, has always had the distinction of being a school where you could be proud to have your children attend. It has always maintained a structure of education and morals above reproach." Horace Boger as told to Joyce Boger Miller: "The Boger School was a one-room frame building, built in about 1909 about l2t/z miles north and 1 west of Vona. It was later moved one mile to the east. The Unity Sunday School was also held here. Some of the first teachers were: Gailon Lewis, Vern Meyers, Sadie Dulmer, August Carlstedt, and William O'Seeley." Reflections of Arthur L. Boese: "In 1907 homesteaders began to trickle into this community. In the next two or three years all the land had been filed on with a house on every 160 acres . . The hub of this community centered in the Pleasant Valley School. A large sod building was put up with volunteer labor. I can see them yet, working like beavers with all the joy and satisfaction of accomplishment and always looking for- Rainbow Sunday School. Chris Heinrich was the Supt. of the Sunday School. In some school terms over 40 pupils attended. The first teacher was Miss Bessie Wilder. Others were: Grace Van Winkle, Ida Martin, and Wilma Ford. These were all local girls, daughters of homesteaders. Miss Wilder and Miss Van Winkle had homesteads of their own north of the school house and just over the county line in Yuma County.ln L922, a Iarge frame school house was built on the same corner on the opposite side of the road. Miss Estel Straughn from near Burlington was the teacher that year. Members. of the Board of Directors were: Jacob Kechter, Chas. Andrews, and Erastus Godfrey. Some of the family names of pupils in District #42 in the years 1911-1923 were; Achley, Atwood, Arthur, Atterbury, Andrews, Bolin, Calkins, Calhoun, Hagan, Hamilton, Gulley, Godfrey, Woods, Wilkerson, Wasson, Phillips, Kechter, Keeley, and others." Some other schools of the north Vona area were: Kerl School called West Point 10 mi. north and - located 2 east of Vona, Bowers School located 12 north and 41/z east ofVona or 1 -east ofwhere Mick Monroe used to live. Brownwood School west of the Brownwood - Vz mL Store, Seaman School and 1 west - 16 north of Vona, Hunter School near the Ed R. - and Vz mi. east Stahleckers or about 16 north ofthe town ofSeibert, and some adobe school buildings were: Progress 4 mi. west of Moffitts or 19 north and 5 -mi. west of Vona, Weakland 8y2 N. of Vona, and Rehor's - north School 17 and 1 west ofVona. Some other schools were: Flannigan School N.E. of Seibert 7 miles, Murphy School - 3 west and 4 north of Vona. Harmon School Seibert, and Solid Center North -of Stratton, Plainview East on- the river by Joe Brachtenbach, -and First Central and Second Central Schools located south of Seibert." Mrs. L.L. Grimes remembers some of the families that attended the Murphy School were: Borens, Youngs, Burcars, and the Grimes. There were many more. Violet (Fuhlendorf) Edmunds remembers the Plainview School was 9 mi. north of Stratton. and the Solid Center School was 9 north and about 3 west ofStratton as this is where their boys went to school, and the Hanson School (an adobe) was 3 miles east and 5 miles north of Vona, before the Ashview School was built. Then in 1916 Hanson was torn down and the Ashview School was built and was District #54. (Violet Fuhlendorf attended all her school years here). The first teacher was.Ada Sack, and the 2nd teacher was Mae Peterson. who sill lived in Flagler in 1986. Gwen (Salmans) Malone remembers: "Mv brother Kyle Riley stayed with us for awhile and went to the Ashview School in about 1945." Mrs. John Wigton remembers some of the schools south of Vona: "There wag the McConnell's School, the Green Knoll School North of Dean Wigtons, the Pleasant -Meadow School down on the correction line, and the Pleasant Valley School. Some of the teachers at Pleasant Valley were: Evelyn Olsen, Mrs. Tressel, Mrs. Elvina Ezra, Matilda Kliever, Mary Heinricks, and Mrs. John Wigton. We had all eight grades in one room, and the older children knew they had to get most of their work done by themselves so they just studied harder. The S.tate had a course of study for us to complete and we always got our finished by the end of the school year." Mrs. Harriet Ford says: "Our boys went to the Green Knoll school and one day a dirt storm came up so the teacher sent the children home. Well, the parents thought the kids were safe at school and the teacher thought they were home, but the boys got into Drake's grainery and hid till the storm was over. Mr. Drake found them when he heard them after the storm was over and sent them home." Wilbert Becker says: "In 1921 the District #47 of Pleasant Valley was consolidated with #68 and called #68." Everett Duncan who was on the school board of Dist. #36, Pleasant Meadow in 1948, when the schools consolidated intotown says: "There were three schools in Dist. #36 - (1) Pleasant Meadow 12 south, and 1 west; - south Spring.Creek 13 3 west; and - south andand Rose Dale 16 2 west of Vona. because the- district was so large. There was also a school called Lucky Point - 9 mi. south and lVz east ofthe Vona Road." Some teachers at the Progress School north of Vona were: Edna Bartman (Stahlecker), Myrtle (Cowgill) Shaw, and Margie Boren. A teacher at Murphy School was Daisy Frank- father. In 1948 when most of the country schools consolidated into Vona the senior graduating class was: Clarence Macon, Frieda Steiniger, Nedra Steiniger, Bill Edmunds, Arthur Tubbs, Virginia Herrell, and Kenneth Hubbell. In 1950 the state passed the School District Reorganization Act and a committee was appointed to reorganize the school districts, at this time Vona District #R-3, - were formed. and Seibert "District #R-2 When this happe4ed some of the buildings were moved into town and the equipment was auctioned'off. Thebuildings were used for the lower grades 1-4 and a lunch room.,.The teacherage house was once a country school. In 1963 a gyrnnasiurn was built and the school house was remodeled to accommodate grades K-12 and even had a Special Ed. room and library. On April Fool's Day in school year 1970-7I, the Seibert School burned and the high school students went to Vona. InL97L-72the grade school students went to Seibert from Vona, and Seibert's high schoolers went to Vona. They received their diplomas and took the class sneak together.lnlgT2-73, the high school moved to Seibert and the grade schoolers moved to Vona. The schools were called Hi-Plains High and Hi-Plains Grade School and retained their own District num- �bbrs,of 'R,2 in Vohe and R,3 irr Seibirt. In the fall of 1984, the Colorado l€gislative bodies notified the Seibett and Vona Dig' tricts that they would no longer.give egch district more state money than they would get if they were one district. Thig announce' ment took away all the advantages of .opera' ting together but remaining separate districts. The school boards: (Seibert) Carlog Arnold, lVilford Huppert, Terty Tagtmeyer, Ervin Jones,and Kelly Burr; and (Vona) Joe Gurley, Lyndell Salmana, $teve Miller, (Daryl) Pickard and Nean l;iebl, deciddd to hold a consolidation election. On Dec. 31, 1985, both districts passed the proporal, The Hi-Plains Dlsttict #R-23 wag created on ilan. 1, 1985. The new district's firut order of business wag to set up new director distticts, A five member board was elected to replace the original ten member boardl Carlos Ar' nold, Nean Liebl, Kelly Burr, Myra Devis and Ervin Jones. In 1988, the School Board was: Terry Clapper, Myra Davis, Vickey Eagleton, Ewin Jones and Janice Salmans. The Staff are: Elementary: Sherry Stone, Peggy Henry, Mary Molford, Terri Cooper, Nora Hubbell, June Guy, Carol Smith, TerrY Ingram, Dorthy Tanner, Mrs. Shaw, Barbara Thorson, Wanda Miller, Katy Burd, Madne and James Matthews, Dale Richards, Rick and Sherry Dykstra, and Wanda Cross, High School: James Smith, Diane and Steve McCracken, Jean Mrieon, Ronald Stone, Jerry Guy, Rita Ross, Lance Shaw, Judith King, Kerry Sayles, Melvin Lievin, Etma Boren, Janet Shotti Jqnice Niles and Slim Goodwin. bY rsnlce Sslnaas voNA GnADU-ATSF;9, ' 1918: Gtace Smith and Clemenza Carey. 1919: No record or no graduates. 1920: William Alexander 1921: Ralph Meisner, Robert Smith and John Falconer 1922: Emma O'Neill 1923: Bessie Snap and Alvin Ferris 1924: MaiY Haynes 1925r Fern Butler and Reba Edwards 19?6: Verna Sparks, Beatrice Strode and Oscar Sbode. 1927: Vernon Monroe 1928: Ftancis Burcar and Alice Miller 1929: George Card, Bessie Miller and Ena Molyneux Class of 1930: Mary Flanagan; Wilbert Becker; Helen Fredrick; Emmett Teal; Andtew Boese;.Iean Deakin and Minnie Kerl. Class of 1931: Arnold James Class of 1932: Wendell Starr Class of 1933: Jensen, Wilson, Warrick, Haynes, Heiken, Bigelow, Becker, Rush and Boeee. Class of 1934: Morgan, Braddy, Haynes, Bates, Heiken, Klassen, Weaver and Carey. Class of 1935: Carpenter, Lane, Kemper, Gagnon, Moser, Ferris, Shepherd, Deakin, Ancell, Adams, Haynes, Carlstedt, Bigelow and Wilson. Class of 1936: Pete Loopstra, Joe Kordes, teroy Fuhlendorf, Rose Tanner, Clara Boese, Arthur Summers, Eugene George, Ralph Tanner, Junior Carpenter and Abe Becker. Clags of 1937: Dorthy Smith, Alma Bigelow, Laurene M. Herrell, Agnes Dalgetty, Verl Monroe, Evelyn Swift and Lela Burd. Class of 1938: Robert Harrison, Doris Moser, Guy Harrison, Max Deakin, Clara Carpentet, Roy Howell, Louise Bigelow, Doris Klassen and Frank Swift. Claes of 1939: Daylon Larson, Hazel Adams, Harold Pickard, Samuel Lane, Ina Mae Moyles, \{alter Coleman, Georgia Carpenter, Floy Herrell and Robert Sharp. Class of 1940: James Loopstra, Raymond Summers and Hein Loopstra. Class of 1941: Wayne Fuhlendorf, Leona Pickard, Corananex Wilson, Maxine Carpenter, Wanda McDougal, Quentin Wilson, Leon Ford, Lucy Woller, Merlin Ford and Pauline Hubbell. Class of 1942: Alice Helderman, Eugene Elsey, Imogene Burd, Russell Lowery and James Inman. Class of 1943: Ed Carpenter, Forrest Jeffers, Leon Louis Carter, Forrest Tanner, Paul Inman and Reatha Lou Morgan. Class of 1944: Juanita Hewitt. Bob Ancell. Martha Woller, Doris Carpenter, Pat Ford and Robert Herrell. Class of 1945: Francis McCaffrey, Neva McCaffrey, Hazel Thompson, Helen Klassen, Glen Edmunds and Rose Ann Bigelow. Class of 1946: Kenneth Pickard, Robert Austin. Cornelius (Jack) Klassen, Lois Carpenter and Lucie Burd. Class of 1947: Ramon Ford, Betty Jean Howell, Thomas Burian, Shirley Summers, Irene Burian and Opal Fuhlendorf. Class of 1948: Bill Edmunds, Virginia Herrell, Kenneth Hubbell, Nedra and Frieda Steiniger and Arthur Tubbs. Class of 1949: Joann Ford, Margaret Shore, Paul Jackson, Rudy Card, Daniel Thompson, Darrell McCaffrey, Keith Yonts, Velma Pickard, Virginia Jackson and Norman Travis. Class of 1950: Virgil Schwartz, Norma Jean Monroe, Vaughn Monroe, Nora Mae Doughty, Charlotte Marleen Boese, Kenneth McCaffrey, Marvin Thompson, Richard McCaffrey and Kenneth Stoltz. Class of 1951: Roberta Coleman, Thelma Monroe, Betty Jackson, Eldon Boese and Dolores Kerl. Class of 1952: Everel Yonts, Harold Monroe, Robert E. McCaffrey, Daniel Hubbell, Lawrence Megel, Robert Edmunds, Harold Carlstedt, Edith Helderman, Bradford Doughty and Melba Mae Card. Class of 1953: Arlene Becker, Virginia Grimes, Bernita Stoltz, Colleen Eastin, John Webb and Joyce Edmunds. Class of 1954: Wendell Jennings; Keith Schwartz; Shirley Hendricks; Marjorie Schwartz; Mary Jackson; Duane Megel; and Earl Wilkinson. Class of 1955: Beverly Boese; Helen Zimmerschied; Arlene Thorson; Zelz Thorson; Melvin Edmunds, Benny Grimes, Duane Monroe: Jean Monroe; Walter Reeder; Paul Schreiner; Johnny Steininger; and Jaunita Thompson. Class of 1956: Fern Pickard: Eugene Patterson; Hazel Burian; Marilyn Corwin; Steve Card; Esther Reeder; Harry Covey; Donna Zimmerschied; Leroy Wolf; Clifford Reeder; and Loren Wilkinson. Class of 1957: Kay Ford; Gene Fredrich; Margaret Waldron; Jerry Megel; Gladys Lobmeyer; and Robert Eastin. Class of 1958: Anna Belle Jackson; Burleigh Becker; Ronald Eastin, Barbara Duncan; Sandra Stewart; and Chester Monroe. Class of 1959: Nels Thorson; Larry Lob- meyer; Donna Becker; Don Pickard; and Wayne Miller. Class of 1960: Virginia Duncan; Evelyn Fell; Agnes Helderman; William Eastin; David Miller; and Lief Thorson. Class of 1961: Douglas Becker; Marvin Becker; Deanna Browning; Ronald Fell; Carol Megel; Dewey Staatz; Wilbur Staatz; Linda Tanner: Albert Tubbs; and Donald �Kenneth Hinton, Keith Gurley, Vicky Waldron. Class of 1962: Jim Patterson; Karen Thor- son; Lany Eastin; Beth Hoffman; Marilyn Duncan; George Card; Loretta Fell; Reba Staatz; and Larry Gurley. Class of 1963: Larry Pickard; Glenn Schaal; Barbara Grimes; Linda Schreiner; Patricia Stewart; Gary Salmans; and Lowell Fredrich. Class of 1964: Joyce Boger; Carl Thorson; Daniel Tanner; Rogeray Palmer; Carol Ford; Bruce Vanatta; Betty Duncan and Donna Fell. Class of 1965: Lyndell Salmans; Janice Wolkensdorfer; Darlene Browning; Don Specht; Richard Harrison; James Krei and Terry Clapper. Class of 1966: Janet Austin; Linda Kasten; Avis Staatz; Mitchell Wright; Paul Palmer; Roger Harrison, and Robert Staatz. Class of 1967: Deanna Becker, Lany Burd; Chryl Clapper; Barbara Harison; Joe Gurley; Myron Vanatta; Margie Wolkensdorfer; Keith Wright; and Sharon Woller. Class of 1968: Don Gurley; Vickey Camp; Robert Kasten; Jane and Joan Ford; Evertt (Bud) Monroe; Chryl Pickard; Roger Paintin; Daryl Pickard; Karen Pickard; and Carlton Woller. Class of 1969: Rick Burd; Paula Clapper; Michael Curtis; Wanda (Walker) Cross; In Memory of Kelly Ford; Faith Peplow; Rita Pickard; Sharon Stewart; Nora Tanner and Virginia (Ness) Sechrist. Class of 1970: Debra Brinkoff; Lana Burd; Betty Cemp; John Miller; Daniel Mills; Nadine Wigton; and Charles Fell. Class of 1971: Jody Clapper; Stan Woller; Patty Kasten; Rod Burd; Peggy Harrison; Vivian Pottorff: and Ron Harrison. McCaffrey, Donald Walden, Kevin Jarnagin, Claude Rasmussen, Victor Harrison, Kenneth Tanner, Rosa Camp, Floyd Camp, Terry Hebbell and James Mason. Class of 1977: Cathy Levin, Jerry Clapper, Dave Marx, Carmen Dykstra, Marla McGriff, David Bowser, Paula Bancroft, Dale Mills, Margaret Mason, Carla Livingston, Lana Blackwell, Sherry Jones, Kerry Tagtmeyer, VONA PIIOTOS T393 ' '-:',i' ri:il, ',illa: Shari Gorton, Kathy Gurley, Rick Taylor, Eugene Tagtmeyer and Cindy Graham. Class of 1978: Lori Kasten, Jack Burian, Danny McCaffrey, Terry McCaffrey, Tracy Miller, Cecilia Hase, Clint Jones, Larry Tagtmeyer, Rhonda Cowen, Tim Clapper, Susan Woller, Myra McGriff, Alan Bancroft, Darrel Santala, Linda Mason, Mary Pelser, Lavonne Kranz and Don Graffis. Class of 1979: Walter Marx, Julie McCaffrey, Janet Miller, Chris Clapper, Tim Levin, Darlene McCaffrey, David Myers, Gerald Masters, Brian Blackwell, Julia Burian, Ernst Robinson and Bill Taylor. Class of 1980: Laura Jones; Gary Hansen; Lori Burd; LaVon Dykstra; Michelle Hat- Vona Lake located below what is now the Daryl Pickard home. Highway 24 would run north and south through the center of the picture. field; Mary Kasten; Jim Turner; Valerie Cochreham; Pam McCaffrey; Jeff Hase and Rhonda McCaffrey. Class of 1981: Chris Arnold. Robert Bowser, Victor Cockreham, Chris Harrison, Annette Hase, Konnie Herman, Monty Levin, Mike Livingston, Brenda Marx and Barbara Matthews. Class of 1982: Penne Boyd, Russell Burd, Michael Ford, Ilene Graham, John Hase, Judy Hobbie (O'Neill), Cynthia McCaffrey D.E. Musselman. wife and familv. and Gary Robinson. Class of 1983: Julie Arnold, Jay Bancroft, Bill Leabo, Mark McCaffrey and Cary Thorson. Class of 1984: Vinette Cockreham, Scott Edmunds, Ted Ford, Mike Levin, Ken HI.PLAINS GRADUATES 't[ Mason, Shawn Nelson, Bob Newton, Connie O'Neill, Ronnie Point, Elizabeth Strothman T392 Class of 1972: Sheldeana Jarnagin, Vicki Hubbell, Janet Livingston, KathrYn Schmidt, Sandra Smit, Nathlia Myers, Terri Taton, Daryl Aumiller, David Brinkoff, Charles Clapper, Wayne Graffis, Ray Reid, Rande Short. Robert Harrison, Ellsworth Pottorff and Ronnie White. The first class of Vona and Seibert combined after the fire in Seibert. Class of 19?3: Barbara Gail Burian, Joseph L. Burian, Doyle C. Atkins, Terri Bancroft, Donald Brinkoff, Rhonda Lee Csmp, Sandra Kay Curtis, DeAnn Kay Edmunds, Ana Silvia Ikana, Connie Sue Livingston, John Eugene Graham, Deborah Lou Hughes and Charles L. McCaffrey. The first graduating Class of the Hi-Plains High School. Class of 1974: Rebecca Myers, Joe Marx, Ellen Rasmussen, Randy Gorton, Janice Knapp, Marilyn McCaffrey, John Levin, Charles Turner, Janet Short and Jim Graham. Class of 19?5: Brent Hostettler, Danielle Hubbell, Carl Blackwell, Deanna Brinkoff, Bert McCaffrey, Rodney Bancroft, Janette Graham, Raymond Niles, Karen Viken, Alberta Marx, Larry Fox, Karen Monroe, Kim Edmunds, Cheryll Levin, Lorraine Tanner and Sandra Hughes. Class of 1976: Lynne Greer, Rick Dykstra, Arthur Tutner, Randall Herman, Laura Fox, and Debbie Wamsley. Class of 1985: Vanice Kay Cockreham; Charlotte Ann Cruickshank; Michael Terrance Hastfield; Stacy Ray Jones; Marty June Levin; Kimberly Kaye Liebl; Nancy Kay Miller; Michael Joseph Myers; Sharnell Dawn Nelson: Rita Joanne Strothman; Joel David Tanner; and Charles Lawrence Thor- Clara Howell by the Vona Cemetery. son. Class of 1986: Lisa Arnold; Steven Herman; Chris Huppert; Carol Mason, Pamela Matthews; Frank Miller; Duane O'Neill; Marla Peterson; Michael Smith; and Joan Wamsley. Class of 1987: Rhett Atkins; Kelly Broska; Kristy Burian; Bob Cruickshank; Dawn Davis; Jeff Hartman; Jeff Huppert; John Kalb; Bill Mason and Carie Thorson. Class of 1988: Caryn Arnold; Jqff Clapper; Velvet Cockreham; Jim Cross; Ahgie Fox; Jennifer Gurley; Andy Hase; Sharon Huppert; Robin Liebl; Ed Martin; Lance McAuley; Kirby Peterson and Scott Tovrea. A L923 view of Vona taken from the top of the elevator by M.D. Haynes. John Deere Equipment horse drawn in forefront, businesses along the south side of the now a days park. To the far right was the Depot. Behind it is the now Miller home. �*,: ,. '}ta \ g &'.gr..*{'F ' f. .,r $ ,s,:' :' 'i ; x * X Gwenith George, Verdie Elsey, ?, Queenie Ferris, Grace Perry, Emma O'Neill, Mary Haynes, Fern Butler and coach Violet Mun- ter. In 1959, Vona won the State Consolation Championship against Sierra Grande of the Class "C" in the E.C.C.A.A. tournament. The players were: "A" Squad, L. Lobmeyer, D. Miller, N. Thorson, L. Thorson, D. Becker, D. Pickard, W. Miller, B. Eastin, D. Waldron, M. Becker, and D. Staatz, manager, Coach Nichols. "B" Squad: G. Card, J. Patterson, A. Taken about 1910 from the north looking south VONA PHOTOS T394 Tubbs, R. Fell, D. Prickett, L. Gurley, W. Staatz and L. Eastin, manager. In 1963, Vona Football 8-man team: L. Fredricks, G. Salmans, L. Pickard, G. Shaal, D. Tanner, C. Thorson, R. Palmer, L. Salmans, T. Clapper, M. Wright, P. Palmer, R. Staatz and Coach Harmon, won the League Championship. The Basketball team that year was League and District Champs. "A" team: D. Tanner, C. Thorson, L. Fredrick, L. Pickard, G. Salmans. "B" team: L. Salmans, T. Clapper, G. Schaal, R. Palmer, M. Wright, P. Palmer, R. Staatz, and coach Harman. The 1984-85 sports season in both boys Carlstedt Restaurant football and basketball worked their way to the state semi-finals. In Football, they lost to Day Springs Christian in State playoffs. The team: J. Tanner, M. Meyers, C. Thorson, S. Towea, D. O'Neill, F. Miller, M. Hatfield, K. Broska, B. Cruickshank, S. Herman, S. Jones, M. Smith, L. McAuley, A. Hase, K. Peterson, B. Mason, J. Cross, Managers: T. Clapper, D. Towea, J. Guy, coach, Jim Smith, Assn't. coach, Roger Beottcher. In Basketball, they posted a 17-6 record on their way to the State tournaments in Colorado Springs. They won the East Central League title with an undefeated record. In the Third Place contest, the W.E. Melling, prominent early day resident, first mayor and a carpenter. Patriots lost to Aurora Christian, taking fourth place in State. The team: M. Meyers, C. Thorson, S. Herman, J. Hartman, B. J.J. Gladden Store. SPORTS T395 The first basketball team of Vona School was in 1922, consisting of: Bennie Stover, Bob Brown, Glen Drydale, Carey, Fogg, Bill BiIl Dawson Postmaster 1908-1914 Kenneth Fogg, Kenneth Haynes and the coach Jim Inman. The first girls basketball team, L922: Cleo Elsey, Susie Fuller, Onsita Chester, Harriet Mohr and Bessie Knapp. The second team: Crickshank, M. Smith, S. Tovrea, J. Cross, L. McAuley, B. Mason, coach Beottcher. In 1988, the sports fans watched the HiPlains Patriots host the 6-man State finals against the Arickaree Indians. They lost to the Indians giving them second place in the championship. Three helicopters from the Denver TV News landed near the field to record the game plays. (Channel's 4, 7, and 9). The team: Lance, Eric, and Kurt McAuley, Jim, and Mark Cross, Scott, and Dwayne Tovrea, Ed Martin, Kirby Peterson, Jay Clapper,, Andy Hase, Jeff Burian, Jim Salmans, Rob Kasten, John Guy, Marc Santala, Brad Currie, Phillip Anderson, Clint Hubbell �and coach Lance Shaw. Other sports played at the school were basketball boys and girls, track, baseball and one of the favorite of girls sports, volleyball. At one time soccer and tennis were even included. LIONS CLUB m WORTHWHILE EXTENSION TIOMEMAKERS CLUB T397 T396 @ t.NJ the roadside park, for the convenience of travelers, of which there are many, who stop to have a meal in our town. The ladies have, sponsored girls for Girls State, purchased chairs for the hospital, Little League Baseball suits, sponsored and paid for summer swimming lessons, provide Easter and Christmas treats for the school children, a fan for Grace Manor, sheets for the hospital, cleaned Band uniforms, clock for the hall, plants to the rest home, and numerous other worthwhile projects for the benefit of the surrounding community. In 1976, they won second place in the "?6" Clean Up Day, and were awarded a tree from the state, which is planted on the school lawn. Some of their popular donations and fund drives are the Easter Seals, Pennies for Friendship, Polio, Heart, Cancer, March of Dimes, Red Cross, and Boys Ranch. One of the popular places for their memorials is to Sitting L. to R.: Gladys Little, Billie Clapper, Mary Lobmeyer, Katy Burd, Harriet Ford, Sybil Burian, Nida Corwin, Velma Pickard, Gwen Salmans. Standing L. to R.: Edna Doughty, Fern Moffit, JoAnn Pickard, Jan Hadachack, Wanda Miller, Unknown, Agatha Grimes, Wilma Woller, Jenny McClelland. Vona Lion's Hall On the 16th of May, 1952, these members of the Vona Lions Club got together and formed their charter: Ray Ford, Frank Wilson, Merl Ford, Elmer Kerl, G.H. Herrell, Creed Browning, Herschel Salmans, Otis Watson, J. Hendricks, Andy Corwin, Louis Pickard, Michael Freeland, Willard Bowerson, Kenneth Pickard, Joe Zimmerscheid, Fred Wilson, J.H. Lobmeyer, Wayne Brin- give to the Scholarship Fund. The present day members and their membership follow: Pres., Linda Miller, 13 years; V.P., Sherry Stone, 17 yrs.; Sec., Nancy Megel, 3 yr.; Treasurer, Agatha Grimes, 30 yr.; Historian, Wilma Woller, 20 yrs.; Harriet Ford, 35 yrs.; Violet Edmunds, 35 yrs.; Edna Doughty, 30 yrs.; JoAnn Pickard, 34 yrs.; Marvel Brinkhoff, 27 yts.; Billie Clapper, 25 yrs.; Becky Harrel, 1 yr.; Shirley Grimes, 13 yrs.; Loretta Fell, 13 yrs.; Fern McCaffrey, 7 yrs.; Joyce Wamsley, 1 yr'.; Betty Davis, 15 yrs.; Virginia Hubbell, 15 yrs.; Rita Rueb, 14 yrs.; Myra Davis, 1 yr.; Barbara Matschke, 5 yrs.; Tanya Taylor, 3 yrs. TOWN OF VONA 1988 koff, Ambrose Hill, A.L. Boese, Robert T398 George, Jay Davis, A.W. Morgan, Lloyd Megel, Jim Pickard, John Murphy, Dr. Hewitt and Ray Roberts. Lw* One ofthe annual events is the Bingo booth at the fairs. The Lions have been instrumental in purchasing needed glasses for people of the area. The Lions Club and the Home Demonstra- tion Club donate time and money to the annual Vona Day and now its called homecoming. They help with the street events, donate money for the prize winning floats and announce the parade. The Lions club was built in 1954-1955 to house the Lions Club but also to furnish a place for the numerous community activities. In 1988, the members present are: Lloyd Briggs, Pres.; Dan Hubbell, V.P.; Rocky Stone, Sec.; Carl Matschke, Tres.; Carl Woller, Tail Twister; Steve Miller, 16 yr. member, Lyndell Salmans, Dick McAuley, Grant Iske, Larry Megel, Kenneth Pickard, Abe Fell, Pat Rueb, Merl Ford, (he was Sec. for 21 years), Mike Ford, Lynn Grimes and Paul Clapper. Bi Centennial Quilt Shown at Fair Booth In 1951, the Worthwhile Extension Homemakers Club of Vona was begun with the following Charter members: Katy Burd, Billie Clapper, Wanda Dasenbrock, Edna Doughty, Laura Dunn, Violet Edmunds, Harriet Ford, JoAnn Pickard, Rosie Reeder, Gwen Salmans, Charlotte Scothorn, Norma Young, Verna Hoffman, and Hazel Ford. The officers were elected as such: President, Violet Edmunds; Vice-Pres., Katy Burd; Sec.-Reporter, Wanda Dasenbrock; Treas., Harriet Ford; and Parliamentarian, Hazel Ford. Among some of the first activities were buying folding chairs for the Lions Hall, Starting the Mystry Pals, and a Halloween party, The ladies take turns cooking for the Lions Club, serving numerous funeral dinners and in the early years they served many Mother and Daughter Banquets. Some of the items they have helped to purchase were chairs, tables, park benches, park equipment, (o-ong which is the spring horse put up in memory of Hazel Ford), they helped fix the swings, a recent addition to the park is the basketball court and the new Gazebo, to accommodate picnicers. The ladies maintain The old Fire Department in Vona I lilr3 Jo U.S. Post Office in Vona, CO a^l ; rKrr l13l �Oasis Service. Tom and Nadine Burian Mainstreet view of Vona, looking to the south VONA, SOUTH OF IJWY 24 T399 '.,.ffi'"... The new Vona Fire Department Delts Fixing Shop, Ronald Delts Vona Grain Co. Lone Pine Liquor; and Video Sales. Jim and Francis Cemp �ON f,nmp Service. Jim Camp Fron Burllnglo!, CO, to soull oD Hfhrry 315 1 nlb, trr;l lYz ulhr, Wrlct for rljrr. Starting et'X Orval Burd Hydrolic Repairs. Orval Burd i::i,li' r'll. .'l:]i]. ,.j':ll ..]:,,:li liil',', :rrl, :tl-lt:.]::i:;;,i jr;'$ 'riltlf$r .:,'a,:: r.,!l,t.:iri: r,r$a ::r.. l. :::', t . i',:r'l' , t ,,., . ;:: ... , -, .. |.\ a\ tt I a5e otd,wr.g9tl � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vona Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource History Description An account of the resource A history of the Town of Vona as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>

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https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/454/Families-A.pdf c93a6850513e73db071eed31a81f84c3 PDF Text Text ADOLF - WEISSHAAR FAMILY FI the range all winter. There was very little snow in the winter and no snow storms until 1899, had a big snow that left 20 inches on the ground and stayed on all winter. No feed and no grain, no way to buy feed, so the cattle started to starve to death. We had a neighbor by the name of John WaN who had a big herd of cattle and no wav to buy feed or grain, so he had tojust see them die.The neighbors came and heiped skin the cattle which they got 2b cents a hide for. He loet the entire herd. That may sound bad, but I-saw that myself, the cows got so hungry that they ate their own manure and the hoisls ate the boards of the corrals and the hair of each other's manes and tails. In 1902, diphtheria broke out and with no doctor in the eettlement, we lost 10 or 12 persons, and we lost our oldest brother. A.W. Adolf during a blizzard in t87 4. They didn't have electricity due to the storm. Note thi gloves are made out of beaver, the fur coat is one hJ wore many years ago, the lap robe is made from the hide of his favorite horse, Tony, made in the early '20's. The following story was told to A.W.'s grandaughter Egther Young in Nov of 1g77. "My father, August Adolf, and my mother and two children moved from South Dakota to Burlington and took a homestead nine miles north of Bethune (now known as the Edgar Stahlecker farm) and lived in a oneroom dugout the roof covered with sod and no other -buildings on the place. May 8, 1890, I was born. My Dad had to haul the water from the Republican River a1d h9d just two barrels on the wagon. So when he came home and wae going to-unload the barrel, it slipped out of his trotd and he lost all the water and they did not have enough water to wash me. There was all open range: no fences, no ^ farming, no plowed ground . . . all grass at that time . . . the Indians killed t[em for their hide. All that was left was a pile of bones where one could find an arrowhead that killed the buffalo, of which I still have eome of the arrowheads I found. There were lots of antelope, coyotes, prairie dogs, owls, prairie chickenJ and rattlesnakes. Later, the country was filled with cattle and horses that roamed the prairies. As ti1e went on, the fanily grew to four -boys and three girls. Father hid-quite a few cattle and, to my knowledge, theri wagn,t a horse on our ranch that was not broke to ride or to drive and if I could not ride him, I had a younger brother, Gust, that could ride him. I was born in the saddle and with boots on and still wear boots and want to be buried with boots on, so much for that. I was baptized 28th December, 1890 at the John Dobler home by Rev. D. Meyer. There was no church building at the time. so thev had the service in one home. pastor Meyer was the firet minieter in the settlem ent. 27th March, 1904, I was confirmed in the old stone church, the Immanuel Lutheran Church, by Rev. Robert Ackerman of Yale, Co. and on Nov. 10, 1912, I was married to Marv E. Weisshaar by Rev. N. Brun in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the old stone church building. Il ttr:9arly days there never was any hay stacked, for the cattle and horsee wet" out on Danny, and one of my aunts. One thing that the old settlers feared the - most was prairie fires. There was a prairie fire that started at Yuma and jumped the Republican River and burnid clear to Cheyenne Wells. Next was the rattlesnakes. and they were plenty. _ In 1907, a disease broke out among the horses, called the ,.blind staggers", .r,dthey died all over the county. My Dad lost all bui two head, lost 15 head, so all he had left was an old mare and colt, and at that time horses were very valuable; that was the only way to farm or even to get to town, as we depended 9n -hgrseg for everything. It took years to buildthe herd up again, but in those days the neighbors always helped when anyone nee_ ded help. There were very few hogs on account of grain, but if one farmer had a sow that had pigs, then at weaning time the farmer gave eagh g pig as far as they went so they could raise it for the meat and lard. And to git more meat they could shoot antelope, but there was only o-n9 biq rifle, a 3SG, in the neighborhood, owned by Gottlieb Bauder so if one wanted meat, he borrowed the gun from Mr. Bauder. There were plenty of antelopes. In 1908, the grasshoppers were so thick that at times they shaded the sun, and when they lan4ed they just ate everything that was green. There was no way to destroy them, no poison, and no spray. .And talking about high wages now days, when I wae 20 years old, lworked for a farmer in Riverton, Neb., by the name of Herman Amman, for $10 a month and room and board and worked harder than ever in mv life. I worked for him two years and I pick'ed corn for one cent a bushel. . Thgp wer_e the good old horse days. Then, their big problem was water for the iivestock. No well diggers in the country and most of the wells were dug by hand. Most of them were 200 feet deep and the water was drawn by hand with a bucket and a winch. A man by the name of Jim Knapp got a well-digging rig which was driven by a team of mutesl Then came the O.K. windmills to solve the problems. Cost of an eight-foot windmill was $25 "wooden wheel." I had nothing to start with and I think I still have half of it left yet." August William Adolf, better known as A.W. was born to Russian - German homesteaders August and Katherine Richter Adolf in the "Settlement" north of Bethune. Au- gust was the first male birth registered in the newly incorporated Kit Carson County. A.W. only had three years of formal schooling but always had a high regard of education and served on the school board at Bethune for many years. He was an early member of the Kit Carson County Cattlemen,s Association and hadthe first registered Angus herd in the area in the 1940's. He loved hoises and loved his Palominos and Percheron draft horses. He.enjo-yed riding in parades and enjoyed the trail rides. A.W. and his wife Mary enjoyed ?2 years of married life and had a family of siieirls and_two boys. He passed awaron Feb]tz, 1985 at the age of 94. by Eva Wood ADOLF - WEISSHAAR FAMILY F2 I'll start my story with a bit of history of my parents who were Johann and Chrislina Margareda Wilhelm Weisshaar. Johann was born Nov. 5, 1868 and Christin" *"s loi" April 11, 1865, they were both born in Lichtentall, Russia. Shortly after their marriage on Feb. 28, 188b, they left Russia and came west and settled first in fnlmsgs, Nebr. It was here that my oldest sister Le"na Schlichenmayer w€ul born on June 1, lgg6. They were not quite a year in Nebr. when they heard that there were people from the s4me place that they were from in Russia. living around ldalia, Co., so they once more packed their belongings and headed west. They took up a homestead four miles south_ east of Idalia where I was born; Eva Maria (Mary), on Nov. 27, l1g2. In the-spring of 1900, when I was eight years old, we moved from Idalia to lhe "Settlement" north of Bethune, Co. where about 15 families of Russian German decent were living. My Dad bought a relinquishment deed from a family by the name of Mack _B_ev!er, It is the place my youngest brother Karl Weisshaar still owns northwest of Burlington, Co. We were a family of seven gills and four boys. Lena, myseif (Mary), John Frederick, b. Sept. lb, fggl, died-io 1?97; Christina Margaret Fischer, b. Sept. 80, 1889, died in Nov. 19?8 ; Fredericka Fischer, b. Mar. 29, 1891;Margaret Stahlecker b. Nov. 15, 1894; Jacob (Jake) b. Dec. 12, 1g96; Karl Frederick b 1898 and died at age 2 weeks; b. July 27, Lg}O; Ig.y]i"" Sjhlichenmayer (Bill) William 951;.1ian b. Sepi. zsi, tgozi Anna Dorthea Adolf b. Oct. fl, fSO+; and Karl Bernhard b. Feb. 19, 1910. Mrs August Adolf, Mrs. William Adolf and Mrs. Sherilan Yale were the mid-wives in the area. We went to a little one room school located where Hope Church, north of Bethune now stands. I was 8 years old when I started school and 12 before I ever got to go to Burlington. tly cutting across prairie and pasture land it was about 3 % miles to school. It was only on very_ cold days or stormy days that my bad would take us to school and come get us with the horse and buggy. We did not have overshoes and on the days when there was snow a couple inches deep Mother would tie gunny sacks over our shoes to keep our feet from getting wet. I was confirmed at age lb and this-also ended my going to school AI ot us krds were confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. �my days were full of cooking, cleaning, sewing, tending the garden and milking as we always milked 8 or 9 cowe. I raised a lot of turkeys, ducks, geese and chickens. Our first w mattress was filled with corn husks, but I made the pillows of duck and goose down. I never bought a pillow and I gave each one of my children a pair of these down filled pillows when they married. The moet difficult timee for us was the drought and the "dugt bowl days". How we "3',*:i' : '-,':',']ll' A.W. and Mary Adolf taken in 1915. $400. Our youngest son, Allan and his wife still live there. This is where I went as a bride. It had a small shack and a rock barn. We started with very few possessions; a team of horses and a top bnggy, and my folks gave us a wedding gift of two milk cows, a dozen chickens, and a hog. The first summer I had crearn, butter and eggs to sell so I could buy groceries. OfcourseI always raised a big garden, about a acre of potatoes, along with a big waterr'Tgl9n n1tcf. i remember when coyotes would bite a hole in a watermelon, eat out the insides and leave the shell! What we didn't eat fresh from the A.W. and Mary Adolph on their 70th wedding anniversary in 1982. I remember Dad hitching up a team to the wagon and all of us going out in the fall qf-the y"i to pi"k up dried cow chips for fuel. Since lhere were no trees for firewood, this was often the only fuel we had, especially at Idalia. We also burned corn cobs to get the fire started. We also went along the railroad to pick up coal. This was a long way-s to go so didn't go very often. One time when we were hunting for coal, a train came by and when the men saw us kids they threw out a couple shovels full ofcoal for us. Later on we bought coal in Burlington. Uy folks are both buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. Dad died at the age of 53 on Dec. 6, 1916 and Mother died Feb. 28, 1946 at the age of 80. On Nov. L2, LgLz I was married to A.W. Adolf in the Immanuel Lutheran Church. It was a beautiful day. A.W. and I, along with our attendants had to sit on the front pew thru the morning services. Right after church we then were married. Afterwards the whole congregation cnme to my folks'home where they ate dinner, spent the afternoon, ate supper and stayed until late that night. It was a long day but a lot of fun. A.W. bought a 7z section relinquishlrent deed from a man named L.L. Leonard for garden I always canned or pickled. Always lad a barrel of sauerkraut, one of pickles and even made watermelon pickles. Oh, this was so good! We also (continued Story lf 4). Dried corn and beans. In the fall Papa would sell a wagon load of wheat to buy flour to last for the winter. Bill Davis, a neighbor, drilled our well shortly after we moved on to the place. He drilled most of the wells in the neighborhood. Ifwe had a good corn crop, we would burn the cobs in the cook stove and buy a little coal for the heating stove. The house, adobe, was warm during the day, but we slept in cold rooms at night. A lot of mornings there would be frost ott the blankets. We used a lot of dried cow chips for fuel too. Papa and I were married about 6 years before were able to purchase our first car, a Ford Touring car. I never did learn to drive as the kids and Papa always did the driving. For social life, besides going to church, we attended literary meetings held in different country school houses. An early day school teachei, Tom Dillion, who lived near Bethune, organized them. On Sunday afternoons, after church, people would go visiting and the children played singing games like: "Last Couple Out", "Drop the Hankie"' "Home on the Range", and also played "Andy, Andy Over". I would often play the mouth harp to furnish the music. I still play the mouth harP once in a while. As the family grew to six girls and two boys, survived is beyond me. The wind would blow day and night and many mornings when we got up you could see where we laid on the pilow, outlined in dust which sifted in. I iemember one dust storm which came up like a dark cloud, all of a sudden with no warning. Our oldest Bon, Art, was out in the freld. He couldn't see where to go, so he unhitched the horses and let them find the way home. He was almost choked to death by the dust before he got home. During worst of the storms we had to light the lemps during the day because it was dark outside. A lot of mornings after one of these storms we took a shovel and scooped out the dust from in front of the door and the windows. All of my children, except Allan, was born on the home place. He was the only one born in the hospital. The two mid-wives for the area were Mrs. Sherman Yale and Mrs. August Adolf, Sr. who was my mother-in-law. My children are: Hilda b. Sept. 26, 1913' married Otto Ziegler Sept. 30, 1932; Amanda b. Feb. 20, 1915, married David Richards Sept. 6, 1933; Leona b. June 3, 1916, manied Hary Hefner Sept' 11, 1946; Gladys b. Nov. 27, L920, married Hugh Patterson June 20, 194?: Art b. June 5, 1918, married MarY Heisel Sept. 24,L945; Della b. Oct. 17' 1929 married Robert Pugh April 8, 1949; Eva Marie b. Dec.4, 1933, married Edward Wood June 5, 1955 and Allan, b. Feb. 22' 1935 married June Cole August 23, 1956. During the 42 years Papa and I lived on the homestead we made manY changes and improvements. We retired and moved to Builington in 1956. My husband and I celebrated our ?2nd anniversary in 1984. He passed away on Feb. 12, 1985 atthe age of94 and is buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Church CemeterY. This was told to her daughter Eva and grandson Pastor Greg Adolf. by Eva Wood ADOLF STAHLECKER FAMILY F3 Gottlieb Adolf, Sr., was born to William and Margrette Adolf on November 3' 1891 at Anaba Michaelfeld, South Russia, which was a small village near the Black Sea. He sailed to America with his parents on May 8' 1908 and settled on a homestead north of Bethune, Colorado. He later took his own homestead north ofBethune and batched for a few years' Barbara Stahlecker was born December 24, 1885 in Tripp, South Dakota, to Martin and Katherina Stahlecker. At the age of eight years, she moved with her parents to a farm north of Bethune, Colorado. �born princess who ruled Russia as Czarina from 1762 to 1796, initiated an era of German colonization of southern Russia along the Volga and Dnieper Rivers and around the Black Sea. Lavish promises were made by the Russian government to German craftsmen and farmers, including free land, initial subsidies, and important guarantees of rights of local government, freedom of religion, and exemption from military service. Many Germans were induced to "homestead" in Russia by these promises and by the desire to leave the areas devastated by war in Europe. In 1817 one such family, the Adolf Family, emigrated from West Prussia to Bessarabia as part of this resettlement. They settled in the new town of Briene, sharing in the communal life of these German towns, where everyone lived in the village which centered around the Lutheran Church and School, plying their trades and working small fields in the surrounding countryside, as they had in Germany. This "communal" feature of German rural life, caried into Russia and then into the United States, marked the Germans from Russia ag "clannish" but was really part of a centuries old culture. Life on Gottlieb and Barbara Adolf about year 1950. On February 3, 1910, she was married to Jacob Wiedman. To this union one son George was born. In March of 1911, Jacob passed away. On March 25, LgL4, Barbara was married to Gottlieb Adolf. To this union, four children were born. Gottlieb Jr., Leah, Herman and Ella. Ella passed away at the age of 21 months. Gottlieb and Barbara made their living and raised their children on a 480 acre farm 15 miles northeast of Bethune, Colorado, known as "the Settlement." Their children attended the Yale School (a one room adobe building) later known ag the Schaal School which was one mile from the Adolf farm. Their fust car was a 1917 Model T Ford Touring. They lived on this farm until the "dust bowl days" of the thirties when they and all their family moved to Springbrook, Oregon in 1935. There they rented a small acreage and all worked at different jobs, etc. In 1937, they all moved back to their farm in Colorado and lived there until in 1953 when they moved to Burlington, Colorado where they retired until their deaths. Gottlieb died November 14, 1963. Barbara died November 23. 1973. by Leah Schick ADOLF, AUGUST AND KATHERINE the isolated homesteads of the American prairies was a real hardship for many of the Germans from Russia, accustomed as they were to shared village life. Beginning in 1871, a series of government actions under Czar Alexander II began to affect the German-speaking colonies in Russia in many far-reaching ways. The acts were part of the "russification" or forced absorp- tion of foreign minorities into the Russian culture. Local government wag abolished in the German-speaking areas in 1871 and in the autumn of 1874 the Russian army began 'drafting' young men from the German colonies. The loss of these important guarantees, which the Germans had received when they first settled in Russia a century before, triggered a slow but increasing flow of German families and young men eligible for army service to leave Russia for North and South America. This movement increased rapidly in the 1880's as the promise of abundant free lands available overgeas drew more and more Germans out of Russia. The new wave of emigration continued until the First World War in 1914 and brought many thousands of Germans from Russia to the United States, Canada, Brazil and Argentina. August Adolf was one of the young men caught up in this great westward wave of emigration. Married in 1884 to Katherine Richter, they left Russia in 1888 with their two children, Daniel and Katherine ("Katie"), following the tracks of other Germans from Russia coming to the American West. They settled briefly in Scotland, Kit Carson County was August Adolf, who South Dakota, (one of the "jumping off' points for newly arrived immigrants), but moved on quickly to the prairies of the 14year-old state of Colorado. Arriving in Burlington in March of 1890, August Adolf and was born to Christian and Friederika (Steg) his family, together with a few other Germans F4 The first of the Adolf Family to settle in Adolf in Briene, Bessarabia, a province in southern Russia, near the Black Sea, in March, 1862. As many of the early settlers in the area north of Bethune (still known as "The from Russia, settled north of Bethune, near other German fanilies from Russia, among whom were the Doblers, Strobels, Schaals and Baltzers. Settlement") came from southern Ruesia in Their first homes were dug-outs, carved into hillsides with planks, covered with sod, the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a brief serving as the roof. Later, adobe houses were background sketch of these Germans from Russia may be helpful. In 1763 Catherine the Great. a German- built which were much better than the sod houses most of the other early settlers had. On May 8, 1890, a son, August William Adolf, was born. He was the first baby to be born in "The Settlement" and, was the first registered male birth in the newly-incorpora- ted Kit Carson County. An often-repeated family story is that when August Adolf arrived home from the Republican River, where the settlers had to go to get water before the first wells were dug, and learned that his son was born, in the excitement the horses bolted, overturning the water banels. It was two days before August could safely leave his wife and new son to go for more water, and so the baby was a few days old before he could have his first bath! August Adolf was a shoemaker by trade in Russia and so beside caring for his homestead and his growing family, he walked to Burlington approximately 15 miles across the prairie - to make and repair shoes and boots, earning- 25 cents a day. His wife, Katherine, was one of the first mid-wives in the area. She and "Grandma" Yale, another of the early mid-wives, delivered many of the children born in those years, and sometimes assisted Dr. C. Gilette, one of the first medical doctors in Kit Carson County, with practical nursing. There were no buffalo left in Kit Carson County when these first German settlers arrived, but there were antelope to supplement the meager meat supply. The only gun in "The Settlement" was a 33-gauge rifle, owned by Gottlieb Bauder, which was shared by the people of "the Settlement," as were their other tools and their skills. Gradually, cattle herds were built up and more ground broken for growing grain and feed. Earlier Germans from Russia had brought with them a hardy winter wheat, well-adapted to the cold, dry winters of the prairies. It was the introduction of this winter wheat which opened much of the "high plains" to wheat production. (An unwelcome "hitch-hiker" was the Russian thistle, which has become a kind of "trademark" of the American West: the tumbleweed!) In 1892 August Adolf was able to arrange for his father and mother, Christian and Friederika Adolf, together with their children, Frederika, Andrew, and Katherina, to come to the United States. Christian and his family settled near Denver when they first arrived; he and Andrew worked in the smelters. Later, they came to "The Settlement," where Christian practiced his trade of blacksmithing. In 1896, Frederika Adolf married the widower, Franz Kramer, raising his children, Frank, Marie, Christine, Margaretha, and Rosie, as well as their own children in time: Christian, William, Katherina (Jurgens), Frederika, Amelia (Stahlecler) and Pauline (Kloeckner). In 1908 the last of Christian and Friederika's five children came to the United States. Wilhelm and his wife Margaretha (Buchfink) came to Colorado from Michaelsfeld in Bessarabia. He was a skilled wagon-maker by trade, but had to sell his tools for passage money for the fanily. Their children are: Margaret (Meyer), Gottlieb, \{illiam, Christina (Lessing), Mary (Kramer) Carl, John, Christian, Nettie (Hasart), and Frieda (Weisshaar). Andrew Adolf married Margaretha (Schlickenmayer) and raised nine children in "The Settlement": Jacob, Karolina (Golle), William, John S., Emanuel, Fred, David, Frieda (Gramm), Martha (Weiss), and Gotthilf. The children of August and Katherina �Adolf are: Daniel (who died in a diptheria epidemic in 1892), Katherina ("Katie") (Wahl), August ("A.W."), Gustaf, Christian, Luella (Holwegner), Anna (Hasart), md Daniel Jacob. From these four children of Christian and Friederika: Frederika, August, Wilhelm, and Andrew, are descended many of the residentg of eastern Kit Carson County, many of them still living in "The Settlement" north of Bethune. by Pastor Gregory Adolf ADOLF, AUGUST AND KATHRINA F5 We Helped Start the Settlement August and Kathrina Adolf were Germans who had immigrated to Briene Bessarabia, South Russia. In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Adolf and their two Russian born children, Danny age 3 and Katie age 1, carne to America. They made their first home in Scotland, South Dakota, where others of their nationality had settled. Here Mr. Adolf worked as a shoemaker. In March 1890, the Adolf family along with others came to Burlington and started what is now known as and cdled the "German Settlement," an area north and east of Bethune. The new railroad had just come many died. Wahls lost three children, Strobels logt one, August Adolf, Sr., lost one and others whose nnmes cannot now be recalled. August Adolf was a shoe cobbler and besides caring for his cow, two horses and what little feed he could raise, he walked to Burlington every morning and home every evening for the approximate earnings of twenty five to seventy five cents a day. Many times he carried a sack of food home. A 50 lb sack of flour could be bought for 75 cents. A two year old steer sold for $10.00. Good cows also sold for around $10.00. Horses were scarce and were treaeured. Their water was hauled by wagon from the Republican River. There were no buffalo left in this area, but there were hundreds of antelope. There was only one gun in the Settlement, a .32 rifle owned by Gottlieb Bauder. It was used by anyone wanting to hunt. The women spun their own yarn from the few sheep that they raised. All the socks, caps, coats, sweaters, etc., were hand knitted. The mattresses for the beds were filled with either gtraw or corn shucks. Ifthe crops had been good, they were filled with new straw each year, Fire was a great hazard in those days. A plow, barrel of water and gunny sacks were their fire fighting equipment. One bad fire recalled was one which started at Yuma, Colorado, and was never stopped until it reached the railroad at Cheyenne Wells, Colorado; it had even jumped the Republican River. by Della Adolf Pugh through this new country. August and Kath- rina were the second fanily to claim a homest€ad. The firstfamilywae Mr. and Mre. Christ Dobler. Soon aftcrwards the Strobels, Schaslr, Baltzere and others also homesteaded. The settlers'firet homes were dugouts with planks covered with sod serving as the roof. Rattlesnakes were their constant danger. ADOLF, CHRISTIAN F6 Christian Adolf and Friederike (Steeg) Adolf were born and raised in Brienne, Bessarabia, South Russia. They were married in 1859. Friederike was born on February 19, 1842. They had three sons and two daughters. In 1889 they left Russia and came to the United States with sons, August who married Catherina Richter, and Andrew who manied Margaret Schlichenmayer, and daughters Friederike who married Frank Krsmer, and Caroline who died at an early age (16) after arriving in America. Their son Wilhelm (William) Adolf and wife Margaret (Buchfink) Adolf and children remained in Brinne. The family settled on what was then barren plain about 18 miles northwest of Burlington, Colorado, in what is known as the German (Russian) Settlement. Together with other early settlers, that colony of industrious frugal saving people have made that portion of Kit Carson County one of the most beautiful spots in Eastern Colorado. What was once the home of the wild beasts and the red man has now become an oasis of fertility, dotted here and there with happy homes, big barns, fine churches and well kept stock of all kinds. Thanks to their energy and persever€ulce and cultured home sunoundings, that portion of Kit Carson County more nearly resembles the typical eastern farm neighbor- hood than almost any other part of this county which extends about 60 miles east and west and for a distance of 36 miles in width. It is these early pioneers who have redeemed Eastern Colorado from its pristine waste. Freiderike and Christian Adolf lived for 65 years together as companion and helpmate. Friederike died at her home north of Bethune, Colorado on Februar5r 5, 1924 at the ripe age of 81 years 11 months and 16 days. Christian Adolf was featured on the May 10, 1919 edition of a Lincoln, Nebraska Later on they plowed the ground making large clots of dirt. They would shape them into equares and etack them one on top of another making a wall. The roofs were also planks covered with sod. Still later on, they made the houses out of adobe. This was a mud and straw mixture. A large round vat shaped place was made in the ground to which dirt, watcr and straw were added. Horses were led to walk around and around in the vat to mix the mud mirture until it was the right thicknees. Then it wag cut into blocks. Thege blocks were then carefully piled about one foot high around the desired size of the room wanted. After it had dried sufficiently another foot of adobe was added and so on until it wag the degired height. Sometimes a shingle roof would be added. Others would just use mud covered planks. Some two etory houses would be built this way. On May 8, 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Adolfs son, A.W. Adolf, was born. He was the firgt white baby to be born in the Settlement. There were no doctors in this area, so all new babies were delivered by women who were called midwivee. One of the first was Grandmother Yale. The first doctor to come to this area wag Dr. Gillette. However, before he cnme the settlers relied on home remedies. It was remembered that about six years after the gettlere came, diphtheria struck heavily and Christian and Frederike Adolf working in their garden. Notice hand made hoe and rake with rock house in background. �mill. Times were very hard. When spring arrived, moet of the families started large gardens. Not much wheat was seeded because there were very few draft animals to do the plowing. All started large gardens and everything they planted provid- ed a bountiful harvest for them. Some planted fruit trees, mainly mulberries. Starlings were a problem. These they tried to frighten away with a loud noise maker. In the second year, 1818, a small caravan of 30 families cnme from the province of f Wurttemberg, also called Schaben, Germany. r All these people settled in the colony. Every one got their 60 desjatins of land from the government. Heinrich and Carlotta Rossman Adolf had seven sons and no daughters. They are Karl r'"*.:,'::ii. gl:i: - r' '%r.' J1. '" :: :u.. 4-.t - *a' 'w . tlt w- Tfr who married Eva Kuch, they had five sons and two daughters. Johann who married Eva Klaf, they had four sons and five daughters. Wilhelm who married Barbara Maier, they had two sons and five daughters. Heinrich who married Magdalena Oster, they had three sons and five daughters. Christian who married Friederike Steeg, they had three sons and two daughters. Fredrick who married Elizabeth Schell, i they had five song and five daughters. Daniel who married Katherina Zinc, they had seven sons and seven daughters. This short history of the grandparents was translated from a German diary in 1954 by Fredrick Adolf who was 87 years old. He was born March 9, 1868 in the German colony of Brienne, Bessarabia, South Russia. He came to the United States with his parents in 1889 and settled in the area of North Dakota that is now known as Hazen. * by Victor Knell ,ttt ,li. '.1ilr,. ;': 'r:rrr:il ADOLF, WILLIAM F8 William (Wilhelm) Adolph, son of Christian and Friederika (Steeg) Adolf was born t t,, Christian Adolffeatured on the cover ofthe May 10, 1919 edition of a Lincoln, Nebraska weekly farm paper. weekly farm paper. This is a photo of Christian Adolf shelling corn with a hand corn sheller. He was born in 1.839 and died on August 3, L925 and was a blacksmith by trade. They lived just east of Hope Congregational Church. The Adolfs were life long members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Christian was partially blind when he was 80 and they went to live with son William and family who cared for them til their death. by Marlyn Hasart ADOLF, HEINRICH in Brienne, Bessarabia, SouthRussia, on May 22,L867. He was baptized three days later by Pastor Benenann and was confirmed March 24, L883 by Pastor Leshe in the Lutheran Church. He was a wagon maker by trade. He was married to Margaretta Buchfink on May 21. 1887 in Brienne. Margaret Buchfink Adolf was born on F7 Heinrich Adolf and Carlotta Rossman Adolf were born in Berlin, Germany. They migrated to Brienne, Bessarabia Russia, with 70 other families in 1817. This colony was established in 1816. They made the trip to the unsettled Steppe with much difficulty. Food was scarce and the sky was their roof and the earth their bed. The Russian government gave them a little money to build a house and 60 desjatin (162 acres) of land and clothing was provided to last a year. Grandfather Adolf had brought a little money with him. He built a wind mill right away, since he was a miller by trade. He milled the people's wheat into flour. For his work he took a portion of the wheat, that is from a pud (40) pounds, then charged a garnitz for his work. There are 8 garnitz in a pud. He also asked 5 pounds for the use ofthe November 7, 1868 in Teplitz, Bessarabia, South Russia. She was baptized when she was three days old by Pastor Luman and confirmed in 1883 by Pastor Leshe in old Artzies. Margaret was the daughter of John Buckfin. Her parents died when she was 7 years old and she went to live with her sister Katherine Gast until womanhood. William and Margaret were married on May 21, 1888. In 1889 the family moved to the colony of Michaelsfeld near the town of Anaba, South Russia, near the Black Sea. Here William pursued the trade of wagon maker, making wagons and selling them at the market place. Because of deteriarating relations with the Russian government and the German colonists William and family decided to come to America. The Russian army was drafting the German boys into the service and they did not want their sons to be drafted. Williems' �AESCHLIMANN FAMILY F9 Rudolph Aeschlimann was born on September 7,L877 in Hubel, near Bern, Switzerland. He grew up in Ruti, Switzerland and becnme a policeman in Bern. Rudolph was a detective and after solving an underworld case he took a leave and came to the USA on October 28, 1905 to visit his sister Rosa Aeschlimann Chavet at Omaha, Nebraska. During this visit he fell in love with Martha Schnuelle and on February 18, 1909 they were married. Martha Schnuelle was born on November 10, 1884 in Baxter, Iowa. They moved to Colorado and for a very short time in 1919 they lived near Burlington on the Dvorak farm. Rudolph was called back to Switzerland due to the illness of his mother. His wife and two sons, Armand and Edwin returned to Nebraska during his stay in Switzerland. Rudolph was being detained because ofa European Quarantine caused by The family of William and Margaret Adolf. Standing L. to R.: Gottleib, William, Margaret, August, Nettie, Carl, Mary, John and Christian. Seated, Willio-, Frieda, and Margaret. A sister Christina is not pictured. parents and brothers and sister were already in Colorado so they sold their home and left all their possessions except clothing and bedding and left Russia arriving on May 8, 1908 at Galveston, Texas, with their ten children, Margaret, who married Conrad Meyer; Gottleib who maried Barbara Stahlecker Wiedman; Willinm who married Margaret Bauer; Christina who married Richard Lessing; August who married Mabel Blackburn; Carl who married Clara Stahlecker; May who married Frank Kramer; John who married Martha Stahlecker; Christian who married Anna Weisshaar; and Nettie who married Jacob Hasart. Frieda was born in their home north of Bethune Colorado. She married William Weisshaar. Three children had passed away at an early age in Russia. Because they were lacking money to pay for their passage the family in Colorado went to Mr. J.P. Evans to borrow the needed funds. It was agreed that the boys would work for him to repay the debt. Upon arriving in Galveston, Margaret was quarantined due to an eye infection, so Mother Adolf and baby Nettie, and brother August remained in Galveston until September. Father William and the regt of the family journeyed by train to Bethune, Colorado and then on to the home of his parents north of Bethune. Their first home was s'ith Williams parents on their homestead 12 miles north of and I 7z miles East of Bethune. That summer a two Gottlieb and Bill remained home to care for the farm. To provide food for their family Margaret raised lots ofducks, stored lots ofvegetables in the cellar, made barrelg of pickles and watermelon pickles, and sauerkraut. These barrels were 15 gallon in size. Willinm always helped the neighbors butcher bringing home a length of sausage. He had a smoke house filled with sausage, cured ham, ducks, and rabbit legs. Orvel and Hildegarde Kloeckner Aeschlimann were married on September 20, L944. They have two sons, William and Rodney. William of Hurley, South Dakota, lives on a farm and is a commercial lsmb feeder. of Housing at Old Dominion University. William and his wife Carol have three children, Kristin, Eric and Chad. Rodney and his wife Vickie have two children, Ryan and Kendall. Orvel and Hildegarde own 1055 acres of cropland and rent 1300 acres ofgrassland and 160 acres of cropland. This farm is locat€d just two miles west of the Colorado-Kansas border and north of Interstat€ 70. They raise Registered and Certified Seed Wheat, have a cow-calfcattle operation, raise hogs and for many years had a laying hen enterprise consisting of 2400 to 3600 laying hens and marketed eggs in Goodland and Burlington. Orvel and Hildegarde are active members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Burlington and are presently active in Kit Carson William died of lung cancer on September 4, 1948. Margaret died of old age at the age County Farm Bureau where Orvel is chair- of 91 years, 9 months, and 14 days on August 21, 1959. Margaret made her home with her children when she became blind. Her last years were spent in Heinrichs Rest Home in Burlington, Colorado. Colorado. They lived in a large tent. Sons members. school. homestead 12 miles North and 3/4 mile west of Bethune. This home was adobe with a sod roof. The boys began farming. William had sold his wagon making tools in Russia so he Those first years were very difficult providing the necessities of the family. They were so lonely out on the prairie and homesick. Many tears were shed. The country and climate were so different from their home near the Black Sea. For several summers William and Margaret took part of the family to work in the vegetable fields near Brighton, three sons: Armand, Edwin and Orvel. They joined First St. Paul's Lutheran Church on January 15, 1934 where they were active Rodney of Norfolk, Virginia, is the Director Margaret was the community midwife. She was always on call and very busy. She also helped whenever anyone was ill. She would go and stay as long as needed sometimes staying as long as a week. She never charged for her services but would receive a free will offering. Many shared food with her. She had a little wooden box which contained scissors, dissenfectant, bandages, cord, a clean apron, a medicine book, and chamomile tea. She would remain with the new mother until she was able to eat and take care of her family. She delivered many of the children in the Settlement north of Bethune. The Adolf family were active members in Immanuel Lutheran Church. William served on the church council and taught sunday room home was constructed on William's could not work at his trade. Hoof and Mouth disease. After his return they lived in Nebraska for 10 years and returned to Burlington in 1930 to the farm where their son Orvel now lives. Rudolph and Martha Aeschlimann had by Marlyn llasart man and Hildegarde is State Women's Chairman of the Colorado Farm Bureau. They have served in these capacities along with serving the community in other activities over the years. by Orvel Aeschlimann �zania. This was in addition to teaching Sunday School and serving as Chairman of the American Lutheran Church Women's AESCIILIMANN, ITILDEGARDE Flo Hildegarde Aeschlimann is the Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico regional winner of the Agri-Woman of the Year award for 1987. Mrs. Aeschlimann and her husband, Orvel, own and operate a diversified farming opera- tion in Kit Carson County, Co. She was selected for this honor on the basis of her continuous efforts to promote the agricultur- al industry at the local, stat€ and national levels. When asked what factors influenced her decision to become involved in the promotion of farm issues and the agricultural Organization. Besides being a tireless promoter of agriculture and the church, she is a supporter of the arts; serving as Vice-Chairman of the Burlington Community Concert Committee. Mrs. Aeschlimann has been honored by the Colorado State Extcnsion Service being selected the Mast€r Farm Homemaker in ing with a general business degree. She "I started out my life as a very shy person," guccegs.tt by Diane clames AKERS - BENNING FAMILY Fll James William Akers was born June 19, manied Orvel shortly after graduation and 1930 in Monument, Colorado. Shortly there- settled into the role of a farm wife. This year, after the family moved back to the Seibert, the Aeschlimanns celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary. Today the Aeschlimanns own 1,055 production acres and they rent another 160 acres for farming and 1,300 acres of summer pasture for their commercial Simmentalcross cow-calf operation. They also grow and sell certified and registered seed wheat and run a farrow-to-finish operation involving 45 sows. Mrs. Aeschlimann is very modest about her role in the management of the couple's farm. She helps move and work cattle, drives that long road to the "parts store", listens to the daily grain and cattle market reports, weather reports, and reads the farm publications and agricultural information the couple receives, passing this information on to her husband. Currently, she is serving her 10th term as the chairman of the Colorado Farm Bureau Women; a position she has been repeatedly re-elected to for the last 21 years. The main objective of the Colorado Farm Bweau Women state committee is to promote, protect and represent the business, economic, social and educational interest of Colorado farm and ranch families. As chairman of the state committee, one of her main goals is to encourage and increase the participation of women in promoting agriculture at all levels. Some of the progrems her committee has developed and is responsible for implemen- ting are: Farm Bureau Coffee, Senior Field Studies, Farm Day and Meet the Candidates. The committee also has developed political and educational progta-s and materials for groups and women's programs, which pertain to the issues of water usage, food costs and education. Mrs. Aeschlimann has represent€d St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Burlington, Co. as a member of the American Lutheran Church District Council. She also has had the honor of being the first woman ever elected to serve on the ALC National Church Council. InLg77 she was a delegate for the Lutheran World Federation meeting in Dar es Saalem, Tan- Fr2 she recalls. "I made myself become more involved in promotional activities because I realized involvement was the key to getting things done." "And promotion is the key to shrug, smiles and simply says, "I married a Bethune, Co. Her family moved to the county seat of Burlington when she was 14. It wag in high school where she met her future husband. After high school, she attended Blair Business College, Colorado Springs, graduat- FAMILY L974. industry, Mrs. Aeschlimann gives a little farmer." Mrs. Aeschlimann grew up on a farm near AKERS - GALES Colorado area. "Frosty," as he was known in the Seibert school system, graduated in 1947. He spent his summers working for a family from Brewster, Kansas where he met his wife, Louise Benning. They were married in her home on September 29,1949. They had four children, Larry Eugene and Gary Dean twin sons, James William Jr. and Ann Marie. All the children were born at the Flagler Hospital attended by Dr. John C. Straub. After their marriage they lived in Seibert until 1961 when they moved to Limon, Colorado. Frosty worked for the Colorado Department of Highways and retired after 30 years of service in 1983. In 1961 they built a Dairy Queen in Limon and operated it for twenty-five years. In 1975 they bought another Dairy Queen in Sterling, Colorado for their son Larry to operate, which he now owns. Their children all graduated from Limon High School with James Jr. and Ann both graduating from college, Jim from Western State at Gunnison and Ann from Fort Lewis at Durango, Colorado. Jim is an accountant and Ann a teacher. Larry and Gary went to a trade school in Goodland, Kansas. Gary became an electrician. Frosty loved the outdoors and sports. He spent quite a bit of the time camping, hunting and fishing and skiing. Frosty and Louise have six grandchildren. Gary and wife Belinda have one daughter and one son. Larry and wife Glenda have two daughters and one son. Ann and her husband Douge Goode have one son Forrest. As of this writing James Jr. is not maried, but enjoying life. by Dorothy (Akers) Noel John Ernest Akers, US Navy, World War I. John Ernest "Elnie" Akers was born Feb 6, 1896 to George and Martha Hayes Akers in Enfield, Illinois. He was one of twelve children and went through eighth grade. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War I as a radioman. He received his training at the Naval training Center in Great Lakes. He served on a sub-chaser out of Halifax. Nova Scotia. He often told about his experiences in the navy which we loved to hear. In 1919 he and his three brothers Orlin, Willard and George came "west" to homestead and look for work. Dad homesteaded in the Kit Carson area during the "cattle-sheep" feud and his partner was shot, so he left for Park County and left there when he couldn't grow potatoes or crops on rocks. He came to the Seibert area where he found work picking corn for James (Bill) Gales. He later maried their daughter, Fern Artie, born Nov. 22,t908 and to this union five children were born: Darlene Marie 1925, Elbert Eugene 1926, Harold Dean 1927, James William (Frosty) 1930, Dorothy Maxine 1932. They lived on many different farms north of Seibert and a short time in Monument, Colo. In 1944 they moved to Englewood where the parents were divorced. He married Rosa Boyd, aunt of Jean Sperry, moving with her children Barbara and Joan to the farm four miles north of Seibert, remaining there until he retired in 1954, then moving to Denver. He passed away in October, 1960. He was a machinist by trade but chose farming as his ancestors had before him. He wasn't the best, but struggled to provide for his family the best he could. We always had a large garden and canned wagon loads of corn and other home grown vegetables. Several times he went with Lewis Reid to Eads, Colo. to get carp and packed it in salt for the winter. In the summer when the �Crystal Springs dam would flood we would go down and pick the fish out of the river and come home with wounds from their horns. Dad dug us a hole in the river and that was our swimming hole. We had many weiner roasts and picnics on the Republican River with the Lewis Reid's. We would go frog hunting and cook fresh frog legs. Many timea we went rattlesnake hunting in the fall. We children were on our own and to this day I hate snakes. Dad felt that education was very important and encouraged his children to complete high echool and was very proud when we did. He was active in the R.L.D.S. church at Fair Haven where we took a wagon to church until it discontinued. He was an active member of the Farm Bureau, I.O.O.F., VFW, 4-H club and Community Country Club, in the north area. He helped to refloor the VFW hall in the late '40's and loved to watch us roller skate with him participating many times. He was a great ice skater and went often on the Republican River with ue. Ernie and Rosa loved to have the youth come to our home for gnmss and they would teach us games from their times. He raised watermelons and didn't mind if the young people "Took them" as long as they didn't destroy them. He was an avid Republican. In 1948 the youth were at the house and we gave him such a time while listening to the election results. He loved to watch his children participate in sports, plays, music and tried to attend them all. When he married Rosa the Odd Fellows chivareed them and it nearly scared her to death with all the noise they made. This was her initiation to the "country life". Dad had a favorite saying, "God helps Colorado. Ricky and Cindy have two daughtere and aleo live in Lamar, Colo. Rocky at this time is not married and is traveling with an entertainment group. Shirley passed away in May, 1984. by Dorothy (Akers) Noel by Dorothy (Akers) Noel AKERS - IIARTLEY Fl3 My brother Elbert Eugene Akere was born July 12, 1926 in Seibert, Colorado and graduatcd from Seibert High School in 1944. He seni'ed in the U.S. Navy during World War IL He returned to Seibert to help his father on the farm and worked on the R.E.A. He was married to Shirley Hartley, daughter of George and Lola Hartley on December 6, 1952 and to this union three sons were born, Randy, Ricky and Rocky. He was a very athletic person and played basketball, baseball, and track, winning many awards. He refereed basketball for many years. He worked with many of the youth in scouting and just by "listening to them". He was active in the R.L.D.S. church, 4H Club, I.O.O.F. He always was a willing worker with a helping hand, and a true friend. He worked for the County Highway Department and latcr the Colorado Highway Department, and at the present time is a eupervisor of the La Junta area. During the depression, he and the family skinned thousands of rabbits and sold the skins with the carcasses going to Denver for feed. He did a lot of trapping and one time he and Harold got squirted by a skunk, which we appreciated. He hae always loved the outdoors and any sport activity. Elbert and watchful eye of their pet bulldog. Gorton's always had a drawing so most parents brought us to town for this event. In 1946 I was snowed in at the George Hughes home along with my brother Frosty and others. Betty and I passed our time by posing on the huge snow banks in some moth eaten wool bathing suits. We had a lot of fun but I always felt sorry for Thelma for putting up with us singing, arguing and playing gnrnes. I enjoyed it more as I didn't have to milk cows. Joan was snowed in atthe Mullens AKERS - NOEL FAMILY F14 I was born on the old Tom Jones place north of Seibert, Colo. on Feb. 2, 1932. My dad and Lillian Reid delivered me and my brothers and sister thought it was coyotes. Dr. McBride didn't register me, so in 1953 my Dad went to Burlington and got my birth certificate. Our family and the Lewis Reids were very close. I remember going to their place and going ice skating on their pond one wintpr. My brother Harold, decided to test the ice, and he jumped up and when he came down all fell in. David went under the ice; they had to dive down to pull him free. I was on the side of the pond keeping warm so didn't get wet. It was a long cold walk to the house but when Dad got through they were warm, at least in one spot. We often went rattlesnake hunting and on picnics where we hunted and ate frog legs. Orlen and David Reid rode their horses four miles to our house to catch the school bus those who help themselves". FAMILY Shirley's sons and their families were very important in their lives. Randy and Karen have a daughter and son and live in Lamar, to attend high school. While in high school Bonny (Boren) Hughes and I told Dale Hargrove if he bought a raffle ticket for a turkey and won, we would clean the turkey for him. Well!! He won and we spent Saturday night "plucking turkey" at the Earl Borens instead of going to a dance. I'm sure Mrs. Boren appreciated the mess in her kitchen. I remember in the late thirties we participated in making comforters, quilts, pillows and mattresses from baled cotton the government supplied. We had to beat it forever or so it seemed. My mother was very good at sewing mattreeses, eo did a great deal of them. We rode a horse drawn sled to the Prairie Gem school house and it was very cold with lots of snow. In the late thirties the family participated in the "Old West Days" pageant that V.S. Fitzpatrick presented. We would refurbish an old covered wagon as authentic as we could and I rode with Dad. If you can convince a "small" child it was not real when an Indian was whooping outside and running through the wagons with one burning, "good luck". My brothers were lndian waniors and Mom and Lillian Reid were squaws. Darlene was the maiden they carried away one year. There was a bar-b-que and rodeo afterwards on top of Rock Hill. The Reids still have Lillian's squaw costume. One of the important events of our lives was at Christmas time when Santa would come to town and give us a sack ofcandy, nuts and mogt important an orange or apple. We would go to Gorton's Store and sit on the benches around the pot belly stove and open our sacks to see what wae inside under the south of town also for two weeks. While in high school I played on the VFW Basketball team and we won chnmpionship in 1949 with Fosha Gorton coaching. I loved sports and when in California Darlene and I played on a softball tenm and won city shsmpionship. I married Claude Rogers, son of Alvena Rogers Chubbuck on Sept. 19, 1950. We moved to Kansas City where Clifford and Benny Hughes lived until the big flood of 1951. We lived in Denver, Arriba, and Wichita, Kansas where Claude died in Sept. 1956. Two children John Roland and Cecilia Annette were born to us. I moved to Reseda, California in December, 1956, after my sieter called and said they were swimming and the roses were blooming. We were in the midst of a bad ice storm. I married Willian Guy Noel in 1960. We have three children, Christopher Ernest, Todd Alan and Guyla Mae. Bill was Chief Petty officer in the U.S. Navy and while working on recruiting duty in 1962 in Denver he adopted John and Annette. I remained at home until the children were raised. I was a room mother, 4H leader, PTA member and active in the R.L.D.S. church. I attcnded college taking fun courses. Bill retired as a Master Chief from the Navy in 1966 aftpr 30 years and went to work in Aerospace. He had been with Hughes Aircraft for the past 17 years. I went to work outside the home in 1980 and truly enjoy it. John had four children John, Jacob, Joseph and Kristina. He is with the postal service in Portland, Oregon after serving nine years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Annette is a school teacher in the Los Angeles school system and is married to Chris Caldwell. They have two girls Melissa Nicolle and Amanda Noel CaldwellChristopher is in construction work and has one son Ryan Christopher Noel. Todd married Cheri Swenson in October 1987. He works with the largest catering company in California and caters parties in many celebrities homes. Guyla manied Dan Caldwell in 1983, who ig in the U.S. Air Force and, they have two daughters, Elizabeth and Heather. He is Annette's husband's brother. They are stationed in Louisiana. We stilllive in CanogaPark, California, but I come "Home" to Seibert every time I can to see old friends. As the saying goes, "You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the Girl." by Dorothy (Akere) Noel �an active leader and took the scouts down the AKERS ZUCIJELKOWSKI Colo.rado River every year in canoes. My family participated one year. He hiked to the top of Mt. Whiten many times with the FAMILY F15 Darlene Marie Akers was born at Seibert. Colorado, January L4, lg25 and graduated from Seibert, High School in ig+2. She moved to Denver and went to Business Qollege and then worked at Buckley Field in Civil Service. For a short time she lived in Van Nuys, California before returning in 1946, to teach at Fair Haven north ofSeibert. then returning to Denver to work at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital where she met and gar-rig$ Army Master Sergeant Vernon Ray Zuchelkowski. They traveled to many bases before his retirement in 1968 in Reseda. California where they bought their home and were rearing their three children, pamela Kay, Vernie Rae, and Nancy Marie. Darlene worked for Rockwell International until her retirement in 1983. Her husband died in scouts. He continues to work with them. Both of his sons achieved Eagle Scouts by the age of fourteen. Liz enjoyed going with the famiiv down into the Grand Canyon and they continue to go each year for their vacation. Harry was an avid reader in school and continues to read huge smounts of books. He attended college in California and works for General Dynnmigg in San Diego where they live. He is active in the union at Generil Dynamiss. Their sons are married and live in southern California. by Dorothy (Akers) Noel ALLEN - WAGONER FAMILY Fl7 1967. While teaching at Seibert, she was active in the R.L.D.S. church and organized the youth ofthe church. She is still active in the church and youth work. Her home is open to all and is seldom silent or empty. White in high school she was active in church and 4-H town to be in the band. She could hear a song once and then play it on the piano. She was g yery good softball pitcher in Denver, Indianapolis and Los Angeles. She coached and pitched the team sponsored by Rockwell International in California to City Championship in 1957. Her children: Pamela lives near her in Reseda, California. Vernie Rae mauied Tom Kgnt and they have an adopted son Jason Thorq'as. Nancy ig married to Larry Norris q1d has three children; Jackie, Mathew, and Sierra. Larry works for the U.S. Forestrv Department in Louisiana Darlene spends as much time with her children as poseible. She has shared her home yth ganV people in need of a place to stay for a short or lengthy time; she enjoys cooking and entcrtaining. by Dorothy (Akers) Noel before Jack's arrival. They stayed Genoa area. Times were hard and Jack lost everything farming, so on August b, lg3g, Jack and Earj Toveg to-Seibert, Colorado and opened up the old A.V. Jessee Garage. (Later caled ttre Allen Garage). Grace stayed on the farm at Genoa, temporarily with her chickens, etc. Later, Ed Knowland, with his 1929 Chewolet truck, moved Grace, with her belongings, to Seibert. Jack and Earl had a total of a'Uout $1q00 between them, so stopped at the bank at-Flaglerto get change for the cash register. Bill and Clarence Rowley, who owneil the Genoa Oil Company financed them by deliverjng gasoline, oil and tires on consiglnment. dcposits and paid for the inventory and tools that wele in the garage. They keptihe garage open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The-re was a little room behind the office where thev Allens on vacation at Seibert about l94g by Martin Joh-nson home: Front, left to right: Virginia Rose Mullen, Mary Christie Allen, -Grace lJbn and Martin Johnson; Back row: Virginia Christie Mullen, Earl Allen and Jack Allen. Jack H. Allen, born in Green Castle. Missouri, on September B, 18gl and Grace Irene Wagoner, born in Boonville, North Caroline, on October 30, 1890, were united in marriage on August 21, lg1g, at Marshall- took turns sleeping at night. After about a year, they were able to hire a man to work nights. Several people had tried to make the garag-e pay, after A.V. Jessee passed away, but they all gave up because times were so hard. Earl will never forget that on about the first night in Seibert, J.E. Andre made this remark: "I will give you one month in this garage and you will be under like the ones before you". Earl never did tell Jack of this because he felt that Jack had enough worries and didn't need any more. Anyway, as it SARAGE. AKERS, HAROLD F16 My brother Harold Dean Akers was born on August 18,1927 in Seibert, Colorado and graduated from Englewood, Colorado High School in 1946. While in high school f,e participated in football and wrestling where he won many awards. He was activJ in the R.L.D.S. Church as a youth. He served in the U.S. Navy and while in New York met his r:r:ttil wife Elizabeth and was manied after he moved to California. They have two sons, Nicky Dena and Paul. While his boys were in scouting he becnme u"b " short time at the original destination, movine to a farm north of Genoa, Colorado. In th6 years to follow, three moves were made in the They, the Rowleys, also paid thJir first month's rent in advance, made the meter club, where she raised pigs, black angus cattle and in home economics. She participatcd in V.S. Fitzpatrick's band and was gifted in her music and continues to play the piano and sing in the church choir. She played the clarinet that was borrowed from the Art Miller family and had to walk four miles to town, Iowa. They traveled to Jack,s sister,s home in Burley, Idaho, for their honeymoon. They returned to Iowa and farmed near Greene. To this union, one son, C. Earl Allen. was born on June 3, 1912. In March 1921, Jack and Grace sold their farm in Iowa and moved to a place near Hugo, Colorado. Jack moved on an emigrant traIn, with his horses, stopping at intervals to feed and water the animals. Grace and Earl moved on the passenger train, so arrived several davs Jack and Grace Allen in front of garage they operated in seibert, taken 198?. �turned out, Elbert Andre, bless his heart, was wrong and Jack and Earl made it go, we-re out of de-bt and bought a new 85 h.p' Ford from Leon Lavington in 1937. weather was nice I would walk. Later on when my sister started to school, we had a buggy business college, Earl bec"me Town Clerk and Treasurerbf Seibert. Then, a few months later, he was appointed Town Marshall, in addition. World War II broke out and on March 24,Lg42,Earl went into the Army Air Force. Fortunately, he got back home safely and was discharged on August 30, 1945.In the meantime, Earl and Mary Christie had been going together and engaged, so on September Z, 1945, were married at Lawrence, Kansas. Fier parents, Mitchel and Ada Christie, had movCd from Seibert to Baldwin City, Kansas, ned until the roads could be traveled. Aunt Martha was going to get married in Denver to George Fisher. My mother took my brother George and me along. [t took four horses on a wagon because of the deep snow to take us to Stiatton to get on the train. We stayed at the hotel managed by Mr. and Mrs. George Elsey. This was the first time I had seen Delestial, the girl I later married. I remember that she was very pretty and she was two years old and I was seven. Early the next morning aboutS:00 a.m. the train came in and I was standing between the depot and the train tracks; when the engine came by I would have fallen over backwards if someone had not caught me. It was the biggest moving thing I had ever seen. WL did not see my aunt get married as they got in a hurry and got married without us. In abouf 1940, uPon graduation from during the war. In about 1942, Jack became manager ofthe Seibert Equity Co-op and remained until the Allen family moved back to Iowa, in 1947. There, Jack and Earl worked at the John Deere Tractor Works and Mary at the Iowa Public Service Company. Earl later became a City Letter Carrier and retired from that in December 1978. Jack passed away December 18, 1963 and Grace on March 25, L982. Earl and Mary presently (November 198?) are enjoying retirement and reasonably good health in Waterloo, Iowa. Their daughter, Kristi Allen, is a Registered Nurse and works at the Allen Memorial Hospital, in Waterloo, Iowa. by C. Earl Allen to ride in. I remember one night before Thanksgiving we had a heavy snow and school was postpo- Mother and I thought it was a dirty trick not to wait for us. After dad's folks were all moving back to Franklin County, Nebraska, he thought it would be nice for us to try and trade our property for a place back there. In July of fgfl we had a chance to trade our place for a farm near Riverton, Nebraska. We had a large sale in August to get rid of the many things we would not need on the Nebraska place' We shipped a car of furniture and farm machinery. We had to haul part of the things in wagons and drove the iattle and horses to St. Francis, Kansas. The AMMAN, ALBERT AND DELESTIAL F18 In 1901 grandfather again got the "Western Fever" as homesteads were plentiful in Colorado and some of the children were old enough to file on a homestead. So once more they headed WEST. My father, Herman Amman, filed on the place where Phillip Stolz and family are living now north and west of Bethune, Colorado. My grandfather bought a relinquishment one and % mile souih of us. A relinquishment is buying the rights of a person who had homesteaded and had made some improvements and wanted to sell. We moved to Colorado in April of 1902. Herman Amman was born on SePtember 4,L872 in Bremer County, Iowa and his wife, Auguste Peter Amman was born on January 30, 18?5 in Johannstadt, Germany. Their children are Albert G. born on September 18, 1901 in Ash Grove, Nebraska; Viola Amman Barrett born on December 4, 1903 at Bethune; Lillie Amman Hattan born October 23, 1905 at Bethune; George C. born August ?, 190? at Bethune; Louis C. Amman born August 8, 1909 at Bethune; and Freda Amman Scarpace born November 21, 1915 at Riverton, Nebraeka. In September of 1907 Albert started to Union school. My first teacher was Mrs. Hayes. She had her sister Miss Sprague to stay and live with her in the school house. ThLy had a folding bed which thev would let down each evening and put it up early the next morning before school took up. Some times my father would bring me to school on horseback but most of the time when the reason for this was to get on the Burlington Railroad so we would not have to reload at Norton, Kansas from the Rock Island Rail- road. We had some very good neighbors who helped us move. We lived on the place at Riverton until 1920 when Dad bought a place near Naponee, Nebraska. We moved again. I came back out to Bethune and Kit Carson County in 1926 and farmed with Gus Adolf. I located Delestial Humphrey in the summer of 1926 and we continued going together. We were married on SePtember 7, L927 in Goodland, Kansas. Our family consists of; Albert G. Amman born on September 18' 1901 in Franklin County Nebraska and Delestial Humphrey born on September 16, 1906 in Jackson County Missouri. Our children are Ivan Robert Amman born on July 28, 1929; Gene DoYle Amman born on February 26, 1931, both born in Greeley, Colorado. Maureen Amman Fellger born on August 3, 1933 and Delos Albert Amman born on December 17, 1935, both in Bethune Colorado. We lived and farmed one mile east of the Lutheran church north of Bethune. Our real good and the ice was very slick. Here I come about thirty miles per hour and the front end of the car caught the edge of the snow drift throwing the car end for end and upsetting it on top of a snow bank. It happened so fast I did not have time to get scared. It was the first time I had rolled the windows to get out of the car. I had money (stamp money) all over the car as I had not closed the box that contained the stamps and change. There were many times in the thirties and forties when I started out on the route and the wind would come up and the dust was so bad that I could not see the road and hoped that someone else would not be coming up the road and have a collision. I am truly thankful that never happened. On October 18, 1.966 I started out with the mail. It was cloudy and misting. When I had driven several miles it started to rain and when about half over the route it started to snow. I stopped at the Post Office and left what mail I had picked up and picked up the mail that came in as the mail truck was late that morning. I thought that it was not too bad to take care of the south half of the route. I got to the south end and started west when it got worse. I made it to Leonard Beeson's place and going north when the wind came up blowing about sixty miles per hour and snowing so I couldn't see anything and the wind blew me in the ditch. They had had rain earlier and the blow dirt was very slick. I was stuck so I stayed in the car until the storm let up and then I walked down to Leonard Beeson's to get help to pull my car on the road. Lucky for me when I got down there Len was home and putting chains on his pickup. He had come down to the place that morning to take care of the cattle. He pulled my car up on the road and I came here' Albert and Delestial are active members of Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune since 192?. He was elected to the board council and served several years. Later he was elected Chairman of the church board and served for three years from l97L-73. Albert served as secretary of the Bethune School board, District #24 and'also served as secretary of District I in Bethune for several years. He served on the town board of Bethune from 1937 to 60 and was elected Mayor of the Town of Bethune in 1970-82. Albert was a member of AF and AM Lodge #77 of Burlington. Albert carried mail out of Bethune, Colorado from 1936 to 1965 on Rural Route #2 and when Routes #1 and #2wete combined he carried mail from 1965 to 1971 for a total of 35 years retiring in 1971. Albert and Delestial are still living in the home in Bethune where they raised their children. Delestial spent her years managing the home and making many quilts and also nearest neighbors were Frank and Mary helping Martha Weiss and Mrs. Minnie Chalfant with the repairing and dressing of dolls that were collected for distribution to moved into the town of Bethune that year. An incident that happened on the route on December 24, L968 was this. We had a blizzatd a few days before which left some deep drifts and the county maintainer had wenl through once and the weather warmed up. A truck loaded with a tank of water had wlnt through the evening before to water the livestock located a mile north of Duaine Beeson's place. The night was very cold-and froze real hard. The next day it warmed up the less fortunate. Kramer. Albert started to carry mail on Route 2 south of Bethune in 1936 so they by Albert Amman �AMMAN, KARL GOTTLOB on November 12, 1893 in Franklin County Nebraska and died on February 22,1956 in Fr9 My Great Grandfather Karl Gottlob A'nmannan{ family lefttheir home in Memmingen, Bavaria Gerpany on April 4, 1850 for America. They sailed from the harbor at Bre4en, Germany to Ellis Igland, New Ygrk. After being cleared by customs they took a boat to Albany, New York, then took a train to Buffalo, New York. From there they took a boat to Saginaw, Michigan. From there they traveled by wagon to the new colony of Frankenhilf. This colony wqs several miles distant from Saginaw. Rev. Loehe's putpose for establishing colonies was to bring the poor people from Germany to America and give th€m a new start and a better life for themselves. Rev. Loehe always drea-ed of becoming a miesionary to the Indians. My Nebraska. Grandpa.rents A'nman and family had been living near Maxfield, Bremer County, Io-wa for several years whe4 they decided to move to Franklin County Nebraska. Land fqr t-he takiTrg and iqproving besides sorne of the children could also take homesteads. They lived on their homestead near Ash Grove, Nebraska. Grqndfather Amman helped to erganize the Turkey Creek St. Paul's Lu- theran Church. In 1901 they moved to Colorado and in 1909 returned to Nebragka. by Albrert A-mmen ANDERSON FAMILY F20 great grandfather was the foreman or leader of this mission and with great sacrifice established the Frankenhilf colony in Michigan in 1850. After a few years ofbuilding log houses and clearing the land for planting crops some of nal differences, in 1883 they decided to go to Iowa City, Iowa but found more suitable surroundings near Strawberry Point. They bought land near where St. Sebald's Church was later built. They built a log building on t-he land to live in and also used it for cbwch purposes. Great Grandfather Karl Gottlob Ammann gen, Germany. He married Christina Keller in Memmingen and their children are great aunt Anna Amman Schuchmann born on A\rgust 2, L84L; grandfather Gottlob Karl Ainmann born on November 4, 1843 and great aunt Katherine Ammann Krebs born on April 18, 1&t8 all in Memmingen, Germany. Grandfather Gottlob Karl Ammann married Elizs[s65 Groseman on April 10, 1866. These are their children; Charles Gottlieb Amman born on May 10, 1867 in Bremer County, Iowa and died on July 21, Memphis, Tennessee, In 1894, Cyrus & Lula and their one year old daughter, Winnie Augusta, left Illinois, and traveled by wagon to eastern Colorado to claim a homestead Cyrus had selected some months earlier. The homestead was located 3 7z miles west of Flagler. The Andersons soon realized the flat terrain of their homestead was not ideal for ranching, so traded for land eight miles northwest of Flagler on the Buffalo Creek. Here the Diemond-Bar-A Ranch was born, and Cy & Lula Anderson settled in to raising their family and a notable herd of Black Angus cattle. Other children born to Cyrus & Lula in addition to Winnie A., the eldest, were Nina R., Dewey L., Abner E., J. Keith, and Paul D. All the Anderson children born to Cyrus & Lula in addition to Winnie A., the eldest, were Nina R., Dewey I., Abner E., J. Keith, and Paul D. All the Ander$on children received their elementary education at the rural school known as the "Huntley School" north of Flagler, west of the Thurman Road. Winnie & Nina were in the first graduation classes when the Flagler educ.ation system offered a ten year high gchool. Both Winnie & Nina later obtained teacher certificates and taught in the Flagler rural schools for several years. the people got digsatisfied. Because of doctri- was born on September L2,L8L2 in Memmin- child, Lula's family moved to a farm near Sod house ofCyrus J. Anderson and Lulu Anderson viewing in a Southwest direction, six miles north and two and one half miles west of Flagler, Colorado. Cyrus J. Anderson was born February 6, 1863, at Alta Pass, Illinois, the child of Amos J. Anderson & Lourinda Keith Anderson. As a young man, Cyrus worked on the Mississippi floating logs from Alta Pass to Memphis. He met Lula Lee Moore at Memphis, and on March 14, 1886, they were married at Leaners, Arkansas. Lula Lee was born the child of David C. & Sarah S. Moore on November 25, L867, in Georgia. As a young Cyrus & Lula Anderson were a strong part in helping establish many of Flagler's organizations. In addition to the school system, they were organizers and members of the Congregational Church, the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star. Lula was also instrumental in organizing the church's "Ladies Aid" and a rural organization made up of ranching and farming families and known as the "Country Club." Cyrus & Lula operated their ranch until the death of Cyrus in L927. Lula continued ownership of the ranch until her death in 1936. By the mid 1930's all the Anderson children had moved from the Flagler area with the exception of Winnie. In 1915 Winnie was married to W. Aubrey Walker who lived north of Seibert on his homestead. Aubrey & Winnie resided in the Seibert area untillgz?. [t was during those years their four children were born. The eldestchild, Dale Aubrey, was born in 1920 at the old Anderson Homestead L924 in Nebraska; Paul Georg Amman born Jvne 22,1869 in Brepmer County Iowa and died on April 4, L947 in Nebraska; Herman Gottfried Amman born on $epteqber 4, 1872 and died on July 16, 1934 in Colorado; Mary ;t-. f -.."I *-*'.*'*'irf Amman Worsham born gn April 21, 1874 in Bremer Iowa and died on March 28, 1955 in Nebraska; Anna Amman Etherton born on February 23, L876 in Bremer County Iowq and died on September 10, 1930 in Nebraska; Emma Amman Kleber born August 5, 1878 in Bremer County Iowa and died on MaJ 22, 1913 in Colorado; Albert Frederick Amman born on August 17, 1880 in Frauklin Couniy Ne.braska ind died on July 1?, 1S56 in Migsouri; Bertha Anman Hackenberger born on July 21, 1883 in Franklin County, Nebraska and died on May 1, 1940 in Miosouri; Martha Anman Fisher born on July 9, 1EE4 ip Franklin County Nebraska and died on January 13, 1981 in Oregou Nannie A:nman Kleber born on August 23, 1889 in Franklin Cgunty Nebraska and died on IVIay 3, L974 in Washington; Amanda Amman Sindt born on October 12, 1891 in Fra.a-kl.in Coupty Nebraska aud died on January 31, 1945 iri Nebraska; Frederick Gottfried Anqman born faken in front of Cyrus and Lulu's sod house. Far left: Aubrey Walker and Winnie Andergon Walker. Far Right: Cyrus J. Anderson. Teken about 1915. �Western Kansas. They received many trophies for Grand Champion bronco rider. Another form of entertainment was going to the dance held at Hale, Colorado. It was a good place to see their friends. Reuben met a registcred nurse, Anne Irene Shirley, who had just completed her training at St. Lukes Hospital in Denver, Colorado and planned to work in the area. Anne's sister, Vera Cody, her husband fuch, and their children played the music for the dance. Reuben and Anne were married in Goodland, Kansas on July sod house northwest of Flagler. K. Lavon was born in 1921 at the Walker Homestead north of Seibert, as was Helen O., who died when less than two years of age. Nina Lou, the youngest, was born at Seibert in L927. Early 1928 found Aubrey & Winnie living on the Anderson Homestead following the death of Winnie's father, Cyrus Anderson. The Walkers operated the Anderson Ranch for only a few years before purchasing their own ranch-farm which connected to the Anderson ranchland. In 1943, Aubrey & Winnie sold their farm holdings and moved to Flagler where Aubrey began employment as a bookkeeper for Fruhling Motor Co., a Chewolet agency. He held this position until he retired at the age of 85. Aubrey, Winnie & their children continued the "Anderson" involvement in the Flagler Community. In addition to the church and lodge, this involvement was expressed through organizations that included the Town Board, Flagler Development Association, Lions Club,4-H Club, scouting and not the least, the school and its many activities including membership on the Board of 24, r93r. Reuben and Viola Anderson on their wedding day, April 29, 1946, in Goodland, Kansas. Archie and Juanita Anderson accompanied them. My story of the Anderson dates back to 1887 when Anders and Maria Anderson homesteaded north of Burlington on the Colorado-Kansas border, moving there from Bohulsem, Sweden. They are the parents of Oscar Anderson who married Nettie Latelia Anderson on January 2, 1899. Nettie's parents and grandparents were Directors. also born in Sweden. When she was 1% years Winnie Walker passed away June 4, 1961, and Aubrey died October 25, 1981. As Flagler nears its centennial mark, the Anderson-Walker family have shared in the joys & sorrows, and the trials & successes of old she went to live with her grandparents, this community through most of the century. AT this writing, Mr. Paul Anderson, youngest of the children of Cyrus & Lula Anderson is the last living member to hold the family name in this Anderson Lineage. The family line continues at Flagler through Reuben Charley, was the oldest child, born Pat & Lou (Walker) Ford and their son's family, Tony & Debbie Ford. Living in nearby Limon, Colorado, are Dale & Betty Walker and their two sons and their wives, Dale Jr. & Dawn. and John & Cheri Walker. Living in Colorado Springs is Wilbur & Lavon (Walker) Keeran. by Dale A. \Malker ANDERSON FAMILY I.2l Charlotta Katherina and Anders Gustar Anderson, because her mother had died. They moved by covered wagon to north of Kanorado in 1888 and also homesteaded. February 27, L902. He attended "Beaver Valley" country school as long as he could, but when there was work to do at home he stayed home and helped his father. He rode his horse to school. The first year was very difficult because his parents talked Swedish and English, Reuben confused the languages and the other children would laugh at him. So the family decided to speak English only, but his mother still sang Swedish songs and played the accordion for her family. Oscar's brother Otto had a grocery store in Kansas City, Kansas. Oscar's family sent milk, crenm and butter by train to be sold in Otto's store. They also raised corn, husking it by hand. During the 1920's Reuben and his brother Archie enjoyed riding in the rodeos held in the communities of Kit Carson County and Anne was the daughter of Adelbert and Anna (Denker) Shirley of Brewster, Kansas. Del's family were originally from England and Anna's from Germany. Reuben and Anne purchased a farm 21 miles north-east of Burlington for $12.50 per acre in 1932. They were interested in the community of Beaver Valley, being involved with the Soil Conservation District and practicing the latest improved farming methods. Reuben loved the land and working hard. They were active in 4-H work. Anne helped organize the Happy Hours Home Demonstra- tion Club in 1935. Their four children were born during the depression: Jim, Kathryn, Charlene and Dick, all later marrying into local farm families. Jim married Gwendolyn, daughter of George and Thelma Andrews. Kay married Gene, son of Carl and Mary Morgan. Charlene married Bill, son of Earl and Josephine (Nohr) Jemes. Dick married Janice, daughter of Bernard and Louise Conrardy. In 1940 they kept a record of all their expenses and their income from the milk, cream eggs (at 8 cents a dozen), pigs, crops of oats and wheat and it totaled out to the seme emount of $1,700.00. Also. in the 1940's Reuben and his friend Sam Morrow purchased a Minneapolis threshing machine from Reuben's brother Ivan for $350.00. They used it in the neighborhood to custom thresh all ofthe fall crops. While the neighborhood men harvested, the women would prepare the noon meal for the whole crew. Everyone enjoyed this time together eating, laughing and joking. Anne was seriously burned in a butane gas explosion in their cellar; she died February 26, L943 at the Hayee General Hospital in Burlington. Reuben endured many hardships to keep his family together but never complained. All of the neighbor ladies gave a helping hand, washing,ironing, cleaning, mending and also canning the meat, fruit and vegetablee. Their love qrill never be forgotten by the fanily. On April 29, L946, Reuben wae unit€d in marriage to ViolaElizabeth, daughterof Emil and Pauline (Grnmm) Schaal, who lived north of Burlington. The Schaal's and Gramm's were a part of the settlement that cayne from Russia in 1898 and settled north of Bethune, near the Republican River. A Oecar and Nettie Anderson with their family in October 1931 on their homestead on the Colorado-Kansas border, daughter Helen, eon Ivan, son Rueben and his wife Anne, son Archie and his wife Juanita and their children Loranell and Darrell. Stella, another daughter and family were not present. daughter, Lola Mae, and a son, Paul Dean, were born to this marriage. Lola married Walter Cary of Springfield and Paul married Mary Louise Cheseny, also of Springfield, Missouri. In 1949 Reuben was elected as one of the Kit Carson County Commiesioners, serving a four year term. During his tenure and Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital was opened, the remodeling of the court house was completed, new cattle-chutes were built at �the county fairgrounds and some county ANDRE, JOHN ELBERT roads were asphalted. Reuben departed this life on May 11, 1984' a proud Grandpa of his sixteen granddaughters, five gtandsons and eleven great-grand- children. He always caried a little blackbook, and in it he list€d aI of the grandchildren. His brother Archie passed away in February of 1984. Archie's family still lives 10 miles south of Ruleton, Kansas. A sister Stclla Weller lives near Kadoka, South Dakota on a cattle ranch. Another sister Helen married Melvin Sall. They own and farm a place between her parents homest€ad and Reuben's place. Ivan, another brother still lives on the "Old Anderson Homestead". by Kathryn Anderson Morgan ANDERSON McCONNELL FAMILY r.22 F23 John Elbert fuld1e sems to Colorado in 1910 to take a homestead of 320 acres north of Flagler. He built a two room frnme house. January 20, LgL2 he married Berniece Elsie Wynne in Hugo, Colorado by a Judge by the name of Miles. They drove their team of one horse and blind mare hitched to his buggy to his home north of Flaglsl smid snow and ice. They had three children, daughter Gladys Kerl of Stratton, Colorado, Son George Robert of Mesa, Arizona, a daughter Leora Mae, now deceased. Their crops weren't much that first year. They ate a lot of corn bread and beans. Selling the homestead they moved to Colorado Springs where Elbert worked at different jobs returning to Flagler some time in 1918 where they farmed. Then in the 20's Elbert taught the Dazzling Valley School in District 14. At one time he also taught the Mount Pleasant School. One of our former citizens, Fabe Anderson, is the only one of my knowledge, to go to the Klondike. I have not been able to get much first-hand knowledge about his trip' So many of those times are gone, as is Fabe and his wife. In 1886 George Carmack of lllinois discovered gold in the region of Dawson, near the Klondike River, which flows into the Yukon River in Alaska. It created quite a lot of excitement and a nrrmber of gold seekers traveled there to try their luck. Dawson is in Canada, but mostpersons went to Alaska. We have not been able to dig up a good story of his trip. We do know he went and his son Carl remembers, he met up with some man from California on his travels and they made the journey together. Carl has a gold ring with the inscription of Nome on it. That is the western point ofAlaska, not far from Russia, probably called Siberia then. The ring has a small amount of alloy in it so Carl cannot wear it much, it is to soft. It was in 1897, that so many gold seekers flocked there, and in that year two million dollars in gold was taken from there in the form of nuggets and grains. Since the price of gold has gone down it has not encouraged such prospecting. It is mostly in a free etate and obtained by washings. What an interesting story that would have been off his hardships, disappointments and adventures. He married Del McConnell after he cnme back from the Klondike. They homesteaded on a place one half mile from his wifes parents home. to this union five children were born, Geneva, Ina, Carl, Shelly, and Wilma. All the children grew up and married and left the county except one son Carl who settled in Burlington, Colo. His wife paased away in 1937 leaving Fabe with a family to raise. He later left the county with his younger children to seek work elsewhere. He was brought back to the county where he was laid to rest begide his wife in Claremont Cemetery, Stratton, Colo. by Dessie Cassity To have a certificate to teach he borrowed books from the County Superintendent to study. Elbert and Arthur Rob went to Burlington and took the teachers examination which made them eligible to teach. After the children were out of grade school the family moved into town in Flagler for them to attend High school. Elbert worked in the grocery store for Bob Brian. After some years and other places Elbert and Berniece returned to their beloved Flagler to retire and spend their remaining years, by Gladys Kerl ANDREWS FAMILY F24 Edward Andrews was born February 1, L874, at Gage County, Nebraska, to Addison and Lucretia (Hamilton) Andrews. On February 24, 1896, he was united in marriage to Edward Leoan Andrews and Buelah Molinda (Marchant) Andrews, parents of Edith Francis Lightle, Grandparents of Harold Lightle, Great Grandparents of James and Jerry Lightle. fire. The cow chips were the hard sun-dried droppings of the cattle herds and remaining buffalo that roamed the prairie land. Many a good loaf of bread was baked by the hot fires. In those old days, when they butchered, they would fry the meat and put it in stone jars, pouring grease over it. Sausage was made into patties, fried and stored in crocks filled with lard. Illnesses were treated with homemade remedies. Only during the most severe illnesges, was a doctor summoned. Their daughter, Edith, married Curtis Lightle, February 16, 1926, and raised a family of fifteen children: Francis, Eva, William, Harold, Erma, Vera, Franklin, David, Carl, Elmer, Margaret, Linda, Matilda and Larry, one son died at birth. Edith still lives on a farm near the old homestead Beulah Marchant, near Emporia, Kansas. Edward and Beulah came west in a covered wagon on their honeymoon and settled southeast of Hale, Colorado, near Jakeway, Kansas. Edward's parents and family came from Kansas at the same time, and they played for dances on their way out to pay and five of her children, William, Harold (my husband), Carl, Elmer and Larry reside in Kit their expenses. Edward played the violin and played for many dances in the BurlingtonIdalia area. Around 1898 he took a homestead about five miles north of the Republican River in Yuma County. He proved up on his homest€ad and about 1916 he took a timber claim 12 miles northeast of Stratton, Colorado. He lived here several years proving up on the timber claim. He then sold this and moved to Dresden, Kansas and Missouri for a short time. In about 1926 he moved his family back to Burlington, Colorado, where they spent ARMISTEAD FAMILY their remaining years. Edward and Beulah had a familY of 12 children, Marion, Maude, Reva, Florence, Leon, Elridge, Hazel, Edith, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Gilbert and Mazie. Times were hard, and the big wood cookstoves burned cow chips which made a good hot Carson County. by Eilene Kreoger Lightle F25 On a bleak March day in 1932 Charles and Alma Armistead with their five oldest children, Irene, Phillip, Bonnie, Elizabeth, and Charlene moved from the economically depressed Dust Bowl of western Kansas to the same kind of environment thirtpen miles north and three miles east of Flagler; from a large farm home near Goodland to a tworoom basement. I recall neighbors gossiping that Mother must be out of her mind to move anice white ena-el babycrib intosuch agrim abode. However, that crib became the first bed of four other children. Sometimes, the new baby lived in a laundry basket; sometimes in a daintily lined box. Jim, Jerry, Shirley, and Juanita were all born at home �small rooms, but a mansion to us. That place was a half mile from the Leseberg farm where Ralph and Elizabeth (Armietead) now reside. After that to a place a mile east of Flagler and then into town. Duringthose years Dad drove a truck for the DLS (Denver-Limon-Bur- lington) truck lines, delivered gas and oil for the Co-op, janitored for the high school. By 1957 the nest was empty except for me. When I went to teach in Calif. I incuned a spinal cord injury causing permanent paralysis. I was lovingly nursed and nurtured by a caring family and supportive community for eleven years until I was admitted to Craig Hospital in Denver for rehabilitation. When I began to work there in 1962, Mother and Dad moved to Denver to be with me. I am now retired. Each of us has gone in a different direction. Aftcr serving in the Navy during World War II, Philmoved to NewYorkwhere he married, worked for the telephone com- pany and later bought a dairy. Bonnie -f, x,,$,,;llb married J.C. Conrad who farmed near Flagler before moving to the Denver area. Elizabeth t The Armieteads, 1956: Back row - left to right: Bonnie, Charlene, Jim, Jerry, Phil, Juanita; Front row left to right: Shirley, Alma, Irene, Charles, Elizabeth. and delivered by Dr. Neff or Dr. Reed, usually agsisted by Gerda Huntzinger. At that time, it was believed new mothers should stay in bed for two weeks. When Shirley was born, I missed echool. An entry in my diary: "I stayed home and did the work for 17 days, scrubbed, washed, baked bread, cooked, and kept house in general. I was 13 years old. I bathed Shirley so sweet and kept her feet warm with the hot water bottle." The white ennmel baby crib was a symbol that was typical of Mother in her endeavors to keep that dugout cheerful and pleasant, although life was hard raising nine children in such a small space and on a poverty income. Cleanliness was imperative in spite ofour carrying water both down and up those basement stairs. Mother used hand-me-down clothes and flour sacks to fashion dresses from pictures in the Montgomery Ward catalog, cutting her own patterns from copies of the CAPPER'S WEEKLY, our only publication in addition tathe FLAGLER NEWS. To add to the attractiveness ofthe clothes she embroidered a special gtitch that I have rarely seen. Among my cherished treasures are items with that stitch. Although food was scarce and limited in variety, Mother used her imagination to create all kinds of dishes from the wild rabbits that Dad and Phil shot. We planted large gardens. Sometimes the hawest was successful with many vegetables to can. Some years there were as many as 9fi) quarts. Some years the plants succumbed to drouth, hail, or the grasshoppers which ate the plants into the ground. Dad tried to farm, using horses and inadequate machinery. Farmer after farmer failed to produce a crop due to the extreme drouth and a lack of knowledge of more successful dry land farming as we know it today. Our few cattle gtazed, on the "free range", which ie now privately owned. Many of them died due to dust pneumonia or bloating from eating the young, green tumble weeds. After the cattle had decayed and the bones bleached, Phil and I picked up the latter to sell to purchase roller skates which we used in the barn loft. All of us picked up dried cow chips to burn for both cooking and heating. Actually the iron cookstove served for both. When he could, Dad was a helpmate in assisting with the grueling household work. He tried very hard to provide for the family. What a blow it was to Dad's pride, when he had to apply to work on the WPA (Works Progress Administration). Often that meant he was gone throughout the week as he was assigned to other parts ofthe county building bridges, schools, etc., which left much of managing the home to Mother. We lived three miles from Liberty, the country school for all eight grades. Phil started to school when he was very young so I would not have to go alone. Part of the time we took the horse and buggy, rode horseback, walked, rode two miles with Homer Huntzinger in his Model-T Ford. How frightening it was to be caught in a dust storm on the way home! The barbed wire fence on either side of the road (now it seems more like a trail) served as a sentinel to keep us on coutse. Liberty was the "community center" with pie socials, literary, Sunday School, and occasionally a preacher. How pleased I felt to play the p rmp organ. But life was not all drudgery. We made our fun. No plastic toys then! Playhouses in the grainery with broken dishes, different colors of soil for "cooking", gunny sacks for beds, polywogs in a quartjar for goldfish, plenty of space to draw houses or whole towns on the barren ground, playing cards and dominoes at the oak table. Sometimes there were trips married Ralph Conrad; they have lived around Flagler most of the time. Charlene is manied to Lyle Garner and lives in Stratton. She worked at the Flagler Hospital and later at the Stratton Co-op. Shirley graduated from University of Northern Colorado, and married Sherman Henry. Both of them are teachers and live in Branson, Mo. Juanita married Tom Ellison and lives in Northglenn where she works for the Credit Union. Jim was killed in a crane accident in 1979. After serving in the Navy during the Korean War, he married Esther Schlichenmayer of Burlington. Following high school Jerry served in the army. Upon discharge he worked in Holyoke where he met and married Anita Thietje. He died suddenly in L977. Having lived hard, busy lives with a full measure of worry, sadness, and joy, Dad died in December, 1971 at the age of 86; Mother died just after her 84th birthday in March, 1982. They are the forebearers of 9 children, 22 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren. by Irene Armistead ARMSTRONG TOWERS FAMILY F26 My father, John Everett Armstrong, was born in 1881, in Melbourne, Iowa. He and his to town with a nickel for penny candy; Sundays might be spent with neighbors. From Dad most of us learned the joy of reading to escape to other times - toForlearn, and places. a very special treat we could persuade Dad to play the harp, featuring "oldies" with which he grew up. In 1937 when I graduated from the 8th grade, we moved to the Jackson place to be on the bus route so I could attend Flagler High School where each of the nine of us eventually went. Wow, a real house with four John and Elizabeth Armstrong Iived in this house in 1950. This picture was taken by Carol Wendler later. � 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- A Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource A brief history of founding families from Kit Carson County whose names begin with the letter "A." As told in the book A 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. A 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:455 2020-03-23T10:15:42Z 17

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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:456 2020-03-23T10:15:31Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/456/Families-C.pdf b74828cf5ca8eca3032a0db6cc5857d9 PDF Text Text 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 �CALVIN, MELVIN FAMILY FtoT Melvin Gerald Calvin was born Sept. 27, 1915, at Smith Center, Kansas to Leonard and Katherine (Baetz) Calvin. At the age of six months he moved with his parents and two sisters, May (Calvin) Kellogg, and Irene (Calvin) Hermbloon to Stratton. The family moved to a farm southeast of Stratton. During the first year the family lived in a dugout basement while Leonard built the house and the other buildings. The farm is presently owned by Mrs. Chris Schwieger. In 1919 the family left Stratton to live in Greeley, Co. while their Dad Leonard attended teacher training at Colorado State Teach- ers College. The following year the family returned to the family farm south of Stratton. Melvin and his sisters all graduated from Stratton High School. Both of his sisters taught in the country schools. Melvin graduated with the class of 1933. His class was the only class to have graduation pictures during the depression. He then went on to attend college for a short time in Wichita, Ks. where he studied business. Bernice (Fass) Calvin met our father Melvin on her many visits from Syracuse, Nebr. She came to visit her aunt and uncle, the Peter Kruse family. On May 20, 1936 Melvin and Bernice were married in Goodland, Kansas. They eloped so they would have some time to tell Dad's parents about their marriage. But as it always goes the announcement of the maniage was published in the Goodland Daily News. So his parents found out before they got back to Stratton. The first ten years of their married life they resided in Denver. where two of their four children were born: Betty and Linda. Melvin worked for the Remington Arms Co. until he was drafted into the Army on March 4,L944. During his time in the service he was the recipient ofthe Silver Star, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Star and the Purple Heart. He received his discharge papers on Oct. 20, 1945 with the ranking of Staff Sergeant. After his return from the war he decided he wanted to farm. So he moved his family to Stratton to live on his dad's farm which he finally purchased. His parents then moved to Denver. In 1946 and 1947 their last two daughters; Christine and Vickie, were born in Stratton at Mrs. Border's Maternity Home. Basically times were pretty good on the farm, except during the dirty fifties, where our greatest fears were having to move and leave the farm, but as with many things, we were able to withstand the drought and bad timee and stay. During this time Dad put the farm in the soil bank progro- and stafied working at the ASCS offrce. Mom started working at the Stratton Equity Co-op where ghe was employed by them for eighteen years. Melvin and Bernice were involved with many community activities. Dad was a member of the Stratton School Board for eighteen years. He was actively involved in the planning of the new high school. He also took many a load of pep club girls to football and basketball games. He also served on the fire district board for many years. Melvin and Bernice both were actively involved with the American Legion and Auxiliary. Dad marched in the honor guard at all Stratton Days and Homecoming events up and until his death Oct. L6, t974. Dad was up for reelection to the county assessor office unopposed on the Democratic ticket at the time of his death. After Dad's death Mom was asked by many people of the community to run for the assessorjob to which she was elected, serving a four year term. During this time she decided to sell the farm to Chris Schwieger and then she bought a home in Burlington, Co. where she resided until her death in Nov. 21, 1982. Their four daughters all graduated from Stratton High School and are now all married. Betty Belt lives with her husband Leroy in Alamosa. She has three boys and two girls and four step children. Linda Torline who died Feb. 5, 1984, lived with her husband Larry in Lakewood, Co. They have three sons. Christine Brachten- bach lives with her husband Dennis on a farm north ofStratton. They have one boy and two daughters. Vickie Hahn lives with her husband Lyden in Fresno, Calif. She has two girls and one stepchild. by Christine Brachtenbach served as County Chairman. They were members of the Congregational Church. Tope was a member of the Masonic Lodge, a charter member of the Lions Club and active in the American Legion. Blanche belonged to the Eastern Star and the Legion Auxiliary. Tope had a great interest in sports and managed many baseball teams through the years as well as playing in his younger years. As long as he lived he took an active interest in the sports activities in the commu- nity. After Tope's retirement and Blanche's retirement a little later, they spent five winters in Bullhead City, Arizona to enjoy a more mild climate. After a period of failing health, Tope died on Jan. 29, L976. Burial was in the Flagler Cemetery. Blanche has continued to make her home in Flagler, enjoying leisure time activities, after working for so many years. Their daughter, Jackie married Ray Spiars on Dec. 26,L954 in Riverton, Wyoming where she was teaching and where he worked for Frontier Airlines. Since then they had lived in Hastings and Grand Island, Nebr., and in New Castle and Worland, Wyo., Seattle, Wash. and in Denver. The Spiars have four children: Terri, Michael, Steve and David and six grandchildren: Mandy, Aaron and Benjie Armstead and Trevor, Brandon and Jordan Spiars. CARPER, H. C. AND BLANCHE FloS From the 1930's until 1968, H.C. (Tope) Carper and his wife, Blanche (Lipford) Carper, operated the Carper Barber and Beauty Shop on Flagler's Main Street. Tope had first come to Flagler in Lg22 to work in Harry Gray's Barber Shop, later returning to Jennings, Kansas, Blanche, the daughter of Lena and J.W. (Jack) Lipford, had lived in the Flagler area since coming to a homestead with her parents in 1908. She was a graduate of Flagler High School and had taught the Mt. Pleasant School, located north of Flagler on the Kit Carson - Washington County line for two by Blanche Lipford Carper CARTER, FLOYD AND ESTALEENE (ESTIE) Fr09 Floyd Carter born Sept. 3rd 1915 in Cass County Iowa came with his parents Adam & Katie Carter when a small boy of 4 years old from Cumberland, Ia., to rural Yuma County Colo. He and his sister Ruby attended the Prairie View grade school 12 miles north and years. The couple were married on May 24,L923, at Oberlin, Kansas, by a woman probatc judge, Emma L. Lathrop. Witnesses were Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Nellans of Jennings, Kansas. The newlyweds made their home in Jennings, where Tope was a barber. While living in Jennings, their two daughters were born. Patricia Jean was born on June 8, 1927, but lived only 3 months. Their second daughter, Jacqueline Fae was born on Jan. 19,1929. In 1931, the Carpers returned to Flagler where Tope worked first at the Campbell Barber Shop located in the IOOF Hall which he soon bought. Then they bought the building on the east side of Main Street and moved the shop there. In 1936, Blanche attended the Charles Beauty School in Denver and upon completing it, began the operation of a beauty shop along with the barber shop. During their years in Flagler, the Carpers were active in the life of the community. Tope served on the Town Council and as mayor. He was also active in the Democratic party and Floyd and Estaleene Carter. �a mile west of Yuma, Co. In 1925 Adam & Katie moved with their children Muriel, Ruby, & Floyd into Yuma. Floyd attcnded grade school and High School there, graduating with the class of 1932 or 1933. As a little boy he delivered the Denver Post, raked leaves, mowed lawns, to help out at home. The Crash of 1929 and the dirty thirties were hard on this family as well as a lot of other families so any help was a blessing. Adam worked on the W.P.A. and Katie picked turkeys to make ends meet. The Dirty Thirties were hard to recover from but survive they did. Possibly making then appreciate the good life when it cane. In the teens Floyd started working for Ray Beanblossom in his creamery, carrying in cream and eggs and washing dirty cream cans. Little did he know then he would follow this route for the next 42 years. Later he changed jobs going to work for the Gisi Produce Co. By this time he was old enough to drive trucks so he drove for Mike Gisi as well as helping Nellie Gisi in the creemery. He picked up eggs, s1snm, & poultry and delivered them to markets in Denver for Mike. He later hauled corn & feed for Mike, hauling grain to Ia. Other markets for eggs were Omaha Nebr. and chickens to Norton Kan. In 1940 on May 6th Floyd married a displaced Missouri girl, Estaleene Haley. I was born Dec. 16, 1920 and had come to Wray, Colo. to visit my Aunt Iva Lair. Liking Wray so much I convinced my parents (with a lot of persuasion) Brack & Ona Haley to let me stay in Wray with my Aunt Iva & finish the last 2 years of High School there. They finally gave in and I graduated with the class of 1940. After our marriage Floyd bought his own cre4mery, Carter's Produce, as it was known and we started buying produce from the farmers of the surrounding areas. Eventually we had a new business added to our produce business and that was delivering Meadow Gold Milk and products to homes and through the years, Meadow Gold Milk, Sealtest Milk, & Sinton milk was to be the last. Estie, as all Burlington called me, was always active helping Floyd in the creamery & milk business. I also worked 15 years for the J.M McDonald Co. a family Dept. store. Had my own Hobby - Craft - Army Surplus Store for 4 years located on the west side of our creamery building. I worked part time for West€rn Auto for 2 years until it closed. Then 4 years at Burlington Flower Shop from where I retired in 1981. Our three children attended Burlington grade and high school in Burlington. Sheryl graduated in 1959. She is married to Glen Davis, an employee of Peoples Natural Gas. Sheryl being employed by Tyrrell's Insurance. They are the parents of a son Jeff who A new beginning . . . meeting new friends . . . neighbors . . . & most of all our new customers. We bought creo- for Beatrice Creamery Co, Eggs for Boswell's Produce & hatching eggs for Jamison Hatchery all of these located in Denver. Through this business we prospered & thanks go out to our valued cugtomers throughout the years of being able to deal with them, until our retirement Sept. 1981. Floyd spent his entire adult life in the creom and milk business, even though during the 1940's farmers beca-e more wealthy and didn't have to depend upon their cream and egg check for groceries as much as before. The crepmeries started closing over the country and ours was no exception & it eventually closed also. The milk business continued profitable for us and we continued to be in the milk business until retirement in 1981. So what Floyd Carter start€d out doing as a young man he continued for nearly 45 years. Milk business was hard and a lot of early morning hours . . sometimes a thankless job but it had been good to us. We delivered, and her husband. Theresa and Martin Blinde, gave him a place to "come home to". He continued to work cutting timber, picking and shelling corn and helping in Martin Blinde's General Mercantile Store. In the winters of 1917 and 1918, Art made five cents a bushel picking corn, picking an average of fifty bushels a day. He made 250 an hour when he cut timber. $35.00 a month was full time wages. Elementary. Art's formal education ended with the death of his father but he continued to read whatever he could and stayed in contact with family, especially some cousins from Oklahoma. When a teenager, he found out by accident that this especially nice girl cousin was actually his little sister, Anna. Anne Shinn was always very dear to Art and Fern. Anne, her husband Carl, and two children, Betty and Ed spent most of 1930 with Art and become a school teacher and he graduated Fern in Bethune and returned often for a visit. Art said that the first person that really is 21 and lives in Denver where he is employed in the Porcelian Dept. at Coor's Brewery. Jim graduated in 1961. Married Bonnie Clark. He worked for U.P.S. nearly 11 years & Schlosser Redi-Mix for 10 years and at present is working for Hitchcock Inc. They are the parents ofBrent 12 and Brooklyn age 8. Brent in middle school and Brooklyn in Dan graduated in 1966. He decided to from Western State in Gunnison in 1970. Received his Masters from C.S.U. in Fort Collins. He married Patricia Whaman Brews- ter from Bird City Kans. & they have a son Christopher age 9. Dan and Pat are both teachers in Natrona County, Casper Wyo. Since our retirement in 1981 we have enjoyed taking several major trips. In May 1987 Estie came out of retirement and accepted a job at Burlington's Old Town Museum and it is a job I dearly love. Hope I can continue to be a part of this great endeavor of Old Town for a long time to come. by Estaleene (Estie) Carter business places. Floyd and Estaleene were parents of 3 children Sheryl, Jim & Dan. On March ?th 1955 Floyd and Estie chose to move to Burlington to make their home. We bought Leo King's Produce from Charolette & Leo King & again we had Carter's Produce in Burlington after selling the one in Yuma. caused complete disaster for Art and his brother Al. They were on their own. Art took a small trunk, the family Bible and a couple ofhard bound books and ronmed the country picking up what jobs he could find, if nothing more than for his board and room. Art often told of cutting timber all day and having cherry soup for their meal. Finally a cousin CASSEN, A.E. AND FERN FllO Arthur Emil Cassen and Katie Fern Blount were manied June 15, 1918 in Nebraska City, Nebraska. The following April the newly weds came to Bethune, Colorado by immi- grant train. They arrived with a team of horses, a jersey cow, six hens, a rooster and Fern's piano. They journeyed three miles south of Bethune to an unimproved 80 acres owned by Fern's father. Since there were no buildings a neighbor, Mr. Lamb, let them stay in a stall in his barn. He and his wife had only a one room house. They took the piano out of the box so the jersey cow had shelter. Their first night in Colorado was spent on a bed of straw. They awoke to a Colorado spring blizzard. Art Cassen was born to Charles and Anna Fredrick Cassens on August 31, 1880 on the family farm near Johnson, Nebraska in Nemaha County. In January, 1900 Art's mother passed away. Charles Cassens married Anna Behrman. Times were tough for the Cassens family. Art attended first and second grade in Roosevelt County school and then went to school in Johnson for three more years. Art's father passed away in 1911. This cared about him was Fern Blount and he was not going to let her get away. Fern Blount was the only daughter of William K. and Eliza Virginia Kite Blount. She had three brothers, Kay, Ora, and Roy. Fern was born April 26, 1897 near Auburn, Nebraska. She attended Fairview Country School, Auburn High School and studied music at Peru Normal Teachers College in Peru, Nebraska. Fern loved to play the piano and played for Sunday School, church, weddings, high school graduations and funerals. She also taught many young people the art of playing the piano. Being of such tough stock they were full of determination and hope. The snow melted, sod was plowed and crops were planted. A barn was built for the horses and then a one room frame house was built. Faith was what had kept Art and Fern going. While living with the Blinde's in Johnson, Nebraska, Art was confirmed in the German Lutheran Church. Fern was a member of the Bethel Methodist Church in Auburn, Nebraska. In 1920 Art and Fern helped organize a Sunday School that met in the old Bethune School. This was the beginning of many years of community involvement. By 1923 they had helped organize school district No.45, Prairie Star. Art served as president for 14 years. They worked until the Bethune Community Evangelical Church was formed in 1929. They were charter members and both served many years as Sunday School Superintendent and or Sunday School teachers. Fern helped organize the first Ladies Aide. Fern served many years on the Red Cross board helping in distribution of food and clothing to the needy. She made bandages and knittsd garments for the Red Cross for use during WWI and WWII and during the depression. In the late 30's Art served on the Bethune Town Council for four years. The depression hit Art and Fern hard as it did everyone. Art was working part time for August Heilscher in the grocery store in Bethune and trying to hang on to the farm. In 1936 Art and Fern had to leave the farm and moved to Bethune. Later in 1936 thev �purchased Heilscher's grocery store. Art and Fern spent the next twenty-six years side by side in a grocery store. No one wEur ever sent out of his store because they could not pay. ln 1942 Art and Fern bought the Freel Grocery in Arriba and moved to Lincoln County. They remained in the grocery business until retiring in the summer of 1962. They were as community oriented and caring in Arriba as they had been in Bethune. Though Art and Fern had no natural children they touched the lives of many young people including lris Rouse Taylor, Frances Bitter- Jack and Minnie had both grown up in eastern, Nebraska. Jack was born on Oct. 30, 1886, to John and Lena (Gantt) Chalfant of Rock Bluffs Township, Cass County, Nebras- ka. His parents had both emigrated to Nebraska from Pennsylvania with their parents in 1857. John and Lena were married in 1868 in Omaha, and lived on their farm for fifty years. Minnie was born September 17, 1889, to Matthew and Alice (Olds) Shoemaker of Liberty Township, Otoe County, Nebraska. Her parents, too, had both come from man Todd and Roland Schmidt. It did not take much to have Art or Fern produce pictures of their "grandsons", Delbert, David and Don, sons of Roland and Peggy Schmidt. Fern passed away November 21, 1983. The Pennsylvania. Matt and Alice were married at Wyoming, Nebraska, in 1874. They lived on their farm until they retired in 1910 and moved into Union. following March 22, t984 Art died of a 1910, and lived on a rented farm near Union. massive heart attack. Though they had not lived in Bethune for 41 years they stayed in All the farms in the area were small and the land was expensive. Jack had dreams of a bigger place and thought that the open contact with many of their old friends and Bethune was home. by Margaret Schmidt CHALFANT, JACK AND MINNIE Flll John Mac (or Jack, as he was always called) and Minnie Chalfant moved to Burlington in 1920. Jack arrived in early spring to plant wheat on his land south of town. Minnie and her four daughters - Alice, Mary, Irene and Margaret - c4me on the train in June. They moved into a small white house on the south end of Main Street, now 153 14th St. Minnie was shocked by the barrenness of the town. There were only a few trees, very little grass, some wooden sidewalks, and lots of brown, dry dirt moving around with every breeze. There was nothing green around the house. It was years before Minnie felt at home. Jack and Minnie were manied June 8, prairies of eastern Colorado might give him the opportunity to get some of the land and machinery that was changing the agricultural world. It was just after the first World War, and young men wanted to go west. Jack went to Colorado in 1919, and decided that it was what he wanted. He bought three quarters of land 12 miles south and 4 miles west of Burlington. Instead of building a house on the land, he bought a house in town. He knew it would be easier for him to get to the farm than to get his growing family to school in town. He then went back to Union for the holidays, and in early 1920 he returned to Colorado. When school was out at the end of May his family followed. Jack built a shop behind his house for repairing machinery and selling Case tractors. In the mid-1920's he operated the Victory Garage on Main St. at the site which is now 469 14th St. While there he was the Chrysler dealer. In the mid 1930's he became the John Deere dealer and had a large shop and sales room in the building which is now 478-48415th St. In 1945 he sold it to Harold t:: McArthur. Harvest time in the 1920's and 30's brought crews of men to operate the threshing machines and trucks. They worked from sunup to dark. Minnie cooked meals for them, sometimes uul many as thirty. Breakfast and supper were served in relays at the house. Dinner was taken to the fields. The summer of L92L, when John was born, Jack hired a cook to live on the farm and cook the food in a small trailer, called a "cook shack". Four children were born in the little house on Main Street. They were John, Betty Jane, Lucille and Danny Mac. It was a good place for children to grow up. They could go any place in town, and they were known to everyone. There were vacant lots to play in, machinery to climb, a city library where Mrs. Hoskins made children welcome, drug stores and grocery stores where children could take time spending their pennies, and school was within easy walking distance. All the children went to the Burlington public school and participated in many school activities. In the early 40's, Jack bought a farm two miles east of Burlington. He was one of the first farmers in the area to have an irrigation well, and he was a pioneer in the use of well water for irrigation. He was the mayor of Burlington from 1942 to 1946. He was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department from 1921 to 1961, and was chief for several of those years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Rotary Club. In 1943, Jack and Minnie moved to Bl? 12th St., where they lived the remainder of their lives. Minnie spent her time raising her eight children and helping those around her who needed help. Her favorite project was the repairing and dressing of dolls for the Santa Claus Shop in Denver. During her last twenty five years she contributed thousands of dolls to the children of poor families. In 1963, she received the V.F.W. Citizenship Award. In 1982, she received the National Enquirer's Good Samaritan Award. Jack died August L2,1973 at the age of86. Minnie died September 25, 1984, at the age of 95. Both died in Kit Carson Countv Memorial Hospital and both are buried in Fairview Cemetery. Their children are: Alice, who married Harold Shangle and now lives in Oak Grove, Oregon; Mary, who married A.R. Ormsbee, had two children, and now lives in Boulder' Irene, who married Kenneth Wilcox, had two children, and now lives in Burlington; Marga- ret, who married Doyle Ketchnm, had one son, and now lives in Kansas City, Kansas; John, who manied Betty Brown, had two children, and died November 6, 1968; Betty Jane, who married Lester Farwell, had five children, and now lives in Boulder; Lucille, whomarried Stanley Davis, had two children, and now lives in Colby, Kansas; and Danny Mac, who maried Anne Schaal, had four children, and now lives in Phoeniz, Arizona. by Mary Ormsbee The Chalfant Family, 1943. Standing: Margaret, Irene, Alice, Betty Jane, Mary, Lucille. Seated: Danny, Jack, Minnie and John. �was plastered inside, and the deep windows- CHANDLER, CHARLES FAMILY Fll2 ills had potted carnations in bloom, giving the place a cozy, homelike appearance. The barn was also of sod, except that it was half dug out, or half below the ground level, which provided a warm place for the livestock. One of the first tasks the spring of 1909 was to dig a well. Since the house was close to Spring Creek, a dry creek except after heavy rains or snow, a good water supply was found at 57 feet. Since the Homestead Act of 1862 had been a-ended to provide that an "additional" quarter section could be acquired, Charles and Meta Chandler each filed on an addition- al quarter section adjoining the original homestead, so now the family had 480 acres. Since there was still plenty of free range On March 1, 1909, Charles and Meta Chandler arrived at Stratton, Colo. on Rock Island Train No. 39, after a day and night from Kansas City, including a change of trains in Belleville, Kansas to No. 39 from Omaha. Charles and Meta were both 3? years of age. They had been living the previous 7 years in Dallas County, in the Missouri Ozarks. Mr. Gill, who was visiting in Mis- souri, told glowing tales of his homestead in Kit Carson County, Colorado. He actually wanted to get back to the Ozarks, so offered to relinquish his homestead to the Chandlers in trade for the Chandler place in Missouri. The homestead in Colorado included a quarter section of land, a 3-room sod house, a sod barn, and some livestock. So the trade was made and the family was headed for their new home on this first day of March, 1909. Besides Charles and Meta Chandler, the family consist€d of Marie, who had reached her 7th birthday the previous November, Elsie, who would be 5 on April 26, Joseph, who would be 3 on June 30, and John, who was 3 months and a week old on that date. The Gill homestead relinquishment to which the family was headed was four miles west and three miles north of Stratton. Mr. Gill met the family, prepared to take them out to their new home, in an open spring wagon (uncovered wagon) the seven miles, heading into a driving blizzard all the way. By the time they arived at the homestead, the family was chilled to the bone; so it was a great relief to get inside the cozy sod house. The house was a typical sod house of the day in that area, having three spacious rooms, warm walls of buffalo grass eod, at least a foot thick, with plank roof covered with rubberoid, and layer of sod over that. It was well l^^^+^l . .-rl norlnr hoofar Tf minutes, rather than hours it took by horse and buggy. Religion was an important element in the lives of the Chandler family. In fact, Charles had attended the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago for two years but never attained ordination. In Colorado, he and Meta organized a Sunday School that met in interested neighbor's homes each Sunday. Charles offered prayer, and delivered a short sermon besides conducting the Bible lessons. Meta played the pump organ as the old h5nnns were sung; hymns like "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder", "Bringing in the Sheaves", "No Not One", "Jesus Lover of My Soul", and "Neater My God to Thee". About the year 1912, a Baptist church was organized in Vona and beyond, providing endless pasture for the cattle, the 480 acres of deeded land was sufficient to provide a living in those days' Crops consisted mainly of corn and cane, a form of maize used for livestock feed, and now generally referred to as Milo. The years 1909 thru 1912 were dry years, so harvest of the family attended that church regularly for several years, until they moved near Stratton in the fall of 1916, when they joined the Congregational (now Methodist) Church in living. The hens provided eggs, and there was attend college, Marie finished her last year of High School in Lakefield, Minnesota, where she stayed with her Grandmother. Elsie had her last year of High School in Boulder Colorada. Of the Chandler children, only Joseph graduated from the Stratton High School in 1924. In the fall of L924, a home was purchased in Boulder, Colo. so that the children could attend the University there. At that time Marie had already attended crops was rather meager. But there was always the buffalo grass, so the "cream check" from the weekly shipment of cream provided the necessary cash for the family The Chandler children in June, 1913, Top row, L. to R.: Elsie 9; Marie 1; Joseph 7. Bottom row: John 4. and Ruth 1. Stratton or Vona could be made in a few always plenty of milk, and cornmeal was ground with an hand mill. Two sows with pig were acquired, and within a year's time, the pigpen and barn were alive with.about fifty head of swine. The port barel was always well filled with tasty pork roasts and "Sow Belly". The skim milk was ready for market in Stratton. The cattle herd was soon built up to over fifty head, some of which could be sold off each year. Also one was butchered each year in the fall when cold weather had set in so the meat could be frozen in the well-house. So the only foot items necessary to buy were the staples, flout, sugar, yeast for homemade bread, and occasionally, for a treat, some oranges and bananas. Potatoes were homegrown, as were watermelons, cantaloupes, and wide variety of garden vegetables, such as peas, green beans, lettuce, radishes, sweet corn, catrotg, beets, cucumbets, squash, and pumpkins. The shelves in the cellar were lined each year with glass jars filled with fruit and vegetables, as well as a big five-gallon crock of cucumber pickles. When a carload of apples was put on the siding in Stratton, several bushels were purchased to fill the apple bin in the cellar. Besides eggs the chickens provided plenty of fried spring chickens for Sunday dinners. In February, 1912, a fifth child' Ruth Eva was.born, and that stme year a two-story white freme house was acquired from a homesteader who was selling out to leave the country. The house was moved to the end of the sod house with a door cut for access. The new house had spacious rooms on the main floor with a nice stairway and two bedrooms upstairs. Since Meta had been a school teacher for several years in Iowa and South Dakota, she was hired in 1913 to teach the neighborhood school, the Hansen School, 1 % miles north of the homestead. However, Marie was ready for High School in 1914, and had to ride horeeback the 7 miles to the Stratton High School. In the spring of 1916, a shiny new Ford Model "T" touting car was purchased from Jim Holloway, who had the Ford agency in Strqf.fnn wifh the Model "T" the trin to Stratton. The move to a place two niles north of Stratton was made in the fall of 1916, so that Marie and Elsie and later Joseph, could be closer to High School. But since Stratton High School was not accredited at that time, and since the Chandler children planned to three years there and Elsie one year. In Boulder the Chandlers operated a retail dairy until retirement. Charles was deceased in 1951 and Meta in 1964. Only Marie, who was married to Harry Greenwood in 1923, remained in the Stratton area, where she still resides. Marie taught in several area schools for several years, then as Marie Greenwood, became the Startton Postmaster in 1943, from which position she retired in 1971. Marie and Harry raised three children, Laura (Greenwood) Thomason, of Mclean, Virginia, Thelma (Greenwood) Hutton, of north of Burlington, and Allen Greenwood, of Stratton. Elsie maried Joe Frizzell in Boulder in 1932. They settled in Downey, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles, in 1943. They also raised three children, Guin Charles, deceased in a climbing accident in Yosemite Park in 1966, James Lowell, of Santa Rosa, Calif., and LaVonne (Frizzell) Rainey, of Placentia, Calif. Elsie was also a school teacher in Downey for many years until her retirement in 1969. she was deceased in 1981. Joseph was a school teacher in Longmont, Colo. until he joined the Indian Service in 1936. He was married to Edna (Walker) Chandler in 1930. Theyhad five children, Ted of Oxnard, Calif., Ruby (Chandler) Racine, of Columbia, Maryland, Donald and Robert, both of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Kristen (Chandler) Kania- tobe, of Albuquerque, N.M. In the Indian Service, Joe was principal of Indian schoolg in Rosebud, S.D., Eklutna, Alaska, and of Sherman Institute in Riverside, Calif. Then for five years before retirement in 1968 he spent five years in Liberia, Africa, with the Agency for International Development, helpine that countrv oreanized a school svst€m in �the hinterland. Joseph was deceased in 1971. John taught school for three years, then operated the family dairy in Boulder for five years. He was married to Thelma Maurine Young of Longmont, Colo. in 1932. He was appointed Immigration Officer in El Paso, Texas, in 1941. In this capacity, he worked in El Paso, Tex., Denver, Colo., San Juan, Puerto Rico, L.A., San Francisco, and Terminal Island, Calif., retiring in 1972. He and Thelna have two children, the Reverand John Richard Chandler, of Darouzett, Texas, and Jeanette (Chandler) Davis, of Prescott, Ariz. John and Thelma now reside in into Burlington in 1964. John Chapin graduated from C.U. in 1968, and from the University of Texas Law School. He married Carolyn O'Neal in 1970, and has recently become the law editor for advance students at the University of California. by Bernice Eberhart Spahr, a minister in Colorado Springs, and Doyl Spahr, with his own ice business in Loveland. The reason for mentioning the names is not to brag, but to give credit to the town and school we come from. Our school was small and had it's share of problems, like qualified teachers at times, financial problems, and others but we never lacked for enthusiasm. Bethune has had a lot of successful graduates, as have all the CHAPMAN - HOWELL FAMILY Prescott. Ruth was narried to Philip Reno in Fl14 schools in Kit Carson County. Getting in trouble at school, meant more trouble at home, when your Dad was on the school board. He absolutely would not tolerate disrespect for school. We played in town both day and night without the slightest Boulder, Colorado in 1933. She was deceased in Denver, Colorado in 1943. The Chandler Family's sixteen years in Kit Carson County, Colorado from 1909 to 1925 worry of being molested by anyone. As a young boy I remember helping people move in or out of town. We didn't expect to get paid, it was just a way to get acquainted with people. We built our own ice skating rink, made sled runs, built caves, made hide-outs, had picnics at the rocks west of Bethune, had had great influence on the lives of these "Children of the Prairie", by a lifetime of love and memories of the magnificence of the prairie sunset that can be gained only with an endless horizon; by the rolling hills of green buffalo grass; aft€r a month of May rains; by the sweet smell of wild flowers Sunday School parties, went to taffy pulls, went duck and rabbit hunting, played.all kinds of ball, rode our bikes as far ag blooming in the grass; by the trill of the meadowlark and the mocking songs of the Burlington or Stratton in the evening, went swimming when the lagoons were full or we could get someone to take us to Burlington to swim. We played with legal fire works on the fourth of July, and we would gather coal coyote that eent chills down your back while walking home after dark; by the distant wail along the railroad tracks for a candy bar. We sometimes hauled freight from the depot for a 5 cent Pepsi Cola. We had snow ball fights, went to the annual School Carnival, we went lark hunting; by floating a raft on Spring Creek when it was running; by the plaintive call of the prairie chicken, or the howl of a of a Rock Island train whistle; and the thrill of a hide-and-seek game in the hundred area out north to the river to fish and hunt pheasants, and we went to Sunday School and Church. Many of these activities were cornfield on a late August moonlit night. Then too, we left Marie there as a family legacy to Kit Carson County. by John T. Chandler CIIAPIN, ORVILLE AND FLO FlrS When the severe drought began to taper off, families began slowly coming back to the district. Some of the families came to farm on land that had been bought for a little bit of nothing, some for 500 to $f. per acre. Orville and Flo Chapin were living in Benkelman, Nebr. where Orville was a car salesman for Albert Kirschmer. Albert was one of those people who had purchased cheap ground here, and so he sent the Chapins here to farm. They ca-e in March 1944. Shirley was 9 years old and then John was born in 1946. A favorite teacher of Shirley's was Johnnie Robertson. John's favorite teacher was Hazel Fromong. The Kirschmer-Chapin farmers were one ofthe first to develop irrigation in this area. Irrigation has made a whole new world of the Smoky Hill Community. The Chapins were very active in the Community Sunday School, in 4H, card parties, gun club meetings, pot luck dinners, softball games, Extension Homemakers, etc. Shirley graduated from Fort Collins Aggies in 1953 and married Larry Woods. They have three children, and 1 grandchild. They are now living in Chandler, Okla. Orville still farms over south of Stratton. and they both are avid bowlers and outstandinggolfers. Theybuilt a newhome and moved Donald and Betty Chapman. Reflections of Bethune Growing up in a small town: Kit Carson County and Bethune have a special place in my heart. I was born in Bethune in May 1929, the fifth child of Earl and Blanche Chapman. My folks were of modest means and raising six children in the 1930's was no small task. What with drouth, depression and bank failure, only the heartiest survived. My parents taught all of us to love our home, our neighbors and to be proud of our community. Also to have respect for others and to appreciate the people of Kit Carson County. As a little boy, I never knew what it was like to not be loved by my farnily or by neighbors and everyone looked out for all the kids of the community. As a young boy I knew most ofthe business people in Burlington and Stratton and they knew who I was and they treated kids, from other towns, with respect. We kids always knew who the county elected officials were, and we always went with our folks to political rallies. We knew the Sheriff, the Police Chief and State Patrolman and they were looked up to and respected by all kids. We knew they were there if we needed them. My closest friends, as a boy; were Russ Knodel, a school administrator in Anchorage, AL, Ray Kno- del, a school administrator and textbook salesman, in Loveland, Ivan Amman, a minister in NB, Gene Amman, a PHD biologist in Ogden, UT, Alvin Buchholz, a senior member of the State of Colorado Tax Commission, in Grand Junction, Keith without parents help or knowledge. Most all boys were taught to defend themselves by their fathers. Fist fights were not uncommon, even with best friends, but they didn't last long and no grudges were canied. So you see why we didn't have time to get into trouble. Then World War II came and all of my older brothers were in the army. Dean was in the South Pacific, Vern was in Europe, Dale was in Texas, and each day brought fear of bad news at the post office. Many boys were drafted while in High School. Alvin Buchholz, Bud Stolz, George Bear, and Jinks Critchfield, who was killed in the South Pacific. I was 16 when the war ended. I started to help in the garage and on the gasoline delivery truck when I was 14. Many kids were driving at that age, helping parents in business or on the farm. You were not bothered by State Patrol, or Police when you were helping your folks. I'm sure, had we been driving for pleasure or at night, we would not have been over looked by the law. Having graduated from Bethune High School, most of us went our separate ways. I started in business with my father, Earl Chapman, brothers Dean and Vern, and later brother-in-law Neil Springer. Our business was good for all of us. Kit Carson County and its people gave us a great start in life. In 1950, I married Betty Howell from Vona. Her family cane to Vona in the 1880's, and she taught school in Vona for three years. We have been married for 38 years. We have two children and four grand children, our son Donald H. and his wife Judy, with their two children, Donald J. and Cheryl, and our �daughter Elizabeth and her husband Ross, and their two children John and Greg. by Don Chapman CHAPMAN MORELAND FAMILY Fl16 Earl Chapman was born October 25, L897, 1st son of Willian T. and Anna Mitchell Chapman in Clear Springs Mo. They moved to Ramah Colorado in 1910' He was married to Blanche Moreland in Colorado Springs June 30, 1917. Blanche was the third daughter of John and Emma Morris Moreland' She was born February 28, 1898 in Clear Springs Mo. They moved to Burlington in 1919 where Earl worked for Evans Brothers, which later beco-e Sim Hudson Motor Co. They moved to Bethune in 1921 where Earl started his first Garage. He built the cement block building on Highway 24 in 1931 under the Eastern Colorado and Western Kansae. Earl was a great supporter of Kit Carson County, a strong Mason, as were all his sons and sonin-laws. He was a life time Republican and loved hunting and fishing. The love of the mountains finally got to the entire family as they moved to Paonia, Colorado in Delta County in 1956. Earl died at 69 years of age in 1967. Blanche and all of her children are still alive and well. by Donald L. Chapman CIIURCH, GEORGE AND LOUISA Fl16 George and Louisa Church with their one year old daughter Ruth (Schaal) came to Burlington from eastern Nebragka in 1906. Their first few nights were spent in a not yet finished room in the Montezuma Hotel, while horses, wagon and meager supplies were being purchased. Then while a one room sod house was being built on the homestead nine miles northwest of town they stayed with the Mundt family whom they had known in Nebraska. This family lived on the farm now occupied and farmed by Bob Brown. There I, the second daughter was born. Three years later the only son, Garvin, was born. Our little sister Francis Faye wasn't born until we had moved from the homestead. She was cute and pretty with a head covered with blond curls. Being so much younger than the rest of us, she was the family's darling pride and joy. She died of diphtheria when eleven years old. As the family grew, from time to time another room was added to the sod house until it had four rooms all in a row. This house, with thick walls and sod on the roof was comfortably warm in winter and cool in summer. However the long narrow shape of the house made it bad for drifting snow. One winter when my dad wae working away from name of Chapman's garage, then Earl Chapman & Son's until the family moved in June of 1956 to Paonia, Colorado. Six children were born; Dale O. March 5, 1918 at Ramah, Colorado, who married Louise Bateman of Loveland, Colorado. Dolores E. October 11, 1919 at Bethune, Colorado, who maried Robert H. Grant of Colorado Springs. Dean A. April 16' L921, at Burlington, married Leona M. Guy of Bethune. Vernon R. May LL, L924 at Bethune, married Margaret R. Guy of Bethune. Donald L. May 9, 1929 at Bethune, married Betty J' Howell of Vona. Margaret L. August 21' 1930 at Bethune, married Neil M. Springer of Burlington. All of their children went to Bethune School for 12 Years. Earl was mayor of Bethune from the early 30s until leaving in 1956 and served on the school board as treasurer for many years. He also served on the Kit Carson County Hospitd board. He was a Conoco distributor in Bethune for over 35 years' The garage and machine shop was known for it excellence in motor rebuilding and machine work all over !i1*: 4tr;!. " 1."." - "' Daughtere Gertrude (Sally) and Ruth standing by their sod house on the homestead in 1910. The cattle bad iubbed the corner of the house making the indentation. The rug was brought out for the picture taking event. Remaing of the spring blizzad in 1915. The snow had covered the house. Mother shoveled the enow from the door and window so that we would not be emothered. home, as he often had to do so we could live, we had a big blizzard. No young person living The Earl Chapman family, L. to R.; Dale Chapman, Vernon Chap9an, Earl Chapman, Blanche Chapman, OonAa Cmpman, and Dian Chapman. Froni, Delores Chapman Grant and Margaret Chapman Springer, 1948. now can imagine the enormity and ferocity of the blizzards in those early days when the snow could sweep across the prairie for many miles without anything to stop it. In this particular blizzard the snow drifted against the north side ofthe house until it was roof level then came over the house and started piling against the south side, covering �with Kenneth and Lucile Lepper on their farm I mile north and 1 mile east of Stratton. doors and windows. To keep from being buried alive and emothered my mother went out every hour with a scoop shovel and shoveled the snow away from one door and one window. Before any of us were school age my dad helped neighbors build a one room schoolhouse 7z mile west and t/z mile south of our home. We walked to school about 3/ mile along a winding road across the prairie. I can't remember a time when there were over eight or nine pupils in this school including we three Churches. During Don's last year of high school, Kenneth went through several surgeries so Don stayed with the John Clark and the Zeke Kerl fanilies, graduating in May 1961. Kenneth died of cancer in July, 1961, and that fall, after the wheat was drilled, Don startpd working for the First National Bank of Stratton and continued there for almost four years. He now works as an Engineering Technician I for the Colorado Department of Highways in Grand Junction, Co. Don married Jackie Lynn Winkler 9 April 1966, and they have a daughter (Cynthia Lynn) attending the University of Denver, and a son (Kenneth William) finishing his Senior year at Central High School in Grand Junction. Eugene married Mary Forrester and they have six children; Barbara, Michael, Robert, Jay, Andy and Randy (twins). Their permanent residence is north of Jerusalem, Arkansas close to where Clarence is now residing on property owned by Harold. Our parents were determined that we should get a better education than they had a chance for. We were nine miles from Burlington with no school bus and no car. My dad did get his first car, an old Maxwell, about 1916 but it would barely get us to town occasionally to get groceries. So the parents sold the homestead and moved near First Central School where they had a country grocery store for several years. This school was twelve miles south of and half way between Bethune and Stratton and had a full four year accredited high school. There my brother and sister and I went through high school. This district was later absorbed by Stratton school and nothing remains of the buildings that were there. Ruth and I after one summer at Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley, now the University of Northern Colorado, and taking a teachers examination, started teaching in country schools. Garvin went to Barnes Business College in Denver, served in the Navy in World War II and now lives with his wife Lillian, in Camarillo, California. Ruth died in 1955. Our parents later moved to Burlington in 1929 where they lived on ?th St. the rest of the years of their lives. My mother loved flowerg and raised so many she becnme known as the "flower lady." by Sally Bauder CIIURCIIES - JONES FAMILY Fl17 Clarence Everett Churches was born to Cornelius and Maggie (Bozworth) Churches, 16 November 1906, near the town of Lawrence, Nebraska. Leona Pearl Jones was born to Roy Eugene and Matilda (Heisz) Jones, 8 October 1909' northeast of Stratton, Colorado at the Jones' Homestead place, which is located 9 miles north on SH 57 and 4 and 1/8 miles east of Stratton on the north side of the road. After graduation in 1928 from Stratton High School, Leona attended Barnes Business College in Denver. While working for Bernard Cummings (who ran for attorney general) she met Clarence who was working for MontgomeryWard. Theywere married 28 August 1933. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Humboldt, Kansas to live with his parents. In August, 1934, they moved to Stratton and raised chickens on what is known as the Park's Place now owned by Tom Price, approximately 1% miles north of the Jones homestead. While living on the Park's Place their first gon (Eugene Clarence) was born 27 by Donald D. Churches Clarence and Leona Churches and family. Left to right: Harold in front of mother (Leona), Eugene, CLAIR FAMILY and father (Clarence) holding Donald. DatB 1944 or 45. Fl18 The Clair family came to Kit Carson November 1935. When Eugene was one year old they moved to California. Clarence worked for Runnymede Chicken Ranch, which at that time was the largest chicken operation in the world. While in Reseda, California, their second son (Harold Wayne) was born 28 January 1938. Leona became homesick for Colorado so by December, 1938, they were back in Colorado living on the Olsen Place, 80 rods west of the Jones' Homestead. In December, 1939, they re- turned to California where Clarence was able to get a job at Lockheed Aircraft. While residing in Reseda, Leona became pregnant with their third child (Donald Dee). Due to the unrest in California (war time), Leona wished to be near her family for delivery, so she, Eugene, and Harold returned to Colorado by train in January, 1943. Don was born at the Stratton maternity Home on 5 March 1943, while Grandpa Jones and other family members looked after Eugene and Harold. As soon as Leona was able to travel, she returned with her three sons to their home in Reseda, California and resided there till her death from cancer on 28 June 1945. She is buried in the Claremont Cemetery at Stratton, Colorado. After her death, Clarence and sons moved to Stratton, Co. and lived on the Jones'farm. Eugene attpnded the 3rd grade and Harold 2nd grade at the District #28 school for the school year 1945-46. The school was located 1 mile south and 3 miles east of the Jones' farm. During August, 1946, Clarence and sons returned to Reseda, California. Harold and Don came back to Colorado on 7 July 1955, living with their aunt (Mettie Jones Sisson) and uncle (Elmer Jones, brother to Mettie) who reside on the Jones' farm. Harold graduated from Stratton High School in May 1956. He now lives in Eagle, Colorado and works as an Engineering Technician II for the Colorado Department of Highways. Don left his aunt's home in 1958 and lived County in the spring of 1908. They traveled here by covered wagon from Alton, Kansas. John Clair and his son, Warrenton, followed the carnivals to make a living; they also farmed. Warrenton married and began to raise his family of nine. His sons and daughters are Mrs. Hattie Clayton, of California, born June 23, 1902; Mr. William John Clair, of Burlington, Colorado, born August 30, 1904; Mr. Walter Clair, of Oregon, born July 27, 1906, deceased September 13, 1978; Mrs. Sarah Waitman, of Burlington, Colorado, born July 30, 1908; Mrs. Sylvia Klein, of California, born June 21, 1910, deceased December 17, 1983; Mrs. Goldie Higgins, of California, born April 16, 1913; Mr. Jesse Clair, of Burlington, Colorado, born June 14, 1915; Mrs. Gertrude Monroe, of Vona, Colorado, born March 16, 1917; and Mr. Johnnie Clair, of Bennett, Colorado, born May 13, 1918. Warrenton raised his family on the Clair homestead sixteen miles north and five miles east of Stratton. Colorado. On the homestead, he built a half dugout, half soddie house. They raised all of their meat and only bought itcms like sugar, coffee, at the store. There was usually a dance or card game to help pass the long evenings. On December 2, t926, William married Miss Lucye Belle Tryon of Stratton, Colorado at the Kit Carson County Courthouse in Burlington, Colorado. They had six children, one of whom did not survive. The two older boys were raised during the Depression when Bill and Walter were forced to make beer and bootleg it to provide for their families. The two boys also beca-e marksmen to help provide for their families and often, for entertainment or practice, took a Velvet tobacco can and would shoot the pipe out at twenty-five yards. They would then put a card in the can and shoot through that same hole at twenty-five yards. Bill and Lucye's children were James, born at Kirk, Colorado �on July L7, L927; Donald, born at Vona, Colorado on February 6, 1930; Ethel, born at Vona, Colorado July 28, 1935; Jeanne, born at Boulder, Colorado on August 6, 1937; and Richard, born at Alo-oga on January 27, 1945. In 1937, Bill and his family moved to a resettlement house and farm five miles south and five miles west of Alamosa. Colorado. In 1962, they sold that farm and moved to 6755 Trinchera Lane in Alnmosa, Colorado. They remained there until May of 1986 when they left because of health reasons and returned at that time to Burlington, Colorado. In September, 1984 they bought a trailer house at 355 Senter Avenue, Space 54, where they are at present. Their children are now in the following places: Je-es is in Englewood, Colorado; apartments. Paul Clapper's father, Charles Clapper, was Pennsylvania Dutch and his mother, Tina Alice (Tiny) Lierle, was Cherokee and German. Paul was born the youngest of nine children and was raised on a farm south of Dodge and in Dodge. Paul Clapper and Billie Wolf met at a dance during W.W. II, when he wag home on leave. He was a gunner on "the Spirit of FDR", one of the escorts when they dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan. Being a secret mission, he and his crew didn't know what was about to happen. Paul and Billie were married in 1944. They lived in Dodge, where their first three children were born; Terry in 1947, Chyrl in 1949, and Paul in 1951. In 1951, they bought the Fred Fuhlendorf homestead, 5 miles Donald is in Buena Vista, Colorado; Ethel is in La Jara, Colorado; Jeanne is in Alamosa, north, 3 east and 1 north of Vona. They lived in a very small, two-roomed house with very low ceilings; about 6'9". Jody was born here Colorado. They have nineteen grandchildren in 1953. Colorado; and Richard is in Burlington, living, one grandchild deceased, and twenty seven great grandchildren with two more on the way. There are also countless nieces and nephews belonging to the brothers and sist€rs of Bill. by Richard R. Clair CLAPPER FAMILY Fl19 One beautiful sunshiny March day in 1952, the Clappers had company from Kansas. Along about bed-time Paul jokingly told them they'd better put their car in the quonset as it might snow. They laughed and went to bed, only to awaken to a two day blizzard. It was five days before they could get out to go home. Caught by surprise this way, they had to butcher chickens and roll their own cigarettes. Needless to say, everyone was glad when the road opened. In 1954, Oscar Wolf, suffering from ill health, turned his farm, 2 miles east of Vona on Highway 24, over to Paul and Billie. Soon after they moved there, Chuck was born. Penny was born in 1956, Jerry in 1958, Tim in 1960, and Chris in 1961. The girls have all married and moved away, but the boys remained in the county. Living along a main highway brought many strangers to the house looking for handouts or gas. Others sought refuge during the bad dust storms of 1955-56. One couple, from Illinois, stopped in just to see how people survived in such dusty country. In 1975, Paul and Billie, bought a trailer house and moved it over the old Barsock basement home in Vona. Gib Anderson, who ran the Foster Lumber Co. in Vona, built this basement house in 1928. Paul quit farming and around 1980 went to work for the Kit Careon County Road and Bridge. At this time, 1987, all of the sons are involved in farming; Terry married Glenna White of Seibert, they have three sons: Jay Allen, Todd Michael, and Jeffery Paul; Chyrl married Dick McAuley and had two sons: Chyrl and Terry Clapper at our home north of Vona. Oscar V. Wolf was born in Tipton, Missouri Lance, and Eric. She remarried Ron Statler from Greeley; Paula married Keith Eaton, they have 3 children: Tonya, Brent, and Alicia and they live in Torrington, Wyo. Jody married Jim LeVecchi; they live in Pueblo; Chuck is living on and leasing the Tom McCormick farm south of Stratton; Penny married Roger McCaffery, they have 3 children: Cory, Sarah andTyler, and theylive in 1880 and moved to a god house south of Wright, Kansas in 1905, where he married Gertrude Vogel in 1908. They had ten at Grand Junction where Roger works for the Warner Bros. ranch; Jerry and Tim rent some to buy land east of Vona, although he farm. children, with Lucy (Billie), being the ninth. In 1945, Oscar came to Kit Carson County continued to live in Kaneas. Billie was raised on a farm south of Wright. The houee was so large, that after the family sold it, it was moved into Dodge City and made into three McCormick farm ground by Bethune; and Chrie married Cathy Busby, they live in Burlington, where Chris works on the Busby CLARK - ALBRIGIIT FAMILY FI.20 Ralph Clark, son of Emma and Edward Clark, was born on Oct. 30, 1879 on a small farm near Bloomfield, Iowa. His parents sist€rs and two brothers lived on several small farms in Davis County. Land was high and crops were sometimes destroyed along the creeks and rivers by high waters, so in 1908, Ralph decided to go west to try to locate cheaper and more desirable land to farm. The fields he had been farming were small, and large tree stumps and roots kept hindering the plowing. So he vowed that he was going to go where he couldn't see a tree. Ralph first made a trip to the sandhills of Nebraska near Thedford, but didn't find the soil to his liking. The wagon wheels cut into the sand and traveling was difficult as there were no improved roads at this time. He then returned to Iowa and later in the year ceme to western Kansas and eastern Colorado where he and hig father located some land approximately twelve miles north of Kanorado, Kansas. Plans were made to come to their new home the fall of 1908. An immigrant railroad car was loaded with cattle, a team ofhorges, chickens, some farm machinery, furniture and other necessary things for their new home. Ralph cnme with the immigrant car taking care of the stock enroute. He arrived in Kanorado, Dec. 2, 1908, and found the snow very deep and no way to get his stock and possessions out to the farm they had purchased. He rented a small barn and house in town to keep the stock and store the furniture until his parents and younger brother Dewey anived in the paseenger train. He then inquired of some of the merchants if anyone was in town from around where his farm was located. Someone told him at the Winn store that one of his neighbors, Emil Stalgreen, was in and he got in contact with him and followed his wagon and team to his home, which was about one and a half miles south of the Clark land. This was the beginning of a lifeJong friendship with the Stalgreen family. They were neighbors and helped one another many times. He found a vacant farmstead about one-half mile north of where they planned to build their farmstead buildings, so they rented it and moved their possessions there until they could get their farm buildings built. They built the house of lumber. Some of Mrs. Clark's neighbors were envious of her new frnme house as most of the people lived in sod houses at this time. Their home was located on one of the main traveled roads, now known as the Beecher Island road. Most of the farmers north of t}ris point traveled this road coming from Idalia, Hale, Bonny and St. Francis. The Clark farm wag about half way between these places and Kanorado. Many stopped, fed and watered their horses, and the Clark's graciously offered them their meals and a nights' lodging. The next morning they would continue their journey towards Kanorado where they sold their grain, purchased their supplies and came back to the Clark farm, spent the night again and then returned to by Glenna Clapper their homes the following day. A man near Idalia owned a steam engine. He would fagten several wagons loaded with �grain for several of his neighbors and begin the long trip to Kanorado. When he was two miles north of the Clark's he would blow his whistle several times and they would hear it and know he would be a guest for a meal before too long, so Mrs. Clark would prepare the meal and it would be ready for him when he arived. Most of the guests were glad to pay for their accommodations. Mr. and Mrs. Clark raised a big garden, kept a flock of chickens, butchered their own pork and beef, canned vegetables and meats, so meal preparation could be quite speedy. They farmed small grains and raised feed for their cattle. In 1909, Ralph bought a corn binder. He cut and shocked feed for several of his neighbors, some of whom were Se- Morrow, Frank Morrow, Jim Barnett, Roy Pratt, Bill Cody Sr., and the Stillwagons. His sister and family, Mr. and Mrs. William Kneedler, had come to Colorado by this time and lived in the same neighborhood for eeveral years. Two of the Kneedler sons remained and owned and operated farms near the Clarks. They were Falace and Ralph Kitten and Bliss. After living on this land five years and doing the required amount of improvements on it, the land becnme their property. Then Allie, Bliss, and Kitten signed their property over to the husband and father James Clark so that he owned one section of land. Lewis Beck (7 /24/76-5/27161) son of Mary Helen (1844-1881) and Lewis Beck (18431879) (both died of tuberculosis) lived with uncles and an older brother Joe from the age of 5 until at the age of 16 he moved to Colorado with an uncle who also had tuberculosis. He died in a few years and Lewis worked as a farm hand and cowboy from Kit Carson They received their mail from the Wallet post office. Later from the Ashland post office which was located on Mrs. Louise Kneedler. Edward and Emma Clark continued to live in Kanorado, where they had built a new home, until Edward's death in 1922. Emma stayed in her home until she became ill as a result of a fall, when she moved to Ralph's home in August, 1931. She was an invalid and passed away in August, 1932. In 1943, Ralph and Bina purchased a home in west Burlington, Colorado, having a farm sale and retired there in October, 1944. For eight years, Ralph was custodian of the city parks. He enjoyed the many visitors of the parks. Bina enjoyed her home and hobbies of fancy work, quilting, sewing, flowers and textile painting. She also did baby sitting for Stratton on the north side of Smokey Creek. The adobe was made by running well water daughter of Ralph and Bina Clark.) Later a rural route was established and mail was delivered with a teqm of horses pulling a church as long as health permitted. Ralph suffered a broken hip and spent two and a half years in Grace Manor Care Center, passing away December 6, L972, at the age of ninety-two years. Bina continued living in Anderson's farm. This is where Keith, Phobe, Fortmeyer, son John and wife Fayrene and son Jordan now live. (Fayrene is a great grand buggv. Sunday school was held at the Wallet schoolhouse. Sunday ball ga-es, with two tenms of local residents being the contestants, were held as a form of recreation and were held in different locations in the vicinity. As in many of the early day western stories, Ralph left his sweetheart in Iowa when he ceme to Colorado. They kept in touch by letter and in December 1912, he returned for his bride, Bina Albright, also of Bloomfield, Iowa. Her mother had passed away in 1904. She had remained at home helping her father care for two younger eisters and a small brother. They were married on December 29, different people. Both enjoyed attending the home with the loving care of her daughter, Maxine, until July, 1977, when she passed away at the age of ninety-two years. They enjoyed seeing the country develop, observed the changes, such as travel by horses and buggy to space travel and man landing on the moon. Della Statler CLARK - BECK FAMILY F12t 1912. They spent the next month visiting then boarded the relatives near their home As the train train for far away Colorado. neighbors here also. In November, 1914, their first child, Della, was born. In 1917, Ralph and Bina purchased the Fletcher farm, also known as the Charlie Hansen homest€ad. which was located one mile west of the original Clark place. His parents had gold the place and moved to Kanorado to retire in 1916. In August, 1921, a second daughter, Maxine, came to bless their home. Ralph and Bina continued to raise stock and farm. In 1930 they began to improve their farmstead. Much of the labor was done by Ralph and the help of a hired man. It is now the home of Esther, Paul and Dean Kneedler. side. This was about 18 miles south of on the clay soil in a corral during the day and then turning the cattle into the corral at night so that they would walk in the mud all night and mix it up. The next day the cattle were turned out on the prairie grass and adobe blocks were made from the mud and some straw, and then the whole process started over again that night. This continued until enough blocks were made to build the house which had walls 18 inches thick with wooden frames and roof. The lean-to was made of sod with a sod roof and used as a store room, milk separator room, and as a kitchen in the summer. A cement walled barn was built in 1915 and is still standing. They did some farming, had horses, cattle, hogs, and chickens and raised a large garden. A smoke house for curing meat and a cellar for food storage were added. Later two rooms (built from wood) were added on the south side of the original structure. Marian Louise (8/31/09-) Bliss Belle erts (2/2L/L7-4/L3/85), and James Lewis (1/10/19-) were born during the years on the farm. A stillborn baby was born in 1911. Lewis built a small wooden casket and lined it with a baby blanket and buried the baby one. enjoyed lasting friendships and friendly owned the Beck and Wagner Ranch south of Stratton for a few years. Anna Bliss Clark and Lewis Beck were maried in Burlington, Colorado on November 21, 1908. They moved into his two room adobe house with a sod lean-to on the north (4/L3/L3-'), Allie Jean (5/3LlL5-), Doris Rob- reached western Kansas, she noticed how far she could eee. When she caught her first glimpse of a sod house, she said she would never live in one of them. This unfortunately was not true as she lived for several years in They spent the next year with Ralph's parents, then moved to a farm northeast of Burlington, which is now where Paul Janssen lives. They engaged in raising small grains and feed for their small herd of cattle, milking cows and raising poultry for a livelihood. There was open range in the neighborhood and many large herd roamed the prairies near them. Some of the owners being the Reinholds, Pooles and others. Ralph and Bina to Hugo, Colorado. He and Jim Wagner on the farm. After a land resuwey showed the land on which the farm buildings were built was not on the Lewis Beck property and he was not financially able to buy the additional land, he sold the farm and they moved to Stratton in Lewis and Bliss (Clark) Beck at home east of Stratton, summer of L942. Anna Bliss Clark (7/2L/85-r2/22/45) with her parents, James Clark (L/L5/61-4/22/15) and Allie Mae (Newton) Clark (L2/8/6Ll0/8/4L), and her sisters, Kitten (9/19-8610/58), Allie Mae (L0/27/89-7/22/51), and Ruth Belle (51L7/94-LL/29/60) moved to Stratton from Spearfish, South Dakota in 1908 with all of their possessions in railroad box cars. They claimed four quarter sections of land. that was made available by the Homestead Act of Congress. These quarters formed one section of land, on which they put up their buildings so that the four adjoining corners were each a part of the actual improved portion. These were claimed in the names of James, and Allie Clark and their two daughters who were over 21 years of age, April, 1919. They lived in town while their home on the corner of State Highways 24 and 57 were being built. They moved into the new house in July, 1919. William Clatk (a/La/2L), Leon Victor (2/15/25-) and, Ruth Joyce (Ln /27 -) were born in this house. It had three bedrooms, a bathroom (no fixtures), living room, dining room, kitchen, and pantry. There was no water in the house and it was heated by a wood and coal furnace in the basement with one heat register directly above the furnace in the living room. A large coal range in the kitchen provided heat for cooking and warmth in the wintcr. A kerosene three burner stove did the cooking in the summer. Water was collected in a barrel at the windmill and carried into the house. A three hole (one low hole for the children) toilet (privy) was built out in the yard. Baths were taken in a wash tub in the kitchen. �ln 1927 carbide gas lights were installed in the home.The gas was formed in a tank in the yard from water and powdered carbide, then Dean lives in Hugo and their daughter Roxanne lives in Seattle; neither is married. Joyce is married to Gene Clark and they live in Stratton. Their son Paul is in Germany with his wife Heather, and Scott, Tonya, and Tnmara; son Kenny married Nancy and their children Sean and Lauri, live in Grand Junction, Colo.; Candi Spicer and daughters Casey and Britan live in Denver; and Bonnie married Jim Mattix, they have two children, Jason and Annie, and the four of them live in Grove, Oklahoma. piped to the light fixtures, and lighted by a spark or a match. A two burner carbide stove by Belle B. Danforth One by one the children left home to go to work, to school, or to be married. Bligs and CLARK, ELLIS L. AND AMY BELLE SMITH Kerosene lamps were used to light the house. When they moved to Stratton they bought their first car, a Model T Ford. Lew worked at odd jobs around town, butchering for the butcher shop, plowing gardens, building, etc. until he was hired by the Stratton Equity Coop in 1921. The children graduated from the Stratton High School. and a carbide iron also made life a little easier. These were used until 1929 and proved to be too expensive so kerosene lsmps were again put into use. Lew sold their home with approximately eight acres for $1,800 in lg43 and moved to 222 New York avenue in Stratton. In 1931 the family who were still living at home became members of the Stratton Et22 Family of Ellis L. and Amy Belle Clark. Front Row Left to Right Bess Clark Wells Hayball and Robert EIIis Clark. Second Row Ethel Clark Church of God. Lew retired from the Stratton Equity Coop in 1946 but still worked at the - Foster Lumber Yard, did cement work with Hank Pelle, sharpened saws, and did other odd jobs until in his 80's. L. Clark and Ada Clark Andes, Lola Clark Chenot. Taken at Arvada, CO about 1939. Bliss died in the hospital in Burlington from a stroke in 1945 at the age of 60 years. Her burial was in the Clarmont Cemetcry in Stratton. Lew died in the Pueblo hospital 2 months before his 85th birthday. His burial was also in the Clarmont Cemetery, Stratton. Marian Louise Weddell had two children, Our Grandparents came to Kit Carson in 1906 from Nebraska. Harrison L. Clark (1862-1928) and wife Nellie M. Clark (18641944) moved to a homestead 16 miles north of Burlington because of the good water. Ellis (our father) (1886-1946), the oldest of Joan Rosier and Lewis Klein. Lewie has never married, Joan and Steve Rosier have one son, 4 children, Ethel, Walter, and Opal. He Stevie. They live in Port Clinton, Ohio. Marian lives in Flagler, Colorado with Lewis. Her husband T.J. Weddell died in 1966. Belle manied George Danforth, Jr. of homesteaded. and met and married our mother, Amy Belle Smith (1888-1973), who had homesteaded as well as her parents, Moses T. Smith (1862-1923). There were 6 members of this family, most of whom homesteaded 16 miles north of Burlington in Burlington and they have two children, George, III (Gerry) and Dolores. Gerry had one daughter by his first wife, Marilyn, and the snme geographical area as the Clarks, her name is Kristi. She is now married to Ronald Nelson and they have a gon n"med Trent. They live in Yuma, Colorado. Gerry and his wife Betty have a son Craig, who is a sophomore at Colorado State University in Fort Colling. They life in Greeley, Colorado. Dolores lives in Carson City, Nevada. Her Ellis Leroy Clark (188ti-1946). Picture taken in 1911 at Burlington, Colorado. daughter Kathy and Kathy's husband, Glenn. live with her. Her son Kent and his wife, Sonya, and children, Jessica 4 and Steven 3, live in Santa Barbara, California. Allie Jean is married to Clarence Iseman and they have no children. They live near Ellicott, Colorado. Doris was married to Ernest Englebrecht and they had three sons, Rick of Tucson, Arizona, Robbie of Chicago, and Russell who farms in Strasburg with his father, Ernest. Doris died April 13, 1985. Amy was one of the six which included Maye, Elva, Dora, Myron and Edmond Smith. Our father, Ellis Clark, filed a claim for his homestead located about 18 miles north of Burlington around 1909. He had a dugout to live in at first. later a 2 room house. He and our mother, who had taught school in Iowa, had a store and Post Office made of cement on that property. It was called Morris P.O. Our Father had a ice house which was sort of a dugout with an A frame roof. Dad would haul ice from Launchman Creek in the winter. The farmers were glad to be able to have that ice in summer time. Dad also made a ball diamond for the men of the community to play ball. It was at this location that our brother Verle (1911-1983) was born. Also sister Ada was born (1913), followed by Lucille (1915-1979). In 1914, our father purchased his parents' homestead, as they wanted to move to Sterling so their daughter Opal could go to high school there. It was in this house which our grandfather had built, before bringing his family to Burlington to live, that I, Lola Clark Chenot (1917), and my two sisters. Bessie Clark Hayball (1919) and Ethel Clark Fay- Lewis married Margo and they had two children, Debbie and Mike. Debbie is married and has a daughter and two sons. Lewis, Margo, and Debbie and her family live in Greeley, Colorado. Mike was killed in the war in Vietnam. Clark married Shirley and they live in Strasburg, Colorado. They have two sons, David of Denver, and Steve who teaches school in Walden, Colo. Neither of them is married. Leon maried Nadine, they have two sons, Keith and Kevin, and the three families live in Fleming, Colorado. Their daughter, Lynn - Faydock, Lucille Clark Mitchell, and Mother MayBelle Clark. Third Row - Ellis L. Clark, Verle dock (1920-19&t) were born. Amy BeIIe Clark (1888-1973) and baby Verle (1911-1983) Burlington, Colorado. Our Aunt Opal (1900-1982), to whom we give great credit for recording much of our family history gave us this account of their arrival at Burlington on a cold and blustery day. The wind was blowing so strongtheyhad �to hold onto posts as they walked from the depot to the hotel. The next day they rode to the homestead in a horse drawn buggy with their heads covered with a buffalo robe to keep from freezing. The one and a half story house on the homestead was a landmark. They lived there until Opal was 14 yrs. old at which time they moved to Sterling. The Ellis Clark farnily lived on this farm until 1923, when Ellis bought a grain elevator in Glade, Kansas. They lived there until 1925, then cnme back to Burlington. That fall 1925, Robert Ellis was born. Later we moved to the old homestead where we were in the Happy Hollow School Dist. At one time there were 5 Clark children in that school at one time. One of the early day teachers of that school was Lola Reneau, who taught 3 yrs (which was remarkable), as most young teachers beca-e home sick and quit mid term. This young dedicated teacher was instrumental in getting a larger school with a belfry and bell, also an organ. The organ and bell were purchased with money raised from box socials and programs put on by the pupils. Lola Reneau James is living in Wheatridge at this writing. Also at this writing four of Ellis and Amy Clark's children are living: Ada Belle Andes, Lola Marie Chenot, Bessie Maye Hayball and Robert Clark. Written Jan. 1986. by Lola Clark Chenot CLEMENT - SKOW FAMILY Fl23 Our father, Marvin J. Clement, came to Colorado from New York in 1904. He shipped his livestock, equipment and household goods by train to Nebraska, which was the closest rail terminal to his destination of the Thurman, Colorado area. The last leg of the journey was by team and wagon and driving the livestock. Marvin homesteaded north east of the Thurman store, first digging a well and building a sod house. Our mother, Carrie Skow, was raised in north central lowa. Due to hardships, she had gone to Minnesota to work. There she and 2 other young ladies felt the challenge of the process of low bidder wins. He was then appointed Flagler Town Marshal and remained in this position until his health failed in 1934. He passed away in 1936. During his tenure as Marshal, he planted the original trees in the Flagler park and cared for them as long as he served the town. He was at every fire, guarding the water hose to keep traffic from crossing. He cleaned the gravel from the gutters and shoveled snow from the cross walks of Main Street. At one time, there were signs welcoming people as they cqme into town. On the signs were other information giving the population and the speed limit of 10 miles per hour. Once a man inquired if he would be arrested if his horse trotted faster than 10 miles. There was no TV nor radio in those days. One of our fondest memories is an evening secretary-treasurer which included the hand- ling of bookkeeping, money, and food supplies for the needy at that period. She went with the chairman to take cotton to Flagler for a mattress making project, drove people who had no means of transportation to pick up flour and foodstuffs, going with the local Doctors to make calls in the country when needed. The plan ofserving hot lunches to school children was started by Pearl and was later sponsored by the Inter Sese Club. She was active in community affairs and served in various offices, always giving more than her share of time and talent. Pearl was a charter member of the Garden Club, organized in 1928, the County Historical Society, and served on the local Library Board from 1921 to 1959. then listening to the Edison phonograph with cylindrical records and a big horn, while eating pop corn. Mother continued to live in Flagler until 1941, when she moved to Limon, and on to moving to a home on 12th Street, where she passed away on June 15th, 1972 from a massive heart attack. Denver in 1946. After her retirement, she enjoyed the pleasure of traveling to many of our western states. She passed away in 1973. Of the four children, two have died Frank in 1926 and Harry in 1983. Charles lives in Denver with his wife, Charity (Wolfe). Lena lives in Southern California, her husband having preceded Harry in death by 24 days. Charles, Harryand Lena, each attended Flagler schools from beginning through graduation from high school. She was manied to Hank Schell in 1924, and they sold the Montezuma in 1944, The Montczuma Hotel, started in 1905, operated continuously under the same name and management for 39 years, but Mr. J.A. Haughey made many changes in the building during that period, which included removing the third story and lowering the roof to cover the second story, and later raising that same roof, and rebuilding the third story when business improved after the dust bowl days. by Bill llaughey by Charles M. and Lena C. Wheeler COAKLEY - SCHELL FAMILY Fr24 Pearl Coakley Schell was born in Sherwood, Iowa in 1885 and received her early education in the Omaha Public Schools where she later taught. Her first visit to Burlington was in 1905, returning in 1907 to file on a homestead eleven miles south of town. At that time it was permissible to work in town during the day and stay at the homestead at night. The only transportation was horseback or horse and buggy. One night when she arrived at her cabin after dark, steaded three miles southwest of Flagler and also worked in the Lavington store in Flagler. In May, 1910, she and Marvin Clement were married. She sold her homestead and moved when she was opening the door, she heard a strange noise. She quickly closed the door, went to a neighbor's home, returning with one her cattle to Thurman. After a few years of farming, Carrie was appointed postmistress of the Thurman post rattlesnake under the table on which the larnp was sitting. It was generally believed that when you found a snake there were two, but Pearl was brave and stayed alone that night and slept well. Pearl also worked in the Montezuma Hotel, which her mother had established in 1905, and in which Hank Schell later became a partner, and subsequently married Pearl. Pearl also operated the Racket Store in the north side of the Hotel building. This store office and Marvin was mail carrier from until the dirty thirties. She also served as listening to our father play the mouth harp, new frontier and came west. She home- Thurman to Arickaree, having the first motor driven route. He also carried the mail from Flagler to Thurman, first by team and wagon and again having the first motor driven route. The family moved in 1919 to Flagler, into the new houee built by John Collier and Fred Probasco, according to their design. Later, they becnme charter members of the Baptist Church. Three sons were born to this union, while living in the sod house Frank J., Charles M. and Harry C. After -moving to Flagler, a daughter, Lena C. was born. In L924, Marvin lost the mail route in the Baker of the Red Cross from World War I of the men, lit the oil lamp and saw a was similar to a variety store today where she carried many fine articles including china and linens, in which establishment Peggy Wilson was a partner. Pearl also taught school until she moved to Denver. The store was in operation until 1919. Pearl was co-chairman with Mrs. E.C. CODDY, GEORGE AND BERTHA Fl26 Sometime around the year 1906, three sisters and their brother and their families answered the call "Go west, young man, go west." They chose land 20 miles north of Flagler, Colorado. My mother and father were George and Bertha (Phipps) Coddry. The Robeys and the Hollenbecks and the Bert Phipps families moved to the area. My parents had lived in Shelby County, Missouri all of their lives. Mom's parents were William H. and Martha (Heckart) Phipps. The Heckarts had moved into Missouri as early as 1838 and William H. Phipps moved there in 1869, moving from New York state. The families rented a freight boxcar and brought their teams and what items they needed most of their new home. My Dad and one of the uncles rode in the boxcar from Shelby County, Missouri to Flagler to care for the animals. They proceeded to build their sod shanties, meager barn and then fenced their property. The first winter they were in Colorado, the weather was so cold they had to bring their tenm of horses into the sod house for protection. The Robys and Hollenbecks became discouraged and moved back to Missouri, and then later they moved to California. Uncle Bert Phipps moved his family into Flagler and he worked as a bridge contractor. My parents, the George Coddry's stayed out on the homestead on the prairie. They braved the hardships and trails ofthose early days and were too poor to think about moving anywhere. My sister came into the scene in March of �and in trying to figure out what was wrong, my Dad lit a match and looked in the gas tan. !!Boom!! What an explosion! For years my Dad was teaeed about that. The old Tin Lizzie was more stubborn than a Missouri mule. Once Dad broke hie arm trying to crank it. Sometimes we'd get the tenm of horses out : 'and tow it to get it gtartcd. I can still see my Dad coming over the hiU in his bobsled with a 4 ft. x 4 ft. box loaded with dried fruit, clothes and other supplies from our family in California, making our Christmas a delight. Each year at harvest time, the neighbors would get together to help each other harvest their wheat and barley. My job was to drive the tenm of horses to the header barge. The women would furnish a bountiful dinner of fried chicken and freeh produce from our gardesn. Even though we were poor those early memories of life on the prairie were t i 9r happy one. In the fall of 1933, we had a big gale, selling the homestead, livestock, farm machinery Modern school transportation as of 1925. Trusty "OId Colonel" is pulling a one-horse buggy. On t!" l.ft doing the driving is Kenneth Coddry, Middle - Lorene (Coddry) Goode, Teacher - Miss Ella (Robb) Hunizinger. The neighbor boy standing by is Roy Pratt. This was the first year the school was held in the new frade building, Mt. Pleasant school, district 14. Note: This is the same type buggy to which we attached a sail that was pushed by the wind as we scampered over the prairie. We finally quit and that was all for that school year. The next year, they had the ninth grade at Mount Pleasant and then I took the tenth grade at White Plains. Glenn Thompson, son of Aaron and Mnrnie Thompson, and joys of those early days on the prairie, I herders trailer. My sister and I rode to school by Kenneth Coddy I batched that year, living in an old sheep The Coddry Homestead, a two room sod house where I lived the first 18 years of my life and the trusty old windmill that supplied aII our water. We are cutting potatoes on the entrace to our ground vegetable cellar. L. to R. George Coddry, Lorene (Coddry) Goode, Olen Hollenbeck, Mildred Robey Nelson, and Kenneth Coddry age five yeare. Note: The Robey and Hollenbeck families had stayed over for a visit enroute from Missoud to California. The year was 1920. 1914 and I followed 18 months later. We lived in the 2 room sd house until I was 18 years of age. In the meantime my Mom'g father, William H. Phipps came and bought a farm, later belonging to Rube Sparks. My grand- father moved into Flagler and lived to be past ninety. My sister, Lorene and I, attended the Mount Pleasant School District 14 all eight grades, and in the ninth grade we attended the Shiloh School until a big blizzard struck and we could not get to school for six weeks. and household itemg. We were heading west. These were the years of the big dust bowl. In the spring we loaded our Model A Ford and headed to California and settled once again near the Robeys and Hollenbecks. I have been in California now for over 50 years but I left a part of me in eastern Colorado. My father and mother are both gone. My sister and husband live a couple of miles from us. We are all retired, getting the most from life as possible, traveling a little and getting back to Flagler about once every ten years. Although I remember the hardships and each day in a one horse buggy with trusty "Old Colonel" in the lead. Usually a whole flock of kids would hang on to the side of the buggy."Old Colonel" was quite an attraction at recess time and he was so patient when the kids climbed all over him. My early childhood memories are roo-ing the prairies, herding the cattle on the open range, and picking up wagon load after wagon load of cow chips. I have seen the time when we would run out of fuel and have to burn corn to keep warm. Our dogs would catch rabbits and we would skin and dress them, and then hang them on the fences until we went home from the fields at noon or evening. We'd have fried rabbit the next meal. In the spring, I remember how beautiful the green rolling hills were, spotted with blooming cactus and other wild flowers in shades of yellow, purple and white. My parents allowed me to roam the prairies. The only danger out there was the rattlesnakes. We would kill them with dirt clods, a hoe or anything handy. Life on the prairie was not all hard wouldn't trade the experiences for any amount of money. COLES - SCHLICHENMAYER FAMILY Fr26 Life began for me in Coldwater, Kansas on October tO, L947 with the assistance of my father, Doyle C. Coles. I war' named after my two grandfathers, Robert Tempel Coles and Charles L. England. I progressed through most of the aches and pains of childhood without major dnmage. Starting school in Vona, I was transferred to Wichita, Kansas in 1954 and returned to Stratton in 1959 and graduated there in 1965. Beginning college in 1965, I returned home the next summer and purchased a new to me 63 Chewolet Impala and soon found just the girl to go with it, a Bethune cheerleader and, my future bride, work. Taking advantage of the strong winds in East€rn Colorado, my sister and I would borrow old quilts from Mom which we used Linda Sue Schlichenmayer. which we paraded around the prairie. One of the highlights each day was seeing the mailman, Ray Thompson, coming over the hill from the east bringing the Flagler News and the Cappers Weekly. We went to town lington, Colorado on 21 June, 1950. Over the next few years Linda was to see the hospital in Burlington several times as a ruptured appendix and resulting complications kept Dr. R.C. Beethe busy with two surgeries and resulting care from age 10 through 12 years. A stormy off and on long distance coutship, while I continued at CSU and Linda attended Pikes Peak Institute of Medical Technology, finally resulted in our marriage to rig sails on an old one-seated buggy in once a week taking our small amount of cream and eggs with which we used to buy a few staples. Sometime around 1917 my dad bought his first car, a "Model T". (Our first Tin Lizzie). One time my dad ran out of gas Linda a native Coloradoan as were her parents, R.O. Schlichenmeyer and Anna (Weiss) Schlichenmayer was born in Bur- �went to work for Mountain Bell as a loop technician, where I am gtill working today. . by Robert Coles COLES, DOYLE AND FRANCEIS w * I t .,rl Robert and Linda Coles with Megan and Meriah, July 1985. on 14 June 1969. Linda immediately went to work financing my last year and a half of schooling to my graduation with a B.S. in Education from Colorado State University in 1970. New jobs, with me teaching school, and Linda working as a medical secretan5/, resulted in our moving to Cheyenne Wells, CO. for the next two years. After two years of teaching, itchy feet led me to join the Army in 19?2. The pay was better and there sure were lots of travel opportunities. My first stop was Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, followed by Ft. Bliss, Texas for radar school, where Linda joined me for 1 year. My next step wae a big one to Wacherheim, Germany where Linda again joined me after a separation. This was a memorable trip for Linda traveling alone, on Ft27 Doyle Coles and I, Franceis Bngland grew up in Comanche County in Kansas. We both attended rural schools then attended Coldwater High School where we met. I went on to college, at Kansas State in Manhattan while Doyle went into the Army service. For three years, he moved from Ft. Riley, Kansas to Fort Leonard Wood. Missouri and later to San Luis Obispo, California. Finally in San Luis Obispo, Doyle was told that we would set out the nrar as a drill sergeant so we decided to get married. We were married in the Methodist Church in San Luis Obispo on September 5, 1943. Three weeks later Doyle was in Hawaii and from there on to the New Guinea area. I went back home and worked at Boeing Aircraft in Wichita in the Personnel Department. Later I moved back home to be with my dad and help him on the farm. Doyle came through the war years with only a broken finger. He received the Bronze Star as a Scout in the first wave of troops to return to Luzon in the Phillipines. He arrived back in the United States on September 21, 1945 and was discharged in Denver. We next made our home in Coldwater where Doyle was a Standard Oil Bulk agent and I worked one year as high school secretary. Doyle also worked for his brother as bulk agent inButtermilk, Kansas. Rob, our oldest son was born October 10, 1947 in Ashland, Kansas. My dad, Charles England bought the former Tony Kordes farm west of Stratton in the fall of 1950 and wanted Doyle and I to her first plane flight, while pregnant to a strange country to live in civilian quarters giving a lot of new eye openers. Along with traveling extensively in Germany and surrounding countries, Germany was memorable for the birth of our first daughter, Meriah Danielle Coles at Wiesbaden Air Force Hospital on 9 July, 1974. l.J.tr'r 2-Yz years a desire for change led us to a reinlistment and a change ofjob to L.P.N. The trip home was memorable for 3 reagons: first, a 15 month old daughter who didn't sleep in 18 hours, a Coors beer and McDonalds hamburger, the first in two years, and a blizzard that isolat€d us for 4 days the same night we got home. Our next stop was Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texae followed by another year at Ft. Bliss. Another big change came when we were reassigned to Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey and our eecond daughter, Megan Kathleen, was born at West Long Branch, New Jersey. In 1979 we felt it was time for the kids to grow up in a gmall town go it was out of the Army and back to Stratton for a new job at Co-op. Building a house and new jobs for Linda, first aB secretary and later as Director of CECAA followed by ad salesman and typist at the Stratton Spotlight occupied the next few years. I also changed jobs again and Doyle and Franceis Coles and Sons, JD and Robert. come with him. Jeffrey Doyle (J.D.) was born October 5, 1951 in the Burlington hospital, making our family complete. Bad weather and poor crops forced us to leave the farm and move back to Wichita in 1954. Doyle and I both worked for Boeing aircraft on different shifts. After four years Doyle quit and went to Barber School graduating in April 1959. He worked in the Indian Hills Barber Shop in Wichita. We were homesick for the farm and Dad wanted us to come back so we returned to Stratton in June of 1959. Doyle started working as the American Legion manager in 1960. I started teaching 3rd and 4th grade at Vona, Colorado in 1961, where I continued for the next four years. I went back to Ft. Hays in 1965 receiving my B.S. Degree in Education in 1966. Rob started to college at Ft. Collins in the fall of 1965. We were both in college at the seme time. J.D. stayed home with Doyle. I staded teaching at Stratton in the fall of 1966. Doyle, who had been working for the county road crew, took over as foreman in July, 1966. I retired in the spring of 1986 after 20 years of teaching at Stratton, then went back for 1/z year in 1987. Doyle retired from the county road crew in June of 1987. by Franceis Coles COLLIER, JOHN AND AGNES Fl28 My parents, John and Agnes Collier, cnme from Iowa in 1908 and took a homestead 18 miles from Flagler, Colo. Dad cane in January and Mother and I came in March. Dad built a fre-e building in which we lived until the 3-room sod house was built later that year. My father and uncle, Elmer King, came in a railroad car with a team of horses, a cow, chickens and pigs, as well as �furniture for each family. All the farm buildings were made of sod. After arriving here, Mother and I spent the night in the hotel, then owned by W.W. CONARTY, WALT Walt Conarty was born in Norton, Kansas, Aug. 10, 1878 to Patrick Conarty and Marga- Reynolds. Dad came for us the next day in the wagon. It was a nice warm day. I remember thinking how nice it was, ae it had been storming when we left Iowa. After the crops were in, my father cnme to Flagler to do carpenter work. After a very bad hail, he shingled the schoolhouse (now an apartment house) and the Madole house (now owned by John Herzog). He also built ret Waltprs Conarty, the sixth of eight children. At age 24 he was married to Ina Kinzer and started farming south of Norton. After six years of drought and disappointment, Walt and hie brother-in-law, Milton Kinzer, cnme to Colorado to claim a farm. It was March, 1908, when they brought two covered wagong, two 4 horse tenms, and 2 milk cows about 200 miles and started working on their claims. Walt had a heavy tent 15 feet long. They pitched the tent and anchored it so no creeping animals could get in. They put bales of hay down through the center forming 2 rooms. Milton put his bed, dresser, and chairs and an oil stove on the west side. Walt had a bed, table and chairs, the house on Main Street now owned by Russell Goodin. In 1909, my sister, Garland Lucille was born and in 1911, my brother, Paul J. In the early years, maybe 1909 or 1910, the neighbors went together and built the first sod school house in that neighborhood. It was called Ash Grove. It was located about L/2 mile north of the Shiloh School. It was used as a church and general meeting place. My first teacher was Claire Williams. a brother of Ivy Stevens and Viola Willia-s. The second was Dora Wolverton and then Daisy Hewett, who always came to school riding a horse, using a side saddle. There were many other teachers later. In 1911, my folks moved back to Iowa and in 1916, we c'me back and lived in Flagler. My father built the house which Glenn Saffer now owns as well as the one owned by Don Moss. The new brick school had just been built and we were so proud of it! yard southwest ofSeibert in 1921 leaving for farm sale where he would be the auctioneer. L922 on the homegtead. which is now owned by Ted Wickham. In 1926, my parents moved from the farm and builtthe place in town now her brother, Milton Kinzer, loaded up their furniture in two covered wagons and drove 200 miles to Seibert, Colorado, then 13 miles They lived there until their deaths. In southwest of Seibert, where they had staked their claims. The men came to Colorado in March 1908. They sent for their wives and My father built up the farm buildings in owned by Clair and Agnes Loutzenhiser. February of 1948, my folks celebrated their 5fth wedding anniversary. In October of 1948, my father passed away. He was buried in Sterling where he had worked for some time. Mother passed away in 1969 and was also buried at Sterling. My father and Ho-er Shaw did a lot of building in Flagler through the years. Dad always said something always called him back to Colorado. He loved this country. CONARTY, IDA an oil stove with a separate oven, and a large woven rag carpet for the floor. They each had dishes, skillet, etc. They had bought groceries Mr. and Mrs. Walt Conarty in their farmhouse in Colorado. With a wife and three children he thought he might do better on his own land. Ina was a good helpmate and never complained when times were hard. She took her three children and moved into Norton withWalt's sister, Ada Smith, while Walt and children in May. The two women, Ina Conarty, with three children and Bess Kinzer with two children came on the train and they brought the cattle and chickens in other cars. They were happy to have their families together and didn't mind living in a tent until the frost was out of the ground so sod could be plowed to build sod houses. Milton and Bess went back to Kansas but Walt and Ina worked hard to make their by Velma Taggart Ft29 Ina Kinzer was born to John Henry Kinzer and Laura Taylor Kinzer, March 4, 1884, in Scandia, Kansas. Her father was a Civil War veteran. He helped build the Rock Island railroad from Phillipsburg, Kansas to River- bend, Colorado. Ina was married to Walt Conarty when she was eighteen years old. His first gift to her was a New Home treadle sewing machine. She sewed all of her clothes and clotheg for her children, too. They were married March 23. L902 and their frrst child was born, a girl, Irma, March l4th, 1903. They rented a farm south of Norton, Kansas, and when Irma was 18 months old a boy was born but he died soon after. Times were hard and women had midwives instead of a doctor. Their next child, born in 1906, was a girl, Opal. Then in January 5th, 1908, they had a boy, Tom. Since crops were poor, Walt filed a claim F130 home like they wanted it. There was no school and Ina kept talking about it until Walt and other neighbor men built a sod school house two miles west and they hired a teacher in 1911. Later three school districts consolidated and built Second Central in 1915. Ina was a loving mother and a good neighbor. She raised 8 children along with her husband, Walt. It seemed she got very crippled with arthritis and she could not do things like she used to but she never complained. Then, in 1940, Walt died suddenly with a heart attack. She was lonely and missed him very much but she lived with her children. Her hands beca-e so twisted that she could not turn a door knob or tie a shoe. She could always see that someone was in worse shape than she was and went about cheering others. She lived 25 years after Walt died and was missed by her children, grand- children and friends. She died October 31, 1965. by Opal Joy in Seibert, Colorado, enough to last for several weeks as they were located ten miles south and three west of town. They were camped on a draw on the south part of Walt's claim and hand dug a shallow well so they could water their animals. Milton made a trip to town to get fence posts and barbed wire so they could fence in their animals and keep stray animals out. By May they sent for their wives, Ina Conarty and Irma 5, Opal 2, and Tom 3 months; Bess Kinzer and Laura 4, and Everett 5 months. The women and children came on the train and also there was a car with cattle and one with chickens. They left the women and children in town with a kind lady, Mrs. Jones. She ran a restaurant in her large frame house and she was glad to accommodate them and they helped her. The men drove the cattle out to the claim but left the chickens at the livery stable until they could fix a crude hen house. The next trip to town was made to get the women and children. The ground had thawed now so they could break sod. They put up a 3 room sod house on Milton's place first. Walt insist€d that he wanted the well drillers to come first and get him a good well. Then he'd know where to put his house. Also they could now plant corn and feed. It was a hard struggle the first year. Then Milton Kinzers moved back to Kansas. Walt helped build the first school house three miles west of his farm. He served on the school board several years. He was instrumental in getting 3 school districts to consolidate in 1915 and build a large frame 3 teacher school, Second Central. He was a good farmer and had good crops when neighbors didn't. He and Ina raised eight children. His farm income never seemed to be enough, so he worked as overseer, building county roads and went to auction school and became a successful auctioneer. His two eldest daughters, Irma and Opal, went to Flagler High School by working for their board or batching in town. He said that he had only an 8th grade education so he wanted all eight of his children to finish high school; so he rented the farm to a family and moved a mile east of Flagler so the children could live at home and go to school. Then several politicians coaxed him to run for county sheriff. Ina was opposed to this because it was during prohibition time and �they wanted him to catch the bootleggers. The election was a landslide and the fanily had to move to Burlington during the middle of the school term with four children still in school. Walt worked hard catching the bootleggers, but when they came to trial the jury would let them go. Also there was a murder while he was in office. Walt caught and convicted the guilty one, but the people complained about the expense of the trial and defeated him on the second term. His farm was still rented, so he rented a farm north of Burlington until the lease was up. The crash came at this time and the Burlington bank closed its doors and Walt, like many others, lost all they had. So he moved back to his farm with the youngest daughter still in high school. She was able to stay with her eldest sister, Irma Rowden, and finish school. Walt's health was broken and his second son, Edward, did most of the farming but he insisted on working hard, too. His second daughter, Opal Murphy, was divorced and needed to go to college to finish her college degree. Her two daughters stayed with their grandparenk, and their mother went to college summers and taught winters to supplement their income. In the summer of 1940, Opal was to graduate on August 8, 1940. She begged her parents to come to her graduation in Greeley. Harvest was late in July and Walt insist€d on helping out at the field. Then just as harvest was over on July 20, L940, Walt Conarty dropped dead with a heart attack. by Opal Joy CONGER, JOHN THOMAS FAMILY FrSr 1889; Lee Roy Dec. 27, L892; Harley March 30, 1897; Elvin Feb. L2, L902; Everett Merle March 19, 1904. John T. was a carpenter and mason, having completed his apprentice training as a young man in Iowa. Viola's father, John Burtlow was an army scout in the 1860's at Fort Wallace, Ks. and Fort Laramie, Wyo. He was known for his hair raising and wonderful stories ofthe west upon his return to Iowa. This may have been what influenced John T. to come to Colorado. In 1898, John T. cnme to Landsman, near the Republican River to work for the summer, returning to Iowa for the winter. He did this for several years. In 1906 he filed for a homestead and brought his family, including his mother Mahala, to Colorado. They traveled by wagon driving a few head of stock, samping at night in a tent. Their trip took about six weeks and it was autumn when they arrived. Feeling it was too late in the year to build a soddy house, they dug a dugout using the tent for a covering to make a roof for the winter. Grandmother Mahala died in 1907. John T. made her casket and Viola and good neighbors lined it with padding and cloth. John T. harnessed the horses and drove to the Kirk Cemeterywhere Mahalawas laid to rest. In the years to follow John T. and his sons farmed and built houses and barns for the homesteaders and ranchers, mostly on the Republican River. The following w{ls taken from John's journal telling about some of the places he built: A house for Garfield Scherer Stone barn for Jacob Scherrer Dipping tank on Harry Cox Ranch Stone house for John Evans Stone chicken house for Fred Bitman Stone house for Mace's Built house for Rosser Davis for $50.00 and six hogs. The Conger boys were coming of age, marrying and establishing homes of their own. Alfred Conger married Jessie Harmon, Horace manied Maude Andrews, and John married Reva Andrews. John T. moved to another farm. south of the Pugh ranch, where they lived out their remaining years. The John Conger Fn-ily portrait just before corning to Colorado in 1907. Back row: Horace, John Jr., and AUred. Front row: LeRoy, Viola, Evertt, John T. and Harley. John Thomas Conger was born in Keokuk Co., Iowa on October 5, 1861. He was descended from John Conger who was born in Brooke, England in 1640; he was also descended from Robert and Ann Fuller ofthe Mayflower pilgrims. Robert Fuller was a signer of the Mayflower Compact and was the brother of the ship's doctor, Samuel Fuller. John T. Conger was married March 8, 1885 in Butler, Iowa to Laura Viola Burtlow. To this union were born eleven children: Laura Isabel Nov. 2, 1885; Alfred Allen Jan. 21, 1888; John Thomas, Jr. Oct. 4, 1891; Amos Feb. 6, 1895; Alvin Feb. 12, 1902; Martha Ellen Dec. 14, 1886; Horace Gilbert Nov. 11, Harley Conger was in the army from 1917 to 1919 and eerved with the Expeditionary Forces in France. In 1920 Viola was badly burned in a tragic accident and passed away on August 25th; she was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Burlington. In 1921 John T. died of cancer and was also buried in Fairview. Harley and Merle left the farm after the death of their parents working around the county at carpentry and farming. In L922 Harley built a barn and did other carpentry jobs near Hoxie and Quinter, Kan. It was here that Harley met Pansy Belle Bailey and after dating for a year, they were married Aug. 5, 1923 at Hoxie, Kan. To this union were born two sons, Milton (Pete) Oct. L, L924 and Harley Jr. Dec. 4, 1935. Harley and family moved back to Burlington in 193L and he worked as foreman for the Orin Penny ranch until 1935. He spent most of his life as a contractor and builder. In 1940 he supervised the building of the gymnasium at what is now the grade school. Harley was an active member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. Everett was married to Cherald Bailey, sister of Pansy, at Pueblo, Colo. on Aug. 26, 1927; they were parents ofa son, Richard, and a daughter Laura Belle. Merle was a professional army man starting his career with Co. T in Burlington. He passed away April 16, 1980 and is survived by his wife Mae. After the death of Pansy in 1939, Harley married Helene (Reteuke) Taylor, March 9, 1940; also joining the family were Helene's two daughters, Shirley Ann, and Carole Helene. Helene worked many years as a practical nurse at the Kit Carson Co. hospital. Later she worked for the Department of Social Services, retiring in 1984. Harley died of heart failure on Jan. l, L974 at his home in Burlington. by Milton (Pete) Conger COOK, GEORGE Fl32 The George Cook and Clifford (Cliff)E. Reavis family moved from Smith County, Kansas to Flagler, Colorado, the 16th of April, 1916. The Cook family numbered twelve, George and Nora Cook with their ten children. The children were Vernon, Lois, Vinnetta, Ruby, Christine, Howard, Marvin, Forest, and Arroll. The oldest daughter, Estella, was married to Clifford Reavis. It was a long journey for the two families. The Reavis family consisted of Clifford and "Stella", with three small children, Verland, Bernadine, and 6-month old Maxine. One mode of travel was a Model T Ford touring car. The Reavis family, plus Arroll Cook, who was a mighty little tyke, rode in the car. The rest of the Cook family drove through in a covered wagon, except for Vernon, the oldest boy, who rode in a train with the livestock. The Cooks moved onto a farm northwest of Flagler known as the "Officer Place". Clifford and Stella Reavis went into the restaurant business located on the main street of Flagler. Vinnetta Cook worked for them in the restaurant. Vern joined the Army and served in World War I. He came home early in 1919. Soon after returning home, he married Bernice Garett, who was a sister of Fred Garrett, Flagler, and Bertha Stewart of Seibert. They lived on a farm northwest of Flagler and had one son, Donald. Vern was one of the first to have an Atwater Kent Radio. For the marital status of the rest of the Cook family; Lois married Dana Strohmeyer. They had one girl and 4 boys. Vinnetta married Orlo Searcy, and they had 3 girls. Ruby married Leslie Miner, and had no children, and Christine married Clyde Bigelow, and they had 5 girls and one boy who died. Dana Strohmeyer, Orlo Searcy, and Clyde Bigelow were all residents of the Flagler area. Howard married Margaret Marsh of Missouri, and they had 2 boys and one girl. Marvin married Goldie Peyton of Idaho, having 3 boys and one girl. Marvin married Mary from Goodland, Kansas, after Goldie died. They had one boy. Forest married Geneva Hamilton of the Second Central area, and had 2 girls. Arroll married Doris Woodring of Goodland, Kansas and they had one girl. Those deceased as of January, 1986, are �Est€lla Reavis, Ruby and Leslie Miner, terminal building; rebuilt, resurfaced and Goldie Cook, Forest Cook, Orlo Searcy, Dana Strohmeyer, Clifford Reavis, and Donald refenced the ramp. "Built a new police building, sixty thousand dollars; bought a street sweeper, fourteen thousand dollars; and an eleven thousand dollar garbage packer truck. Meantime payrng off bonds reducing taxes. - and accounting system, au"How? A modern thorized purchase orders, separate accounts Cook. The living Cook children and their spouses keep in close touch with each other, even though they live miles apart. Vern and Bernice live in Agra, Kansas; Lois Strohmeyer lives in Stayton, Oregon; Vinnetta Searcy lived in Englewood, Colorado, until recently, when she moved to Valley Center, Kansas; Christine and Clyde Beigelow live in Falcon, Colorado; Howard and Margaret Cook live in Kansas City, Kansas; Marvin and Mary Cook live in Kirkland, Washington; and Arroll and Doris Cook live in Denver, Colorado. In 1920, the Cook family moved to a farm northwest of Arriba, Colorado, and then in 1925 moved to a farm one-half mile south of Second Central School, which was located southeast of Flagler. Here they resided until 1936. George Cook died in 1936. for separate departments, investing idle money. In other wordg 'Good Housekeepingt.tt This is a salute to an excellent woman and in hopes of inspiring capable women to fill public office, Willa Wales Corbitt is showing the way. by Dessie Cassity CORLISS - GRAMM FAMILY by Arroll L. Cook CORBITT, WILLA WALES F133 In 1909 and 1910 Mr. Bert Corliss and Mr. John Pugh, two of the directors of the Tuttle School (we are unable to get the n'me of the other member) hired a Miss Willa Wales to teach their school. Mrs. Mable Guy, who has kept in touch with her and who was in the eleventh grade at that time, had the following sent to her from a clipping of a Wyoming paper, written by Paul Hawey: "Willa Wales Corbitt is a widow with two sons." I don't know what they were thinking of back in 1955 when they asked her to run for mayor of Riverton, Wyoming. She had accumulated a measure of distinc- tion in educational circles, had her Master's degree from Wyoming University, and had been active in community, county, and state affairs. She took it seriously, their proposal for her to run for mayor. "Riverton had stagnated, civic pride was at a standstill. Downtown streets were still dirt; muddy when it rained, and dusty when it didn't. "First thing Mayor Corbitt did was to pave the streets. Next, with a town council, which at first watched in awe, and at last cooperated with enthusiasm, Riverton institut€d five paving districts. Copper water-service lines were laid underground. As soon as the frost was out of the ground, new sewer lines were laid. High-powered gas and phone lines moved. "Willa Wales Corbitt has now been elected to four congecutive terms. Most every street in Riverton has curb, gutter, storm drainage, and asphalt surfacing. "This was a big undertaking for a town of seven thousand people, but it was all done without five cents of 'Government money'. The projects were financed by a sale ofbonds, and already, within five years, 74.9 percent of those bonds have been repaid. "They purchased two hundred and forty acres for ten thousand dollars for a new city park; built a fiireproof maintenance shop and yard; remodeled and enlarged the airport Fl34 Esther Gro-m Corliss was born on September 26, L932 on the home place north of Bethune, Colorado to Gottlieb and Lydia (Stutz) Gramm. She was the youngest of five children and has three brothers and one sister. Esther attended the Prairie View and Bethune Schools. After she quit school she helped on the family farm and helped other families with household work when the need arose. Just before her maniage she worked as a clerk at the Duckwall Store in Burlington, Colorado. Mervin Corliss was born on April 7, L929 to Sherman and Grace (Messing) Corliss at Hebron, Nebraska. He has four brothers and five sisters numbering ten children in the family. When Mervin was five years old the family moved to Colorado to the Corliss Ranch northwest of Burlington, Colorado along the Republican River. He attended the Tuttle and Kirk schools. Mervin served his during the Korean war from February 29, 1951 to December 28, L952. He was stationed in Korea during the war. After his discharge he returned to the family farm and helped his father with the farming and cattle operation. Mervin and Esther were both members of the Settlement 4-H Club and have served as leaders when their children were in 4-H. Mervin along with his brothers enjoyed rodeoing at home and at the county fairs. Mervin also participated in the 4-H Rodeo at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. Mervin and Esther were married at the Hope Congregational Church north of Bethune on March 7 , 1954. Mervin had attended the Four Square Church at Kirk, Colorado and joined the Hope Congregational Church where Esther was a member after their marriage. They are both active members in their church. Esther and Mervin have made their home on the Corliss Ranch and are residing there presently. Mervin and Esther were blessed with two children, Verlin and Nadine. Verlin was born in Burlington, Colorado on August 3, 1955. He attended the Bethune school and graduated with the class of 1973. On December 14. 1984 he was manied to Rhonda Davis of Thornton, Colorado. At that time she was teaching at Liberty School, Joes, Colorado. They have two children, Krista and Stephan- ie. They are also living on the Corliss Ranch and Verlin is working with his father in their farming and livestock operation. Esther drove the school bus for nine years from 1969 thru 1978 while her children attended school. This was a very interesting experience and she drove through good and bad roads and weather. Nadine was born on Februar5r 15, 1958 in Burlington, Colorado and attended Bethune school and graduated with the class of 1976. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, Colorado in 1980, majoring in Home Economics. She spent her first three years teaching in Benkelman, Nebraska then moved to Joes, Colorado to teach at Liberty school. In July, 1987, she graduated with her Masters Degree in counseling and guidance from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. Both Verlin and Nadine were active in 4-H work receiving many honors for their projects over the years. They were also active in the youth fellowship of the Hope United Church of Christ where they are members. Growing up on the farm meant you had to make your own entertainment and also you helped with the work even if you were too small for the job. We thought we were really something if we could help with special jobs and, of course, there were a lot of things we could do in spite of age and size. I remember farming with horses, especially picking corn. Dad was picking corn and I was helping being the age of 12 years. The horses took off, I climbed on the wagon and got one leg in the box and the other one still out. I thought I could grab the reins and stop the horses. I finally gave up and jumped off and the horses, Barney and Hank, ran next to a bank and upset the wagon full of corn. That stopped the horses! I will never forget that event. Sunday afternoons usually brought company and, of course, we kids always found something to do. The great excitement that one Sunday was that dad got a new tractor. Of course we kids had to have a look. It was a new "Farmall" tractor and he had it parked in the garage. We, Esther and Gladys Grarnm, were sitting on the rubber tires. (Our dads were playing horseshoes.) Raymond wag pretending to drive and Richard Grn-m wae going to try and see if he could st€rt it. He oanked it and it start€d! Off it went, pushing the wall out of the garage and did stop, somehow, before anyone got hurt. My how thankful we all were that no one was hurt. not even the new tractor! by Esther Gramm Corliss CORLISS - IIASART FAMILY Fl36 Lowell Wayne Corliss was the firrst son of Sherman and Grace Corliss born in Hebron, Nebraska, on May 22,1926. As a child Lowell and his family moved to Colorado and lived along the Republican River on the A.N. Corliss homestead. He started his school years at Hebron attending the first grade there and after moving to Colorado he attended north Tuttle school and after the flood finished the 8th grade at T\rttle school �south of the river. Lowell drove a horse and buggy to and from school bringing his sister, Betty, and brothers Lyal and Mervin with him. "How quick can we get there?' Lowell would ask. Betty would just squeeze Mervin a little tighter and say, "Now Lowell, slow down!!!". The 1935 flood was full of lasting memories for a small boy. The water just missed coming into the basement of their home but Lowell's mother fixed the upper story so that they could stay up there until the waters were going down. They were surrounded with water for 3 or 4 days and Lowell remembers that they really felt isolated as they could not go outdoors due to that water. Lowell attended Kirk High School for Llh years driving a model A Ford. He began working for Mark Jay, Harvey Wood, Jerry Guy and A.W. Adolf after he left school. Lowell and Virginia Corligs at Corliss Centenial, September 7,198? Lowell joined the Colorado National Guard. Lowell Corliss and Virginia Hasart, daughter of Jake and Nettie Hasart were married on November 6, 1949, in Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune. Virginia was born in her grandmother Adolfs home north of Bethune on January 24, L932. She attended Union School riding with her brother, Jim, on his horse Tippy and later riding "Nellie". Every day she would ride her horse the three miles to and from school making for some memorable times. The horse has some bad habits and when Jake would see Virginia turn the corner he would head for the water tank, the horse Colorado and Kit Carson County Hereford Tour at Corliss Hereford Ranch, 1981. would stop with a jerk and there would be Virginia in the water tank if Jake wasn't there to catch the horse. After attending Union school for eight years she went to Stratton High School for three years. In 1948 Virginia was Kit Carson County Queen Attendant. Lowell and Virginia started their manied life together on the HommRanch where Lowell was employed in 1949. tn 1950 they moved to their ranch northeast of Stratton. With their first child due in the spring of 1951, consider the problems of going to the hospital in Goodland, Kansas. It's now May 21, 1951. "Lowell it's time, the babys on it's way!", Virginia stated and off they go in Jake's Buick, mudding it into Stratton and then on the highway to Goodland most likely erceeding the speed limit. Every thing was going fine until they pulled up at the hospital and who would be behind them but a policeman. "Why were you going so fast?" Lowell, a little anxious, "my wife's having a baby"? The policeman replied "well okay, but don't let it happen again". The two additions of the family were Vickie Marie born on May 21, 1951 and Russell Lowell born on October 10, 1958. Family activities were very important, so 4-H and the Stratton Roping Club found the Corliss'really involved. Lowell helped from the Little Britches Rodeo Association in Kit Carson County, ofwhich he was a director for 23 years. Virginia and Lowell were both 4-H leaders with Virginia sewing 15 years and Lowell serving 27 yean. Lowell was also Superintendent of the Beef Barn at the Kit Carson County Fair. In the early 1950's Lowell was the lineman for the Northeast Stratton Telephone Company and also helped wire houses when the REA came to the area. Registered Hereford cattle have been a part of their lives since 1963 when Lowell purchased his first registered Hereford cattle starting small and growing with the cattle industry. Corliss Herefords have shown cattle at the Kit Carson County Fair, other local fairs, the Colorado State Fair, and the National Western Stock Show in Denver. Lowell is a life member of the American National Hereford Association and the Kit Carson County Hereford Association. The Corliss ranch hosted the Colorado Hereford Tour in 1971 and 1981. Four registered Hereford bulls were selected by the Hungarian Government from the Corliss Hereford Ranch in 1973. These were chosen by the Hungarian delegation who selected 35 buls from ranches in Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. These animals were taken to Denver loaded in trucks for shipping to Chicago where they were placed aboard airplanes and flown to Hungary. TRUC :Ol mry/4 There is still a major interegt in the National CCA, Colorado CCA, Kit Carson County Cattleman's Association and the Kit Carson County Cowbells. Lowell has been an active member of KCCCA for 38 years serving as a director for a nu-ber ofyears and as Becretary for five years. Virginia has been serving as president for the past 8 years and is still serving in that capacity. Lowell was elected to the Stratton Fire District Board and served as Treasurer. Virginia has been employed at Dishner's Grocery in Stratton since 1977. One of the most exciting events was helping with the Colorado Cattleman'e Convention when it was held in Burlington in 1986. Lowell wae in charge of the Ranch Roundup and they hosted the Pre-convention Steak Fry at their ranch. Lowell has collected many bits and spurs Colorado Hereford breeders (from left) Morris Richardson of Simla, Don Norgren of Platteville, BiIl Diehl of Can, Lowell Corliss of Stratton, Harold Sidwel of Carr and Ruesell Corliss watch as a Hungarianpurehased shipment of Colorado Herefords were loaded preparing to leave for Chicago. and has an extensive barbed wire collection. Lately he has been learning the art of flint knapping (arrow head making). Virginia enjoys crewel work and sewing and in the summer you will find her driving the tractor and working in her yard. �Now that their children are grown and started families of their own, Lowell and Virginia enjoy special times with their grandchildren, Peggy Sue and Mathew Allan Schlepp. Vickie graduated from Stratton High School and completed the Data Processing course at Northwest Kansas area Vocational-Technological School in Goodland, Kansas in May of 1970. On June 13, 1970 Vickie married Clinton Schlepp and are living on their ranch northeast of Idalia, CO. Russell graduated from Stratton High School in 1977 and married Susan Korbelik on July 18, 1980. Russell is now ranching and living on the home place. The family tradition is "the coffee pot is always on and a neighbor's always welcome." by Virginia Corlies CORLISS - KORBELIK FAMILY Fr36 said, "Hang on to your jeans Russ!" That's all it took, he went three days in the hospital with his jeans on! The Corligs fanily enjoyed family events which Russell and Vickie both participated ice cream. Russell's other two main interests were wrestling and 4-H. 4-H was a year long job, getting ready for the next year's fair. The family raised Registered Herefords, so the beef projects were Russell's favorites. In 1974, Russell had the Grand Qftnvnpion Market Steer at the Kit Carson County Fair. National Western Stock Show was a big time to show cattle and his senior year he participated in the Catch-It-Calf, where he received Top Showman honors. 4-H had other important effects on Russell and Susan. They met at a judging contest in Sterling, Russell on the livestock tenm and Susan on the home-ec teem. Kit Carson County Fair Superintendent of Catch-It-Calf, which he also works with the Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association who sponsor the Catch-It-Calf program. Susan is the fair superintendent of the Fashion Revue, one of her favorites! She is also the Recording Secretary of the Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association. When Russell and Susan were married in 1980, they got a taste of the worst. Ten days born in Burlington. They were united in marriage on July 18, 1980, in the St. Cath- erine of Siena Catholic Church in Burlington. Russell Lowell Corliss is the son of Lowell and Virginia Corliss. He grew up northeast of Stratton. One of his earliest memories was his "large mosquito bit€". Russell had been playing down by the old silo (this was not allowed) when he was bit by a rattlesnake. At the age of four, he didn't want to get in trouble for being at the silo - so he didn't say anything! At noon, his sister, Vickie, was showing her dad her mosquito bites. Russell said, "That's nothing, look at the big one on my foot." Lowell and Virginia knew it was a snake bite, so in to the hospital they went. Luckily Russell didn't receive a full bite (or dose of venom). Then it became a game; Russell didn't want to take off his jeans - the nurses tried every trick. One evening Dr. Ross :i:ll:l,r: night long and then devour a half gallon of Russell is a director of Little Britches and the Russell and Susan Corliss are lifetime Fr37 rope! Even at the card parties, they'd rope all Little Britches and 4-H gave so much to Russell and Susan, they are giving now. residents of Kit Carson County, both being AND LTLLTAN in. Little Britches, the Stratton Family Roping Club, and the community card parties. Russell and Tony Paintin - born to Susan Marie is the daughter of Hawey and Connie Korbelik. She grew up southeast of Burlington. The Korbelik fanily also took great int€rest in family type activities. Susan was very active in school and 4-H. Being in Pom-Pon was really exciting to Susan; school spirit was always really important to her. The thrill of being selected FFA Sweetheart will always be with her, too. 4-H offered so many opportunities, like the trip to Washington, D.C. with the Citizenship Shortcourse . . . the pride that came to heart just to be in the nation's capitol but also from Colorado! Russell and Susan Corliss'Fifth Anniversary, 1985. CORLISS, ALBERT after their wedding, Susan was admitted to the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital Mr. and Mrs. A.N. Corliss The family records show that George Corliss, the founder of our family in America, was born in Devonshire, England and came to this country in 1639 and settled that year at Newbury, Massachusetts. In 1864 Albert Nathan Corliss was born at St. Albens, Vermont, to Martin Joseph and Paulina Skinner Corliss. In 1887 at the age of 23 Albert N. Corliss c'me on a train to Wray, Colorado. He worked on the Bar T Ranch near the Republican river in Kit Carson County, where Burt Ragen was the foreman. Soon after, he took a homestead north of the Yale Post Office, around 12 miles northwest of Burlington. Here he met Lillian May Yale, who he later manied on June 26, L892. Sherman Henry and Sarah D. Bevier Yale came to Kit Carson County in the early 1880's with 104 degree temperature. The next two weeks were touch and go for awhile, even a trip on Flight for Life to St. Anthony's in Denver. It was finally diagnosed as Toxic Shock Syndrome. It's not a time Russell or from Illinois in a covered wagon and settled on a homestead about 12 miles northwest of Susan would want to relive again, but with a strong faith and love for each other they both Post Offices north of Yale. He used a 2 wheel cart and an old white horse. Sarah Yale was the postmistress, also a midwife. She delivered many babies in the area which is known survived. The remaining six years are full of many happy memories. They are both active in the church activities and Susan has taught the First Communion class for seven years, with each class being "her kids"! They are both looking forward to what their future will bring especially in Kit Carson County, each as a 4th generation member of their respective families. by Susan Corliss Burlington. Here the Yale Post Office was established. Sherman Yale was the mail carrier from Burlington to Yale and other as the German Settlement. Lillian May Yale was born May 17, 1876 in Knox County, Illinois. Albert and Lillian Corliss lived on the homestead north of the Yale Post Office for a few years. Their home was a dugout and later a room was built on top. Here Luella Yale Corliss was born December 29, L894. After a few years, Albert relinquished this homest€ad to John Schlichenmayer and took another homestead on the Republican river in 1895 around 27 miles northwest of Burlington, the address being Tuttle, Colorado. Albert Corliss, also known as A.N. Corliss, was Kit Carson County assessor in 1898. He �driven through the rubber. It was known as the Stratton Telephone Company. Lillian Corliss was the switchboard operator, with the switchboard in the southeast corner ofthe living room in the cement house. The Corliss ring was four short rings. Albert N. Corliss had forty shares at $5.00 a share. Sherman still had this contract from the telephone company. In 1908 A.N. Corliss received a sugar beet growers contract to plant 50 acres of sugar beets in order to get a railroad formed along the Republican river. There wasn't enough interest so it never took place. Ifthe railroad had been built they would have been paid $5.00 a ton for sugar beets. Sherman has this beet growers contract in his files. One of the happenings that Sherman recalls is about his older brother Joe. It was the first fall snow storm around 1910 when there was free range for cattle. Joe and his dad (Albert) went to look for cattle in the later afternoon. Dad told Joe to go home as it was getting cold and late. They were about four miles from home at this time. Joe started out going over the hills and somehow got going in the wrong direction. When Dad got home and Joe was not there, Dad went back to look for him and notified the neighbors Early day picnic, year 1900, at the Cor Ranch, now the McArthur Ranch. Mr. and Mrs. A.N. Corliss far left Holding Sherman. Some of the others are Will Richards, Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Davis, Martin Joe Corliss (old man with beard), Bill Richards holding son, Luella and Joe Corliss setting on the ground. moved his family to Burlington at this time and served two terms. Joseph Martin Corliss was born in Burlington on March 8, 1898. Between 1898 and 1900 they moved to the homestead on the Republican river near Tuttle. They lived in a sod house and Sherman Henry Corliss was the first child born here on April 5, 1900. On the L3th of December, 1902, A.N. Corliss proved up on his homestead on the Republican river. Three more sons were born to Albert and Lillian in the sod house. They were Edward, Harold, and Ralph. In 1908 A.N. Corliss built a two story cement house with a basement under it, next to the sod house. Here in the cement house Mary, Frank, and Myrna were born, making a family of 9 children. In 1895 Martin Joseph Corliss, father of Albert N. Corliss, c4me from Vermont after the death of his wife and took a homestead the 3fth of April, 1896, under a Soldiers Declaration. (He was a Civil War veteran.) This homestead joined his son Albert's. After Martin Joseph proved up on his homestead he sold it to Albert for $200.00 in 1901 and returned to Vermont. A homestead consisted of 160 acres and you lived on your homestead a few years before you proved up. These homesteads have never been out of the Corliss family. Albert N. Corliss was interested in education. He was on the school board for Tuttle School District #39. Tuttle District had a sod gchool house. In 1901 or 1902 they moved a frame school house from south of Seibert to northeast of the Tuttle Ranch to the site where the sod school house stood. They were in need of a larger clasgroom. Those who moved the school house were John J. Pugh, G.G. Bur, A.N. Corliss and others. Horses and wagons were uged to move the school house. Ethel Boyles Burr was the school teacher and several of the older Corliss children attended school here. A few years later, around 1907 or 1908, the Tuttle school was moved north about one and one-half miles close to the G.G. Burr ranch, now Wood ranch. Then again around 1913 or 1914 Tuttle school was moved further north about two miles, close to the Tuttle store. This is where the school got its name of North Tuttle. At this time, around 1913 or 1914, people could homestead one-half section of ground. There were 50 children in the one room school. Mabel Pugh was the teacher, teaching all 8 grades. It was decided to build another school, which was known as South Tuttle. It was built on the southeast corner of the Hightower place. Several of the younger Corliss children attended classes at South Tuttle. Suzie Underwood was the first teacher of South Tuttle and stayed at the Corliss home with Uncle Bill and Aunt Nellie Yale while the Corliss family was in Ft. Collins. The school year of 1913 and 1914 Albert N. Corliss moved his family to Ft. Collins. Luella, Joseph (known as Joe) and Sherman attended the agriculture school. Joe and Sherman also received military training. The younger children attended grade school in Ft. Collins. In 1917 Albert and Lillian bought land near Hebron, Nebraska, and leased the ranch in Colorado. They moved their family to Hebron because ofbetter schooling. Paulina was born here making a fanily of ten children, six boys and four girls. Joe moved back to the ranch in Colorado in 1919. Luellaalso joined him.In 1921Luella and Gordon Hitchcock were married and were in partnership withJoe for several years. Rose Mae, Marie, Merton and Albert Hitchcock were all born on the ranch. In 1906 there was a telephone line built up and down the river to the ranches. It was a one wire line on the fence posts, with two by fours holding it up. Some places it was just on the barbed wire fence with rubber (from old boots, etc.) for insulators with a staple that Joe was lost. Dad got Jake Strobel to go and help him look for Joe. Joe had drifted into the Tom Jones place up south in the hills. Tom Jones boy took Joe to the Pugh ranch. It had been decided that if he was found they would ring their dinner bells, so Pugh's rang their dinner bell and so on down the river to let Mom (Lillian) know that Joe had been found. Joe stayed the night with Pugh's and went home the next morning. Joe was about 12 years old and he was riding their pony Mexico. Sherman also tells of his and Edward's (known as Ed) first train ride. Around 1910, Dad (Albert) had two carloads of cattle shipped to Denver from Stratton. Dad went on the train to Denver with the cattle. Sherman and Ed went on the train with Mr. and Mrs. Pugh, Lloyd and Luther. Dad met them in Denver and they went to the stock show. Here they saw Buffalo Bill ride his horse into the arena with his buckskin suit on. Dad had to hold us boys up so we could see him as there was such a crowd. They also went to the top of the Daniel and Fisher tower and they could see all over Denver. Sunday School and Literary was held in the schoolhouses and different ones ofthe neigh- bors would help with the teachings. Lillian Corliss was known as a hard working Christian woman. Some of the old timers would recall seeing her going to help a neighbor, riding her gray horse with side saddle, with two small children. Albert and Lillian enjoyed 63 years of married life and are both buried in Hebron, Nebraska. Albert lived to be 91 vears and Lillian 84 years. by Lois Henry �brothers in the sod house until his father built a new two story cement howe next to the sod CORLISS, SHERMAN AND GRACE house in 1908. Sherman's education started at the Tuttle Fr38 School District #39 northeaet of the Tuttle ranch. In 1913, after completing the 8th grade, Sherman and his brother Joe went to Ft. Collins for two years of agricultural school. This was a school teaching vet€rinary, shop and livestock judging. Rabbit Drive on 1935. The largest drive was north of the Loyd Pugh Ranch (formerly Tuttle Ranch). It regulted in the kill of 10.000 rabbite near Hell Creek. The Corliss family moved to Hebron, Nebraska in 1917 where Sherman helped his father. In 1924 Sherman married Grace Messing, a school teacher, daughter of William and Lilly erwin Messing of Gilead, Nebraska. Sherman was involved in farming for ten years in Nebraska. The children born to Sherman and Grace in Nebraska were Betty, Lowell, Lyal, Mervin, Albert and Doris. In the spring of 1934 they had a farm sale and Sherman and Grace Corliss, year L972. moved their family of six children and household goods to Colorado with a Model T ton truck and Chevy car, pulling a trailer. They rented the ranch from Sherman's Dad (Albert). It was a dry year and Shermau irrigated from the Republican river that ran just south of the big cement house. On the north side of the bottom land was artesian wells on a spring creek. These artesian wells supplied wat€r for the north ponds and irrigation was algo done from these ponds. Sherman remembers a good crop was raised that year in spite of the drouth. The school year 1934 and 1935 the children Betty, Lowell, Lyal and Mervin went to the North Tuttle School. They drove the horse Goldie hitched to a two wheeled buggy. There were a lot of dust storms that year. Sherman and Ruby Corlise. The children remember going to the teachers house, who was Glen Smith, near the school and waiting for the dust storms to be over before starting home. There was a plague of rabbits, the neighbors formed a company and bought chickenwire and corn cribbing to build pens to drive the rabbits into and then the rabbite were Corligs home built on 1908. East eide showing picture windows. ? of the 10 children were born here and the 4 Hitchcock children were also born here. Gordon Hitchcock and eon Bert after the 1935 flood ofthe Republican River on the Corlies Ranch. On April 5, 1900, Sherman Henry Corliss was the third child born to his parents Albert Nathan and Lillian May Yale Corliss, in a sod house on the Republican river near Tuttle, Colorado. Sherman was named for his grandfather Sherman Henry Yale, the founder and postmaster of Yale, Colorado. Sherman lived with his parents, sist€rs and Children of Sherman and Grace Corliss. Boys L. to R. Mervin, Albert, David, Lyle, and Lowell. Girls L. to R. Mary, Doris, Betty, Ruth, and Lois. �clubbed to death. The schools were dismissed so that the children could help drive the rabbits. The largest drive amounted to 10,000 rabbits. The drive was north of the Tuttle ranch (then known as the Pugh ranch) near Hell Creek. In the fall of 1935, South Tuttle wag moved to the Corliss land on the southwest corner of the east one-half of Section 18. This is where the Corliss kids continued their educa- tion. On May 30th, Decoration Day 1935, the wind blew hard all day from the south. That night it started raining a little after dark. It rained all over the country. Hell Creek, Spring Creek, and South Fork Republican all came together about 3 miles above the Corliss home dumping into the Republican river. Water was one mile wide through the bottom with our house about in the center. About midnight the water was splashing up on the weet side of the cement house, so we began moving things upstairs (flour, water, gugar, potatoes, etc.). The water never did get in the house. The Rosser Davis family, about one mile up the river, had to get in their upstairs. Water was in their house getting up as high as the keyboard on the piano. They tell that they thought the Corliss family would be worse off than them. Roeeer got on the house roof waving a lantern thinking the Corliss neighbors would see him trying to let them know of the danger. The waves were so high no one could see him. Shortly after daylight the water began to recede from around the house. We couldn't get out until the next day. The flood washed out a lot of big cottonwood trees and changed the course of the river to where it is one-half mile north of the cement house. Before the river was south and east of the house. We lost 33 head of cattle, 4 head of horses, and lots of hogs and chickens. Davis'lost more livestock and chickens that we did. There was a fanily by Seibert, a young man, his wife and hig wife's father, drowned in the flood. The young man wag found one-fourth mile southwest of our house. The other two people were found later in the summer further down the river. As soon an we could get out in tenm and wagon, we took the bedding, food and cooking utensils and moved up to the Babeon rock houee, two miles southeast on a hill. We lived there through the summer, getting back to the cement house in time for the children to walk to school through the sandbar south of the house. The boys stayed with Uncle Joe's off and on through the gummer on the John Weisshaar place. Betty stayed some with the Jerry Guy fanily. Mom (Grace) and Doris stayed with Aunt Luella in Burlington where Lois was born on August 9, 1935. Sherman recalls meeting Homer and Dolly Hightower on their way home from town and they told him that he had another little baby girl. It took a long time getting the ranch back in shape after the flood. There was not a fence left across the bottom. We got some fences in on the west and east so we could keep the cattle home. There was Corliss and Davis lakes up and down the river and the flood filled all of these with sand and there were no more. Lots of good timee, picnics, swimming, and fiahing went on at these places by many people of the country. Indian camp grounds were uncovered by the flood and buffalo heads, pottery, beads and arowheads were found. Trees were also found that had been buried years before in a flood and the banks of the river where it is now shows that the river had run here many years before. When Dad (Albert N. Corliss) came to this country, it is said an old Indian chief told him to not build in the river bottom as he had seen water from one hill to the other. It is believed he knew what he was talking about. After the flood, Mom (Grace) was always terrified whenever she saw a cloud in the sky, even if it wag a little one. She carried this fear the rest of her life. After the flood Sherman continued to irrigate his crops. It took a lot of hard work and patience to irrigate from the river. The water level was lower so a da- had to be put across the river to form a pond and then a ditch had to be dug for the water to run out of. Every time a little flood came up it would take out the dam, which would have to be replaced and then the ditch would also have to be dug deeper. Each time there was a flood the water table lowered, sometimes as much as a foot making the ditch digging quite a job. After a few years Sherman bought a centrifugal pump, (it had to be primed with water to start it) and punped the water from the river. This pump wag used for about three or four years, Sherman then had his first irrigation well dug in 1956. Sherman said this is one of the best things he ever did. Eventually we had two more wells drilled and went to the circular sprinkler systems. For a few years after the flood Sherman had a large truck garden, raising produce and delivering it to customers in Burlington and other towns. Many people came from miles around the country to buy tomatoes, potatoes, onions and melons. Sherman would do his own butchering and curing and Grace took care of the lard rendering, frying the sausage to be stored in crock jars in lard, and also making lye soap from the cracklings. After the butchering, the carcass (usually a hog) would hang overnight from the big cottonwood tree lime in front of the house to cool. Of course the Corliss kids always had a job to help with the chores or whatever was going on. The first tractor Sherman had was a used G.P. John Deere and the first washing machine Grace had was a one cylinder Maytag. Sherman traded T.W. Backlund some hay for it in 1934. In 1944 Sherman bought the ranch from his Dad (Albert). He continued to improve the ranch. One of the first improvements was to get grass and hay started in the sandbars left by the flood of 1935. The house was also modernized, getting electricity and telephone in 1945 and 1946 on a teaching permit. Doris was in sixth grade and Lois in third grade. Lowell worked for Jerry Guy and A.W. Adolf as a farm hand for several years until he married Virginia Hasart in 1949 and then he worked for Homm ranches. Lyal, Mervin and Albert were in the Army in Korea during the Korean conflict. David was a paratrooper in the Vietnnm War. In 1954 Mervin and Esther Gramm were married. A second place was built up for them north of the river, making sure it was above the flood level of the 1935 flood. In 1968 when David and Betty Gramm were married a new house was built for Sherman and Grace on the south side where Martin Joseph Corliss (Sherman's grandfather) had originally homesteaded. It was also above the flood level of the 1935 flood. David and Betty made their home in the old cement house. The Corliss family attended church regularly, belonged to the Settlement 4-H Club and were also members of the Farm Bureau, Grange, and Cattlemans Association. Grace enjoyed crocheting, writing and painting in her later years. Grace passed away in April of L974 at the age of 70 years and is buried in Burlington. Sherman and Grace would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December. Sherman's grandson, Verlin (Mervin's son) and wife Rhonda, live in the new house. This makes the fifth generation to live on Martin Joseph's homestead. The Sherman Corliss children all married and several are still living in the area. They are Betty and Richard Guy, Bethune, Colo- rado, Lowell and Virginia Hasart Corliss, Stratton, Colorado, Lyal and Delores Miller Corliss, Crescent City, California, Mervin and Esther Gramm Corliss, Stratton, Colo- rado, Albert and Arnella Adolf Corliss, Yuma, Colorado, Doris and Roy Henry, Joes, Colorado, Lois and Ralph Henry (deceased), Vona, Colorado, Mary and Clinton Hasenauer, Wallace, Nebraska, David and Betty Gramm Corliss, Stratton, Colorado, and Ruth and pisl flnmpton, Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1975 Sherman manied Rubbie Deloris Schmitt Corliss (his brother Joe's widow). Rubbie, the fourth child of A.A. and Frieda Dandliker Schmitt, was born at Davenport, Nebraska on April 12, 1909. Sherman and Rubbie now reside in Bur- lington, Colorado. by Loie Henry when the lines went through the country. In February 1941 Mary was born and David in April 1942. Ruth was born in February 1944. This made a family of ten children, five boys and five girls. All the Corliss children except Ruth attended the South Tuttle School. David was in the first grade the last year classes were held. Tuttle school was closed in 1950 and the Corliss kids, Lois, Mary, David and Ruth, drove to Harvey Woods and went on to Kirk to school with the Woods children. In 1960 Tuttle disbanded or consolidated, the Corliss children going to Bethune. David and Ruth graduated from Bethune High School. Mary graduated from Liberty High School in 1959. Joeg and Kirk schools consolidated in 1955 and was named Liberty. Betty went to Blair Business School in Colorado Springs and taught Tuttle School COX FAMILY F139 Cox Ranch The Cox Ranch was originally part of the large Tuttle Ranch, which fell upon hard times in the late 1880's. The terrible blizzards of that time severely stressed the cattle industry in eastern Colorado and although the Tuttles managed to hang on for awhile after that, the depression of the early 1890's finally did them in. Herman Tuttle died in 1894 and the ranch was taken over by a bank in London, England, among others. Shortly thereafter John and Jane Pugh �bought the headquarters portion ofthe ranch (now the Price Ranch) and Harry Cox those who follow will get as much from it as we did. Ranch, so called because it was located six miles from the Tuttle Ranch headquarters. Mr. Cox began constructing his ranch headquarters in 1896 and had completed several stone buildings including a barn and by Kenneth McArthur purchased what was called the Six Mile some stone corrals by 1897. The house, CRONISE, FLORENCE Fl40 bunkhouses and a cook house were completed in 1898. Construction ofother stone buildings and corrals continued most of the time while Mr. Cox owned the ranch. The rock was a limestone which came from the surrounding hills. Except for the house, most of the construction wffr accomplished by ranch hands and some part-time help during slack periods. A contractor and small crew were hired to build the house. All the stone was shaped by hand using hnmmers and chisels. Harry Cox was an interesting and highly respectcd man. He was small, about 5'6", rather frail, a bachelor, and very English. He had some trouble walking but was an outstanding horseman with a reputation for being able to ride hard for days at a time. He wore English riding breeches, English riding boots and rode English saddles. He was a progressive cattleman running some 800 cows and was among the first to import quality British bulls for herd improvement. He was active in the Cattleman's Associations of that time and was one of the first to install a dipping vat for the control of parasites. This vat was made available to everyone in the area and was used by most. Incidentally, Mr. Cox did not call his ranch "Cox Ranch". He called it the "Rock Haven Ranch". In 1910 due to poor health, Harry Cox was forced to sell the ranch and it was bought by John and Art Pugh. John Pugh died in 1913 leaving Art and Ruby Pugh, along with his widow, Jane, to operate the ranch which they did until 1924 when hard times caught up with them. During this period, the property was referred to ae the "Art Pugh Ranch". The Art Pughs remained on the ranch until the late 1920's when they moved to Burlington. A bank in Colorado Springs owned the ranch from L924 to 1944. During that time it was occupied at various times by the Guys, Radcliffs and the Coopers. In 1944 the ranch was purchased by Mark and Fay Jay and, in 1946, they sold it to Ernest and Mary McArthur who still own it. In 1970 Kenneth and Beverly McArthur came into the operation with Ernest and Mary. In 1981, Ernest and Mary retired to Burlington while Kenneth and Beverly continued on. The history of the ranch is much the same as that of the other ranches in this area. A story of good times and bad. The problem all ranches had was that they were totally dependent upon the cattle market, usually a feast or famine situation. Most of the larger cattle operations went out of business in the 1920's or before and it was not until after World War II that diversification into farming was undertaken on any scale. The combination of cattle and crops has enabled most of the operations to survive and even thrive at times. This short history has covered over 100 years and while times and techniques have changed, at least one constant remains; whether we were a Tuttle, Cox, Pugh, Guy, Radcliff, Cooper, Jay or McArthur, the land remains and we are here because we love it and when we leave it we can only hope that Youngsters or relative newcomers to Flagler hear the carillion from the Congregational Church of a Sunday morning of - some them may even know that it is the Cronise Carillion. For those who knew this remarkable lady, however, the ringing bells from the church have a very special meaning indeed. She was a pioneer in more ways than one and yet the antithesis of what we generally think of as a "pioneer woman". Born on June 15, 1861 in Newark, New Jersey, her father was a prominent and prosperous business- man and very active in church affairs. Her mother evidently died when Florence was still young. She went to a woman's seminary and then to Europe on three occasions where she studied languages in both France and Germany. Back in the United States she studied for and received a BA in Philosophy. Then she joined other Congregational Missionaries for a tour of duty in Sierra-Leone, West Africa, returning to Iowa where she taught at Leander College in Toledo. But, here we come to the part that we don't know about and never will. Here was a woman who in youth and as a young adult was in the upper-class of the country, extraordinarily educated and of a refined, prosperous and genteel background, and yet she came to Flagler in 1907 to homestead 8 miles northeast of town on a parcel that in future years becnme part of the Baxter ranch. We know that she fulfilled the requirements of homes- she died. The house is now the Lester Loutzenhiser residence. Her home had many works of art and craftsmanship she had secured in the Orient and another feature unique in Flagler homes. A small, sunny room with southeast exposure was an aviary in which she had dozens of birds, many of them one-of-a-kind, most of them ofa singing variety. She and her friends used to enjoy watching and listening to them and many a youngster in the community would come by to see them and, incidentally, get a plate of cookies and a glass of milk on a near-priceless piece of hand-painted china from Japan. Nothing but the most serious illness would keep Miss Cronise from Sunday morning Church services. She, along with others who had homesteaded in about that period, was a charter member of the Congregation Church and one of it's staunchest supporters. In her ankle-length dresses of pale blue or grey, Miss Cronise was a part and permanent fixture in the community. She died in Flagler in her 87th years, on March 1, 1949. She loved the land, the high plains, the people and her life there. Given the advantages ofher youth, it is a little difficult to fathom why. Her grave in the Flagler Cemetery is near many of the other early pioneers and her close friends, and it just may be that relationship to old and dear friends made her feel that Flagler, and only Flagler, was home. by Donald Page CUCKOW, LEROY Fl4t When Leroy Cuckow (pronounced Cuckoo) died on April 4, 1942, the Flagler News teaders to "improve up" her property and received title to same. We know that she had to live in almost primitive circumstances to do so. But why? Once in a conversation with Fred Page she hintcd that she had once planned marriage but that the gentleman involved changed his mind. At any rate, she never married and the real reason for leaving the collegiate, refined and prosperous region ofher birth for a 160 acre dry-land homestead was and will always remain known to her carried the standard-type obituary and concluded that, although he was an eccentric, he had many friends, was honest, etc., etc. One is tempted to point out that saying Cuckow was "eccentric" took fully as much journalistic courage as saying the Pope is Catholic. For Cuckow was eccentric and in retrospect one is suspicious that he enjoyed if not revelled in that eccentricity. Born in Wisconsin and educated in South Dakota, he saw alone. Manila Bay, was mustered out in 1899 and almost immediately came to Flagler (1900, to be exact) to homestead. His quarter Section was across the road from the Kliewer place and shared one-fourth of the Section homesteaded by Fred Page. Cuckow (few ever referred to him by his first name and all pronounced it, as did he, as Cuckoo) built his homestead shack much the way many did half was dug-out from a small hillside and part then the upper completed with sod. The roof, in all probability, was of planks with sod laid over those planks. Any remnant of that shack has long since disappeared but one story of when he lived there remains firm in my memory. One day Fred Page went by the shack and noticed dozens upon dozens of empty baking powder tins laying in the dirt outside the shack. "How", he asked, "could Cuckow use so much baking powder?" "Hell", said the ever-profound if not profane one, "Ijust learned that I was supposed to be putting flour in with the baking powder and water from now on I won't be using near After gaining her homestead, Miss Cronise, as she was always to be known to each and all, including friends of her own age, stayed in Flagler; but in short order joined her Congregational Missionary organization again, this time to go to Japan. Close friends would hear Miss Cronise give graphic and wonderful descriptions of Japan and - land a people that she dearly loved. Loved enough to learn their language so that she could communicate adequately with them. She did not appear to have the same affection for the land and the people of Africa. She taught English in Yokohsma and Nagoya but, as mentioned, could also communicate with her students in their own language. On her trips back to the United States in about two decades of missionary service in Japan, she would inevitably come back to Flagler and, in the late 20's or very early 30's, came back home to stay to Flagler. She taught English for a few -years in the high school and built the home across the old Baptist Church that would be her home until battles in the Spanish-American War at - as much." �Scratching at the earth wasn't really Cuckow's dish of tea, however. In the early 1900's he started a Garage business in Flagler which later turned into a parts shop. In the 1920's and 30's he sold Case tractor parts, an honorable enough business proposition but somewhat fiampered by the fact that there were precious few Case tractors or other implements in or around Flagler. His shop, on Main Street, now occupied by Steven's Garage, undoubtedly saw days when less than a dollar changed hands. Cuckow lives at the back of the shop which had somewhat primitive toilet facilities but, you can be certain, no bathtub. Or at least you would have been certain if you had had occasion to visit Cuckow in those days. Then there was Cuckow's dog whose na-e, unfortunatply, is lost to history. It would be unfair to say that this dog was of indeterminate breed as there were probably 50 or 60 separate breeds in that mutt. The dog was about knee-high and the only adequate description of him would be that he was a scroung'y, flea-bitten mutt but all of that is quite beside the point -because Cuckow loved him and would tell any and all who would listen that the dog had extraordinary intclligence. For instance, the dog (according to Cuckow) heartily disliked Republicans and could distinguish them by smell. A familiar sight on a Saturday evening was Cuckow and his dog slowly walking up the street to the theater where Cuckow would lay down the 15 or 20 cents that it then cost to go to the movies and he and his dog would then go in and watch it. The following Monday Cuckow could tell all visitors not only what he thought of the movie but what his dog thought of it. At any rate, sometime in the 30's the Republicans arranged to rent the theater, mid-week, for a big election year rally (probably Alf Landon versus FDR in 1936). Cuckow claimed that his dog wouldn't set foot in the theater until they fumigated it and, as far as recollection serves, he did not. Cuckow had many dislikes or pet-peeves. He was outspoken about two in particular, however and they were W.H. Lavington, the town banker and without question the richest man in the community and the other wag women in general and "high school girls" in particular. The term high-school girl, understand, included anyone under 30. It is not "character" to satisfy the whole town and western end of Kit Carson Countv. in the fall. by Donald Page CURE - POOLE FAMILY works at home. She also officiates volleyball Er42 Bill was born in Burlington, Colorado. He was the sixth of eight children born to Bunny and Ernie Cure of Stratton. St. Charles Academy was the site of Bill's first six years of education. Continuing his schooling at Stratton Public School, Bill became a member ofthe football, wrestling and track teams. As a senior, Bill was na-ed to the All-State Football f,sam, became State Heavyweight Wrestling Qlampion in helping the team bring home the State Championship and placed second throwing the shot-put at the State Track Meet. He graduated in 1974. During the years following Bill became engaged in farming and ranching with mem- bers of his family. The second of four children. Janet was born in Oklahoma in 1961 to Jim and Nora Poole. They moved to Bethune in August, 1964, where he (dad) accepted the position of superintendent of schools. Janet received all Dex and Sadie Poole, daughter of Janet's older brother Dave, share the sarne "lucky" birthdate, Friday the 13th, February 1987. Bill is still farming and ranching with his brothers Ed, Mike and John. His sisters include Jane Hubbard of Hugo, Kay Unrein of Eaton, Colorado, Mary Bohnen of Stratton and Theresa Cure of Aurora, Colorado. Presently, Janet's brother Dave and his family Janet, Sara and Sadie are in Homestead, Florida. Dave is in the Air Force training to be a fighter pilot in the F-4 Phantoms. Her sisters are Sharon Green of Simla, Colorado and Kristy Liming of Kirk, Colorado. by Janet Cure DANIEL - KYLE FAMILY It was Aug. 7, L954, that Raymond and I were married at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton. Colo. Raymond Urban Daniel was the youngest twelve years of education under the watchful eye of her dad! Participating in many activi- son of Frank and Gertrude Daniel, his two older brothers being John and Robert. He was born April 18, 1925 at Burlington, Colo. and spent his childhood on the farm with his ties, including volleyball, basketball, track family five miles south of Burlington. This and cheerleading she graduated valedictorian in 1979. Two years later, Janet transferred farm was where his Grandfather John Daniel came to in 1906 from Crete, Nebraska, and being a carpenter, he built the house and barns that are still on the place. Raymond and his brothers spent many hours playing in the hay mows of the barns and it is told that one of them made some wings and tried to fly out the hay mow door and consequently suffered a broken arm. It was on very rare occasions that the family ever missed Sunday from Colorado State University, Ft. Collins to the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. Graduating with a teaching degree in 1983, she accepted a position teaching kindergarten in Burlington. In December of 1983, Bill and Janet were mamied. Blessed with their first son, Luke, in March 1985, Janet continued teaching, but only half-time. Dex was born almost two years later. Janet has since resigned and Mass. Raymond attended school in Burlington and graduated in 1943. He did spen ' difficult to conclude why the poor dislike the rich (and Republican to boot), but the source of hie hatred for women lies buried with the man. If he had ever loved but lost, he didn't divulge the fact to anyone. On any given spring or summer day, however, you could find Cuckow at the front of his shop uttering low-down remarks about "high school girls." One short ditty that was current in those days was attribut€d to Cuckow but was unquestionably written by someone else - Cuckow never ghowed any such literary "f,slslf,s" at any rate, it went like this: The gum chewing girl and the cud-chewing cow, yet, different gomehow Somewhat alike - it now Ah! yes, I remember It's the intelligent look on the face ofthe cow. Well, every family should have in it's background some ancestor who qualifies as a real "character". A small town is very much like an extpnded family and one Leroy Cuckow, born Nov. 9, L872, qualifies as a predecessor or ancegtor with enough Fl43 Christmas 1987, BiU and Janet Cure with their children, Luke and Dex. � 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- C Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of the founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with the letter "C." 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. Histoy 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>

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https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/460/Families-D.pdf f431ccbf3424cef5e314f08b53c34427 PDF Text Text Scratching at the earth wasn't really Cuckow's dish of tea, however. In the early 1900's he started a Garage business in Flagler which later turned into a parts shop. In the 1920's and 30's he sold Case tractor parts, an honorable enough business proposition but somewhat fiampered by the fact that there were precious few Case tractors or other implements in or around Flagler. His shop, on Main Street, now occupied by Steven's Garage, undoubtedly saw days when less than a dollar changed hands. Cuckow lives at the back of the shop which had somewhat primitive toilet facilities but, you can be certain, no bathtub. Or at least you would have been certain if you had had occasion to visit Cuckow in those days. Then there was Cuckow's dog whose na-e, unfortunatply, is lost to history. It would be unfair to say that this dog was of indeterminate breed as there were probably 50 or 60 separate breeds in that mutt. The dog was about knee-high and the only adequate description of him would be that he was a scroung'y, flea-bitten mutt but all of that is quite beside the point -because Cuckow loved him and would tell any and all who would listen that the dog had extraordinary intclligence. For instance, the dog (according to Cuckow) heartily disliked Republicans and could distinguish them by smell. A familiar sight on a Saturday evening was Cuckow and his dog slowly walking up the street to the theater where Cuckow would lay down the 15 or 20 cents that it then cost to go to the movies and he and his dog would then go in and watch it. The following Monday Cuckow could tell all visitors not only what he thought of the movie but what his dog thought of it. At any rate, sometime in the 30's the Republicans arranged to rent the theater, mid-week, for a big election year rally (probably Alf Landon versus FDR in 1936). Cuckow claimed that his dog wouldn't set foot in the theater until they fumigated it and, as far as recollection serves, he did not. Cuckow had many dislikes or pet-peeves. He was outspoken about two in particular, however and they were W.H. Lavington, the town banker and without question the richest man in the community and the other wag women in general and "high school girls" in particular. The term high-school girl, understand, included anyone under 30. It is not "character" to satisfy the whole town and western end of Kit Carson Countv. in the fall. by Donald Page CURE - POOLE FAMILY works at home. She also officiates volleyball Er42 Bill was born in Burlington, Colorado. He was the sixth of eight children born to Bunny and Ernie Cure of Stratton. St. Charles Academy was the site of Bill's first six years of education. Continuing his schooling at Stratton Public School, Bill became a member ofthe football, wrestling and track teams. As a senior, Bill was na-ed to the All-State Football f,sam, became State Heavyweight Wrestling Qlampion in helping the team bring home the State Championship and placed second throwing the shot-put at the State Track Meet. He graduated in 1974. During the years following Bill became engaged in farming and ranching with mem- bers of his family. The second of four children. Janet was born in Oklahoma in 1961 to Jim and Nora Poole. They moved to Bethune in August, 1964, where he (dad) accepted the position of superintendent of schools. Janet received all Dex and Sadie Poole, daughter of Janet's older brother Dave, share the sarne "lucky" birthdate, Friday the 13th, February 1987. Bill is still farming and ranching with his brothers Ed, Mike and John. His sisters include Jane Hubbard of Hugo, Kay Unrein of Eaton, Colorado, Mary Bohnen of Stratton and Theresa Cure of Aurora, Colorado. Presently, Janet's brother Dave and his family Janet, Sara and Sadie are in Homestead, Florida. Dave is in the Air Force training to be a fighter pilot in the F-4 Phantoms. Her sisters are Sharon Green of Simla, Colorado and Kristy Liming of Kirk, Colorado. by Janet Cure DANIEL - KYLE FAMILY It was Aug. 7, L954, that Raymond and I were married at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton. Colo. Raymond Urban Daniel was the youngest twelve years of education under the watchful eye of her dad! Participating in many activi- son of Frank and Gertrude Daniel, his two older brothers being John and Robert. He was born April 18, 1925 at Burlington, Colo. and spent his childhood on the farm with his ties, including volleyball, basketball, track family five miles south of Burlington. This and cheerleading she graduated valedictorian in 1979. Two years later, Janet transferred farm was where his Grandfather John Daniel came to in 1906 from Crete, Nebraska, and being a carpenter, he built the house and barns that are still on the place. Raymond and his brothers spent many hours playing in the hay mows of the barns and it is told that one of them made some wings and tried to fly out the hay mow door and consequently suffered a broken arm. It was on very rare occasions that the family ever missed Sunday from Colorado State University, Ft. Collins to the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. Graduating with a teaching degree in 1983, she accepted a position teaching kindergarten in Burlington. In December of 1983, Bill and Janet were mamied. Blessed with their first son, Luke, in March 1985, Janet continued teaching, but only half-time. Dex was born almost two years later. Janet has since resigned and Mass. Raymond attended school in Burlington and graduated in 1943. He did spen ' difficult to conclude why the poor dislike the rich (and Republican to boot), but the source of hie hatred for women lies buried with the man. If he had ever loved but lost, he didn't divulge the fact to anyone. On any given spring or summer day, however, you could find Cuckow at the front of his shop uttering low-down remarks about "high school girls." One short ditty that was current in those days was attribut€d to Cuckow but was unquestionably written by someone else - Cuckow never ghowed any such literary "f,slslf,s" at any rate, it went like this: The gum chewing girl and the cud-chewing cow, yet, different gomehow Somewhat alike - it now Ah! yes, I remember It's the intelligent look on the face ofthe cow. Well, every family should have in it's background some ancestor who qualifies as a real "character". A small town is very much like an extpnded family and one Leroy Cuckow, born Nov. 9, L872, qualifies as a predecessor or ancegtor with enough Fl43 Christmas 1987, BiU and Janet Cure with their children, Luke and Dex. �a little over a year in the army during World War II. I, Kathryne Louise Kyle Daniel was the seventh child of Loyal and Emma Kyle and my sisters and brothers were Mamie, Mildred, Evelyn, Lois, Robert, Thomas, and Imogene. I was born April 4, 1929 at the family farm thirteen miles northeast of Flagler. I remember how we all had to help with the chores such as milking cows, turning the seperator to seperate the cream from the milk, picking up cow chips to burn, helping our mother prepare dried corn, can the meat after butchering, rendering the lard and making soap. It was always eo much fun when we would get to go to a neighbor's house for dinner and really a treat when we got to spend the night with our cousins and for a number of years our family, the Sidney Huntzinger family and the Charles Kyle family always spent Christmas together because everyone was close by. We decorated our Christmas tree with cranberries and pop-corn we had strung on a string and had little metal candle holders that clipped on the tree to hold since we had no electricity. I attcnded grade echool at Liberty, a country school a half mile north from my home, and carried my lunch and water in little tin buckets. When I was ready for high school I had to stay in Flagler since there were no school buses and I graduated in 1947 and then went on to nursing school and graduated from St. Lukes Hospital in Denver, Colo. in 1950 and came to Burlington to work at Kit Carson Co. Memorial Hospital which was a pretty new hoepital at that time. I was the firgt Public Health Nurse in Kit Carson County and that was in 1953. Raymond and I both worked at the hospital aftpr we were married and in 1958 moved to Colo. Springs where Raymond worked at the Air Force Academy and then back to Burlington and in 1964 we opened Grace Manor Nursing Home. We and two other couples had built the home and we sold it in 1974. We moved to the Daniel farm south of town where Ra5mond had grown up and in the fall of L974 we both began working for the Burlington Public School. We had three children, Stephen who married June Radebaugh and they have children Staci and Brandon; Donald who married Glenda Borden, and a daughter Sue. Raymond died suddenly of a heart attack Jan. 5, 1984. by Kathryne Daniel DANIEL, VINCENT AND ALICE SULLIVAN Ft44 adobe house. That fall she began teaching at a small school 7z mile north of her homestead. Lonelinees contributed to Alice convincing her sister, Gertrude to come to Colo. and live with her. They were two lonely sisters, miles from a town, with no means of communica- tion. They did their grocery buying at a nearby trading post, known as Cole, Colo. The two girls met two Daniel brothers at a barn dance. In 1920, Alice married Vincent and Gertrude married Frank. Vincentmoved to the homeetead with Alice. Within the next few years their children arrived, 3 boys and 2 girls. In the early 40's they were forced to buy some more ground to add to the one-fourth quarter of homestead. They paid an average of $6.50 an acre for a section of ground. This allowed them to farm halfofit and have the other halffor cow pasture for a large herd of cattle. The family milked around 30 head of cows by hand. This allowed the money to buy their groceries, etc. We kids remember many hardships when we were VouB, like the dust storms in the 30's. The dust seemed to sieve straight through the windows. Our mother hung wet sheets over the windows to help catch the dust. Prairie fires would burn right up to the farm before they were whipped out by farmerg with gunny sacks. Then in 1942, the farm was hit by a tornado. The windmill was destroyed. Joe Williams, a neighbor, rode a horse over to the farm every day until he got the windmill rebuilt and set up. The children all went to school at Smoky Hill School from grades 1 thru 10. We rode a bus and thought it was a long route, maybe 50 miles long. May Blodgett, now retired, was one of our favorite teachers. Sunday was always the "Lords Day," on which we nearly always went to church. After church, we rushed home as our parents had nearly always invited some company for dinner. Our mother loved to cook big dinners with all the trimmings for her family and friends. In 1968, Alice's health forced them to retire at 75 years of age. They had a lovely home built in Burlington. She passed away in 1969, after surgery. Vincent has lived in nursing homee for several years, and now lives in a nursing home in Oregon. He is 91 years old and in good health. Two children passed away, Gerald and Margaret. Elizabeth and husband, John Cheslock, live in North Bend, Oregon; Gene and wife, Vera (Shade), live in Arriba, Colo. and Joe and wife, Mary Lue (Williams), live in Burlington. by Mr. and Mrg. Gene Daniel DAVIS FAMILY F145 In 1917, Frank Kelley gave up hig homestead 16 milee south and 2 east of Burlington. Thie homestead consist€d of a small 2 room adobe house and a hand dug well that you pulled your water up in a bucket with a rope. At that time Alice Sullivan, a couein of Frank Kelley, arrived here from Halmon, Illinois. She had heard that her asthma would be better in Colo. Alice took over the homestead and hired John Murphy and Henry Fansleu to build her a new 2 story E.G. Davis, Sr. Family It was summer in 1886. From the northeast, following the Republican river upstream from Alma, Nebraska, 3 covered wagons and some trailing livestock, approached the wide meadow in the valley. Elias Griffith Davis, Sr. had selected the location a year earlier. His doctor in Missouri had advised him to seek a higher, drier climate to benefit the health of his second son, E.G. Davis, Jr. who was "sickly". While looking for a location Davis was making one of his long trips from Missouri to Denver by rail. The route via. Cheyenne, Wyoming was the only rail Iink from Denver to the east. A fellow passenger was his friend and neighbor, Henry C. Brown. Most of their conversations relat€d to opportunities and problems afforded by the developing west. Brown's homestead was locat€d near what is now the corner of Colfax and Broadway in Denver. years later he was to build on this homestead his Brown Palace Hotel, which remains today one of the world's great hotels. Davis had the opportunity to settle on an adjoining claim. However he decided that he preferred ranching to mining. He also believed that a ranching environment would be a better place to raise a family than in the rowdy, frontier mining snmp of Denver only about a mile away. So saying good-bye to his friend Brown, he began the search for a location in eastern Colorado He finally selected the green valley ofthe little Republican River in an area soon to be open to homesteaders. The land was unsettled except for an occasional headquarters for a few large cattle outfits. These were located along the river to provide water for the thousands of cattle which grazed the uninhabited prairie. Davis' only neighbors were two such headquarters, the Tuttle ranch about 4 miles upstreem and the Cox ranch about the s"me direction down strenm. The long trek from Missouri began in 1885. E.G. Davies, Sr. was born in Abervale, South Wales, on Oct. 15, 1841, the son of John Davies, grocer. Davies attended college, studied music and taught singing in Wales before he made the decision to move to the new world. He became a pattern maker in Joliet, Illinois. Several years later he moved to Macon county, Missouri where he became a pattern maker in a railroad foundry. It is not known when or why Davies changed his name to Davis. He used the nn-e Davies on his marriage certificate and on his naturalization certificate. both in 1872. His petition to become a mason was signed Davies when he was 30 (18?1), but a dimitt issued by the sqme lodge dated Dec. 20, 1889 is signed Davis. There is not record of the use of the name Davies aftpr 1885. E.G. Davies married Leah Glass, daughter of John Glass in Glaston, Missouri on July 1, 1872. (John Glass, 73 lived in Glaston, Missouri. He was born in South Wales on Feb. 1, 1812. Leah Glass was born in Merthrtydvil, South Wales, on Aug. 27 , L847 .) To this union four sons were born by the time the decision was made to "Go West". Three farm wagons were purchased. Canvas tops were made and the wagons loaded with a small cook stove, several pots and pans, a table and chairs, tools, bedding, bookcase and books and other necessities. A plow was strapped to the side of one wagon, and a barrel of water secured to another. Supplies included staple groceries, grain for the horses il1d nrls grease for the wagons. Horace Greeley was preaching "Go West, Young Man." These pioneers were not all young, John Glass, 74, drove one wagon. Another was driven by E.G. Davis, Sr., 45, with his pregnant wife, Leah as passenger. The third wagon was driven by John Jay �Davis, 29, fost€r son of John Glass. None had ever farmed! Four Davis sons, John Glass, 11; Elias Griffith Jr., 9; Louis Glass, 7; and David Edmunds, 3, brought the population of the caravan to 8, Several weeks after leaving Miesoud the family stopped to spend the winter and to await the anival of Leah's fifth child at Abna, Nebr. The fifth son, Rosser Beynon Davis was born April 16, 1886 in Alma. The family raised hogs, traded cattle, harvested hay and planted a grove of walnut trees. Meanwhile E.G. Davis, Sr. drove on to their destination in Colorado. Two of the younger people accompanied him to the location which had been selected earlier. They scoo- ped out a dug-out where they lived while building a small sod house. They planted and fenced in a small field of feed for their livestock, then returned to join the family in Nebraska. by Wm. A. Davis DAVIS FAMILY was before telephones. Since there were no schools, the children were taught in the home, from books brought from Missouri. Soon a gchool district was organized and a school house built about six miles from the ranch. Then a school was built only three miles away. The younger children all "graduated" from the eighth grade. Welsh. By the early 1900's the German Settlement developed. They claimed most of the remaining land between the ranch and Sunday school, also was first held in the Davis home. then as other settlers arrived, it was rotated nmonB the various homes. Aftcr The names Adolph, Schlichenmayer, Weber, Schaal, Stolz, Stahlecker, Bauder, Dobler and others and were all very good friends of the Davis family. Elias Griffith Davis Sr. died at his ranch near Tuttle on Jan. 25, 1913. He is buried in Burlington. His was indeed a very active life. Morton was the first child in the family to attend High School which was located in Stratton. Annie was the first in the family to attend college. That was the Colorado State Teachers College (Now the University of Northern Colorado) in Greeley. the first school house was built, Sunday school was held there. E.G. Davis, Sr. was the first Sunday School Superintendent. He was later succeeded by Mrs. J.J. Pugh. Occasion- ally an itinerant preacher would stop by to preach. Later either the Reverend Mrs. Mary Bevier from Burlington, or the Reverend Mr. Peter Raemussen from Seibert would make the long trip by horse and buggy fairly regularly. E.G. Davis, Sr. and Leah were F146 ing towns and the whole countryside were noteworthy events. Early neighboring families included the Richards, Evans, Pugh, Corliss, Newberry, Burr, Woods and others. Many of these were Burlington. They were thrifty, hard working people who rapidly improved their farms. He led the way in the development of schools, churches, community life and government in the struggling new country. Leah (Glass) Davis died in Burlington on Jan. 5, 1935 at the age of88. Deeply religious, she was a loving mother, a resourceful leader and a stern disciplinarian who successfully raised a large fanily under unbelievably difficult circumstances. Leah is buried in Burlington beside her husband and father. members of the Congregational Church. For many years he served as Secretary for the E.G. Davis, Sr. Family Preparations were made for the final move to Colorado. John now 12, rode a pony to keep al Churches. When the Kit Carson county was formed, in 1889, the Gov. of Colorado appointed Davis to the original Board of County the ten head of cattle following the wagons. Griff 10 and Glass 8, walked the entire distance from Alna, to Tuttle driving a sow Commissioners. He was reelected twice and served as Chairman. By that time the Court House had been built, and all original county and her piglets. Times were unbelievably tough. Their only cash income for the first year cnme from the records were set up. Before the Courthouse was built the County offices met on the gecond floor of the F.D. Mann building. badger or wolf pelt. The bones were hauled to Haigler, Nebr. and sold for $8.00 per ton. Griff said they drove many, many miles over prairie searching for bones, and that it took an awful lot of bones to weigh a ton. For food the only staples were purchased: e.g., flour, salt and sugar and sugar or molasses. Flour cost $.75 for a 48# bag. Leah said she was not border of Cottonwood trees enclosed a 10 acre sale of buffalo bones and an occasional particular about the flour, but carefully select€d the brand which was packed in the best, and most durable bags, from which she made the childrens clothing. Crops failed every year until an irrigation syetem was perfected in 1892. Thereafter a fine stand of alfalfa yielded 3 or 4 cuttings per year, ercept when it hailed. John and Griff supplemented the family income by corking in the coal mines some 170 miles to the west. Glass worked as a cowboy for the Roy Best ranch near La Junta. Ed rode for the Cox ranch. Mail was received at the Tuttle Post office, it came by stage from Cheyenne Wells. Aft€r a few years the Pogt office was moved to the Davis ranch with E.G. Davis, Sr. as the post master. There was a counter with a snall grilled window. A drawer was provided for the stamps and cash. Several pigeon holes on the back wall held the patron's mail. The entire post office occupied a space about 5' X 5'in a corner of the Davis living room. The Post office in the home afforded the opportu- nity to visit with their neighbors most of whom called for their mail about once a week. When a letter came from "back eagt" it was proudly shared with the Davis'es and other neighbors. Much later the Weekly Kansas City Star or Capper's Weekly brought news from the outside world because ofcourse this by Wm. A. Davis Eastern Colorado assembly of Congregation- The ranch wae gradually improved. A farmst€ad. With their roots reaching the shallow, water bearing sand, they quickly grew to form a 75'high windbreak around the buildings, garden and orchard. The little sod house was replaced by a large two-story sod house in the north end of the grove. A huge milk room with an adjoining root cellar, was served by a pitcher pump which supplied fregh well water directly to the house. A nearby smoke house waa used for curing meat. A large concrete and wooden barn was built to replace the small rock barn which located north of the West pond. The new barn was home for many work horses and a purebred Shire stallion. Riding and driving horees, among them Liddy, Prince and Traveller were also stalled there. Haying was highly mechanized. Two mow- ing machines, two dump rakes, two buckrakes and a stacker operating simultaneously attracted many onlookers. The machines, of course, were all powered by horses. The horses were shod, mowing machine cycles sharpened and machines repaired in the ranch blacksmith shop. The Weet pond mentioned above was one of three small lakes formed by a dam at the east end of East Pond. Connecting the East and West ponds and extending southward was the South pond. With many fish, water fowl, muskrats, raccoons, quail and other wildlife, the headquarters assumed a part like appearance. this becnme a favorite picnic spot. Many family reunions were held here. The general public, too, ceme here for Sunday or holiday relaxation. Independence Day celebrations with people from neighbor- DAVIS FAMILY Fl47 E.G. Davis, Sr. Family The first son of E.G. Davis, Sr. and Leah, John Glass Davis was born in Macon county Missouri on April 3, 1873. Amelia Homrigaus was born April 19, 1878, in Tingly, Iowa. John and Amelia were married and lived on John's homestead near Kirk. They later moved to a ranch in Kit Carson county, then to Burlington when John was elected Sheriff. John died in Burlington July 25, 1930. Amelia died in Arvada, Colo. Aug. 5, 1930. Both were buried in the Kirk cemetery. Louis Glass Davis, son of John and Amelia was born near Kirk, June L7, L907. Louis married Margarette Johnstone ofVancouver, B.C. They have no children. "McGee and Lou" now live in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo). Eleanor daughter of John and Amelia, was born near Kirk, Dec. L3,19L2. Eleanor married J. Ross Mclaughlin (who died in Byers, Co. July 6, 1982). Eleanor now lives in Denver. Eleanor and "Mac" have one son, John Ross Mcl,aughlin born June 4, 1939. John married Margaret Elizabeth O'Rouke. Their children: James Ross, Dec. 24, 1965; and Margaret Amanda, July 18, 1970, live with the family in Florida. Elias Griffith Davis Jr., (Griffl was born Jan. 27,1876 in Macon county, Missouri. Zebna May Ackelson was born at Winterset, Iowa, Sept, 30, 1881. Zelma and Griff were married Dec. 23, 1901. They lived on Griffs homestead near Kirk where Willia- Ackel- son Davis, Aug. 5, 1903, and Violet May Davis, Jan 3, 1905 were born. 8.G., Zelma and the two children moved to Burlington in 1905, where Griff managed a Livery Stable. He was elected Sheriff in 1908, and served until 1914. Susan (she later changed to Suanne) on Feb. 26, l9[7; and Leah, Jan. 25, 1911, were both born in Burlington. Griff established the first Ford car "Agency" in �Burlington. He built a new building on Main Street and called the firm Griffs Garage (rhymed with carriage). Griff died, April 5, DAVIS FAMILY Fr48 1939; and Zelma died May 17, 1954, both were buried in the Burlington Cemetery, William A. Davis married Jessie Shaw (Feb. 26, 1902) on Oct. 25, L925. Jessie died in Denver on Nov. 4, 1977 and is buried in the Goodland Cemetery. Jessie and Bill have three sons. Jack Presley Davis born in Denver, Mar. 14, 1928. Jack married Wilma Daise in Goodland and theyhave one daughter, Cheryl Ann, Jan. 3, L952. Cheryl married Gene Schremmer, and they live in Hoisington, Ks. and have three daughters: Kristi,l-12-77 ; Danah 7 -980;and Jackie Sue, 1l-8-82. Jack and Wilma live in Goodland. The second son William Shaw Davis was born in Denver in April 6, 1931. Bill manied Evelyn Domingo in Mexico City. They have one daughter Jessica Dono- van Davis born May 2L, L969. They all live in Goodland. Eugene GriffithDavis, the third son of Jessie and Bill, was born in Denver, Jan 15, 1934. Gene married Evelyn Lohr and they have three children. Judith Ann married Mel Wagoner and they have two daughters; Heather, 11-10-76, and Nicole, 10-10-84. The Wagoners live in Colorado Springs. Donald Griffith Davis, 12-12-55, married Debroh Downen and they have three children; Jason 4-7-77, Summer, 8-27-78, and Tyler, 5-L-82, they all live on a farm near Burlington. Marlyn Jane Davis, (5-30-59), married David Eves and they have two sons: Joshua, S-25-84, and Jesse Davis 5-13-86. The Eves live in the Denver area (Littleton). Violet May Davis, "Vi", daughter of Griff and Zelma, married Earl G. Ormsbee and they have two daughters, Donna Coleen, 9-26-29; and Bonnita Rae. Earl "Hap" died July 13, 1963 and Vi died June 23, t975, both were buried in Burlington. Donna married Weldon Eugene Vance and they have two children; Robbie Lynn, 6-23-52 (manied Dave Fearon. They have a daughter: Kacy,6-5-71) and Michael Griff Vance, 11-6-56, (married Sharon Koop. Their children are Annie Renee and Griffith James). The Fearons live in Burlington and the Vance family live on a farm northeast of Burlington. Vi and Earl's daughter Bonnie married Lloyd Laudenschlager. They live in Edgecliff, Tex. They have two children; Shelley who lives in Denver and Wade Eugene who lives near Denver. Susan, Griffs third child, manied John Carmine and they have one son, Colton. John and Sue were divorced. Sue an invalid died in 1963 and is buried in Burlington. Colton married Evelyn Blakenship and they have three children. Colton Jr., 2-3-53, married Susan Fogal and they have two children: Michelle and Colton III; Christopher 10-25-55, unmarried; and Stacey Marie, 3-15-59, married to Randy Beintema and they have one son, Nicholas, 6-24-82. Colton and Evelyn were divorced and'each remaried. Evelyn (Mrs. Robert) Patterson and her children all live in Alemeda and San Joaquin counties, Calif. Leah, fourth child of Zelna and Griff married Robert Portennier, they have no children and live in Pueblo, Colo. by Wm. A. Davis E.G. Davis, Sr. Family Louis Glass Davis was born Aug. L2, L878 in Glaston, Missouri. Glass married Minnie Homm of ldalia. They lived on their homestead near Kirk. They have two children: Edgar and Roberta. Glass, Minnie, and Edgar are deceased and buried in Kirk. Edgar's widow, Ilda, lives in Kirk. Roberta (Davis) Ellison lives in Canon City, Co. Rosser Beynon Davis married Katherine Nowak and they have twin sons born Feb. 4, 1929. Katie died in 1967 and Rosser in 1978. Stanley Max Davis married Lucille Chalfant. They have two children: Brian Lee, 10-28-60, and Stacy Winn, 1-15-63, they all live in Colby, Ks. Russell Elias Davis married Alene Marcum, they have three children: Michael Scott (who lives in Longmont), Kenton Lewis (married Teni Butts and they have two daughters Tessica Danielle and Leah Ann,and live on a farm east of Burlington), and Jennie Kay Davis who is married to Tom Swanson and has two sons: Jacob Keith and Dylan Elias, and live in Montrose, Colo. David Edmunds Davis was born July 24, 1883, in Glaston, Missouri. "Ed" manied Jennie Jones, 2-1-1883 of Hugo, Colorado. They have one daughter and four sons. Edith Viola born at Kirk, Feb. 5, 1909, married Leonard Fehrenbach and they have three children: Ruth Lavone Robertson, 3-16-28, Kenneth William (Bill), 6-2-31, and Robert Davis, 10-4-33. Leonard passed away and Edith lives in Stratton. The Sons were: Harry Edmunds born at Kirk, 8-24-10, died 4-3-11; Robert Griffith, 10-14-12, died at Stratton, 829-73; David Earl, 1-30-17, (married Jeanne Gowdy and they have four children: David Earl Jr., 11-20-46, lives in San Francisco, Cynthia Ann 8-9-49, lives in Arvada, and the twins Douglas and Debroah, 3-14-53); and Earl Jones born in Stratton, 5-15-22. Earl lived many years as an invalid and died in Stratton on March 26, L957. Morton Harrison Davis was born at Tuttle, 9-24-1888. He was the first white child born in what is now called Kit Carson county. Elizabeth Powell was born at Rhayder, North Wales on Feb. 1, 1889, and came to America in Jan. 1913. Morton and Betty were married June 27, 1917. Their daughter Beverly (5-20- 19) married Fred Geis of Julesburg, Co. Beverly and Fred have six children: John in Hanover; and Karen Betsy born 5-20-58, in Hollywood, Calif), Del and Betsy live in Northridge, Calif; and Lowell, the youngest son of Anna and William born 4-4-22, in Correctionville. He was a member of the United States Air Force when he was killed in action on March 24, 1944. The seven Davis children except Annie who lived in lowa, live and died in Kit Carson county. The seven children died in the order of their birth. Eight members of the 7th generation of the family live in Kit Carson county at this time. They are Kacy Fearon, Annie and Griff Vance, Jason, Summer, and Tyler Davis and Tyler and Michael Taylor. by Wm. A. Davis DAVIS FAMILY F149 John Glass John Glass (1812-1892) was 74 years old when he arrived at Tuttle.He was active in founding and operating the ranch with Elias Griffith Davis Sr. Born in Wales in a family of merchants with strong religious and moral values, he pioneered in several midwestern states before joining in the Colorado adventure. John Glass died at the ranch, Nov. 11, 1892. He is buried in the Burlington Ceme- tery. John Jay Davis, foster son of John Glass, accompanied the Davis familyto Colorado in 1886. He later returned to Missouri for a visit. This roundtrip of about a thousand miles must have taken at least 40 days by covered wagon. John Jay contributed greatly to the building and operation of the ranch. He later homesteaded in Yuma county. He never married. John Jay died on August 10, 1943 at Burlington. Born November 26, 1857, he spent exactly half of his life in each the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Jav is buried in Burlington. by Wm. A. Davis DAVIS - ACKELSON FAMILY Fr50 Owen,L-7-42; Juliann, 4-8-43; Leah Jean,68-44; Fred Lloyd, 1-46; Don Paul,5-2-47; and The following article appeared in "The Burlington Republican" in Jan. of 1902: Catherine Jane, 10-20-48. Elizabeth Powell Davis died April 23, 1949 at Goodland and "Another wedding in this burg and although the young party kept their intcntions somewhat secret, the near neighbors, to the number of thirty-five, young and old, got wind ofit and very kindly gave their presence and assistance to make the occasion an enjoyable one. This time itwas E.G. DavisJr., and Miss Zelma Ackelson. The ceremony wag performed in the house of the parents of the groom by Rev. M.A. Bavier. On Monday Dec. 23, 1901 about ten a.m. friends began to gather where social chats and songs were Morton died at Burlington on 10-5-79. Anna (Davis) Stelck was born May 25, 1889 at Tuttle, Colo. William Stelck was born Jan. L6, L877 at Moline, Illinois. Annie and William were married in 1911 and moved to Correctionville, Iowa where they raised four children: Helen (Dillon) born at Cushing, Iowa,l-2-L2, (She now lives at San Fernando, Calif.); Gerald W. born at Correctionville, Iowa 4-10-18. (Gerald and Mary Ellen have two children: Jane Ellen, 8-16-46, and Michael Lowell, 3-11-56, both born in Des Moines); William Ardell born at Correctionville, 8-30-20, (Del and Betsy have three children: Lisa Ann (Boeger) 8-17-46, born in Hanover, N.H.; Kristen Lynn,5-28-56, born indulged in. Mrs. A.B. Book very kindly presided at the organ. The climax was reached when at high noon she struck up a wedding march in such a masterly manner that the strains reached the ears ofthe bridal party in an adjoining room, who responded �t*'. : ji Griff Davis. The first Ford Agency in Burlington. by marching to the music and taking their places; little Annie Pugh leading them. Rev. Bevier then performed the services and tied the marriage knot in an impressive manner, ending with a fervent earnest prayer for Heaven's richest blessing on the union. Congratulations to the young couple were followed by a dinner. Songs were again rendered until late afternoon and Rev. Bavier dismissed then in another impressive prayer." began their life together . - Sowas Griff Davis born in Macon Co. Mo. on Jan. 27. 1876 and came to Colo. with his parents, Elias Griffith and Leah (Glass), five brothers and his Grandfather, John Glass. They settled on a pre-emption and tree claim on the Republican River near Tuttle in 1886. His sister Annie was born here. The buffalo were mostly gone by then, but Griff and his brothers drove a team and wagon many miles over the prairies gathering the bones to sell. There were plenty of antelope and lots of wild horses. Many times he chased a herd of these wild horses, and once in a while would capture a good one; but as a rule they were too light for farm work. Quite often they would trap the gray wolves that stalked the cattle and killed the young calves. Sometimes they sold the pelts and again they would tan them and make them into rugs. In 1898 he filed for his own homestead near that of his parents. Zelma May, daughter of Wm. and Susan Ackelson was born near Winterset, Ia., on Sept. 30, 1881. In 1893 she moved with her Irish father, Welsh mother, brothers and sisters, by covered wagon to Colo. where her father had filed on a relinquishment situated on the "divide" between the Republican and Arickaree rivers. After she and Griff were married they lived on his homestead for about five years, moving to Burlington in 1906 where Griff operated a livery barn on the north end of Main Street. They bought a small house and some land three blocks west of the livery, and soon enlarged and remodeled their home. This house is located at l7L4 Martin Ave. In November of 1908 Mr. Davis was elected sheriff of Kit Carson Co.. and served for three terms. He started Griffs Garage, later known as Davis Auto Co., a dealer and garage for the first Ford cars. He built his first building in 1913, later expanding it to its present size. This building now houses the Ben Franklin store at 469 14th St. He poured the foundation for his second building on April L7,LgI9, and this building is also still being used today as the business offices for The City of Burlington. It was known for many ye€us as "The Old Armory". They raised their four children William A., Violet (Mrs. E.G. "Hap" Ormsbee), Suzanne, (Mrs. John Carmine), and Leah (Mrs. Robert Portenier) in Burlington. Bill and his wife, Jessie (Shaw) made their home in Goodland, Ka. He and his sons Jack, Wm. S. and Eugene have been involved in the implement business as well as ranching and farmings. For many years Bill was very active in politics, and was honored by the citizens of Goodland in Sept. of 1982 with a "Bill Davis Day". Violet and her husband Hap lived most of their life in Burlington. Hap in business and law enforcement where he served as County Sheriff; and Vi in her beloved teaching. They raised their two daughters, Donna and Bonnie here. Suzanne, an invalid to arthritis, lived most of her life in Burlington, also spending some time with her son Colton in Calif. Leah and her husband Bob chose the Arkansas Valley as home, now living in Pueblo where Bob is retired from his Real Estate business. Griff and Zelma watched with much interest the growth of Burlington, the businesses, E. G. Griff Davis and hie bride, Zelma May (Ackeleon) Davis. the churches, and the schools. How pleased they would have been at seeing our three modern schools. Two of their daughters, Vi �and Leah were teachers in the county, and one of their great-granddaughters, Robbie Vance Fearon ie now teaching in Burlington. They both believed strongly in education and knew its vdue. Griff and Zelma ca-e to the new state of Coloradoas children in covered wagons. They attended school in a vacated "soddy", Griff using books his farnily brought with them from Missouri. They saw the wild horse herds running free acroes the endless prairie, and they watched the same prairies being fenced and plowed. How beautiful grandson Gene Davis fields of wheat and corn would seem to them ifthey could see them today. They saw the railroad cane to Kit Carson Co., and they brought the firet Ford car to Burlington. There were good times and bad, as there were for all the pioneers, but good or bad, there were always songs to sing, and a book to read, older girls were leaving home to work in Denver, generally in the houses of Capitol Hill, or to establish homes of their own. Other memories of these early days was of trips across the grasslands to the store at Friend with eggs which brought three cents a dozen but still an important income to purchase tea, coffee, sugar and sometimes a length of material for home sewing. The girls also helped with the gathering of buffalo chips for fuel and dried bones to sell. But all was not work. My mother and her sisters Elizabeth and Anna once accompanied their father on a trip by wagon to Denver and then on to Colorado Springs by way of Cherry Creek and down the valley of Monument Creek. The big thing was climbing Pike's Peak in their long white dresses and wide brimmed hats, high topped shoes, and carrying coats and enough food to see them and an Irish jig to dance across the kitchen floor. In later years, sometimes in the evening, Griff would sit at the kitchen table, peeling an apple so the skin stayed all in one long piece. He'd hand this to his grandchildren to eat as he told stories of the early days. Zelma doing supper dishes at the sink would add her through the day. . . and a long day it was! The clothing for this day's adventure had been packed in a trunk for safe keeping. Along the way they camped out, cooking memories to his. Stories about the large herds of cattle that grazed the country; there were no fences to hold them, just miles and miles 1900. of prairie grass. The country dances with Dave Manley playrng the fiddle; the young cowboys, Griff and some of his brothers nmoDg them, coming all dressed up, but taking off their guns before going in. The Camp Meetings, with the baptisms in the Republican River. The terrible blizzards, the terrible dust stotme, and the prairie fires; but he always ended every story with "I don't know of any place I'd rather live." by Donna C. Vance with their father nearby, and wearing calico dresses and sunbonnets. But it was adventure that not many girls had in about the year Early in 1900 my mother married John G. Davig and they first lived in a two story sod house which my father had built near Kirk; it still stands in 1986. There they set up F161 The grey wolves still howled on the prairies of eagtern Colorado when my mother, Amelia Homrighaus, came to Colorado from Tingley, Iowa with her parents, Louis and Elizabeth Homrighaus, to eettle near Kirk and not far from the old settlement of Friend. She was the second of four girls who ca-e with their parents by train and box car to Benkleman, Nebraska, and then on to their new home by wagon and horses. Later two brothers and a sist€r came to this pioneer family. Early recollectione of my mother were of the protection of the stock necessary at night to keep the wolves away. Even after a good rock barn and yards had been built, the horses and cattle had to be watched. As soon as the girls were old enough they homesteaded land near their parents and there were memories of long dark nights in their homegtead shacks sometimes frightened by storms or the howling of the wolves and coyotes. But they all stayed with it and later their land was farmed along with the exemption and tree claim of their parents. They had come to Colorado in the early 1880's and by the turn of the century, the these first picturesque structureg were replaced with frame buildings but there were many memories of the fun that went on at the first school. . . a meeting place for dances, box suppers, and the first polling place for the community-minded citizens. And there many a romance began and later children and grandchildren attended the school but in a few years only a pile of rocks, a bit of wall remained to remind them of their pioneer families. It is hard to separate the stories of some of these families according to county lines and it is interesting to know that my brother Louis has a Kit Carson County birth certificate and mine is Yuma County, but we were born in the same house. Corrections were made in lines over the years. A bit of the Republican River came to Kirk when the sod house was built from virgin sod turned near the river bottoms. And so it went as the country developed; fanilies of the area intermarried and started new families; gifts were exchanged in the families or among neighbors and so the lives ofthe people in the whole area beceme intertwined. In writing as a descendant ofthese people, I find it difficult to separate various facets of their lives. Memories don't stop at a line shown on a map! by Eleanor Davie Mclaughlin housekeeping and farmed the drylands. My brother, Louis, was born here in 1907 and I followed in 1912. But the lands of the Republican River called my parents and we went to the river to live around 1913 or '14. Their story there is told in another section of this heritage volume. Among the early memories of the Homrighaus girls, when not homesteading or working away from home was that of learning the household arts from their German born mother. She brought with her in steerage some fine linens and taught the girls sewing and handwork as soon as they were old DAVIS HOMRIGHAUS FAMILY beside the trail and sleeping under the wagon church. It was near Friend and the Homrighaus "kids" could walk to school. Lat€r enough. She had loved nice dishes, too, and n-ong the few things she kept with her on the long trip was a glass berry set, a bowl and 12 dainty serving dishes. Two remain in my possession to remind me of her, a lady I only dimly remember. Before coming to Colorado she had gathered other nice things to the family and they ca'ne the long way to the west where they were used and cherished at family DAVIS - POWELL FAMILY Fl52 Morton Harrison Davis, first child of Elias G. and Leah G. Davis to be born in Colorado, was born Sept. 24, 1888, on the Republican River in what was then Elbert County. As soon as he was old enough, he worked forthe Homm Ranch, first as awrangler, then as a rider on their Smokey Hill River range. He often spoke of his riding companion, Lew Beck. When he was of age, he homesteaded l,and adjoining the home ranch. He and brother Rosser took over the home ranch, having the first registered cattle and horses in the area. On June 27,L9L7, he and Elizabeth Powell gatherings and shared with neighbors and friends. Grandfather Homrighaus, only a memory for me of an elderly gentleman with a long flowing white beard, had carpentry training and he built a fine two story frame house on the exemption claim where the family grew and from where they spread their wings. The were married in Burlington by Judge Wyatt Boger. Elizabeth Lewis Powell was born Feb. 1, father along with farming the land. There was a pump organ in the family and the youngest brother, Charlie, played it well but was best known for playing accompaniments for dance mugic or singing. He and his brother went to dances far and wide in the countryside where they were well known for helping with farm work, especially at hawest time, and for their cowboying when they could be spared from Birminghnm, England. Here, as well as boys learned many handy arts from their the home pLace. This family all attended a school built in the community from rocks which made sturdy buildings and fences. The whole neighborhood helped with the school and a 1889, in Rhayader, Radnorshire, Norih Wales, the oldest daughter of David and Catherine Jane Lewis Powell. She spent her early life on a farm but after the death of her mother, she went into apprenticeship in a store and tailor shop in learning business methods, she learned tailoring and dressmaking. In 1911, her father'e cousin, John J. Pugh and his daughter, Leona, ofTuttle, Colorado, were in Wales on a visit. In January 1912, Elizabeth accompanied them back to Colorado. Many of the families had a number of daughters wishing to be stylishly dressed, so she stayed with each family while replenishing their wardrobes. There were quite a few wedding trousgeaus made over the years. Sometime in 1914, she was stricken with �acut€ appendicitis. There being no hospital, she went by train to Mercy Hospital in Denver where Dr. Scherrer of the Bar T Scherrer's performed the operation. Range land was being taken up by homesteaders, so Mr. Pugh had several people take up land he was grezrng with the agreement hewould buythem outwhen the parcels were "proved up - on". Her Homestead did not become a part of the "Tuttle Ranch", however, until the 1960's when Tom Price purchased it and the ranch of Morton and Elizabeth. After their marriage, they began life together on their joint homesteads, later purchasing a few adjoining parcels of land. Here they lived thru hail, drouth, dirt storms and a big flood of May, 1935, which wrecked havoc with the river ranches. Their only child, Beverly, was born May 20, 1919. After a brief teaching career, not in Kit Carson County, she married Fred Geis of Ovid, Colorado, in 1941. Elizabeth died in April, 1949. After selling the farm in 1964, Morton moved to the Hotel CoUing in Stratton where he lived for several years before moving to Burlington, where he died in Oct. 1979 at the age of 91. None of their descendants live in Kit The Ford Garage Ed Davie operated in Stratton Carson County. 3 granddaughters: Julie Jacobs, Jean Chadwick, Katie Van Deren; 3 grandsons: John, Fred and Don Geis; 7 great granddaughters: Linda Younger, Shelly Thomas, Colette Jacobs, Mandy Jacobs, Joni Geis, Tami Van Deren, Melody Hayes; 7 great grandsons: Frank and Bill Jacobe, Jo-es and Robert Chadwick, Donn and David Van Deren, Tristan Geis; 3 great greatgrandsons: Cole and Nickolae Younger, Eric Davis; 1 great greatgranddaughter: Nicole Thomas. by Beverly Geis DAVIS, ED AND JENNIE Ed and Jennie Davis This story told by David Edmunds Davis was recorded January 3, 1934. I was born on July 24, 1883 in Ethel, Missouri and moved to Alma, Nebraska with my parents. In 1886 we emigrated by covered wagon train to Tuttle, Colorado, where father located on a homestead. Our ranch was on the Republican River and we located a good spring from which we got water for some years. A good substantial sod house was built and additions made as our family grew. What education we received was by attending the little eod school house in the community. I helped my father and older brothers on the ranch until I was thirteen years old, then I went to work for Harry Cor, owner of the then fanous "Cor Fl63 Ed Davis with Fred Weibel in the Ford Garage office Ranch" and I worked for him for thirteen years. There were large herds ofcattle all over this county then, and no corrals or fences, During our yearly round-ups we had to stand guard over the cattle to keep them from stampeding or getting away. Each cowboy took his turn in standing guard for two hours each night. The regular crew employed at that time was ten or twelve men, but during the round-up and branding season we would have as high as eighteen or twenty. Each cowboy or rider had his own bed, blanket and clothing. I still have the mattress that I used during the time I worked for Mr. Cox. It is as good as ever, altho'a bit faded from repeated washings. That is about all I �have left of my range riding days. We always had plenty to eat and had good eats, too. I guess our riding made us hungry and food tasted good to us then. ofcourse, the standby was bacon or salt pork, but we usually had plenty of good beef too, and always plenty of beans and corn bread. There were no fences, no roads, nothing but cattle trails over these stretches of prairie. The country around the river is rather hilly and there was plenty of grass and water and good places to hide. We found some Indian skulls. lots of beads and an old rifle that we plowed up when we were making a dam on the river. It was in a clump of trees and was about four feet under the ground. This rifle was given to a J.W. Gardner who is now living at Hugo, Colorado. We found any number of arrow heads. I never saw any Indians or buffalo, but there were herds of antelope and a number ofgray wolves that got so bold they broke into a corral and killed some of the horses and colts. Lanterns were hung around the corrals to keep them out, but despite the lanterns, they broke in one night and killed a colt before the men could get out to the barns. This happened on the Tuttle Ranch. Wolves were never known to attack men, but they were bad on the livestock. The winters were very severe, and we had such terrible lightning and hail storms in the summer time. But we had to be out in all kinds of weather, so we got used to it. Good grub, plenty of exercise in the open air, and the care-free life we led kept us healthy and happy. Dancing was our chief amusement, and when a bunch of cowboys went to a dance, they went in full regalia: spurs, pistols and chaps. But we usually removed our spurs and turned over the pistols to the hostess before we began dancing. I did not dance much, but enjoyed the fun the others got out of it. We were always on the watch for prairie fires, for usually a fire was hard to control and it took everything in its path. One big fire started at Lusto Springs, north of Limon, and burned down to the Republican River. It kept us busy plowing fire guards to protect the ranch and feed stacks. The following story told by Jennie Etta Jones Davis was also recorded on January 3, 1934. I was born in Shelton, Nebraska on February 1, 1883, and cq-e to Colorado with my parents in April, 1892. We arrived at Limon by train and at that time Limon was composed of a hotel, the section house, a small store and post office and one or two houses. Father took a homestead sixteen miles north of Limon near Walks Camp and we built our sod house and settled down to live on the prairies. Hugo, Forty miles away, wan our nearest town and doctor, so we did not dare to get sick. We could buy no furniture, so Father made what we needed from packing boxes. Whenever we got newspapers we would put them on the walls, thus saving all reading matter, and keeping our house warm. We got our water from a well and from springs close by. We always enjoyed living water, and never had to drink from water holes like many another pioneer in this county. I remember of Mother selling eggs for three cents per dozen, and butter for three cents per pound. We could not get any more for it, and perhaps if it had been higher people could not have bought it, for there was very little money in the country then. When we first came to Limon the "trail herds" used to pass our place about a mile east of us, great herds of from five to eight thousand head of long-horn Texas cattle on their way north to Montana to grass and pasture for the summer. There was plenty of water near us, and the crew always camped there over night. There were usually about eighteen cowboys, a chuck wagon and the supply wagon. My brother-in-law worked with this outfit for three summers and we always felt interested in the trail herds. We have seen a steady line of cattle moving north from daylight to dark. I often think of the great herds that used to pass over the prairies where now there are fields or fenced pastures. As you know, there were no trails or roads or fences in those days, and it was so easy to become confused as to directions, and lose your way on the prairie. I was a little girl about twelve years old, as my brother was working in the field, I was sent to bring home the cows. I was riding horseback, and started out in plenty of time to get the cows home before supper-time. They had wandered rather far that day and it was hard to get them turned homeward until sunset and it got too dark for them to eat. By this time I did not know where I was, and drove the cattle in the opposite direction from home. It got cold and soon began to rain, so I got off my horse and put the saddle blanket around me. I had bare feet. as it was warm when I had left home and we always had to go barefoot as soon as weather permitted and save our shoes. I got so cold and frightened and did not know what to do. About ten o'clock that night my folks and some of the neighbors began hunting for me. They built a big bonfire on top ofone ofthe hills, and then took lanterns and followed the gulleys or draws, calling me all the while. When I saw the bonfire, I rounded up the cattle and started towards it, but soon came up to where my brother was, and Oh, how glad I was to see him. I know the night was no darker than many another night, but to me it seemed so dark and the prairies so big and lonesome. I was very fortunate in that a severe storm had not come instead of a gentle, drizzling rain. Through much planning, saving and hard study, I managed to get an education and became a teacher. I taught school at the Lanchman School, also known as the Regan School from the fall of 1905 until spring of 1908. I was teaching there when I met my husband, Ed. Ed and Jennie were married April 26, 1908. They homesteaded five miles southwest of Kirk, Colorado. While on the homestead four children were born there: Harry, who died in infancy, Edith, (Davis) Fehrenbach, Robert G., and David E. Their fifth child, EarlJ., was born in Stratton, Colorado. Jennie insisted that the children must have an education. The school in Kirk, five miles away wan not very good, so they moved to Burlington in 1917. Ed went in business with his brother Griff, in the Ford Garage. In 1920 they moved to Stratton where he operated the Ford Garage and was associated with The First National Bank. They resided in Stratton until their deaths.. Ed passed away May 13, 1967 and Jennie passed away November 18' 1967. by David E. Davis DAVIS, ELIAS GRIFFITH, II Fl64 I was born in Macon County, Missouri on Jan. 27, 1876 and went with my parents to Alma, Nebr. in 1865 for one year. My father Elias G. Davis and a cousin came out to Colo. in the late fall of 1886 and liking the looks of the country filed a pre-emption and tree claim on land along the Republican River bottom. Here they built a soddy and made ready a home for the family. My cousin returned to Nebr. for my mother, Leah Davis, my grandfather (my mother'g father) and we five boys in late March 1887. We traveled in covered wagons and drove ten head of cattle and 5 pigs. We went to Haigler, Nebr., then across to old Jacqua, Kan., then followed the Republican into Colo. We brought a few household furnishings, our bedding, some food supplies, and a small cook stove. After father proved up on the pre-emption, he took a homestead right across the road east of the old location. There was no railroad thru here then, and so our nearest trading point was Haigler, Nebr. or Wray, Colo. I never saw any buffalo; I guess they had been pretty well hunted out before we arrived. But there were buffalo bones on the prairies and we used to eather them and take them to Haigler to se'il for $8.00 per ton. There were plenty of antelope on the prairie and lots of wild horses that used to coax our domestic horses away. I have chased many a wild herd and once in awhile would capture a pretty good one, but as a rule they were too light for most farm work. We used to trap gray wolves and sometimes sell the pelts or tan them and use them for rugs. Our mail was brought from St. Francis once a week by a carrier with a horse and btggy, and was taken to the postoffice established on the Tuttle ranch. About a year later the postoffice was changed to our home and my father made postmaster. He held this position for several years. The mail was the brought from Wray, Colo. When the county was first organized, my father was appointed one of the members of the first county commissioners. There was no court house at that time, so the county offices were located in the west rooms of the N.R. Brown building (the first two-story building in Burlington). I remember once father asked me to go with him to Burlington and bring the team back home. I had no shoes presentable for town wear, as it would not be proper for the son of a commissioner to go to town barefooted. So mother solved the problem by letting me wear a pair of her shoes for the grand occasion. I remember how proud I was when I got to Burlington and displayed my button shoes to the admiring natives. Can you imagine a boy of today wearing his mother's shoes? I went to school in a vacated house about 6 miles from our home. We had homemade desks and benches and used books brought from Missouri and Nebr. Our first teacher was Miss Celia Miller, and the next J.F. Gilmore. We had a three month term of school at that time. Later a sod school was built and the regular desks installed. Sunday school was held in the homes of different neighbors in the community until after the school was built, then we held our �meeting there. We had church once or twice a year. We were always glad when a traveling minister came along. Later the Rev. Peter Rasmussen and Rev. Mary Bevier both preached in our community, driving long distances to do so. I remember a young girl died and the funeral sermon was not preached until several months later, as there was no minister near tur. We moved to Burlington later and I married Zelma Akelson. We have 4 children. I served two terms as County Sheriff and was engaged in the garage business several years until I sold to the Reed Bros. by Janice Salmans DAVIS, JOHN AND AMELIA Fl66 The two story frgme home built on the John Davis Republican River Ranch, northwest of Burlington, in 1913. This picture shows Amelia Davis showing her new home to visitors, possibile some of her sisters. A screened in porch does not show in this photo. It was used as protection against rattle snakes for young daughter going on two years. was the oldest of the family and he had ridden The ranch buildings and tree plantings were placed below the rock rim of the drylands to the north of the river and on a stead sit€ ahead of the rest of the family, leaving them behind near Alma. A sister of immediate farmyards. Rattlesnakes were plentiful in the beginning and I spent my first Leah's lived nearby and helped the ggghring: family. The men built a soddy home and some outbuildings and prepared for the arrival of the rest of the family in the summer of 1887. On this river land the brothers and their sister grew to adulthood, working on the ranch or about the community as work could be found. By the turn of the century the young men of the family were seeking land of their own away from the river ranch of their parents, most of them establishing homes and families. One brother stayed with the old ranch until its ruination by the flood of 1935. My father, John, first farmed on the drylands near Kirk where he built a two story sod house, still standing. He married Anna Homrighaus, of a pioneer Kirk family but she Taken in the meadow at the John Davis Republican River Ranch in the summer of 1916. Eleanor Davis (left) and Louie Davis (right) ages 4Vz and. 10 years. Ranch My paternal grandparents, Elias G. Davis and Leah Glass Davis cnme from Macon Co., to the Republican River Valley in 1887, settling near the old post office of Tuttle, nestled on a rocky hillside above the river. Grandpa Davis had visited the site of the preemption claim before bringing the family west by covered wagon and he had chosen to settle near the river where a tree claim was planted. He had also observed the lush grasslands along the river and in time 'haying'was a part ofthe ranching operation. There were six of the Davis brothers, the fifth being born near Alma, Nebraska in a dugout home on the move west. Later the last brother and a sister to join them in the soddy home on the Republican. My father, John, year around. My mother was a famous cook! horeeback or walked the miles from Missoud, herding the livestock along the way. He and one or two of the brothers and their Grandfather Glass went with Elias to the home- died of diphtheria after only five months as a bride. A few years later, Amelia Homrighaus, a sister of Anna's married John and they also lived in the two story sod house. There my brother, Louis, was born in 1907 and I followed in 1912. My parents farmed the in the Kirk area for several years but the river lands called them and they moved to the Republican River northwest of Burlington, near the post office of Hale. I was a year old when they built a lovely frn-e farm house, substantial farm buildings, planted windbreaks, an orchard and gardens and established an irrigation system from the river. Two gardens were part ofthe homestead. one near the house and the other near the orchard area. One of the delights of this garden system was an extensive strawberry bed, the fruit of which we loved, the work we hated: picking the fruit in quantities was not a favorite chore but we loved the shortcakes, the bowls of berries with thick crearn, fresh strawberry ice cream for the ranch had an icehouse, and the preserves that appeared on the table almost bench above the meadowlands south of the year or so at the ranch in a big screened porch built across one side of the house . . . there wasn't time to watch my activities all hours of the day. As time passed the unwelcome rattlers were thinned out near the buildings but always made their homes in the rimrocks to the north. Watchful eyes were always out in the gardens, potatoe patches, the farmyard and especially at haying time in the meadows. 'Haying' was a big part of the ranching operation, furnishing feed for livestock but farming was also diversified and corn crops were also raised for ensilage to fill the big cement silo and alfalfa supplemented the native hay of the meadows. My parents were early pioneer cooperators of the Extension Service. Land was looked after, animals raised by suggestions of the specialists and hundreds of cans of food were put up, following safe methods of the service. I have many memories of the haying time when neighbors arrived to help, later to be helped in their operations. There was bustle in the kitchen where plentiful and wonderful food was prepared for the crews, and the farmyard was a busy scene with the coming and going of men, horses and machinery. I longed to go into the meadows for a closer view of all that went on. But that was forbidden and I could only watch from the yard while my brother hustled about keeping the men supplied with cool jugs of water from the well house. Memories of haying time are kept fresh by the accompanying picture of my brother and me taken by a friend of the family's out from Burlington for a Sunday visit. She chose to pose us in the delightful setting of the meadow grasses and take a snap of the Davis 'kids'. The days of living on the ranch were over by the early twenties when we moved to Burlington where my brother and I went to school and our father became the second of �the Davis brothers to serve as sheriff of Kit Carson County. by Eleanor Davis Mclaughlin DAVIS, MABEL DAVIS, ROSSER AND KATIE Fl67 Fl56 fanily was school. He received his education at the Tuttle school which was held in an abandoned homestead house. In 1907, when Rosser was twenty-one, he filed for his own I em Mabel, the middle one of nine children, born of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. (Jimmie) Winfrey. I was born June 1, 1918, on their homestead which was located about 3 milee south of the Republican River where the Bonny Dam is now. It was Yz mile eouth of the Kit Carson and Yuma County line. I remember how long the 2L miles into Burlington seemed in our Model-T Ford. In those days cousins grew up knowing their coueins as most of them lived within walking distance of each other, not so today. Even though my parents had six boys, I *e1s eyslalls a lot and worked in the fields with two. four or sometimes six horse teems. My pride and joy was my saddle horge nnmed Spot. I rode him a lot and onejob was to bring the cows in from the pasture. My dad used to call me his cowboy. We milked lots of cows by hand, morning and night, and all of us had a part in that sooner or later. I attended lst through 8th grades at the Cook School, 3 miles north. We rode horseback, took the horse and buggy or sometimes walked. I went to Idalia, Co. for the 9th grade. The lfth grade I went to Happy Hollow, a country school 4 miles south, which taught first through 10th grade. My 1lth grade year, I stayed in Burlington, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Royden Hook and worked for my room and board. They were a nice family with 5 children so it seemed like home. My senior year, I went back to Idalia. My younger sister, Lola, was ready for the llth grade so we lived in a house at the Helling farm about 1 mile from the school, (which was in the country south and east of the town then). We walked back and forth and were the school janitors to help pay our tuition. That was in the "dirty thirties", so lots ofyou know our job wasn't an easy one. But this gal was determined to get her high school diploma and she did. I graduated in 1935 from Idalia, Co. On April 17, 1938, I married Wade Davis, a good guy, who was born and raised in Kanarado, Ks. He worked for the Co-op and was the manager of the gas and oil station for 23 years. We raised five sons: Gerold, Gail, Richard, Jimm and Neil. The first four homestpad located in the breaks north of the Republican River. Except for working for a few ranches in the Stratton and Tuttle area in his youth, Rosser's entire life was expen- ded ranching and farming for himself. Katie Nowak was born near Seneca, Kansas, on December 24, L896. In 1910, Katie journeyed by train to Burlington with her mother, brothers, and sisters. They arrived on Thanksgiving Day and joined the children's father, Max Nowak, who had home- steaded shortly before on 320 acres ofland 15 miles northwest of Bethune. During the first years on the homestead the family members spent any spare time they had gathering cow chips for fuel. They also had to learn to be constantly on alert for rattlesnakes - something the Nowaks had not been accustomed to in eastern Kansas. Katie received most of her education in Katie and Rosser DAvis with twin sons Stanley on left and Russell on the right. Picture was taken in Iate 1929 or early 1930. Remembering his younger days, Rosser laughed when he said, "The parents of my good wife, Katie, homesteaded in our pasture. They made us take down our fences." It was several years after Katie's parents had staked out their homestead that Katie Nowak came to work for Rosser and his mother on the old home ranch. An aged ledger book shows that in January of 1920, Katie was receiving only eighteen dollars a month, but by fall her wages had been raised to thirty dollars a month. No records are available for 1921, so one can only speculate that Rosser thought it would be cheaper to marry Katie. At any rate, on September 30, 1921, Rosser and Katie secretly went to Denver where they were manied, much to the surprise of family and friends. Thus began Mr. and Mrs. Rosser Davis' loyal marriage that lasted forty-six graduated from Kanarado. In May 1965, we sold our home in Kanarado and moved to Burlington. At that time I was employed at Mac Lloyd's Clothing Store, which is now the Men's Shop. Wade was and still is the sales representative for the Memorial Art Co. of Salina, Kansas. Neil needed to finish his schooling but it was rumored the Kanarado School would be closed. It was a few years later. Our sons are now all married so now we have four daughters-in-law, 14 grandchildren years. Rosser was born near Alma, Nebraska, on April 16, 1886. His parents, Elias Griffith and Leah Glass, along with his five older brothers, with Grandfather Glass, and with an orphaned cousin, John Jay Davis, had started west whole gang", very much. This is 1987 and my sister, Lola Rhoades, and I are the only ones of the nine member family still residing in the Burlington area. raska, in the late fall. The winter months were spent with relatives who lived there. Soon after Rosser was born the party pushed on. by Mabel (Winfrey) Davis settled on a pre-emption and on a tree claim and 5 step-grandchildren. We enjoy "the on the south fork of the Republican River not far from Tuttle. Rosser grew to manhood on this ranch. When he and his brother, Morton, were boys, they caught two young antelope, a buck and a doe, and raised them on cows' milk. These antelope were fanily pets for several years until they ran away with a large herd of antelope that happened by. Another facet of Rogger's life as a youngster in his from Macon County, Missouri, in 1885. The traveling party included three wagons, a few cows, and even some chickens and hogs. The group forded the Missouri River then went west overland till they reached the Republican River, in south central Nebraska. They followed this river and reached Alma. Neb- When the baby was six weeks old the travelers reached their destination. They Kansas; however, she did graduate from the eighth grade at the Tuttle school near the Harvey Wood ranch. Sometime after finishing the eighth grade and before being married Katie took a course at Barnes Business School in Denver. Although she might have worked a short time for a lawyer in Burlington, Katie primarily labored as a hired girl on the nearby ranches. Miss Nowak grew to young womanhood in the Tuttle community where she took an active part in community affairs and social events. Rosser and Katie lived on the Davis ranch close to the Republican River until 1935 when a Memorial Day flood took the lives of many of their cattle, horses, and hogs. The flood also destroyed most of the haying equipment and ruined the hay meadows. After this disaster the Davises moved to a rented ranch south of the river. Then in 1942, they purchased a new farm and home east of Burlington where they resided until retiring and moving to town in 1960. Rosser and Katie raised twins, born in 1920. Stanley is involved in veterinary supply sales and now lives in Colby, Kansas, with his wife. the former Lucile Chalfant. Russell married Alene Marcum of Las Animas in 1951. They have farmed and ranched in the Burlington area since their marriage. In 1915, Rosser and his brother, Morton, started a registered Hereford cattle herd. The two also raised registered Clydesdale horses, and at one time owned an aged stallion that had been a champion at the Chicago International Livestock Show when he was a young horse. The brothers'partnership was terminated sometime in the 1920's. Rosser dispersed his registered horses in 1934; however, he was involved with Hereford cattle until his retirement. Katie passed away after a lingering illness in 1967. Rosser lived an active life until shortly before his death in 1978. They were �both laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. by Russ Davie DAVIS, RUSS AND ALENE Fl68 brother Stan, started school at the Tuttle School which was then located about 1% diversified because sometimes it's rather miles north of the Harvey Wood ranch. In the fall of 1934, when they were five years old, much too young to start the first grade, they started school. Even in those days, state or county aid was available to only those who an agricultural base. qualified by having so many students. In the spring of 1935, they were flooded out by the Memorial Day flood and then moved to a ranch south of the river and 13 miles northwest of Bethune. The next seven years, they attended school at District 22 which still stands 12 miles straight north of Bethune. In L942, they moved to a farm 4 miles east of Burlington. They graduated from Burlington High School in 1946. Russ then joined the U.S. NaW serving most of the next two years at the Naval Air Station at Corpus Christi, Texas. Soon after being discharged from the Navy in 1948, he enrolled at Colorado A & M which he attended until spring of 1951 when he and Alene were maried. Their mariage was at the Presbyterian Church in Las Animas on June 3, 1951, the hard to ride the "booms and busts" with onlv by Russ Davis DEVITT . GEMMELL FAMILY Fr59 ss-e day that Jim Gernhart held his first funeral here in Burlington. Those that at- tended the wedding missed the event that attracted national news coverage. Gene Penny stated that he missed out on being a pallbearer because of going to the wedding. Through the years, Alene and Russ have kept busy raising a family, farming, and etaying active in community affairs. They are both active in the Methodist Chuch where they are both on the board. They are also members of the Caroueel Toaetmast€rs Club and both enjoy traveling whenever they can. Besideg raising a family, Alene is interested Alene and Rusg Davig still smiling after nearly 36 years of marriage. Taken in March 1987. in reading, playrng bridge and oil painting. In the post war years ofthe late 1940's, the ratio of men to women students at Colorado A & M College in Ft. Collins was around 9 to Burlington Woman's Club, Pink Ladies and the United Methodist Women. For the past 36 years, Russ has been farming and ranching. He raised Registered Polled Herefords from 1952 until dispersing in 1967. He also started irrigating in 1957 and began raising 1. Withthis statistic in mind, Russ Davis wag quite relieved when a fraternity brother had arranged a blind date for him with Alene Marcum, a quiet blue-eyed Kappa Delta, for the Alpha Go-ma Rho spring formal dance. This was how Alene and Russ became acquainted in the spring of 1949. Alene was born in Lamar, Colorado to Floyd and Jennie Marcum who now live in Las Animas, Colorado. She was reared in Prowers and Bent County where her father farmed & her mother taught school. Alene graduated in 1947 from Bent County High School. That summer, she attended La Junta Jr. College and earned an emergency certificate. She then taught school for one term at a rural school in Bent County. In the fall of 1948, she enrolled at Colorado A & M which she att€nded for a year and then transferred to Colorado State Teacher's College much to the relief of Russ as the ratio at Greeley was even. After a year there, she taught the fourth grade at the Helen Hunt Elementary School in Colorado Springs for one year. She then moved to Burlington because she and Russ were married in 1951. After living in Burlington for a year, she was again employed a kindergarten teacher for Burlington schools. Rws was born in Stratton, Colorado, one of twins, to Rosser and Katie Davis. The first six years of his life were spent living on the old Davis Ranch along the Republican River northeast of Stratton. He, along with his twin She has been active in Modern Homemakers, Mae and Alex Gemmell. 1947. sugar beets in 1958 which was the second year they were raised in Kit Carson County. He had beets every year until the sugar factory at Goodland was closed in 1985. In the early years of their maniage, Russ helped in 4-H, was a volunteer fireman, member of the Lion's Club and Soil Conservation Board. In the late 1970's and early 1980's he was on the Kit Carson County Planning Commission. From 1974, until sugar beets were no longer grown in the Burlington area, he was a director of the Mountain States Sugar Beet Growers Board and was on the Great Western Growers Joint Research Committee from 1975 to 1980. He is presently serving as president of the board of the Burlington Equity Co-op and is on the board of the United Farmer'g Marketing Association. Alene and Rws have three children. Mike and Ken farm with Russ on the Davis farm east of Burlington. Mike attended college and worked around the Boulder area for several years. Ken married Terri Butts of Edson, Kansas. They have two daughters, Tess and Leah. Jenny married Tom Swanson of La Junta. They live in Montrose, Colorado and have two sons, Jacob and Dylan. Russ and Alene feel that Kit Carson County has been good to them. They hope that in some small way they have given something back in return. It's their hope that the economy in the county can become more Dad's home in Stratton. Alexander D. Gemmell was born June 25, 1879 in Moosic, Pennsylvania. He had six sisters. At age 21 he went to Stratton, Colorado to try ranching or some other work. He settled in Stratton because he had an aunt and uncle living on a homest€ad two or three miles south of town. They were Archie and Bessie Dargavall. One of the first jobs Alex had in Stratton was working as a helper drilling wells with a Mr. Messinger. Mary (Mae) Alice Devitt, born November 13, 1889 on the south side of Chicago, had three brothers and two sisters. Her father passed away when they were young. She and her family moved to Stratton for her sister �Hazel's health. They thought she had quick consumption, which we now know as tubercu- losis. Her three maiden aunts came with them. They settled on a homestead about three miles west of town and south of Rock Island Railroad. I don't know their reasons for settling in Stratton. One of her three aunts, Mary Murry, married the postmaster Joseph Smith in 1903. Another aunt, Elizabeth, was a dressmaker and the third aunt, Helen, taught at the public school. Mary and Joe Smith owned and operated a hotelboarding house in town one block west of Main Street and two blocks from the depot. Mr. Messinger was hired to drill a well on my grandmother's homestead. Alex Gemmell, his helper, went along on the job. While working there he met Mae. He courted her for a time and they were married November 26, 1906. Alex then applied for a homestead close to Mae's family. Their homestead did not have modern facilities but they were happy. They lived there for a year or two after the wedding, then Mae's family and one maiden aunt moved back to Chicago. At the snme time Mae and Alex moved to the Dargavall place, which now belonged to Alex as his aunt and uncle had passed away. Their nearest neighbor was Jeppie who owned the dairy works a mile and one-half away. Mae and Alex had two children by now. I, Agnes, was born in 1910. Alex was now working at the coal chutes for the Rock leland Railroad and their third child was born while Mae was visiting her farnily in Chicago. Soon aftpr her return, they moved into town to a small house one block east of Main Street and one block south. Around 1914 or 1915, Alex started working for the Continental Oil Company (this is now Conoco Oil Co.). He was a wholesale distributor and his territory was around a 50 mile area. Sometime after this, they started to build a home that we resided in until we moved from Stratton. Mae and Alex designed and drew the blueprints for this home. It is located on the corner of Main Street across from the public school and the Catholic Church. It was a two story four bedroom home with all modern conveniences. We had a large windmill in the back yard for our water supply and we piped some to the cistern. From there, we children were supposed to pump the pressure into the tank that had been filled from the cistern, so we could have the pressurized water in the house. Sometime around 1916 Alex was elected Mayor, which was a non-paid job. This with his oil business, kept him busy, but he always had time for his family. Both he and Mae were very active in town. Mae was busy in the Catholic Church and school affairs and sang in the choir as well as singing solo. She also sang for the Knights of Pythians, and many other social affairs. As Mayor, Alex was instrumental in getting the water tower in town and the electricity, which came from Burlington, 18 miles East of Stratton. This was a very active small town, Main Street ran from South to North about two blocks. There was Sundberg's Garage, a dentist, a General Store, a butcher shop, Drug Store, The Bank, Bakers Mens Store, Newspaper, Post Office, Holloway's garage, Black Smith Shop, and a Crenmery. At the end of this block, running East and West was the Rock Island Depot, a grainery and lumber yard, the Continental Oil Co. and across the tracks, the Coal Chutes. Going from our house South, the Catholic Church, the Prieet's house and the Catholic School. Across from the school was Dr. Beachley. Dr. Beachley delivered five of the six children Mae and Alex had while living in Stratton. One child was born in Chicago and the other three were born after they finally moved to Chicago. One of the highlights of our life in Stratton was Stratton Days, a Fair, usually lasting two days, Friday and Saturday. A time that stands out in my mind was when Alex went outside of town and set off dlmnmite to start the Fair. He also rode a white horse and led the parade. The public school was given Friday off for this but the Catholic School did not, as Father Munich would not sanction it. My father permitted us to go to school in the morning but not in the afternoon, and as the Father had warned us, we received 50 in deportment. Another highlight of the Fair was a Beef Barbecue which took days to prepare in the ground. My friend and I would head straight for the Barbecue Stand, and I can taste it to this day. This being Friday, the Catholics had a rule of no meat on Fridays. The worst had to happen to me, while walking along eating the forbidden fruit, I came face to face with Father Munich. Stratton was a very active community and it should have grown and become a nice small town. About 1923 or l924,tbe Klu Klux Klan got a toehold in town and influenced some of the people in joining. They decided to have a parade down Main Street and burn a cross on the steps of the Catholic Church but some of the church members blocked their way at the corner with their cars. They then started a rumor that the church had a regular arsenal in the root cellar, so the Klan turned the corner by our house and went West. Mae seeing this, went to the side of the house where she had a hose and turned it on the men in their "magnificent" white robes and hats. There being only dirt roads, the mud was splashed all over them and they not only got dirty, but cold as well. She knew some of them from their walk or shape, and she called them by name. Our dog, Sparrow, got loose. He didn't like these strange outfits so he began nipping at their heels. All in all, you can be sure they were glad to get away from history as a former Stratton resident and pioneer. by Mrs. Paul Goes DILLON, THOMAS H. AND JESSICA L. (KELLOGG) F160 Thomas H. Dillon, Jr. came to Burlington, Colorado in 1906, from Springville, New York. He ceme with an uncle and Morgan horses. One of the horses, a stallion, they walked and led from ranch to ranch breeding mares. He spent a few days at the Norton Ranch eight miles south of Bethune. He filed for a homestead 15 miles north and 1 east of Bethune, then returned to Springville and married Jessica Kellogg in 1909. The follow- ing year they moved by railroad in an immigrant car to Burlington. The cost of the meal and room was $1.50. The second day at daylight they headed 22 miles northwest to their new home, a sod house that Tom and the Gramm boys had built. When they were settled and had some land plowed, Tom went to work for the BarT Ranch. He had probably worked there only a year or two when it was learned that the "big boys" at the Bar-T School always ran the teachers off so they wouldn't have to go to school. It was decided that Tom take the job as teacher. He was 23 years old, stood 6'2", handy with his fists, and a graduate of Griffith Institute, Springville, New York. From then on there were no more teachers run off. He taught in the Ragan or Bar-T School and later at Yale. Tom's sister, Vera Dillon, moved to a homestead close by; she also taught school. Vera lived on the homestead that Tom had registered for their sister, Lulu Dillon. Thomas H. Dillon, Sr. arrived in Bethune in 1916 and died in 1925. In 1914, Tom took the exn-ination and was chosen for rural mail carrier. He carried mail with a mule team and a canvas-covered that corner. wagon to the German Settlement north of Bethune for several years, until cars and Alex, the Mayor, and some of his Councilmen were outside of town, trying to shut off the transformer for the electric lights in town. They wanted to put the town in darkness for was born. the Klan Parade. The Klan burned their cross West of town, which was not nearly as impressive as their original plan. This organization managed to split the townspeople, and many, including our family, sold their homes and moved away. Our parents have been back a number of times, and some of us also have been back for visits. The last time was for somebody's 50th anniversary. Alex died on May 25, Lg67 and Mae on December L2, L978.If they were still with us, they would be very proud, as they had nine children, 37 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren and 14 great, great, grandchildren. After all the research I have done, and as much as I can remember, this is as near the facts as possible. It is as near authentic as I know. It has been a pleasure to write this so the Gemmell nnme will be in the annals of roads were practical. Later he acted as substitute carrier for Albert Anmon for many years. In 1914, a son, Carlos K. Dillon Dillons moved to Bethune when Tom becnme Manager of the Farmer's Union Elevator. They lived in the upstairs of the railroad section foreman's house. The foreman was John Day. William Yersin, Sr. had the grocery store and cresm stationjust south of the railroad tracks. Tom purchased the Jim Pfaffly ranch 1 mile south and 1 % miles west of Bethune. Erma Cordinnier, postmaster at Bethune, was Jim's daughter. Some cattle and horses were acquired in the purchase. They farmed about 80 acres which could not produce enough feed for 100 cattle, 50 horses and mules, although range grass was free in the summer and fall. The free range ran from the Rock Island Railroad south to the Santa Fe Railroad. There were only a few ranches between: Nortons, Dunlaps, McArthurs, Johnstones, and Bremeirs. Bethune was quite a town with Cora's Cafe, Bill's Poolhall, Yersin's Grocery Store, post office and Farmer's Elevator; later there was �a bank, hotel, and lumber yard. During the depression, Tom worked for PWA. He worked on the Stratton Gymnasium, also the Moon Theater and did much road construction. Carlos served in the CCC's gtationed in Durango, Colorado. Many of the cattle were shot by the Government during the dust storms. They were paid $10.00 a head. To save the herd, Tom moved the family and livestock to Millikin, Colorado, for a short time because of irrigation. During the bad years, none of the jobless traveling the railroad or highway ever left the Dillon house hungry. In 1935 the Landsman washed out the railroad bridge. Jess served lunch to the construction crews. Tom and Jess had two daughters: Mary Louise (Schanefelt) born in 1921, and Janet (Toland) born in L924. Janet and her husband, Max K. Toland, lived in Stratton for many years as did Carlos and his wife, Pauline. Mary Louise left the area after she finished school. Tom served on the Bethune School Board many years; worked in the PMA office from 1938 to 1950s; was the first rancher to bring Ayrshire Cattle to Colorado and at one time had the largest herd in the area, selling gallons of milk and cream. In L927, Tom and Jess built a new house and barn one mile west of Bethune on US Highway 24, where they lived until their deaths, Jess in 1957 and Tom in 1968. by Janet Toland DISCHNER, ANTONE JOHN F16I. Antone John Dischner was born January 30, 1889 in Columbus, Nebraska to Anna Sweeney and John Dischner. As a young man he cnme to Colorado to seek his fortune. He sold real estate and promoted the area. In 1917 he met Clara Elizabeth Jostes who came to the area to keep house for her brothers and the Bettinger cousing. Tony and Clara were manied January 8, 1918 in Lindsay, Nebraska. His military duty followed and he was stationed in Fort Louis, Washington. Of their four children, Alyce Margaret was born on October 21, 1918 in Lindsay, Nebraska. On November 11, 1918 the armistice was signed and Tony brought his family back to Stratton. In 1921 he purchased the General Merchandise Store from J.W. Borders. The previous owner had been C.H. Fuller. The store was located on the east side of the main street and at the north end ofthe block, third building from the railroad tracks. My earliest memory of the store was at Easter in 1921 when one of my aunts was baby sitting, set me up on a counter and I tasted my first marshmallow candy egg. Leonard Antone Dischner was born in Stratton October 24, 1921. I remember the several houses we lived in through the years, all of which are still occupied today. Arthur John Dischner was born April 30, 1923 just 18 months after Leonard. They were dressed alike and even after they were grown many people confused their names though they looked nothing alike and were inseparable. Several people recalled who worked in the store were the following: Grace Richardson, William Thyne, a farmer from north of town, Mrs. J.R. Brown, Ruth Thyne, Mary Weibel, Dan Thyne and Harold Thomason although I am sure there were others. Of course the three sons worked continuously after they began school. The general store which A.J. operated was very old fashioned even in those times. The prunes, raisins and other dried fruit came in the bulk and had to be scooped, weighed and sacked to be sold. Cookies cnme in large square boxes and were placed in a special rack so the customer could see through the cellophane tops to make their choices. Tobacco came in large pieces and was cut with a special cutter to suit the customer's preference. A.J. was slow to make any changes in the appearance or the operation of the business and it was only in 1945 when Leonard and Arthur calne home from the service that the first modernization was accomplished. In later years I asked my brothers what had happened to all the old high-topped ladies shoes, overshoes, clothing, yard goods and sewing notions that had been the standard available products. They claimed that a buyer from Denver cnme out and was eager to make a complete purchase. Today those antiques would be valuable. In cleaning up they burned bunches of old charge tickets that were old and never paid. In the nineteen thirties the dust storms were go bad that we could be outdoors and see the huge brown dust clouds rolling toward the town. Businees was bad because the farmers were having a difficult time due to the drought and the economy was still reeling from the 1929 etock market crash. Mr. Roy Herberger, published the Strotton Press, and A.J. sat on the street curb one A.J. and Clara Dischner day in the thirties and tried to figure out what could be done to stay in business because all Tony's credit with the mercantile warehouses had been cut off. Ray Calvery was the banker at the time and his bank was two doors south. The business men worked out something and later Tony started a wholesale business and sold to other grocers up and down Highway 24. .He worked his way back and managed to stay in the same location for 43 years. The W.P.A. worked on various projects in town during the Roosevelt administration and the grade school on Main Street in Stratton was one school they built, in which I taught school from 1961 to 1964. Edward Aloyious Dischner was born on August 19, 1928. He attcnded school and worked in the store with his dad. Ed stayed out of school one year to help and then went back to graduate. After being in the service he returned to work for his dad who sold him the business in 1962. Ed is still operating the IGA Grocery store in Stratton with his wife, Marlyn Schmidt Dischner. The children all took music lessons from the sisters at St. Charles Academy who bartered groceries for lessons. It is my understanding that A.J. went into the cattle business with some farmers. He tried everything to make a go of the business. On November 23, 1963 the day that John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Tony suddenly took ill, was taken to the Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Colorado. He was never well but did make a couple of short stays at home until in December 1963 he was taken to Denver where he died in St. Joseph's Hospital January 7, L964. After the farmers returned from their wartime jobs and went back to farming there were some good years what with the irrigation systems and good weather. Many good conscientious farrners paid some of their old charge accounts some of which had already been marked off. by Alyce M. Lewis DOBLER FAMILY Fr62 Our great grandfather, Christof Adam Dobler, left Beutelsbach in Remstal, near Stuttgart Germany, in 1797, and made his way to Cherwinka, Botchka Yugoslavia (presently known as Austria). In 1803 a son, Peter Michael, was born to them. Michael, as Dad referred to him, was among the immigrants who came down the Danube Valley to the Black Sea in 1817. The trip was made during the winter and many of those who began the journey were unable to survive the conditions. Michael was one of the founders of the village of Teplitz in the province of Bessarabia, Russia. He was the second generation of the immigrant band and was the grandfather to our father, John Dobler. Michael manied a girl by the name of Heu, and a son called Leopold was born to them. After the death of Heu, Michael married an 18 year old orphan girl, Wilhelmina Christena Wirth. She had been born in Germany and had migrated with 2 sisters and 1 brother, along with their guardian, Gottlieb Mader, to Teplitz. To Michael and Wilhelmina were born 3 sons, Christian, Jacob and Joseph. Michael died in 1842 and Wilhelmina married twice more. The second husband's name was Kurz and the third was Joseph Haubach, a widower. No children were born to either of these unions. Mr. Haubach had a son from a previous marriage, Jacob F, Haubach. who was born Oct. 11. 1812 and �There is somewhat of a discrepancy in the records as to the time it took to cross the ocean, 12 days or 18 days, but this was explained by the differences in the calendars. We do know they landed in New York during the first part of February, travelling on to Scotland, Dakota Territory, by train with a l-day stopover in Chicago. Upon arrival in Scotland, they rented a farm near the town during 1885-86. Grandfather then took employment at "The Farmers Elevator" in Scotland, working up to the position of businese manager, from 1887 to 1889. Following the death of his wife, Dorothea in 1889, he movedhis familytoward Colorado. They arrived in St. Francis, Kansas on March 2. 1890 and then moved on to the German Settlement located north of Bethune, where theyhomesteaded on Section 37-45 West, which to this present day remains in the Dobler family. Our dad, John,lived on the homestead with Grandpa Christian from 1890 until 1892. During 1893 and 1894 he was employed at London Dairy in Denver, Colorado. In 1895 he returned to the homestead until the crops were hailed out. Then he and Peter Knodel went back to Denver and following a series of odd jobs, they both found employment at the smelters. Great grandfather Dobler and Walter Dobler in t922. died in August of 1900. Leopold Dobler, the oldest son of Michael, was the direct ancestor of the South Dakota Doblers, and also of Dr. Leopold Dobler of Teplitz, and later on of Germany. He was the father of 2 known sons. Jacob, the eldest, came to America earlier and was influential in bringing his uncle, our grandfather Christian, to America. Another of Leopold's sons, Andreas, remained in Teplitz. His son, Leopold, born in 1888, became the doctor who was widely known in the region and was forced to join the refugees and finally made their way back to Beutelsbach where Dr. Dad's brother Chris married Sophia Grosshans. Lee (Leopold) returned to the Dakotas, later making his home in Idaho. The Dobler daughters entered in the following mariages: Dorothea to Chris Strobel; Katherine to Chris' brother Jacob Strobel in a double wedding with her sister Christina, who married Peter Knodel: Maria to John Stahlecker. This will help to explain some of the family trees throughout the Settlement. John, our Dad, was united in marriage to Magdalena Stutz on Easter Sunday, April 2, 1899, and took over the farming of the family homestead after having farmed with his brothers for a short period of time. Grandpa Christian remained on the homestead along with the newlyweds. by Art Dobler Dobler had visited the Dobler families in the early 1920's. Our grandfather, Christian Dobler, was born Nov. 11, 1938, at Teplitz, Bessarabia Russia, the eldest son of Michael and Wilhelmina Dobler. He learned the trade of wagon building, and later became the builder of the Teplitzer Wagons, the Cadillac of wagons in the country during this period of time. On October 8, 1859, he married Dorothea Handel (born Aug. 30, 1842). To this union 16 children were born, 8 of whom died in infancy. The 8 surviving were our dad, John, born Nov. 6, 1875, and Dorothea, Christina, Katherine, Chris, Theresa, Maria, and Leo- pold all born in Teplilz. In 1863 the family moved to New Teplitz where grandfather was mayor for a period of time. After a 10 year stay, the family moved on the village of Nesselrode, Birsula in the province of Chereson. They remained here until 1884. After a summer in Alexandrinka, which was near Bergdorf, they decided to come to America. The day before Christmas of 1884, they began by rail through Austria and Germany. They sailed from Bremen, Germany on board the freighter, "Hopsburg", with a one-day stopover in Liverpool, England, to unload dried hides. DOBLER, ART AND EMMA ZIEGLER Fr63 I was born Aug. 31, 1910, at the family home located 12 mi. north and 1 east of Bethune, the fourth son of John and Magdalena Stutz Dobler. In 1916 I started school in the 1 room Prairie View School, District22, that my Grandfather Dobler and others built in about 1907. It was only a scant half mile from home, but was moved 1% miles west in 1919. I graduated from the eighth grade in L924. Emma Elma Ziegler, was the older of twin daughters born to John and Christina Ziegler at the family home 6 miles north and 2Vz west of Bethune on March 4.19L7. Emma attended Union School, which was located 2 miles north and Tz west of their home. She graduated in 1931. We were married on April 11, 1937, on a Sunday afternoon, and left that same day for Proctor, Colorado, which is about 20 miles northeast of Sterling. We had rented a 160 acre irrigated farm. We drove a 1926 Dodge Art and Emma Dobler. 4 door sedan that was not being used by my parents an5rmore. This farm joined the one that my brother, Ted, had leased and was farming. We moved some machinerv and a few milch cows, also a General Purpose Tractorllfrii both of us could use. To me irrigating was all new, but Ted had been there a couple ofyears so he knew how to go about it. We raised corn and barley, oats, and some wheat, as well as feed crops for the livestock. That fall we moved a Corn Sheller from home. The 1938 barley planting was interrupted when I had to take Emma to the hospital in Sterling. Kenneth Lee was born that evening on March 29. 1938. Every year we shelled our corn crop with the sheller. We tried to raise a few acres of sugar beets the second year we farmed there, but the grasshoppers ate most of them. We worked up most of the ground and planted a feed crop into it. We raised a nice Coes crop, well seeded, that we cut with the grain binder and shocked it. We did not have it hauled in or in a stack yet when the first snow fell, and flocks of wild ducks from along the Platte River discovered this nice field of shocked Coes with well seeded heads. After a few nights most of the seed was eaten by them, so that taught us a lesson - to get it hauled in and stacked up other years, before the ducks got it. We raised pretty good crops, mostly corn, barley and oats. The barley and oats were cut with the grain binder and we always had a big straw pile in the yard for the cows and the 4 head of horses we had. We lived next to a pasture a rancher owned and used to run cattle in. I asked him if we could pick cow chips for winter fuel, and he thought I was joking, but I told him it was for real and he said "go ahead and pick all you need", so Emma and I got the teem and wagon and 2 tubs, and it didn't take us very long and we had a big load of chips picked, so with corn cobs and chips, we made it through the winter. We had purchased a new 3 burner Kerosene Stove for cooking and baking, so we had to use an old heater to keep warm. After 3 years in Proctor, in the spring of 1940 we moved back onto the home place, Section 3-7-45, north of Bethune, and took �over the farming operation. We put rubber tires on the old steel wheel John Deere that spring and it surely made a difference. In the early 40's we remodeled the old home, putting in new built in cupboards, new propane range, remodeled a large front room into 2 bedrooms and a bathroom with hot and cold running water. In later years we added a propane floor furnace. An older 2 row lister was replaced with a new one, as most of our farming was row crop, electric unloader and mounted a feedbox on an old truck. Since then the feeding has been much less of a chore, and how the cattle still love ensilage. All of our farming was done on dryland ground. We never had the urge to put down a well. We hope we are leaving our ground in as good or better condition than when we started way back in 1940. Our son, Kenneth's farm adjoins ours. Our other son, Charles, died in a car-truck accident on June 23. 1963. including feed crops for the now expanding cow herd. We bought 5 head of registered by Art Dobler Hereford cattle at the "Howard Hunt" Hereford Dispersion Sale. In the late forties we had the reserve shampion bull at the Kit Carson County Hereford Breeders Sale one year. On Dec. L, L942, Charles Leslie was born. Kenneth started school in Lg44 at Prairie View School, now at a different location than when I attended and graduated from there. He had to go only a mile. In the late forties there were not enough pupils in the district to receive state aid for both schools, so the district bussed the children to one school I year and the other school the next year. We had 2 schoolhouses in the district. Kenneth graduated from the eighth grade at Prairie DOBLER, JOHN AND MAGDELENA STUTZ Fr64 View in 1951. During the summer of 1951 we bought the "Adkinson Farm", located 3 mil. west and 1 north of Burlington, to be in a district where the boys could take part in FFA. In August we moved onto the newly purchased farm. began building a new house along with Grandpa Christian, which took the better part of 2 years to build. They also did the farming on the acreage. On Jan. 20, 1900, their first son, William was born. On Sunday, Jan. 27, 1901, a little girl, Magdelena Dorothea, was born, She died of scarlet fever on Sunday, July 5, 1903. In Mother's Bible she made the notation, "She was born on Sunday and died on Sunday." Dad and Grandpa Christian planted many trees on the homestead during these years, both fruit trees and several evergreens. Mother always had a Iarge garden as well as many lovely flower beds. As the farnily grew so did Mother's garden. John Jr. was born September 10, 1904. Son no. 3 was born July 17, 1907, being named Theodore, better known as Ted. This same year the well at the top of the hill west of the house was drilled. A concrete reservoir was built so that Mother could irrigate thd garden, flowers and trees around the house. Water was piped from the reservoir to an open top 6 ft. steel tank south of the house. This was the second well on the place, the first one being drilled shortly after 1890. The first well had an "O.K." brand wildmill on it. I faintly remember the huge liooden slot wheel with a large and small tail; the small one being used to slow the speed of the wheel in a strong wind. Every revolution of the wheel completed a stroke of the pump rod, quite different from the windmills of today. It was replaced in about 1917 with a new "Samson" all steel windmill with special oil reservoirs on the bearings. This same year, 1907, Grandpa Christian, along with others, built a one-room school house about % mile from our homestead. The We kept the homestead, Section 3-7-45, and farmed both places until 1975. In the mid 40's we bought our first new tractor, an International Farmall H, Electric start. Ken enjoyed working with a tractor he could start. Not so with the old one. As time went on we accumulated more new equipment and in 1949 we traded the H tractor in on a new Farmall M. We added a used International threshing machine, and later a new drill and manure spreader. A used selfpropelled combine was quite an improvement over the Case pulltype we had been school district was formed and the 1908 census listed 24 females and 34 males. using. The old "Adkinson" two story house was Following their marriage on April 2, 1899, which was Easter Sunday, Mother and Dad began their life on the homestead. They John and Magdelena Stutz Dobler. Sherman K. Yale was the secretary of District 22. On August 31, 1910, another son, Arthur, better known as Art, was born. getting quite feeble, so we tore it down during the summer of 1959, and used the salvageable lumber to put up a new house with full basement in the fall and early winter of 1960. In 1963 we added a st€el round topped ; building,40x75, and in later years 2 steel bins. When we moved to this place, in the spring of 1952, we planted quite a number of Pine and Cedar seedling trees, and now the buildings are protected on three sides by evergreens and bushes. It does make a difference on a windy day when you get in the protection of these trees. They are a lot of work, but are worth it as much the wind blows in Eastern Colorado. We have a rough 160 acres that we have put terraces on, and saved the soil from washing away have reseeded some to grass, and will - as time goes on. do more Several years ago we had to have a new well drilled because of the lowering water table, and installed a submersible pump. We took down the windmill and put it into use on a well in the pasture. REA was on the farm when we purchased it, as well as a Kohler 1500 watt light plant to be used for standby power and light. In the mid fifties we put up a cement stave silo. After a year or so, we installed our The six sons and their wives of John and Magdelena Dobler. L. to R.; William and Ann; John and Edna; Elmer and Delores; Ted and Lydia; Art and Emma; Walter and Pauline. �In 1910 or 1911 Dad donated 5 acres of ground in the southeast corner of our section for the building ofa new church, known as the Hope Congregational Church. The small white frame building served the needs of the congregation for several years. The dedication was held Feb. 18, 1912, with a double male quartet furnishing the music. In 1928 it was replaced with a stately red brick building dedicated Sept. 2, 1928, along with a frame parsonage. In 1913 quite a building project took place on the homestead, a 30 x 60 ft. cement barn with all the sand used being hauled out ofthe creek that runs through the entire section. The cement came in returnable cloth bags. The barn was designed with a hip roof and a hayloft with a track and unloading fork for hay. In later years I remember leading the horses back and forth to pull the hay up into the loft. In the construction of the barn. the forms were set up to pour a depth of about 3 ft. of cement at a time, then the forms were raised and another 3 ft. were poured until the job was finished. It was a long tedious process, but a very sturdy barn was the end result. This same year Dad bought our first Model T Touring car, the first one in the Settlement. What a treat it was to ride in a car instead of a buggy! About 1915, a community telephone company was organized. It was quite a simple installation, with a single wire line having about 4 circuits, with the switchboard being at Aunt Christina Knodel's home. Our ring was 2 long rings. Emergencies brought one long ring to alert all of the neighbors. 1916 brought about more building and improvements on the homestead. A combination granary and corn crib under a roof was built. Dad also purchased 320 acres of land 8 miles northwest of Burlington. Walter was born January 8, 1918, boy no. 5. A new Deering Header was also purchased about this time and water was piped into the house. From now on, no more trips to the milk house to fill the water bucket. In 1919, Bill, the oldest, graduated from Burlington High School. He had rented a room and batched in Burlington during the week coming home on weekends, in order to further his education. The following fall he taught at the "Blue View School" which was District 24. In 1920 he enrolled at Colorado A & M College in Fort Collins, now known as Colorado State University, where he later received his degree in Vocational Agriculture. In 1919, the west schoolhouse of District 22 was moved 1 miles west of where it was built. Harry Degering moved it with his "Rumley Oil Pull Tractor." About this same time. a new Dodge touring car was purchased by Dad to relieve the Model T. He also added a used Hart-Parr tractor to the machinery line along with a 10 ft. tandem disc. This helped to relieve the horses of some of the hard work. An incident I will never forget, was the time Dad was raking and a thundentorm came up. Dad unhitched the team, piled some hay on top of the rake teeth and sat under the makeshift shelter holding the horses still by the reins. Lightning struck, killing both horses, but left Dad untouched. Another time we lost a team of horses by lightning as they grazed in the pasture. 1923 brought about several changes at our house. Dad bought a used Chewolet truck, which enabled us to haul about 60 bushels of grain at a time, and traded the Dodge touring car in on a 4-door Dodge sedan. Things were becoming quite modern for a farming opera- tion. In October of that same year, Grandpa Christian was taken from us. One of the many chores he always took care of around the place, was gathering eggs from both chicken houses. As was his habit, he threw his jacket around his shoulders as he went across the corral. The wind was blowing and the jacket was moving about, which caught the attention of the bull who had come in along with several ofthe cows for water. Grandpa did not see the bull attack from the rear. Mother called John Knodels for help when she saw what was happening, and then went to try to rescue Grandpa, but the bull kept a very close observation and was not about to give up his prey. By the time help came, Grandpa was dead. I remember Penny Mortuary coming out from Burlington in the little gray hearse, and then they brought Grandpa back to the homestead where they placed the casket in his little house until the funeral. Another sad time for our family, as he had shared lots of time and stories with us boys. Boy no.6, Elmer, was born September 13, L924, to complete the family. That same year Dad bought a used cement block machine. We tamped the blocks ourselves, getting about 12 or 13 blocks from 1 sack of cement. We had about 90 plates so were able to make about 90 blocks per day. The next morning the blocks were tipped off the plates and you could resume tamping more blocks. We built a 2-car garage, a workshop, and a new henhouse, as well as a new house and barn for John, all with homemade blocks. 1924 brought the first light plant, a Kohler 110 volt DC 1500 watt, and we put it in the basement of the 2-car garage. Along with this csme the lights, Mother's new electric wash- ing machine and an electric iron. On June 9. Bill married Ann Nelson. Dad also traded the Dodge disc wheel sedan in on a new Dodge 4-door sedan with natural wooden wheels. In 1928, Dad really splurged, trading the old Hart-Pan tractor for a new 18-36 Hart-Parr. That same fall he also traded the old Chevrolet truck for a new one having 30 x 5 rubber tires on all 4 wheels. We bought the chassis and the cab and built the box ourselves. Now we could haul 65 bushels of grain. The early 1930's saw many families leaving the country, trying to find better conditions than the dust storm plagued plains of Colorado. The drouth caused many hardships, including dispersion sales, which had to be postponed because of more dust storms. The community experienced the closing of the Stock Growers State Bank as well as the Bethune State Bank. Only meager amounts were paid back to the depositors after the final settlements were made. On May 3, 1931, John married Edna Conrad, a native of North Dakota. Again, Dad purchased a used 1931 Chewolet 4-door sedan at a Sheriffs Sale, so now we were riding with 6 cylinders. In 1943 John and Edna moved to their new farm northwest of Burlington, so we farmed his ground northeast of the homeplace until he sold it. As the rains came and things once again began to return to normal, the grass grew back. The first grass was mostly "pepper grass", which made the milk and cream taste bad, but as the Buffalo grass and the Blue Grama returned, things improved consider- ably. Many of the families who had left. returned to the Settlement once again. On February 22, 1934, Ted married Lydia Lebsack in Sterling, Colorado, and they moved to Ted's batching quarters on the farm northwest of Burlington. This same year, Walter started high school in Burlington. April 11, 1937, Art married Emma Ziegler. Having rented a partially inigated farm near Proctor, Colorado, they moved their few belongings there and started out on their own. Dad and Elmer continued farming part of the ground on the homeplace until the spring of 1940 when Art and Emma returned and took over the farming of the homestead, Section 3-7-45. Walter graduated from Burlington High School in 1937 and enrolled at Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, the following fall and graduating in 1942. On June 12 of the sqme year he was married to Pauline Schillereff of Fort Morgan. After several years in the ministry he did graduate work at Andover Newton Theological School and Harvard Divinity School. In 1967 he received his Doctor of Divinity Degree. Pauline passed away in November of 1980 and Walter in July of 1982. Their union was blessed with 3 children, David, Margaret, and Robert. After John and Edna built their new home on their farm in about 1947, Dad and Mother left the little house on the homestead and moved into John and Edna's first home. This was a modern home and was located closer to Burlington. In 1948 Dad had surgery in Goodland, Kansas at Boothroy Memorial Hospital, and died several days later on July 21, 1948. Mother remained here a few years, and later on moved to a little house in Burlington. On March 9, 1952, Elmer was married to Dolores Schaal. Mother passed away November 18, 1954. Both our parents passed away at 72 years of age. They are buried at the Hope Church Cemetery north of Bethune, Colorado, back on the same homestead where their life together began. 12 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren, will remain ever grateful for the courage and the desire to search for something better for this family in a land of freedom. for their descendants. We thank God and our parents for the privileges we have enjoyed because of their decision to come to the United States. May we always honor these privileges. by Art Dobler DOBLER, TED AND LYDIA LEBSACK F166 In the fall of 1931 the folks, the Jacob Lebsacks of Proctor, Colorado, needed another beet hauler. Ted Dobler. the third son of John and Magdalena Dobler of Bethune was in need of a job and this seemed to fill the bill. After he had been there two weeks. we began picking up the mail at Proctor, and this was the beginning of a 3 year courtship. On February 22, L934, we were married at the family home at Proctor, and moved into our �the farm. We built a new home in town in the Permer addition to Burlington. Ted drove to the farm to help as much as he could as long as he was able. On July 30, 1981 Ted passed away following a lengthy illness. During our life together we were able to travel to many different parts of the country. We visited our children and grandchildren, and sometimes just went for the pure enjoyment of it. From Canada to California, to the Mardi Gras in Louisiana or the Bahamas, home was always a welcome place to come back to. I worked at many different vocations during our lifetime and each job was rewatding in its own way. I worked in the office of Burlington Livestock Sales for 21 years, at the Burlington Rest Home during the dry fifties, and since Ted's illness began, I have babysat with many children, most of them newborns, of working mothers, and have loved each and every one of them. These little ones, my family, and my friends are a very valuable part of our community, of which I am proud to be a part of. : Hopefully, our heritage will be passed down through my 10 grandchildren and 2 :' great grandchildren. Lydia and Ted Dobler adobe "Honeymoon Cottage" on Ted's farm living in the little 2-room house. 9 miles northwest of Burlington. Times were hard and after planting anoth- The family kept busy year around with the livestock, but especially so in the summer time. We always raised chickens and sold friers to many of the people in Burlington, as er corn and feed crop that dried up (no irrigation in those days) we locked up our little house and moved back to Proctor and Ted again went to work for the folks. These were the Dust Bowl days. It was so hard for us to leave Ted's family, his folks and 5 brothers. The following year we rented a farm and raised sugar beets and alfalfa on our own. In March of 1937 our first child, Carol Jean, was born and lived only a very short time. This was a very trying time, but then in November of 1938, Bonnie Joy was born, and she was a "Joy". We still had our farm at Burlington, but it was still dry and dusty there so we stayed on the farm at Proctor for a few more years. In 1941 Stanley Edwin was born, a big happy baby. Also, by then it had rained back in Burlington, and the wheatfields and pastures were greening up once again. We moved our little family back to our adobe 2room house. Now dreams of a larger more modern home began, but a severe hail storm right before harvest time soon took care of that idea. We kept busy raising wheat, corn and feed for the cattle and horses. There were always cows to milk, with cream to sell, and chickens which also gave us eggs to sell. This was the chief source of grocery money for the family. In 1944, my sister, Leona's, husband passed away and she and her two little boys carne to stay with us for a month. We had just completed the construction of a large adobe barn with a big hayloft, so some of us slept there. A definite feeling of "closeness" prevailed, with 3 adults and 4 children in a 2room house. In 1944 we started on our new house, doing most of the work ourselves, with the help of Grandpa and Grandma Dobler. In 1946 we moved into the basement of the big house. Thomas Earl was born in September of that year. Our new home with electric lights and running water, and even an indoor bathroom was quite an improvement after everyone liked farm fresh produce. A big by Lydia Dobler DOUGHTY FAMILY Fl66 garden also furnished food for the family through the winter. In the fifties another drouth hit the area, and some of the men went away to work, this time with the women and the families remaining here to keep the children in school. This meant selling the cattle, as there was no feed in the area for them. In 1961, we put down an irrigation well and were once again able to bring the dry land back to life. We raised sugar beets, corn and alfalfa. By this time Bonnie had graduated from Burlington High School and had gone to work as a secretary at the Kit Carson County Courthouse. In 1957 she had married Dean Witzel. Stanley had also graduated from BHS and was now a student at Colorado School of Mines in Golden. Tom farmed with his father until he joined the Marine Corps shortly after his graduation from BHS. Music was a real enjoyment to this family, especially to Ted. As a young man he had played the trumpet for a community band, and later he sang tenor for the Harmonaires quartet for more than 20 years. He also sang with the Christian Business Men's Chorus. that met regularly each Thursday night at Hendricks Mortuary for practice. In 1966 Ted became seriously ill and Tom returned to take over the farm. Stanley married Joanne Orehek from Minnesota, who was a student at Loretta Heights College in Denver. He graduated from Mines in 1964 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Their first job was in Bakersfield, California, where their 2 sons, Brent and Brian were born. By now Dean and Bonnie were on a farm and ranch south of Burlington and had 3 children, Douglas, Dena and Donn. In 1968 Tom was married to Rose Bartlett from Champaign, Illinois, and they took over Lester Doughty and Ethel Frasier Doughty, 1936. Lester Loran Doughty was born in Casey, Illinois, February 6, 1879 to John and Mary Doughty. Lester never knew his father as he died before Lester was born. His grandmoth- er, Catherine Bartlett Moore, taught him many of her Indian customs. Lester and Nora Dell Huey were united in marriage January 1, 1901, in Terra Haute, Indiana. They made their home near Casey, Illinois where daughters Sylvia and Helen �were born. They lived there until the winter of 1907 and '08 when they left by train for San Antonio, Texas. This trip was made because Nora was suffering from congumption and needed a better climate. In San Antonio the farnily lived in a tent; it was really two in one. One was the front room; the other was the kitchen where the cooking was done on a wood-burning stove. The floors were made of wood and it was built up to where the canvas connected. Two boys, Benjaman and Joseph, joined the family there. The last part of October, 1911, the family left for Berlin, Oklahoma. They traveled in a covered wagon pulled by one team ofhorses. This trip took them six weeks. They camped beside the road at night. They moved to a farm near Berlin and lived there about four years. Laura and Huey were born here. Laura died April 1, 1913, at about one year old. In 1917 Lester bought a farm near Grimes, Oklahoma. Besides raising crops of wheat and corn, they had a mill for grinding the grain and also made their own sorghum. They raised broom corn which was sold to be made into brooms. Catherine and William and Vivian were born on this farm. The farnily sold the farm in 1922 and moved to Sayer, Oklahoma. A house was built here by Lester, and a son, Luther was born here. In 1925 Nora's health was not so good and she was homesick for Arkansas, so they traded the house for a farm near Rogers, Arkansas and moved there. Wanda and George were born here. George was only six months old when Nora died August 29,L928. He was adopted by a family named Ingersoll. In 1931 Lester moved his family to a farm north of Vona, Colorado. The older children got married or went into the service. Lester met Ethel Fraiser Carpenter, and they were united in marriage May 20, 1936, in the Methodist Church in Burlington, Colorado. Lester, Wanda, and Luther moved to Ethel's farm that she had received at the death of Mr. Carpenter. He had homesteaded this land and built a sod house on it. This house still stands in 1987. Glovine was born here. In March of 1940 this marriage was dissolved in divorce. Contact with Lester was lost for several years; then in 1950 he came to see Glovine in Burlington. Lester died July 19, 1952 while visiting son Benjaman in Houston, Texas. There are four children surviving. They are William of California, Vivian of Oklahoma, Wanda and Glovine of Kansas, and many grandchildren and many, many great-grandchildren. The family of son Joseph still lives in and around Kit Carson County. Joseph (Joe) was 19 when the farnily moved to Vona, Colorado. On April 6, 1931, Joe was united in maniage to Edna Monroe. To this union was born Nora Mae, Roy Bradford and Shirley Lee. Joe worked as a service station attendant until he entered the Navy Seabees in October, 1943. He served until Novemb et 21, 1945 when he was discharged. They lived at Stafford, Kansas until they moved back to Vona in 1947. Joe was Undersheriff from April, 1961toJanuary,1963 with Sheriff Hap Ormsbee for Kit Carson County. He also worked for Kit Carson County road and bridge crew in Stratton from 1970 until 1978 when he retired. He continued to mow weeds for the county until his death in a car wreck September 10, 1979. His wife Edna and son, Roy, still live in Vona. Daughter Shirley Jackson and family live in Joes, Colorado. Several of his grand- of Kit Carson County. He and Edna moved to Burlington to be close to the job. Fr67 In 1963, they moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Joe worked as maintenance engineer for the post office. They moved back to Vona in 1968. Joe went to work for the Kit Carson County Road and Bridge crew, in Stratton, in the spring of 1970. He continued to work there until he retired in March of 1978. He continued to mow for the county each fall and was doing so at the time of his death September 10, 1979. He was killed in a vehicle accident on Highway 24. At the time of his death, Joe had 15 grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren. Joe was buried at the Vona Cemetery with Joseph Roy Doughty was born September military services. Edna still lives in their home in Vona. Roy children live in and around Kit Carson County. Nora May Mullen and family live in Arkansas. I, Glovine Doughty Golemboski, lived in Kit Carson County for many years, but will tell my life story with my mother, Ethel Fraiser. b;y Glovine Golemboski DOUGHTY FAMILY 14, 1910, to Nora Dell and Lester Loran Doughty, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in a tent. The sides were built up about three feet and the canvas was attached to this; the floor in the tent was made of wood. He was lives with her and helps to care for her. Roy's children all live in the state of Florida. the fourth child in the family. During the last part of October 1911, Joe and his family left San Antonio in a covered Shirley and her husband, Paul Jackson live on a farm north of Joes, Colorado, with their wagon. They arrived in Berlin, Oklahoma shortly before Christmas. Joe's father rented a farm close to Berlin. The family lived there for about four years. Then his father bought a farm located near Grimes, Oklahoma, in 1917. They lived there until 1922, when he sold the farm and moved the family to Sayre, Oklahoma. Joe's father built a house there and they stayed until 1925, when he traded it for a farm near Rogers, Arkansas. They moved to Arkansas, where in 1928, Joe's mother died. The family lived here until 1929, when his father moved the family to eastern Colorado. In Colorado, Joe met Edna Alice Monroe. The two were joined in marriage on April 6, 1931. They lived in a sod house, north of Vona, Colorado. There, their first child, a daughter, was born, June 18, 1932. They named her Nora Mae. On October 17, 1933, a son, Roy Bradford was born. In December 1933, Joe moved his family to Stafford, Kansas. He worked at various jobs and the family lived briefly in Hudson, Kansas and Pratt, Kansas. Then he went to work for Edsel's Service Station in Stafford. While living in Stafford, Joe and Edna's second daughter was born on July 4, 1935. They named her Shirley Lee. Joe worked for Edsel's Service Station Nora Mae and her husband, Willard Mullen live on a ranch near Gravette, Arkansas. Their four children all live in the area. two younger children. Their three older children live in Colorado. by Nora Mae Mullen DOUGTITY, ETHEL FRASIER AND GLOVINE Fr68 Sod house south of Bethune, Colorado, where Glovine was born. until October 1943. At this time, Joe joined the navy, in the Seebees branch. This was during the time of World War II. He served in the South Pacific. Joe returned from the war in November 1945, and returned to work at Edsel's Service. Shortly thereafter, Joe purchased the station. Joe was baptized, in the spring of 1946, in the First Baptist Church of Stafford. He was very active in the local church activities. He had a deep respect for our Creator and a very strong sense of moral responsibilities. Due to the ill health of his wife, Edna, Joe sold his business and their home and moved to Wichita, Kansas in the spring of 1947. The family remained there for a year, after which they moved back to Colorado. Joe worked on a ranch south of Seibert for a year, then they moved to Vona, Colorado. In 1951, Joe went to work for the Snell Grain Company, as manager of the elevator in Vona. Edna also worked there as a bookkeeper. In 1971, he left the elevator to accept the job as undersheriff Ethel and Lester Doughty with Glovine about 6 months old. Taken at the farm south of Bethune in 1937. Ethel May Frasier was born May 30, 1898 at Burlington Junction, Missouri to Franklin K. Frasier and Myrtle May Gray. As a child Ethel had red measles which left her partly deaf. Myrtle was crippled with arthritis so when Everett was born, although Ethel was �only nine, she had to take care of him. March, 1910, the Frasier family moved from northern Missouri to La Junta, Colorado. Franklin's health was bad and they hoped the change in climate would help him. He died January, 1911, and is buried at La Junta. Shortly, Myrtle and children moved back to Missouri to live with her father, John Gray. He died in April of 1913. Myrtle then moved her family back to La Junta, CO. A sister, Ether, died in March of 1914; that left Ethel, Edward and Everett. Ethel often told of the horse and buggy days and how scared she was when a horse ran away with her at the reins. Ethel May and Charles Goforth were united in marriage April 11, 1915, at La Junta. Charles worked in the oil fields and traveled around the area a lot. Helen Lucille was born March 6. 1917. Charles Goforth died of double pneumonia November 15, 1918. Albert Frasier was born February 18, 1919. Ethel worked for eleven years caring for her two children. In 1930 she met Oke Carpenter; they were united in marriage September 4, 1930 in La Junta. After the wedding they left for the farm south of Bethune, Colorado. Oke had homesteaded this land and built a sod house. Times were hard. There were many trials and hardships. Oke became ill with dropsey and died Decembet 27, 1935. Helen married Lloyd Kirk August 5, 1935 and moved to Nebraska. Ethel and Albert stayed on the farm. Ethel and Lester Doughty were united in marriage May 20, 1936 in the Methodist Church in Burlington. Ethel became a stepmother to Wanda and Luther, treating them like they were her own. Glovine Alice was born Februaty 24,1937 in the sod house with the help of Lest€r. They made a living by raising turkeys and sheep; they also raised a big garden. Things went from bad to worse and Lester and Ethel were divorced in March of 1940. Ethel lost the farm to taxes, so she and Glovine moved into Burlington. In February of L942 Ethel married Art Pinckard and moved to a farm 18 miles south of Seibert, Colorado. I attended Rock Cliff, a country school, for four years. We raised cattle, sheep and horses. Art traveled all over the country, leaving Ethel to take care of the farm. She chopped wood for the heating stove and cook stove. We only went to town once a month, sometimes it would be three months. Ethel's health got bad, so we moved to Burlington in 1948. In June, 1950, Art Pinckard was killed in a car wreck. In June, 1950, Ethel and Clifford Lynn were united in marriage. Ethel and Clifford moved to Willow Springs, Missouri in 1954. They lived on a farm there for several years. In 1956 Ethel moved to Maryville, Missouri and lived alone there until she moved back to Burlington in 1963 to live with Glovine and family. Ethel then was very crippled with arthritis. I took care of her until April, 1963 when she went into a nursing home. In May of 1966 Helen Kirk cnme and took her back to Missouri to live with her. Ethel died September 26, 1966, and is buried at Burlington Junction, Missouri. She spent fifty years of her life in Colorado and thought Burlington, Colorado was really her home. June 28, 1953 Glovine and Lewis Kirby were united in marriage. We moved to a little white house on Webster Street. In June we moved to a farm north of Burlington; Lewis farmed and worked in town as a carpenter. Alice Marie was born August 31, 1954. Billy J. was born May 6, 1957. The fifties were very dry. The wind and dust was so bad you could see only a few feet in front of you. We moved back to town in May of 1957. Lewis worked in construction, for farmers and for the city of Burlington. Katherine was born July 15, 1962. In August of 1969 we moved to Goodland, Kansas. Alice graduated from Goodland High School in 1973 and entered the Navy. In 1975 Billy J. joined the Navy. Katherine returned to Burlington and lived in the group home and worked in the work shop and graduated from Burlington High School, May, 1982. In October of 1973 our marriage was dissolved in divorce. October 30, 1974, I manied Frank Golemboski. Jeanie Glovine was born January 15, 1976 in Goodland, Kansas, and Jeanie now lives in Colby, Kansas. We are active in our church and 4-H and A.R.C. I still think of Burlington, Colorado as my home and like to visit there. by Glovine Golemboski DOWNEY, RAY FAMILY Fr69 Rose and Ray Downey on their wedding day, 1945 Raymond Thomas Downey and Rose Ack- In the spring of 1947, Rose and Ray Downey and their young son Ron (born December 11, 1945 at Dodge City) left Kansas to begin farming south of Stratton. Several other young families from the Windhorst and Dodge City area also moved to the Stratton area in the mid to late forties. so eastern Colorado felt a little like home in erman Downey were married February 12, 1945 at Windhorst, Kansas. Ray, the son of Daniel Bennet Downey and Catherine Elizabeth Biernacki was born May 21, 1920 in Wichita, Kansas. He was the fourth of ten children and spent his early childhood on the family farm. The daughter of Francis (Frank) Ackerman and Clara Fredelake, Rose was born on her parents farm near Spearville, Kansas on September 30, 1920. One of seven children, Rose went to school at the academy at Windhorst and later worked in Dodge. spite of all of Ray and Rose's immediate families still being in Kansas. The early years farming in south central Kit Carson county were filled with hard work and few conveniences (electricity wasn't The Downeys, 1985 Top Row: Jo Downey, Tom May, Kim May, Karen and Gene Kerschner. Middle row: Amber Downey, Amy Downey, Lisa Kerschner. Bottom row: Bob Downey, Ray Downey, Rose Downey, Ron Downey. On Laps: Mark Kerschner and Brad Downey �was born November 16, 1947 in Stratton (the building at 2lO Kansas Avenue served as a maternity hospital for the Stratton area until around 1950). Karen Sue and Kimberly Ann Downey were born in Burlington on February 23, 1959 and August 29, 1962 respectively. Ron and Bob attended grade school in Vona and junior high at St. Charles Academy. Karen attcnded grade school and junior high at St. Charles Academy and Kim attended Kindergarten in Stratton, grades 1-6 in Vona, and grades 7-8 at Hi-Plains in Seibert. All four Downey children graduated from high school in Stratton. Ron Downey attended Sterling Junior College and later served with the U.S.Army in Viet Nnm. After leaving the military, he returned to farm with his father and continues today as one of the partners in Downey Farms, Inc. Bob attended the University of Southern Colorado and then taught business and coaches in a small community near Salida. He and his wife, Jo, returned to Stratton inL972 to join the family farming operation. Their Bob and Ron Downey, 1950 available to that part of the county until the early fifties and phone service wasn't a reality until 1965), but neighbors were plentiful and entertainment consisted of families getting together for potlucks, singing and cards at the old one-room school that was located north of the house. The old school had not held classes for years and was moved off around 1952. With it went the piano and a lot of the socializing, but the memories of the good times in a less hectic and more relaxed era still remain. Living half way between Vona and Strat- to the time when Kim was two and came within seconds ofpicking up a six-foot rattler that had slithered its way into the yard. Fortunately, the toddler was snatched away by her older sister just as she was bending down to more closely examine the huge snake, but the incident is still well remembered by the whole farnily. Ifgood fortune continues, there will hope- fully continue to be Downeys in Kit Carson County. Though being in agriculture occa- sionally presents more barriers than oppor- tunities, farming and living in a small community where neighbors, friends, family, school and church are still important is a most satisfying and rewarding way of life. residents bearing the Downey last name. Bob also still farms and Jo continues to serve as by Jo Downey Executive Director of the East Central Council of Local Governments. Shortly before graduation from the University of Northern Colorado, Karen Downey married UNC graduate student Eugene Kerschner from Merino, Colorado. They are parents of two children, Lisa Jeanne (1975) and Marc Alan (1979). After residing several years in Gering, Nebraska, they currently live in Alliance, Nebraska. Karen works in nursing and Gene continues as a Corporate Farm Manager. Kim Downey also graduated from UNC with a B.A. degree in Business and Accoun- Highway 24 complicated school choices as the ting and worked in Greeley until her marriage to Tom May in 1985. Kim and Tom now reside in Stratton where Tom is engaged in farming and Kim is employed in the offices Rose after they came to Colorado. Robert Lee pected and unwelcome, wildlife still occasionally wander onto the farm; nothing comp€ues children, Amy, Amber, and Brad (born in 1973, 1976, and 1979 respectively) bring to eight the number of Kit Carson County ton and being over ten miles south of Downey children approached first grade. Three other children were born to Ray and of the Stratton Co-op. In the early sixties, the original farm house that was the Downeys' first Colorado home was added on to and was again remodeled in 1982. An elevator system and additional outbuildings were added over the years so the 1987 farmstead bears little resemblance to the original farm established in 1947. Trees, grass and flowers have replaced the open prairies near the house and though unex- DRAGER - KLOOZ FAMILY F170 Henry Drager, son of William and Sophia Drager came to Colorado with his parents and sister, Anna (Langendorfer) in 1924 from Unadilla, Nebraska. They established their home in Burlington and proceeded to farm two sections of land 18 miles south of Burlington. Henry broke the sod with a Wallace lug tractor and a teem of horses. Flora Ellen Klooz, daughter of Fred and Flora Klooz. moved to a farm 2 miles north of Burlington form Franam, Nebraska, in 1919 along with her parents, four sisters and three brothers. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1925 after which she taught school in a one room country school north of Bethune. Downey Farms, 1985 In 1928 Henry and Flora were married and began their married life on a new farm L8 miles south of Burlington. They lived in the basement of their new home while the house was being finished by Henry's father, Bill Drager, and a nephew from Germany. They lived on this farm until 1977 when they built a new home in Burlington, although Henry continued to farm the land. Four children were born to Henry and Flora, Evelyn, June, Kenneth, and Louis. Evelyn is a teacher in Burlington and married to Ed Mountain and live two doors down the street from them. June married Bob Mangus, youngest son of Ray and Persis Mangus who lived on a farm south of Peconic, and now reside in Denver. Kenneth married high school sweetheart, Doris Chapman, whose parents, the Dale Chapmans, were former residents and manager of the Burlington Coop. Russell, Kansas is their home. Louis graduated from UNC as an engineer and married Karen Mechnm from Utah. They live in Littleton. the children all attended Smoky Hill School which was also the center for �many community get-to-gethers. Henry was president of the school board for 9 years. All four children graduated from Burlington High School. The children were members of the Smoky Hill 4-H Club of which Flora was a leader. Depression, dust storms, and the tornado of L944 was significant set backs, but good times, good neighbors and friends, and healthy children have outweighed the bad by far during their 50 years on this farm. The Dragers have 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in June 1978 at Trinity Lutheran, the family church, with a multitude of family and friends. by Flora Klooz Drager DROSTE, JOE FAMILY Fr7I Joe Droste was born in Ford County, Kansas, May 18, 1909. Agnes H. Fetsch was born near Munday, Texas, January 27, LgLl. They were married August 19, 1936, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Marienthal, Kansas. Joe had been farming with a brother-inlaw, Jacob Bogner for several years in Wichita County, north of Marienthal, Kansas. Crops were poor due to the dry weather and dust storms. Ag'nes' parents, Frank and Mary Fetsch had moved to Marienthal in 1920 with their children, Louis, Agnes, Charles, Margaret and John. One son, Edward was born in Marienthal. Agnes attended grade school there and graduated from High School in Leoti, Kansas. In 1931, she began teaching in a one room rural school north of Leoti, Kansas. She also taught in a rural school south of Marienthal, Kansas, and really enjoyed teaching. After we were married we moved to a rented farm north of Marienthal and lived there for over four years, then we moved to another farm where we lived for about two yerus. One day in the fall of L942 Mt. Henry Kliesen and a real estate agent from Dodge City, came to our place and told us about cheap land in Colorado. They brought us to Kit Carson County to look at farms which were for sale. We looked at a lot of them, some were selling for $5.00 an acre. We didn't buy anything on our first trip but came back later and purchased the farm known as the "Stoffel Place," about five miles northeast of Stratton. Later we bought some more land. We moved to Colorado on March 2nd, 1943. It was a very cold day. The temperature was well below zero and stayed that way for about three weeks. On moving day, Joe drove our truck loaded with household items and his brother Roman drove the car for me and our three small children. Joe arrived before we did and had agood fire goingin an old heating stove, when we arrived. There were no conveniences in rural homes out here at that time, no water, no plumbing no electricity, everything was done the hard way. Everybody butchered their own meat then and cured it or canned it. Later we could rent a locker in town and store our fresh meat in it. That seemed to us a great convenience. What a wonderful day it was for farmers when rural electricity came to the farms. Things really changed drastically, almost everyone got water in the house, bathrooms were built and life changed completely. This was progress, looking back its hard to believe how things have changed. Three more children came to us in Colo- rado. They all grew up on the farm and attended St. Charles Parochial School, and the Stratton Public High School. Many pets came and went at our farm. The children loved two little rat terriers given to them by the Menke family. They called them Mutt and Jeff. In the fifties, dry weather came again and for several years no crops were planted or harvested. We had a nice herd of cattle and had to sell them because there was no feed. When things got better, many farmers decided to put down irrigation well in 1960, and for several years we planted and raised corn on the irrigated acres. In 1966, we planted pinto beans, we had a fair crop, they were only $6 per cwt. Joe died in 1966, the result of a farm accident and our sons Ra5rmond and Frank too over the farm work. We continued irrigating and also farming dry land wheat. Frank left the farm in 1979, when he got married and Ray continued to farm. In the 80's we have tried sunflowers with some good results. The children of Joe and Agnes Droste are, Rose Marie, born August 2, 1937, in Scott City, Kans., Raymond J. born March 24, 1939, in Scott City, Kans., Genevieve, born January 3, L942, in Scott City, Kans., Carol Ann, born March L4, t945, in Stratton, Co., Dorothy Mae, born February 6, 1949, in Burlington, Co., and Frank Edward, born October 2L, L952, in Burlington, Co. Rose Marie went to St. Anthonys Nursing school in Denver. She graduated as a practi- cal nurse and worked at St. Anthonys Hospital for about three years. She married Leon Laird and lived in Burlington, Co. Leon died as a result of a car accident in July, 1965. Rose then worked at Grace Manor and in a nursing home in Denver. In 1968, she married Ernie Stoos and now lives in Oklahoma on Lake Eufaula where they have a land development business. Rose keeps busy with all kinds of crafts and community activities. Raymond spent three years in the Marines after he graduated form high school, then he spent some time working with custom cutters in harvest and also worked on oil rigs for a while. Now he lives on the farm with his Mother. He works at the Post Office in Stratton and also farms. Genevieve went to Central Business College in Denver after she graduated from high school in 1960. She had various office jobs and married Richard J. Rubio in 1966. They live in Anchorage, Alaska, and have two sons, Domon and Chris. Carol Ann attended the Mercy Hospital Nursing school after she graduated from high school in 1964. In 1967 she graduated as a R.N. She has kept up her nursing. She joined the Air Force Reserves in 1967, right after she graduated from nursing school. During her weeks of active duty she flew to many places. Japan was one, they would bring back a lot of boys from Vietnam. She was flight nurse on those trips. She married Rodney Whitten inl972. They have four children. Rodney was also in the Reserves. He is now a captain in the Reserves and Carol is a Major. They live in Gretna. Nebraska. Dorothy Mae went to college in Wichita, Kansas, for two years then to Greeley, Co. for two years where she graduated in 1971. She married Don White and moved to San Jose. California. She taught in kindergarten there for six years, then went into real estate in which she has done very well. She is now living in Longmont, Co. She is married to Hayward Monroe and they have two boys. Frank went to college in LaJunta, Co. for one year after he graduated from the Stratton High School, in L972. His main interest was welding. He married Debbie Pelle Nov. 24, 1979. They had two boys. Debbie died in a tragic car accident in Nov. 1982, leaving Frank with two babies. He moved to Boulder. Co. where he is employed at Micro-Motion. He is a welder. Even though they are all scattered now, the farm is still "home". They all love the land and the community! by Agnes H. I)roste DULMER FAMILY Ft72 Cornelius and Tresa Dulmer came to Seibert, Colorado by train. They arrived on December 9, 1909 on a very cold day, the temperature being 28 degrees below zero F. Daughters Emma and May came with them. The rest of the trip was by buggy and wagon. This homestead was 14 miles north of Vona, Colorado. Tresa Nauta Dulmer was born in 1856 and died in 1918. Uf8il his death Cornelius made his home with his daughters. Later he moved to California to live and died in 1928. He was born in 1857. Their children were: Myron Dulmer, 18821963; Edith Dulmer Brownwood, 1881-19?6; Anna Dulmer Eyberse 1880-1936; Catherine Dulmer Vander Ploeg 1882-1951; Florence Dulmer Seabert, 1884-1964; Emma Dulmer Klassen, 1892-1986; May Dulmer Klassen 1895-1979; Sadie Dulmer Ault Iller. 1890-?. by Edith M. Ilugley �:, .: ',-*; $ '"w "*1" .[i tua" & # ^1 t Family of Cornelius and Tresa Dulmer taken before 1909. L. to R.: back row: Myron, Edith, Anna' Catherine, and Florence. Middle row: Tresa and Cornelius. Front row: Emma, May and Sadie. DUNCAN, CHARLEY F173 My parents, Charley Duncan and Edith Simpkins Duncan, were married near Tilden, Nebraska, in February 1906. They lived on a farm and three children were born there; Ethel Marie, February 1, 1907 (died February Zt,1907); Evelyn, born December 18, 1907; and Orville, born March 19, 1909. In 1912 my father and his brother-in-law, Euse Dredge, came to Kit Carson County looking for land to homestead. They both signed for a claim. They returned to Nebraska to make preparations to move to Colorado. We arrived in Vona, by train, in February 1913 with 2 horses, 2 cows, 2 pigs, 2 dozen chickens, 2 kids and $200.00. There was plenty of snow and cold weather. Mrs. Howell, the storekeeper's wife, took us in a spring wagon to the home of Al Tilbury where we spent the night. The next day we went to our little one room shack which sat on rocks without a foundation, but it was our home, 18% miles southwest of Vona. Papa had to plow the ground before any planting could be done. Every inch was Buffalo grass. That summer we went by covered wagon to Sterling. Papa worked as a drayman. We returned to our homestead the next year so Orville and I would start to school at Rosedale. We attended this school for 8 years and our favorite teacher was Johnny Mathews. Papa went to different parts of Colorado and Kansas to work in the harvest fields and while he was gone Mama, Orville and I would go pick up cow chips to burn. We sort of made a picnic out of it. We would stop by Little Springs so we could wash our hands and eat The Charley Duncan Family - 1917. Father, Charley, Mother Edith, Evelyn, Orville and baby Alta. lunch. We had a great time but were scared to death of rattlesnakes and it took all day to get a load. In 1916 we made a trip back to Nebraska when my Grandma Simpkins'died. My folks were tempted to stay but decided against it as our home, belongings and good friends and neighbors were in Colorado, Iike the Goffs, Calhouns, Lettmans, Roses, Gallions, McAuleys, Murpheys, Myers, Deers and others. We were thankful for our wagon and horses so we could go visit them and go to church in a little school house five miles from our place. We also had Literary there, which was a program type ofgood entertainment using local talent. Dad Allen played the banjo and Red, his son, would jigg and Don McAuley gave the best recitations and others would sing or be in plays. r.;i&:,::t f, ?7:' Charley Duncan - Early 1940's with team of horses Prince and Snip, dog Fritz on the homestead. In 1917, August 6th, a darling baby girl was born into our family and we called her Alta, and then February 11, 1919, Everett was born. That was the year of lots of snow and flu. Our mother died March 1. Everett was 18 days old and Alta 18 months. Papa's sister and her husband, Aunt Ethie and Uncle Jim Sesler raised Alta and Everett. Our friends were so good to us and helped all they could. Needless to say we had very Iittle money but plenty of debts. Mr. Hungerford, a wellknown cattleman took up a collection and raised $500.00 to help with funeral expenses. That was a lot of money in those days. Then in 1922 Orville and I graduated from the eighth grade. Papa decided to move close to Seibert so we could ride the bus to high school. In the process Orville stepped on a barnyard nail and got lockjaw and died. In the meantime, Uncle Jim, Aunt Ethie, Alta and Everett moved north of Seibert. Papa and I lived about nine miles southeast of Seibert in a sod house during the school year. I rode the bus twenty-five miles every day to school. During my high school years I played baseball and was on the girls basketball and track teams. Then in the fall of 1926 I went to Lincoln, �Nebraska to college for two years. In 1927 Papa manied Stella Doss. No children were born of this marriage. He and Stella lived on the homestead until his death June 3, 1947, at the age of 64. He was a very successful DUNHAM, WALTER AND ANICE Fr74 DUNLAP - LESHER FAMILY F176 farmer and cattleman. Stella moved to Denver where she died April 25, 1977. April 13, L929,I was united in marriage to Wm. "Red" Allen. We lived on a farm south of Vona and that is where our first son, Bill, was born. ln 1933, during the depression, we moved to Denver and Red got a job hauling coal from the mines north of Denver. I did laundry for the rich people and to this day I love to wash and iron. Denver was good to us. We bought a home at 4319 Navajo. Our second son, Don, was born here in November 1945, sixteen years after Bill. Bill and Mary were married in May 1948 and had two daughters, Debbie and Pati. Bill works at NW Transport as Manager of Transportation and Mary works at the bank in Brighton where they live. Don and Connie were married in April 1964. They have three children, Scott, Wendy and Rod, and Don is a Denver Fireman. Red and four other men started their own service business in February 1961, having the office in our home. They called it "Area Gas Appliance Service". They got a good start and moved to an office in the summer of 1964 and Red died October 13, 1964. I'm 78 now and work half days five days a week for the company. This is 1986 and we have been in business 25 years. I can't bring this story to a close till I tell you what happened to my little sister and brother. Uncle Jim and Aunt Ethie did a fine job raising them. They grew up to be beautiful people inside and out. They both went to school in Seibert. In May 1936 Alta married Ralph Rowley. They farmed at Seibert several years and then moved to Denver. Four children were born to this union, Mary Lee Lopo of Eastlake, Chuck Rowley of Denver, Beverly Rowley of Denver, and Richard who died in infancy. They have 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Alta is very crippled with arthritis and Ralph has a problem breathing, but they do a good job taking care of each other. They are a real inspiration to anyone. Everett married Vyonda Overmiller in January 1939. He was a very successful cattleman and farmer. They are retired now and live in Stratton. Four girls were born to this union, Barbara Mason of Iowa City, Iowa, Virginia Burns of Denver, Marilyn Duncan of Denver and Betty Ralston of Colorado Springs. They have five grandchild- ren and two great-grandchildren. I'll always remember the good old times in Seibert and Vona. "It is still home". P.S. Lord willing, Alta and Ralph will celebrate their fiftieth anniversary this year, May 25, 1986. by Evelyn Duncan Allen Maynard and Bessie Dunhnm Walter and Anice Dunham and son Maynard came to Colorado in 1906, from Battle- creek, Michigan (to benefit the health of Maynard), to a farm southeast of Burlington. They lived in a soddy for some years and then moved into a larger frame house. Anice passed away in 1914. In 1909, Maynard and Bessie Thoman were manied. They lived with his parents for some time, then they took a homestead adjoining. Here they built a half basement, sod, two room house. In 1.910, Ines was born. They had three other children, Irene, Lee and Warren (who passed away after a ruptured appendix in 1921). These early settlers had to make a living from what they could raise, on wild gams sn4 milking cows. There was a small school close by and the three older children attended, along with Henry Basset, and Harold Rogers. Then, they moved along with Walter Dunham to the First Central school district where there was a four year school and two churches for them to attend. In 1933, they moved to a farm in Cheyenne County, Lee moved with them. By this time Ines had married Harold McArthur and Irene married George Kennedy. The family milked cows, Bess worked at making quilts, and mattresses to give to the less fortunate. In 1934, they sold most ofthe cattle and they and Lee spent most of the winter in Michigan. In 1942, Maynard's poor health forced them to leave the farm and move into Burlington; she worked in different restau- rants and both worked in the old Montezuma. They built a house and kept a beautiful yard of flowers and vegetables. They celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary in 1959. Maynard passed away in 1964, Bessie continued to care for the yard until the age of 93, when she passed away in 1984. by Irene Kennedy and Ines McArthur Mom and Dad and Casey. Oliver c. (Buzz) Dunlap, and Elizabeth Dunlap. Oliver C. (Buzz) Dunlap was born in Rawlins County, Kansas in 1888 and moved to Sherman County, South of Goodland while a small child. Elizabeth Eicher was born in Seward County, Nebraska and moved to Sherman County, Kansas as a very small girl. Both O.C. and Elizabeth grew up in this area. They were married in Sgptember 1907. Oiiver and Elizabeth Hunlap were among the first homesteaders in the community Southwest of Burlington, They, along with Emery & Elsie Eicher, who were Elizabeth's brother and O.C.'s sister, came to Colorado in 1910 to claim their homesteads. This move was made to have access to the open range. The Dunlap's homestead was the EVz of Section 14, Township 11, Range 45, which is located 15 miles South and 7 miles West of Burlington; the Eicher homestead was the West % of Section 22, Township 11, Range 45 and Icyphene Welch, a widow, who was O.C.'s and Elsie's mother, and son Howard home-steaded the East r/z of Section 22,Township ll,Range 45. In the fall of 1910, they all returned to their old homes South of Goodland for the winter, where Lowell Dunlap was born in October. In April of 1911, they with small son Lowell and Emery and Elsie Eicher and their small daughter, Oletha, started the long slow move across the open prairie, approximately straight west from their homes to their homesteads. This journey LookBVz days to go 55 miles with 4 loaded wagons and their livestock. The wagons were each pulled by a 4 horse teem. They were driven by O.C., Elizabeth, Emery and Elsie. The livestock �llltt .tlr,,il,':: ,l.: ':::::':ili '.,:;...r-::. ,i..,iL,. tri ,l, :;."::: , furnished horses for the rodeos at the Kit Carson Fair for several years. Some of the local riders at that time were: Rueben and Archie Anderson; Joe Ross; Dewey (Dude) and Had Compher; Carl Harrison and Guy and Carl Wigton. In 1945 O.C. retired and moved to Burlington. In 1946 he was elected Sheriff of Kit Carson County and served in that office until his death in 1954. by Isaphene Dunlap Lesher EAGLETON - REID FAMILY F176 Oliver and Elizabeth Dunlap homestead. was driven by Howard Welch, O.C.'s and Elsie's half brother. O.C. Dunlap built a 4 room square sod house on their homestead where their daughter, Isaphene, was born in 1912 and son, Verlin. in 1914. In 1915 a concrete house was built by O.C. Dunlap and Emery Eicher, where another daughter, Nina, was born in 1920. This house is still standing. A small sod house was built for Mrs. Icephene Welch on her homestead. The Eicher house was a frame building, part of which was moved from Sherman County, Kansas. There it had been a small country store and post office located near the Smokey River. After Eicher's moved to Burlington in 1914, located near the Smokey River. After Eicher's moved to Burlington in 1914, O.C. bought the buildings and tore most of them down except the part of the house that had originally come from Kansas. He moved that part to the Dunlap home. There it was used as a milk house and bunk house for hired men. In 1931 the Dunlaps improved the NE% section of Icyphene Welch's homestead. This seme little two room house was moved again and built onto for their home, where they lived for 14 years before moving to Burlington in 1945. That little building really traveled and is still being lived in. When the Dunlap's and Eicher's came to Colorado, their mailing address was Beaver- ton, Colorado. This was a little country general merchandise store and Post Office. it was located 10 miles Northwest of their homestead, which was quite a trip by horse and buggy. John Higgon ran the store and Post Office, later it was ran by George Church. O.C. Dunlap was a rancher, raising cattle and horses. The cattle that were moved to the homestead were mixed breeds, mostly Gal- loways. In about 1918 he bought some purebred polled herefords and continued to raise hereford cattle until he retired in 1945. O.C. purchased his livestock brand (quarter circle C) in 1915 which is still being used by his son Verlin. The horses and mules that Norman and Vickey Eagleton, 1985. were raised bV O.C. were mostly sold to Eastern buyers. He also furnished horses for rodeos that were held in this area, as this was a favorite entertainment in the early days. He W W W w ?gryWryryyry,t*.t:i:,&',.:,rt.,' ;'. t,:,. . #n ,;\,.'t -.- **- w t:..ir '.1.: :op -Yt bt:'. ?;:e i. .?! ,*,',, &,ri :,'r The Eagleton Children: Carma Lynette, age 11; Dawn Michele, age 13; and Norman Jason, age 8, Christmas 1946. 1985. � 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- D Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief history of the founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "D." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:463 2020-03-23T10:15:08Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/463/Families-E.pdf dbd4d983923073a04b35aec04f70182d PDF Text Text llltt .tlr,,il,':: ,l.: ':::::':ili '.,:;...r-::. ,i..,iL,. tri ,l, :;."::: , furnished horses for the rodeos at the Kit Carson Fair for several years. Some of the local riders at that time were: Rueben and Archie Anderson; Joe Ross; Dewey (Dude) and Had Compher; Carl Harrison and Guy and Carl Wigton. In 1945 O.C. retired and moved to Burlington. In 1946 he was elected Sheriff of Kit Carson County and served in that office until his death in 1954. by Isaphene Dunlap Lesher EAGLETON - REID FAMILY F176 Oliver and Elizabeth Dunlap homestead. was driven by Howard Welch, O.C.'s and Elsie's half brother. O.C. Dunlap built a 4 room square sod house on their homestead where their daughter, Isaphene, was born in 1912 and son, Verlin. in 1914. In 1915 a concrete house was built by O.C. Dunlap and Emery Eicher, where another daughter, Nina, was born in 1920. This house is still standing. A small sod house was built for Mrs. Icephene Welch on her homestead. The Eicher house was a frame building, part of which was moved from Sherman County, Kansas. There it had been a small country store and post office located near the Smokey River. After Eicher's moved to Burlington in 1914, located near the Smokey River. After Eicher's moved to Burlington in 1914, O.C. bought the buildings and tore most of them down except the part of the house that had originally come from Kansas. He moved that part to the Dunlap home. There it was used as a milk house and bunk house for hired men. In 1931 the Dunlaps improved the NE% section of Icyphene Welch's homestead. This seme little two room house was moved again and built onto for their home, where they lived for 14 years before moving to Burlington in 1945. That little building really traveled and is still being lived in. When the Dunlap's and Eicher's came to Colorado, their mailing address was Beaver- ton, Colorado. This was a little country general merchandise store and Post Office. it was located 10 miles Northwest of their homestead, which was quite a trip by horse and buggy. John Higgon ran the store and Post Office, later it was ran by George Church. O.C. Dunlap was a rancher, raising cattle and horses. The cattle that were moved to the homestead were mixed breeds, mostly Gal- loways. In about 1918 he bought some purebred polled herefords and continued to raise hereford cattle until he retired in 1945. O.C. purchased his livestock brand (quarter circle C) in 1915 which is still being used by his son Verlin. The horses and mules that Norman and Vickey Eagleton, 1985. were raised bV O.C. were mostly sold to Eastern buyers. He also furnished horses for rodeos that were held in this area, as this was a favorite entertainment in the early days. He W W W w ?gryWryryyry,t*.t:i:,&',.:,rt.,' ;'. t,:,. . #n ,;\,.'t -.- **- w t:..ir '.1.: :op -Yt bt:'. ?;:e i. .?! ,*,',, &,ri :,'r The Eagleton Children: Carma Lynette, age 11; Dawn Michele, age 13; and Norman Jason, age 8, Christmas 1946. 1985. �Norman Eugene Eagleton was born to Clinton Elijah and Clora Mae (Dungan) Eagleton on March 2, 1950 in Pueblo, CO. Nnmed for his grandfather and an uncle, Harold Norman Eagleton, Norman was the 2nd of 5 children - Sandra Louise (Turley), Norman Eugene, Charlotte Mae (Kelly), Gary Von, and April Lynn (Trujillo). Norman named his sister April (although she was born in May). He was a Captain in R.O.T.C.; he worked 4 years at Safeway and graduated in 1968 from Centennial High School. Vickey Lynn Reid was born at KCC Memorial Hospital to David Vinton and Betty Lou (Hughes) Reid on June 26, 1951. She has a younger brother, Ray Deon. Vickey was active in the high school band, chorus, newspaper and annual. She worked at Stuckey's Pecan Shoppe, Seibert and as hostes- s/cashier at the Little England Restaurant, Flagler. She graduated Valedictorian of Seibert High School in 1969. (Personal note of coincidence: Centennial and Seibert H.S. had the same colors and mascots - Red and White Bulldogs.) Vickey attended 3 semesters at Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa. Vickey was attendant to 1968 Kit Carson County Queen, Kay Cure. She won a 4-H Citizenship Short course trip to Washington, D.C. in 1969. The various monuments, Capitol and White House were very impressive and awe-inspiring. She rememberg the seeming injustice in the vast difference between the abject poverty in one area and the gold banister and gold elevator doors of the Supreme Court Building just a few blocks away. Norman and Vickey met in 1968 on a church sponsored youth caravan to Mesa Verde. They were married by Vickey's uncle, Roger Reid on January 30, 1971. Their's was the lastweddingto be held in the "old" RLDS Church (a converted schoolhouse) in Seibert. The Eagleton's lived in Sedalia, MO where Norman was a machinist/painter for Turley Bros. Mfg. They moved to Seibert late in the summer of 1971, living in the white stucco house at the NE corner of Main Street across from the Seibert Coop where Norman was employed. Vickey worked as a teacher's aide at the school in Vona. Norman and Vickey moved to the Reid home place 7 miles north and 2 west of Seibert inLg72. They work with her parents on the Reid Femily Ranch raising wheat and Registered Polled Hereford cattle. A babygirl was born May 24,1972. She was named Dawn Michelle because she was born at dawn and she looked like a little french doll. Carma Lynette was born October 2, 1974. Her name was created by combining the names of her mother and grandmothers Clora Mae - Carma, Vickey Lynn and Betty - Llmette. Norman Jason was born July 25, 1977. He was nnmed Norman means, hopeful in the Eagleton tradition, and Jason means healer. The Eagleton's are active members of the Reorganized Church ofJesus Christ oflatter Day Saints. Norman serves in the Priesthood and Vickey occasionally seryes as church organist. Norman and Vickey have served as Church School Directors, teachers, choir members, Local and District Youth Directors. The girls have played the flute in church and in the school band. All three children take piano lessons from Carla Herman of Seibert. The family is active in the Go-Getters 4-H Club. Norman and Vickev serve as Emer- gency Medical Technicians on the Volunteer Family highlights have been trips to visit Uncle Ray and family and seeing the tourist sights of Southern California and trips to Independence, MO. to attend World Church Kanorado where they owned the telephone office. They had known the Eberharts when they grew up near St. Francis, Kansas and agreed to sign the tickets for any fuel Ted needed that first year to help him get started. Working those piles of blow dirt was really difficult, and that first year didn't turn out very well. After that things began to improve and they were able to survive. Ted also rented some ground from the Shamburgs, and one day Mr. Shnm[q1g drove out to see how things were doing and he couldn't find anybody at the house. He saw us down in the field. so came on down to talk to us. Bernice was out helping shock feed, so when he went back to town he told some of his friends that he wasn't worried about us, we would make it. In June of 1941, a tornado went through the community. It tore the third story off the Smoky Hill School house, the buses and the Conferences. garage and two ofthe teachers dwellings were Community Ambulance Service. Vickey teaches Community CPR classes and was elected Secretary of the Hi-Plains Board of Education for School District R-23 in 1987. Employed in 1987, Vickey serves as Medical Assistant to Dr. David Younger each Wednesday afternoon at the Flagler Community Medical Center. In 1986 the Eagleton's moved to the Reid's River Ranch home on the old Hoyt site between South Fork Republican River and Buffalo Creek. We enjoy the extra space when entertaining family and friends. We are also finding an interesting challenge in expanding our farm/ranch operation to include raising hogs. The kids enjoy hunting with Grandpa and fishing for trout in his privately stocked pond. They think fishing is seeing if you can toss in a hook and line and get it back out before you catch a fish. They also like Grandpa's homemade jerky, Gram's homemade grape marmalade (they didn't like seeding the grapes), and sledding in the snow on a car hood . . . "just like in the good ol' days!" by Norman & Vickey Eagleton EBERHART, TED AND BERNICE Fr77 After the terrible drought of the thirties, farnilies began slowly coming baek to the Smoky Hill community. In 1939, Ted and Bernice Eberhart and son Lonnie moved onto what was known as the Lawrence Olson farm, which had been taken over by the Foster Farms. It was 10 miles south and 8 east of Burlington and had been vacant for some time. They had been living on a farm in the Armel neighborhood, paying cash rent, which was increased every year, and it became more and more difficult to pay. Ted took a tour of the country and saw dirt piled fence-post high with blow dirt, not a bit of vegetation, and empty places everywhere. Hugh Gleason from the Bank of Burlington offered to rent the farm to Ted, and we all came down to look at it. We brought both of our parents along and it was a discouraging sight. Bernice thought there wasn't enough there to keep a jack rabbit alive, but if that was what Ted wanted to do, she was willing to go with him. In the fall of 1939, they moved. They were married in 1936, and had accumulated some household stuff, but on the way down the trailer hitch broke and upset the load of household goods in the middle of the road. Needless to say, we had a bunch of broken junk. Times were really hard, and Ted caught rabbits and sold the hides to help feed us. He had some hounds and a saddle horse and also caught some coyotes. Our first tractor was bought from Ted Backlund, a C Case and he traded two horses as a down payment. Jake Raile lived in destroyed. That was the day that Connie Eberhart was born. Ted had taken Bernice to the hospital that morning. Marlin Eberhart, who was Ted's nephew was with them and spent lots of summers with them. Marlin and Lonnie were planning to stay with George and Lois Blomendahl, but Lonnie didn't want to stay. Lois said they would come to town and take care ofthem, since her parents lived in town. During the afternoon the tornado came and the Blomendahl ranch was totally destroyed. A cement foundation for the water supply tank was the only thing left standing. The Lord must have been watching over all of us that day! The Blomendahls lived with the Eberharts for three months while they were trying to clean out their basement and make it livable. Connie didn't hardly know whether Bernice or Lois was her mother, until lunch time, for sure. Lonnie and Connie went their first eight grades at Smoky Hill. We hardly knew a soul until Lonnie was old enough to start to school. Almost all of the neighbors were bachelors, and there were so many deserted places. School activities brought us all together, and the Sunday School was probably the most meaningful of all the activities. We all seemed to blend into a united effort to improve homes and families. We had Vacation Bible School in the summer, and the children were picked up by parents for a special time of activities and learning. That community has some kind of a bond that keeps us friends and we have set up an annual picnic to be held the third Sunday in August at the Parmer Park in Burlington. You are invited and urged to attend. Lonnie graduated from C.U. in 1959 and went to work for John Deere Heavy Industrial Works in Moline, Illinois right away. Later he was moved to Dubuque, Iowa where designing equipment was available. All of the engineers were moved to Dubuque. One of the projects Lonnie helped desigrr is the big road maintainer, JD-570 which you will see being used by the City of Burlington. Ira Barnhart drove one of them for many years clearing out the snow and other maintenance jobs. One winter when we had a really bad blizzard,, Ted got in his Blazer and drove down town to look at the huge drifts. The grader was having problems attacking those drifts and they cleared only a single path in many places. Ted was telling Lonnie about �drought. We survived. In the 1930's we had terrible dust storms. When it started to rain the ground was like flour. Water didn't soak in, but ran off in the low places and through the creek. On May 30, 1935, our place was flooded. We salvaged what we could and had a sale. In August of 1935 we moved to Denver, CO where Zack Eckert worked for Dr. Herman Maul in west Denver and on his ranch at Red Feather Lakes. that and Lonnie said the operator needed to learn to wiggle its tail in order to keep maneuvering that machine. Lonnie is still working for John Deere and recently was involved in a huge Machinery Show in Las Vegas. It was Lonnie's job to be on the floor and answer questions from the viewers. Connie graduated from Adams State College and served as Dean of Students for thirteen years. She is about to complete twenty years where she teaches Psychology. She is also at the head of the Affirmative Action Program in the college. She recently spent some time in Kit Carson County recruiting students for Adams State. John Robertson was one of the popular teachers at Smoky Hill, and he joined in all the other community activities. His wife Carolyn and three children, Francis, Rick and Judy became an important part of the community. Bernice Eberhart wrote news for Smoky Hill for the Burlington Record for many Zack's children were educated in Kit Carson County at White Plains School. It was a one room sod school house which Zack Eckert and the neighbors helped build. We didn't get to town very often as our travels were made by a teem of horses and a lumber wagon. Sometimes in winter we used a bobsled to travel. Elizabeth Eckert (Zack's wife) passed away in December, 1932. We survived World War I and the big depression. I don't know much about Elizabeth Nickel's family. They lived in Lehigh, Kansas. She was from a large family. There were seven years. girls and one boy including, Minnie, Eva, Anna, Julia, Agnes, Amelia, Elizabeth and Valentine. Anna Nickel married Henry by Bernice Eberhart Zacharias Richard Eckert and Lizzie Eckert in ECKERT FAMILY 1927 Fr78 became theirs. They raised cattle, horses and Zacharias Richard Eckert was born February 7, 1880. At the age of four years he came to the United States with his family. They set sail in 1884 from Keix, Russia. There were several families on the ship. They were quarantined off shore for some time as they had an epidemic of Black Small Pox. Several perished and were buried at sea. Zack's father, Peter Eckert, settled his family for a short time in Illinois. They moved on to Nebraska and later in 1888 went further west to Colorado by covered wagon. Zack Eckert was 18 at the time and had remained behind to bring the livestock they owned by rail. The Peter Eckert family homesteaded in Lincoln County. They lived on the land and made improvements long enough that the land farmed for a living. The family saw many hard times, living on dry land farming and raising cattle on the range. Z.R. Eckert met Elizabeth Nickel, who had come to Colorado from Lehigh, Kansas. They were united in marriage in Hugo, Colorado, on January 1, 1902. They had eight children: Willson, Lelah, Harley, Iva, Archie, Eula, Zachie, and Elizabeth. The last two babies died at birth. In 1905 or 1906 Zach Eckert homesteaded north of Flagler on land close to the Arickaree Creek in Kit Carson County (just west of the Arickaree Creek). He built his two room sod house and a few other buildings. He dug a well and put up a windmill for water. There were many hard- Kliewer and moved to Colorado. They homesteaded about five miles north and east of Flagler. Elizabeth came out to help her sister, metZack Eckert and married. Elizabeth was also known as "Lizzie" . Lizzie's father was a Mennonite minister and her brother. Valentine, was a Methodist minister. As for churches, we didn't get to go very often as travel was slow, with horses and buggy. Emma Nickel, Elizabeth's sister, came out from Kansas and held revival meetings in different school houses. In Twin Lake School about 1914 they had Sunday School and church with Reverend Magill as minister. by Iva Levi (Eckert) EDMUNDS FAMILY Fl79 ships, such as snow blizzards, rain, hail and My grandparents James. H. and Sarah Ann (Weeks) Edmunds came to the United States from England. They settled in Burlingame, Kansas. My father James E. Edmunds and Lulu Rowley were united in marriage in Topeka, Kansas, and had 4 children. Lulu passed away and my father married Effie Kristen Marin and they moved to Stratton, Eula Davis, Archie, Iva Levi, Harley, Lelah Shrader and William Eckert in 1973 Colo. in 1917, by covered wagon and a team of mules. I, Maynard Edmunds, went to live with my grandparents until my granddad passed away. I was L5 years old and a friend and I decided to go off to Missouri to look for work. This was on February 14, 1920. My sister caught us and as ghe didn't know what else to do she put me on the train and sent me to Cheyenne Wells, my Dad met me and I went to live with him. On March 24, 1927, I married Violet Lillian Fuhlendorf in Burlington, Colo. and we lived on the farm north of Stratton, then lived on a farm northeast of Vona, until we moved into Vona in 1950. Violet worked as a cook at the Vona School and I worked at odd jobs until I retired. I drove a gas truck for Frank Wilson, and I worked for Ray Roberts at one time. I recall when I worked for Ray, when we got to the farms the gas had to be bucketed out of the truck, hauled up a ladder, and poured into the farmers supply tanks. �their front lines to their headquarters in Bouganville. Ray received a Bronze Star for action in this battle. When the war was over in 1945, he caught the first possible ship home with the dream in his mind to own and operate a quarter of Western Kansas land and raise wheat. During the next two years and a variety ofjobs, , b"*';'.' his dream started to come true. In April 1947 he loaded up his earthly belongings and headed for Stratton, Colorado. He had rented six quarters of land. So, with his old 22-36 International tractor and a new one-way plow, he set out to break sod and plant his first wheat crop. Plows in those days were not hydraulic and if you plugged one with dirt or weeds you would dig it out with a crow bar. When the wheat was all drilled in the fall, he headed back to Piqua, Kansas and on October 22, L947 he married Agnes Lampe. @,@7 w i''lr* She was the youngest daughter of Frank and Francis (Sicka) L'mpe. Her sisters and brothers were Cornelius, who married Co- Vernon Baxter and Maynard Edmunds. Maynard is the Indian, during the Seibert Indian Massacre Reenactment. Some of my early memories are the days I used to spend coyote hunting with Frank Jones of Seibert. Colo. I recall after the flood of '35', hunting up and down the Republican River for old bones. I was with Jess Miller and Fitzpatrick when we found one bone sticking service. On November LL, L947 Ray and Agnes again loaded up the old truck and headed for their "new" home 15 miles southwest of out of the river bank on ground north of Vona. I have this picture of Vernon Baxter and myself, when we were in the Seibert Indian massacre Re-enactment, I was in it twice; it was quite a sight to see. Violet and I had been in town to a dance the night the big fire started in Vona. We were taking Nate Sharp home; that is he jumped on the running board of our car. We drove north and only stopped long enough to let him off and went on out to the farm. We didn't even look back, we didn't know about Stratton. Times were hard, but life was great. The neighbors came over to visit and we played cards on our first dinette set . . a $4.00 table, one broken back chair and three apple boxes. Apple boxes were made of wood then. The money we had saved to buy a table and chairs went to put a new axle in the truck. The Eisenbarts: Norma, Agnes, Mike, Ray and Nona. Smith, hurried in with a tractor and chisel and put the fire out. A good many more reflection of the fire and smoke. Violets parents home was just behind all the stores neighbors came over to help also. That year we bought a new L.A. Case tractor for $2,900.00 and a new Case combine for $2,700.00. The tractor was a good invest- that burned, but was lucky not to catch fire. We still live in Vona and raised our family here. We have three sons, Glen, Bill, and Bob, ment but the combine was nothing but a headache. It never did work right. In 1949 we bought our first new car for 91,600.00. It 7 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. by Maynard Edmunds replacedthe 1940 G.M.C. truckthathad been our only means of transportation. We got the new car in time to make the trip to Burlington for the arrival of our son, Raymond Michael, EISENBART, AGNES AND RAY The Ray Eisenbart's harvesting in 19?6 The bombing of Pearl Harbor made his draft number come up real quickly. He took his basic training in Camp Forest, Tennessee and was assigned to the 129 Infantry, 37th nine and spent the next three years living with relatives. At that time his brother Division. He stayed in this division for his entire service career. He went overseas to the South Pacific and spent 37 months on a tour ofduty through the Fiji Islands, Guadalcanal, Bouganville, and the Phillipine Islands. His married and he and his sister lived with them. He helped with the milking and farming until he went to the service. ting a Japanese company that had penetrated Ray lost both of his parents before he was Colorado. Our first wheat crop in the summer of 1948 was a good one. A wheatfield fire started by acres in one field before a neighbor, Norman before he went in he looked south and saw a Raymond Bernard Eisenbart was born September 28, 1919 to John and Nona (Skeeters) Eisenbart at Yates Center, Kansas. His one brother, John, married Alice Hoag and they live at Iola, Kansas. His one sister, Genevieve, married Hugh Keturaket and they live at Klamath Falls, Oregon. The axle twisted off during our trip to a truck muffler burned about twenty-five the fire until the next day. Nate said just Fr80 letta Kipp. Margaret married Frank Heffern, Mildred married Valentine Link, Raymond married Ruth Koester, Ella married Myrori Haugen, and Albert married Marlene Westerman. Agnes, at that time, was teaching school in a one-room country school with all eight grades. She and Ray had been dating since shortly after he came home from the company received a presidential citation from Franklin Delano Roosevelt for annihila- born March 20, 1950. That year we built a chicken house and had 300 layers. The chickens were our salvation as the eggs we sold were our only source of money for groceries and fuel. We heated our house with kerosene which we brought home from town in five gallon buckets. We didn't raise any wheat from 1953 through 1957. We would have probably left Stratton if we would have had anywhere to go. We bought our first new diesel tractor in 1954. (We traded the worthless combine in on it.) We wore out a set of tires on the tractor before we raised another crop. In the spring of 1955 the dirt storms were many and awful. Our first daughter, Nona Kay arrived June 5, 1955 between dirt storms. There were many days that spring �when you couldn't see 50 ft. because of the blowing dirt. We welcomed our second daughter, Norma, on April 22, 1958. We had a pretty good wheat crop that year so our summer was busy with a new baby and a good harvest. We built another larger chicken house in 1958 and expanded our egg production. We spent many hours gathering, cleaning, candling, and packaging eggs. Then we would load them in the pickup and deliver them to the grocery stores in many of the neighboring towns. The egg money paid the down payment on the two sections of ground that we bought in 1960 two miles north of Vona. We tore the old homestead buildings down on our new place and built a new quonset and several grain bins for wheat storage. We also tore out miles of fence that was buried under blow dirt piles. In 1964 when Norma went to kindergarten, Agnes returned to teaching at the Saint Charles Academy until it closed in 1969 for financial rearlons and the lack of Nuns to teach. After Saint Charles closed, Agnes went to the public school as an assistant and later took the job of Secretary where she still works, The 60's were rather slim picking as far as crops were concerned. Several years we fed cattle and sold them for no more than the Sears in Burlington for six months and then took a position with the Council of Government Office in Stratton. She was the Energy and Housing Coordinator. In 1981, her department formed a separate organization and beco-e the Colorado East Community Action agency. In January of 1982, with the resignation of the director of Colorado East, she took the position ofdirector and held that position until she married Larry Fox in June of 1983. Larry is a teacher in Scott City, Kansas. After moving to Scott City, Norma worked at a school with the gifted and talented children until she took her present position as secretary to the first vice president of the First National Bank there. They have one son, Lucas Lee, born March 13, 1987. by Agnes Eisenbart EISENBART, RAYMOND MIKE AND PATSY Fl8t feed cost. In the 70's crops began to be better and of course with better crops came better times. We bought more land and better equipment. We began to see the end of the tunnel. Good crops in the 80's made things look prosperous. 1982 was an exception when we had 660 acres of wheat flattened in a l0 minute hail storm. In April of 1987, we broke ground to build our new brick home at 519 New York. That was always another one of Ray's drenms. In the basement of our new home we built a large room to accomodate Ray's collection of toy farm implements and farm tractors. We moved into our new home October 1, 1987 and on October 22nd we celebrated our 4oth wedding anniversary. Our children grew up in Stratton. They attended Saint Charles Academy until it closed in 1969. They all graduated from Stratton High School. Mike went to Durango to college for one year and then enlisted in the Navy for a four year tour of Duty. He married Patsy Kordes while he was in the Navy and after coming home from the Navy, they moved to their farm seven miles northwest of Stratton where they still live. They have four children, Brandy born February 2, L974, Clint, born October L4, L975, Ryan, born October 3, 1980 and Jill, born August 18, 1982. Nona married Stanley Willer after high school. Stan had been working for us part time before they were married and they are still working with us on the farm. They have rented land of their own as well as helping with ourg. Nona has been a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician with the Stratton Ambulance Service for eleven years. She worked at Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital for two years after they were married and has been working at the Stratton Coop for the last five years. They have four children, Michelle, born January 30, 1973, Kristine, born Januar5r 25, 1974, Brian, born November 30, 1977, and Victoria, born November 17, t979. Norma graduated in 1976. She worked at his favorite sport was football, his favorite past time was Patsy, who would later become his wife. He also enjoyed farming with his Dad when it didn't interfere with Patsy. Mike attended one year of college in Durango where he learned the art of drinking, which would later cause much trouble in his life. In Oct. 1969 Mike joined the Navy and was a good sailor proud to serve his country. Boot cnmp was in Great Lakes, illinois, where for your past time you manned a broom and kept the snow off the sidewalks at nights. He went to school in Lakehurst, New Jersey and studied Metcrology. He finished 3rd in his class so he received stateside duty in Virginia Beach, Virginia rather than sea duty. Mike returned home and married his highschool sweetheart June 5, 1971 in St. Charles Catholic Church. Patsy Ann Kordes is the fourth child of Val and Leona Kordes born on August 13, 1951. She has one brother Dennis and three sisters Betty Jean, Beverly and Valerie. She grew up with many treasured memories on a farm 5 miles northeast of Stratton. The family visiting neighbors, making Christmas cook- ies, pulling taffy and learning to sew are some of the more memorable times. Patsy attended the St. Charles Parochial School in Stratton for 8 years. In her teen years she spent her summers running an 830 John Deere tractor helping her Dad farm. She graduated from Stratton High School in May 1969. After graduation she moved to Denver working for an insurance company as a receptionist and secretary for 2 years until she beco-e Mike's bride. Patsy and Mike moved to Virginia Beach; they recall pleasant memories of the carefree newlywed days of the east coast beaches. w Raymond, Mike and Patsy Eisenbart and family, 1987 March 1, 1950 the dirt has been blowing days and days, at times so bad you can hardly see your hand in front of your face. There were 3 foot blow dirt drifts on one side of the house one day and 3 foot blow dirt drifts on the other side the next. Wet sheets were hanging on the windows to keep the dust down. The wind has died down for a few days now. It's March 20, 1950. Raymond Michael Eisenbart is the first of three children born to Raymond and Agnes Eisenbart. He has two sisters Nona Kay and Norma Jean. Mike, as he is called, had younger years full of wide open spaces. He spent hours playing with his dog Bullet, pigeons, and in the dry creek beds and climbing trees. Mike worked on the farm as a kid. It was his job along with his mom and sisters, to care for 2 to 3 thousand chickens. His dad said those bird eggs kept the farm alive in the 50's. Mike remembers some pretty good egg fights where several dozen eggs never made it to market. He enjoyed those frequent trips to eastern Kansas where he fished with his Grandpa Lfmpe and played in the fishing holes with frogs, turtles, crawdads and even water snakes which were good for scaring off girls which he didn't care for at the time. That would come later. Mike graduated from Stratton High School in 1968, his favorite subject was study hall, Patsy worked for another insurance company until Mike received word in July, 1972, he would be transferred to Adak, Alaska. Limited housing on his Naval Base Island forced Mike to live in the barracks until housing was available. Patsy returned home and lived with her parents for 6 months until March, 1973, a house became available and she was able to join him. During this time Mike's drinking became more of a problem in his life. By far the most exciting event for us on Adak was the birth of our first child Brandy Joy born on February 2, 1974. Mike was honorably discharged from the Navy in March 1974. After having seen other places, there was still no place like our home town. We decided to move back to Stratton and farm. In August, L974, we bought a used mobile home and moved to a farm 8 miles northwest of Stratton that his Dad had purchased from Guy Paintin. Mike rented 3 quarters of land northwest of Seibert and farmed with his Dad. His first tractor was a 1969 XT 190 Allis Chalrners. Later that year we purchased r/z section of land that tied to the land we lived on. We ran a few calves. October 14, 1975 our second child was born, Clint Michael. That same year we started raising a few hogs. We still had calves and were farming dryland wheat. We rented more ground closer to home and started doing custom farming also. Our third child, Ryan Raymond arrived on October 3, 1980. Mike's drinking became more of a problem and he decided to get some help. He entered Valley Hope Alcholic Treatment Center in March 1982. A sober husband and father brought he family much enjoyment and �closer together. Our fourth child, Jill Ann was born on August 18, 1982. In the fall of 1982 we built a farrowing house and increased the hog operation to 45 sows, farrow to finish. Mike remained sober from March 1982 until Sept. 1983 when he took that first drink. This was a great setback in life for all concerned. As the children were getting older, our mobile home was getting smaller. In December, 1984, we were able to move into our new home. What a super Christmas present. Mike, not at all happy with his life of alcoholism, realizing it was definitely a disease returned to Valley Hope for another shot at a sober and happy life, both for self and family in March 1986. His second trip to the treatment center gave him greater knowledge of the disease and how to live without the crutch of alcohol. As 1986 progressed we decided to increase the hog operation to around 100 sows. We started selling weaners as well as finishing some. We were actively involved in 4-H. Brandy and Clint wanted to take sheep as well as hogs to the county fair. We bought them 2 lamfs ...6 and they kept their ewes to start their own herds. We all enjoyed working with the sheep so much in the fall of 1986 we bought 50 bred ewes and are slowly building our own herd. Throughout the 1980's it has been tough times for young farmers. It hae become more of a necessity to supplement the farm income from outside sources to maintain the farm. For this reason we took on a Purina Feed dealership in May of 1987. Clint and Mike tremendously enjoy birds; for recreation Mike takes the boys pigeon hunting under bridges. We have raised quite a few pheasants and turned them out. Today our farm has all sorts of animals aside from the livestock. The children enjoy their rabbits, ducks, pigeons and a horse. We have a few chickens and guineas. We are proud to be farmers and hopefully this is our future. by Raymond Mike Eisenbart ELLIOTT, BUNNIE Fl82 I was born in 1926 at the home of my parents, Ben and Bessie Short, on their homestead sixteen and a half miles southwest of Seibert. I'm next to the youngest of eight children. When my younger brother, Larry, was born I had whooping cough; so our good neighbors, Mac and Ethel McConnell, kept me at their home for 6 weeks eo the new baby would not get whooping cough. The older children took turns staying with me so I wouldn't get homesick. From then on the McConnell's were like second parents to me, and I visited them often; J.C.'s and my children "adopted" them as grandparents. It was fun growing up on the farm close to our cousins; Bud and Eleanor Shori, Bill and Rose Livingston, and Larry and I could walk to each other's homes to play or stay overnight. Once in awhile we stayed too long and got a good whipping when we got home! At our home there was a huge apricot tree in the garden, and we had a bed under its boughs. That was a great place to sleep in the summertime. We had a big orchard which was a good place for a group of kids to play games such as Hide'n Seek; Ally, Ally Outs in Free; and years. Our other two daughters, Lori and Jerri, were born while we lived there. These Hope I Don't See the Old Ghost Tonight. Of course, at the right season we also had to pick mulberries and cherries for pies. Among our other jobs were picking up cow chips on the prairie (for fuel), picking up corncobs from the pig pen, and pulling weeds in the garden in 4-H and many Sunday School and school forapennyarow! I remember well the Dust Bowl days in the 30's when the kerosene lamps would have to be lit at school; and our bus, driven by Elmer Joy, crept along taking us home. The table would be covered with dust and have to be cleaned before supper; and we'd sweep a path to the bed. Seems there was always plenty of cleaning for us girls to do we'd sprinkle - on bran dampened with kerosene the cement steps and tiled kitchen floor to keep the dust down when we swept. We were fortunate to have a pump in the house so we didn't have to carry water; but we didn't have an indoor bathroom. I attended grades one through nine at Second Central School, District 19. I liked my first grade teacher, Mrs. Winona Graham, very much, and always liked school. I loved spelling at school and was fortunate, though I was really scared at the time, to go to the county spelling contest twice when I was in ?th and 8th grades, and placed second or third each time. County music contests and track meets were also exciting and much anticipated. My older brothers and sisters graduated from Seibert High School; but my brother, Art, just older than me, felt Flagler's curriculum had more to offer. So after he went there. I and Larry followed suit. We would rent a room or two in someone'g home and "batch" during the week, and most always went home on the week-end to help with work. Of course very few high school students had cars then, and we certainly didn't. Larry helped the janitor one term, and rode a bicycle across town to work awhile; then back home for breakfast, and back to school. Class plays were fun; also roller skating on Wednesday nights, and a dance once in awhile. After graduation I helped my mother with her work on the farm since two or three of my brothers were at home, and once in awhile a hired hand. My first job was at the drug store in Flagler, where I worked for a year, as a "soda jerk." We made our own simple syrup, combining sugar and water, for the fountain drinks. Part of that year I roomed and boarded with the Aubrey Walker's. In 1947 my parents got REA on their farm. We had had electric lights from a windcharger; but having a refrigerator was great! In April 1948 J.C. Elliott and I were married in Hugo. We borrowed my brother's car and J.C. borrowed 950 from a friend to go on our hone5rmoon - two or three days in the Colorado Springs area. We lived in Hugo until 1956 with the exception of two years when J.C. was in the Marine Corps, and we lived in California. Our first daughter, Monte, was born in San Diego. In 1956 J.C. was transferred to Burlington with his job for the State Highway Department. We moved there when our son, Lynn, wag six weeks old. In the fall of 1958 J.C. quit his job with the S.H.D., and we moved to the Buol's homestead. Ly2 miles North of Burlington. J.C. worked for Buol's for ten years, then leased the feedlot from them for eight were busy, happy years with the kids involved activities. J.C. was a 4-H livestock leader for nine years and a livestock superintendent at the county fair several years.. I was a Girl Scout leader and taught Sunday School several years. Jerri caused me to almost have a heart attack of the kids were taking turns - some riding Pat Andrews' shetland pony around in our corral. They could barely get him to move 'til someone left the handgate open and he headed for the pasture (by Kermit Buol's) on a dead run. Jerri, who was only three, was hanging onto the saddle for dear life as the pony ran across the highway ! Halfway down the hill she fell off and the pony stopped immediately. Her only injury was a bruised chest from hitting the saddle horn tely! - fortuna- Each fall we enjoyed having J.C.'s brother, Grove, and family come for a week-end of pheasant hunting. I learned later of neat injuries when the kids were jumping into the silo onto the fresh ensilage. What fun washing those green clothes! J.C. also liked to go deer and elk hunting with his friends from Hugo when he could arrange it. Many times we gave gas to someone who had run out (since we had a pump on the place), and J.C. took the tractor and pulled someone's vehicle out of a snowdrift or the mud. A few times someone was stranded at our home for a few hours or a few davs because of a snowstorm. In the fall of 1976 we moved to a home we built on the north side of Prairie Pines golf course. (J.C. enjoyed playing golf very much.) Ours was the first home completed in that subdivision; but that same winter and spring the Martin Buol's, Mel Gross', Leland Reinecker's and John Harker's moved into their homes. In February 1977 we had a terrible dirt storm; then two weeks later we had a bad snowstorm with lots of drifting (especially across our driveway!). Our electricity was off for over four days. We stuck it out huddled in blankets around the fireplace for two days: then took the Jeep and went across the golf course and to tovrrn to Russ and Alene Davis' home. J.C., I, Lori, and Jerri spent three nights and three days with them. I started working at the Pro Shop in 1928 and still work there during the golf season. We sold our home on the golf course in 1982 and eventually bought the home in town where I still live. J.C. died on October 10, 1985. All of our children attended college for various lengths of time. Monte married Paul Clarke on May 25, 1985. Lori married Ernie Love on February 14,1987. by Bunnie Elliott ELLISTON CORDELL FAMILY Fr83 On my dad's side, the early Elliston history is traced to England. The people who were believed to become the "Elliston Clan',, staded in the year 825 under the leadership of Eriwulf (The Fighting Bishop). They and the people of Somerset proceeded to a stone �Over the centuries the name had been modified/modernized into many variations to include Elliston, Ellystone, Elston, Alliston, and even McAlliston which means son of Alliston. Great-grandad Robert Elliston born April 15, 1838 in Kentucky, married Milly Holt. March 25, 1863 marks their wedding date in Jefferson County, Illinois. Milly died June 13, 1864 leaving Great-grandad with a son, Uncle Al. Uncle Al was said to have 17 children. On March 23, 1868 Great-grandad married for a second time to Sarah Nichels. They had 4 ELLISTON - WRIGHT FAMILY more boys and 2 girls; Grandad, George was born March 91, 1869, Willinm, Ella, Charles, Lilly, and Benjnrnin Frank. In 1865 Greatgrandad fought in the Civil War. Moving to Nebraska in the early 1880's he and his family survived the covered wagon journey, accompanied by a wagon train. Leaving home at about 16 years of age, he rode on horseback to northern Oklahoma, Granny and Grandad Elliston (George M. and Nancy J.) where he is believed to have worked on the famous "101 Ranch". Earning his living by helping on the railroad construction, and trading with Indians proved to be sufficient for his new bride Nancy Jane Cordell. Granny was born November 3, 1876. Grandad was believed to have participated in the "Cherokee Strip". This was a race in which the Government provided free land to those who chose to run and stake their homestead. One of Dad's favorite stories to tell was that ofhis father's plight to get to the spot he had chosen for his homestead. A woman also in the race had a lame horse. The horse had fallen into a rut and had broken its leg. (In those days the only right thing to do was to shoot them to put them out of their misery.) Grandad got off his horse to do the lady a service, and she grabbed her horse and staked the homestead he had chosen. Grandad and Granny lived on the Osage Indian Reservation in Osage County, Oklaho- ma. It was there that my father James Franklin Elliston was born and raised along with two sisters, Nellie and Gladys. 1909 found the family moving to Washington County, Kansas, living on a rented farm. In 1923 they migrated to Lincoln County, Colorado, working on the ranch which was developed to include property in Washington and Kit Carson Counties as well. ln L947 Dad, Aunt Gladys, Granny, Grandad and Aunt Nellie (taken prior to 1950, in front of "Old Soddy" at Grandad's house) Mom and Dad (Marge and Frank Elliston) taken in the 1940's "D?-CAT" used in the Blizzard of '46. taken on Elliston Ranch prior to 1950 Grandad and Granny retired and moved to Skiatook, Oklahoma. Grandad passed away in Skiatook in 1968. At 22 years of age Dad married Luella Meyer to have 8 children, one of which died as an infant, Fred, Neva, Grace, George, Jim, Robert and Nancy. Fred and Charles had one daughter Lisa. Neva and Les Tyler had two sons Tim and Dave. Grace and Frank Aggus had Kenny, Connie and Gary. George and Geneva had one son Bruce. Jim and Nancy had Gary, Jerry, Dave, Dan, Pat, Tim and Jamie. Robert married the former Kay Horrigans. Nancy and Robert Myer had Christina and Stephen. by Dolly Mae Elliston John Kirkenschlager, Dad, Bert Edleman (taken in front of house in Kansas prior to 1950) which was a meeting place. Along with King Egbert they fought the "Battle of The Forest". A great victory was won. It was this victory that destined the clan to be called Aleystone. Aleystone comes from The Olde English Language meaning ancient stone. "Old Soddy" at Grandad's House Married in the 1940's my parents, well known as Marge and Frank Elliston, remembered the dust bowl days of the 30's well. "Dirty 30's" my Mom called them; "The Depression" was Dad's common term. Tum- bleweeds, drought and hunger ravaged through the plains with anger and rage. They survived those days of hardship with starnina and courage. As we unravel the tales of yarn, �Lumberyard, Apartment Houses, and owned and operated the Case Dealership under "J.F. Elliston and Sons." In 1947 they bought and moved to a place in Eureka, Kansas. Jim was 12 that year and drove one ofthe trucks loaded with furniture. This venture found the family rotating between Kansas, Flagler, and the ranch north of Flagler, depending on where the work demanded the most presence. My first and only full sister was born in Kansas on Apr. 11, 1948. It was in that big old house in Kansas that Mom, while pregnant with Ruby Luceil, sat and watched the big tree spiders make large webs of intricate designs. Mom and Jim used to walk after the cows in the evening. The handsized spiders would swing from tree to tree, as Jim would Children of Frank Elliston: Fred, Grace, George, Jim, Robert, Davie, Nancy, Scotty, Cordell, Ruby, Roy, Dolly Mae, and Doug taken in 1970. through the stories told by our parents and their parents, we see how the cloth of our family was woven. Sometimes there were only threads ofhope, love, and faith entwined with barbed wire, death and God's helping hand. They started out their life together on their property known to our family as the "Old Thompson Place". The 3 youngest children of Dad's former marriage lived with them, Jim, Nancy and Robert. Situated just west of the Arickaree Creek. 22 miles north of Flagler, they resided until the house burned down. Scotty Nathan, my eldest brother was born on Oct. 6, 1941. When the tragic fire was engulfing the house with flames, Mom remembers how she, Dad, and the hired hand carried out the piano by themselves. The basement contained fuel for the winter, cowchips and corncobs so it went down pretty fast. It was cold out so Mom thought she would leave Scotty in the house to keep warm while they carried out the piano, but Jim got worried and wrapped the baby up and carried him to the safety of the car. Having more than one house enabled them to move to a house we called the "Joe Eckert Place." Grandad and Granny Elliston lived just north of there on the "Home Place". Almost a year later my second brother Davie McClellan, was born on Oct. 13, 1942. Davie was born with the opening to his stomach closed, causing the need for much attention and special care. He was the 5th child under about 7 years old in the household. With much consideration for the baby's health, they decided that he could be given that special care staying with Grandad and Granny. When they retired and moved back to Oklahoma, he went with them. It was during the Depression that people could no longer stand up to the harsh environment. People fled the country in droves leaving behind acres and acres of windswept barren land. The government took over much of this land and later on sold it off. I remember Dad saying many times, of how he bought land for $1.00 an acre during those days. My third eldest brother was born at home on Aug. 19, 1945. God brought them their first blond haired, blue eyed baby boy, Charles Cordell. Between raising kids, cattle, horses and chickens, and farming about 4000 acres they kept pretty busy. Roy Pearl, my fourth eldest brother was born on Sept. 19, 1946. It was that winter that Colorado seemed to have been swallowed whole by a ferocious blizzard. They had over 1200 head of cattle that there was no feed for. as it was covered by almost 4 feet of snow. Desperately trying to find a solution, Dad realized he had to get the cattle off the ranch and into Flagler to the railroad station. Mom remembers it took Dad, the hired hand and some of the boys 4 days to get to town. (Only about 25 miles). They drove a D-7 Caterpillar to make tracks in the snow for the cattle to follow and some of the boys followed behind the cattle on horseback. Alot of folks were shut in for weeks so the "Cat" made them a nice track. Neighbors were known to have watched the cattle go by their houses for 5 hours. One neighbor was said to have had to stand out in her yard waving a dish towel to keep the cattle from getting in her yard. Finally reaching Flagler, there were no trains. Dad had to call the Governor and convince him that he had to have 31 railroad cars, quick, to load the cattle on. The cattle were so hungry they ate at the sides of the sale barn. The Governor took 2 days to get the cattle cars there. (A display is said to be at one of the museums in Denver, Colorado, of this event). Cattle loaded on the trains, Dad sent the hired hand and some of the boys back to the ranch on the "Cat". Mom said she was ever so glad to see that old "Cat" coming down the road with groceries, as food supplies were getting pretty low. The cattle were put on corn fields in Iowa and some perhaps Illinois. During the years to follow Dad bought property in Flagler, known as the "Sloans Addition". He and Mom moved into town and lived in the "Yellow House". While moving back and forth from the ranch and town he bought the Flagler Sale Barn, the tease Mom that the spiders wouldn't hurt anyone. "The little things would land on you and jump right off' he would say. That is until the day one of them jumped on his back. White as a sheet he turned. Mom recalls with a hint of amusement on her face. My fifth and last brother, red haired and freckled, Douglas Franklin enhanced the family on June 22, 1949. Doug and Ruby always used to argue whose "Reka" it was. Your reka or my reka. It was in'55 or'56 that found them selling the place in Kansas to return to Flagler. By that time most of the businesses they had in Flagler were no longer in operation, although most of the property was retained until after Dad's death. I being the youngest of the ? living children was born in the Flagler Hospital Apr. 4, 1957. As I allow my mind to walk slowly through the pages of my past, I remember sitting by -y Mom's side in the winter time. I would watch her darn socks and patch overalls andjeans, and listen quietly as she spoke of her childhood. The winters were cold and harsh abreasting the seemingly God- forsaken plains. With old fashioned irons heated in the coal stove to keep the beds warm at night, Mom said that there were times when the only source of food was the squirrels and jack rabbits her Dad had trapped and hunted, along with small rations of ground corn from the summers' minimal harvest. Before they had electricity the meats were hung out in the smoke house to cure or Granny would can it. "We were in God's care though, and Mom would always read the Bible to us", Mom would say. The most precious memories I hold are those times spent on Sunday afternoons after church at Thurman, Colorado. Our families would gather either at our house or at Grandad Wright's to have lunch and sing the Gospel or other old fashioned songs. Those afternoons were always a festivity with cousins, aunts and uncles gathered around the piano singing and playing the fiddles. The kids would play games like "Red Light-Green Light", "Red Rover-Red Rover" and "Simon Says". Dad and Grandad always played the fiddles and the aunts would sing and play the piano. One of my favorites was the "Red River Valley", which Grandad played on the harmonica. A blessing from God indeed, is that of the closeness felt at the family gatherings of those long-ago Sunday afternoons. During the week at home there were always chores to be tended. Living on such a big ranch seemed to invent things to do. At various times we employed hired hands that lived in one of the 5 houses on the ranch. At one time Jim and his family moved back on the ranch to help with all of the work. �Between Cordell's 8th and 9th grade, Dad kept him at home from school for a year to help with the work. Before some of us kids were old enough to brand cattle and drive the guidance just as he does his own natural children. The Elliston families try to get together tractor, we found time to build forts out of stacked fence posts and sometimes even tumbleweeds. With Jim's kids there we even had enough kids for regular Indian battles. We also used to get our summer fun out of swimming in the various ponds and playing "King on the Mountain" in the hay lofts in the barns. In the evenings was a special time aftcr the older kids came in from the fields, we would all play "Hide and Seek". Work sometimes hard to get everyone rounded up but it strengthens that family cloth ever more. couldn't elude anyone though as in the spring it was time to bring in cattle from the pastures and sort them for the cattle sales. Also the heifers needed to be put in corrals for calving. Pent safely in the wooden corrals that we all helped to build you could hear the cattle rebel at night of their sudden enclosure. Along with the bellows deep in the night, one could hear the coyotes howling at the moon. Those coyotes seemed to be right outside the bedroom window. There were always fence rows to mend; wires broken from the winter's heavy snow and new fences to put in, old ones moved or taken out. Moving a 2 mile fence is something everyone should have the opportunity to do at least once in their lifetime! Summer soon to follow found Mom and us kids in the garden. Mom would direct us where to spade spots for many vegetables for canning. We didn't mind the blisters too much, knowing that Dad would There is nothing better than fresh strawberries on also put in several rows of strawberries. top of fresh buttered bread, dipped in Granny's fresh cream! (We didn't have it too bad!) The most historical building on the ranch was what we called the "Old Soddy". A Soddy is a building the early settlers built when they first cnme to the west. Sod was dug from the pastures and homes were built by layering a row of sod and sod mixed with mud and water to form a paste to seal the next layer. The Soddy at one time even contained a grinding mill that connected to a nearby wind mill. each year for a family reunion. This is by Dolly Mae Elliston ELLSWORTH - REED FAMILY F185 Gene Ellsworth, expert sharp-shooter. Sherman and Clara Ellsworth and son Lee. Lee was born at their new homestead five months after arriving at their homestead in Colorado. On April 13, 1906, Sherman and Clara (Reed) Ellsworth anived at Burlington, from their former home in Norton, Kansas, via the Rock Island train. The Ellsworths' along with the Feese and Mills stayed three nights in a large tent near the stockyards, while they waited for the boxcars containing their livestock, wagons, buggy and household goods to be unloaded. They left their 10 year old son Clarence, with his sister Roysten, in Norton, so he could finish his school term. In a letter Clara wrote to Clarence after they arrived in Burlington, she writes that one could see for miles from Burlington. She states that there were 1000 head of sheep in the stockyards. This was at one time used to grind grain. My Dad passed away on Apr. 3, 1970. At On Easter morning, they started their journey to their homestead on the NE % of that time he had 8000 ranch acres and several properties in Flagler. My brother Doug was killed in a harvest truck accident on Aug. 5, Sec. 18-11-44 southwest ofBurlington. Their 1971, leaving his wife Darlene and one daughter Waiva Louceil. Scotty and Beverly had 5 children, Wade, John, Craig, Debra and Jessie. Davie and Kay had 2 children, Erin and Reece. Cordell and Kathy had 2 children, Jayce and Kami. Ruby and Al Dieckman had 2 children, Julie and Jenni. I have 3 children, Laurie Wilcox, Lonnie and Jennifer Vincent. All we have left of those precious days on the ranch are memories embedded in our minds forever. Some faded pictures and a few reel to reel tapes have recorded a deep personal gratification of life. Our families are scattered around the world now. and distances seem so vast. From the Middle East, to Alaska, Texas to Iowa and Arizona the threads of our parents' love is stretched. Mom has shown true spirit to the area though, as she still resides in Flagler. She calmly states as she wans a friendly smile, "This is my home". Remarried in 1973 to Floyd Rowe, they share their golden lives together in their new home west of Flagler. In the absence of our natural father, Floyd has given each of us strength, support and tff daughter and son-in-law, Walter and Cora Feese homesteaded what they thought was the SW % of Sec. 18-11-44. but when the land was resurveyed, they found that their home was on the wrong section. Sherman and Clara had four children: Roysten Matthies, Cora Feese, Clarence and Lee. Lee was born five months after they arrived at their Colorado home. by Shirley Matthies ELLSWORTH, THOMAS EUGENE F186 "Listen my children and you shall hear, Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere; On the eighteenth of April, '75, Hardly a man is now alive who Remembers that famous day and year, And the midnight ride of Paul Revere." And hardly a man is now alive who remembers a day much later April 18, - Yankee 1850. On that day a Pennsylvania and his English-born wife were delighted by the arrival of a son. The boy was christened Thomas Eugene Ellsworth. His father was A.C. Ellsworth, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Jellus. This all took place at Paris, Linn County, Iowa. There, the young man remained until the year 1896. In boy- hood young Gene learned the trade of tinsmith, a trade at which he worked for many years, and to which, in 1890, he added that of gunsmithing. A natural thing for him, since at an early age he became a proficient marksman with shotgun and rifle. So expert had he become, that the Winchester Arms Co. employed him as traveling demonstrator. He thus beco-e known all over the United States. In the many matches in which he entered he became acquainted with and was often pitted against such world famous gunners as; Carver, Bogardus, Topperwein, Hardy, Mrs. Toppenwein, Cal Wagner (winner of the National match and a $14,000.00 purse), and others. In 1874, Mr. Ellsworth was married to Annie Brooks of Sumner, Iowa. Their first two children died, a boy at the age of 2, and a daughter at 7 weeks. Other children were; Frank and Ralph, both on the police force of Long Beach, Calif., Jessie, who was a sergeant in the World War, and later a farmer on a large scale near Aberdeen, South Dakota, and a daughter Hazel, now Mrs. Webster. The first Mrs. Ellsworth died at their home in Fairbury, Nebr. Two years later, Mr. Ellsworth again married, this time at Center, Nebr., his wife being Mrs. Mattie H. Lickey, whose maiden name was Wanderluss. In 1911, he came to Colorado, land seeking. He returned to Nebr. and bought a relinquishment, of John Hanis. Mrs. Bllsworth continued her occupation of nurse in Fairbury, Nebr., for five years. They came to Seibert, Colo., in 1917, to their home 8 miles south and 3 W. of Seibert. On their farm they went in for dairy cattle, horses, hogs and chickens, at which they prospered until the bad years. Mrs. Ellsworth died April 14, 1937, and soon after he moved into Seibert. He lived in �the house built by Roy Johnson, in the west part of town. by Janice Salmans ELRICK, CLYDE AND LULU F187 Clyde Elrick was the youngest son of Scott and Margaret Elrick of Iowa. Clyde's parents' history was entered in the Marshall County Historybook in Iowaas beingin awagon train to California in the Gold Rush of 1849. In Utah, their wagon and occupants, along with three other wagons chose to withdraw from the wagon train and take another route. The original wagon train continued on the planned route where the entire train was massa- cred by Indians. Lulu (LaRue) Elrick, whose parents, Edward and Jennie LaRue, came to Colorado first from Minnesota, settling north of Flagler, near where Clyde and Lulu settled in 1915. Clyde and Lulu came from Minnesota with five children: Carol, Hazel, Jennie, Lonnie and Wilma. Three of us were born in Florence, Violet and Rozella. Colorado We were- raised in a four room house with no modern conveniences. The house was heated by a cook (coal) stove and a parlor furnace, also heated by coal. We attended school in a one room schoolhouse called "Dazzling Valley" in School District No. 14. We attended the first eight grades there, later attending high school in Flagler. Since 1927, several Elricks have graduated from the Flagler High School. Farming in the early years was done by horse drawn machinery, later tractors were added. There were years when drouth and hail took the crops. We also survived the "dust bowl" days. ning was done. Pork and beefwere butchered and preserved for later use. Eggs, milk, cream and butter were supplied from the farm. On Kirk; Rozella and John Beatty: Beverly Farley. our farm was a cellar or cave which was concrete lined with shelves for canned goods and bins for potatoes, apples and vegetables. It also doubled as a storm shelter in case of tornadoes or severe storms which threatened some times. Staples and supplies were bought at Flagler. They were transported by a horse drawn wagon and later by automobiles. Our entertainment in our young years were school plays, box suppers, gatherings where the neighbor women took the food and had by Florence Gries ENGLAND, CIIARLES AND HATTIE UHL Ft88 quilting parties, the men visited, pitched horseshoes, played cards or played and watched baseball games. At one time the Elricks had their own baseball team which consisted of family members, also in-laws and grandchildren. There are many yet who are avid sport fans with the younger ones still participating in one sport or the other. Raymond Elrick, the oldest grandson and his wife, Imogene, still reside on a ranch and farm near the original Elrick farm. Clyde and Lulu retired in 1944 in Flagler on the place now owned by their daughter, Jennie Potter. Rozella Beatty also resides in Flagler and yours truly, Florence (Peggy) Gries resides in the Golden area. We, in 1985, are the remaining three of the eight children. Following are the sons and daughters of Clyde and Lulu Elrick: Carrol and Elsie (Lake) Elrick: Raymond, Scotty (deceased), Williem, James (deceased), Caroline Farmer, and Donald; Hazel and Gale Kelley: Robert, Shirley Herbert and Jerald; Jennie and Glenn Potter: Betty Dalgetty ', Charles L. England and his grandsons, Robert C. and Jeffery Doyle Coles. (deceased) and Harold; Lonnie and Opal (Charles) Elrick Allen, Gary, Linda Green and Sherry; Wilma and Pearl Johnson; Florence and Albert Horst: Keith Horst: Florence married Edward Gries; Violet and Murle Haworth: Calvin and Gardens were raised every year and can- t$tiiiig,rffi r" 1 . ' Charles England was born near Piedmont, Missouri to John and Lusetta England in 1887. His first trip to Colorado was in 1910 when he and his brother Bill worked on a cattle ranch near Lamar, Colorado. He rejoined his family in Kansas in 1914 and married Hattie Uhl in August of 1914. They returned to Lamar for a short period and then returned to Kansas where he stayed until 1950. In December of 1928, Hattie died of diabetes leaving Charlie to raise two daughters and a son. In 1950 Charles, his daughter Franceis and his son-in-law Doyle Coles moved to land purchased near Stratton Colorado. Before leaving Kansas they bought a 55 Massy Harris tractor, Jeffery chisel, John Deere 1620 drill, Massy Harris one way, and a 1000 propane tank and hauled it all to the old Kordes place west of Stratton on a 1947 Chevy truck. A good crop in 1951 and a fair crop in 1952 were followed by bad years forcing Doyle and Franceis to return to Kansas. Charles continued on the farm, hanging on by selling land and making minimal crops until 1959 when good years began to return and Doyle and Franceis were able to come back to Stratton. Charles left the farm in 1961 moving to Stratton where he purchased a small home and remodeled it, living there until his death on November 5, 1962. Charles and Hattie had three children: Charles of Port Angeles, Washington, MaxThe Clyde Elrick Family in 1940. Front Row: Florence, Clyde, Lulu, Rozella. Back Row: Hazel, Lonnie, Jennie, Violet, Carrol, and Wilma. �ine Herd of Protection, Kansas and Franceis Coles of Stratton, Colorado. by Robet and Linda Coles EPPERSON - MILLER FAMILY F189 time, so we sold the farm and moved to town. Since my father was out working most of the time and didn't want me to be alone, he asked Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Gibson, who printed The Flagler Progress, a weekly newspaper, if I could help in their office - no pay expected, of course. The old round-up days were almost over when I first remember anything. There were no fences. In the spring cattle were branded and turned loose to pasture and they strayed as far south as the Union Pacific Railroad. About the last round-up days, I remember, the men stayed and slept in the loft of our barn and started on their trip real early. Soon after, people began buying herds of sheep and fences were built. That caused some hard feelings between them and cattlemen. I have very fond memories of my parents. My father served on the school board, helped in our church activities and served as Kit Carson County Commissioner. My mother was a very kind mother. After my first week with the Gibsons at The Flagler Progress, they began paying me $10.00 a week. a small fortune then. The printing office was one of the most interesting jobs I ever had. Then after that I went to work for W.H. Lavington in his General Store, that was also very interesting. Farmers drove in from miles in the country, a day's trip with team and wagon. They would leave a long grocery list with us to fill. We would have it ready to go Edley Thomas Epperson and his bride, Nina Mae Miller Epperson, married December 25, 1892, in the first wedding in the Flagler Congregational Church. My father, Edley Thomas Epperson came west from Galesburg,Ill., where he was born on March 11, 1864. He was working for the Rock Island Railroad being built at that time. In Flagler, he met my mother, Nina Mae Miller, who was born in Kansas. They were married Dec. 25, 1892, the first wedding performed in the First Congregational Church building. They decided to make their home there and started on a cattle ranch four miles south of Flagler, near the Republican River. My brother, Roy and sister, Retta and I were born there in a sod house. I was born on April 4, 1900. My sister and I were baptized in the Republican River about 1906. My brother was later baptized in a Baptist Church in Denver. We attended school in Flagler. Our grand- father drove a covered wagon which was transportation for us and a few neighbors. One of Colorado's blizzards stranded the wagon away from home. The folks spent a sleepless, worrying night, since there were no telephones. The next day, the wagon was safely home after spending the night at a neighbor's. So before I started to school, my folks bought a small place close to Flagler, located about where the M&S Garage was located for so many years. We lived there in the winter and went back to the ranch in the summer. My mother passed away at an early age in 1911, and my sister in 1913. My brother was older and at that time was gone most of the by about 6 a.m. the next day. Then they had a long trip going home. Later Mr. Lavington turned the store over to his son, Leon, and he went full time to the Flagler State Bank of which he was president. He asked me to go to work there. Although I didn't want to leave the store, my father thought I should go. So I spent many years at the bank. During the years ahead, times were hard. Then in 1933, President Roosevelt ordered all banks closed, I believe, for three days. After that time was up, only about three banks reopened in the county, the First National Bank being one of them. Subsequently Jennie married Dan Schlagle, who had come to work for the Rock Island Railroad, sometime during the 1920's and probably quit work to raise a family. Their son, Dick, is a 1948 graduate of Flagler High School. Dick started to school in the same building where Jennie had started school many years before. (The brick school building had replaced the frame building when built, but later the frame building was put into use again for the lower grades as enrollment increased). After the beginning of WWII, some time in the 1940's, Jennie went back to the First National Bank to work and continued until her retirement. Then she went to live with her son. Dick and wife, in the Kansas City area (Raytown, Missouri) where she cared for two little granddaughters, while their parents worked. The "little girls" are now grown and there are two great granddaughters for Jennie to enjoy, now that she is nearly 88 years of age. by Jennie Epperson Schlagle ERNEST, HARRY Fr90 Harry Ernest was born February 15, 1895 near Goshen, Indiana, the youngest son of Alfred (1852-1936) and Dorinda (Fones) (1854-1934) Ernest. Alfred's ancestry was German. Harry's great, great grandfather, Conrad Ernest (1763-1815) came from Ger- many; his great grandfather, Conrad Ernest (1797 -1847) was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; his grandfather, George Washington Ernest (1820-1897) was born in Tyrone Twp., Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, now Perry County; his father, Alfred, was born near Goshen, Indiana. Harry's mother, Dorinda, was born near Tonawanda, New York. Her ancestry was French. Her grandfather, William Fones (1764-1839) fought in the Revolutionary War from North Kingston, Rhode Island; and her father, John Fones (1795-1885), was born near Schenectady, New York. After living in South Carolina and Oklahoma, Harry moved with his parents to the sandhills of Nebraska and there met his wife, Ida Rhodes. They were married on Christmas Day 1916 in her parent's home north of Lewellen. Later the next year they moved into a sod house five miles northeast of Oshkosh, Nebraska where four of the children were born. In 1917 Hauy bought a new Model T Ford with side curtains for about $600. Harry raised hogs and farmed there until 1925. His father, Alfred, owned a quarter of land on the plains of eastern Colorado eleven miles southwest of Burlington. He deeded the land to Harry in exchange for their taking care of his parents in their latter years. So the Harry Ernest family moved with five horses, a cow, and some furniture. We lived with a neighbor, Cash Locke, until my father and a friend, Hugh Bennett of Burlington, built a tworoom cement house on the quarter of land. We then went on a six-week trip to the east coast. I remember many things about that trip as my twin brother, Elvin, and I were seven years old. My father started breaking sod, getting ready to farm. He bought two registered Hereford cows and through the years built the herd to around 100 registered Hereford cattle. His specialty was selling registered Hereford bulls to the Denver Stock Show and also to private individuals. He spent many hours weighting their horns and getting them ready for the Show. It paid off as he came home with lots of blue ribbons and sales. Harry's parents came to live with us in 1928. He had to build two more rooms on to our home. Then came the great Depression and the dirt storms! The grass was too dry to grow so for a while Harry salted down Russian thistles to feed the cattle. but he finally had to truck them to pasture on his father-in-law's place up by North Platte, Nebraska. One day the wind would blow white dust from the north and the next day it would change directions and blow red dust up from Oklahoma and Texas. Our faith was strong in God and we depended on Him to take care of us during those years. We didn't realize how really bad it was. We were a happy family. We attended the Calvary Church of the Nazarene, eleven miles southwest of our place. So many people moved away after losing their farms and some �died of dust pneumonia. My father had to mortgage our place and at times we thought we would lose it but managed to hang on to it. Finally he brought the cattle back and sometime later he put in an irrigation well. Through the years he managed to buy eight more quarters of land and rented some besides. We had some exciting things happen once in a while on the farm even though we had no electricity, phone, or radio. Charles Lindberg was flying his plane, which he had been getting ready to fly across the Atlantic, and as he came over our pasture south ofthe barn, his plane developed some kind of trouble. We read "The Spirit of St. Louis" on the side of his plane. He was flying so low it scared the cattle and he had to gain altitude to miss hitting the barbed wire fence. We read about it in the newspaper afterwards. Harry prospered through the years and in 1959 my parents moved to the Ardueser place a mile south of Bethune. They lived there for 1? years and then had a new home built at 1798 Lowell Avenue in Burlington. They moved there in 1975. Harry worked very hard through the years and it came time for him to retire from the farm. He sold his beautiful cattle to a rancher in Wyoming and had a sale of many of the farm things. A renter has farmed the land now for several years and another irrigation well has been added. My folks raise mostly wheat, pinto beans, and corn now, but have had sugar beets in the past when the sugar beet factory was thriving. (Harry Ernest passed away quietly in his sleep form a heart attack on September 1, 1986 at the age of91 years. He and his wife would celebrate their ?0th wedding Anniversary on Christmas Day 1986. by Eleanor (Ernest) Varce have had four great grandchildren. She is still raising a garden, canning and sharing. She does most of her work at the age of 93 in 1986. She has been a very devoted wife and mother, attending church faithfully, has after. always put others first in her thoughts. Ernest were married as well as sometime Then Harry and Ida moved northeast of Oshkosh, Nebraska into another sod house. On March 11, 1918 Elvin and I (Eleanor) were born one month premature. The doctor - parents not to expect me to live, we told my were both very tiny. There were six pairs of twins born in that community that year and all of them died who were both twin boys or both twin girls. Another baby boy, Stanford, came to bless our home on November 13, 1920; and on February 23, 1924 Paul was born. He weighed more than the twins both together. The twins started to school in the first grade, but went only six weeks when they both got measles, and mother taught us at home until we started in the fourth grade at Prairie Star in 1926 south of Bethune, Colorado. One of the hardest things during the Depression to contend with was to have enough clothes to wear. But Mother always found a way. She made a lot ofour clothes out of feed sacks, even a lot of our sheets for our beds came from sacks. We always had enough to eat since we lived on the farm, but we had a real problem getting much of a variety to put on the table. We couldn't always have much garden because of shortage of water since the stock needed it, until we got a large storage tank and then we could irrigate it. When we did have a big garden Mother canned and canned. Since we didn't have electricity, she had to can most of the meat; of course. we cured the hams and bacon. Another real problem was to get enough fuel to keep us warm or to cook with. There weren't any trees to cut down. So many times Mother and we children went out into the ERNEST, IDA (RI{ODES) there were very few trees with which to build homes. Ida went to Norton, Kansas to take several weeks of normal training in order to teach in the country schools. She taught in the school east of them before she and Harry F191 pasture with gunny sacks to gather cow chips. It took many sacks to bake bread twice a week and get all the meals. Later on we were able to buy a little coal and a few old railroad ties to burn. Ida Rhodes was born August 18, 1893 near Westboro, Missouri, the second daughter of George (1868-1955) and Lydia (Johnson) (1869-1943) Rhodes. Ida's great, great grandfather, Caleb Rhodes (1739-f830) was born in Schylkill County, Pennsylvania; her great grandfather, Lewis Rhodes (U98-1886) wag born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania; her grandfather John Rhodes (1827-1875) was also born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania and was in the Civil War; and her father, George Rhodes, was born in Stark County, Illinois. On December 7, 1934 our baby sister, Irene, was born, but she didn't live but two weeks. I wanted a That was a sad time for all us baby sister so very much. - Then on July 20, 1936, Leland came to bless our home. How happy we all were! Since I was 18 I had to be his first nurse as all Mother's children were born at home. most of The children have scattered them graduated from college and-did graduate work. Elvin and Stanford went into the ministry. We were all saddened when Elvin passed away with cancer on October 7, 1973 Ida's mother, Lydia Johnson, was born near Gentry, Missouri. Her grandfather, Joseph Wesley Johnson (1832-1910) was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania; her great grandfather, Wesley Johnson (18091837) was born in Fayeteville, Pennsylvania and died while young in a logging accident. After living in Iowa for several years, Ida with her parents and brother and sister moved to Orleans, Nebraska where she while pastoring at Royal City, Washington. He had pastored for 30 years or more. Paul has irrigated farms in the State of Wash- home north of Lewellen, Nebraska. All the families around there lived in sod houses as teaching. finished high school. When she was around 20, they moved on west in Nebraska to the sandhills. Her father rented a farm with a sod ington. Leland, the youngest, got his Doctor's degree in Botany at the University of Iowa and taught in the Science department in our College in Massachusetts. I did my graduate work at the University of Colorado and taught in our College in Nampa, Idaho as head of the Secretarial Department. I married a minister, got another under-graduate major in Home Economics and taught 16 more years, making a total of 20 years of Harry and Ida have 9 grandchildren and is still worked very hard through the years, and by Eleanor (Ernest) Varce EVANS - GRIFFITHS FAMILY F192 John P. Evans, a young bachelor, first cnrne to eastern Colorado in the fall of 1886 from Columbus Junction, Iowa. He was told to "go West to the dry prairie country" by a doctor in Iowa who treated him for bronchitis and a lingering cough. He filed on a homestead and pre-emption southwest of Idalia in what was then Arapahoe County. This county extended from the Kansas line to Denver and was about thirty miles wide. Later several counties were formed from a division of Arapahoe County, among them Washington and Yuma. John P. built a dugout home. There were no wells the first winter and water had to be hauled from the Republican River, about eight miles. He had met a young lady, Elizabeth Griffiths through a mutual friend, and they had corresponded several years. Elizabeth lived with her father and brothers in Macon County, Missouri. In 1893, he returned to Missouri to marry Elizabeth. It is interesting that her father would not give his consent to the marriage unless John P. agreed to try farming in Missouri for a year. The prize was worth the demand to John. and on Christmas day, 1893, John P. Evans and Elizabeth Griffiths were married and settled down to the very different environment of "Muddy Missouri". John kept his promise to his father-in-law and farmed in Missouri for a year. Their first child, Anne, was born in October, 1894, and about six weeks after her birth John and Elizabeth prepared to return to his prairie home. They came by rail with some household furnishings, a barrel or two of apples, dried fruits and a hogshead (a large wooden tub) packed with homechurned butter. The years that followed were years of hard work, battling the elements of drouth, winds and hail. A second daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was born on the homestead in the summer of 1897. They were accumulating some cattle and settlers were coming in to take homesteads. Rangeland, on which the cattleman depended to graze his herds, was disappearing and they felt the need to get where prairie was more grass. In addition to the homestead near Idalia, John had taken a timber claim about thirty miles south in what is now Kit Carson County. It was to this land that they moved to accommodate their growing herd of cattle. They added more land as they were able. Three more daughters were born to them, Margaret Alice in 1900, Elsie S. in 1904 who died in 1905 and Grace Eleanor in 1907. They built up their cattle herds, developed their land and reared their children, but they were always ready to lend a hand for the good their community. From being kind and �helpful neighbors to serving on the school board and helping organized Sunday schools, their influence was felt in many ways in the betterment of their community. They believed firmly in the value of education beyond conventional schooling and encouraged their children to read and develop their minds. Daily newspapers and magazines were always in their home. Life was not always unrelenting hard labor. As the land was more settled there were neighbors to visit with and make friendships. They had an interesting group of neighbors. Young men and women seeking new free land, a hillbilly farmer from Tennessee who never did understand the prairie, and a cultured widow from eastern Nebraska. There is a humorous story about this widow. She lived in a "shack" like everyone else, but she maintained a life style more suited to the east. The story goes that a minister from Stratton cnme to call on her one morning. the widow Loveland was doing some baking and was pretty "floury" and in her everyday house dress. The minister knocked at her screen door, introducing himself, for she was in plain sight in the kitchen. After a few minutes he heard a cultured voice say, "Mrs. Loveland is not receiving this morning". [t was told that the minister turned, scratched his head and slowly went back to his buggy and drove the long miles to town. For entertainment they had "Literary Societies" which met in the schoolhouse on a Friday night, usually. Everyone who had a talent would use it for the entertainment, debates were popular and the social value of meeting and visiting were probably the greatest value. John and Elizabeth bought more land for his growing cattle herd and also had more farm land. He was proud in 1923 of raising someone in the neighborhood would fill his wagon from the then plentiful supply of buffalo bones on the prairies, collect the letters neighbors had ready for mailing to friends and relatives "back East", and make railroad town, Haigler, Nebraska, where he would dispose ofthe bones, purchase supplies After several years of batching on the plains of eastern Colorado, he returned to Missouri to marry his sweetheart, Elizabeth M. Griffith. With his bride he began farming in Missouri, but the call of the prairies was too strong and about a year later they returned to the homestead in eastern Colo- a doctor's care, nursing those children through severe illnesses, usually without benefit ofthe doctor, for the horse and buggy transportation was slow and calls on the doctor were many. The pioneer wife and mother was on the alert for snake bites and accidents of all kinds, and if they occurred she had to keep her head and know how to meet any emergency. Once when a new building was being erected, her five year old daughter suffered a scalp wound from a falling rafter; my mother snlmly sterilized a needle and with white silk thread sutured the wound skillfully without benefit of any anesthetic. Too much praise cannot be given these pioneer wivee and mothers who worked beside their husbands building a home and community. Perhaps the greatest reward of these pioneers was in seeing the development of Kansas line. Latcr several counties were this land from bare prairie with "dugout" formed from a division of this county, among homes to fine productive ranches and farms. John P. Evans, having seen this transformation of the prairie, passed on in 1924, still on the ranch and "in the harness" as he wished to go. His widow, spending her last years County. When family larders needed replenishing, ' couraged during the panic of'93 and the dry years following. Later he bought this land back for $125.00, and it was here they moved when they felt the need of more grassland for their growing herd ofcattle, gradually adding more land as they were able. It was during these years they becnme the parents of five daughters, one of whom died in infancy. Ownership of the old home ranch now rests with the four daughters. The years they spent on the ranch, rearing a family, building their cattle herd and developing the land, were busy years. But he and his wife were never too busy to lend a hand in the upbuilding of their community, to being kind and helpful neighbors to those about them, to serving ou the school board, and develop their minds. No story of a pioneer cattleman would be complete without the part played by his wife, who suffered the privations of a harsh life gladly, bearing her children many miles from them Washington and Yuma. Kit Carson County was at one time a part of Elbert ili:r':t : ' In addition to the homestead and preemption near Idalia he had a timber claim about thirty miles south of Idalia, which he had traded off for a cow when he became dis- She died in 1938 at age 72. Ownership of the In the fall of 1886, when he was a young bachelor of twenty-four, my father, John P. Evans, heard the call of the boundless West, the call for pioneers who would dare follow the star of empire that guided into the land which has, verily, become the Promised Land of our great county. Arriving in Colorado from Iowa where he had spent his young manhood, he filed on a homestead and preemption near Idalia, in what was then Arapahoe County, with Denver as the county seat. Arapahoe County wag then approximately thirty miles across and one hundred fifty miles long, extending to the ',l F194 rado. Their influence was felt in many areas in the betterment of their community. They had a firm belief in the value of education beyond the conventional schooling and encouraged their children and those about them to read Fl93 FAMILY hauled eight miles from the Republican River. and helping to organize Sunday Schools. EVANS, JOHN P. FANSELAU BAMESBERGER and collect the mail for the neighborhood. There were no wells that first winter, and as with supplies and mail, water had to be 10,000 bushels of corn on the place. In 1924, by Grace Evans Weybright by Mary Evans the thirty-five mile trip to the nearest still on the ranch and still working vigorously, he died of a heart ailment, "in the harness" as he wished to go. His widow leased the ranch the following year and spent her last years in Stratton with her daughter, Mary. ranch rests with her daughter, Grace Evans Weybright, of Liberal, KS. more comfortably in Stratton, Colorado joined him in 1938. Henry and Lillie Fanselau, taken in 1932. Henry Fanselau was born February 28, 1890, south of Idalia, Colorado near the Kit Carson County line. He was the seventh child born to German immigrant parents, August and Wilhemina (Wolff) Fanselau. Three of his sistere died in infancy and one sister died at the age of nine of diphtheria in 1893. She was buried in what was known at that time as the Hedinger Cemetery, which is gituated on the Yuma County line and two miles west of Highway 385. At that time there was a small Lutheran Church near the cemetery. About this time the family moved 8 miles North and 2 east of Bethune. Henry's sisters Katie and Minnie Fanselau, married brothers; Gottlieb and Fred Bauder. Henry and his only brother Edward, three years younger than he, attended Blue View, a one room public elementar5r school. For a time they attended church school at Immanuels Lutheran, which was two or three miles from their home. Lillie Bamesberger, adopted daughter of Ferdinand and Dora BenegSttttt, was born on February 18, 1893, in Denver, Colorado. Her adoptive parents were also German immigrants and moved from Denver to the Bethune area a few miles from the Fanselaus. The Bamesbergers also raised a foster son, � 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- E Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource A brief history of the founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "E." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:466 2020-03-23T10:14:58Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/466/Families-F.pdf cc228efacb349af665586233b6ce422e PDF Text Text helpful neighbors to serving on the school board and helping organized Sunday schools, their influence was felt in many ways in the betterment of their community. They believed firmly in the value of education beyond conventional schooling and encouraged their children to read and develop their minds. Daily newspapers and magazines were always in their home. Life was not always unrelenting hard labor. As the land was more settled there were neighbors to visit with and make friendships. They had an interesting group of neighbors. Young men and women seeking new free land, a hillbilly farmer from Tennessee who never did understand the prairie, and a cultured widow from eastern Nebraska. There is a humorous story about this widow. She lived in a "shack" like everyone else, but she maintained a life style more suited to the east. The story goes that a minister from Stratton cnme to call on her one morning. the widow Loveland was doing some baking and was pretty "floury" and in her everyday house dress. The minister knocked at her screen door, introducing himself, for she was in plain sight in the kitchen. After a few minutes he heard a cultured voice say, "Mrs. Loveland is not receiving this morning". [t was told that the minister turned, scratched his head and slowly went back to his buggy and drove the long miles to town. For entertainment they had "Literary Societies" which met in the schoolhouse on a Friday night, usually. Everyone who had a talent would use it for the entertainment, debates were popular and the social value of meeting and visiting were probably the greatest value. John and Elizabeth bought more land for his growing cattle herd and also had more farm land. He was proud in 1923 of raising someone in the neighborhood would fill his wagon from the then plentiful supply of buffalo bones on the prairies, collect the letters neighbors had ready for mailing to friends and relatives "back East", and make railroad town, Haigler, Nebraska, where he would dispose ofthe bones, purchase supplies After several years of batching on the plains of eastern Colorado, he returned to Missouri to marry his sweetheart, Elizabeth M. Griffith. With his bride he began farming in Missouri, but the call of the prairies was too strong and about a year later they returned to the homestead in eastern Colo- a doctor's care, nursing those children through severe illnesses, usually without benefit ofthe doctor, for the horse and buggy transportation was slow and calls on the doctor were many. The pioneer wife and mother was on the alert for snake bites and accidents of all kinds, and if they occurred she had to keep her head and know how to meet any emergency. Once when a new building was being erected, her five year old daughter suffered a scalp wound from a falling rafter; my mother snlmly sterilized a needle and with white silk thread sutured the wound skillfully without benefit of any anesthetic. Too much praise cannot be given these pioneer wivee and mothers who worked beside their husbands building a home and community. Perhaps the greatest reward of these pioneers was in seeing the development of Kansas line. Latcr several counties were this land from bare prairie with "dugout" formed from a division of this county, among homes to fine productive ranches and farms. John P. Evans, having seen this transformation of the prairie, passed on in 1924, still on the ranch and "in the harness" as he wished to go. His widow, spending her last years County. When family larders needed replenishing, ' couraged during the panic of'93 and the dry years following. Later he bought this land back for $125.00, and it was here they moved when they felt the need of more grassland for their growing herd ofcattle, gradually adding more land as they were able. It was during these years they becnme the parents of five daughters, one of whom died in infancy. Ownership of the old home ranch now rests with the four daughters. The years they spent on the ranch, rearing a family, building their cattle herd and developing the land, were busy years. But he and his wife were never too busy to lend a hand in the upbuilding of their community, to being kind and helpful neighbors to those about them, to serving ou the school board, and develop their minds. No story of a pioneer cattleman would be complete without the part played by his wife, who suffered the privations of a harsh life gladly, bearing her children many miles from them Washington and Yuma. Kit Carson County was at one time a part of Elbert ili:r':t : ' In addition to the homestead and preemption near Idalia he had a timber claim about thirty miles south of Idalia, which he had traded off for a cow when he became dis- She died in 1938 at age 72. Ownership of the In the fall of 1886, when he was a young bachelor of twenty-four, my father, John P. Evans, heard the call of the boundless West, the call for pioneers who would dare follow the star of empire that guided into the land which has, verily, become the Promised Land of our great county. Arriving in Colorado from Iowa where he had spent his young manhood, he filed on a homestead and preemption near Idalia, in what was then Arapahoe County, with Denver as the county seat. Arapahoe County wag then approximately thirty miles across and one hundred fifty miles long, extending to the ',l F194 rado. Their influence was felt in many areas in the betterment of their community. They had a firm belief in the value of education beyond the conventional schooling and encouraged their children and those about them to read Fl93 FAMILY hauled eight miles from the Republican River. and helping to organize Sunday Schools. EVANS, JOHN P. FANSELAU BAMESBERGER and collect the mail for the neighborhood. There were no wells that first winter, and as with supplies and mail, water had to be 10,000 bushels of corn on the place. In 1924, by Grace Evans Weybright by Mary Evans the thirty-five mile trip to the nearest still on the ranch and still working vigorously, he died of a heart ailment, "in the harness" as he wished to go. His widow leased the ranch the following year and spent her last years in Stratton with her daughter, Mary. ranch rests with her daughter, Grace Evans Weybright, of Liberal, KS. more comfortably in Stratton, Colorado joined him in 1938. Henry and Lillie Fanselau, taken in 1932. Henry Fanselau was born February 28, 1890, south of Idalia, Colorado near the Kit Carson County line. He was the seventh child born to German immigrant parents, August and Wilhemina (Wolff) Fanselau. Three of his sistere died in infancy and one sister died at the age of nine of diphtheria in 1893. She was buried in what was known at that time as the Hedinger Cemetery, which is gituated on the Yuma County line and two miles west of Highway 385. At that time there was a small Lutheran Church near the cemetery. About this time the family moved 8 miles North and 2 east of Bethune. Henry's sisters Katie and Minnie Fanselau, married brothers; Gottlieb and Fred Bauder. Henry and his only brother Edward, three years younger than he, attended Blue View, a one room public elementar5r school. For a time they attended church school at Immanuels Lutheran, which was two or three miles from their home. Lillie Bamesberger, adopted daughter of Ferdinand and Dora BenegSttttt, was born on February 18, 1893, in Denver, Colorado. Her adoptive parents were also German immigrants and moved from Denver to the Bethune area a few miles from the Fanselaus. The Bamesbergers also raised a foster son, �Amos Holland, who was three years younger living in their home at 333 5th Street for 22 than Lillie. They too attended Blue View years. In 1973, poor health did not allow them to remain in their home. Lillie spent her last five school and Lutheran Church School, which also taught the basic three R's. Schools were in session 5 to 6 months out of the year and few pupils at that time finished the eighth grade. Henry and Lillie grew up in the same community. In the year 1911, most ofthe land had been taken for homesteads in the area. At the age of 21, Henry ventured further. He purchased a relinquishment on a homestead of 320 acres, located 16 miles south and 4 east of Burlington. Prior to this time only 160 acres could be proved up. On April L4, LgLz, Henry and Lillie were married at Immanuels' Lutheran Church, located 10 miles north and 1 east of Bethune. This was the some date as the sinking of the luxury liner, Titanic. Following their mauiage they moved to their home which was later known as the Smoky Hill Community. There was a Post Office about 4 miles from their home which was called Cole. It wae in a private home and mail was delivered from Burlington two or three times a week. Some staple groceries were also sold there. Rural mail delivery was realized about 1923 or L924. In March, 1916, complying with legal regulations, Henry proved up on the half section, described as S%, T 11, R. 43. This was during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. The Fanselaus struggled and sacrificed the same as most of the pioneers at that time in history. They butchered, cured and canned beef and pork, canned vegetables and fruit, made laundry soap and raised chickens for meat and for laying hens. Eggs were exchanged for groceries at the store. In the 23 years that they lived on the farm, the water was canied in buckets from the well for household use. The only lights were two kerosene years of life in the Burlington Rest Home. Her death was May 1978. Henry was in Grace Manor Nursing Home for seven years, and his death was April, 1980. Outside of the time lived in Oregon, Henry spent the rest of his 90 years in Kit Carson County. by Leona Wiedman FANSELAU, AUGUST F195 My father, August Fanselau, was born in Germany in 1852 and come to the United States when he was 18 years old. He lived in and around Philadelphia and was married to Miss Minnie Wolf in 1876. Then he moved to Texas for a short time, then back to Philadelphia and lived there until 1882 when he moved to Denver, Colorado. They had two daughters by this time. In the spring of 1889 they moved to the homestead that he had taken up the year before, in Kit Carson County about 20 miles north of Burlington. How they enjoyed living out on the open plains after having spent their lives up till then in towns, but they missed a lot of things too, such as schools and church. There were no schools but in town, 20 miles away. The nearest church was 8 miles. Father had some 20 acres of sod broke that first year so we put it into corn and he went back to Denver to his old job, that of cleaning coaches on the U. P. Railroad. Mother and we girls stayed on the homestead. Father had bought a milk cow before he left so we had milk and we had some chickens so we had our eggs. We had no well lemps. so had a neighbor haul water for us. The Three daughtere were born to Henry and Lillie; Mildred, Leona and Geneva. Married, a farmer and a father, Henry was deferred from the draft during World War I. In 1919, the family owned their first automobile, a used 1917 Model T Ford touring car. neighbor was a mile away. They had the only windmill that we knew about except the one in Burlington. They didn't charge for the water but we paid 10 cents a haul for the hauling. The cow we led to water a half mile The girls attended Smoky Hill School where ten grades were taught. In 1934, Mildred married Robert Stahlecker and Leonamarried GeorgeWiedman. Both couples moved to Oregon in the spring of 1935. In 1934 a severe drouth plagued most ofthe high plains states and very little cattle feed was raised. Due to the drouth and the great depression of the 30's, the Fanselaus sold their livestock and belongings and following the pattern of many families in the midwest, they migrated to the west coast, settling in Newberg, Oregon, in September, 1935. Crops were being raised there and jobs were available. Average wage for a man was 25 cents per hour for cutting cord wood, labor in the saw mills or generd farm work. Henry and Lillie both worked at seasonal jobs, picking fruit, berries and hops. They also worked in a cannery during fruit and vegetable seasons. In 1940, Geneva married in Newberg, Oregon and still lives in that area. Living in Oregon seven years, Henry and Lillie returned to Eastern Colorado and settled in Bethune where they resided for nine years. In 1951 they moved to Burlington, away. Later the fathers in the neighborhood went together and built a sod schoolhouse, so we had school for the first time in the fall of 1890. Just four months. Father would come and go to Denver to earn a little money so we could keep going. One time he came home driving a nice pair of bay mares. We worked hard at home with what we had so father could come home to stay. In 1893 we lost our dear little sister, from the after effects of diphtheria. We had had a visitor in our home who came from a home where they had recovered from this illness. They said they had fumigated but it must not have been good enough to have killed the germs for shortly after that we had it. We did not have much chance to get well. I will never forget that gargle and that was about all the doctor did for us. I don't think the gargle was a thing but alum water. We thought Tillie was getting well but her throat was so dry, like mine, and she had just lost too much strength. In 1894 we had our first drouth and it was very dry. No feed was raised. No one would buy cattle here then, so we would trade cattle to the Bar T Ranch and the Spring Valley Ranch for the wild hay. Then with what we had left over from the year before we were able to take the rest of the stock through the winter. Things were never very easy for papa. I think we came after the buffalo were all gone as I do not remember seeing any. I do remember hearing about one being killed around Burlington before we came. I remember the time the big barn burned on the Chase Ranch. That is where John Richards lives now, 1958. It burned in 1896 and I was a small girl at home. It seemed to me that it was as nice a barn that I have ever seen. It was big and they had been particular about building it. They hauled all the sod for the walls clear from the Spring Valley Ranch on the river and the roof was made of the long tough hay that never let the water through. They had been working the horses that day and there was other stock in it and they were about ready to eat supper and Mrs. Chase wondered why it was so light in the house. It was dark outside. Then she noticed what the reason was. The nice big barn was on fire. Theyjust got one horse out and it was burned so around the head that they had to shoot it. The loss was awful. We thought that it was the house that was on fire and papa sent me over to tell them to come to our house and stay and eat. We felt bad about it. The first little church that I can remember stood just two miles west of where George Homm is living now. At that time there was a road that went west from the Homm place and on west from there beyond the church. It was just a little church but as far as I knew it was at that time the only church in the country. My brother Henry Fanselau was baptized there in 1890. It was built of sod. There were a few burials in the plot close by. My sister Tillie was buried there in 1893. Then there was a nine year old boy buried there in 1893 also. He was from the Lange family that lived east of the George Homm place. The boy did in a snowstorm. The father had gone to get supplies and died not get home until late in the evening. It had started to snow so the mother told the boy to see about getting the cows in. They were not usually very far away, but with no fences and the storm struck quickly with such fury, that the boy did not get back. They looked for him all night but he was not found until after the storm was over. He had drifted nine or ten miles with the wind and so was far from home. Shortly after this the father passed away and he was buried in this little plot. Then in 1901 the other boy was riding home from the Spring Valley Ranch, when a thunder shower came up and he was killed by lightning. He was buried there also. The mother and the girls moved away shortly after that. It did not seem to me as a girl that this country was fenced very fast. We did not even have a fence to keep away cattle from our meager stacks of feed, and I have known of Papa getting up at all hours of the night to drive stock away. We tried to protect it with the wagon on one side and the sod barn on the other, but they would still get it. The grass was not too good then as I heard so many say it might have been. I have seen lots better grass since the land has been fenced. Those herds of cattle that used to roem the prairie were larger and after they passed over it, it was not too good and these large ranches knew where it was ifthere was any good grass. There were horses too and some wild ones. We never tried to catch any of the wild ones for it was hard to do and vou did not have �much after you caught one for they were small, just about too small for work. But quite often one was caught and broken and was used for riding, but sometimes not even good for that. by Minnie Bauder FARR FAMILY Fr96 I, Charles Farr, was born November 3, 1860, at Rochelle, Illinois, and came to it was hard to face it. I noticed the cattle suddenly bunched close together, and kept swinging, as it were, from side to side. Then I saw that the lightning seemed to flash and strike on each side of the great herd, first to one side, then on the other. The stampede was in perfect formation, horn to horn, twelve steers wide, and about three miles long. When the storm had calmed down enough that we could overtake them on our cow ponies, we got them turned toward the corrals. by Charles Farr ofcattle. Strange to say, none ofthe stampeding cattle were hurt or killed, but some of the cows which were near the corral were killed by lightning. Of course, we had no wire fences then and the cattle were right out on the open range, or it might have been a different story. In the spring of 1881, I helped drive a bunch of three thousand head of cattle from poor, and at times we got tired of the bacon and salt "sowbelly" they fed us. They bought Wallace, Kansas to Wano, Kansas, south of where St. Francis, Kansas is now located. That was a slow hard drive and we had no water after leaving Smoky Hill Creek, about twenty five miles south of where Goodland now stands. There was no railroad, no towns, no camps along the way. It was while making this drive that we saw the skeletons of the horses that were killed in the Indian uprising in 1876, which were in a small thicket along the creek. It seems that a band of North Cheyenne Indians wandered to the Paxton Company in Omaha to be slaughtered, packed and shipped to the Indian reservation in Nebraska.. Every outfit had its own "chuck wagon" and cook, and each cowboy had his own clothing and blanket. Many a time I have slept on the prairie with my blanket around me and my saddle for a pillow. When I first went to work as a cowboy in this new country, I found the food rather bacon in slabs and I remember once of cleaning out a cellar where the cattlemen had moved out ofthe house and finding slab after slab of bacon stored away. Of course everything was bought wholesale and freighted in by barrels, so we always had enough food and salt meat. We would slaughter a beef once in a while but it was hard to keep fresh meats in the summertime. I cooked for one season and know what it means to try to fill a hungry man with "flapjacks." I got so I could make them pretty good, too. Every year, a number ofthe cowboys would take grub, blankets, and any other supplies needed and go out on a ten-day hunt for strays. We knew all the brands, so if we found a cow belonging to an outfit close to ours, we took it along with our strays and returned it to its rightful owner. We were out in all kinds of weather, and I remember one day in late summer we were driving a herd of four thousand cattle - two thousand steers and the rest cows and calves. We saw a storm coming and tried to beat it to the corral to get the calves in, but it came right down on us. I have always been a little afraid of thunder and lightning storms, as I had had one horse killed under me by lightning, and another one was stunned and fell, but he soon got over it. On this particular day the lightning was the worst I had seen for some time and suddenly the cattle stampeded and got away from us. I rode hard to head them off. The rain was coming down so fast The Republican River is just a few feet from my door, so we always had plenty of water. I worked one winter rounding up strays that had wandered from their range down to creeks around Wallace and Sharon Springs, Kansas. A number of cattle from different outfits were disappearing, and I was sent south to investigate, and found that these cattle were being rounded up, butchered and sold to the people of Wallace and Sharon Springs. This was the fall that Goodland, Kansas was incorporated, 1889. Usually the folks who had these cattle would not say much, they knew they were in the wrong. But Colorado in a covered wagon in the spring of 1877 from Independence, Missouri, with a friend of the family. We followed the Arkansas River from Nebraska to Rocky Ford, crossing the Republican River, along which I later worked for some years. I went to work for a cattleman by the name of Ab Enyart, who lived near Rocky Ford, and whose cattle ranged along the Arkansas River, working as a cowboy for him for two years. Then I began work for the "Mill Iron" outfit, who ranged about five thousand head of cattle. Later I came north with the "Hash Knife" outfit. who owned about ten thousand head of cattle and had eight cowboys working regular, but who employed more for the round up season. This cattle company, at one time, gathered five thousand head of steers which were sold FARR FAMILY just west of this claim and I still own both places, but built my home on the tree claim. Fr97 I Drove the Texas Longhorn Steers But I shall not forget that scene and how the lightning seemed to "play" with that herd away from their reservation, taking their squaws with them. They were on their way south and when they arrived at Dodge City, Kansas, they were noticed acting rather suspicious. So the Colonel sent a scout out with them and about the first thing the scout noticed was that when these Indians shot wild game, they did not use their bullets, but used their arrows instead. The Indians then tried to steal some horses and in the fight that ensued between the owner and the Indians, two white men were killed. The Indians fortified themselves behind stone walls they had built up in the bluffs and there met the troops which had been sent out from the fort. About the first thing the troops did was to go to the thickets where the Indian squaws and horses were hid, remove the squaws and shoot all the horses. After the skirmish with the Indians, they found a few of the Indians dead, and the rest too weak to fight, so they were taken back to the reservation with the squaws. I believe this was about the last Indian trouble we had in this part of the country. There was a man murdered on his ranch near here, and some folk tried to blo-e it on the Indians, but as none had ever been seen around here, we felt sure that some white man had committed the crime instead. We never found the murderer. (Hatch murder, first case on record in district court records of this county.) In 1888 I filed on a tree claim on the Republican River and later took a homestead one day I found a cow and calf in a man's yard and the cow had our brand on it, so I told him I wanted it. He tried to convince me first that the cow belonged to him and when that failed, he tried to get me to give him the calf for the keep of the cow. That proposition didn't work, so I started to drive the cow out of the yard. Then the man's wife cnme out and was very profane in her abuse. However, I did not answer and when I was a few rods from the house a bullet whizzed by me. I do not know who fired the shot, but I kept going with the cow and calf and finally got them back to their owner. That was the only time I was shot at, although in this kind of work I always had to be on the alert and watch both ways so no one would get the drop on me. I was well acquainted with Kit Carson's niece, Mrs. Nelson, who lived with her family at the Nine Mile House, south of LaJunta. She had four children at the time I visited her, and her husband traveled with Kit Carson. She was a very fine woman and we always enjoyed visiting at her home. Mr. Farr lived in the Flagler area. Copied from an old copy of the Burlington Call, September 23, 1934. by Charles Farr FASSE - HUDLER FAMILY F198 Eugene Fasse remembers riding a horse or walking to school in the District 5 schoolhouse at the site where the town of Carlyle used to be before the railroad ceme through, and the people moved to Kanorado, Kan. The Fasses have farmed this land for over 50 years, and Gene has boyhood memories of finding broken dishes and remnants where some of the dugouts and foundations used to be. Gene's family moved here from Nebraska just in time to fight the dirt storms of the 1930's. Selling milk and eggs produced on the farm helped the family survive the sifting winds and harvest the bumper crops of the 1940's that put the farm back on its feet. Drilling one of the first irrigation wells in 1954 to help raise enough feed for the milk cows helped stave off the economic hardships of the red dirt storms of the 1950's. Sugar beets were planted for the first time in 1959 with beets and cattle becoming the mainstays of the operation for the next 25 years. In 1961 a Burllington girl, Adrienne Hudler, became a partner in the operation. Soon a son Ernie and daughter Francine were �up in the sky. We figured we would get home before it got here, but it hit while we were still in town, so we took the south road home. It wan so dusty and dark that I had to drive looking out the door at the grader ditch. I had the lights on and was just creeping along, when all at once we were in the middle of a bunch of cattle,lucky we never hit any. Some days when it was real bad the teacher in our school would keep the kids in the school until the parents would come and get them. Fowing up, and Adrienne started teaching junior high English in the Burlington school system in 1971. Ernie graduated from college in 1985 and is pursuing an advanced degree in mechanical engineering while Francine graduated in 1986 with an accounting major. In 1985 Francine married Greg Floerke, a petroleum engineer. by Adrienne Fasee In 1933, Elmer went back to eastern Nebraska and worked in the harvest a couple of weeks. Blfrieda stayed home and tended to chickens, milked 5 cows, and tried to raise FASSE, ELMER AND ELFRIEDA some garden stuff. My father was staying with us at that time, so Elfrieda was not alone. Our daughter, Doris, was born in 1929 F199 so Elfrieda had to look after her too. The year the grasshoppers were so bad I had a field of Elmer and Elfrieda Fasse with son, Eugene. taken in 1934. Brockmeyer, were moving out here at the Irrne time. We arrived here March 1, 1931. Our emigrant car was set on the sidetrack in Kanorado, Kansas. That way we did not have to pay to enter another state. It was a nice day to unload. We pulled a 4wheel trailer behind our Desoto touring car. In it we had several dozen laying hens and other things. We put the hens in what had been a chicken or hen house. A friend ofours, Rudolf Aeschliman, suggested we stay at his home until we could fix and clean up the house we were going to live in, so we stayed Elmer and Elfrieda Fasse and daughter Doris in front of their home. They moved here in 1931. there about a week. The old house had about all the window panes broken and rags were stuck in them. One even had a pillow in it. Plaster was off in places. The place had been rented, and no one ever fixed a thing. The first night we slept there we kept the kerosene Inmp lit, and once in a while a rat would peek out of the holes in the walls. We had no more than moved in when one of the worst blizzards we had ever experienced cAme. It was 30 degrees below zero, and strong north wind caused the snow to drift real badly. The was the storm when a school bus at Towner, Colorado, stalled in snow drifts and several kids froze to death. The storm lasted a couple of days and Elmer Fasse and his mules. In 1930, my father, Louis Fasse, purchased two 320 acre parcels of land, the North West 1/q sec29-8-42. On this quarter section there was a house and some sheds. The house was very run down. He also purchased the South East l/t sec20-8-42 and the West Yz sec 9-842.We loaded our belongings in an emigrant box car on the Rock Island Rail Road. Elfrieda and I farmed in Gage County, Nebraska, five years. So a John Deere D tractor, a John Deere 3-row lister, a John Deere 3-row weeder, a grass mower and hay rake were loaded in the emigrant car along with two families'household furniture, etc., as my sister Meta, and husband, Henry nights. The snow drifted through the cracks between the boards on the hen house so when the storm was over the snow was almost under the roosts where the hens were sitting. We thought they would surely quit laying eggs after hauling them so far and now this storm too, but they never slowed down at all. Elfrieda had brought along about 30 dozen eggs to play it safe, so she sold the eggs and bought groceries. In 1932, the dust storms started and got real bad for a few years. The dust csme in everywhere. Elfrieda would have to shake the dust out of the bed covers before we went to bed. The wind would subside some over night. Some days it would get dark as night. We had to light the kerosene lamps. One day we started to Burlington and way up north we could see on of those dust clouds rolling spring barley. Since it was ready to cut I set up the grain binder on the end of the field before dinner. Some say without me noticing it, my coin purse slipped out of my pocket and fell on the ground. When I cnme back after dinner, all that was left of the purse was the metal part, and the silver coins. The grasshoppers had eaten the leather and the paper bills. I doubt if there were too many bills in the purse as money was pretty scarce then. The following article was taken from the Burlington Record printed in 1933. A series of rabbit drives is doing much towards ridding the county of this destructive pest. Nearly every day a drive is held in some locality, but the one held north of Bethune Tuesday is the biggest yet. It is estimated that between 9,000 and 10,000 rabbits were killed that day. Fencing with extended wings were put up and the rabbits were driven into this enclosure. People would form lines on four sides all having to walk about the same distance towards the enclosure. No guns were allowed, everyone had a club of some sort, so the rabbits were clubbed to death. At one rabbit drive near Peconic, there were over 400 rabbits killed. The dead rabbits were sold to some pet good processing plant, 8 to 10 cents per rabbit was paid. Most of these drives were supervised by some clubs or organization. If it wasn't one pest it was another. One time the grey army worms moved through. They did not turn out for anything, crawled right up the sides of buildings, ate the foliage off weeds. Driving into Burlington one afternoon about 4:30, Highway 24 was just covered with worms, they were crawing north. In 1934, we took some stock cows to Albert Weinholts who lived on the Smokey River. The cows lived on thistles that grew on the dirt piles. When we took the cows there that spring some cows had little thistles coming up in their hair on their back; the hair was full of blow dust. In 1934, the grading was being done in highway 24. This was done byfarmers using 4 horse teams, who worked in the gravel pit in 8 hour shifts, 24 hours a day. Several kept their horses in our barn. Elfrieda cook for them, and charged 25 cents a meal. Some times there were ten men at the table. 6 or 7 men slept up stairs at night and ate 3 meals too. Due to poor or no crops and low prices times were really tough. The first year we farmed (1931), we planted over 400 acres corn, 320 acres on rented ground E,ast Vz 89-42. That year had fairly good moisture, so that fall the corn averaged 20 bushels per acre. We hired part of the corn picked, so after shelling and picking and other expenses �and selling the corn for 14 cents per bushel, we probably worked all summer for nothing. Wheat averaged 20 bushels per acre, price 20 cents per bushel. We hired a neighbor to combine it, who had a 20 foot pull type Holt combine. Then the dust storms got started with no rain or snow, so for several years no one raised very much. We never had much income or raised enough to sell, and my father could not make the payments to the Federal Land Bank, so he let the land go back to the Bank in 1939. So we moved to the Hugo Arnsmeier Farm in 1940. I had put the wheat out on this farm in the fall of 1939. Mrs. Arnsmeier, having lost her husband, had moved to Lincoln Nebraska. That year the wheat made 50 bushels per acre and was a good price, so we were able to purchase this % section. We lived on this farm till 1944, at which time we purchased the old place from the Federal Land Bank for $12.50 per acre. My father had paid $30 per acre in 1931. At that time the Federal Land Bank would only loan $7.50 per acre. We sold the Arnsmeier Farm in 1946, and moved back to where we lived in 1931. In 1934, Elmer wanted to purchase a few stock cows, so he went to see about a loan from the Bank ofBurlington, but was refused a loan. That year the Production Credit had some meetings and Elmer attended. He applied for a loan of $350. The loan was approved, so for geveral years we borrowed money from the PCA, for operating expenseg and also for purchasing land. In 1948 we had all our land paid for, also the PCA loans. Our daughter Doris had attended college, and in 1947 she was married to Bert Rice. They now live in Centrailia Washington. In 1948, Eugene was going to Burlington High School, so we rented the farm out for 3 years and moved to Burlington so Eugene could use all his energy studying and be close to home. We rented and have farmed the South East l/e 29-8-42 ever since 1945. This is the quarter section where the Town of Carlyse was located. There was no railroad then. When we first farmed there still was a dug out where there might have been a cave. Even now when we work the ground we turn up pieces of pottery or dishes. Eugene liked farm life, so he made this his life career. In 1954, we had our first irrigation well dug. This was also the Eugene joined the army, so Ma and Pa had some new experience irrigating. When Eugene was discharged from the service, we farmed together for several years. Eugene married Adrenne Hudler in 1961. We moved to Burlington in 1966. Eugene moved where we lived. We sold the farm to Eugene and Adrenne in 1979. We look back and marvel at how things have changed. It worries us to see all the pasture land being plowed up. There could very well be dust storms again as bad or even worse, if we have several dry years in succession. We are enjoying life and will be celebrating our 60th anniversar5r February 10, 1986. We are both in fairly good health and looking forward to more anniversaries. by Elmer & Elrieda Fasse FERGUSON - CHRISTIE FAMILY F200 Mitchell Clayton Christie was born September 23,1879 in Rosendale, Missouri. His mother Mary Eleanor Munkreus died when he was seven years old. His father Cyrus Christie and family then moved to Rexford, Ks, where they lived for three years before moving back to Missouri. He married Mamie O'Bright after Mary died. While living seven miles west of Rexford, the burned coal which they had to haul thirty miles from Oakley, Ks. Dad knew Mom's grandfather, Solomon Ferguson. He drove a span of milk cows and lived five miles west of Rexford, Ks. only two houses between them and Seibert. One bitter cold day Uncle Lonnie who lived with them, went to town to get coal. He was lucky to get some in rSeibert as Vona and Flagler had none. It was snowing and the snow drifted so deep making it very difficult for the horses to pull the load. Lonnie unloaded some of the coal and made it home just as Mitchell was pulling up fence posts to burn to keep warm. When it was about time for the first babv to be born, Dad went over to get Mattie Murphy while Lonnie went to town to get the doctor. The weather was terrible. the snow was drifted over the fences and it was 32 degrees below zero. Lonnie froze his ears. The surrey. doctor started out from town at noon and arrived at 5 in the afternoon. By this time Mattie had assisted with the birth and had taken care ofeverything. The doctor checked mother and baby and charged 917.00. He warmed up and went back to town arriving there at 2 a.m. They baby was born on December 29, 1911and nnmed Virginia Pearl. Four other children were to be born later. Fonest Coleman; Ernest Norris, married Hazel Johnson; Virgil Elmer, married Joy Moody; Mary Eleanor, married Charles Earl Allen of Seibert. Virginia married Lloyd Mullen. Mom, Ada Margaret Ferguson, came from Montrose, West Virginia with her mother, Louisa Bell Murphy Ferguson, and sisters, Elsie, Hazel, Allie, Nellie, Charity, Donna and Gladys. Grandmother Ferguson came dances (in later years Mary and Virgil played with him), he was quite good at it. He played once for a dance for Joe Anderson for 93.00. There were three single girls and Wes and Joe When Grandmother Mary Munkres first married Grandad Cyrus Christie, she ran away and went back to her own Dad's house. Her Dad, John Munkres, made her go back to her husband. Dad went to Colorado in 1908 and home- steaded L8 miles south of Seibert. His brother, Alonzo (Lonnie) Christie lived with him. Lonnie had a span of mules and an old west because of her health-she had asthma real bad. Later her husband Coleman came out and farmed a half section of land. Grandad Ferguson made several trips back and fourth to West Virginia. He did not like eastern Colorado very much but Grandmother had to stay because of allergies and asthma. Finally they got so bad that she moved with Gladys to Tolleson, Arizona and Grandad moved back to his beloved West Virginia. Dad met Mom at Ellis Murphy's house when she came out to the windmill to get water. Ellis (Mom's uncle) and Lou's house was a half dugout. Mom and Dad would go courting by going on buggy rides. Dad would buy a box of brown sugar and they would share the sweets. One day they were riding along and there was this big pile of black stuff. Not having seen anything like it in West Virginia, she asked what it was and Dad replied "That is Colorado coal." It was sheep manure piled up to be used for fuel. On December 25, 1910 Dad and Mom were married in Vona, Colorado by G.W. Snyder. Mom's sister Elsie and Dad's brother Lonnie were the witnesses. Theywent back to Mom's folks' house where they spent their wedding night. People from all around came to the house for a wedding dance. They drove horses and they had to put them in out of the cold so some had to be put in the chicken house. A few chickens escaped when they opened the door and they froze, so the next morning the were dressed and cooked for breakfast. Ada and Mitchell's first home was the sod Mitchell Christie played the fiddle for Anderson there, The farmers had a Farmers Protective Association to protect the range cattle. A man butchered a steer, so to have a little fun Dad said to Coleman Murphy, "Do you know why Al Hunkeford thinks Mr. ? did it? He traced him through the frost!" The man was stand- ing there and excitedly said, "That's a lie-there wasn't any frost!" He then realized that he had let the cat out of the bag. Except for three of four years around 1915 when the Christies lived in eastern Kansas, they lived south of Seibert until 1944. by Mrs. Virgil Christie FINLEY, ELMER AND KAROLINE KUGLER F201 My father, Ebner Burcher Finley, was born to Willinm and Mary Adeline Burcher Finley, August 4, 1880 in Belmont County, Ohio. His parents cnme from Green County, Pennsyl- house that Mitchell homesteaded in. It consisted of two 12 by 14 foot rooms with shaped boards bent at the ends for a roof. Then a layer oftar paper was laid on and then a layer of sod. They had a sod barn, one cos' and calfand 18 chickens. They also had a few pigs which they kept in a sod building and fed milo maize which they raised. There were Arthur, Francis, Jake, Floyd, Bob and Mary Finley riding on the Finley farm, in 1916. �musical talent. Most of us played by ear. Mother also taught music at home and one student I remember was Don Smith from Kirk. Brothers Arthur and Francis and I played for dances. Francis was a great violinist; Arthur played Banjo and guitar; I played piano. Literary at the Keckter School was always fun. We memorized poems, Bang songs, had plays, and box suppers. Sister Nellie and I always sang specials at church .,lr! r# l*r -r:. ELner and Carrie Finley's fanily in 1926: back row, left to right: Arthur, Francis, Carrie, Jake, Elmer, Floyd, Bob. Center row, left to right: Nellie, Mary, Eula. Front: Marjorie. lived in the barn until they finished building the adobe house. Noah Morris, a friend, brought the horses and mules from Nebr. on the train to Colorado for my Dad. Morris later lived at Idalia, Colorado. Mary started school in Nebraska before the move to Colorado. There were nine of us children. The five youngest, Francis, Arthur, myself, Nellie and Marjorie, were born on the homestead. Granny Gleaves, as I remember her called, was the lady who helped my Carrie Finley with the sheep on the home place in 1932 when she was 55. vania, where William was born. Elmer had one sister Blanch and one brother Forrest who died at two years old from a fire accident. My mother was born to George and Karoline Schneider Kugler on October 13, 1877 in Sheffield, Illinois. Her parents had come from Hsmburg, GermanY. TheY met and married in New York, and moved to lllinois. Carrie had five brothers - George, Louis, William, John and Alex. In the late 1800's my Kugler grandparents moved to Superior, Nebraska where my parents, Carrie and Elmer, were married June 12, 1900. They lived near Superior, Nebraska at Oxford, where their first four children were born - Mary, Bob, Floyd and Jake. In approximately 1905 my Finley grandparents came to Colorado. Their homestead was 3 miles west and 1/z mile south of Kirk, Yz mile south of the Young brothers farm in Yrrma County. My father' Elmer, came to Colorado and took a homestead in 1907 in Kit Carson County, 17-% miles north and 1 and Vz miles east of Vona. Our place was bordered on the north by Yuma County - location section 1 - Township 6 - Range 48. My father first built a barn. Oldest sister Mary tells me when they came to Colorado on the train, she remembers Dad coming onto the train to meet them, my mother, and 4 children, Jake the baby at that time. They mother deliver the last five of us. My mother was a midwife and delivered many babies in the area during the 1920's and 1930's. The neighbors adjoining us were, to the north, Eligah Coleman, Clyde Coleman's parents. I cannot remember Clyde's Mother's name, but the Coleman's ran the central (telephone) office. To the northwest were Alva (Buck) and Ethel Crist, with their children, Faye, Cecil, Heron, Elizabeth and Philip. Calkins lived on the east and Atwoods on the southeast. In later years my Dad owned the Atwood Farm after they moved away. Ira and Rosy Crist, two daughters Sarah and Susie, along with Lawrence Crist lived to the south of us. To the southwest were William and Emma Seaman. Emma's mother, Permelia McHenry, had her own house in their yard. The Seaman children were Pearl, Chester, Orville, Dave, Florence, Avirene and Bertha. My older brothers and sister attended school S- % miles west at the Floegelle School. August Carlstedt was a teacher there. We all later attended Seaman School. I have been told it was earlier called Pioneer School. The school was 1-% miles south and % mile west of our house. Helen Klassen was a dear teacher and friend and I believe a great influence on all of us kids. Helen Herrell and John Weaver also taught there. We always went to Sunday school. My mother taught Sunday school for many years. It was held at the Seaman School and the Boone School west of Kirk. Music and literary was our entertainment. My family was fortunate to all be born with and Christmas programs . . . Nellie being a natural alto. For Christmas Mother knitted our mittens, made sweaters for the boys and rag dolls for the girls. She sewed shirts and overalls for the boys, and dresses for the girls. Our Christmas stockings she made from old lace curtains with red linings. My best memories are of everyone coming home for holiday dinners. Mother always baked a tiered cake for Christmas. The bottom was a large fruit cake, the next - chocolate, the next - marble, with a wonderful white cake at the top. All of this with white coconut frosting. We had a big garden. Usually on good Friday my Dad had us all out planting potatoes. We did raise lots of potatoes and watermelon. Mother canned vegetables and made jams and jellies. In the Fall we butchered several hogs, and my parents cured the hams. My Dad would take a load of corn to Vona and come back with supplies such as several sacks of flour, coffee, 100 pounds of sugar, and staples intended to last the Winter. In the Spring of 1931 my Father became ill. Dr. Virgil Hewitt came out from Vona and treated him. On Friday April 17, 1931 Dr. Hewitt and Mr. Monroe, a depot agent in Vona, came and took my Dad to Denver. Brother Bob went along. On Saturday he had surgery. His gall bladder had already ruptured. He died on Sunday morning, April 19, 1931. The funeral was held in our home. Mother Carrie stayed on the farm; we lived through the hard years and drought of the 30's with a few cattle, a little corn and feed. In the early 40's Mother rented the homestead to Pat McCart, later to Gus Schreiner, and in 1959 sold to Lloyd and Opal Klassen, whom she loved so much. Lloyd and Opal Klassen still own our homestead along with the Atwood place. Mother moved to Seibert, Colorado. She bought a house across from the Reorganized Latter Day Saint Church, which she owned when she died. She spent some time with me, then with Mary at Eckley, Colorado. She was in Renotta Nursing Home in Wray, Colo., then to Burlington where Chris and Helen Klassen cared for her. She died in Burlington, June 25, 1964 ofCoronary thrombosis and kidney failure. Our oldest sister, Mary Caroline, was born October 20, 1901, in Superior, Nebraska and lives in Eckley, Colorado. Robert George was born September 2L,1903, in Oxford, Nebraska and died February 25, 1967. Floyd William was born March 9, 1905, at Oxford, Nebraska and died September 13, 1956. Jake Schneider was born March 2,1907, at Oxford, Nebraska and died February 25,t967. Francis Jay was born May 20, 1909 near Kirk, Colorado and died October 18. 1966. Arthur Elmer was born November 25, L9L2 at Vona, Colorado and died October 23. L973. Euladine Lucille was born February 16, 1915 north of Vona and is living today in South Dakota. Nellie Lorraine was born February 24, 1917 north of Vona and died December 30, 1968. Marjor- �ie Juanita was born November 7, 1920, at Vona and died October 16, 1979. by Eula Finley Browning FISHER - STRODE FAMILY F202 In 1887 Stephen Strode and wife Hannah came from Missoui bringing their family of five girls and one boy to this country in a covered wagon, making their homest€ad east of Flagler, Colorado. Their youngest daugh- the National Directory Co. which has become a national company. In the depression I was going broke in the newspaper business. With Bonny Gaunt (Gould) as a partner and fiUing station man Joe Kaufman as field man we stanted in Lincoln County, Colorado. We eventually covered parts of seven states with more than 25,000 sponsor-advertisors. We had, 42 workers in the field and 14 in the 10,000 spectators. In the years of 1938-40-41 I launched newspapers at Flemming and Craig, Colorado. During World War II I spent 38 months all over the Pacific. I had learned to fly in Haxtun, Colorado in 1919. I aleo sailed the sea. While in the Pacific I managed the creation of the book Hawaiian Mernories. I managed the Arno School of Music and homestead. Albert grew to manhood working for large took a sabbatical. I had three helper teachers. I then proceeded to form the Plains Conservatoire, with many schools and more than 400 students. Students from 8 to 58 years studied piano, any instrument, vocal and drsmslis. Hundreds still acclaim it as great. Januar5r, 1897. He was the second person buried in the Seibert Cemetery. On May 6, 1903 Stella Strode and A.C. Fisher were married at Flagler where they both proved up on homesteads. They were one of the first to breed up an Aberdeen Angus herd in this area. To this union three children were born Marguerite, October 30, 1904, deceased October 2, L979.Ida, April 10, 1908, and Weston, "Buck", August 14, 1910. Stella passed away May 18, 1953, and Albert on January 10, 1959. "Buck" still lives on the original homestead. In 1906, the Gwyn family ceme to Flagler from Decatur, Nebraska. In 1918, they returned to Nebraska. In 1921, James Gwyn returned to Flagler and worked for the late C.J. Farr. On October 16, 1924, he was married to Ida Fisher. b" Id" R. Gwyn FITZPATRIC, V. S. F203 I, V.S. Fitzpatric, arrived in Seibert, Kit Carson County, on September 20, 1920. I last dwelt there in the summer of 1952. My age was 34 when I cnme and 66 when I left. During those years I had tried to "fill each hour with sixty minutes of living." The following are a resume of my life's activities. I helped to start the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Seibert, Colorado. We formed and trained a town band in the 1920's. The town had a big auction to raise money to equip the band. It was a great success attending Denver's annual music week. Seibert and Ft. Collins tied for first. I rescued the local newspaper as it was22 weeks behind on publication. A country club was organized which included rural people. Was elected mayor four times. The Plainsman' Association w{ur founded which promoted summer fallowing and other practices. Membership covered parts of seven states with over 7,000 memberg. I founded by V.S. Fitzpatric FLAGEOLLE, HENRY, JR. printing plant. We "farmed out" work to other printers. The exciting event was starting "Days of the Old Wegt." A replica of a real Indian massacre was staged with 432 actors, 16 covered wagons, 140 mounted Indians, and ter, Stella, started teaching school as soon as she was old enough. Part of the time she rode horseback to school using a side saddle, which her daughter still has. Lafayette Fisher and his son Albert, or A.C. Fisher, came here from Wisconsin in 1887. When the oldtimers first came here it was necessar5/ to ride into Denver to file on their cattle outfits of the area. Lafayette passed away at his home Northeast of Seibert in hand, cowboy, civil engineer and newspaper editor before coming to Seibert. Dramatic Art in Denver while the owners I traveled to South Africa and went far inland as a member of the ship's orchestra. In 1952 I toured Europe and the Mediterranean countries, I was sent to Paris as a delegate to the world convention of American Veterans'Committee to try to make it world wide. In 1955 I joined the "uranium rush" twice going to South America as a consultant or representative of some company member of the National Minerals and Research. I then beca-e a congultant for a mining group with world wide membership. I wrote, researched and had published three books on The Last Frontier. It is now out of print and the last copies of Volume One sold for $200 each. I have been hospitalized seven times and have been within seconds and inches of death. People love to say "My you have had wonderful health." At the present time I continue to publish at intervals ofabout two or three months, 100 page books about unusual persons and unusual events along his "road of life." The title of these books is The Back Trail. I am in my 101st year and eat three square meals of plain food, sleep like a baby and awake full of pep for the day's work - and I do work every day, often 12-15 hours. My father was born in Belfast, Ireland, and was a mineralogist and miner. He came eastward to England, South Africa, India, Australia, Hawaii, Canada, California, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota and Georgetown, Colorado where he metand married my mother. She was a companion to a wealthy mine owner'e daughter and had come from London to New York and then to Georgetown, Colorado. At the age of 8 months I went with the family to the homestead our father had taken on Lay Creek, about 20 miles west of where Craig, Colorado later came. This was the last frontier of the United States. I was a ranch F20,4 And IIis Descendants The following information is offered for Charles Louis Flageolle and Gerald Joseph Flageolle. Their story begins with the same Henry Flageolle I spoke of in my story about John S. Flageolle. John S. and Henry Jr. were brothers. The following are the people on this branch of the family tree: Henry Flageolle, Jr. born May 22, t860, in Bay City, Michigan, and Marie Fountaine, born October 6, 1866, whom he manied September 8, 1885. Henry died February 9, 1952 and Marie on February 9, 1945. Ulalia, their eldest daughter, born January 15, 1887 at Jefferson, South Dakota married Mike Balanga (Magloire Balanger) on January 17, 1905. Mike, born on September 3, 1876, at Jefferson, South Dakota algo, and Ulalie are buried at Stratton. Ulalie died January 28, 1958, and Mike July 10, 1961. Charles Louis Flageolle was born in Jefferson, South Dakota, March 26, 1899, and his wife Amerila Marie Wieber, whom he married April 18, L922, was born on May 27, 1902. Henry and Marie moved their family by train to Wray, Colorado from Jefferson, South Dakota in 1907. They cn'ne with seven children, furniture, farm eqipment, a covered wagon, cows, hogs, horses, and chickens. Their oldest daughter, Ulalie was married and had a daughter of her own. She and her husband Mike cnme also. Henry's family lived in their covered wagon and a tent until they had built a sod house. The soddie was finished in 1908. Water was a problem for 4 years. It had to be hauled 6 miles from a ranch. Wells had to be dug over a hundred feet before there was water. Once water was reached there was a good 14 feet of that precious liquid. After the soddie was completed a cowshed was built of lumber and soap weeds. A horse barn and pig pen were built next. The children worked hard as well as the adults but they didn't have to go to school the first year so the work didn't seem so bad. There was a school opened 3 miles from the homestead the second year they were there. The school was one large room which was for all eight grades. One of the homesteader's wife was the teacher. The soddie was enlarged after the well was dug. Tbo bedrooms and a kitchen were added to the eoddie. Henry Jr. bought a Model T Ford while they lived on the homestead. It only had room for two people on the seat and was open on both sides with a cloth top and no windshield. In 1919 Henry Jr. moved the family to Heartstrong, Colorado where he operated a blacksmith shop. Again in 1921 Henry Jr. moved the family to Stratton, Colorado. He eventually bought six corner lots on the main highway on which he located a large howe, afillingstation, and five cabins. Marie did the book work for the two businesses and kept �the cabins in order as well as plant a garden and tpnd to the housekeeping. In 1936 Henry in the community to go for the things that they needed. They would buy machinery together like threshers and steam engine because one farmer could not buy one by and Marie retired and moved to Denver, Colorado. Their children were Ulalie, Mandy, Lizzy, wilhelm, Louise, Charles, David, and himself. They did all their harvesting together. They would buy a good stud and would share it with each other. When they discontinued the church in this community the bodies were moved to Calvary cemetery at Stratton. This is where John and Lavina are buried. Descendents of John and Lavina still living in Kit Carson County are Richard Flageolle, Angela Isenbart, Diane Miller, Vickie Cure, Jack Brachtenbach, Larry Brachtenbach, Denny Brachtenbach and their children. Pat. Ulalie and Mike Balanga farmed in various places north of Stratton aftcr they left their homestead. They lived in Stratton after they retired from farming. They raised 14 children: Florence, Lawrence, Cecelia, Mildred, Mary, Ruben, David, Louise, Ed, Therese, Anna Marie, Bertha, Dorothy, and Mike. Ulalie and Mike engaged in lively games of checkers in their spare time. They were their grandson Gerald's godparents and a deep mutual love existed between them and Gerald. There was always a bed waiting for Gerald anytime he cared to occupy it and in turn any thing he could do for them he did. Gerald remembers when he was young trying to get all the burrs out of his grandpa's favorite horse's trail. He was so thorough that when he was finsished what had been a beautiful flowing taill was a pitiful mess. Mike would have skinned alive anyone else for having done such a thing but since it was Gerald who had done the terrible deed, he laughed and let it pass. Charlie and Amelia Flageolle lived on his parent's homestead whom they were first mauied. They moved from there to various places, finally moving to Stratton around 1930. Charlie was the custodian at St. Charles Church and school until sometimes in 1937. While he was thus employed, he also started repairing shoes and later even sold cars in Burlington.During this time his children were busy also. Vera recalls when her cousin Anna Marie coached her for plays the children gave in their backyard. For one performance Vera was dressed in old clothes and had dirt all over her face while ehe recited, "Here I stand all ragged and dirty, and if a boy kissed me I would run like a turkey". Charlie moved his family to Denver in 1937. They returned to Stratton for awhile. Eventually in 1956 Charlie and Amelia bought a farm near Kiowa. They now live in Denver, Colorado. by Laura M. Flageolle FLAGEOLLE, JOHN AND LAVINA F206 John S. Flageolle was born on February 22, 1857 in Lansing, Michigan. He was a freighter for several years from Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Iowa through the Black Hills of South Dakota to parts of Montana and Minnesota. John hauled freight with a six mule hitch. They were small mules but were strong and faet. The Indians called him "The rat freighter" becauee of his emall tenm. He would haul supplies for the homesteaderg and sometimes even the Indians. He always had to have some whiskey and tobacco to trade with the fudinnn. One of his favorite past times was sitting and telling his grandchildren of his long hauls with a tenm and wagon and variow encountere with the Indiane. One tine they were traveling early in the morning when they saw a young squaw on the river bank washing her clothes. One of the men by Ruth Brachtenbach Robinson FLAGEOLLE, JOHN S. F206 Descendants John S. and Lavina Flageolle. As other frontiers were conquered, people turned to Eastern Colorado, an area passed riding horseback rode down and attacked the land brought them to this last frontier. squaw. He left her and rode back to the wagon Owning land gives people a strong sense of independence even though at times it would seem the land owns them. Working the land is always demanding. The conditions which by until the latc 1800's. Then the offer of free train. The wagon train kept traveling and in the early morning they were surrounded by Indians. The Indians asked "Big John" as he was called for the man who attacked the squaw. They said they would not harm anyone else or bother them, they only wanted the quality man. The Indians took the man and scalped him and left him. He died a short time later and they buried him and went on for the freight. He said the Indians would not harm them if they did not try to cheat them and respected their rights and customs. John also helped survey for the railroads and help plot several towns in the Dakotas and Nebraska. John and his first wife had two children, William and Pearl. Her name was Anna Homer and she died before he moved to Colorado. He came to Colorado to homestead with a tenm and wagon. He came with his second wife, Lavina, she was born in Oct or Jun 20, 1858. John and Lavina had 5 children, Ester, Ralph, Grace, John and Alvie. William moved out ahead of his father to homestead also and Pearl stayed in Jefferson, South Dakota. John and his family moved 17 miles north and l-r/z west of Vona, known as the Brownwood community. He received his patent on the SE% S4-T6S-R48 on September 21, 1912 and another patent on the SW% of S3-T6S-R48 on June 13, 1913. He built a sod house to start and later on built a frame house. They went into Haigler, Nebraska to haul lumber to build the home and other buildings. He raised wheat and corn and cattle and the usual garden to support themselves. John had a good life and made a home for his family here until February 28, 1930 when he moved to Stratton. He passed away in July 9, 1944. His wife Lavina died March 27, L94L. There was a mass held in a church once a month at the Brownwood community and the priest came out from Stratton by horse and buggy. On October 12, 1917 John deeded 3 acres ofland in SE% of S3-T6S R48 for the Catholic church and cemetery. John S. Flageolle was the person exist in Eastern Colorado make these demands extremely difficult. Yet many of the homesteaders made the area their home as have many of their descendants. Of concern to me are the following people: John Sylvest- er Flageolle, born February 22, L857 at Lansing, Michigan and his wife Louvina Jane Homer, born June or October 20, 1858 at Menominee, Wisconsin. Louvina died March 31, 1941 and John S. July 13, 1944. Both are buried at Stratton, Colorado. John Rudolph Flageolle, born April 18, 1900 at Jefferson, South Dakota, married Mary Agatha Balanga, born January 6, 1914, north of Vona, Colorado, on January 10, 1931. John R. died January t, L97L and is buried at Stratton. Gerald Joseph Flageolle, born Januar5r 22, 1933, atVona, Colorado married Laura Marie Sawyer, born June 19, 1934, at Oelwein, Iowa, on May 25, L957. Victoria Lynn Flageolle, born June 20, 1959 in Denver, Colorado, married Denis Dean Cure, born November 27, 1954 at Flagler, Colorado, on June 9, 1979. Eastern Colorado could be likened to an island in its geographic isolation an island caught in a time and culture lag. The boundaries of this island were the Platte River to the north, the Arkansas River to the south, the Rocky Mountains to the west, and Kansas to the east; an area around which people had gone as they followed the Oregon Trail and the Sante Fe Trail; a last frontier left to the Indians until the white men had to have this land, too. This area of Colorado had been known as the Great American Desert since 1820. There were some two hundred square miles of arid, treeless, limited short grass upland with a few strenms and these few streams often had no water in them. It was observed that buffalo had done well on the prairie grass; why then wouldn't cattle? The desert concept began to change to the newer concept that land was good for growing grass. Sheep, horses, and �cattle could be raised successfully on the grass but the land was too dry for crops. However, the 160 acres a rancher owned and located his ranch buildings on weren't sufficent to feed large numbers of stock. It was the open grazing range which made ranching feasible. Just as the ranchers had replaced the Indians, the homesteaders began to replace the ranchers. The Homestead Act of 1862 provided 160 acres (a quarter section) to anyone 21 years or older, who was a citizen of the United States or who intended to become a citizen, who would live on the said claim for five years and improve it. The quarter section could be bought for $1.25 an acre, which did away with the five year residence requirement. If the terms were met the land patent was issued at the end of five years, giving the homesteader title to the land. The homesteaders had help in displacing 87 the ranchers. The bitter winter of 1886 hit the ranchers hard, killing large numbers of stock. A new invention which made the manufacture of barbed wire at low cost possible, allowed homesteaders to fence their land effectively. These barbed wire fences cut up what had been open grazing land. Homes- teaders were often forced to abandon their claims, due to periodic droughts, grasshoppers, hail, blizzards, or their inability to cope with the isolation. But in place of those who left, others cnme and many more stayed fragmenting the ranchers more and more. Thus my story begins! Henry Flageolle left Montreal, Canada and entered the United States by way of Michigan with his wife Eulalia in 1846. Their son John Sylvester was born in Lansing, Michigan in February of 1847. Another son, HenryJr., was born in Bay City, Michigan in May of 1860. They moved on to Jefferson, South Dakota where several French families settled. Eulalia died in 1862 and is buried in Jefferson. Henry and Eulalia had three daughters and two sons. Henry spent the rest of his life in Jefferson, where he was a blacksmith and vet. He died in 1926. He had remarried and raised a second family before his death. John S. was a successful freighter and contractor owning a hundred wagons and tenms. He built roads thru the Black Hills and built trestles, grades and bridges for the railroad. He also ran a freight line. Henry Jr. was a blacksmith and vet as his father had been. John S. sold out his business around 1900. In the year 1900 he made his first trip to Colorado. He found land in Kit Carson County which he liked. He returned to Jefferson, South Dakota to inform his family of his success in finding land he thought was worth homesteading. In 1904. John S. returned to Kit Carson County with his son William, who was old enough to file a homestead claim and a younger son Ralph. John S. and William filed their claims in Hugo, Colorado for quarter sections in Township 6 R 48 between Cope and Vona. John S. had also brought with him two pine treee which he planted on his claim. Nick Brownwood had a section of land in the same township on which he had built and operated a general store. Nick allowed the men who homesteaded in Township 6 R48 to build a large community building on his section. The building was used for community functions and meetings. It also served as a church until one was built. Until the building was completed the men slept in tents andwagons. Upon completionof the building the men slept and ate inside it. Each day thereafter the men went out to a claim site to build a house for whoever was going to live there. This was done until each man had a house on his claim. Thus, when they returned with their families, there was a house waiting for them. Since there was no timber available the housee that were built at this time were made with sod. The sod was obtained by ploughing furrows. The sod turns in thick, root-matted strips that are cut into chunks a foot and a half long. After the first layer is laid the next layer is laid grass side down, seeing that the joints don't match up, so each sod piece overlapped the two pieces below, much the same as you would do with bricks. Wide eaves were left when the roof was put on so the rain would not wash the sod down. The roof was a layer of sod. Poles placed in the middle of the soddie helped support the roof and with blankets hung from them served as room dividers. The soddie itself was one big room about 14 feet by 24 f.eet. The homesteaders who csme out at this time left some open acres when they filed their claims to afford grazing land and to keep the land from blowing away after it had been ploughed. A township consisted of 36 sections. Ofthose 36 sections, section 16 and 36 were left aside for the support of public schools. They were commonly called "school gections." This land could be rented or leased; the money generated was put into the state's school fund. As later homesteaders came the open land was claimed. A section was one mile square. Thus a township was 36 square miles. In 1906, John S. made the big move to Colorado with his family and all their possessions. His first wife Anna had died some time before. They had two children, Pearl and William. He had remarried, marrying his wife Anna's sister Louvinna who had been married before also. John S. and Louvinna had five children of their own, Ralph, Ester, Grace, John R. and Alvie. John S. and Louvinna loaded their children, all their husband, Charles Homer, Louvinna's father, was gone from home for long periods of time. Louvinna had lived between two haystacks with her mother, her sister Anna and the rest of the children, a cow, and the rest of the things they had been able to carry from their house before a prairie fire had destroyed the house and everything around them. The haystacks had been left when the harvesting crews had gone through. The crews that worked the harvest had lived between the stacks with canvas stretched between them to form a tent. The area round the stacks had been backploughed to form a fire break. Louvinna had a remarkable memory. She kept a journal after she moved to Colorado. In it she wrote the dates the mares would foal, the cows would calf, etc. She also would enter a few personal notes once in awhile. One such entry went something like this: "Today is Valentines Day. It doesn't look like anyone is going to remember, so I will write myself a verse." Then she proceeded to write a poem. She, too, made do in so many ways. Life for the homesteader wasn't easy. They had to hunt their own meat, grind their owrr corn, doctor their own sick and bury their own dead. They learned quickly the sound of a rattle snake and what to do when thatbuzz was heard. Money was something most homesteaders didn't have. When something had to be bought, he would work for the money if he could or find some commodity to sell. Butter, cream and eggs were cash commodities. So were bones. By 1886 buffalo had been virtually made extinct by the hide and tongue hunters. Their bones, however, could be found scattered across the prairie a decade after they had ceased to roam those same prairies. These bones were ground and used for fertilizer. Homesteaders would gather a wagon full of bones and take them to a railroad town to collect cash for them. The bones were shipped back east to fertilizer plants. As a result of John S.'s move to Colorado, family and friends moved to the area also. His brother Henry moved his family by train to Wray, Colorado in 1907. Henry and his wife possessions plus his wagons, livestock, fancy buggy, and matched team of fancy horses Marie brought their children and all their belongings with them to a homestead in Township 6 R48. Their oldest daughter onto the train for the ride to Vona, Colorado. At Vona they disembarked for their home- their infant daughter to a homestead in stead. Once on the homestead all available hands were put to work. A well had to be dug, a barn built to protect their livestock from wild animals, a chicken house had to be built, fences put up to keep stock out of places they shouldn't get into, and ploughing had to be done and crops planted. They may have been crowded inside the soddie but when the work had to be done there weren't too many hands. John R. and Alvie were only six and four but since there was no wood to burn they were old enough to gather cow and sheep chips to burn. They were also old enough to chase the chickens away from places where they didn't belong and to bring in the cattle when older people were busy doing other things. Digging the well was a problem because they had to go so deep for water, over 100 feet. It was a couple of years or more before the well was completed. There was a good 14 feet of water once it was reached. Louvinna was well suited to this kind of life for she had been raised by a mother, Martha Curtis, who knew how to make do while her Ulalie and her husband Mike moved alsowith Township 6 R48. A married sister and family came, as did uncles and cousins. It wasn't long until Township 6 R48 was a third populated with relation of John S. Flageolle. For John S. Flageolle what had looked like a good investment turned out to be a bad one. He had come to Kit Carson County to retire. He watched most of his investment blow away during the dry years. He wasn't alone; there were many like him. He stayed anyway as have some of his descendants. John R. stayed with the land all his life except for a few years spent in retirement in Stratton. He married Mary Balanga and they raised 13 children: Alfred, Gerald, Rose, Robert, Angie, David, Lorena, Donald, Doris, Diane, Jane, Mark, and Gregory. Of these 13 children, only Angie and Diane still live in Kit Carson County. John R. farmed in several areas north of Stratton. As his children reached school age, he began to think of moving closer to town so that school would be accessible. In 1947, John and Mary bought 400 acres of land 3 miles north of Stratton. He farmed the land. �raised hogs and chickens, and kept from 25 to 30 milk cows. He sold cream to the FLAGEOLLE, WILLIAM AND crenmery. For a period of about three years, Town- ship 6 R48 had a Catholic Church and a PAULINE cemetery. Someone would got to Vona and bring Fr. Keifer to the church for Sunday mass, or to officiate at weddings, Batisims, or funerals. The church was abandoned when I.207 St. Charles Catholic Church was built in Stratton around 1910. John R. Flageolle transfened the bodies in the cemetery to the cemetery in Stratton in 1935, at the request of Fr. Munich, the parish priest. Gerald J. Flageolle has many fond memories ofhis father John R. and his grandfather John S. The boredom of milking cows wag relieved by his father's stories and old songs. His grandfather lived with them for a time after Louvinna's death. He would walk into town after the noon meal to play cards or checkers with the group of retired men who met each day down town. Then he would walk home again when school was over. Gerald would walk with him and list€n to the stories he would tell about the places he had been, the things he had done and the people he had met. Gerald lived in Kit Carson County until he went into the Air Force in 1953. William and Pauline on their wedding day. Gerald J. Flageolle's daughter, Vickie, maried Denis Cure and lives a mile north of Pauline (Wynn) Flageolle was born in 1894 in South Dakota. Her father, stepmother, two sisters, one brother and one half-sister moved to Colorado from Jefferson, South Dakota in 1908. William and Pauline were manied in raise hogs and sheep. Joehua is aheady active helping with chores on the farm and is active 1910. They had 5 children. Stratton, just off the Kirk highway. They have five boys: Joshua, Kevin, Douglas, Bradley and Eric. They farm the land, and in 4-H. Kevin is beginning to help with the farm chores. Douglas, Bradley, and Eric enjoy following their father around as he works and accompanying him in the truck. They think the farm life is the only life. The descendants of John S. are still a part of Kit Carson County. They live an work to fullill the sn'ne kind of goals their ancestors had eighty years ago. The land was free, the investmentwas hard work, and the homesteader was his own boss. He lived on hope . . . hope for sufficent moisture, hope that they could survive the winter storms. Someone once said, "East€rn Colorado wag one ofthe wonders ofthe world. Wonder anyone's here. I cnme here with nothing and still have it. We live on air, water . . . when we can get it, and good times." Eastern Colorado was a last frontier. There are some people who need a challenge, who meet that challenge and don't back down no matter what the coet to themselves. There are people who don't know how to live any other way. Surely these are the people of Eastern William and Pauline and family. Catherine is not in this picture. Back row L to R: Pearl, Richard, Ruth. Front row: Willio-, Archie and Pauline. William Flageolle, son of John and Anna Flageolle was born on July 29, 1886 at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He came to Colorado in 1906 to homestead in the Brownwood community 1672 miles north of Vona, Colorado. William's dad, John Flageolle, homesteaded a farm north and one east of the William's farm. We would have terrible tornadoes every summer. Dad would send us all to the cellar and he would stand on the top step and raise the door a little to tell us what was blowing away. One time the tornado picked up a colt and dropped it in the horse tank. Another time Dad was farming with six horses and some dark clouds came up and he no more than got home when the storm hit one and killed it. They used a horse and buggy to go to Mass at Stratton, and to get supplies in town. Dad was caught in a blizzard and never got home until real late at night one time and when he Colorado. Unless we know where we came from, something about the road we traveled as people, how can we know who we are and where we are going? Because I feel this way, I have gathered togetherthe information that precedes. Eastern Colorado is where my children's grandparents chose to make their home. Their story is my story too, because it is everyone'e story who had grandparents who were in the United States in the 1?00's and 1800's. A frontier is a frontier, whenever or wherever it is happening. by Laura M. Flageolle William Flageolle standing by his sod house on the homestead. �did he was alnost frozen to death. My folks rented a house in town across from the Catholic church and sent the children to the Catholic echool. My father interest in the affairs of the community. He was never too busy to lend aid to a worthy cause or to someone in need. During World War II, he served as the Red Cross officer for stayed on the farm during this time. They the Kit Carson County area. He was a member of the school board for 15 years, 1930 and then they moved to a farm north of served on the city council of Burlington and was active in the Burlington Rotary Club. lived in the Brownwood co-munity until Stratton. They moved to Minnesota for 4 years but decided it wae too cold and moved back to a farm one mile north and one mile west of Stratton. They lived there until Willinm's death on August 3, 1951. Archie stayed with Mother for one month after Dad's death to help get ready for a sale. Mother moved to Denver and lived with Catherine and worked in a Rainbow Bakery for 10 years. After she retired she bought some acreage in Parker, Colo. and built a house and retired. She still residee in her own home at the age of 93. When they lived on the homestead, my dad only lived just a V, mile north of the Brownwood store so he would to to Vona, Seibert or Burlington to haul supplies back to the store for Mr. Brownwood. Later he sold out to people that cnme from Holland. Their name was Fred Loppstra. They had a child that was sick when they came over and he had to stay in Holland. I do not know if he lived or not. They went to Chrietian Endeavour Church which was also in that community. The school house was about 1/z mile west of the store. Fred Loppstra sold the store in the 30's after most of the eettlers left their land because of drouth or lost it to delinquent taxes. He ca-e back years later and looked up my father at Stratton and asked him if he knew where any of the people had gone or if some still lived around here. He said that my father did not owe him any money but if he could find some of the people they might pay gome to clear the debt. The ledger was quite large. I don't know if he ever go any money from anyone. Most people just gave up and left for the city and got jobs in factories or somewhere and had juet enough to live. So the 30's were hard on everyone. Archie lives and works in Denver Colo. Richard is retired and lives in Stratton, Colo. Pearl lives in Denver, Colo. Catherine lives in Parker, Colo. Ruth liveg in Chappell, Nebraska. William and Pauline received a patent on their homestead on March 3, 1913 signed by William Taft. The legal description of the land is SWYr and SE% of S15 T6S R48. Richard and Dorothy Flageolle, Jack Brachtenbach, Larry Brachtpnbach and Denny Brachtenbach and their children are the only family of William that are etill in Kit Carson County. Dr. Flatt maried Bernice Hartstine in 1928. Tbo children were born to them, William Stanley and Cynthia Jane. They also raised a nephew, Jack Dillon who cnme to live with them at the age of four years. Dr. Glenn S. Flatt was born on Januar5r 3, 1899 and died on November 1, 1952. After Glenn died Bernice taught in the Burlington School system and received her degree by attending summer school. After retiring she helped teach refugee families English and was active in several community organizations. Bernice was born on March 10, 1903 and died in January of L977. by Bill Flatt After our marriage we lived with his parents south of Vona until we established our own farm which was located 12 miles south of Vona. It was difficult to make a living farming. Our income wae made by growing crops, cattle, and selling creo- and eggs. After our first three boys were born, Ray had to leave one winter and work in the oil fields in Texag to supplement our income. I stayed home with the boys and took care of the cattle, horseg, and chickens. We lived on the farm until 1936 when we moved to Vona. At this time Ray becane Poetmaster of the Vona Post Office. In 1949 he became a mail carrier until his retirement in 1970. During these years we had 11 children: Leon, (deceased); Merl, (manied Hazel Thompson); Pat, (married Nina Lou Walker); Jack, (deceased, married Peggy); Ramon, (deceased); Jo Ann, (married Kenneth Pickard); Mary Lou, (married Roch Luebbers); Colleen, (deceased); Kay, (married Bill Crum); Carol, (mauied Art Taylor); and Linda (married George Card). Atthis writing there are 29 grandchildren and 25 gteat- FORD - MOHR FAMILY grandchildren. by Ifarriet Ford F209 In 1912 my parents, Fred and DeEtta Mohr, my brother, Bill and I moved to Kit Carson County. We boarded an immigrant car at Corsica, South Dakota. We brought with us all of our personal belongings, 8 horses and 6 cows. Our homestead was located 2 miles NE of Vona. We lived in a 2 room sod house and my father farmed. During this time I remember many visits from gypsy caravans. They would travel from farm to farm and town to town and beg. FRANKFATHER, CLAY AND DACY F210 In the coming years my parents had 6 more children, Henry, Gladys, Mildred, Lester, Myrna, and Betty. All of the above are deceased except for Myrna and Betty, who now reside in California. We attcnded school in Vona, walking 2 miles each way every day. I also belonged to 4-H and Bertha Wear was the 4-H leader. Our main transportation during those years were horges. They were much more than working animals though, they were also beloved pets. Eventually my father decided to quit farming and opened a Harness and Shoe Repair Shop in Vona on Main Street. A Crenmery was added later, At this time Vona congigted of 2 hotels, 2 cafea,2 grocery stores, a livery stable, hardware store, a bank, drug store and post office. by Ruth Brachtenbach Robingon In 1908 Pat and Julia Ford moved their family to Kit Carson County from South FLATT FAMILY F208 to a homegtead south of Vona. During this time, Pat Ford worked for the Rock Island Railroad and ran a butcher shop before Dr. Glenn S. Flatt was a native of the moving to the farm. Pat and Julia had 4 children, Clair, Giles, Dakota. They lived in Stratton before moving Hawkeye State, Iowa. While etiil very young the family moved to Stanley, North Dakota, where Glenn grew up. Glenn attended the Stanley Schoolg and graduated from high school in 1918 and immediately entered the Denver University School of Dentistry. As a licensed dentist, he came to Burlington in 1924 to practice his profession. "Doc," as he was known to his friends. had a sincere Ray, and Celia; all of whom are deceased except for Celia, who ie married to Bob Straughn and lives in Longmont, Colorado. In 1921 Ray Ford and I were married at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Denver. Prior to this, Ray had attended a country school and went to high school in Vona. He went on to attend Barnes Business College in Denver. Wedding picture of Clay and Dacy Franlf,ather, June 3, 1902. Clay Demaree Frankfather was the firgt male child born in Roca, Nebragka. His parents were Snrnuel S. Frankfather and Anna Maria Gilson Frankfather, who came from Potterstown, Ohio in 1868 and homesteaded near Roca. Dacy Lee Frankfather was born at Lucas, Iowa. She loet her father at an early age and her mother, Arbella Lee and two children, Dacy and Allie, moved two miles north of Seibert, Colorado. �Burlington, also at a school four miles east and four north of Seibert, and in the town of Vona. Clay and Dacy moved to Denver in 1947 and had a rooming house. Aft€r five years Dacy started teaching again at a school 30 miles north of Denver. She retired from teaching in 1958. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June, 1952. Clay Demaree Frankfather born August 28, 18?6 and died March 22, L966. Dacy Lee Frankfather born June 13, 1879, died August 5, 1961. by Irene Boger FROMONG, Iil.AZE'L F2l1 The Dwight Frankfather family, back row; Kevin Thomas Fitz Simmons and his wife Clara, Dwight Jr. and Karen. Seated; Arwen, Shannon, with their three daughters, Florence, Dorothy and Hazel, moved from Nebraska to and Kirk. Standing; Joanne, Dwight, Helen, Vidrik, Lori and Todd. building roade into Cripple Creek for 93.00 Clay and Dacy Frankfather's SOth wedding anniversaq/, June, 1952. per day. They also staked a gold mine claim, had it surveyed and patented, and built two houses and a barn on the property. On the strength of a gold find near their claim and since their claim had not yet produced, they sold it for $6000 and returned to Roca in the fall of 1899. In the spring of 1900, the family returned to Colorado and settled on a ranch one and a half miles northwest of Vona. It was here that Clay met Dacy Lee, a schoolteacher. They were married on June 3, 1902 by H.H. Priest, Justice of the Peace, two miles north of Seibert. Clay and Dacy went to Cripple Creek but due to a big miner's strike at that time, they returned to Seibert. In 1903, Samuel Frankfather traded his land for a store in Colorado Springs and Clay and Dacywentthere to help in the store for I year, after which Clay bought a team and wagon and moved to Flaglerwhere their son, DwightLee, was born on September 11, 1904. r 986 Dwight and Helen Frankfather on their 5fth wedding annivereary. After homeeteading, Clay's parents opened a general merchandise store and hotel in Roca. Clay worked in the area at odd jobs and for a time drove a tenm and wagon, working at a stone quarry ten hourg a day, eix days a \peek for $20 a month including room and board. In 1896, he and his father combined their money and bought another tenm and wagon and two heavy used railroad tents and took the family to Cripple Creek, Colorado. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Frankfather and three children, Clay, Mabel and Grace, who had all been born in Roca. It took them 40 days to reach Cripple Creek. They found an area on Spring Creek near a freshwater spring and set up their tents. Clay and hie father goon found work with a crew The next several years were spent in Seibert where Clay worked in stores, served as a deputy county assessor and auctioneered, crying numerous public auctions. He later opened his own grocery store and closed it in 1927 because during the dry years farmers were not able to pay their bills. Fuel became scarce about this time and residents of the area walked along the railroad track, picking up coal which had fallen from the trains, and algo resorting to old railroad ties and cow chips to burn in their stoves. Dacy taught echool for a total of 23 years, 20 of which were in Colorado. She first taught a six-month school 12 miles north of Seibert. Her second school was in 1898 on the Osage Indian reservation near Gray Horse, Oklaho- Burlington in 1921, living south of Burlington . for a few years. In 1924 Dorothy passed away at age sixteen. In 1927 they moved to the Smoky Hill Community. They were active in all ofthe school activities and the church and Sunday School there. Hazel attended school at Smoky Hill, graduating from Burlington in 1929. Her mother passed away in 1933. Florence taught school in the Pond Creek district and in other country schools. She later married Ted Woods from Stratton. When the dirt storms came they moved to Oregon where she remained with her family until her death in 1982. Hazel manied Everett Fromong from Kanorado. They are the parents of three children, Tommy, Terrence and Phyllis. Everett served in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. When he returned he established the Fromong Body Shop, which he operated until his death in 1965. During World War II, Hazel continued her education at Greeley, and started teaching, and continued for 30 years. Four of those years were at Smoky Hill, and in other country schools, until the re-organization of the school districts, and she taught in the Burlington School for 22 years. After retiring, Hazel went back to school and got her real estate license. She worked in that capacityfor several years. The Fromong children attended Burlington Schools, and chose different careers. Tommy was engaged in farming until his death in 1985. Terrence is a psychologist in Tacoma, Washington. Phyllis has served as County Clerk in Burlington for seventeen years. Her husband, Doug Collins is engaged in farming and cattle and also serves the community as an auctioneer. Hazel is now employed in the new project called, Old Town, here in Burlington. ma. She returned to Seibert and taught in her home district three miles north of Seibert, and when heavy rain washed down the native limestone schoolhouse she was forced to finish school in a tent. The next year she taught in the district where the Frankfathers lived and boarded with them. In 1929, Mrs. Della Hendricks, Superintendent of Schools for Kit Careon County, asked Dacy to complete a term of school 20 miles northeast of Burlington. She later taught at Smoky Hill which was 12 miles south and five east of by Mrs. Ted Eberhart �FUHLENDORF, ELIZABETH HENRIETTA Fogg place, a mile north and a mile east of Vona. I, Alma Bigelow Becker, was born on this place on Jan. 15, 191.9. A big snowstorm had blocked roads so Dr. McBride from Seibert had to come to Vona, on a handcar, F2I-2 My mother, Elizabeth Henrietta Fuhlendorf, was born July 27, LBW on a farm near Odebolt, in Sac County, Iowa. Grandfather Fuhlendorf operated a crermery in Iowa. It was at this crenmery that mother's oldest brother, Gus, was scalded fatally when he fell into a vat of hot water. The Gus Fahlendorfs moved to Armour, South Dakota in 1896. Here is where my mother lived until she graduated from high school in 1908. Grandfather Gus and Uncle Fred had homesteaded northeast of Vona, in early 1907. When mother finished high echool in the spring of 1908, Uncle Fred came to Armour and escorted mother to the homestead in Colorado, 5 miles north,3 miles east and. t/z mile north of Vona. Grandfather's homestead house has been moved into Strat- ton, and is today the dwelling at 211 New York Ave. Mother, having a high school education, was a certified school teacher for the state of South Dakota, but in Colorado, she was not eligible to teach before she finished a course in Colorado civics. Mother says she put her nose in some book learning and in the fall of 1909, started a career in teaching. Her firet gchool was the Ashview school, a half mile south of grandfather's homestead. In 1910 and 1911, mother taught at the Murphy school, northeast of Seibert. Father and Mother were married on March 30, 1911. Dr. Beechley lived in Stratton, and was the Justice of Peace. My parents were married by him in his home. Father often remarked, that he never became his own boss, because he got married a few days before he becn-e of age. My parents roamed around for bwo years. They had a team of horses and a b,esm of mules and a Jersey cow. They hitched the horses and the mules to a covered wagon, tied the Jersey cow to the rear and headed to the beet, potato and hay fields, around Fort Morgan and Hudson, Colo. In 1912, they rented a farm about 2 niles southeast of Fort Morgan. On March 14, 1913, my parents ca-e back bo Kit Careon county. They homesteaded rbout 10 miles northwest of Stratton, Colo. Ihis is the place where LeRoy Brachtenbachs Live today. Mother returned to teaching again. This bime at a country school called Solid Center. Ihis school was about 2 miles east and north rf my parents homestead. Mother does not know if there are any remains left of this Solid lenter School. Mother knows of at least one rf the pupils still living today, Cora Tuttle, rrho lives at Wray, Colo. One day, as mother was driving to this rchool, she turned back to see smoke billow,ng from their homestead house. Earl was rorking in the field. Both arrived and uatched as flames burned their home to rshes. They could not even find mother's redding ring, which she had taken off that norning because it was a bit loose and ghe vas afraid of losing it. The fire start€d from r defective chimney. My two older brothers l'loyd and Howard were born here. In 1918, Earl and Elizabeth bought the on the Rock leland railroad, and then rode a horse to our place. The doctor was too late, before he got to our house, I was born. I was such a small baby, my parents feared for my life. The flu epidemicof 1918 was still around. In 1920, my parents moved from the Fogg place (where the Kenneth Pickards live today) to a farm 1 mile south and % mile esst of Vona. This is where my sisters Louise and Rose Anna were born and also where my future hugband, Wilbert, came to court me. About 20 years ago (after the folks sold the place) this house also burned to the ground, and the people that lived there lost all their belongings. The descendants of Earl and Elizabeth Bigelow fanily are 5 children, 12 grandchildten,24 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. by Alma L. Bigelow Becker FUHLENDORF, VIOLET LILLIAN F213 Gustav Fuhlendorf came to America by boat from Germany, and then by boat up the Mississippi River to Davenport, Iowa. Eventually the family moved into Colorado. Fredrick Carl Fuhlendorf, the 3rd child, 2nd son of Gustav and Fredricka Fuhlendorf and Chloe Altha Lloyd, the 5th child, Srd daugh- ter, of So-uel Merida Lloyd and Alvira Vianna (Cage) were married in Vurlington, Kit Carson County, Colorado, on Oct. 13, 1909. When they got married, the folks drove into Burlington and as it was a long trip they had to stay overnight. Today it is only an hours drive there and back to Vona. Dad's homestead was located 6 mi. north and 2 mi. east of Vona, Colo. To sign up and prove on the homestead, Dad had to go to Farming hadn't been good because of the drought years, so they moved into Vona. Dad wae the Assistant Postmast€r for 6 years. Then they moved to Wheatridge, where he was the school janitor for the Wheatridge School. In 1944, they returned to Vona and he becnme the janitor of the Vona School until he retired. There were three song in the service; Wayne was in the Navy, and Carl and Dale were in the Army dwing World War II. Dad passed away in Denver on Sept. 9, 1950, and Momlived in Vona, untilherhealth got worse. Then she moved into Grace Manor in Burlington, until her passing. by Violet Ednunds FULLER FAMILY E2t4 With the development of Stratton and that section of Kit Carson County, Nason Hoyt Fuller was closely identified through his farming operations and through general merchandising. He lived a busy, useful, active, clean and honorable life and left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. He was born in Canada February 6, 1846 and pursued his education to the age of 16 when he moved to Piatt Co., Illinois, later moving to McDonough County, Tllinois. He worked in a wood shop assisting in the building of wagons and other wood work. It was here he met his wife, Miss Angeline Ingram. They were married and moved to Iowa where he worked at blacksmithing and farming. They had two children, Ira D., and Manda Iva who later became the wife of J.W. Borders. In 1888 they moved to Colorado and homesteaded near Stratton. Theyfarmed but his health was impaired so they moved into Stratton. Mr. Fuller once more embarked in General Merchandising, but a year later his store was destroyed by fire. He was entering the store with a lighted lemp when he suffered a heart attack and ths lamp fell, breaking and starting a fire. His friends came Hugo, Colo. to do it. Our land was the SW% in 31, and the NW% in Sec. 6-8-47. Our Address was Stratton, which was 5 mi. E. and 6 mi. South of the homestead. There were 11 to the rescue, taking him from the burning building. All the buildings on the store's side of the street were burned including the relatively new home of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. ber the time when I was about 4-5 years old, Borders. Mr. Fuller then sold his farm in order to get ready money to resume his business. He remained in active business until his death in December, 1917. children and all were born in the general vicinity of the homestead. I, Violet, remem- we were in the horge drawn buggy and headed downhill from our home to town. The horses ran off and Mom wan so scared she tried to jump out. Dad had all he could do to hold her in and gain control ofthe horses. They finally turned at the top of hill and stopped. We kids were under the buckboard and were so scared; I still remember it to this day. Dad's first Model T car had to be started by jacking up the hind wheels and cranking on it. One day Dad was starting the car this way but it ran thru the clothes line, clothes and all. Mom was scared and didn't get mad till it was all over with. To get to go to the County Fair in Burlington, we would get up and leave home before daylight in an old Model T car and spend the whole day. It would be way up in the night when we got home. Dad farmed until 1936. Times were so hard and I don't know how they fed all of us. by Floyd Borders � 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- F Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief family history from founders of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "F." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:467 2020-03-23T10:14:47Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/467/Families-G.pdf 178bc7b3934fe78242859297f8b4170e PDF Text Text Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gaines on their 45th wedding anniversary May 15, 195?, at their home on Main Avenue in Flagler. with Jean McMaster, born April 17, 1887, a daughter of Willian Ogden and Nancy Fuller/Borders four generationg: Back row: Floyd Borders, J.W. Borders, Hal Borders. Seated: Grandma Fuller holding Dick Borders, Hal's son Bob Borders, Grandma Sarah Borders and Diana Borders. GAHM, MRS. ELLA F215 On August 22,1962, we spent the evening in the home of Mrs. Sadie Raines in order that we might record some of the facts about and experiences of her mother, Mrs. Ella Gahm, who celebrated her 91st, birthday in January, 1962. Mrs. Gahm, her husband Ed, and their three children, took up residence in Kit Carson County in Feb. 1906. Mr. Gahm had come out in December of 1905 and filed on a homestead, having bought a relinquishment. This quarter section was located 5 miles south of Peconic. He and a friend. George Cowing, came out in an emigrant car containing their household goods, farming equipment, a team of horses, etc. When Mrs. Gahm and the children ceme they spent the first night in the Montezuma Hotel, and had to all four occupy one room. The Gahm'g lived with neighbors until their own home was built of adobe. The roof was covered with boards, tar paper, then sod on top. This was cozy and comfortable until one day a "twister" went through the area and tore the roof off. To help out the first year, Mr. Gahm worked for Grant Mann, a well driller, employed by many of the homesteadere. The family raised a large garden, and made kraut in half barrel lots. There were of course no phones, no electricity, no hospitals and no doctor service very near. When Mrs. Gahm's fourth child, Vannie, was born in 1908, she had the servicee of a midwife, Mrs. Burlington, and she herself acted as a midwife and delivered four babies for neighbor families. She was dso called many times in the case of sicknesg or death. Mrs. Gehm also acted as a barber and cut her son's and husband's hair. She says she always cut it as close as she possibly could. She made all clothes by hand, other chores including gathering cow chips for fuel, and coal oil lamps meant a daily task of cleaning lamp chimneys. There were many hardships for the set- Liddle McMaster. They were the parents of two children, Arthur Edwin, Jr. born November 14, 1914 and Doris May born on July 14, 1920. She died of spinal meningitis on May 24,1923. tlers, blizzards in the winters and high winds and fires in the summer. One frightening experience was the big fire of 1910. "I don't remember how wide the burned area was but as the fire neared our home, it divided and went on each side, leaving us unharmed, but the possibility of being surrounded and burned left a memory never to be forgotten. The fire posed a real hardship on the cattlemen, who depended upon the rich and nutritious grass for food for their cattle. After visiting Colorado in about 1919, Art bought a half section of land eight miles south of Flagler, and two years later he held a farm sale near Omaha and brought a calf, some chickens, an Avery tractor, and some furniture in a "box car" to a rented one-story frame house across the road from his land. Meanwhile the family and Jean's mother, Nancy, rode the Rock Island passenger train, arriving in Flagler February 22, L92L. Art kept busy raising wheat, barley, oats, The writer asked Mrs. Gahm what she and corn with corn being the main crop. remembered most about homestead life and she answered, "hard work" but Mrs. Raines spoke up and said, "But we had lots of good timeo", she went on to say that seldom did Livestock raised included cattle, horses and they ever spend Sunday alone. Either their family would go to a neighbors for dinner or some family would stop in at our place for dinner. Many modern wives would throw their hands in the air if a family of four or five would drop in unannounced. During her later years, Mrs. Gahm pieced and quilted some fifty or more beautiful quilts. One, a postage stamp pattern, (made up oftiny blocks sewn together by hand) now belongs to Mrs. Raines. by Mrs. Bessie Peggy T9ilson GAINES, ARTHUR E. FAMILY F2l6 Arthur Edwin Gaines, the eldest son of Charles Thomas and Emma Liming Gaines was born Februar5/ 2, 1888, in a log cabin near Jacksonville, Illinois. His childhood was spent on the family farm, where with four sisters and a brother he attended the Liter- berry school through eight grades. At age twelve he beco-e a member of the Shiloh Methodist Church. As a young man, he went to Omaha, Nebraska where he worked for five years and spent ten years farming by himself. On May 15, 1912, he was united in marriage hogs. Jean spent many hours whenever needed acting as a practical nurse and/or midwife in the area. For entertainment, they played cards and danced in each other's homes. Neighborhood clubs with a big hearty meal served at midday were popular with farm families. As many as fifty might gather at one time. The Gaines family purchased land two miles northwest of Flagler, built a two story modern fra-e houge, a large Gordon Van Tyne pre-cut barn (shipped from lowa), and other buildings, moving there in Lg2l. Jean was a charter member of the Flagler Woman's Club and served actively in the Flagler Congregational Ladies Aid. Art and Jean belonged to the Flagler Country Club for many years. They helped the club celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. The club was so large it owned dishes, silverware, coffee pot, and even chairs, which passed monthly to each family as food and friendship were enjoyed by all. Jean was also one of the first Home Demonstration Club presidents in the Flagler area. As the years went by, Art became involved in Farm Bureau, serving as the local president, then for seventeen years as State Farm Bureau treasurer. Through his Farm Bureau work, he was asked to investigate ways and means to get electricity to this area. As a result of much hard work and several selffinanced trips to Washington, D.C., electric power was brought to eastern Colorado. Art served as president of K.C. Electric for its first twenty-one years, 1945 till 1966. He was �also active in signing people for the rural telephone syst€m. He wae a member of I.O.O.F. lodge for more than thirty-five years. The Gaines'built a brick home on Main Avenue in Flagler in 1948 and moved to town. Jean and Art enjoyed nlmegt, 50 years of married life before his death on March 23, 1962. On March 19, 1966, Art married Anna Stouffer of Bellevue, Nebraska. Anna died in 1969. Martha Kessler was joined in marriage with Art on July 30, 1970. She died December 27, L986. When Art ceaged active farming, he continued taking care of his yard and large garden. He derived much enjoyment from many town children and his great-grandchildren. An open howe was held in 1983 in honor of Art's 95th birthday. Arthur Gaines passed away at the age of 95 on May 15, 1983. by Arthur Gaines, Jr. GAINES, ARTHUR 8., JR' F2r7 ArthurEdwin Gaines, Jr. was born November 14, 1914 at the Irvington, Nebraska farm home of Arthur E. and Jean McMaster Gaines where he lived until the family moved to a farm eight miles south of Flagler, Colorado February 2L, LgzL. His younger sister Dorie May was born July 14, 1920 and died May 24,1923. Art, Jr. attended the Texarado school for the remainder of that year. He was the only boy enrolled there. He was transported daily by the teacher, Aljy Stinton. The following year he transferred to the Flagler School and ':l:l .,'.4:' 'l:t ,i; *::lt.. was graduated from Flagler High School in 1934. He attended college at Colorado University in Boulder and Colorado Agricultural College in Fort Collins. During the following three years Art was a distributor for Conti- nental Oil Company in the Seibert and Flagler areas. On January 31, 1938, Arthur married Pearl Fay McCart, daughter of Joseph Andrew and Diana Bratley McCart. Pearl was born December 10, 1917 near Neosho, Missouri. At the age of three, her parents, a sister, and three brothere moved to a farm south of Seibert, Colorado. Pearl attended Sunday School and grade school at Pleasant Meadow, Spring Creek and Rock Cliff, later going to grade school and high school in Seibert, where she was outstanding in scholastics and athletics. She graduated as salutatorian of her class in 1934. Three children were born to the Gaines': Willinm Arthur, November 11, 1940; Terry Jay, May 8, 1944; and Phyllis Ann, September 19, 1945. In the spring of 1940, Art and Pearl moved one mile west of Flagler and began farming. Two years later the three Gaines'moved to the old "'Schwlm place" two and a half miles west of Flagler and continued working on the farm for four years. The farm sold to the Roy Dragoo family, so the five Gaines'moved to 526 Main Avenue while Art worked on the railroad for a yeer and originated the Flagler-Denver Truckline. In 1948 the Art Gaines, Jr. family moved to the family farm two miles northwest of Flagler where Art farmed until 1970. Pearl passed away aftcr a short battle with leukemia on October 16, 1950 at the age of 32. Virginia Barr Gainee, daughter of Aubrey and Florence Swaneon Barr was married to Art on May 3, 1952. She was born November 3, 1915 at York, Nebraska. She attended country grade school and graduated from York High School. Ginny graduated from Kearney State College in 1937 with a degree in English, then taught English, home economics and art for three years at the Madison, Nebraska high school. Virginia attended the Lincoln General Hospital school of nursing for three years and becsme a registered nurse. She went to Denver in 1944 where she volunteered and served her coun- try during World War II in the Army Nurse Corps, journeying to the Phillipine Islands and Japan. She returned to Denver, taught and supervised obstetric's in Denver Presbyterian Hospital during the post war "baby boom". Upon coming to Flagler in 1952, Ginny soon became busily involved in family life a Den Mother, Girl Scout council - beingpresident secretary, of PTA and band parents, along with nursing part time at the Flagler Hospital. Later she served as director of nursing in a Limon nursing home. Virginia and Art joined the Flagler Congregational Church and have been active in church activities through the years. Art's volunteer community sewice has included: nine years on the Flagler Equity Co-op board; twenty-five years in Boy Scouts of America, having been awarded the Silver Beaver in 1955; six years on the Flagler school board during construction of the new school building; two years as 4-H tractor club leader; chairmanship of the fund raising campaign for the Community Medical Center; service on all local boards of the Flagler Congregational Church, and on the board ofthe Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Church of Chrigt. Art was a member of the Community Ambulance service for twelve years afier its formation in 1968. He was assistant director for two years, director for four years and taught CPR and EMT classeg for seven years. Having been appointed to the Flagler Housing Authority in 1976, and elected chairman in 1979, he was deeply involved in the construction of what is now the low-cost housing projects known as "Pioneer Valley". Along with' his volunteer activities, Art continued to carry on an active farming progrrm, including hog and sheep production. After semi-retirement in 1981, Art and Virginia have had time to enjoy being with their children and grandchildren and taking extensive winter trips in their fifth-wheel :,i,it r ?:i; trailer. Theycontinue to live on MainAvenue in Flagler. t ::' !t f,t{.:;;:, r,t::::,, ,t:';titer:: Present fanily members include: BiU, his wife Kay (Oehrli) and son, Gregory in Puyallup, Washington; Terry, his wife Sally (Mock) eons Jay, Andrew and Todd, and daughter Rebecca on the "home falm" northwest of Flagler; Phyllis, her husband Allen Petereon and sone Mark and Steven and daughter Jean Ann on the "Schwyn place" two and a half miles west of Ffuler. by Arthur E. Gaines, Jr. GALES FAMILY The Arthur E. Gaines, Jr. family, November 12, 1961. Seated: Virginia Barr Gaines, Arthur E. Gaines, Jr.; Standing: Phyllis Ann, Terry Jay, William Arthur, 2nd Lt. Navigator in the U.S. Air Force. F2l8 My grandfather James William Gales wag born January 2, Lffi7 in Promise City, Iowa and married Martha Davis there. They moved to the Seibert, Colorado area approximately 1915 looking for land to homestead or buy. They lived in several homes in the Seibert area. They had three daughters before they moved to Seibert; Eva, Pauline and Fern Artie. Grandpa Bill was a very �loving and caring man. Some of my happiest memories are the times I spent with him. He was one of the early members of the R.L.D.S. church and continued faithful until his death in 1961. Grandpa died December 1931 of dropsy. He wae a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge and Community Club. Even after a back injury forced him from the farm, he loved to take ridee in the country to see the crops. Eva never married and continued to live at home. Pauline married Ralph Roberts in Seibert in 1917 while he was working on the railroad. They moved to Kanorado, Kansas and then to Goodland, Kansas where he continued working on the railroad until his death in 1953. They had one daughter Lois, Wayne, and Delbert, who died at birth. Harrison and Augusta farmed and ran cattle like everyone else. They took great pride in their garden and always had their cellar full. Gardening was a family affair. Each spring Harrison would plowthe plotwith horses and float the ground to make it level. Tomato, cabbage, pepper and celery plants were st€fi,ed early in hot beds. The extra plants were eold in Flagler. Each fall about 1000 quarts of food was put up. This consisted of chicken, beef, corn, green beans, tomatoes and fruit. There were some cherry trees on the farm until the hail killed them in 1934. Canning in those days was lots more work than now. Corn was canned in the copper wash boiler and you hauled wood in all day Juaneta who married Ernest Middleton. They had four children and several grandchildren. Pauline wan very active in the R.L.D.S. church playrng the organ and to keep the fire going. Harrison and Augusta's grandchildren even enjoyed grandpa's help in teaching class. She always had a large garden and shared it with family and friends. Fern married Ernie Akers inl924 and they Farming was done with horses, and I don't really remember when we got a tractor. We did get our first modern conveniences in 1940, a gas stove and refrigerator! Like most had five children. After their divorce she traveled to Canada and Alaska, returning to California in 1974 where she died in 1987. by Dorothy (Akers) Noel GANGWISH - RUHTER FAMILY F2l9 l1 .iiir,, ,:. the garden. Grandpa could cut corn faster than anyone! everyone else, we milked cows and sold cren- and eggs. Harrison believed in paying cash. He never owned anyone and always paid cash or they just didn't have it. One day during a dirt storm a baby lpmb wandered into the farm yard. Of course the kids loved it, and they bottle fed the baby for three days before the neighbors could see to come get it. When they took the lnmb home, the ewe wouldn't claim the lnmb, so they gave it back to Geraldine, Lois and Wayne to raise. The lamb was called Tiny and followed them everywhere. Augusta wasn't so proud of that lamb. The girls liked to hold Tiny and he would chew the bias tape ties on their dresses to shreds. Tiny did grow up and it was a sad day when Tiny was sold. Evenings and snowy days were spent Harrigon and Augusta Ganpish on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, January 2, 1962. Harrison Morton Gangwish (born August 14, 1888 in Juniata, Nebraeka) and Augusta Marie Ruhter (born November 3, 1892 in Roseland, Nebraska) were married on January 1, 1912, in Sidney, Nebraska. In the spring of 1918, they bought and paid for 320 acreg of land north and east of Arriba. Colorado. It wasn't until 1923 when they moved to their farm from Juniata, Nebragka. They cnme by car when they moved to their farm from Juniata, Nebragka. They came by car with their baby daughter, Geraldine, and ahipped their belongings on the railroad. Their firet home wae a little house "acrosg the road" from the present farm. They lived here while building the new house during the errmmer of 1923. The fun features of this new house were a big picture window in the living room and an open full basement. The basement was used for roller skating and dances. Neighbore came on Saturday night every couple weeks. The ladies brought sandwiches for supper and everyone pitched in to pay the mwicians for square dancing music. Three children were born in Colorado. playing cards and games. Favorite pastimes were pot luck dinners with the neighbors. Harrison and Augusta loved their children and grandchildren. They always had time to talk and play with their kids. That's one thing their three children and nine grandchildren will always remember - Grandma and Grandpa loved us! The family always enjoyed one another and summer reunions were a big event. We always tried to spend at least a week together every summer fishing and camping. Geraldine, Lois, and Wayne still like to travel together and continue to spend a couple weeks together each year. by Geraldine M. Smith GARNER - HAMPTON FAMILY I.220 Joe W. Garner and Susie S. Hnmpton were married in Gove County, Kansas, on April 2, 1911. Joe had grown up in Phillips and Gove Counties of Kansas. Susie was born and grew to young womanhood in Mason County, Illinois. Her parents the P.C. Hamptons had come wegt as pioneers a few months before her marriage. In October of 1911, Joe and Susie packed their belongings into a covered wagon and with a few head of livestock trailing the wagon they began their adventure to move Joe and Susie Garner. westward to locate and claim a homestead in Colorado. Their goal had been to go into the Flagler or Limon area or beyond. They were marooned in the Bethune area for a few days due to an early fall snow storm. As they approached Stratton they had been told of the beautiful bluestem grass, belly high to a horse, in the sand hills northwest of Stratton. It sounded good, so they moved in that direction and settled 13 miles northwest of Stratton, one mile north of the Republican river. Days were difficult in their new homeland. Joe used his team and equipment to help other neighbors break sod and also did custom work to earn some cash. Susie looked after the home area, milked the cows and herded their livestock. A number of their relatives soon cnme to settle on near by land. George and Agnes Paintin homesteaded just east of Joe and Susie about a half mile. Another sister and her husband, Sam and Alice Travis, settled on a homestead northeast of Garners. Then Susie's parents and brother, P.C. and Maggie Hampton and Johnny crme a few years later and settled on a homestead about one mile north of them. Their first house was a flat roofed "soddy". The house walls were laid up with sod and the roof was constructed of boards covered over with strips ofsod to keep out the weather. It was blown away in a cyclone only a few months after completion. For several months then Joe and Susie lived in their covered wagon parked near George and Agnes Paintin's house. Susie's father was a builder. When they came to homestead, he built the Garner's new home. Using adobe blocks he constructed a very nice six room two story house. It was stuccoed on the outside, plastered on the inside and had wooden shingles on the roof. The house still stands on the Garner Ranch. One of the sorrows that came in their early homestead days was the loss of their first baby girl a few days after birth in 1914. Medical care was very limited for these early homesteaders and the difficult birth resulted in the baby's death, surgery for Susie in �Denver some months later and resulting poor and ranch management during their stay. health for several years. Joe and Susie began attending a Sunday School in the school house at Solid Center about a mile and a quarter from their home. Several relatives shared their home at different periods during their long years of homemaking also. They were well known for their warm Christian hospitality through the good years and the bad. Joe and Susie left a legacy for their children, a strong example of noble, upright, thrifty living, and a spirit of genero- They soon accepted Christ and became active members in the Church of God congregation which developed from that Sunday School and later moved into town beginning the congregation that now worships in Stratton. Joe was a hard worker, a good stockman, and Susie was an excellent manager and sity in giving. by Mabel Scheierman assisted in many ways as they developed their ranch with Aberdeen Angus Registered cattle. They did farming to supply their own food and feed for their livestock. They sometimes raised extra produce which they sold or took to Stratton to trade for needed commodities. One time during World War I days Joe took a wagon load of sweet water- melons to town and traded it for a one GARNER, WILLIAM JENNINGS F22r My father, Thomas A. Garner was born in England in 1854. Along with my Grand- hundred pound sack of sugar. Joe and Susie were finally blessed with parents, Jernes and Sarah Gatner, the family sailed from Manchester, England and embar- three daughters, Mabel Scheierman and Wanda Sweet, who have both spent their lives as active residents of Kit Carson ked at St. Paul, Minnesota. They took a tree claim in Gove County, Kansas and planted lots of Cottonwood trees. On April 24, 1880, my father married Eunice Patience Silvers Grushus. She was the daughter of Edwin and Lucretia Silvers. To this union nine children were born. James was born in 1880, Maude in 1882, and Joe on November 19, 1885, in Phillips County, Kansas. Agnes was born in Gove County, Lpri|22,1890. Alice was born April 10, 1888, Edith on September 5, 1892, and Thomas on September 6, 1894, all in Norton County, Kansas. I was born September 24, 1896. My appearance was made in a dug out four miles south of Morland, in Graha- County, Kansas. Gladys was born September 17, 1898, in Graham County. County. Norma Borden, a minister's wife has apent her life in various states and twelve years in Kenya East Africa as a missionary with her family. They also had three sons, one who died at birth, Robert who was killed in a car train accident in Littleton, Colorado in December of 1949 at the age of 19. Lyle K. who now owned the family ranch and resides in Stratton. Joe and Susie faced many difficulties as they weathered the dust bowl days and the depressions years. Many years they struggled to pay their taxes and the Federal Land Bank loan. During theee years many of their neighbors gave up the struggle and left the farm to move away to find greener pastures or a different livelihood. Joe and Susie pulled together and worked hard, lived frugally and were able to buy several near by farms to add to the acreage of their ranch. One set back came on the heels of the depression when after a summer storm Joe rode out to check his cattle and found 17 head of his heifers, goon to calve, dead along the fence row, the result of the severe lightning storm the night before. To add to the problem they had dropped the insurance they had carried for years on the cattle, in order to cut expenses to make it through those rough years. In 1950, soon after Bob's death they moved into Stratton where they resided for their remaining years. For several years they commuted to oversee the farm work until the falm was turned over to their son, Lyle. In 1952 another storm brought devastation to their home place when a tornado struck the home site, demolishing every building on the original homestead except the adobe house. Even the large barn with high cement walls and a large haymound was completely destroyed by this storm. Through it all they lived by a strong faith in God, which gave them an anchor that held them steady through the storms of life. Susie was one who was often called in by her neighbors to assist in times of illness or death. Joe faces the trails and tcsts with assurance that their God would see them through. Through the years their home was always open to those who might need a meal or a place to stay for awhile. A number of young men made their home with them for various periods of time and received training in farm My father worked in a flour mill in Morland. There were two places to hang the burlap sacks and two sets ofscales. The sacks offlour weighed fifty pounds and were sewed shut. A byproduct of the wheat milling consisted of bran and a coarse meal called shorts. Sacked separately, the bran was used for milk cow feed and the shorts was mixed up into slop to feed the pigs. Flour was $1.00 for forty eight pounds. I wasn't very old at the time but I remember seeing the sacks on the scales. I went to Dalton Valley school. Mable Bentley and Mrs. Bertha Martin were two of my teachers in Gove County. In Graham County I went to the Shiloh School. I only had a few years of schooling. My best subject in gchool was arithmetic. Brother James died in 1909 at the age of 29 years. After his death our family moved down on his homestead located seven miles east of Jerome in Gove County, Kansas. There was a well on his homestead. The well was caged up with four inch boards which soon rotted out. It would only pump about a barrel of water at a time and the water was poor. We finally dug a cistern and hauled water from a spring two miles away for our house use. Henry Nordman owned 280 acres next to ours which we rented. My father eventually purchased this land in 1907 for $10.00 per acre. I helped him pay for it. We milked a few cows and sold cream in Jerome. We farmed only with horses. Our meat consisted of rabbits and a few prairie chickens. In the spring we picked lambsquarters and raised potatoes and we had plenty of beans. In the winter the neighbors helped each other butcher and cure their yearly supply of pork. The fuel supply consisted mostly of cow chips, corn cobs and a little coal. I can remember when I was twelve years old, I was sick with pneumonia. My father had a doctor come out from Wakeeney. He made two trips out, a distance of about forty miles each time. The Doctor told my Dad that he wouldn't bother to make another trip out cause "he was going to die anyway". My sister Agnes was at home and along with a neighbor lady that knew about doctoring put a poultice on my chest. In a month or so I was able to walk the three miles to school with the other kids. My first trip to Colorado was in 1911 by covered wagon along with brother Joe. He married gsa llampton that so-e year and came out to homest€ad twelve miles north- west of Stratton. When I went back to Kansas, I got on the train at Stratton which took me to Grainfield. I rode with a mail carrier to Gove City and caught another ride to Jerome. then I walked seven miles to home. When I was eighteen, I went to Hays, Kansas to take a physical for the draft in World War I. I didn't pass due to not having enough wind in my lungs to expand. Ray Phelps sold me my first car. It was a 1918 Dodge Touring car for $780.00. It had side curtains, two seats and a small running board. We didn't have to take a drivers exemination at that time. The car had a reverse gear and three forward gears, low, intermediate, and high. We sold horses and mules to pay for it. Horses were good property. I traded two mules for a registered Morgan stallion from George Heineman who lived east of Digton in Lane County. I belonged to the American Percheron Society of America in 1922. They were large fast-trotting draft horses. I bought a mare from H.L. Salmon and O.D. Dun, Fowler, Kansas. In 1925 I bought a registered Percheron mare from C.E. Simonsen of Healey, Kansas. In 1939 we had sleeping sickness in our horses and we lost some. Dr. C.A. Gibson came out and vaccinatpd the herd for $15.50. I made wind breaks from soap weeds. Posts were set two feet apart then wire strung across and the space filled in with soap weeds. The cattle wouldn't eat them and they would last as long as the posts did. At one time or the other all of the Munsell boys worked for me, also Delbert and Wally Johnson. My father passed away on October 20, 1925, at the home of my sister Agnes Paintin. He is buried at Shields, Kansas. Agnes married George Paintin at Hill City, Kansas on October 14, 1908. They went to Colorado by covered wagon in 1912. Alice married Sa-uel Ernest Travis at Morland, Kansas on June 7, 1907. Edith maried Potter Gabler. He passed away several months later. She later married John Mclean of Jerome, Kansas. Gladys married Glenn Parks at Morland. They moved to Stratton, Colorado and later to Oregon. Glayds passed away March 7, L975. My mother moved to Kit Carson County, Colorado, to make her home with brother Tom south of Vona, Colorado, in 1935. She passed away on July 31, 1941, at the age of 86. Ed Grushus, our half brother, took sist€r Maude to Utah and on to Union, Oregon to stay with an Aunt and Uncle Tinkam and go �to school. She married Wallace Lisle of Tacoma, Washington. She passed away March 16, 1966. Thomas manied Irene Burton, August 18, 1941. He departed this life August 28, L962. I stayed on the farm in Gove County, GATTSIIALL, FRANK AND MILLIE F222 Kansas until 1939. I had Devin Conaway, Joe and lvan Paintin to help drive my sixty head of horses out to the farm six miles eouth of Vona, Colorado. I survived the dirt storms and depression by raising mules. I had over "In testimony whereof, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America. have caused these letters to be forty head at one time. I started buying the Joe Collins ranch south and east ofStratton, Colorado in 1940. I kept adding to it until now we have four in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fourteen, and of the indepen- the other half is farm ground. President Wilson, the east half of S ection 2411-45 became the property of Millie Beatrice Hartzler, Beaverton, Colorado. At the soddie on this homestead near Beaverton, Laveta sections. One half of it is in native grass and I married Emily Niles of Stratton at Kinsley, Kansas, May 15, 1940. We lived on the farm for a few years. It was hard to get help during World War II, so I rented the farm out and we took a trip to Tacoma, Washington to see sister Maude that I had only seen twice. She loved that country and said it was "Gode Country". We bought a forty acre chicken farm across the peninsula at Lake Bay, Washington. We soon discov- hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at the city of Washington, the Sixteenth day of May dence of the United States the one hundred and thirty-eighth. The recorded Patent number 406135." With the signature of Thelma Gattshall was born February 24, 1912, and Wallace Frank Gattshall on June 15, 1913 to Millie and Frank Gattshall. In about 1916 Frank and Millie bought a half section of land six miles north of Flagler, Colorado from a brother of Dr. Neff. It was here that Frank and Millie made their best effort. They hand-milked as many as nineteen good Holstein cows. Their dairy barn was the best option for a derelict school house known as the Huntly School. Since its abandonment because of consolidation for the Flagler School, its only other use had been by a large family of skunks under its floors. The skunks were captured by Lee Nussbaum, an old bachelor who lived about seven miles north of Flagler. Frank made a two row sled planter to plant corn in the fresh plowed sod, which was plowed by Bill Stone with his steam engine and a twelve bottom sod plow. Other machin- ery was customized by Ed Malbaff, a blacksmith in Flagler other ensilage, stored in a pit silo. The ensilage cutter was hand fed and powered with a stationary gas engine, hand cranked, and it ran some times, too. The ensilage was elevated from the silo with a derrick, a rope and pulley, powered by a saddle horse. The ered there was more work with seven hundred old hens and twelve milk cows than back home on the farm. We thought it might be God's Country but God didn't say we all had to gtay in the ssme place, so we moved to Stratton, Colorado, In June 1948. Duane Kindred and I worked together for sevent€en years until I retired. We have four children. Verlin has two children and lives south of Bethune, Colorado. Jennifer Singley has two children and lives at Longmont, Colorado. Willetta Dickey has two children. They live in Lakewood, Colorado. Nilee Ray is the father of one daughter. He and his wife are serving in the Armed Forces in Germany. Our church home has been the Church of God in Stratton. We have traveled quite extensively. When the family was home we took many trips across the country and we still travel. We have taken bus tours, had our feet in the watpr ofthe west coast, crossed by boat at Bar Harbor, Maine and into Canada. We have gone by bus to Seattle, by boat to Fairbanks, Alaska then flew to Nome. We flew to Puerto Rico in 1968 for a week. I have traveled by covered wagon, boats and planes. I have eeen the change from cow chips to microwaveg for cooking. Neighbors were friendly and we helped each other. They rejoiced in one's good fortune and lent a hand Last day of school at Fairview; 28 pupils all grades; Milie Gattshall, teacher. in time of trouble. Time has a way of marching on. I have been blessed with a healthy body. Along with the failures, I'm grateful for the opportunity and freedom to carry out my dren-e and goals. Since retiring to our home in Stratton, we've enjoyed the two one-row listers - and a seven foot made into a two-row lister disc extended to ten feet. The corn crop was made into feed, some of it as dry stover and iirri:.,iiil fellowship and activities with the Senior Citizens groups. I will be 90 years old on September 24, L986. by Mrs. Emily Garner Millie Hartzler Gattshall's homestead at Beaverton in September, 1914. �expression now days is "labor intensive." Millie taught school at Fairview, a school on the Thurman road, perhaps ten or eleven He continued to farm and ranch. Elsie was an excellent geamstrese. She loved to cook and hundred dollars per month for the three years she taught there from 1918 to 1920. In 1923 Flagler in 1954. Hillert was baptized at the age of 32 at the First Baptist Church at Gothenburg. He later entertain friends. They did much traveling and went over-seas once. They moved to miles north of Flagler. She was paid one Millie taught at West Fairhaven, northeast transferred to the First Baptist Church at Flagler, where he and Elsie were members at the time of their deaths. Hillert died July 12, 1968 following a heart attack, just three years on that date after his 1951, '52 and ofFlagler and for three years '53 at Sunny Slope northwest- of Flagler. In L924 Wayne Alfred Gattshall was born at home with Dr. Neff in charge. Laveta and Wallace were sequestered at the Ed Leasburg home just south of the Buffalo Creek on Thurman Road. Somewhere in the interim time, Frank helped build the basement to Flagler Baptist Church. Frank and Millie sold the farm on the Buffalo in 1926 and moved to Washington County north of the Shiloh neighborhood. by Wallace Gattshall GEIKEN, HILLERT JAKE F223 Hillert and Else Geiken bv their new home in Flagler, Co. 1954. Hillert Geiken. They ceme to the Gothenburg, vicinity in 1881-82 residing on a farm in the northeast area in Blaine precinct. Other children were Dick, John, Mary, Lilly, and Anna, two dying in infancy. Hillert attended District 87 (Grandview) school. In 1916, he manied Ruth Margaret Viter. She was born Nov. 2, 1900 at Etna, Nebraska. Ruth's father was, Charlie Viter. Charlie's father was Johan Weiter who came to America from Sweden in 1879. His wife Marie csme with him. Their trip across the North Sea went well. The name "Weit€r" was changed later to Viter. They cnme to Gothenburg and bought land for $6 - $10 an acre. Ruth's mother, Anna Olsen, was born Jan. 1, 1868 in Sweden. She came to America in 1887, and married Charlie Viter in 1887. They lived at Tsllin, Custer Co. Nebraska, and eight children were born, four boys and four girls. Charley Viter died in 1902, leaving her with eeven children, the oldest 14 yrs. ofage. In 1904, she manied Charley Nelson, and to them two daughters were born. Their names were Selma and Ellen. They moved to Gothenburg. Anna died August 22, L947 at Carlotta, California, where she resided 3 yrs. Hillert and Ruth resided on the family farm a few years. Two children were born there, Bernice Rhodna, born July 11, 1917, and Stanley Keith, born April 29, 1919. In the 1920's, the family moved to Holly, Colorado to farm. A daughter, Deloris Iola was born October 15, 1923. Due to the drouth years there, they moved back to Gothenburg and Hillert worked on an irrigated farm. Ruth enjoyed crocheting, piecing quilts and caring for the family, until she became ill, and was Hillert J. Geiken and daughter Mrg. Bernice Maloney and Verda Rose Malony, grandaughter. Picture taken 12 milee north of Seibert. on the Geiken farm by their eod house in 1940. Hillert Jake Geiken Jr., son of Hillert Jacob Geiken and Marie Christine Bunger, was born 16 July, 1897 at the farnily farm in the Grandview area northeast ofGothenburg, Nebraska. Hillert Sr. came to Panola. Illinois from Germany in 1868. He was born in Victorbur, Upper Saxony in Germany January 13, 1857. He was the third son of Dirk and Henrietta Antone Brussner Geiken. He came to America, hoping for a better life there. Maria was born Oct. 1, 1862 in Clayton, Illinois and April 13, 18?9 was manied to hoepitalized. Hillert raised the three children, with the help of relatives. he was always very devoted to them. The ages of the children then were eight, six, and two yrs, Deloris being the youngest, stayed some with an aunt and uncle, Olaf and Esther Pearson. Esther sewed clothing for the children. Deloris stayed later with Henry and Agnes Jenkins for some time. Hillert married Elsie (Swanson) (Sheridan) April 30, 1934. They resided several years at Inghnm, Nebraska, and one yr. at Wellfleet, Nebraska. Elsie was born Oct. 12, 1903 at Atlanta, Nebraska. Her parents were Malcolm and Jennie Swanson of Wellfleet, Nebraska. She had one son, Maurice Wake- field Sheridan. Hillert and Elsie moved to Seibert, Colorado in 1940, on a farm north west of Seibert. brother John died. Elsie died April 19, 1975, after a lingering illness and both are buried in the Flagler Cemetery. Ruth Geiken moved to Portland, Oregon, and on March 15, 1945, she manied Phillip L. Norman. They lived together about two yrs. and Phillip died. She moved to Boise, Idaho and lived there 2t years. She did maid work at hotels and motels, until she retired. She came to Colorado in 1968 to be closer to her children. She lived in Pueblo 8 yrs. She was in the nursing home at Burlington a few months, when she died of a heart attack, March 15,1977. She was buried in the Seibert Cemetery. by Mrs. Bernice Maloney GILLETTE, DR. AND MRS. I.224 Mrs. Viola Gillettc is one of our pioneers who can tell many interesting experiences of the early days here. Her father, the late, Robert G. Campbell cnme here in February, 1887 from Illinois. The family cnme out in March of the snme year. The family consieted of Mr. and Mrs. Cnmpbell, Seward, Violaand a foster son, C.F. Moore. Mr. Canpbell homest€aded about two miles this side of Kanarado. The next year Mrs. Gillette took a preemption about 2 L/z milee northeast of where Kanarado now is locatpd. She had a sod house built and taught school there in her home. She had six pupils and their parents paid her. The county seat was then at Kiowa and she had taught six months before the superinten- dent found it out. Later she took the ex"minations and received a Colorado Certificate. She taught one term northeast oftown in Precinct 1. After the railroad was built, she taught two more terms, in Kansas. Mrs. Gillette said that for the first two or three year they were here there were no social affairs but later there were dances and literaries. They at first did their trading at Haigler, Nebr., or Wallace, Kan. Later the small town of Carlyle was etart€d. Mrs. Gillett€'s father was elected County Clerk and the family moved to Burlington in Jan., 1892. She helped him in the office. She was manied in April, 1892, to the late Dr. C.A. Gillette. They led a happy busy and colorful life. Dr. Gillette for quite a while was the only doctor between Goodland and Colorado Springs. Mrs. Gillette accompanied him on many of his trips. They drove a team hitched to a buggy. He used to take a day to go to Cope and a day to return. Many a time they had been caught in a heavy rain toward evening and as darkness came on they would unhitch the tenn and tie them to the buggy �and sit in the buggy until daylight. Even those who were used to traveling the prairies did not try to drive after dark. The vagt sea of open country had no fenceg or landmarks and it was very easy to become lost. In the years that followed, Dr. and myself took part in an active social and business life in our town. We built the building that was occupied by the Shank's Cafe and Peterson's recreation parlor and other buildings. Dr. Gillette retired several vears before his death in 1937 or 1938. by Mrs. Viola Gillette GODSMAN FAMILY F226 Charlotte J. Godsman Charlotte Godsman was born in Madison County, Iowa July 10, 1869. She cn-e to Colorado in 1888 with her pioneer parents, John and Lucinda Rose, and settled near Hoyt, Colo. She began her teaching career in Iowa when she was eighteen years old. Her first teaching position in Colo. was at Hoyt. In 1889, she manied Dr. Paul Godsman who was a physician, attorney at law, legislator, and judge. They had one child, a son, Sidney Paul Godsman. Her Uncle George lived near a little town called Hoyt, which was about fifty miles across country east by a little north of Hugo, Colo. They had taken claims there and seemed to like it very much. Uncle George had wanted us to go there but Father preferred California at the time. Later, Father sent word to Uncle that we were on our way to settle near him. May 6, 1888, we arrived in Hugo, which was a terrible contrast to Pasadena. Uncle met ue with a lumber wagon and a team ofhorses. The next morning he took us over a long houselese road, dry, sandy, monotonous, to his place a half mile west of Hoyt. Mail, groceries, and supplies of all kinds people; they "corralled" cows, sheep, horses, business, friends, and opportunities; a "dra\p" wag used for a valley, etc. The settlers were good whole-souled people, and very kind to us. They were pleased that I was a teacher and gave me the Hoyt school. The men had a "building bee" to plow the sod and lay the walls for a sod school building. They left openings for the window sashes. The roof was made of pine boards covered with sod. When the windows came, they were fow inches too short, but they were made to "do". The unfilled area was at the top of the windows, and furnished ample ventilation. often when the wind blew (and there was plenty of wind) dust would blow in so much that the air would become thick and foggy with dust. Father's claim, a Preemption, lay a mile north and a little west of uncle's place, and adjoining Mr. Brafford's land on the south. The Brafford's oldest girl, Etta, was a year younger than I and becane my friend. To begin my four-month school, I had to have a "Permit" to teach until the next regular Teacher's Examination in August. At that time, I made a grade of 86 7 /L2 percent and was given a Second Grade Certificate, issued by Bernard, C. Killian, Supt. of the Elbert County Schools. It was so far to Kiowa, the county seat that he sent me the questions by mail. I wrote the answers and mailed them back to him. The past two years in Iowa, I had received First Grade Certificates. The Colo. Examinations were harder or were different enough to give this result. It dashed my pride a bit. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Hutchens kept a general merchandise store in Hoyt. They kept the Post Office also. Etta and I would walk down there after school to await the mail with all the other people waiting for the mail. Father would meet us and take us home. James H. Priest, later a son-in-law of uncle George, having maried Edna Rose, filed on a homestead south of Hoyt, April 1887. He says at that time, Dr. Hoyt's little house was the only building. That summer it grew with several stores, a Post Office, tavern, printing office, lumber yard, dance hall, etc. by Della Hendricks were freighted by wagons from Hugo to Hoyt once a week. How we looked forward to the 'mail day'. Uncle George had a very good sod house for the short time they had been there. There were no floors, but the ground was smooth and hard. Father was delighted with everything. It seemed dreadful to mother and I. I felt discouraged. Father was so happy, whistling, as he built our little one-room house, that mother and I tried not to dampen his spirits by fault finding. The sod houses, while not works of art, were very cool and comfortable in the Bummer and warm in the winter. The deep window seats were excellent for house plants. On the other hand, we were stubbing our toes on the cactus at every st€p, driving the sharp thorns through the shoes leather. Also we had to be on the look out for rattle snakes which were very nnmeroug. There were no amusements for the young people except the country dance. I had been taught that it was wrong to dance and I believed it. To me, it appeared that no one in the west cared for correct English. They talked any old way. Such terme were used: "round-up" for any eort of a gathering of GODSMAN FAMILY r.228 Dr. Paul B. Godsman On July 4, 1888, the Fourth of July Celebration was held in the lumber yard at Seibert, where it was possible to obtain enough seats for the crowd. The oration ofthe day was delivered by a young doctor, Paul B. Godsman, who had come out to Colorado for his health. he had had pneumonia three times the preceding winter. Mr. Maddox the R.R. suryeyor, told him of the dry, beneficial climate of Eastern Colorado and urged the doctor to accompany him westward. Seibert was determined to have a big celebration for the 4th. We all gathered at the home of Mrs. Hutchens to practice singing. That was how I got to meet Dr. Godsman. He would take me and bring me home from practice. A Grand Stand was erected between two buildings, facing west. There were the usual gnmes and races for the occasion, but Dr. Godsman was the most interested in the foot races as his partner Mr. Luane was quite a foot racer and won all the races. Afterwards we ate the fine picnic lunch mother had put up for us. Father, my friend Etta, Mr. Luane, Dr. Paul and myself, (Charlotte Rose) even enjoyed iced lemonade. (A neighbor had put up ice the winter before.). On July 14, a most beautiful moonlight night Dr. told me he loved me and wanted to marry me. I was shocked! Some time after we were married, he said to me one day "Do you realize that you never did say that you would marry me!" I told him that I said "Yes" to the preacher in the wedding ceremony, anyway. That fall was the first General Election in the new county of Kit Carson. Dr.. Godsman was asked to "run" for County Judge, on the Republican ticket, a term of three years. He came to tell me and asked if I would marry right away before the gnmpaign sta*ed. I demurred on the grounds oflack of preparation; he said he was quite willing to risk it, well, I consented! Law, as Doctor expressed it, was his "first love", but Dr. Allen, his step-father, encouraged him to take medicine instead by telling Paul that he would help him financially, if he would go to Medical School. Therefore, he went to Medical School at St. Joe, Missouri for one year. Dr. Allen then persuaded Paul to go to a larger city where he could be brought in contact with many different kinds of cases and diseases; accordingly, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated from the Ohio State Medical College, in the Spring of 1884. He won the Gold Medal of Physiological Prize. I was proud of my husband to be, being a doctor, but if he preferred to be a lawyer, that was his affair, and it was all right with me. We were married Wednesday, September 4, 1889, Rev. H. Meade of the Congregational Church of Seibert, officiating. Some months previous Doctor had taken a "Tree Claim" two and one-ha]f miles west of Seibert. He had had a cozy little sod house erected on it. We lived here a short time but Dr. seeing he would have to be away a lot decided to build a small room onto his office and we moved in there. Well, in the November election, 1889, Burlington won the eounty seat, and Doctor Godsman was elected as the County Judge. We moved to Burlington so that Paul might be closer to his work. (In 1903, the Godsman'g moved to Denver and in 1904 Charlotte began her 35 year teaching career. She retired in 1939. Godsman Elementary School in Denver was named for Charlotte Godsman.) by Charlotte Godsman GOEBEL - CHANDLER FAMILY I.227 My father, Henry E. Goebel, was a well known early day Kit Carson County, Colo. rancher and farmer. He was born January 21, 1874 at Rodinghausen, Westphalia, Germany. He came to the United States with his father, three brothers and two sisters. Their �on a Saturday night in the homes. Dad played the violin, others who played the violin were, Johnny Jacober and Walter Korthas. We children can remember many happy times, when neighbors came in on a Sunday for dinner and visiting, neighbors getting together for Sunday picnics, we would go to the Republican River where there were many large trees and water to go wading. Many family reunions were held. Aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins living in the area Henry Goebel and Mary J. Chandler Goebel wedding picture, May 29, 1901. mother, Carolina Louisa Carlotta Schreve Goebel passed away May 16th, 1885. Later that snme year Grandfather and his five children came to America. They first settled near Claytonia, Nebraska. In 1891 at the age of sixteen he anived in Kit Carson County with his parent's. The parents soon returned to Nebraska. Father had staded to work for a Mr. Ed. McCrillis on the ranch that is now known as the Spring Valley Ranch, so he stayed with the job. The ranch is located along the Landsman Creek. At that time, there were springs and large water holes up and down the valley and natural hay meadows. Father was foreman at the ranch until 1916. He moved his family back to their homestead, located twelve miles north and three west of Burlington along the Landsman Creek. My Mother, Mary Josephine Chandler was born February 23, 1882 at Shelbyville, Illinois, and arrived in Colorado in the spring of 1888 with her parents, three brothers, Frank, made up quite a large group. Mother worked very hard raising her large family, what with no conveniences compared to what we have now. She always raised a big vegetable garden, did a lot of sewing for us girls, a lot of cooking and baking and always got us off to school on time. We, too, can remember some very hard times we endured. Dad worked very hard. After World War No. I, and the depression, cattle prices dropped and Dad was nearly wiped out. But he had faith in the country and did see better times. Mother passed away July 18th, 1941. Father continued to live on the ranch until 1951 when he sold the place and moved into Burlington. He spent the last two years of his life living at Ebenezer home in Brush, Colo. He passed away September 19th, 1955. Both he and mother were of the Lutheran Faith, internment at Fairview Cemetery, Burlington, Colorado. by Ruth Bauder GOODRICH, ROBERT AND ORPIIA four miles west and ten miles north of Burlington. May 29, 1901 my parents were married here in Burlington by Reverend C.L. Yersin, Minister of the Christian Church. The young Goebels proved up on their homestead while he worked for Mr. McCrillis. They later moved to the ranch to be nearer his work as he had been promoted to foreman, a job he held until 1916. He moved his family back to the homestead and started farming and raising cattle. He also bought cattle and hogs for a commission company out of Denver. Thirteen children were born in this family, two died in infancy. Their girls, Mable Alice Rathbun, Mildred Ellen Stump, Ethel Mae Jacober, Ruth Irene Bauder, Helen Marie Martens, Elva Louise Warner, Edith Eliz- abeth Thompson, Frances Henrietta Brenner; the boys, Henry 8., Keith Ernest, and Dale Dwain. Those still living are: Ruth Irene Bauder, Frances Brenner and Keith Ernest. The first school in our area was organized May 16, 1889 and was known as School District No. 3. The first school house was built of sod. The first teacher was Mrs. Helen Slusser. School warrant No. 1 was drawn October l2th, 1889 for $20.00 for the first month teaching. Our parents always took an active part in all school activities, such as school programs, literary progrnms, last day of school picnics. Father was a member of the school board for many years. Square dancing was another activity in the neighborhood. These were held Nears , a position she held for nearly 35 years. We had many good neighbors in our moves. We had Ed Malbaff, Art Schiedeggars, and Harold Means. Later neighbors have been Esther Malbaff, Mildred Funkhouser, Merl Saffers, Ed Conartys, Bennie Hughes, John Herzogs and Kenneth Beattys in Flagler. While living in the country in our early married life, Bob and his father played for country dances, hauling our organ to homes for Bob to accompany his father who played the violin. Bob also played with the Hell Creek baseball team. Our three boys attcnded all 12 years of schooling in Flagler school. Lloyd attended junior college at La Junta. Harold received his masters degree from Adams State College in Alemosa, having attended all his college years there, Our son Gerald served with the Signal Corps in Pusan, Korea, and Lloyd served as an Engineer Supply Specialist in Japan in the Korean War. While living in Flagler we enjoyed the many school activities with our boys. We also enjoyed the 100F and Crystal Rebekah Lodges. Our family were members of the Baptist Church in Flagler and took part in the many activities. My husband, Robert, died in September, 1970, and I still reside in the snme home we made together in 1942. Gerald is presently a printer in Boulder, Colorado. Lloyd is with the Soil Conservation District and works as an Engineer out of Limon. Harold is a teacher in the Middle School at Burlington. F228 Grover and Charles. Her parents were, Hendrick Virgineus Chandler and Elizabeth Ellen Yarnell. Their homestead was located for four years in the country school, helping fill in during the teacher shortage. Then she clerked in some of the Flagler stores. Final$ she went to work part time for the Flagler Robert Goodrich and Orpha Jensen were married in Burlington, Colorado, November L2, L925. Our parents were Enos and Lillie Goodrich and Thomas and Emma Jensen. Our children were Dolores Maxine (deceased), Gerald Dean, Robert Lloyd and Harold We have 5 grandchildren and three great grandsons. Grandchildren are Kevin and Lindon Goodrich, Tami Goodrich Witt, Russell Goodrich and Holly Goodrich of Littleton, Colorado. Great grandchildren are Brian, Christopher and David Witt. by Orpha Goodrich Lee. We had come with our parents from Kansas, Robert from Phillipsburg and Orpha from Kanona around the year of 1910. I attended grade school at Pleasant Valley, District No. 40, and high school at Shiloh and Flagler High School, graduating with the class of 1925. Robert attended a country school one half mile south of their farm. After our marriage we made our home on his father's farm about 14 miles north and 2 east of Seibert. Later we moved to his step mother's farm a few miles from there. Robert farmed several years, but during the dirty "30's" there were no crops or feed raised, so we moved to Bird City, Kansas, where Robert shucked corn and worked in a potato cellar. From there we moved to Strasburg, Colorado, and worked for a farmer and later tried farming again. Our children were all born while we lived in the Strasburg area except Harold who was born in Flagler in 1941 after Pearl Harbor. while in Byers we lost our daughter with dust pneunonia. In 1935 we moved north of Seibert and worked for a rancher, later moving into Flagler where Bob started working for Kit Carson County, retiring in 1965. Then he worked for the town of Flagler taking care of the city park. After returning to Flagler, Orpha taught GORTON - HANEY FAMILY E22S Fosha Sheldon Gorton was born December 2. 1890 to Frank Sheldon Gorton and Frances Adele (Taylor) Gorton at Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Elfie Mae Haney was born October 27, 1893 to Lewis M. Haney and Mary Susannah (Lundy) Haney. Fosha and Elfie were married March 17, 1913 at Dunbar, Nebraska by Rev. E.W. Love. They were blessed with three sons, the oldest died at birth, Fosha Sheldon, Jr., and Ralph Francis. Fosha and Elfie both received their education in Nebraska. After their marriage, Fosha worked for Ed West in a garage as a mechanic in Dunbar. In 1919 they came to Colorado to farm for Ed West, northwest of Vona, using a Rumley tractor. In 1920 they moved north of Seibert, then went back to Nebraska for the winter, coming back to Colo. in March 1921, to northwest of Vona, where he continued working for Ed. Some of the winter months he spent working for Cec Reed in Burlington, and for Pat Chew in Seibert as �Elfie oftcn would tell about loading the boys into the old Model T and heading to Vona for groceries or the basketball ga'nsg. Of cooking and preparing meals for their hired men, and how after moving to Seibert, of the many baeketbail players that spent much time in their home before the gnmss, and of the special food the coach wanted them to have before their games. EUie attended and graduated from Dunbar, Nebraska High School in 1910. She taught school for a while in Nebraska. At the age of 13 she joined the Presbyterian Church in Dunbar; in 1925 she transferred her membership to the Baptist Chuch in Vona and Fosha and Fosha Jr. joined at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Fosha S. Gorton Sr. and their first grandchild, Dee Ann Gorton, May 13, 1945 a mechanic. In 1930 they purchased a hardware business in Seibert, Co. located in the building where the grocery store is now on the east side of the street, later moving across the street in the north side of the Blake Building, and in 1934 they purchased the C.C. Gates Building on the west side of Main Street and Ralph joined in 1926. All transferred their membership to the Evangelical United Brethern Church at Seibert in 1952, and it later became the United Methodist Church when the Methodist and E.U.B. merged. All remained members there until their deaths. Fosha was an avid fisherman and hunter of all game. He spent many elk and deer hunting trips in the mountains with one of the boys or Elfie along. Fosha Jr. worked for Herb Shults and Harley Greenlee who operated the Conoco Service Station on Highway 24 in Seibert, and in 1953 Fosha took over the station on his own and Ralph worked for him. In 1937 when Fosha started carryingmail on the rural routes, Ralph operated the Conoco station for sometime. F osha served in the Air Force during WWII. He married Marjorie May Miller, a teacher at Seibert, on April L2,t94L at Powell, Wyo. Ralph substituted as mail carrier from 1943 to Oct. 1980. He married Twila Murphy December 19, 1943 at the Murphy family home south of Seibert. by Twila Gorton operated the hardware store there until Ralph closed it in 1971. In 1955 Fosha decided to retire and his son Ralph and wife Twila purchased the store, and operated it until its closing in 1971. Gorton Hardware was known as having the largest stock of Intprnational Hawester parts for over a hundred mile area. Fosha Sr. was active in Community activities as was Elfie and the boys. Fosha was a Past Master of Kit Carson Lodge L27 AF&AM, a Past Patron of Flagler Order of Eastern Star #113, a member of Rocky Mountain Consistory #2, El Jebel Shrine, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, GORTON, RALPH AND TWILA MURPHY F230 Ralph Francis Gorton was born Nov. 5, 1918 to Fosha Sheldon Gorton and Elfie Mae (Haney) Gorton in Dunbar, Nebraska. He was the youngest of three sons, a brother older died at birth, and Fosha Sheldon Jr. being the other. Some of his early years were Seibert Lodge #37. He was also past President and Charter member of the Lions Club spent in Nebraska, Oregon and Colorado. Most of his education was gotten at Vona, Seibert and Barnes Business School in of Seibert, active church member, past school Denver. board membel, town Council member, and Mayor. Elfie was also very active in Eastern Star of Flagler, VFW, Ladies Aux. to post #6492 (John Maurice Wrenn), church Organist and pianist for m€my years until her health failed her. Elfie was also a member of the Lotus Rebecca Lodge #37. Elfie lived alone in the home in Seibert after Fosha's death while on a fishing trip at Perham, Minnesota, in July 1955, that took his life. When Elfie broke her Wrist in 1977, and being in poor health, she sold her home in Seibert and made her home with her son Ralph and wife Twila. In December 1980 she went to Prairie View Nursing home in Limon where she resided until her death on April 24,1985 at the age of 9172 years. December 19, 1943 he married Twila Arleene Murphy, who was born Dec. 28,L923 to Coleman Elmer Murphy and Mattie Bell (Wilmoth) Murphy, on their homestead home south of Seibert. Twila attended all her school years at Rock Cliff and Seibert High School, graduating 1941. Twila had 4 sisters and 5 brothers. Five children were born to this union: Dee Ann, Ralph Francis, Jeanette Kay, Randy Bob and Shari Lynn. The first year of our marriage we operated a grocery store for Ralph's mother, which she later sold to Clint and Hazel Wilhite. Ralph then went to the hardware store to help his father. We both helped there, and in 1955, his father decided to retire and Ralph purchased the business. We operated it until 1971, when Wedding picture of Twila Murphy and Ralph Gorton Sr. on December 19, 1943, at the Coleman Murphy home south of Seibert. we sold much of the stock to other businesses in the area, and closed the doors. The children had helped in the store. Ralph and Twila were both active in church as they and all the children were members in the E.U.B. and later United Methodist Church. Ralph and Twila were also active with the Community Ambulance Service from its origin. Ralph was a charter member of Lions club, Volunteer Fire Dept., Gun Club, Past Master of Kit Carson Lodge 127 F.M.&A.M., Church Choir, very active in all school sports and activities. Ralph had just been honored at the athletic banquet on May 10th, for 39 years faithful never faltering service of all athletic activities, and on May 17, 1983 died of a heart attack, just one week later. Dee Ann married Donald L. Felker and they have two daughters, Lee Ann and Lori Ann. Lee married Kevin Wicks Aug. 17, 1985 and have a boy, Derek Edward, born July 29, 1987. Ralph Francis Jr. married Donna Diane Pizel and have one son, Randy Michael. Jeanette Kay manied Larry Leonard Kemp, and has three children: Yolanda Kay, Shauna Lynn, and Jason Anthony. Randy Bob married Charlene Rose Wigton, they have two sons, Rodney Francis and Bryan Dean. Shari Lynn married Curtis Earl Graham and has two sons: Brad Curtis and Jeffrey Josh. Twila still lives in the family home in Seibert. All our children got their education in the Seibert school, graduating from Seibert High School, the latter two graduating from HighPlains High School, after the consolidation of Vona-Seibert, at Seibert. Dee attended Barnes Business School, later worked at the Credit Bureau in Colorado Springs, and currently for J.C. Penneys. Ralph Jr. graduated from C.S.U., worked for �Cecil Boren on the farm, and Doug Becker on GRAMM - STUTZ the farm, served in the U.S. Army and Vietnam 1969-1971, then worked in construction business until a methane gas explosion in a tunnel in 1977 and was severely burned. He resides in Aurora, Colo. Jeanette helped in the hardware business, worked at Stuckey's at Seibert until her marriage, and is now employed in the Harrison School District in Colorado Springs. Randy Bob got his beginning as a farmer at an early age working for Richard O'Niell, and is now a farmer and dairy operator southwest of Stratton. Shari worked in Colorado Springs for Western Temporary Servicee for a short before returning to Seibert. She then worked for Herman Construction before and after her marriage to Curt on December 9, 1979. They now reside in Stratton, Co. Our home was richly blessed with extra FAMILY I.232 and kept that interest all his life. On November 10, 1916, Gottlieb was united in maniage to Lydia Stutz of Bethune, CO. They lived on Gottliebs homestead on a one room shack for about four months. Later they moved to the John Weiss place where they made their home for over 60 years and raised their family. This is where their son Lawrence now lives. To this union 3 sons and 2 daughters were born: Loyd, Lawrence, Edmund, Elma (Mrs. Ted Schaal) and Esther (Mrs. Mervin Corliss). children through the years our children were Gottlieb and Lydia Gramm, taken 1958 at their weekends and holidays. We loved every minute of it. It was such a pleasure when summer or other vacation time ceme and the Grandchildren could all come to spend the s\rmmers with us. And later can bring their Christ and Christina (Strobel) Gramm, their 3 children, Jake, Gottlieb, and Elizabeth, and other relatives came to America from Russia in 1899. They were on the ship for 21 days. This was quite a trip for the friends with them now. Ralph had spent 10 years on the town smaller children, especially for Gottlieb who was 7 years old at the time. His uncles likes to tease him a lot, so one day Gottlieb got tired of all the teasing and decided to hide. He hid, and got lost, and it was quite some time before they found him sitting on the outside steps of the ship. They settled north of Bethune, CO in the Tuttle community along the Republican River. Christ worked for Harry Cox for many growing, many of them from their school years and college friends who came on council, and was serving a second term as the mayor of Seibert at the time of his death. by Twila Gorton GRAMM - ADOLF FAMILY F231 John Grnmm and Frieda Adolf were married February 2t, L929 at the Hope United Church of Christ north of Bethune. They were one of the first couples to be married there. They both were born and raised in the settlement area where they helped John's parents and brothers farm. They moved to different places where they could find work. John worked for the WPA for several years. In 1943, the house burned down, which was north of Burlington. it was known as the Davis place. After the house burned down, the family lived with different families until they could find a place to live. In 1952, John, Frieda and their three children, Richard, Raymond, and Gladys, moved to Burlington, Colorado where they were both employed. John worked for the Kit Carson County Court House as a janitor for 29 years. He worked there until his death. John passed away on October 12, 1985. He is buried at the Hope United Church of Christ cemetery. Frieda is living in Burlington. by Cheryl Beeson he got out of the loop and had to walk home for many miles. His shirt was all torn to pieces and he lost one boot and had several bumps and bruises. Later he took up a homestead of his own and started his farm and cattle operation. His main occupation was taking care of his cattle home. years. This is where Pauline (Mrs. Emil Schaal), William, and Chris were born. Later the farnily moved to the Settlement Community and took up a homestead and built their own home in 1906. They lived in a one room shack with the older boys sleeping in a grainery while they built their house. All the neighbors helped put up the adobe walls and shingle it. This is when John, the youngest, was born before the house was finished. This is where a grandson, Edmund Gramm and his wife Esther are living today and a greatgrandson, Fred, built a new house on the sa-e place and is living there with his family now. Gottlieb was born on October 5, 1891 in Ungeen, Russia. He and his brother Jake attended the Tuttle School. After several years of school, he started to work on the Cox Ranch at a very young age. Later he worked on the J. Pugh Ranch. The Pugh Ranch is now owned by Tom Price. While he worked on the J. Pugh Ranch, he earned $17.50 a month and later $25.00. He remembered several incidents that happened while he worked there. Once, he and another boy were cleaning out a stall in the barn where the stallion was kept. The stallion grabbed Gottlieb by the arm and threw him in the corner. The other boy took the pitch fork after the stallion saving Gottlieb's life although the horse had bit all the muscles in his arm above the elbow. Another time he was by himself and went into the corral to catch a horse. He got the rope around the horse's neck and the horse took off and went through the gate. While he was trying to stop the horse he stepped into the loop, so the horse drug him around all over the pasture. An this time he was trying to stop the horse or get out of the loop. Finally Lydia was born October 23, 1893 to Fredrich and Maria (Baltzer) Stutz in the Settlement north of Bethune, CO on the Andrew Bauer place. Her sister Minnie (Mrs. Karl Hammelmann), was born here. Her parents came from Blotche, Russia with 3 children, Magdalene (Mrs. John Dobler, Fredrich, and Maria (Mrs. Issaih Stahlecker), and landed in Scotland, South Dakota. This is where daughter Ida (Mrs. Jake Knodel) was born. They and some families co-e by covered wagon to Colorado and settled on the prairies near relatives that had come from Russia earlier. Here they lived in a one room dug out with their children. This is where Emma (Mrs. Jake Gra-m) was born. They had no table or chairs and hardly any dishes. Grandpa Dobler gave them a fork and knife and made a bench for a table. They ate mostly corn bread since they had very little to eat. When it rained the water would run in the dug out. They had to keep the few things they had up high to keep them dry. Fredrich spent most of his time away working to earn money to buy food. They planted a garden to help, but had no fence around it. One good neighbor had given them 2 hens and a rooster which kept getting into the garden to scratch. Maria finally tied up the rooster and the hens stayed out most of the time. They had one milk cow which got bit by a rattlesnake and died so there waa no milk for the ehildren. Maria and the children were alone most of the time. On Monday mornings Fredrich would walk to work and Saturday evenings walk back home. This walk was 10 or 12 miles one way. He was working for the J. Pugh Ranch and got 25 cents a day. This amount was slightly increased over the years. Things went on like this for several years and they could hardly make a living. Maria finally wrote to relatives in Scotland, S.D. for help. They sent $50.00 and told them to leave Colorado and come to Dakotato live and they would help them. In the spring they sold their land and oxen and bought some horses and made a covered wagon. They loaded their belongings and staded on their journey with 8 other families and covered wagons. It took about 3 weeks to get to Scotland. Maria had baked a lot of bread. She toasted it and dried it and put it into flour sacks to keep it from getting moldy. The family hoped to have enough bread to last till they reached their destination. They ran out of bread so they had to stop and build an oven and bake. Other families also had a hard time financially during the dry years in Colorado �and had decided to give up and try their luck in a new location. Lydia was 5 years old at this time. They had lived in Scotland for several years and got a good start there and were doing fine when her father Fredrich got sore eyes. The doctor told him to move back to Colorado or else he L at Burlington, Colorado. From Jan 1, 1917 to Jan 1, 1923 she served as County Superin- tendent of Schools for Kit Carson County. After 44 years of teaching and 6 yrs. as County Superintendent she retired in the spring of 1948 at the age of 70 years. At that time she cared for her ailing husband Joe. She married Joseph Festler Gray of Burlington on Aug. 30, 1917. They met when he was County Commissioner and she wag would go blind. The water there didn't agree with him. They loaded their belongings again and returned to Colorado. Reports from people in Superintendent of Schools. His son Claude Colorado were much better now, so they weren't afraid of coming back. So they and two other familiee startcd their return trip in September, 1898. Lydia's youngest brother, was a young boy when they married. Claude graduated from Burlington High School in L922. Af,ter L922 they moved back to Seibert and she taught there until she received a contract Bill, was only 3 weeks old when they started on the journey. Now there were 7 children in the family. Lydia's oldest brother Fredrich and sister Magdalena had to walk several days and drive cattle. A man wanted her father to take some cattle to Colorado and to teach the 6th grade in the Burlington School District. That first year she finished part of the school year and lived with Jack and Vera Magee. Joe died in 1950 and her brother Frank csme to live with her in 1950. Jessie passed away on April 3, 1960 of heart failure. Nancy Hissem, a niece, and her 2 sons came to Burlington to live and care for Frank. care for them on shares. When they reached the railroad the cattle were loaded and shipped the rest of the way. Magdalena went with the family on the covered wagon but her brother Fredrich had to ride the train to take care and watch the cattle. She taught in the Burlington school system for several years before moving to Castle When they arrived in Colorado, they settled again in the Settlement Community, but they had no place to live. They went to her uncle's place and lived in a one room house till the next spring. Some men dug a well along the Landsman Creek where the families went to get their water. They hauled the water with 2 oxen and a sled with 2 barrels. During this time they built a 2 room sod house on the homestead her father had taken. This was built on the place where the Milbert Berringer family now live. Martha (Mrs. William Schlichenmayer) and Nettie (who died at the age of 17) were born here. Fredrich still worked away from home part time but things came easier for them. Later the parents moved to Bethune where Karl Weisshaar lives. Lydia remembered that when she was 8 years old her parents took her and her sister Emma to town to get some shoes. They found a bargain table and some mismated shoes for 25 cents a pair. The girls each got new shoes. Lydia said she would never forget hers as one had a pointed toe and the other had a rounded toe. All that mattered was that they had shoes they could wear. Gottlieb and Lydia had hard times while they were raising their family. One thing that keptthem going wastheir faith in God to help them in their trials. Their church, The United Church of Christ. north of Bethune meant a lot to them. There they attended worship regularly. They celebrated their 50th and 60th Wedding Anniversaries. Their final resting place is in the church cemetery. by Esther Corliss GRAY, JESSTE C.M. F233 Jessie, daughter of Nancy Mitchell Jacob Magee and Coleman Lauck Magee was born April 23, 1878 in Cherry Hill, West Virginia. She graduated from High School in 1895 at Cleveland, Tennessee and staded her teaching career in Gainesville, Georgia in 1896. She taught in Georgia for two terms. One school was at Graysville as an assistant in a school Jessie Catherine Magee Gray. 6th grade teacher in the Burlington Public School. of 60 pupils in a one room building in 189798. The school year of 1898-99 she taught a rural school near Tunnell Hill, Georgia and received $27.00 per month. Board and room for a month was $9.00, this included washing. The school was located on the top of a ridge in the forest. Water was carried from a near by spring. The boys cut wood to burn and hunted the forest for pine knots for kindling. The desks were home made. The black board was just painted boards behind the teacher's desk which stood on a raised platform. She boarded with a family having six children. "All of us walked a little over a mile to school, always going together. Some of the children had no shoes so they came to school over the frost covered ground in their bare feet. Their meals were very simple. Very little light bread was used. Corn bread and biscuits were used through the week and salt rising bread was a treat on Sundays. A great deal of pork was used. Sorghum took the place of jelly. Sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, and beans were staples. During the summer large gardens were planted so fresh vegetables were used then. These people, though poor, seemed to get a great deal of pleasure out of life." From Georgia, in 1899, Jessie returned to her home in Cleveland, Tennessee and in a few months left for Ida Grove, Iowa where teachers salaries were $40.00 per month. While in Iowa she taught in four different rural schools. They were just two miles apart and the other near the old home in Silver Creek, Iowa. From there she went to Drake Univ. from January to September. Again in September, she took up teaching at Laurens, Iowa. After teaching there one year she was given a contract to one of the grade rooms in Ida Grove, Iowa. She taught there until coming to Colorado where she began her school work in 1911-12 in the town of Seibert. Colorado. The winter of 1911-12 was a stormy one with 16" ofsnow on the level prairie. She taught at Tinsley school that first winter. From then on her teaching in Colorado was confined to Dist.37 and Consolidated District Rock, Colo. Frank died on March 7, 1963. Both Frank and Jessie are buried in Ida Grove, Iowa. by Barbara Butterfield and Marilyn Hasart GRAY, JOSEPH F. F23'4 Joseph Festler Gray was born on October 15, 1863 in Lucas County, Iowa where he grew to manhood. On August 6, 1884 he married Sarah Emma Conrad with whom he moved to Missouri 14 years later, for a brief time, only to return to Iowa in 1899. Three years later, in the summer of 1902, Joe and Sarah came to Colorado with their children, Ora, Harry, May and Fred. Joe homesteaded south east of Seibert. These days of adventure and hard work will always remain in our minds. In 1904 Claude was born. Sarah died on May 7, 1915. An infant son, Jimmie, died while they were in Missouri. Joe Gray was elected County Commissioner in 1908 and served one term ending in 1912. He liked and was active in politics. He met Jessie Catherine Magee while she was serving as County Superintendent of Schools and they were married on August 30, 1917. They lived in Burlington where Joe ran a pool hall. They moved back to Seibert for a few years and he also operated and owned a pool hall in Golden, Colorado from 1929-31. In 1936 Jessie started teaching the 6th grade in Burlington and they moved back to his home there. Joe was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. On May 23, 1950 Joe passed away after a long illness. He is buried in Chariton, Iowa. by Marlyn Hasart �e*a& Harry and Marie Greenwood, year 1923. Joe Gray in his pool hall in Golden, Colorado. 1929-31. GREENLEE, H. C. F235 My father, Harley C. Greenlee, came to Kansas from northwest Missouri in a covered wagon in the late 1890's, with his father. His father died when H.C. was twelve years old, so H.C. worked on farms, livery stable, milk routes until he learned to barber. I think before he was nineteen he went back to Missouri, and not too much later married my mother, Leila Shopbell. I had one brother that died when he was five, and at that time I was two. My mother passed away and I lived with my grandparents until I was five, when my father remarried and came for me. We then moved to Denver in 1918. My father came to Seibert in 1920 looking for a location to buy a barber shop. I had gone to five schools in the first grade, so he had been looking. He arrived in Seibert with Rose, my stepmother, and me. He bought the barber shop in Seibert As I wasn't setting the world on fire, I thought I would give it a try. At that time, it was about impossible to sell or rent a farm. He had bought the old Puncheon place (80 acres) to go with his 320 acres. We rented a school section one mile south for 10 cents an acre and added on to the place by buying land from the Federal Land Bank at $1.25 per acre, ending up with 1,920 acres, which wasn't saleable until 1944 when we sold it to Claude Rivers, and I moved north of Seibert. Before the Second World War, the Federal Land Bank was selling land for 91.25 an acre which about set the price, so five percent commission on $1.25 land didn't add up too fast. During and after the war in the 1940's, land worked up to $25.00 per acre, the highest price my dad ever sold land for until he retired. I wish I knew how many thousands ofacres he sold or traded for people; it was a lot; he was quite a salesman and trader. by Harley L. Greenlee which he ran for a while before building a place across the street that at first housed us, the barber shop and the local newspaper, ?he Seibert Settler. in the basement. A few years later, he added a second story and built onto the back. He then had a hotel and restaurant to go with the barber shop. Around 1923, he got into the land business by trading a 1923 Chewolet to Jay Jeffries for 320 acres of land seven miles southeast of Seibert. By 1928, he had been selling insurance along with barbering, so he needed help in the barber shop. He was able to hire different barbers, but after they tired of shooting prairie chickens and jackrabbits, they would quit as they were out of entertainment. At that time, in August of 1928, I was loafing in the shop and my dad asked me how I would like to be a barber. I told him, "No way!" and he told me to get up and shave this man's neck (Roy Ingrem). So that started my barber career after school, Saturdays and summers after I learned the trade. In 1935, when Juanita and I were maried, me how I would like to be a farmer. :r-*a Harry Howard Greenwood was born Aug. GREENWOOD, HARRY FAMILY F236 4, 1899, at Franklin, Nebr., the eldest son of Theodore and Laura Greenwood. The family moved to Smith Center, Kansas, then immi- grated to Stratton, Colo. in March, 1907, where they homesteaded eleven miles south of town. Marie Elizabeth Chandler was born Nov. 11, 1901, near Wagner, South Dakota, the eldest daughter of Charles and Meta Chandler. They lived for a time in Chicago, Ill., then moved to Pleasant Hill, Mo. In March, 1909, they immigrated to Stratton, Colo., settling on a homestead, seven and one-half miles northwest of town. Harry and Marie became acquainted while Marie was teaching the L922-23 term of school at First Central, located on the correction line, southeast of Stratton. Marie boarded with a family by the name of Mel and Gladys Wall, who lived nearby. On Feb. 14, L923, a neighbor family living a mile east, gave a Valentine party, to which we were all invited. Marie walked with Gladys and Mel the mile to the party, while they pushed their baby in the baby buggy ahead of them. Harry was there, coming in his new, shiny, black Model T Roadster. We played games, calds, and had refreshments. When the party was over, Harry very graciously offered to let Marie drive his car to take Gladys and her baby home, while he and Mel walked behind with the empty buggy. A short time later, he loaned the car to his kid brother, Russell, who attended high school at First Central, to take the schoolma'am and two or three of his classmates to a home off south, where the family owned a miraculous new invention, a box, not connec- w 4q *J t The Greenwood children, L, to R. - Allen, Laura and Thelma at home south of Stratton. ted to any telephone or telegraph wires, but equipped to catch sounds over gound waves for long distances. We spent the evening taking turns wearing head-phones, listening to music, stories, and news over that incredible new device, a radio. Harry and Marie were married on May 2, 1923, at the Church of God in Stratton. They lived with Harry's family for almost two years, while they bought a quarter section of land, thirteen miles south and one mile west of Stratton, on which they built a 2-room house, barn, and adobe chicken-house. Marie �taught the Jewell School east of Burlington, and then the Oriska School, four miles southwest of their new home. The furniture in the home was all second-hand and very simple, - bed, dresser, table, chairs, cup- board, creem separator, and a small kitchen stove about thirty inches high, four lids on top, and a tiny oven, that, when heated with a few corn cobs, would bake delicious goldencolored biscuits. About 1928 or 1929, they built an addition to the house, - one large room, porch, and cement walled basement. Harry and Marie reared three children, Laura Ruth, born Nov. 13, 1925; Thelma Grace, born Dec. 25, 1927; and Allen Theodore, born Jan. 5, 1931. They all attended the Smelker School, one mile west. Some of their teachers were Esther Davis Beattie, Stratton; Violet Campbell Ban, Stratton; Rose Henry, Denver; Elsie Huebner, Denver; OraCruikshank, Seibert; and Jennie L. Tressel. Miss Tressel was an early Kit Carson pioneer and was prominent in educational circles. She was County Superintendent of Schools when Marie graduated from the eighth gxade in 1913, and would drive a horse and buggy to visit the many country schools all over the county. She was Principal of several town schools, and was teaching the Smelker School when Thelma graduated from the eighth grade in 1941. One of Harry's hobbies was raising differ- ent kinds of animals and we had a great variety on the farm, - horses, mules, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, including bantams, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas, rabbits, dogs and cats. The children made pets of many of them, including a baby pig that became a terrible nuisance, as it grew older. There were dogs and cats that they cuddled and taught tricks. Then there was Queenie, the tricky Shetland pony, who had a mind of her own. One evening, when Laura rode her out to the pasture to bring in the cattle, she very docilely rounded up and followed the cattle in, until she got a short distance from the corral, when she suddenly decided that she had done enough. She started bucking and capering, easily dislodging her rider, then galloped around the cattle and took for the barn. Laura's mother went out, brushed her off and soothed a very perturbed little girl. Then there was the riding horse that Thelma used to bring the cattle herd in from the open range. She would ride like a fly and could cut a stray steer out of another herd by "giving the horse the rein". One afternoon, she decided to reward her mount by giving him a drink at a nearby lagoon, but he decided that he not only needed a drink, but also a roll in the cool water. This time, when Thelma got home, her Mother soothed and put dry clothes on a disgusted little girl. Also, there was the old gander with his gaggle of geese, who got his bluff in on the girls by chasing them whenever he could catch them out of the yard. One day, when their Mother asked them to go to the wellhouse to get some butter that we kept cool in the drinking barrel, they were very reluctant until 4 yr.-old Allen, assured them, brave little man that he was, that he would go along and protect them from the gander. Sure enough, the gander spied them, came running, screeching and flapping his big wings. He ignored Allen, knocking him down and tramping over him, as the girls fled to the shelt€r of the well house, Mother went out with a stick, and chased the gander off, who with a triumphal honking, returned to his harem. That time Mother cleaned the dirt off her little boy, who had only his pride hurt. I think their favorite pet was Diamond, the spotted riding pony. Some days, they rode him to school and in the evening, neighbor children, as many as could, would climb on, to catch a ride home, often four or five deep. The more a-straddle, the more carefully Diamsp6 would walk. Then Diamond contracted encephalitis and lay in the barn for several days. The children went out and talked to him while they bathed his feverish head with cold water, but to no avail. For entertainment in the country, we had many neighborhood parties. We attended school programs, Get-Togethers, and Literaries at the school house, Sunday School at Smokey Angle, went to barn dances, or had a Sunday Potluck Dinner, with a baseball game in the afternoon. The school districts were small, with one or two country schools in each district. Every May, we made an occasion ofSchool Election Day, by gathering early and spending the afternoon visiting. Harry served on the school board several years. We lived through the Dust Bowl Days of the early 1930's, when, in spite of all out efforts to make a home tight, the dust would pile up on the windowsills and filter clear across the rooms. In the late 1930's, Harry and a neighbor, a mile north, Lloyd Megal, rigged up a battery-powered, two-party telephone line, running it along the barbed wire fence. Later, the line was expanded to four parties, using short poles and smooth wire. We also made use of the wind by erecting a 32-volt windcharger, using six car batteries. We usually had lights at night and even had enough electricity to operate an electric iron, on a windy day. We elevated a small supply tank at the well and piped water to the house. In the winter, we broke chunks of ice out of the tanks, and stored a quantity in a dugout cellar, packed in straw. With luck, we would have ice for a wooden icebox and for freezing ice cream, until the Fourth of July. On April 15, 1943, Marie received her appointment for the position of Stratton Postmaster. The family had a farm sale and moved to town. Harry worked for Dillon Hardware until they changed hands, then for Snell Grain for many years. The children all graduated from the Stratton High School. Laura and Thelma attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. Laura taught the Pautler School, north of Bethune, one term, then got a position in the Elementary School in town. Thelma was receptionist for Dr. Keen and several other doctors in Stratton and Burlington. from college. They are Janet Thomason Boller, Manlius, N.Y.; Carol Thomas Nordtvedt, Canfield, Ohio; Donald Thomason, Houston, Texas; and Karla Thomason Gunnoe, Hinton, West Va. They also have five grandchildren. On Oct. 24, L948, Thelma married Jim Hutton from Hale, Colo. He is the son of Roscoe Hutton, whose family were early settlers in the Kirk, Colo. community. His Mother is the former Hazel Messenger, daughter of I.D. Messenger, who was a Kit Carson County Commissioner for several years and renowned as one of the commissioners who bought the Carousel for Kit Carson County. Thelma and Jim operate a ranch on the Republican River. They have two children, Jerry and Peggy. Jerry graduated from the School of Mines in Golden, Colo., and is now farming with his Father. He married Linda Wheeler, from Detroit, Mich., on Oct. 11, 1980. They have two children, Kathleen Flora, born Jan. 15, 1984, and Neil James, born April 10, 1986. Peggy graduated from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., and completed her education as a registered nurse at the University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver, Colo. She and Dean Wheeler. also from Detroit, were married at the Air Force Academy Chapel on Jan. 20, 1978. They live in Elgin, Ill. Allen married Audrey Carter, Burlington, Colo. in 1953. They had two children, Dianna Greenwood Huseman and Robert Green- wood. They also had two grandchildren. Dianna lives in Ventura, Calif., and works as a receptionist. Robert works for a construction company near Portland, Oregon. Allen and Audrey's marriage was dissolved and Allen is now married to the former Rosalie Stoffel. The Stoffel family were early resi- dents of Stratton and Allen and Rosalie were classmates. They live in Stratton. Rosalie has two daughters by a former marriage and four grandsons. After graduation from High School, Allen worked for Snell Grain Co. for many years. After the company sold out, he worked for other grain companies. He also did some farming. Because of ill health, Harry retired from the Snell Grain Co. He spent much time hunting and fishing. Marie retired from the U.S. Postal Service on Nov. 30, 1971. In June 1977, Harry and Marie took a memorable tour of the State of Alaska. Sightseeing there included a chartered fishing trip out of Ketchican. Harry passed away on July 17, 1977. Marie remains in the home in Stratton. by Marie E. Greenwood One Sept. L2, 1945, Laura married a schoolmate, Francis Thomason. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Francis taught school for a few years, then joined the accounting firm of Haskins and Sells. As a partner in the firm, he was assigned to several different districts in the United States. Over the years, Laura, Francis and family lived in Washington State, California, Boulder, Colo., and finally settled in Mclean, Virginia. His final assignment before retiring, was a two and one-half year stint in Saudi Arabia, with a group of other accountants from the firm. This gave them the opportunity to travel extensively. Laura and Francis have four children, all of whom graduated GREENWOOD, THEODORE FAMILY F237 Theodore Greenwood, born Nov. 12, L857, at Belleville, Wisc., and Laura Haskins, born March 8, 1862, at Oregon, Wisc., were married March 19, 1886 at Oregon, Wisc. They soon moved to Franklin, Nebr., near Grand Island, where Theodore worked at one time for "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Later they moved to Smith Center, Kansas. In March, 1908, the Greenwoods came to Stratton, Colo. �.:...,r:f .r!. r:r.1r-i,r:i:.i rll?i Mrs. Theodore Greenwood. on the Rock Island Railroad, and settled on their homestead eleven miles south of Stratfurniton. They moved their belongings - and ture, feed, farm implements, a few cattle in an emigrant car, a service then horses - by the railroad. provided The Greenwoods came with their five children: Maude, Letta, Harry, Laura, and baby Russell. When Maude, the eldest, reached the age of twenty-one years, she homesteaded a quarter section of land ad- joining to the east of the original homestead. She married Peter Burrggraff, another homesteader living nearby. They had eight children: Ellen, Theo, Mar5r, Leo, Helen, and Martha, and Ida. The - Margaret Burrggraffs moved to Stratton in order to send their children to the parochial school. Several years later, they moved to Brighton, Colo., where they operated a truck farm, and twins finally settled in Denver, Colo. Letta married Winifred Hall, who had homesteaded a few miles east. They later moved to Hasty, Colo. and then to Carthage and Springfield, Missouri. They had four children: Faye, Frances, Ray, and Alice Lee. Harry married Marie Chandler, and they continued to live south of Stratton until they moved to town in 1943. They had three children: Laura Ruth. Thelma Grace. and Allen Theodore. Laura married a neighbor boy, Archie Lowe, and they settled on a ranch south of Cheyenne Wells, Colo. They had three children: Marvin, Merrill, and Patricia. Marvin and Merrill live with their families near Cheyenne wells. Patricia (Patty), who married Richard Borders, of Stratton, lives near Genoa, Colo. Russell married his First Central schoolmate, Grace Wellman. They had one child, Wayne, who with wife Vera, operate the original Greenwood farm. Theodore and Laura Greenwood lived in a sodhouse for many years. About 1920, they built a comfortable frame house. Theodore was a carpenter by trade and insisted that only the best material should be used in that house. He was also a lover ofhorsee and bred and raised race horses, Arabians, and Pintos, some of which were spotted. His pride and joy mule colt. was a rarity - a spotted The Greenwoods were active in the community. There was a little creek just below the house and they succeeded in growing a grove of trees on their barren prairie land. Many a community Memorial Day or Fourth of July picnic were celebrated there. They also had a small orchard of apple, peach, cherry, and plum trees near the house. "Grandma" also had some rose bushes and chrysanthemums. "Grandpa Greenwood" helped many an early settler, who found himself in dire straits, during the severe winter months. He would loan them money or feed for their cattle and one time he loaned a fresh cow to a family with a small baby, because all of their cows had gone dry. "Grandma" was a good cook and neighbors or transients who happened to drop in about mealtime were always invited to "draw up a chair." Then, there were birthdays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas, always occasions for family gatherings. It was the night after preparing for one of these celebrations, Nov. 10, 1934, that "Grandma" passed away quietly in her sleep, of an apparent heart attack. Soon their son, Russell and daughterin-law, Grace, moved to the home place to keep house and care for "Grandpa". He suffered a long illness and died May 11, 1937. All five of the children are now deceased. by Marie E. Greenwood Herb and Gertrude Griffith about 1946. were born: Roy in May, 1911; Quma in July, 1919; Floyd in August, 1921, who passed away at 6 months of age from pneumonia. Ahda passed away in 1927. He came back to Colorado a couple of times and worked in the round house at Limon, shoveling coal and also worked on W.P.A. building bridges south of Stratton. During this time he met Gertrude Bartholomew and they were mauied in February, 1930. To this union three children were born: Bill in May, 1931; Bob in April, 1934; and Pat in August, 1949. In the mid-thirties the family attended Sunday School in schoolhouses as there were no churches in the country. Roy and Quma attended school at Grandview School: Bill and Bob attended at Nuttbrook. and Pat attended at Stratton Public Schools. The older children rode horses to and from school. It was partly open range so they had their short cuts across prairie. The Kit Carson trail ran through Hugh's property and southwest on the Fred Wagoner land was one of the first dug wells in the area. It was used by the trail and stages that passed through. The first home that Herb built was a cement room with a dirt floor. Later on they put in a wood slat floor. The family then built GRIFFITH, HERB F238 Herb Griffith and fanily traveled from Lebanon, Kansas, to Stratton, Colorado, by train in 1914. They later moved their belongings out as they could. Herb went to Hugo, Colorado, to the Land Office and applied for one-half section of land 8 miles south of Stratton under the Homestead Act. He had 4 years to make improvements on this land; he paid $1.25 per acre. Herb's homestead papers were final and signed in 1919. Herb was called to military duty on August 8, 1917; his serial number was 433. He was exempt from the service because of his family having no other means of support other than his farming. Herb was married to Ahda Woodard in March of 1910. To this union three children adobe blocks and added a room on their house. A little later Herb's brother, Glen, moved and he moved his one room wooden house over and attached it to the front, so they then had three rooms. Herb did his farming by tesm and plow. They picked corn by hand and also shocked feed by hand. At threshing time all of the neighbors helped each other. They had milk cows, pigs, and chickens and this all was his way of making a living. Through all the hard times of the depression Herb always had a good sense of humor. We remember the story that he told about he mountain lion that chased him up the windmill. The tale madethe Denuer Post and the Stratton papers. Herb and his family traveled to most of the barn dances in the area. Gertrude played the guitar and Clarence Brennan played the fiddle at most of the dances, �In 1935 Gertrude's two brothers moved in shed that had once been used for chickens. with them. Also at this time they had severe Marvin is fond of saying, "Abe Lincoln was rains and the Launchman Creek cnme within 10 feet of their home. This flood took several lives and people's livestock. In 1951, Bill, their oldest son, went into the born in a log cabin, but I was born in a chicken house (1926)." Married in 1948, we moved to our farm three miles west of Burlington. The old house Army. He was in the Korean War and spent 8 years in the service. In 1952, Bob, his brother, joined the Army and was also in Korea; he spent 4 years in the service. In the spring of 1954, Herb and his family moved into Stratton. Gertrude waited tables for Al and Lil Young. In 1956 they moved behind the Toland Crenrnery and Gertrude worked at the Stratton Cafe for the Franken- there had a lot of room, but wasn't very well every hard windstorm we had, the built felds. In 1957 Gertrude took over the crenmery and ran it until 1967. They bought the Elva Holloway house, and this was their last home. Herb's favorite pastime after moving to town was going fishing with Rob Piper. He also enjoyed his family and loved to have them all together. He also enjoyed having his garden and flowers. Gertrude did a lot of sewing for people in the community. She was also involved in the Senior Citizens group and played the piano and steel guitar with their band and enjoyed it very much. She was also deeply involved in her church, taught Sunday School for many years, and was always there when anyone needed her help. Gertrude died in 1985. by Pat Alderson GRUSING - HUDSON FAMILY F239 - cabinet doors would rub on one kitchen corner or another, depending on the direction of the wind. But the wind wasn't all bad because (like many of our neighbors) we had a windcharger and 32 volt electricity until REA came. When there was a gale blowing, our 16 large glass batteries would charge like crazy and usually I'd be ironing like crazy, because that was the only time the iron really got hot. In addition to our electricity we also had butane (lishts, stove, refrigerator and self-starting furnace) plus a windmill with an elevated water tank that gave us gravity flow to the house. Therefore, we were hardly dependent at all on electricity, which was especially nice during long hard blizzards. However, our first winter on the farm, our water froze up deep underground so that for nine weeks we had to cany watet for euerything, including flushing the toilet. It was then that I would have appreciated an outhouse! Then, when our water uos flowing, visiting city friends didn't know how to conserve it, so we often had to man our old hand-pump to relieve the over full septic tank. Time flies when you're having fun! In the Sifty-Fifties, which were a repeat performance of the Dirty-Thirties, we adopted Gary (1953) and Marvanna (1956) - each an only 10-20 days old. Sometimes after unusually hard windstorm, since Gary was a very sound sleeper, he would leave a white silhouette on his dusty sheets when I'd pick him up from his nap. Marvin and I met in my native Burlington, We weathered the storms, although our married. Buying land at Dighton, they were cash-poor, go for a couple of years lived in a pastures died from sifting dust, some of our cattle died from dust-pneumonia, we raised no crops for three years, and we finally had to sell our cow herd since we couldn't even raise weeds to feed them. It was at this time that I threw up my hands and wanted to quit where he'd moved after serving in the Philippines during WWIL All four of his grandparents had come from Germany, settling in Kansas, where his parents were but Marvin insisted it was not the time to -quit, but to hang in there. Of course he was right, because that's when things began to fall into place for us economically. In 1959 we began commuting to Tucson, AZ, spending the school years there, and the summers on the farm, since Gary had developed sinus problems and couldn't stand the cold Colorado winters. Yet he worked in the dirty fields and grain bins and stayed well, as long as he kept warm. ln 1970, we c'me back to Burlington full time, when Marvanna was in the eighth grade. Following a few years of living in just one place, we began getting restless, so bought a vacation townhouse at Woodland Park, CO. Yet in another ten years, gypsy fever overcame us so we bought a home south of Tucson in 1983 (we now spend the winters there near our travel agent son, Gary). Soon thereafter, Marvin semi-retired, rented out most of his land, but with the help of our daughter Marvanna, he continues to do all his own office work. We have since moved our permanent residence from Burlington to Woodland Park, where we spend the summers in our mountain home near Marvanna, Marvin Grusing family Summer 1987. Marvanna and Gary, Georgeanna and Marvin Hudson. who now lives in the townhouse. In order to conduct business, we come down to Burlington for a night or two; every week or so and stay at a local motel. As neither Marvin nor I are fishermen, hunters or goUers, and since we both like to travel, we find we very much enjoy our g5psy-style of life and plan to continue shuttling back and forth between Arizona and Colorado for as long ar| we c{rn. At present we have a four wheel drive vehicle and have set a goal of traveling every state and county road in Colorado, Arizona, and eventually the neighboring states. Visiting ghost towns, old mines, restored homes, national parks and monuments, we often picnic along the way, marvelling at the unspoiled beauty that still remains in our fantastic land and we feel greatly blessed. - by Georgeanna Hudson Grusing GULLEY, JOHN FAMILY r.240 Amanda Edwards was born in Tennessee in 1870, the oldest living child of 10 girls and one boy. Since Grandfather Edwards was a judge, he was not always home, so most of the farm work fell on the entire fanily. Finally the farm was sold and the family moved to Hutton Valley, Missouri. There Amanda attended a Normal School earning a teaching certificate. John Gulley was born in Hutton Valley in 1872. He was the oldest of six boys and seven girls. One time when Ananda was teaching school, they had a box supper. John was attracted to the black-headed, brown-eyed teacher, winning her away from a competitor. They were married in 1896. The following year a baby boy was born. Grandmother Gulley took care of the baby that year while Amanda was teaching. John helped his father with the farming. When Hayden was quiteyoung they moved to Lawrence, Kansas. They rented a store with an apartment upstairs. While there they were flooded out of their store two times by the Kansas River. John would stand at the window and watch his canned goods float down the river. John borrowed a hundred dollars which helped him get started in the grocery business again. Theodore was born three months later, the second time they were flooded. With two children to raise, John thought he could do better in Colorado. He loaded all their possessions into a freight car and came to Stratton where they lived a short time until they could file on a homestead. They moved 15 miles north and two milee west to their new adobe home. But farming wasn't enough for John, so he started a little store in the front part of the home. Not only that, but they would load his car with groceries and go from farm to farm selling them. The boys attended the Kechter School about two miles away with three cousins who lived close by.By 1911 Edward was born and in 1915 Ruth, the only girl, was born. In the fall the family left Kit Carson County for a while, moving to Kirk in Yuma County where John had built a new building with a store in front and living quarters in the back. In 1932 the family moved east of Stratton. I, Ruth, in my last year of high school, rode �with neighbors the five miles into Stratton where I graduated. During my teaching years my parents moved back into Stratton where they lived for about 19 years. I attended college in Greeley. Then I taught eight years in country schools. I took a year off from teaching to work in the Office of Price Administration in Burlington. I then taught 10 years in Stratton before moving to Brush, Colorado, to finish my teaching career of 42 years. by Ruth Gulley GULLEY, N. O. F24l These homesteads lay one mile apart, running north and south and were located 16 miles north and 4 west of Stratton. Colorado. In July 1909, the houses were ready to move into, except for flooring, and for a few months a dirt floor had to do. The ground was smoothed and leveled and water poured over it. When it was dry it was hard and could be swept with a broom. The men returned to Lawrence and loaded their belongings on the train boxcars and themselves and families in a passenger train and headed west for Stratton. Here they unloaded and piled their furnishings onto lumber wagons which they had left in Stratton. Oscar, driving a buggy, led the procession home. Oscar was a bachelor, but in 1940's. The history of the Gulley family in this country begins with John Gulley Sr. who crme from Wales prior to the Revolutionary War and assisted in American Independence through civil service. He settled in North Carolina and his descendants migrated to Tennessee and eventually to Hutton Valley, Missouri. It was there that Nathan Oliver Gulley, better known a N.O. or Ollie, was born to Hulin and Sarah Gulley in 1877. Also born in Hutton Valley in 1879 was Bertha Ross Paine. She was one of ten children born to Dr. and Mrs. John Paine. Bertha and N.O. were childhood friends and when grown they were married on Feb. 8, 1902 at Lawrence, Kansas. They made their first home there at a farm called 9 Mile where N,O. was employed as overseer. Their first child, Velma, was born here in 1903. When Velma was three days old, there was a flash flood on the Kaw River and the family lost all of their belongings and only one wall of their house remained. N.O. and Bertha returned to Hutton Valley to get a new st€rt and their son, Nolan, was born there in 1904. N.O. and Bertha were finally able to again secure work at 9 Mile and returned to Lawrence where their daughter, Opal, was born in 1908. In 1909, many families began moving to Eastern Colorado where there was still some land open for homesteading. N.O. was anxious to go, but Bertha was not sure it was the thing to do with three small children and little money. After much discussion and with many doubts they decided to go. N.O. went first, accompanied by Bertha's brother, Oscar Paine, and a lifelong friend and neighbor, Bunt Smith. Working together, they made adobe bricks. Aftcr many days of miring dirt and water and pouring the mud into molds to dry, they finally had enough bricks to build three one room houses. One wae built on each of the homest€ads staked out bv the men. F242 I was born in Greenock, Scotland, on May 24th, 1860 and spent my girlhood days with my mother and sister and grandmother in the old family home in which the fifth generation is now living. My father, Robert Morrison was a Civil Engineer, and was sent to Africa to draw plans for an iron pier to be built at Lagas on the west coast of Africa. While there he contracted malaria fever and died and was buried at Lagas. We did not hear of his death until six months later. his mother had lived with him since the death of Dr. Paine in 1900. Now at the age of 63 she had accompanied him to this new land to help build a community. All intended to build a larger frame house the following year but time or money did not permit and the Gulley's one room house was their home for eight years. Bunt was the first to build a new house, as he had built on the I was married to Peter Guthrie of Greenock, on November lst, 1883, and after living In 1910, Carey Post Office was established 16 miles north and TYz east of Vona. Mr. business and pleasure trip, and while there my husband received word from a lawyer in bank of Hell Creek and the first hard rain brought flood waters up to his door. N.O. and Bertha Gulley at their home in Stratton GUTHRIE, CLEMENTINA Carey was the postmaster. N.O. was appointed mail carrier from Carey to Tuttle which was nine miles east of his home. He made the trip three times a week in a buggy pulled by his faithful 1sam, Dolly and Sampson. He carried mail until Carey was discontinued when the Vona mail route was extended to in Greenock, Scotland for three years, we moved to the United States going to live in Philadelphia, where my husband's brother Alexander was then living. We arrived in Philadelphia in April 1886, and the two brothers worked together as contractors and carpenters, building ninety houses and storeg in the two years we lived there. In 1888, I returned to Scotland on a Burlington, Colorado that James Guthrie, who had taken a homestead here in 1887, had been found dead in his claim shack under suspicious circumstances that looked like murder. My husband left at once for Colorado, coming west on the Union Pacific to Hugo, Colorado, then traveling by stage the community in about 1915. coach across the prairies to Burlington. The N.O. and Bertha, after much hard work of making adobe bricks, built a long, low building and divided it into four sections to body had been buried in the corner of the be used as a hen house, horse barn, cow barn, and grain bin. It stood for ten years until a homestead and was exhumed for inspection and my husband was fully convinced that the coroner and Dr. Bishop were right. The man had come to his death by being struck on the twister blew it down while N.O. watched from a window in the house. A frame barn was then built and a hen back of the head with a blunt instrument. Two men were suspected but nothing could house moved in. A frame house had been built a couple ofyears earlier as were a granery and returned to Philadelphia, leaving the affairs in the hands of a lawyer, Mr. S.D. King. James Guthrie was known as a very reserved man, reticent in manner, and with no bad habits, so no reason could be given for the deed except that his homestead was close to the new town and right by the railroad line, and was envied by some who felt the sale of milk house. So now. all the old adobe buildings were gone. The bricks were gathered up and thrown into a low place where they had been made. The rain fell on them and more dirt blew in and soon they had become solid dirt again. That spot always was low and after a rain the lagoon made a wonderful place to play on hot summer days. The Gulleys lived on the homestead from 1909 until 1934. They farmed the land, had milk cows and raised chickens and ducks. Always, there was a big garden and potato patch. In 1934 they moved to Golden where they ran a rooming house. They came back in 1939 and lived near their daughter, Opal Boger, north of Vona. In 1941, they moved to Stratton and lived there for the next nine years. Then they moved to Arvada where N.O. passed away in 1951 and Bertha passed away at Wheatridge in 1971. by Opal Boger be proved at that time, so my husband the land would turn them a pretty penny. This homestead was located on the NE % of Section 31, Township 8, Range 43. After returning to Philadelphia from my trip abroad, I had a very severe sickness and was ordered by the doctor to return to Scotland or farther west. My husband was so thrilled with the new western country that he was eager to return to Colo. We packed our furniture and bedding in a freight car and came to Burlington on the new Rock Island Railroad which had been completed in the fall of 1888. We arrived in Burlington in April 1889, on a cold night and a drizzle was falling. We went to the hotel, which was the only one in town, a two-story box-like structure, and tried to rest, but the very quiet atmosphere rather frightened me. In the morning, I looked out upon the open prairie stretching miles away on one side and a few dingy shacks on the other side of the hotel. I felt rather disconsolate over the prospects of a home in such a dreadfully lonesome place, but decided that we would have to make the best of it. We bought a nice home in town and lived �there for a short time getting acquainted with western ways and the new land. Then my husband took a homestead or rather we bought a relinquishment from an old man named Peter McGinnis, and we, my husband, myself and eight children, moved into a "dugout" to hold our claim until the house could be built. We had no well, so had to haul water from a farm house south of us which my husband owned and on which we had lived a short time. While we were living in this dugout, my husband took ill with pnerrmonia. An anxious time I had, nursing a sick husband and trying to run a farm I knew nothing about. But my husband got well and our new sod house was soon finished and we moved into it and my, how we did expand. I had so much to learn, and had to work so hard, but thank God, I had regained my health and was able to do my work for my family. Then we had a well drilled and got a large water tank, and built barns and sheds and started farm life in earnest. I was very timid at first, but soon got used to the farm animals, and got so I could raise chickens and ducks and make butter as well as an old timer. We had our gains and losses, our many ups and downs, but we never gave up or lost our faith in this country. We always managed to have enough to eat, good plain food that helped to build the sturdy bodies of our twelve boys and girls. I was the mother of the first pair of twins in Kit Carson County (Sara M. and Clyde) and what excitement there was over this event. People came from miles around to see the babies. Three years later, I gave birth to a second pair oftwins (Laura K. and Luben H.). Through care and planning and working over, we managed to clothe our children respectably. They did not need ag much as boys and girls do now. We attended the little M.E. church and Sunday school in Burlington, for our ranch was just 1% miles northeastofBurlington. The wagon and team w{u} our conveyance, wherever we went, and we felt quite rich when we acquired a two wheeled cart, and later a buggy. My children attended the first schoolhouse built in Burlington. The bricks used in this building were made from clay dug at Beaver Creek south of town. I remember when the first large schoolhouse, in fact too large for Burlington, for no one ever thought there would ever be enough children attending school to require four rooms. Just look at your school today and think ofthe students attending. I see our pretty little town today and think of the morning in April 1889, when I looked over such a dismal place, and then said to my husband, "Peter Guthrie, where have you brought me?" He replied "Tuts, woman, this is a fine country," and I said "God help us!" by Clementina Guthrie mother was there on business. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean when only three weeks old. (The history of why they came can be read under his mother's history.) I will start with his coming to Burlington on April, 1889, with his mother, sister Bessie and brothers Peter and Robert on the Rock Island Railroad to join his father. The family's first home was a dugout, then a two-room sod house was built north of Burlington. By 1893 therewere eight children in the family and so John was sent to live with some friends who wanted him. The couple was all right but really worked him and he missed his family. Every year or two a new sister or brother was born. He sometimes would see them at church and the older children at school, but not often. His school attendance was very irregular. First he was kept out for spring work and then for fall work. He used to walk to his parents home, a distance of five miles, just to see the family and would be spanked by his father and sent business for himself. My mother was an excellent manager because we survived the closing ofthe "stock Grower's Bank" failure and during the depression years we never were on welfare. There was no buildinggoing on. People would buy small appliances, like electric irons and promise to pay 25 cents a week, but often failed to come in and my parenls never charged interest. They sent me to college, but children. My father never got over missing his family. This writer is nmazed how he could always be so caring and willing to help his family and other people, when he was almost by his townspeople to serve on the City Council for several terms. He was alwavs willing to do anything that benefited Bur- forgotten as a child and had such a sad childhood. He never talked about this, but I got this information from an aunt and uncle. At the age of twelve, he went to work on the Bar T. Ranch on the Republican River and lived with Gordon Burr, Sr. and family. Here he got to finish the eighth grade at the "Tuttle" School. He saved his wages and bought himself a violin and taught himself to play it. He loved to square dance and even "called" for square dances. (I used to think my parents would rather dance than eat.) When of age my father took a homestead north of Flagler, Co. In the summer of 1913, he went to work in the wheat harvest for John S. Stevens in Colby, Kansas. Mr. Stevens was the Western Kansas Wheat King in those years. John met Mr. Stevens'oldest daughter Hazel Ann, my mother, and they fell in love. This was the first time my father said he found real happiness. Days before their wedding my father had ridden by horseback from Flagler to Bur- lington to get the marriage license. My mother and her parents were now living north of Flagler near Thurman, Co. On the day of the wedding, which was to be at my Grandparents'home, my father could not find the license. He never did find it. He and my mother had to come to Burlington by horse and buggy and get another license. So they just decided to be married in Burlington on January 22, tgL4. My parents lived on the homestead until 1916 and after the death of their first child. worked nights at the A.L. Anderson Buick Garage. In those days people didn't build John Simpson Guthrie was the fourth child of thirteen children (two sets of twins) born to Clementina (Morrison) Guthrie and Peter Guthrie on July 11, 1888 in Pharos County, Antrim, Ireland. My father was born in Ireland because his When Mr. Pierce left Burlington, my father became the electrician for the N.R. Brown Hardware. In 1928 he went into I know they deprived themselves. My mother died of cancer in 1950. months, they moved to Burlington. My father F243 lington, a daughter Marjorie, and a son Wendell John who only lived three years and died during the bad siege of pneumonia which took many lives in Burlington. back. His parents were good neighbors, honest, hardworking and church-going people, but very harsh and strict with their a daughter nemed Vivian who lived only a few GUTHRIE, JOHN SIMPSON known in this Kit Carson Countv and throughout the state. He wired the present County Courthouse, and I state this with pride because my Grandfather Guthrie helped to build the first courthouse in Burlington. Two other children were born in Bur- garages and so the garage was kept open and they would bring their cars in and if it was cold or stormy, then my father would take them home and bring the car back. It was here, he met Mr. Otis Pierce, an electrician in Burlington. He convinced my father to become an electrician. He even paid to send him to Chicago to take an electrical course and learn to read blueprints. He becnme one of the first licensed electricians and was well My father felt honored when he was elected lington. He was a volunteer fireman and Fire Captain many years before they got a pension. I can still see him running to get on the back of the firetruck. He was a Mason and Worshipful Master of the Lodge, a member of the Rotary, and my mother and he were members of the Methodist Church. He decided to sell his business in 1g68 as he was 75 years old and tired of climbing around in attics. His first car was his service truck which was a Model T. Ford. I am so glad he lived to see and enjoy his grandchildren, Melissa Ann his granddaughter and his grandson John, who is named after him. They are the children of Marjorie and the late Chester Robinson. Of all the wonderful memories I have I can remember so clearly them telling me to be truthful, and that honesty is the best policy, don't forget kindness and love. All these made the world go round and without them and God, life is no good. How fortunate I was to be born to Hazel and John Guthrie. Daddv died Dec. 28, L973. by Marjorie (Guthrie) Robinson GUY - JEFFRIES FAMILY F244 Horace Greeley said, "Go west, young man, go west," so in the 1890;s Leroy & AdaJeffries did just that. They moved all the way from western Kansas to the bleak eastern Colorado plains. At about the same time a dashing young man, Harrison Guy, came out of Nebraska and met Leroy and Ada's daughter, Anna. This meeting cuhninated in marriage. Harrison and Anna homesteaded near Seibert and out of this union cn-e five boys and one girl who left a distinctive mark on the small towns of eastern Colorado. Leroy, the first born was an outstanding basketball and track star. Garland (#2) was also a prolific basketball player and an �outstanding softball pitcher and in 1932 led Seibert to the district basketball tournament. Jay (#3) followed in his older brother's footsteps by excelling in everything he undertook. Ventan (#4) died at an early age in the influenza and diphtheria scourge of the early 1920's. Robert (#5) was the youngest of the boys and carried on the Guy tradition in grand style. Then, "Lo & Behold," along came a girl Ada May (#6). She was the baby for many years and Hanison even reserved a seat on the school bus for her. Today in 1986, there are four of the Guy family left. Leroy is retired from thorobred horse training and lives in Phoenix. Garland is retired from Ford Motor Co. after 35 years of service and is really enjoying life by raising, breeding and racing thorobred horees in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Robert lives in Lag Vegas, Nevada, and baby Ada May and her husband, Merle, live in Phoenix where they slso race horses in Arizona & New Mexico. The Guy family has cnrne a long way from Grandpa & Grandma Jeffries and the Hotel and Poolhall in Seibert, Colorado. by Ada May Midgett GUY - WEMMER FAMILY filing the final papers it was discovered they were not yet 2L, the legal age to file a homestead claim, and they had to relinquish these claims. They then helped their father on the ranch until they were 21. At that time Francis turned the ranch over to his sons and moved to Eads, Co. where he opened a general merchandise store which he owned and operated until his retirement, then moving to Canon City, Co. In 1916 Jerry and Mabel (Pugh) were married and they and Jess continued the ranching operation. In the crash of "29" they lost the ranch. At this time Jess moved to Westcliffe, and later to Canon City where he owned and operated a green house. Jerry remained in the area, farming at various locations in the north part of Kit Carson County until in 1938, when he bought the old John Knodel homestead in the Settlement from the Federal Land Bank. In 1948 he retired and sold the farm to his son David, moved to Stratton, where he lived until his death in L977 at the age of 91. Eight children were born into the family. Richard of Bethune Colo., Jane (Bandimere) of Arvada, Colo., David of Stratton, Colo., Leona (Chapman) of Mesa, Arizona, Margaret (Chapman) of Mesa, Arizona, Pauline (Berver) of Silver City New Mexico, Joanne (Wolfl of Monte Vista, Colo., and Roberta (Kindred) of Spokane, Wash. Mabel passed away on April g, 1986 at the F246 age of 92 years and 9 months. by David Guy HALL FAMILY r.247 We, Robert and Maxine Hall, moved from southeastern Kangae in May 1948, to a farm 15 miles east of Fountain, Colo., known as the Hanover District. In Sept. of that year, our son James Michael (Mike) was born. In May of 1950, we moved to Flagler, Co. where farming prospects seemed much better. We beca-e acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Wright of Flagler and he rented us some farm ground. We lived on the corner three fourths of a mile northwest of Flagler, where the oil road turns to the north. This house was owned by Guy Spear of Liberal, Kansas. He was the manager of the Baughman Land Company. He rented us more ground to farm. Our daughter, Vicki Sue, was born in March 1955. We bought a lot at the north edge of Flagler, from Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Huntzinger and built a quonset on it. In 1959, Mr. Spear wanted to sell the house and have it moved. We bought it and Hnm61 $1t"* helped us move it over to the lot where the quonset was. We remodeled it and are residing there at this time. Our son Mike, graduated in 1966 as class Valedictorian of the Flagler High School. He went on to the college at Boulder, Colo. and then to Medical School at Denver General in Denver. In June L972, he married Kathy Lorince, daughter of Delin and Tony Lorince of Arriba, Colo. Mike served in the Air Force in Washington, D.C., and their daughter Michelle Delin was born there, in March 1975. About two years latcr Mike was trans- GWYN - FISTIER FAMILY ferred to San Antonio, Texas. Later, he moved to Colorado Springs where they reside In 1906, the J.A. "Gus" Gwlrn family came at this time. Their son, Mathew Lorince, was born in April 1979. Mike is an Anesthesiologist at Penrose Hospital. Our daughter, Vicki, graduated as Saluta- they homesteaded on the SW 1/r -23-8-50. In 1918, they returned to Nebraska. In 1921, the youngest son, James Gwyn, returned to School. She went to college in Greeley, Colo. where she majored in Special Education. After graduating in June of 1977, she married F246 to Flagler from Decatur, Nebraska, where Flagler where he worked for the late C.J. Farr. On October L6, t924, he was married to lda Fisher. They lived on several places along the Republican River. In L942, they returned to their own place which was land Jim had bought from his father early in 1924. Their children were: Albert, born November 7, torian of her 1973 class at Flagler High Robert Sanderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Sanderson Sr. of Greeley. She began teaching at Madison Elementary. She got her Masters Degree in 1985 and is still residing and teaching at Madison, in Greeley. by Mrs. Robert llall 1927, and Margie, born September 10, 1929, on the original A.C. Fisher homestead, where their mother was born. Agnes was born Jess and Jerry Guy. No one is sure oftheir age in this photo but a good guess would be 18 months to two years. They were born August 30, 1886. In the late 1800's Francis and Matilda (Wemmer) Guy moved from the Wichita, Kansas area, along with their three children, daughter Myrtle (1884), twin song Jess and Jerry (1886), and their possessions in a covered wagon, possibly the last covered wagon coming to this area. They settled first at Laird, CO. then sometime later moving to a ranch north and east of Kirk, Co. When Jegs and Jerry turned 18, they each filed for a homestead north and west ofJoes, Colorado. After proving up their claim and August 8, 1932, in a eod house on the Wm. Kneis homestead. The family struggled along in the thirties - eating beans, going to town with the team and wagon - selling a few eggs, a dab of home churned butter to buy necessary groceries. Mr. Chas. Blake, the grocer, of Seibert provided a small sack of candy as a treat for the kids. In February of 1957, Jim and Ida traded their ranch for property in town and moved to Flagler. Jim passed away in December, 1959. Ida still lives in Flagler, enjoying her family and busy with her many hobbies. by Ida R. Gwyn HALL. GREENWOOD FAMILY F248 My parents, Winford (Wink) Scott Hall and Julia Boletta (Letta) Greenwood of Stratton, Colorado were married January 10, 1912 in Kit Carson County. They were early settlers of the county having homesteaded land as early as 1906. Winford was born May 31, 1882 in Knox County, Missouri. He was the son of William Graves Hall and Beatrice Maud Scott. His father was from Indiana and mother from Kentucky of Scotch-Irish ancestors. Boletta was born September 8, 1894 in Franklin County, Nebraska. She was the daughter ofTheodore Greenwood and Laura Delilah Haskins. Theodore and Laura were originally from Wisconsin. They moved to � 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- G Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief history of the founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "G." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:483 2020-03-23T09:56:45Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/483/Families-H1.pdf 68ac81036a489051a5264bc3303bea90 PDF Text Text outstanding softball pitcher and in 1932 led Seibert to the district basketball tournament. Jay (#3) followed in his older brother's footsteps by excelling in everything he undertook. Ventan (#4) died at an early age in the influenza and diphtheria scourge of the early 1920's. Robert (#5) was the youngest of the boys and carried on the Guy tradition in grand style. Then, "Lo & Behold," along came a girl Ada May (#6). She was the baby for many years and Hanison even reserved a seat on the school bus for her. Today in 1986, there are four of the Guy family left. Leroy is retired from thorobred horse training and lives in Phoenix. Garland is retired from Ford Motor Co. after 35 years of service and is really enjoying life by raising, breeding and racing thorobred horees in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Robert lives in Lag Vegas, Nevada, and baby Ada May and her husband, Merle, live in Phoenix where they slso race horses in Arizona & New Mexico. The Guy family has cnrne a long way from Grandpa & Grandma Jeffries and the Hotel and Poolhall in Seibert, Colorado. by Ada May Midgett GUY - WEMMER FAMILY filing the final papers it was discovered they were not yet 2L, the legal age to file a homestead claim, and they had to relinquish these claims. They then helped their father on the ranch until they were 21. At that time Francis turned the ranch over to his sons and moved to Eads, Co. where he opened a general merchandise store which he owned and operated until his retirement, then moving to Canon City, Co. In 1916 Jerry and Mabel (Pugh) were married and they and Jess continued the ranching operation. In the crash of "29" they lost the ranch. At this time Jess moved to Westcliffe, and later to Canon City where he owned and operated a green house. Jerry remained in the area, farming at various locations in the north part of Kit Carson County until in 1938, when he bought the old John Knodel homestead in the Settlement from the Federal Land Bank. In 1948 he retired and sold the farm to his son David, moved to Stratton, where he lived until his death in L977 at the age of 91. Eight children were born into the family. Richard of Bethune Colo., Jane (Bandimere) of Arvada, Colo., David of Stratton, Colo., Leona (Chapman) of Mesa, Arizona, Margaret (Chapman) of Mesa, Arizona, Pauline (Berver) of Silver City New Mexico, Joanne (Wolfl of Monte Vista, Colo., and Roberta (Kindred) of Spokane, Wash. Mabel passed away on April g, 1986 at the F246 age of 92 years and 9 months. by David Guy HALL FAMILY r.247 We, Robert and Maxine Hall, moved from southeastern Kangae in May 1948, to a farm 15 miles east of Fountain, Colo., known as the Hanover District. In Sept. of that year, our son James Michael (Mike) was born. In May of 1950, we moved to Flagler, Co. where farming prospects seemed much better. We beca-e acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Wright of Flagler and he rented us some farm ground. We lived on the corner three fourths of a mile northwest of Flagler, where the oil road turns to the north. This house was owned by Guy Spear of Liberal, Kansas. He was the manager of the Baughman Land Company. He rented us more ground to farm. Our daughter, Vicki Sue, was born in March 1955. We bought a lot at the north edge of Flagler, from Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Huntzinger and built a quonset on it. In 1959, Mr. Spear wanted to sell the house and have it moved. We bought it and Hnm61 $1t"* helped us move it over to the lot where the quonset was. We remodeled it and are residing there at this time. Our son Mike, graduated in 1966 as class Valedictorian of the Flagler High School. He went on to the college at Boulder, Colo. and then to Medical School at Denver General in Denver. In June L972, he married Kathy Lorince, daughter of Delin and Tony Lorince of Arriba, Colo. Mike served in the Air Force in Washington, D.C., and their daughter Michelle Delin was born there, in March 1975. About two years latcr Mike was trans- GWYN - FISTIER FAMILY ferred to San Antonio, Texas. Later, he moved to Colorado Springs where they reside In 1906, the J.A. "Gus" Gwlrn family came at this time. Their son, Mathew Lorince, was born in April 1979. Mike is an Anesthesiologist at Penrose Hospital. Our daughter, Vicki, graduated as Saluta- they homesteaded on the SW 1/r -23-8-50. In 1918, they returned to Nebraska. In 1921, the youngest son, James Gwyn, returned to School. She went to college in Greeley, Colo. where she majored in Special Education. After graduating in June of 1977, she married F246 to Flagler from Decatur, Nebraska, where Flagler where he worked for the late C.J. Farr. On October L6, t924, he was married to lda Fisher. They lived on several places along the Republican River. In L942, they returned to their own place which was land Jim had bought from his father early in 1924. Their children were: Albert, born November 7, torian of her 1973 class at Flagler High Robert Sanderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Sanderson Sr. of Greeley. She began teaching at Madison Elementary. She got her Masters Degree in 1985 and is still residing and teaching at Madison, in Greeley. by Mrs. Robert llall 1927, and Margie, born September 10, 1929, on the original A.C. Fisher homestead, where their mother was born. Agnes was born Jess and Jerry Guy. No one is sure oftheir age in this photo but a good guess would be 18 months to two years. They were born August 30, 1886. In the late 1800's Francis and Matilda (Wemmer) Guy moved from the Wichita, Kansas area, along with their three children, daughter Myrtle (1884), twin song Jess and Jerry (1886), and their possessions in a covered wagon, possibly the last covered wagon coming to this area. They settled first at Laird, CO. then sometime later moving to a ranch north and east of Kirk, Co. When Jegs and Jerry turned 18, they each filed for a homestead north and west ofJoes, Colorado. After proving up their claim and August 8, 1932, in a eod house on the Wm. Kneis homestead. The family struggled along in the thirties - eating beans, going to town with the team and wagon - selling a few eggs, a dab of home churned butter to buy necessary groceries. Mr. Chas. Blake, the grocer, of Seibert provided a small sack of candy as a treat for the kids. In February of 1957, Jim and Ida traded their ranch for property in town and moved to Flagler. Jim passed away in December, 1959. Ida still lives in Flagler, enjoying her family and busy with her many hobbies. by Ida R. Gwyn HALL. GREENWOOD FAMILY F248 My parents, Winford (Wink) Scott Hall and Julia Boletta (Letta) Greenwood of Stratton, Colorado were married January 10, 1912 in Kit Carson County. They were early settlers of the county having homesteaded land as early as 1906. Winford was born May 31, 1882 in Knox County, Missouri. He was the son of William Graves Hall and Beatrice Maud Scott. His father was from Indiana and mother from Kentucky of Scotch-Irish ancestors. Boletta was born September 8, 1894 in Franklin County, Nebraska. She was the daughter ofTheodore Greenwood and Laura Delilah Haskins. Theodore and Laura were originally from Wisconsin. They moved to �County, Colorado where they stayed until about 1928 moving to Barry County, Missouri and then to Barton County, Missouri. They continued to be a farming family. Winford and Boletta had 4 children: Faye Winifred (Johnson), Portland, Oregon, Frances Dee (Daniel), Springfield, Missouri, Ray Alney, East Carbon, Utah and Alice Lee (Varner), Willard, Miesouri. Winford Scott Hall died April 7, 1975 and Julia Boletta (Greenwood) Hall died November 5, L977; both are buried in Clear Creek Cemetery in IIANSEN, JOIIN AND CORA F260 Greene County, Missouti. My parents had to work hard but had a very interesting life. At times when we would travel across Kansas by automobile they would point out places where they had spent the night in a covered wagon as they made two trips by wagon. One summer just after they were married they followed a threshing machine around the country during harvest season. My father hauled water for the steam engine and mother and another girl had the cook shack. They certainly had a long exciting life together celebrating 63 years of marriage before my father died in 1975. Winford Scott and Julia Boletta Hall - 50th by Alice Hall Varner Wedding anniversary' LXiz. IIALL, CLAUDE II. FAMILY F249 John and Cora Hansen, 1948 1917, Sod house of neighbors. Winford Hall standing behind man holding child. Julia Boletta Hall setting behind their two girls, Francis and Faye. Nebraska about 1886 staying there until about 1900 when they moved to Smith County, Kansas. Theodore and Laura moved to Kit Carson County about 1908 and homesteaded land south of Stratton. Theo- dore and Laura had five children: Frances Maud (Burggraff), Julia Boletta (Hall)' Harry Howard, Laura Ellen (Lowe), aod Russell Lyman. Laura Delilah Greenwood died November 10, 1934 and Theodore Greenwood died May 11, 1937. They are both buried in the cemetery at Burlington, Colorado. Winford Hall first came west from Missouri about 1906 in search of adventure and his goal to homestead land which he did. He filed his homestead affidavit with the Land Office at Hugo, Colorado on September 20, 1906 for 160 acres in Section 29, Township 10S. He moved on to the land in February 190? and farmed 35 acres the first year, 45 acres in 1908, 80 acres in 1909, 90 acres in 1910,95 aqes in 1911. In 1909 he filed for an additional 160 acres and proved claim to the land in 1912. The improvements made on the first 160 acres was a sod house 12x16 ft., sod and frame stable 16x40 ft., adobe henhouse 8x10 ft., frame buggy shed 8x12 ft., well, pump, windmill and tank, 13l miles wire fencing. Value $600.00. After Winford and Boletta were married they continued to live on the land in Kit Carson County until about 1919 when they moved to the Arkansas Valley in Bent Claude and Annie Hall along with their four children, Thomas, Goldie, Claude and Inez, resided on a farm in Clay County, Nebraska, until February 26, 1923, when they moved to a farm north of Burlington, Colorado. The farm was one mile south of the Broadsword School which the children all attended until they graduated from the eighth grade. Mr. Hall and family engaged i! farming 1320 acres of land adjacent to and near the farmstead. In 1933 they purchased a property in west Burlington and converted an unused paint shop into a residence and chick hatchery. Local poultry flocks were upgraded and the poultrymen sold eggs to the hatchery for producing the chicks. Baby chicks, ducklings, and poults were hatched for sale to growers, as well as pheasants for the State Game Commission. In 1936 Mr. Hall moved to Lakewood, Colorado, where he engaged in contracting and building homes. His son, Tom and his wife, Myrtle Kreoger Hall, remained in Burlington and operated the hatchery until 1939 when they, too, moved to Lakewood and joined his father and brother in the building business. When the building material freeze developed in World War II, the building came to a halt and the family members accepted positions with the duPont Company's Remington Arms Division to aid in the war effort. by Thomas Merlyn Ilall John Hansen and animals he made as a hobby John and Cora Hansen were maried May 9, 1906 on a cloudy, rainy day. They went 25 miles in a horse and buggy to be married in Orion, Kansas. They resided in and around Oakley, Kansas until 1911 when they moved to Cedar, Kansas where my father dug wells by hand and followed the threshing machine for a living. In 1914 they moved back to Orion, Kansas where Daddy worked on a farm. The farming was done the modern way of 1911, by horse and the walking plow. In 1928 my parents rented a farm and Daddy built a four room sod house south of Oakley, Kansas. It was in 1928 that he bought his first tractor and a Model T car. Their only means of transportation until this time was the horse and buggy. The next 6 yean saw them thru the dirty 30's. During this time their only means of heat were "Grassolines" (Cowchips). They would pick them by the wagon loads and stack them in a stack like you would bundles of feed. These were very hard times as it was for all the people in the 30's. Daddy worked asl an assessor for the county. He would do a lot of it on horse back, going from farm to �farm. One time he got caught in a dirt storm, so black that he couldn't see where he was going, so he just turned the horse, Buster, loose and he took him home. I do remember this terrible storm, guess just because Daddy wagn't home. In 1935 my parents moved to Firstview, Colorado on a farm south ofthere, where they rented a farm from J.W. Baughman. Daddy drove the school bus and Mother was the cook at the school in Firstview. She was the first cook at this school when the government put the hot lunch progrnm in the school. They received commodities and that time we paid 100 for dinner. Mother baked all the bread for the school. In 1941 we moved to Stratton. My parents purchased the Asa Wood farm southeast of Stratton. While on this farm they farmed and raised Hereford cattle. In 1948 when illness forced them to retire from farming, they moved to Stratton. They purchased the Ivan Houtz property. While living in Stratton, my father was the caretaker for the city park. The park at that time had not been taken care of and he restored it back to it's beauty. He enjoyed this so much. He enjoyed visiting with the people who came to use the park. Many times tourists would come back geveral years in a row and made sure that they would stop to visit with him. His hobby was making animals out of plywood. He made a complete set of Hereford cattle. He made a windmill that the wheel even turned. He placed these animals in the yard, which was a great attraction to many people, as they looked so real. My mother was active in the Legion Auxilary and the Ladies Aid. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in May of 1956. Many friends and relatives came to help them celebrate. Shortly after that bad health forced them to go to the Grace Manor Nursing Home in Burlington, Colorado. Theywere fortunate to be able to celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary before one was taken in death. My father passed away in 1968 and Mother passed away in 1971. They were blessed with 3 children, Letha, Hillis and Netha. Letha Gee lives in Denver; Hillis passed away in 1956. Netha Kindred lives in Stratton. Colorado. They had five grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. by Netha Kindred HANSEN, JOHN AND ROSIE F261 This article prepared by Lewis A. Flansen, Ann Misner, and Bernice E. Rudnik for the Centennial of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Our father, John Theodore Hansen, was born in Prasto, Denmark September 1, 1889 to Mr. and Mrs. Rasmuss Hansen. He came to America in 1906 and becnme an American citizen. Our mother, Rosie LaZetta Clark, was born to Elias Luther and Eva May Clark on June 2, 1905 in Hornell, New York. John and Rosie were united in marriage October 9, 1920 in Page, Nebraska. To this union ten children were born. After the death of their daughter, Eva May, the decision was made to leave Page, Nebraska and move to KitCarson County, Colorado. Wanting to provide a country environment for their children, they purchased a 160-acres farm one mile east and two miles south of Seibert in 1930. The children's names are IIARDIN FAMILY F262 Irene M. Hansen (Zahnter), Doris M. Hansen (Stewart), Nels R. Hansen, Hans P. Hansen, Louise E. Hansen (Harsh), Kenneth R. Hansen, Lewis A. Hansen, Anna Belle Hansen (Misner), and Bernice E. Hansen (Rud- nik). Because of ill health and bad times, Dad and Mom lost the farm in December 193?. Dad then moved to Nebraska and Mom stayed on in Colorado. She made her home in Seibert, then moved to Vona in 1941. She always enjoyed a large garden and, of course, her pet cow, which only she could milk. After manyyears of separation, Dad and Mom were divorced in 1945. Dad passed away Januar5r 19, 1958 in O'Neill, Nebraska. In 1946, Mom moved to Elsie, Nebraska for a year and a halfand worked as a housekeeper, then returned to Vona. Then on March 24. 1952, Mom married John Gray of Vona. He had been in World War I and also worked on the railroad. In later years, he took care ofthe cemetery grounds. Mom and John moved north of the schoolhouse in Vona until the school wanted to enlarge the football field. They sold the place and bought another home east of the Oasis Service Station. John had a small rat terrier dog which he took everywhere. He put a dish pan on the fender of the tractor for the dog to ride in. Mom had a passion for bright colors in her sewing and needlework and she loved to make beautiful tatted edgings for pillowcases and gifts. Then, in 1970, they moved to a retirement home in Buena Vista, but they didn't like it there and returned to Vona. John was enlarging the house and building a garage in September 1973 when he fell and broke his hip. Needing care, they moved to Grace Manor in Burlington. In December, he learned to walk again only to have a stroke and he died December 27,1973. Mom stayed at Grace Manor a short time and one day the discontented lady walked to the bus stop and went home to Vona. After several stays between daughters and nursing homes, she became ill and had surgery in January 19?8. She passed away October l9?8 and was buried in Vona. At the time of this writing, two sisters and one brother are deceased. Eva May died shortly after her birth and Doris Hansen (Stewart) burned November 11, 1945 in Stratton when she put kerosene in a hot coal stove. Kenneth Hansen was killed in Korea July 20, 1950. Irene is now a retired widow living in Syracuse, Kansas. Hans and his wife are now retired and living in New Jersey. Nels and his wife are farming in Walback, Nebras- ka. Louise is working at a nursing home in LaJunta, Colorado. Lewis and his wife are now retired and living in Northglenn, Colorado. Ann and her husband are farming north of Seibert, Colorado. Bernice and her husband are operating a paint and repair service in Burlington, Colorado. by Bernice Rudnik A.V. and Christine Hardin with great-grandsons, Steven and Kris Barber. Alton and Christine Hardin met in White Hall, Wisconsin; they were united in marriage July 21, 1906. In May 1907 on the ?th they came to Colorado where they homesteaded on a place west of Smelkers which is some eighteen miles southwest of Stratton. His parents, a brother Ralph and wife Anna, all came together. They brought two carloads ofhorses, machinery and house- hold goods. His parents put up a sod house. Part of them slept and ate there, but A.V.'s had a tent at first. They did not have any good sod, so Alton dynamited some rock on their place and built a two room rock house. Later they had to go to Goodland, Kansas, where A.V. got a job in the round house. They rented out their land to Ed Lowe, father of Art Lowe, who had lived neighbors to them in Augusta, Wisconsin. Faye was a baby then . . a very wee baby who needed a doctor's care if she was to live, so Christine and A.V. had two reasons for moving to Goodland. Because she was a skilled dressmaker and millner, Christine found much work also in Goodland. Every year they had to break out ten acres of sod on the claims, so Alton would come home every so often on the train from Goodland, riding in the engine and scooping coal for his ride. When his brother and father preempted their claims and paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, Mr. Hardin sent his horses back to Wisconsin as he thought they were not getting enough to eat. While he worked in Goodland, the depot there was a two-story affair, had some apartment, a dining room and a regular hotel within the depot building. In 1912 they witnessed the "big blizzard" that caused the death of so many cattle. The Lange outfit had about seven thousand head and lost most of them. Walter Harrison also lost most of his. Harrison and his helper got lost in the blizzard and cnme to Hardins' fence, followed it to their house, and came in and stayed all night. Lange had an angle fence from Cheyenne Vvslls nlmegl to Hardin's house, but after the blizzard the fence didn't stay long. The wires were cut loose and left laying on the ground. [t was at this farm home that they reared their two children, �Jess and Faye. This was their home for most of forty years. That stone part of their homestead is still standing. When the Hardins came to Stratton it had but recently been renamed from "Claremont" to "Stratton;" the name "Claremont" had not yet been removed from the depot. The forty-odd years in eastern Colorado were not always happy years for the usual hardships of pioneering confronted them, and the cycle of drouth and years of abundance that is a characteristic ofthis part of the United States had to be weathered. They always felt that the drought of the 1930's was the most severe trial. The Hardins owned the first automobile in their community,a 1916 Overland, which made trips to town less strenuous especially for Mrs. Hardin who learned to drive the car. A.V. and Christine saw many changes in Eastern Colorado, especially in Stratton which had very few buildings when they arived. Their daughter Faye and son Jess attended the Smelker School. Faye went to Vona High School, leaving in 1929 to go to California. Both children went to California, maried and raised their families. A.V. and Christine moved into town in Stratton in 1948, and again built their home which is where their daughter Faye now resides. A.V. always went to help the neighbors work on windmills. In his last years he was often seen sitting in his back yard grinding files and making knives for his friends. On Sunday, July 22,1956, an open house was held at the American Legion Hall in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. A.V. fell and broke his hip and passed away in a nursing home in February, 1963. He is buried in Stratton Cemetery. Faye carne to take care ofher father, and when he was gone she remained to care for her mother. Chris- tine spent many hours making beautiful afghans which she gave to her cloee friends for wedding gifts. She always made all her own dresses, sewed for Faye and often for others who appreciated her dressmaking skills. A.V. and Christine both loved to dance. Christine continued to go to dances until her death at the age of95. She is buried along side her husband. by Faye Mohr sorority meetings filled the rest of their time. Daughters Joan Todd and Jean Andersen, both won 4-H trips to National 4-H Congress at Chicago in their foods projects. We enjoyed many good meals as they were learning their skills. After both were in college at Colorado State University, we planned a trip to ward off the empty nest syndrome. Visiting our Capital at Washington D.C., museums and theater at New York City, we found another dimension. In the spring of 1963, John had a survey done to determine the feasibility of another bank in this area. The need for a banking facility was indicated and John chartered the First National Bank at Burlington. In August the charter was approved by The Comptroller of Currency and with a lot of work the bank was ready and open for business in October of 1963. The need was there and with the support of the local stockholders, the F253 Our bumper sticker should read "Native" as both John and Norrene Harker were born in Eastern Colorado. John was born only three miles from where he established the headquarters for his farm which is twenty miles north and three miles east of Burlington. Eugene L. and Shirley Harker were his parents. They were from Missouri Valley, Iowa. Norrene was born at Holyoke, Colorado and raised near Arapahoe. She is the daugh- ter of Wilbur and Mildred Summers. The Arapahoe High School was attended by both John and Norrene and twenty years later by both of their daughters. Their life was adventuresome with ranching and raising wheat. Then the many social activities of church, school, 4-H, trapshooting, lodge and In 1882, Harrison married Miss Mary E. Knight of Bolivar, Missouri, and to them were born four children, Myrta, Millard, Carl (thats me) and Mary. In about 19fi), father moved to Wallace Co., Kansas, not far from Sharon Springs and Weskan, and in time acquired land, some on each side of the Kansas-Colorado line, about twenty miles south of Kanorado, where he carried on his cattle business, partly in Kansas and partly in Colorado. During the spring and summer of 1911, the grass didn't even green up on the surrounding range. So father decided that something had to be done concerning cattle pasture. In the late summer he rode west up into Colorado board ofdirectors, the main street businesses, until he found some wonderfully good grass the ranchers and farmers, the totals of the bank have continued to grow year by year. In about 20 miles southwest of Stratton. He located a homesteader who had become dissatisfied with the lot of homestead life, 1968, the Kit Carson State Bank was offered for sale by Don Collins to John. The transac- tion was made with John C. Clark also purchasing an interest and operating the bank as CEO. After his death in 1975, Bruce and Jean Andersen purchased his shares and now operate the bank. Another honor in banking was John's when he was elected President of the Colorado Bankers Association in May of 1976 after having served on the Board of Directors for four years. The bill for the electronic transfer of funds became an Act after many weeks of meetings during John's year of service. In the spring of 1977 , we made a move from the farm to the new home we had built on the golf course north of town. We still are not in town but so much closer. This is really nice for the business and social activities we are involved in. The Pink Ladies, Heart Fund, Woman's Club and Ladies Golf have all made claims on my time. Thirty years of living on the farm and also still being engaged in wheat production, has given us a real appreciation of the land and the tremendous capabilities of agriculture in these wonderful United States. Now with the loss of exports, a whole new set of problems must be dealt with. Our faith in God, in the land and in the fine young people of our country is the very substance that will be needed for the changes that lie ahead. HARKER, JOHN AND NORRENE and started for Kansas. They arrived at the Doc Hayes ranch near Russell, Kansas, in the fall of 1877, where they both took up homesteads, began farming some and getting started in the cattle business. As it is written in Psalms 128, we are blessed with grandchildren. Joan and Doug Todd live on a ranch at Rexford, Kansas. They have three children, Jay Todd, Jeff Todd and Jody Todd. Jean and Bruce Andersen at Kit Carson, Colorado have two sons, Aaron Andersen and Seth Anderson. With many successes in their own activities, they have already shown their capabilities and will be contributing citizens wherever their future plans will take them. by John E. and Norrene Harker HARRISON A. \ry. F264 A.W. Harrison was born near Birmingham, Ohio, in 1856. In 1877, on becoming of age, he and a neighbor boy between them bought a team of horses, harness and a light wagon and bought his relinquishment, got immediate possession, rode back home and moved his family and 600 head of cattle to their new home in October of 1911. It looked like a good deal, the cattle were filling up on the big grass and the free range was elmost limitless. Along in the late November, big snow storms began. Twelve to fourteen inches covered the ground and with it ca-e gale winds that whipped the snow into furious blizzards almost every day. There was six inches of grass under the snow but it didn't do a cow any good down there as they can't paw it out like a horse does. There was no other feed available in the country as the few homesteaders barely raised enough for their own use. At last father managed to buy a stack of feed from a neighbor, paying $75.00 for a couple of tons of cane, which was badly needed for horse feed. And so the winter continued, new snow being added every few days and blizzard conditions existing whenever the wind blew, which was often. Finally, an attempt was made to plow the snow off the grass with an A shaped snow plow made of lumber and pulled q'ith four horses. Some days they had a fair degree of success and the cattle would follow the plow and get some grass that was uncovered in this way. But on windy days the snow plow tracks would fill up with snow shortly after they were plowed out. Two car loads of cotton cake had been ordered earlier and had been delivered to Stratton, but it was a man sized job to buck the deep snow and blizzards everyday to and from Stratton. Father hauled it all himself with a four horse team and wagon, as it was impossible to hire a disinterested man to make the trip. It was a trip to Stratton one day and back the next, 20 miles each way. There were few fences and no lanes in those days and the road to Stratton was an angling cross country trail almost the entire distance. On some days when night would catch him before he got home and the trail would be completely covered with drifting snow, he would lose his way and wander until he would find some neighbor's place where he could spend the night. On one occasion when he had lost his way but was still continuing to travel in what he thought was the general direction of home, his team stopped suddenly and �dozed a few winks between rounds. On awakening he found that a large chunk had been chewed from his coat tail and about four feet of his bullwhip was missing. Despite the very gtrenuous life of the early settlers here and the tragic and discouraging results of their efforts, a great many of them made astonishing comebacks, continuing on in the only life and buginess that they knew. A.W. Harrison continued in his cattle operation at the old ranch site until 1928 at the age of 72. He and mother retired to an easier life at Colorado Spring, Co. by J. Carl Harrison HARRISON, E. E. F266 Elmer Ellsworth Harrison, the son of William and Anna Hanison, was born at The Building of the Rock Island Railroad two and one haU miles west of Vona, taken in 1887. Forman Bill of Roy Leapar standing on the track. E.H. Haynes, old time regident of Vona helped in the construction of the railroad near Bethune. Mrs. Jack McConnells grandfather, Albert Bradghaw was also in the crew. would not move any further regardless of his urging. He went around in front of the horses to see if he had come to a fence, but instead of finding a fence, he fell off a bank into the snow beneath which he was unable to see, but his horses could see. Some nights on losing the road he would get in deep drifts and he would have to leave his load until the next day. On one such occasion he traveled toward the only lightthat he could see and eventually arived at the homestead of A.V. Harden where he stayed until morning. ' At last father got the cake all hauled but cake alone with no filler wasn't sufficient feed for cattle. There was no way of getting the cattle to the railroad to move them out to feed and no way of getting enough hay to them if intended planting to corn and feed, and which was not fenced. The neighbor was it could have been bought. So before the snow melted off in the spring some time in March, father had lost more than half of his herd. father had lost 365 head of cattle, mostly big It kept one man busy skinning cattle most of the winter. The store keeper in Vona (Newt Howell) and others in Stratton used to say of father that he would bring in a wagon load of cow hides and take out a wagon load of supplies. Those starving cattle would eat anything that they could chew, such as harness straps, rope, soft posts, gunny sacks, rags, and clothing. They even chewed the twist off each others tails or horses tails if they could get them. In the spring, after the bone yard had rotted away, we found a great many hair balls as big as baseballs and smaller, that had formed in the stomachs of the cattle. In the spring of L912, father was notified taken somewhat aback when father offered to furnish posts and wire and help him fence his 40 acres and he could work out the cost of material working for father at his odd spare time on the ranch. The neighbor being somewhat belligerent before his call on father refused the offer, but when he reported at the next Association meeting, the offer that father had made him in regard to fence, the rest of the members of the Association quickly realized that they had nothing to fear of a man of that caliber, so their Farmers Protection Association just simply fell apart from that time on. Before grass came in the spring of 1912, steerg. Harrison had plenty of shed room for his cattle, but considering the outcome that wasn't too good an idea as the cattle with nothing to eat spent most of the time in the shed. The ground floor of which soon was llamped up into about a foot of sticky mud not fit for them to lay down in. After standing up constantly for a week or two, some of the weaker or tired ones would lie down. Then because they were so tightly crowded in the shed there would be 15 to 20 in a pile unable to get up because of the jam. So usually some on the bottom of the pile would be dead before we could get them all up. It became necessary for a man to stay up with the cattle at night constantly walking back and forth in the shed to keep them from piling up. by registered letter from his new homesteader neighbors that they had organized "The Farmers Protection Association" and in the event that his cattle trespassed on any member'g land, that he (Harrison) would be sued for domages by the Farmers Protection Association and assess their own estimate of Eventually we decided to try shutting them out of the shed at night, only to experience damages. Shortly after the letter arrived, a near neighbor, one of the Association members, made a personal call on father to give personal warning not to let his cattle trespasg on his forty acres of plowed land that he never stood up again. This tragic heart-breaking experience oc- Racine, Wisconsin on August 19, 1863. His father and mother were married at Maisey, l{ampton, England, on November 15, 1853 and sailed from Liverpool bound for the United States in the sailing ship, The Adriatic, on May 10, 1854. They arrived at New York on July 4th and from there they traveled overland to Racine, Wisconsin where the family lived until 1873. In that year they moved to Clay Center, Nebraska. On February 5, 1888 he married Mary Josephine Yarnell. They moved to Dundy County Nebraska where he had filed a timber claim and planted five acres of trees. For the benefit of better schools, Mr. Harison, with his family, moved to Burlington, Colorado in the fall of 1897 and purchased the Montezuma Hotel which he operated for several years. During this time he carried mail on a Star Route from Burlington to Goff, the home of J.T. Jones, thence to Lansing, the Lee Yount Ranch, and from there to Yale, the home of Sam Schaal Sr., a distance of 45 miles, using horses and a spring wagon or top buggy. In four years he missed only one trip because of snow. He served two terms as president of the school board, and was justice of the peace for ten years. In 1906 he filed on a homestead four miles south of Burlington which he improved and farmed until he proved up on it, and moved back to Burlington in 1909. During this year, Mr. Harrison and members of his family moved to Gypsum, Kansas, where he spent some months, considering it to be beneficial to his health. In the fall they moved back to Burlington. Elmer and Mary Harrison had five chil- dren: Ella Harrison O'Brian, Ethel, and Gertrude Harrison Punshon of Boulder, and two sons, Ben and Hobart. The Harisons were active members of the Methodist Church. a worse condition. The cattle driven from the wet would lie down on the snow and ice in the corral in temperatures around zero a good bit of the time, and would freeze their legs from their knees down and consequently they casionally had a humorous happening. One of the hired men who was assigned to keeping the cattle on foot at night, got sleepy and HARTMAN FAMILY F256 Ed and Eda Hartman moved from Blue Hill, Nebraska, to Colorado in 1925. They bought a half section of open prairie eleven and one half miles south west of Stratton. They moved a team of horses nnmed Dick �HARTMAN - VANCE FAMILY F268 A big snow in 1930 near the Hartman farmetead. SOth Anniversary of Herman and Augusta Hartman, married Sept, 11, 1919 in Stanton, NE. Taken Sept. 11, 1969 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bur- lington, CO. also. The family name 'Hartmann' became 'Hartman'when Herman choge the drop the second n. Four children were born to this union: Hilda, Regina, Cecilia, and Ewald. Hilda died when one year old of indigestion. Due to the asthmatic condition of Regina, the September 11, 1954 when Ed and Eda Hartman won first prize as a bride and gtoom in a Stratton Day parade. and Dan, some bales of hay, and their furniture on the Rock Island train. Ed and Eda with their children, a daughter Louise, and a son Howard, followed in a Model T car. The furniture was surrounded with bales of hay in the yard in all kinds of weather while the house was being built by an uncle. I do not recall where the folks lived until a room in the house was finished enough to live in, but Howard and I went to stay with our aunt and uncle, Jennie and Louie Waechter, so we could go to school which was at Green Knoll. Later we attended Grandview. After the house was built, a cave was dug and a barn was built. Ed and Eda broke the farm ground with Dick and Dan. Eda worked in the field right along with her husband Ed. They cut across the prairie to get groceries from Stratton. Sometimes they went with a wagon pulled by Dick and Dan, sometimes in the Model T. Sunday School was started in the Grandview country school and they attended regularly. They saw many hardships when the great drought had set in with the crop failures that followed and the dust storms becoming more frequent. Then came the grasshoppers. Ed and Eda loved to be in Stratton parades. In 1954 they won first prize by dressing like a bride and groom in their old buggv. Their daughter, Louise, married Norman Smith in 1938 and they had three sons, Dean, Doyle and Denis. Howard never married and helped farm at home. by Louise Smith HARTMAN FAMILY F267 August Herman Hartman was born 3-91888 in Stanton Co., Nebraska. He was one of fifteen children. He maried Augusta Mathilde Maria Boldt 9-11-1919 in Stanton. She was born 8-10-1897 and raised in Stanton fanily doctor advised them to move to Colorado. They were farmers in Stanton Co. so sold their farm equipment and animals. Being Lutherans, they located a Lutheran Church in Colorado and in 1938 the Hartmans with their three children made their way to Stratton, Colo. in a 1929 Model A pulling a small trailer house containing all their possessions. The pastor of the Statton church advised them to live in Burlington because of more jobs being available there. In 1942 they bought a house at 193-13th St. in Burlington. Herman worked for Ernest 1973 Beet harvest at Ewald Hartman Farm 10 miles S.E. of Burlington. The Hartmans enjoyed playing cards and belonged to card clubs. Ewald Hartman and Yvonne Vance were married November 28, 1948 at the Burlington Methodist Church by Rev. Henry Beatty. We had both graduated from Burlington High but it wasn't until after Ewald returned from serving his country in World War II in the U.S. Air Corps as a B-17 flight engineer and I had graduated from business school in 1947 that we started dating. Ewald, with the help of his Dad and mine, built a little house southwest of the Burlington Court House where we lived for ten years. Two of our children were born while living there; Joedy Allen 1950, and Jana Lou 1953. Ewald worked for various local farmers during this time. His dream of having a farm of his own became a reality when we had the opportunity to move to and eventually purchase the Bob Schleusener place 6 miles east and 5 miles south of Burlington. The 1950s had been anything but a profitable time for local farmers. The drought caused terrible dirt storms and many had left the area but that didn't dampen Ewald's enthusiasm. So, March 5, 1958 we moved to the farm with 50 chickens, 5 milk cows, and a few pieces of used equipment. It wasn't easy but In the 1950s when Bonney Dam was being we never missed a meal, were never cold, had built, Augusta furnished room and board to young men who worked on the dam. g1t" considered them "her boys". Regina worked as a waitress and later left Burlington and moved to Mesa, Arizona all the necessities and each other. Our third child, Julie Kae was born in 1959. It turned out to be a good time to get into Lucke on a ranch NE of Burlington until 1946. He then farmed for himself on a small scale till 1961 when he retired. Augusta worked as a cook at Shanks Cafe and later as a clerk at Red Front Grocery in the early 40s. Ewald also counted eggs and carried out groceries. Herman and Augusta enjoyed their work in the Trinity Lutheran Church where Augusta taught Sunday School, served as alter committee for years, and was active in Ladies Aid. She always asked newcomers at church for Sunday dinner. She was a very active member of the Kit Carson Co. Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and spent hours making or mending gowns, sheets, and other supplies. where she died of cancer in 1978. Cecilia graduated from Burlington High School and worked as a telephone operator until marrying J.D. Piner and moving to Cedar Creek, Nebraska. Ewald also graduated from BHS. He was active in football and basketball sports. He served in World War II as a B 17 flight engineer, cnme home and married Yvonne Vance. They still farm and ranch 10 miles southeast of Burlington. Herman died in July 1979 at the age of 91. Augusta is a resident of Grace Manor Care farming for things started upward in the 60s. Irrigation was starting up big and in the fall of 1962 we put down our first well. Sugar beets - a frustrating crop to say the least were good to us. But, we had a big snow in October 1969 and much of the crop was frozen in the ground before the harvest was complete. During the warmer, thawing days we \ilere able to get a few loads out each day until we finally succeeded in wallowing the last beets out of the mud and hauled to the huge piles on the ground at Peconic Receiving Station on December 23. But all the beets - could be in the piles rotted before they processed. What a terrible loss to everyone in the county. The cattle kept us afloat that Center. by Ewald Hartman year; diversification paid off. We battled the problems that went with hiring and housing migrant labor and raised beets for 20 years. �I drove a truck for twelve. Ewald served as a director, sec.-treas., and president of the Kemp Beet Growers Assoc. from 1971 to 1976. We stood helplessly watching as the hail destroyed our wheat or corn crops through the years but the successful ones always outnumbered the lost ones. The children learned how to work and helped with whatever needed to be done. Ewald did well for himself and took pride in his farming. Our son, Joedy, seemed destined to be a farmer-rancher also. We worked together watering our crops with gated pipe until replacing the pipe with circle sprinklers in 1980. We also had time to play. We were both 4H leaders when all three of our children were very active ghnmpions. We both taught Sunday School and headed the youth group in our younger years at Trinity Lutheran Church where I played the organ for 35 years while Ewald served on all the various boards and Elder. Ewald enjoyed playing in the softball and bowling leagues and served on the board of Fellowship of Christian Athletes several years. I have enjoyed sewing for years and we both enjoy golf and bridge with our friends. Our annual 4th of July barbeque for the Hartman and Vance families at the farm has become a tradition. Have missed only 2 or 3 in the past 27 yeats. Another tradition - all granddaughters come to our house during the first week of December to help trim our Christmas tree. They have supper with us, help with the trimming, and stay overnight in sleeping bags across the living room floor. Fun for all! All three of our children graduated from Burlington High. They were very active in school and sports and we followed all activi- ties everywhere. Julie was an all-stater in basketball and clothing grand champion at Colorado State Fair. October 22,t985 Ewald had double bypass heart surgery. Joedy married Susan Hitchcock, built a new home on the section and is engaged in farming. They have three daughters: Jennifer Lynn, Renee Dian, and Kelly Ann. Jana married Vince Schreivogel. They own and operate "Vince's Chevrolet, Olds, Cadillac, Inc." (formerly Sim Hudson Motor Co.) in Burlington. They have three daughters: Jessica Dawn, Andrea Jae, and Lanie Jo. Julie is finishing her masters degree in Exercise Science at C.S.U. and will marry Donald Anderson of Otis, Colo. June 7, 1986. by Yvonne Hartman HARTZLER, ALFRED JEROME F259 Alfred Jerome Hartzler bought a farm three and a half miles east of Flagler and moved there in 1916. He developed the farm by opening up small springs along the Republican River and planting trees. He stocked the ponds along the river with fish. His livelihood csme from farming and livestock. He and a group of Flagler citizens developed the Crystal Springs Park with private funds. He was a charter member of the i Threshing in days long past. Flagler Farmers Union and its first president. Even with his failing health, he was retained as honorary president of this organization until his death on December 31, 1939. He was born February 13, 1859. He homesteaded in Sherman County, Kansas in 1887 and raised his family there. His son Melven Hartzler taught school in Flagler as high school manual training instructor about 1917 and 1918. His daughter Millie Gattshall taught school in Kit Carson County south of Flagler at Fairview in 1918, 1919 and 1920. She was at West Fairhaven in 1923 and at Sunny Slope in 1951 through 1954. Evidence of the efforts of Alfred Hartzler are still to be seen on his farm in spite of nearly fifty years of neglect and misuse since his death. Duane Loutzenhizer who owns the land today is a great-grandson. by Wallace Gattshall HARTZMANN MITCHEM FAMILY F260 Jacob Hasart, my great-great-grandfather, was born in 1865 in Germany. He immigrated to Russia with his parents during the rule of Catherine the Great. They remained true Germans and could not accept the Russian way of life. He came to America in the late 1800's. While living in Russia, he married Magdalena "Lena" Weisshaar. She was born in 1867 and was only 15 when she married Jacob. Jacob and Lena, with their son Tobias, went to Independence, Missouri, after crossing the ocean. From there they went to Cope, Colorado, then to Idalia. From Idalia they went to Lawrence, Kansas. They came back to Colorado to homestead on land north of Stratton. This area was called the Russian German Settlement. This was where Germans that had immigrated to Russia settled. Jacob and Lena had three more children: Lena, John, my great-grandfather, and Jacob. Jr. "Jake". Tobias died when he was a teenager. Magdalena died in 1943. Jacob died in 1948. My great-grandfather was born in 1896. He was married to Anna Dora Adolf in 1919. Anna was born in 1900. She was the daughter of August and Kathrina Adolf. August and Kathrina were Germans who had immigrated to South Russia. In 1888, they ceme, along with their two Russian-born children Danny and Katie, to America. After living in Scotland, South Dakota, where August was a shoemaker, they homesteaded on the Russian German Settlement in 1890. They were the second family to homestead on the settlement. August was a shoe cobbler here. Anna had four brothers and two sisters: Danny Katie; August, Jr. "A.W.", who was the first white baby born on the settlement; Luella; Chris; and Gus. Anna was the young- est. Danny died in 1901 when diptheria struck the settlement. John and Anna had 2 daughters: Leota, my grandmother, and Della. Anna died in 1930 of a brain tumor. My grandmother then had to take care of the house and cook. Della was raised by A.W. and Mary Adolf. My greatgrandfather was remarried to Edith Powers in 1938. They did not have any children. They are both still living in Stratton. My grandmother was born in 1920. She mauied Verl "Buck" Mitchem in March, 1938 against the wishes ofher father. Grandpa was born in 1914 and came from Kansas when he was four years old. In his early twenties he worked for Jake Hasart for awhile, then for John. This was how he met my grandmother. They lived on a farm north of Stratton. Their first daughter Drusilla was born in September, 1938. Their second daughter Cathy, my mother, was born in August, 1940. That same year they moved to Florence, Colorado. Grandpa worked for the steel mill. Later, they moved to Canyon City where he worked in the prison. They then moved to Simla where he worked in a filling station, then to Agate where he worked on a ranch. In L947, they ceme back to live on a farm north of Stratton where Grandpa helped great-Grandpa. In 1952, they had another daughter named Bunnie. Grandma died in 1967 of a massive heart attack. Grandpa was remarried to Hazel Fisher. They both live in Burlington. My mother married Wayne Hartzmann in April, 1962. He is the son of Lester and Ruby Hartzmann and was born in February, 1940. �They moved to St. Paul, Minnesota where Mom worked in an insurance claims office, government to put in the next crop in 1937. It was some better; at least we had enough feed. Frank caught skunks, coyotes, badgers for some money to eat on, also got a job up in the sand hills picking corn. It helped some. Jack-rabbits were plentiful so helped many families to eat. The lady cooks could cook a jackrabbit so it really was tasty. Frank was 21 and Dorothy still 16 when they were married in 1934. Didn't start their family too soon almost 6 years before Coreena Mae came- along on August 10, 1940, then Carl Ray, May 4, L945, then Sharion Rose Jan. 30, 1948, then Earl Dean Oct. 10, f951 weeks after the airplane crash in - at3 an Flagler air show which killed 20 people including Frank's brother Leighton's daughter Illa Mae Harwood. and Dad worked for John Deere. They moved back to Colorado in the beginning of 1968 and settled on a farm north of Stratton. They have two children: my brother Andy, age 15, and me, age L7. Note - John passed away Aug. 25, 1986. by Anna lfartzmann HARWOOD, FRANK F26I. In 1941 in April Frank and Dorothy and Coreena moved to the place where they lived for 45 years; moved in a two room house on his father's land he had bought in 1923. They kept making more improvements; a barn and chicken house; in 1946 built on the house so they had a big house for their family. They now have sold it to Frank's niece and husband Bill and Madlyn Grimes in 1980, then the -last 80 acres to Brad their sons in 1986. Frank and Dorothy Harwood at Akron, Colorado, just after their marriage, August 21,1934. Colorado, then took a week's honeymoon and bought treats because we knew we'd be chivaried which we were. They lived one year with his father. The fall of '34 was very dry, had no rain in '34, but it clouded up that fall and lightning struck the fence where the cattle had drifted and killed 1 cow and 1 calf so only left them Dorothy and Frank had bought another 160 to go with the 320 his father had to make 480 acres and they rented other land besides. They bought in Arriba, Colo. as houses were cheaper than in Flagler, so live in Arriba and are very happy there close to stores and post office. It's so handy and are both pretty well but getting older. Earl was our only redhead. We always wondered if the plane crash could have caused it. Maybe not, but we always wondered, by Frank Harwood with 1 cow and 1 calf. They had mortgaged the two cows and two calves to buy 4 horses and some harness to farm with. I don't expect Frank and Dorothy Harwood's 50th wedding anniversary. From left to right: Coreena, Carl, Earl, Sharon, Dorothy and Frank. Frank Harwood was born December 25, 1912 in a 2 room sod house to Sam and Fanny Harwood. Frank lost his mother when very young so didn't even remember her. Frank was raised by his father and the help of sister Rachel and Leighton; Hazel was still to young to help much. When Frank was only 4 years old his father built a new LVz story frame house. Frank and his brother and 2 sisters grew up to be independent and go ahead with the chores when the father had to go to town with tenm and wagon for supplies, a big day's trip. They all worked hard but kept their head above water. His father and mother had homesteaded in 1907. Frank was born there. In 1923 his father managed to buy another 320 acres 1% miles south of the home place which was 15 miles north of Flagler, Co. As Frank grew up and we finally got a car, he started dating the girls around and in 1933 met Dorothy Stedman and they were manied in 1934, August 21. Frank sold what little wheat he had for 54 cents a bushel to get married on; had 27 dollars and 2 cows and 2 calves, a lot of love, and as much determination. He decided he had just as much right to starve a woman to death as the other boys around, so Dorothy and Frank started their life together. We spent that 27 dollars to get married in Akron, Mr. Creighton would have let them have enough money had he known the lightning was going to kill half our cattle but it was too late for him to back out. We got the flood in 1935, so raised a little corn, had feed for the livestock. Frank and Dorothy went to New York in the fall of 1935, leaving the horses and cattle with his father. Frank was able to get some work there on a dairy at 30 dollars a month, a house to live in, and 1 qt. of milk a day. The day started at 5:00 o'clock in the morning; we started milking; when that was done breakfast, then back to work at 7:00 a.m.; got t hr. for dinner; then back to work; then 5:00 p.m. milking again and other chores and supper, and at 8:00 p.m. we could go after groceries or whatever we wanted to do. Frank played for a dance with his cousins every Sat. night. They got around 80 cents a piece which bought picks and strings but had a wonderful time. Got home about 2:30 a.m. then up at 5:00 a.m. to milk again Sunday HARWOOD, SAMUEL F262 Sam Harwood and children. Frank, Leighton, Rachel, Hazel and Sam at the homestead in 1915. M morning. We came back to Colorado about Christmas time. Colorado looked pretty good; at least it wasn't so cold and icy. The next spring we moved to the Sloanker place. In 1936 we planted 100 acres of corn with a 1 row lister and horses. It was so dry the corn hardly reached the top of the ridges, then died. We had rented 320 acres. By that time we had 2 cows and 2 calves and 4 horses but we had to buy feed that winter. It just didn't rain. We had to get a $100 feed and seed loan from the Sam Harwood and children on June 1, 1947. Rachel Kyle, Frank, Leighton, Hazel Conger and Sn-. �Sa- Harwood was born in 1874 at Angelica, New York, to George and Margaret "Well," he said, "One afternoon Les and I, Bunny Sue, Russell and Vickie all decided we were going to have a picnic so we packed lunches and got on our ponies and rode off for the afternoon, boy we really thought we were something! I remember when I got my first job. I was thirteen and I hauled irrigation pipe for one of the neighbors and I got five dollars a day but didn't manage to keep a dime of it. It always got spent somehow. When I went to the high school we went to the State Basketball Championship. I was just a sophomore but I was thdlled to have the chance to play." "And you were Prom King," I reminded him, smiling in the darkness at the picture in my mind of a much thinner Jerry sitting next to a very pretty Prom Queen, both wearing Harwood. As a young man of 22 he moved to Hubell, Nebraska, bought 40 acres, had a 2 room house, batched there 4 years, then sold. At the geme time he met Fanny Shook. They were married and moved to Agra, Kansas, where they had bought 80 acres. Two children were born there; Leighton in 1902 and Rachel in 1906. They lived there 4 years. Then he heard of homest€ad land in Colorado so in 1907 he took a homestead of 160 acree, 15 miles north of Flagler, went back to Kansas and came back in a covered wagon alone. He built a 2 room sod house and small barn, drove back to Kansas, finished the work there, loaded their household goods, and headed for Colorado again to live, the wife and 2 children coming on the train with other goods. He had a tubler well down for water. Everything was very hard. He broke some sod and got some feed planted for stock and some corn. About 2 years later the government allowed them to homestead another 160 a. if it joined the other land which they did; this made 320 acres. There was plenty of open range, so all crop land had to be fenced to keep range cattle out. In 1910 another child was born Hazel a girl, - along. and in 1912 Frank came - was still very hard. Fanny became Everything sick in 1913, the last of the year, and never improved, only got worse, and died in 1921. Sam raised the 4 children with the help of the older ones. In the spring of 1917 and that fall he built a ftame house which he lived in until leaving the farm in 1946. The children were all raised in that house. Many times things were very hard but he was able to save his land, and in 1923 he bought another 320 aetes lr/z miles south of the home place. His son Frank and wife lived on that land after they were married in 1934. Sam moved to Flagler in 1946 and passed away in 1956. Sam's children all married and raised their families nearby. Times were hard. A team of wagon or buggies was the mode of travel in those early days. He raised corn and hogs, feed and cattle, horses to farm with. Also raised barley, wheat, corn and oats. He'd shuck corn most of the winter. Sam died with cancer of the prostrate in 1956 at the age of 82. He had remarried in 1933 after the children were all gtown, but this wife also died of a bursted appendix in 1934 so he stayed single the rest of his life. by Dorothy Harwood HASART - SPELTZ FAMILY F263 The year was 1984, Jerry and I had been married all of two months and it was early in the spring and this had been a late winter with lots of snow and the rains had begun. Early one particular evening in June, Jerry and I sat watching TV when a subtitle ran across the screen warning of a tornado north of Vona. "That'g awful close," Jerry observed, "let's go see if we can see it." "Where are you going?" I asked. foil covered cardboard crowns. The only Jerold and Beth EIIen Hasart, married April 7, 1984. "To the bedroom, maybe we can see something from the west and north windows if the lightning flashes." He got up and turned off all the lights in the house as well as the TV. Then he took my hand and led me to our extra bedroom and there he sat next to the north window and I sat by the west window. With each strike of lightning I would look out to the horizon for any ominous cloud formations that looked threatening. The silence was deafening and the darkness seemed to cover me like a blanket. Panic was beginning to form in my mind and I realized that this was not just an exercise of curiosity but a real threat to our livelihood as well as our very existence. The atmosphere was as tense as any of the barbed wire fences on the farm. Jerry seemed to sense my panic or just because he was tired of the quiet, he began to speak. "You know when I was a kid I remember inviting all the neighbors over and having weiney roasts. We burned corn cobs in a five gallon bucket to cook them." "That sounds like fun," I said, anxious for him to continue. "Sometimes Grandpa Hasad would come out in his green Ranchero and would bring us a treat usually lemon drops. The thing he loved mostwas the garden and hewould come out and spend the entire day. We grew every kind of vegetable imaginable. One year he even tried to grow peanuts. Grandpa, Les and I would work in the garden until fair time and then we spent the day before the garden show picking and sorting each vegetable exhibit until it was perfect. Seemed like we always did pretty good at the garden show at the fair. After the fair it was up to Mom to can and freeze eve4rthing and that meant lots of work for her. After the fair Grandpa was done with the garden, all except the pumpkin patch which he carefully tended until fall, his goal was one large pumpkin." "You must have had lots of good times with yourgrandpa,"Isaid. "Yes, I really miss him, " Jerry said quietly. Eager for my new husband's easy walk through memory lane to continue, I urged him on as it was calming to hear him as I watched the storm edge closer and closer to the farm that had taken three generations to build. "What else do you remember from your younger days?" I asked. evidence that this had ever happened was a very outdated pair of wingtip shoes sitting next to a stringless banjo in the closet. "You've lived a charmed life hon, hasn't anything bad ever happened to you?" I asked. "Oh sure," he replied without hesitation. It was the Friday before graduation and somehow I managed to forget my cap and gown and I was half way home when I remembered them so I turned around and headed back to town but by the time I got there all the doors were locked. Luckily I found an open window, crawled on the hood and shimmied through the window. I got my cap and gown and since all the doors were locked from the inside all I had to do was walk through the door. There was a moment of silence as I heard the distant rumble of thunder. "How about you Beth, what was growing up like for you?" Jerry asked. "Oh, much different from your life. Growing up in a large metropolitan area there were always lots of kids around. Almost every summer all the neighborhood kids got together for a picnic on top of the hill about 3/ of a mile away. We packed lunches and rode our bikes to the top where an irrigation ditch and lots of cottonwood trees where, there we ate and waded until it was time to go home. In the evenings we gathered under the street light to play kick the can and on the Fourth of July some of the neighbors would come over and light fireworks. You know, Jer, I remember one time Terry and I got in big trouble. Mom had left us off at swimming lessons and was to pick us up at 11:30. By noon we decided she had forgotten us so we started to walk home. The thing we didn't know was that both of our grandparents had come to visit and after a while Mom sent our two grandfathers to pick us up. By the time they caught up with us Grandpa Spelts was nearly as red as his Rambler, boy, he sure was mad! I'm sure he thought we'd been kidnapped and couldn't possible return without us." Suddenly the room was lit for a split second, followed by a horrible ripping sound. It was as if the sky was being torn like an old rag and then there was a huge crash. I could hear a slight patter on the window pane as the rain began. Jerry stood up and stretched. "The folks just lost their electricity, I suppose we'll be next." He sat down again to resume his vigil looking out between the drops of rain. I too sat peering out into the darkness, but in my minds eye I was years and miles away with Grandpa and Grandpa Spelts in their red �Rambler and their small camp trailer at our annual family ssmp out above the Poudre River. It's odd that our childhood memories are so sketchy and of all the camping we've done and only a few incidents are prominent. Like the mooge who stood by the roadside in Canada and the deer that resided in the city park at Jaspar (Canada). The bear that ate the leftover spaghetti from the trash can one night. As the rain becsme more intense, Jerry left the room, but his absence had escaped me as my train of thought had changed from snmping to snowmobiling. We spent two or three glorious winters snowmobiling abnost every winter weekend. During one of these trips we found ourselves at Tiger Run. It was a hunting lodge that was being converted to a ski lodge. The day had been nasty, cold and windy. By early evening the electricity was out and being too early to retire, we went to the lodge where a group of college students had gathered and were singing "Peter, Paul and Mary" songs. We all joined in and had a great time. New Year's celebrations for us during that time consisted ofhot dogs roasted on an open fire built in the snow and chempagne (pop for the kids) consumed on a mountain top somewhere. A truly unique the back of my knee. Terror seized me as I byes were said and off the couple sailed to was sure the next thing I was going to feel was somewhere near Idalia, Colorado. We do not sharp teeth ripping and tearing into my flesh. In a split second, I pointed the flashlight down only to find our blue healer pup had climbed into the pen. She had an expression on her face that seemed to be laughing and saying "gotcha." One thing I know for sure, Jerry was in absolute agreement with her. Here it is almost four years later and I have learned to work with the hogs and become a capable farmers wife overcoming lots of fears and growing to be more confident in difficult situations. We becnme the parents of a baby boy, Joshua Jacob, on March 1, 1988 and it looks like that we will have manv adventures ahead of us. by Beth Hasart HASART WEISSHAAR FAMILY F264 The "fateful" message came from America. I hadn't seen any funnel clouds yet. Jerry This letter came to the family of Jacob Christian Hasart Sr. Newly married on February 10, 1887 to Magdalena Weisshaar and with one son just over a year old this "We gotta shut those hog feeders before the doctor had told Jacob that he had experience. The storm was increasing in intensity but csme in and handed me a jacket and grabbed a flashlight. they're a mesg." "Jetry?" "Ya?" "Did I ever tell you about the time Kerry Sue brought me home from college?" ttNott "Well on the way home she started talking about this guy who went out to feed his pigs and while he was feeding them he had a heart attack and died in the pig pen and she said the pigs ate him!" I gave him my best 'please don't send me out to the wife eating hog pen'look but to no avail, I slipped on the jacket which completely covered my top and shorts. It was pitch dark out and the wind and rain felt cold against my bare legs. Our only light was the flashlight that Jerry held. At the firEt feeder I stood safely outside the pen holding the flashlight as Jerry flipped the letter brought hope and promise to them as tuberculosis and that he had one year to live unless he would leave the country. The area around the Black Sea was damp so they needed a place where the air was dry. His brother-in-law wrote that "this country could be the answer to their desires of wanting to go to a better place. Here one could hope for a better life and with hard work and the blessing from God a new beginning could be made." The thought of obtaining "land for the settling" was a dream to those whose future was very bleak due to crowding and life under Russian rule. So the decision was made to leave. Good- know which port of embarkation that they arrived, just somewhere on the east coast. They made arrangements with the railroad people to go to Idalia but they could not find it on the map so they figured that Otis, Colorado was near there. Their thoughts of this trip are mostly unknown but we do know that it took them three weeks to sail across and they came in stearage class and brought along bread and cheese to eat on the trip. One comforting thought was that they were going to be with relatives and Lena's brother, John Weisshaar, lived near Idalia. Upon arriving at Otis they hired a man with a team of thin horses and a wagon to haul their trunks and little children. Two other families came with them on this trip. They were the Kamlas who later went on to St. Francis, Kansas and the Howagners. The adults had to walk along and they were very depressed. Lena said that she was so frightened on this trip from Otis to Idalia because the man who was taking them could not speak German and they couldn't speak English. She was afraid that this man was not taking them to the right destination. They stopped at farms along the way and they were given shelter for the night in their barns. They stopped at a farm just south of what is now highway 36 justnorthof Kirk and found that this family, the Reidasels, could speak German and she was so happy to know that they were near their destination. At this time Jacob vowed that as soon as he could earn enough money they were going back! No one could live on this bleak barren land, the rabbits even died here as they found dead rabbits along the trail. It was in April that they arrived in Idalia and found the farm of John Weisshaar. They had left Russia on March 11, 1889 and on May t he took up a homestead five miles southwest of ldalia. He purchased a relinquishment and took a tree claim. They must have lived with the Weisshaars until they could build their home which was made of rock held together with adobe. That first year he broke out 20 acres and planted it all to feeder lid and locked it down. The next feeder, however was very tall and the lock had been broken. Jerry began to gather some old bricks and broken pieces of cinder block to weigh the lid down. He said that he would climb up and shut the lid and that I was to hand him the bricks and blocks. This of course meant that I would have to get inside the pen. Shear panic was welling up inside and all I could think was "I'm going to die!" I could see in my mind a tombstone that read "Here liee Beth who was dumb enough to get into a hog pen in the middle of the night." With these thoughts firmly planted in my mind I did as I was told, climbed in the pen and reflected the flashlight on the feeder as Jerry shut it. But every few seconds I would whoop and holler in hopes that it would frighten the hogs enough to stay away. We staded putting the bricks and cinder blocks on the lid and everything seemed to be going well. My screnming was working and it looked as if I was going to live to tell about it. When I felt something bump up against 'fhe liasan, ianri, Idalia, Colorado. 1903. Jacob ready to go to the field and John, Magdalena, Lena and Jake ready to leave with the horse and buggy for town. �wheat. He had obtained a pair of oxen and some implements and tools. The other set- horses and arrived in the middle of the night and he headed out across the prairie with the ing rock out of native limestone and threshed the wheat. He was able to sell his extra wheat to the miller. He also worked for J.P. Evans horses and arrived at the farm by daylight. After John and Jake were married Jacob and Lena moved to Burlington where he helped construct the "Penny" building on Main St. This building housed "Penny" Bros. Machinery and Hardware for many years. In 1930 they moved to Stratton, Colorado where they spent the remaining years of their lives. While living on the farm they were mem- tlers made fun of him for doing this. At harvest time he cut it with a hand scythe and stacked it. He proceeded to fashion a thresh- and they became very good friends. He possibly worked for others to earn the much needed cash and was able to purchase a saddle horse. Supplies were hard to get so he and a neighbor went to Burlington, a two day trip, with the team sn4 *rton. Mrs. Lehman came to stay with Lena and Toby as it was very scarry to stay alone out on the prairie. After it was dark the women heard something outside. Mrs. Lehman's son Eads thought it was Indians. They kept hearing this scratching sound and were really frightened so they decided to put on the coats and hats of the men folk and lit the lamp (there were no curtains on the windows) so the Indians would think the men were home; they stayed up all night. The next morning they gathered their courage and went outside to find that the source of all the sound was the horse. It had gotten loose and had rubbed on the house all night. Such was the life on the prairies. They saw very few Indians as they rarely bers of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Jacob helped supervise the building of the new church building in 1925-26. All the benches were made in the barn by him with the help of others. He also constructed the barns and other buildings on the home place and John's place. The frame house on the home place was built in L925-26. Jacob Christian Hasart Sr. was the oldest son of Tobias Hasart and his wife Frederika. He was born in Lichenthal, Bessarabia, South Russia on November 2, 1865. He was married to Magdelena Weisshaar on February 10, 1887. Lena was born on September 29, L867 at Lichtenthal, Bessarabia, Russia and died on May 7, L943. Jacob died on October 1, 1948. After Lena passed away Jacob went to live with his sons Jake and John. They were members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Jacob made caskets for the community. Stratton. Their children were Tobias who died in 1902. Magdelena (Lena) Kirby of Great Falls, Montana; John F. of Stratton; and Jacob C. of Burlington. All of the One winter he ran out of lumber and there children are deceased. Grandson Jim Hasart passed through and they were in small groups and bothered no one. was another death so he pulled up the flooring in his bedroom and made the casket. They stayed on the farm and survived the dry years in the middle 1890's. Their children Lena, John and Jacob Jr. were born during this time. Toby became ill with osteonyelitis and died on March 10, 1902 and was buried in St. John's United Brethren Church's cemetery. In 1904 Jake traveled to Fall River, Kansas to see a farm that was for trade. He was pleased with what he found and the trade was made with the Motsenberger family. They wanted to go where there was more rainfall so they loaded up their personal belongings, as they had made a swap for the machinery and other farm items, boarded the train and moved to Kansas. When they got there and looked around they found that the equipment that they had traded for was all gone and had been replaced with other pieces. They were heart broken as they had left good equipment back in Colorado. Jacob went to the barn and brooded for days. They made the best ofthe situation and proceeded to get to work. While in Fall River the children attended school and Jacob also attended so that he could become proficient in the English language and could figure and learn the skills necessary for the carpentry trade. The family never spoke German at home as they were in America now and they were Americans. They farmed and raised Galloway Angus cattle and were able to make a go of the farm. They lived in Kansas until 1918 when they moved back to Colorado where their boys, John and Jake were living and working. They had bought the farm land from the Fisher brothers who moved back to Nebraska. This farm is located 7 miles north and 4 miles east of Stratton, Colorado. At that time there was a trail that headed northeast across the prairie that came by the farm. When Jake cnme out from Kansas he brought some now resides on the farm northeast ofStratton along with his sons, Jerold who lives on John's farm and Lester who lives north of the home place. by Marlyn Hasart HASART, JACOB AND NETTIE F265 Jacob Hasart Sr. came to Colorado from Russia in 1889 and had settled on a farm south west of ldalia before moving to Kansas in 1903. Jake, John and Lena were born in Idalia. Jake was born on December 2L, 1897 and attended school in Kansas and then worked with a threshing crew that traveled with the harvest across Kansas in the summer. In 1917 Jacob Christian Hasart Jr. came to Colorado to help his brother who had been working for J.P. Evans and was farming 7 miles north and 4 miles east of Stratton. Jake's dad, Jacob Hasart Sr. was still living in Fall River, Kansas but had purchased several quarters of land from the Fisher brothers who wanted to move back to Nebraska. Because John and Jack were facing induc- tion to serve in World War I, their parents moved back to Colorado. Jake farmed and lived with his parents as John had purchased land from J.P. Evans just east of the home place and started his own home. Before his marriage Jake had acquired 2 quarters of land and rented the remaining farm ground. Jacob and Annette (Nettie) Adolf were married on April 27, L927 at Immanuels Lutheran Church north of Bethune. Colorado. Nettie and Jake Hasart, taken in the early 1970's in Phoenix, Arizona. Nettie Adolf was born on December 21. 1907 in Michaelsfeldt, Bessarabia, Russia. She ca-e to this country in 1908 as a baby with her parents. They established a homestead north of Bethune where she grew up and attended school at Prairie View and the German school at the church. She was the next to the last child of 11 children born to William and Margaret Adolf. She grew up learning how to work outside milking the cows as well as helping with the household chores. She also worked in other households caring for the children and helping cook when illness struck. She and Jake made their first home in the small adobe house on the home place. She brought 1 cow, a bed, and some bedding with her to start their new household. Nettie soon began to take part with the farm work by helping bring in the milk cows and helping with the milking and other chores. Jakes mother never milked and the cattle were afraid ofher so it took awhile before the cows settled down and let her milk them. That fall of 1927 they raised a good corn crop and Jake and Nettie worked side by side picking corn starting a pattern of sharing the farm work for as long as they lived on the farm. Dry land crops of corn, barley, wheat, and cattle and horse feed were raised. Jake raised work horses running about 75 head of horses and only 25 or more head of cattle during the 1920's and 30's until tractor power took over the farming work. He also bought and traded yearling horses matching up teams and training them every winter. This was difficult physical work which took lots of patience. Bus Guy came in the winters to help him break the horses to work as tesms. There were Iots of run-a-ways and lots of wagons destroyed in the process. Jake always attended the sales and bought young calves over the years. Later their cattle herd grew and replaced the horses. Jake and Nettie purchased the home place soon after they were married and moved into the frame house after Jake's parents moved to Burlington in 1928. That year on April 5, �their first boyJerald was born and died 6 days later from a difficult birth. On November 10, 1929 their second son Jimmie Lee was born and on January 24, L932 their daughter, Virginia was born. Jake and Nettie worked together bundling the children up and taking them to the field with them as they picked corn and shocked the feed. They always milked several cows and sold the cream and raised chickens, setting eggs under the old hens which wasn't easy, raising 100 or so chicks for fresh meat in the summer and had eggs to sell providing money to purchase their groceries and clothes. Later the chicks were purchased from the hatchery. In 1931 Nettie hatched 200 turkey poults from eggs set under the hens. She ended up with 75 turkeys that she sold for 100 a pound. This wasn't an easy job as turkeys are "born to die" making them difficult to raise. The "bad years" of the 30's came along with the drought and the financial collapse of the nation causing a very stringent lifestyle. They managed to stay on the farm and live even though it was difficult to raise feed for the horses and cattle. Cows were herded in the road ditches and thistles were harves- ted for food. The dust storms and grasshoppers cr-e and went leaving little behind but bare ground. The dust that came into the house was a source of constant irritation as you had to hang wet sheets over the windows and beds so one could breathe and live. Cooking was done on a cast iron stove using corn cobs as fuel. Most living was done in the kitchen until propane was available to the farm and they could heat the house with it. They purchased a Servel gas refrigerator in 1938 and it was such a help and joy to have. Nettie washed by hand and used a gan powered washing machine carrying the water over to the wash house. They didn't have running water into the house until 1942 and a bathroom wan built in 1943. Electricity came in 1947 and that was the best thing that happened for farm families. This farm was located along the route where people from the Settlement traveled to Stratton and back. This farm was used as a watering stop for the horses. It seems as if they were always short of water. At first a cistern was dug by the corral to help maintain more water supply butif the wind didn't blow developed osteonyelitis and was very ill until 1945 when he recovered. Virginia was married to Lowell Corliss in November 6, 1949 and on June 6, 1954 Jim married Marlyn Magee. Atthis time Jake and Nettie moved to Burlington, Colorado fulfilling a dre"- of Netties to live in town. She had always wanted to work in a restaurant so she soon found employment in town working until 1960. Jake came out to help with the farm work until his health declined. They were able to spend several winter months each year in Phoenix, Arizona until the middle 1970's when Jake had a heart attack. Jake passed away on April 25, 1976. Nettie has remained in the home and celebrated her 80th birthday on December 21, 198?. She is active in her womens group in church and enjoys her home demonstration club. She fills her time by crocheting and making many craft projects with the Senior Citizens group. She has made many beautiful quilts that she has given to her children. Jake and Nettie were members of Immanuels Lutheran Church north ofBethune until they moved to Burlington at which time they transferred their membership to St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Jake served on the church board of Immanuels serving as secretary and president for many years. He also served on the board of directors of the Stratton Equity Co-op and after moving to Burlington he served on the board of the Equity Co-opera- tive Exchange. by Marlyn Hasart HASART, JIM AND MARLYN Jimmie Lee Hasart was born in his grand- mother Adolfs home north of Bethune. Colorado on November 10, 1929. Jacob Hasart Jr and Nettie Adolf Hasart are his parents. Jim grew up in the farm that was Jim and his sister, Virginia spent their early years helping on the farm and attending Union school where he graduated from the 8th grade. He walked the three miles to school the first year and the next summer his small pony was bought and he rode "Tippy', to school those first several years. Jim was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church by Rev. Woebler. Jim loved the outdoors and spent summers herding the milk cows and bringing in the work horses first thing in the mornings. In the winter he set traps to catch skunks and coyotes. Some days he was late for school and the teacher didn't appreciate the aroma that was on his clothes. He remembers standing on the edge of the stock tank to climb on the horse and his foot broke through the ice filling his boot with water and upon arriving at school his boot was frozen on so he sat bv the stove to thaw the ice. His teacher liked to trade her "store bought" cookies for his homemade ones as he thought her cookies were a special treat. One day while the teacher was ringing the bell he ran by her and the bell came down and struck him on the forehead and he still has the scar. The bovs played games and some times bucked their horses out ofthe barn. Those were rough and tough times. Jim bought his first heifer calf when he was in the 8th grade. Jim stayed at home helping his parents on the farm. They raised cattle and dry land crops of milo, feed for the livestock and corn., The first tractor that he purchased was an M & M tractor on propane. His first car was the 1926 Model T that his grandad Hasart gave him. On June 6, 1954 Jim married Marlvn Vera Magee of Burlington, Colorado. They were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church during a terrible dust storm. Marlyn remembers riding in the car with the doors open so they could determine where the edge of the road was. Some people didn't make it because of the storm. Jim always said that when he got married he'd have a big "blow out" and there was! Marlyn is the last daughter of Clarence (Jack) Magee and Vera Harbison Magee Reeve. She was born in Burlington and grew up and attended school at the Burlington Public School. In 1950 her father died. In 1952 she moved with her mother to Denver or the cattle and horges came in to drink the water was soon gone. This was a constant problem for years. Household needs come last, it seemed. Their first tractor was purchased in 1936 and Jake taught Nettie how to run it so she could help pull the binder and the combine in those years. The winter of 1942 Jake had an infected throat putting him in the hospital for two weeks in Burlington and was sent to Denver. An abscess formed in the throat and this broke as they were waiting to get on the train to go to Denver. They made the trip and bhe Dr. treated him and sent him home. Jake always said he had a barley beard caught in his throat causing the problem. That winter where she lived and worked for her room and board with Dr. and Mrs. Hicks. There she attended and finished her sophmore year at East High school. That summer she went to live with her aunt and Uncle Howard and Evelyn Kite of Auburn, Nebraska attending her Jr. year at Auburn High. She returned to Burlington the summer of 1953 and finished her Sr. year in Burlington. Jim and Marlyn moved on the farm as his parents moved to Burlington. That first year was terribly dry and very little crop was raided. The 1950's were very dry with 1954 being the dryest year on record for this area. Jim baled up thistles and anything else that he could find. They sold some cattle and bought feed and determined that this was a loosing game. Jim fixed up his tractor with a homemade heat houser and went out that bhe snow and cold was bad. The windmill quit and needed fixing so Jim and Marvin Schaal had to haul water from the neighbors in banels with the horses. In the late 30's Jake and Nettie purchased more land and in 1941 they purchased 5 quarters ofland from the Federal Land Bank. Their son Jim became ill in 1943. He had F266 purchased by his grandfather, Jacob Hasart Sr. in 1917. winter to chisel up the fields that were Jim and Marlyn Hasart, June 6, 1954. blowing and finally using a lister to keep the ground from blowing. In 1955 they put in their first irrigation well �,J''' ,,.':t , ,:r. -. ';,L:, :];,irr ,r: il;r.,.,:;; 1fl '.,.. .,,i :,:. .,,. weather. In 1959 we had a terrible blizzards in the spring. It snowed for 3 days and 3 nights. The cattle had drifted south and Jim found dead cattle everywhere. We lost 25 head, mostly cows. They had smothered. We :,:i:,,:,,,&,,7 ),:,, &,i: I ,.., .:ilr:..,:i' ,,.,$,,,1::.. t:.. .:',*:, l: Y , ti:,' ; lost one fourth of our cattle herd. Two more irrigation wells, one in 1961 and the other in 1968 were developed. All the irrigation was done by ditch and siphon tubes those first years. It was a family affair when it was time to change water usually twice a day and sometimes more often. Later Irriga- ::: ''fu;L ;,. $:*:: ti' .:t l::. tion pipe was purchased and now 4 sprinklers have been installed. At first Jim raised cane for silage and milo for grain. Later sugar beets, alfalfa, and corn were raised. Wheat, both dry land and irrigated, corn, alfalfa, cane for silage, and millet for feed are raised now. Jerry and Lester attended school in Stratton and graduated from High School in 1974 and 1976. They joined in the operation of the farm and are full partners in its operation. Jim's father retired from farming in the mid 1960's but continued to come to the farm and help put out a large garden with the help of the boys and Marlyn. Some years it all was destroyed from hail so Jake built screens to cover the plants. The family participated in the Kit Carson County fair when the boys were old enough to join 4-H. Jim and Marlyn were leaders of Country 4-H Club for several years. Jim participated in the Opel Class Crops division while the boys exhibited in the Jr. Gardens The Jim Hasart family, Lester, Jim, Marlyn and Jerold. 1984. and Crops departments. They also had sheep and hog projects. Marlyn was Open Class to raise feed for the cattle. They watered to pay for their groceries. Jim always enjoyed hunting so they enjoyed pheasant and duck some wheat and they sold all they raised for seed for $2.00 a bushel that fall. Jerold Garvin Hasart was born on December 18, 1955 in Burlington. He was beptized to eat when in season. They loved to go fishing and went to Bonny Reservoir when Those first years were spent farming and there was only barren pasture along the shore Iine. On March 30, 1958 Lester Jacob Hasart was born. He was baptized by Pastor Boese coming from a town) selling eggs and crenm at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Living on the farm raising livestock and crops one is always concerned about the at Immanuel Lutheran Church by Pastor A.F. Boese. milking 6 or 7 cows and raising chickens (which was a new experience for Marlyn .P^ ; ':, .:: .iii: .,tr.:flr]..i::iti,:.i '"'l:,-'L'1; ":;' il;,' r, --. "r . 'il: :- | '1' ..rr.. .,.i ,,., I, ii$:. . ir:..1 ,J t' "--,'" Baking champion in 1974. In the early 1970's Marlyn learned how to do oil painting and has been pursuing this hobby since. Jim had always made his toys as a child so he tried his hand at wood carving and has many beautiful carvings of waterfowl, game birds, and characters of people. In 1984 he completed carving a miniture "carousel". Jim does the carving and Marlyn puts the finishing painting on them. Improvements added over the years have been the metal shop and machine building erected in the1960's along with several grain storage bins had new corrals. The windbreak planted in the 60's provides us with excellant protection from winds and shelter for the livestock and wild animals. The new home was built in 1975 replacing the small house that Jim's grandfather had built in 1935. InL977 we had a terrible storm with 90 mile per hour winds which caused dirt to blow as in the fifties. Two weeks later we were victims of the worst blizzard that can be remembered with winds of 100 miles per hour blowing snow so hard that the trees were buried in the windbreak and the couals were filled level with snow and the cattle walked out of corrals on the snow drifts. The boys built fences on top of the drifts to keep that cattle from walking out. In 1981 a devastating hail storm (Solf ball sized and larger hail stones) swept through the farm breaking windows in the house, pickups, and tractors destroying our entire corn crop. The leaves on the trees and bushes were completely stripped from the limbs. It looked like late October because everything died. Some golf ball sized hail fell destroying the shingles and rain gutters around the The Hasart farm and ranch farmstead northeast of Stratton, 1980. house. We found hail stones and debris from the trees in the living, dining and bedrooms on the main floor and the basement had 5 �windows broken with the screens destroyed. Jim and Marlyn were in the process of turning off the irrigation wells when the storm hit and they will never forget the sound of being pounded by those hail stones while creeping home ae visibility was only about as far as a vehicle length. In May of 1982 another hail storm pounded us. The winter of 1983-84 it snowed and snowed with a total snow measurement of over 100 inches falling during that period. In 1976 Marlyn was asked to prepare a program featuring "Pioneer Women" from the county for Church Women United. She presented this progrnm many times. Jim and Marlyn are active members of Immanuel Lutheran Church with Jim serving two terms on the board and Marlyn teaching Sunday School for many years. She is active in the women's group being a delegate to the National ALCW convention in Detroit. Michigan in 1984. Marlyn has been active in the Republican Party and was elected as delegate-atJarge from Colorado to attend the National Republican Convention in Dallas, Texas in 1984. Jim, Marlyn and sons have shared the work of the farm with everyone helping out where needed. Jim, Jerold and Lester are managing and working the farm that has been in the Hasart family since 1917 when Jim's grandfather purchased it. by Marlyn Ilasart HASART, JOHN AND EDITH I.267 John Frederick Hasart was the second son bornto Jacob and Magdelena Hasart, on Dec. 31, 1896, at Idalia, Co. Jacob and Magdelena came from Russia to homestead in 1888. John came from a family of four; three boys and one girl. He attended school at Idalia for three years, then the family moved to Fall River, Ks. in 1903 following the death of his older brother, Tobias. Here John completed the 8th grade. He began working for the neighbors, then in 1915 he went to Sterling, Co. where he worked for his cousin. In 1916, he csme to the Stratton vicinity where he bought his first piece of land through the encouragement of Mr. Evans. This became his home until 1963 when John and his wife Edith retired and moved to Stratton. On March 20,L920, he married Anna Adolf and to this union 2 daughters were born, Leota May and Della Ann. Anna passed away in Sept. 1930. John and Leota made a home together until Leota manied in March of 1938 and his marriage to Edith Powers on April 17, 1938. Della was cared for by her aunt and uncle A.W. and Mary Adolf. He met Edith and married her in 1938 and at that time staded attending the Church of God. Until that time, he was Lutheran. He helped build and finance the new Church building in 1965. He took care of the lawn and shrubs for approximately ten years. He served on the Fire District Board for 18 years. He joined the Coop in 1916 and has been a member for 79 years. (The following as related to Lynn Ware) "He ghared several storiee, all of which I was so interested in. He told me of when Collins bought the lumber yard and built the motel in 1921, the names of his first three school teachers, and about the dirty 30's. He knew of only one living classmate, Anna Flurkie of Idalia. My favorite story was how a man no-ed Fuller traded land for a grocery store. Ed Dischner's dad, Tony, made that trade. John passed away at the Kit Carson County hospital on Aug. 25, 1986 at the age of 89 years. He left his wife Edith of the home, his daughter Della,6 grandchildren, 8 great- grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. The following is a story of his life and times. "In 1919, we had a good corn crop. Corn was a good price but the people held their corn for a better price, corn went down to 21 cents and in 1920 some people burned ear corn all winter and said it was cheaper than coal. I bought the rent share from one one of my neighbors for 21 cents a bushel and then corn went up to a fair price again. Then the dirty 30's cnme. It was so dry you couldn't raise a thing. There was so much dust in the air you had to have a light in the house to see. I had a windmill in Section 21 and I went out to turn the mill on and it wouldn't run, so my brother, Jake, and I went and pulled the pipe and the cylinder was full of mud. There was a drift of dirt in the front of my grainery seven feet high. It took me a half day with a tenm and scraper so I could get the door open. At that time the government came and bought cows, anything that was in good shape they shipped out but what was a little thin, they shot them. They set a day for people to bring the cattle to town. I saw them get up on a truck and shoot them right in the truck. I sold yearling steers and heifers for 2 cents a pound. In those days some people picked cow chips to burn and in 1938 things got better and it was good until 1952 and'53. In 1953 it was so dry we didn't have any grass so I sold all of my cattle but 20 head. I had to stad again. Then people started to put down wells and you all know how it is now. In 1963 I retired, sold my cattle, rented my farm and moved to town. Been here 20 years now and all I do is work a little in the yard and garden, sit in my rocking chair and sometimes think of the past. It was in 1921 the Equity built the gas station across the street and later they sold propane. I bought my first tank in 1947 and the boys that managed it were Bob Collins, on the river. Some of the people on the river said that it rained 18 inches. I had 8 inches at my place and a man and his wife were drowned. Rosser Davis found the man at his place and they never found the woman. Then in 1932-33 and '34 it was so dry nothing would grow and the jack rabbits were so thick they would eat anything that cane up. Then they started the rabbit drives. They made a large pen with a wing on two sides and the people could start several miles away. People came from towns to help sometimes. They had over 1000 rabbits in the pen. Boys with clubs would go in to kill the rabbiLs. The men that had charge of the drive sold the rabbits to anyone that had hogs for 10 cents and also sold them to some fur company. It makes me think of a story. There was an elderly man and his wife, lived on a small farm. They had 1 milk cow and a team of horses and the cow died. The people went and sympathized and he said it could be worse. Then one ofthe horses died, they went again. He said it could be worse. Then his wife died and they sympathized again. The old man said it could have been worse. Someone said, How could it be worse? He said, It could have been me. And that is the way of the past, it could be worse." John loved good quality livestock. He raised registered Hereford cattle and sold breeding bulls for many years. His v5rrk horses were good animals, large and beauti- ful. He worked very hard and established a nice farm north east of Stratton. by John Hasart HASART, LESTER AND DIXIE Lester Jacob Hasart, son of Jim and Marlyn (Magee) Hasart, as born March 30, 1958 at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington, CO. Lester has one Lyle Hooper, Delbert Kordes and Larry Dasenbrock. Larry was there for a long time. In the 20's the Equity built a house for the manager. It is the house that Rev. Bloomer lives in now. In 1930 they sold the house to my dad for $2,800 and in 1943 he sold it to the Church of God. In 1947 I built a new house and sold the little house to Terry Atkins. He sold it to Jack McConnell. Terry built some rooms on it. It is the house Mrs. McConnell lived in. In the early days we had floods. In 1925 there was a cloud burst on Spring Creek and the water was backed up around the railroad bridge. A train from the east went across. The engine, coal car and baggage car got across and the bridge collapsed and two pullman cars went into the water. Several people drowned. One girl from New York. Her mother put up a reward of $500 to anyone who found her. Fred Meyers and the dreyman by the name of Turner found her about 12 miles north. Then in 1935 was the big flood F268 Lester and Dixie Hasart, 1986. �Lester put over 5000 miles on his pickup. A lot of Lester's trapping is done as preditor control as coyotes are very hard on sheep, calves and farm birds. Last year, Lester did preditor control for the Jim Leoffler farm south of Stratton. Coyotes had killed approximately 50 lambs. Lester and Jim took over 45 coyotes offhis property from July'86 to April'8?. When Lester isn't trapping he does maintenance and mechanical work for the farm and with his brother and dad raise cattle, hogs, corn, wheat and feed. We also have cows so in the spring we're kept busy checking on the baby calves. It seems there is always something that should have been done the day before but I guess that is farm life and we love ,",,i$-}:, it. :r..r:... 1986-87 season catch, approximately 180 coyotes, 2 red fox, 4 kit fox, 7 raccoon, and several badgers. brother, Jerald Garvin born Dec. 18, 1956, married Beth Ellen Spelts on April 7, 1984. The Hasart family farm and ranch northeast of Stratton was bought in 1917 by Lester's great grandfather, Jacob Hasart Sr. Lester, his brother and neighbor children enjoyed many Sunday afternoon swims in the family irrigation pond when he was young. Later. Lester's interest turned to motorcycles. He and his friends raced dirt bikes at the blowouts north of Bethune. Lester raced in St. Francis, Kansas and won third place in a wheely contest. He and his brother now use motorcycles to move cattle. Lestpr graduated in 1976 from Stratton High School. After graduation he and his brother farmed and ranched with their father. Lester also worked part-time during silage and corn harvest, and beet harvest for neighbors and friends. Lester is active in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving on sOveral committees. He is also involved in the Republican party, serving as chairman and currently vice-chairman of the First Senatorial District. Active in the Colorado Trappers Association since approximately 1979, he is currently serving a second term on the board of directors for the CTA. In 1984, Lester designed and built a passive solar home, just north of the family farm, which we live in today. In 1986, Lester manied Dixie Gale Wachs, the daughter of Ivan G. and Bonita J. (Ruddell) Wachs. Dixie was born Dec. 18, 1960 at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington. Her sister, Anna Lea was born Jan.27,1963 and she married Craig Quint of Cheyenne Wells on July 29, 1983. Dixie has one brother, John Marlin born March 5. 1970. The Wachs family lived south west of Burlington on a farm owned by Marvin Grusing, farming and ranching for the Grusings from 1958 to 1971, dad then accepted a position working for Kit Carson County. After we had moved to town, Anna Lea and Dixie were thrilled not to have to ride the bus. However, dad informed us differently. Living nert to the fairgrounds we were still in the country, so we rode the bus until 1974 when dad and mom bought the house across the street. Anna, cousin Brenda and Dixie spent meny enjoyable afternoons walking home from echool and stopping on the way at the bakery and checking out the stores. When Dixie was 15 1/2, Anna and our two cousins, Brenda and Doug, all went to work for the Western Motor Inn. I worked there for about 1 Vz years and then at Skelly Truck Stop for 2 years as waitress. After graduation in 1979 from Burlington High School, I went to work for the Burlington Record in the advertising paste-up department. In 1982, Dixie took her faithful companion, Sadie, and moved out on her own. She lived across from the Record office so was able to walk to work and church. Dixie held the offices of Treasurer, Missionary President and Secretary at the Church ofthe Nazarene. She also enjoyed teaching Sunday School for by Les & Dixie Hasart HATFIELD, GORDON LESLIE AND MABELLE GERTRUDE F269 junior and primary classes. She was also Caravan Leader on Friday nights and helped to keep the grass mowed, the church clean, the walks scooped in the winter and pick up the children on Sunday mornings. Dixie is glad now that she had the opportunity to serve her church when needed as the church is a very important part of their lives. In 1985. Dixie moved to a little house on 17th Street and was living there when she met Lester in January of 1986. She was swept off my feet, he even talked her into going dancing for the first time in her life. Lester and Dixie were married on Friday, May 23,1986 at the Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Richard Messer, his wife Elaine, Betty (Boland) Chandler and Kevin Weisshaar were our witnesses. We spent our wedding night in Goodland, Kansas and surprised everyone on Saturday. (Maybe we didn't surprise them as much as we thought). Dixie still works for the Burlington Record but with 20 miles to town, she only works part-time is still secretary for the Church of the Nazarene and Lester and Dixie try to take turns going to their churches. Dixie has learned how to drive a truck for ensilage and corn harvest and in her spare time she enjoys oil painting. Lester and Dixie both enjoy hunting and fishing. In Oct. of 1986, they went elk hunting and Lester got his first elk, a cow, with a muzzleloader. It took a day to pack it back to camp and another back to the road. We also like to hunt antelope and deer and Lester enjoys trapping. From the middle of November to the middle of January, he is gone most every day running his trap line. Mostly he catches coyotes and he tries to skin them as soon as he gets home. On her days off, Dixie fleshes and washes the hides. Then they are stret- ched, dried and taken to the CTA Fur Auction. There is a lot of work involved and also a lot of miles covered. This past season Leslie and Mabelle Hatfield Gordon Leslie Hatfield and Mabelle Gertrude Hatfield moved to Stratton, Kit Carson County, Colorado, from Fowler, Meade County, Kansas. A strong desire for a "place of our own" had sent them West searching for just the right place. I do not know why my parents chose Kit Carson County to fulfill their drearns, but I do remember waiting in the car while they looked at many places from Flagler to Burlington. Exhausted and discouraged after looking for days at every place the real estate agent had to offer and finding nothing, we were ready to start back to Kansas. It was evening and the real estat€ man had just one more place for us to look at and it was on the way, no problem, just two miles East of Stratton on Hiway 24 on the South side of the road. We drove into the yard and looked around. Dad got out ofthe car and walked out to the granery, crme back and leaned in the caf window to talk to Mom. I can still hear him say, "Mom, if the house will do for you, this is it". And that was it, we moved that fall, October, 1944. It was a good time, a time of growing and changing. As wheat farmen', crops were good. It wasn't long before the folks expanded buying more land as well as business build- ings in town, owning at different times the theatre building, the drug store building, the grocery store building and the dry goods building. They even operated the dry goods �store for awhile. It was during World War II and I remember it was very hard to buy items such as sheets, towels, overalls and nylon hose. It wasn't long before they realized a store wasn't for them and it was then sold to Waldrons. Many changes were taking place during this time. The school district consolidated and school buses beco-e a part of our community. The fire district was also formed and I remember Dad working long and hard for a fire truck to service the country people as weU as the city folk. He worked especially hard for this aft€r he was burning weeds in the ditch and the fire got away from him and burnt the neighbors feed stack. Then we got a telephone. What a thrill for a teenager to have a phone. Dad served on the Equity Board and Mom worked at her Home Demonstration Club. They were strong workers in the Evangelical United Brethern Church and served their community at every opportunity. Eight children were born to Leslie and Mabelle Hatfield; Geneva, Howard, Harry, Fontella, Marvin, Melvin (Leslie Kenneth, who died in infancy) and Joy. Gordon Leslie passed from this life December 25, 1970, and Mabelle Gertrude died November 25, 1981. As I said before, I do not know why my parents chose Stratton, Colorado to make their home, but I am glad they tid. Faith in God, the love of the land, the lriends of a rural community and the values ;aught me . there could be no better .nheritance. by Joy Blancken HAUGHEY, JOSHUA ALLEN F270 Joshua Allen Haughey was one of the six :hildren of Stephen G. Haughey, and descenled from Thomas Haughey who migrated iom Ireland in L725, whose line of descent vas Thomas Haughey, John Haughey, lhomas Haughey, Barnett Haughey, John {aughey, and Stephen, Joshua's father. loshua was born at Winterset, on April 17, .863, and married Margaret Hooton in \urora, Nebr. They had one child, William \llen, born in Omaha, Nebr., on Nov. 11, 905. Mr. Haughey's formal education ceased n the 6th grade, but he persisted, and learned urveying and trigonometry, later surveying he town of Burlington, in the "Dirty Thir- ies", conforming it to the original Rock sland survey. His conversiou of the Monezuma Hotel from a 50 foot square 2 story ize to the present structure was his major rroject. In Omaha, he headed 150 carpenters n the Omaha Central High School, the ugest building under one roof in the world t that time, and etill in service today. While rorking there, he felled a 100'brick chimney, llling it on a predetermined spot in a ongested area after several "professionals" ad failed. He also raised a 6 story 100'X 100' uilding 8 inches and formed a new foundaion under it, after it had settled due to the lose proximity of the Missouri River. He built the Anderson (Coast to Coast), {idway (lengthened twice), the north addi.on to the High school, (now demolished), Penny (Vance Decor.), Haughey Shop (Hoskin) buildings, and many of the homes in the area, two ofwhich are at 1692 and 1820 Senter Street., and drew up specifications for many "They just nailed those blocks on too Damn tight." by William Ifaughey others. One interesting sidelight of his career was the Haughey's homestead area near Keota, Colo., where they lived in 1916, in a 14'X 16" home, for a few months, with rabbits, antelope and rattlesnakes, and where Mr. Haughey refused to return the second year, which HAUGHEY,'W. A. AND RUTH I. F27r ended that episode. During the Montezuma construction he installed a gasoline powered electric plant in the basement, and before the exhaust was connected, he started the engine to test the plant. Feeling woozy, he climbed the stairs and started to walk across the street. when some of the town loafers spotted him and remarked, "Look, there goes old man Haughey, drunk as a Lord!" This happened long before the danger of gas engine exhaust was known. Other areas of the county where he oper- ated included the construction of the west half of the Cope School, which he built around 1922. He also built the brick church north of Bethune, built around 1926, and several homes in the country, including the Buettel home southeast of Burlington, and one on the Louis Hann farm, now owned by the Schaal family, northwest of Burlington. Mr. Haughey also acted as Architect's Superintendent for two large building projects for Krein & Krein Architects of Kansas City, Mo. The first one was in Beatrice, Nebr., where a large Junior High School was built, plus two grade school buildings and remodeling of several others in L924. After his return to Burlington, he was again called by them to Lexington, Mo. where Bussboom Brothers were in charge ofanother large school project, with another Junior High project, plus remodeling and enlarging four other area schools. Mr. Haughey also developed and patented a glass cutting board and rule, which used the parallel ruler principle enabling much more accurate cutting, because of which he was able to sell many boards and rules to companies who did very close and accurate work with glass, for the geared rules were not capable of such fine work. Although he was then 84 years old, with the help of Oscar Olson, he built cabinets for the J.V. Brown house and worked on installing them the day before his death. On Sunday, April 6, 1947, Mr. Haughey, following his life long custom attended services at the Christian Church, now the Masonic Temple building. During the services, while the congregation was singing the hymn, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord", he was stricken by a fatal heart attack and passed away in the church, a glorious end to his lifelong dedication to the church. During his years of activity in Burlington, he trained many young men as carpenters and builders, instilling in them his pride in workmanship and accomplished craftmanship, giving them by example the foundation for a worthwhile life. In the many years of working with Mr. Haughey, Bill says that he heard a single swear word from his Dad, when someone nailed on furring blocks too tight on concrete forms. After several had pulled out previously, one particular board ripped out five of the blocks, and Mr. Haughey said, Both Bill and Ruth were born in Nebraska, Bill at Omaha on November 11, 1905, and Ruth at rural Plymouth, on May 1, 1906, but it took about 30 years for them to meet. Ruth attended a small country school near Plymouth, and later high school and graduated as a registered nurse in 1931. Bill went through grade school in Omaha, Nebraska and through High School in Burlington, plus one year at C.U. and learned cabinet making, plumbing, sheet metal work, gunsmithing, and precision machine shop work. They met through mutual acquaintances and were married in 1936 and began house' keeping at 1670 Senter Street for one month, moving to their present location at 192 L4th Street in July of 1936, where they still reside. Carol Haughey arrived in 1937 and James was born in 1939. There are many memories of that period of their lives, much centering on the "Trolley", where most of the neighbor- hood children spent hours riding, without many serious injuries. After high school both attended college, Carol at C.W.C. and Jim at C.U. Carol is now Mrs. Ken Taylor, of 5280 W. Plymouth Drive, Littleton, Colorado and has four children, Carrie, Curt, Paul and Mike. Jim is Dr. Jemes Haughey, General Practitioner in Los Angeles, California. Bill and Ruth have engaged in many activities in Burlington, beginning with Bill's appointment as a Postal Clerk in 1930, with Bob Wilkinson as Postmaster. Years later Bill was appointed Assistant Postmaster under Mike Vogt, and later transferred to Rural Carrier on the northwest route from Burlington. Bill retired in 1970. Bill was active in Company I of the Colorado National Guard for many years, attending samp each year at Golden, and earning a spot in the Colorado National Guard Qamp Perry rifle team in 1931 and placing in the Chief of the Militia Bureau Rifle Matches several years. During his membership he also acted as Instructor on Rifle Marksmanship, first aid, musketry, and served as Company Clerk and Supply Sergeant, and has used much of this training in outside activities over the years. After retiring from the Postal Service in 1970, Bill says that is when he got busy! During the war, he felt that his skills were needed more in instrument making, and worked a short time at Hathaway Instru- ments in Denver, during which time he made parts for the recording oscilloscope which recorded the first atomic bomb blast at Los Alamos around 1940. He also has been a member of the Burlington Masonic Lodge No. 77 for 58 years, serving as Worshipful Master in 1937, as District Lecturer from 1959 to 1970, and as Secretary from 1983 to date. Shortly after High School, Bill was interested in music, tenming with Claude Smith and Carol Fundingsland in a small Jazz band which played in the Walters "Sheep Shed" northwest of town, and many other locations �in the area plus the Burlington Town Band, and engaged in the mass band concerts in the District Mass Band Meetings. awhile. approximately 30 years in Goodland and Burlington, some of it being part time, and has been a member of the local P.E.O. and East€rn Star organizations for many years. Outside activities for the Haugheys include nembership in the United Methodist Church, gardening, restoring and refinishing antique furniture, and creating new furni- Carson County. We then moved to Bur- Ruth worked as a registered nurge for ture. by Bill Haughey After returning to Vona, and building our house there, we lived here a year, and then my husband was elected County Judge of Kit lington, and lived there for eight years. Then we returned to our homestead to live. We had five sons and one daughter. I enjoy recounting the experiences of the early days in this country; I shall always appreciate the friendships made and the neighborly folks who were willing to share in our joys and sorrows. We have seen the town of Vona grow from a railroad well and section house to the substantial little place it is today, and we rejoice to know that we did our bit towards the development of this new HAYNES FAMILY I.272 I was born in Clay County, Kansas on Sept. 21, 1864. I spent my youth in Kansas with my parents, then was married to Elmer H. Haynes in 1887, and came to Colorado with my husband and baby son in 1887. My husband had come out eight months before and taken the homest€ad which is part of the Haynes Addition to the town of Vona, Colo. On this homest€ad site he built a dugout and we lived there for a few weeks, then we bought a frame building which was originally a saloon, and moved it to our location, and lived there for seven years until we proved up. My husband was a contractor, and helped to build three miles of the railroad; his business was what caused us to come to Colorado. He followed this work for about fifteen years, and we lived in different places during that time, but always keeping our homest€ad. Finally we returned to Vona, and built the frame house we lived in. When we first came west the little station at Vona had just been built and the place named "Vona" after a daughter of one of our pioneer printers, Fred King, living at Burlington. The railroad had dug a well here, and this is where we got our water, water was hauled from this well by people who were living on homesteads ten or fifteen miles away. I shall always remember how very frightened I was in this new place, so many strangers around, and so many tramps going acrose country and following the railroad. My husband was away so much of the time he gave me a revolver with the caution to always keep it handy, and never open the door at night. One night a knock cnme to our door, and I did not open it but called out "Who'g there?" A gruff voice answered "Open the door, I'm about to freeze." I did not open the door but told him to go to the section house where he would find ehelt€r. Next day I learned it was just another tramp. While returning to Vona from Burlington one day the conductor on the freight train told me the day before he saw a woman running towards the train and waving to the crew, and a man running after her. So the conductor stopped the train, and when the woman came up they learned that the man was a trnmp who had broken into her house, she had gotten away from him and seeing the train, had run towards it for protection. The crew chased the tr4mp over the prairie for some distance but he ran to Burlington and got away, but had the crew caught him they would have given him something to think about for country. Dated Jan. 24,L934. by Mary Belle Kiser llaynee HAZEN. JONES FAMILY I.273 The Jones family came to this area from Kentucky in 1907, along with the McCon- to them in the lemplight. She earned many pennies, nickels, and dimes showing her precocity. One of eight children in the farnily, Della had memorized most of lhs alynans6s by listening to her older brothers and sisters reading aloud from them. The children had found the almanacs left behind by former tenants when the Gnmbles moved from Missouri to Iowa in March, 1874. Della Ganble is now Della Hendricks. She celebrated her 101st birthday last December 7th. She must wear glasses and use a large magnifying glass, but she is still an avid reader. Living at Grace Manor in Burlington, Kit Carson County, Colorado, Mrs. Hendricks has two sons and their families nearby. Although her mind betrays her now and then, she recalls most of her life very clearly. In 1878, the Gambles moved from Iowa to a farm in Harrison County, Missouri, a short distance from where Della had been born. Being close to a school, Della began to attend school in 1879 and quickly learned to read this time not by memorizing what she heard others read. The school was interrupted in 1881 by a fire and classes had to be held in a one-room shack, but Della was always one of the few pupils present. The school was at what was Dolton, Missouri, and Della laughs now as she t€lls about the school's rule regarding whispering. nells, Hughes and Henry Wilsons. They all homesteaded southwest of Stratton. They were all related the Jones being cousins to the McConnells. Ethel Jonee attended the Boden School. Ethel said she often walked that four miles when it was stormy, cold and windy. Ethel married Truman Hazen who came here to homestead in 1906. Their place was three miles east of her parent's home. It has been said that Ethel would get in the car, take a Those who whispered three times got a "whuppin". "One day, I went to the outdoor dinner for the farm workers. They were a real delicacy. In the beginning all of the buildings on Truman's homestead were made of sod. Later some frame buildings were built. In the engaged to. Gossip caused mothers to take their daughters out of the school, but Mrs. rifle and go out hunting young jacks for later years they sold out and retired and moved to a home in Stratton. Truman passed on and is buried in the Stratton Cemetery, and Ethel lived several years alone. She now has passed on and is buried beside her husband. by Florence McConnell HENDRICKS FAMILY F274 Della Hendricks "Would you like to hear me read?" "Read? You? Why, I'll give you a dime if you can show me that you can read." Four year old Della Ga-ble reached for the almanac on the oak table, opened it, and read aloud in her little high voice. The year was 1875. The place was the living room of the home of John R. and Bliza J. Hughes Gamble. Locatedtwoand ahalf miles east of Garden Grove, Iowa, the Gnmble two privy," Della says, "and I saw two boys playing marbles. The boys'parents thought they were in school and the teacher thought they were at home. I'd already been caught whispering twice, but I whispered again when I got back in the school room. The teacher let me off, however, and I didn't get a 'whuppin'." At one time during Della's school years, the teacher suddenly married the girl he'd been Gamble decided the school was not involved, and Della remained in class, the only girl left. The parents of the teacher had a niece come to stay with them and go to school so Della would have company. Telling about her school days, Della says, "A little later, we had a teacher who could teach me high school subjects. Then I went to Grand River College in Edinburg, Missouri. The college had an academic department where I could take Latin, physics, and other subjects. I passed high school examinations while carrying my college work. I studied all the time and graduated in 1891 (at the age of nineteen after only 12 years of formal education). H.W. Owens was the college President." While attending Grand River College, a coeducational institution where strict rules were enforced relating to boy and girls and their relationships, Della and a boy were late getting to class. Although, according to regulations, the boy should have stayed a few feet behind Della, neither he nor she would stop in their haste to get into the building and to class. Out of several windows schoolnates called warnings that both of them would be disciplined. Della and the boy pushed through the doorway together and somehow Immigrants trekking westward were often both avoided punishment. Della says, "I guess I was just lucky." Gamble home, and the travel weary lodgers by M. Hendricks story house was on the Mormon Trail. provided with overnight shelter at the were delighted to have darkhaird Della'read' �HENDRICKS FAMILY F276 Della llendricks Grand River College was an exceptional school ofhigher learning. Opened in 1850 and chartered in 1851, the college offered instruc- were at Seibert, in the eastern Colorado county of Kit Carson. Della and Dick decided to join them and in March, 1908, they and their small children moved via boxcar, settling on a homest€ad three and a half miles south of Seibert. While Dick worked at getting the homestead on a self-sustaining basis, Della found employment as a clerk in the A.V. Jesse students. At the time, Della Gamble graduated from Grand River College, she was asked to teach at Stevens School. The honor of being asked to teach at a certain school did not come to Department Store in Seibert. She had to take young Samuel with her and keep an eye on him while waiting on customers. The store's long hours often required Della to be on the road in her buggy before the sun was up and after the sun was down. In summer there was the added danger ofrattlesnakes on the road. For protection Della carried a .25-30 rifle in her buggy and knew how to use it. With her two older children going to school in Seibert by means of a buggy and an old horse na-ed "Hop", and having to drive another rig back and forth to her own work, Della realized it would be much better to live in town. In the fall of 1910 the family moved into a house in Seibert. but retained the every graduate. Stevens School was also homestead. tion to women on an equal footing with men at the exceedingly early date of its opening. One woman was included on the first faculty of the school. It was eventually absorbed by the William Jewell College at Liberty, Clay County, Missouri. A grade school now stands on the original Grand River college site. An appropriate marker telling of the College is on the school grounds as the result of efforts by Della and a few of the other former referred to as the Rock Island Schoolhouse. Della taught this ungraded school for the by Mary Hendricks 1891-1892 term; then taught a spring term and the following winter, 1892-1893, at a school north of her home and nine miles south of Mt. Moriah, Missouri. It, too, was HENDRICKS FAMILY F276 ungraded. Continuing her teaching career, Della taught her 3rd and 4th term at Springer, Missouri; her fifth term at the Knightstown school, four miles from her home. Both of these schools were ungraded. She then taught at Ward 9 school, out of Bethany, Missouri, and it was while she taWht at Ward 9 that state grading began. Della remained at Ward 9 for six years. During this time, she had a five room house built at Gilman City, about 16 miles from Bethany. She taught the first school Gilman City had. While preparing to teach at one of these rural schools, where she had to find room and board, Della had a cousin from the district ask her to tutor her son in return for board and room. Della says, "The man realized his son was mentally retarded as he was unable to keep up with the other children his age, and the child needed additional help. I accepted the offer. When I went to the boy's home and was introduced to the youngster, I ssid, 'I've come to teach you'. The boy answered, 'I knowed it.' I corrected him immediatelywith,'No, you knew it.'The next morning the child's mother looked out of the kitchen window at newly fallen snow and said to me,'It snew last night."' Between regular school terms Della attend- ed sessions of Teachers' Institute, one of which was held at Trenton, Missouri. These Institut€s gave the teacher information on updated teaching methods, new books and materials, and helped them improve their teaching credentials. At Gilman City, Della met Norman Miles "Dick" Hendricks, a veterinarian. She and Dick were married on Valentine's Day, 1901, at Gilman City. Three children were born of this mariage: Williem, in June, 1903; Elaine, in March, 1905; and Samuel, in December, 1906. By this time, Colorado was drawing many settlers from 'back East'. Among them were a number by the name of Hendricks, all from Missouri. Five of Dick's uncles and auntg Della llendricks earned as a teacher. Books, such as geographies, were liberally illustrated and were printed in language the child could easily understand. There were no libraries in the schools, and the students had to provide their own books and other supplies, such as slates. Slates were often received as Christmas presents and the children were always proud of them. ln Colorado, certificates for teaching were issued according to the amount of education a prospective teacher had and the grades achieved in school. A third Grade Certificate was issued if a person completed eight years of school, was 18 years old, and had an average grade of 75. This certificate was good for one year of teaching. A 2nd grade Certificate was issued upon completion of 12 years of schooling plus special instruction at a "Teachers' NORMAL', held a various points in the state. lst Grade Certificates, good for three years of teaching, were not given until a teacher had at least 9 months of teaching experience and then took an exsrnination to qualifY. According to records from the office of the County Superintendent of Schools, Kit Carson County, Della Hendricks received a lst Grade Certificate in 1915. Della taught First, Second, and Third grades at School District No. 37 in Seibert, for two terms, 1915-1916, and 1916-1917. One of Della's pupils at this time was the son of Mrs. V. Morrison, owner and editor of The Seibert Settler newspaper. During the summer of 1917, when the neighboring town of Burlington was looking for a good teacher However, Della's love for teaching reasserted itselfand, after Sam started to school, she was again teaching in country schools near of Seibert's Seibert. She bought a car - onealong first her way and picked up children for a school 4 miles east of Burlington, - Other children came to school on to school. District No. 34, Mrs. Morrison unhesitatingly recommended Mrs. Hendricks. Della was hired immediately and that fall she and her children moved to Burlington. The homestead had been sold but the house in Seibert horseback. was kept. Telling of those days, Della says, "A big dust storm came up one day. The children's horses were tied outside the barn in which I kept my car. I thought the car could stand the dust better than the horses, so I put the car on the protected north side of the school and we got the horses tied down in the barn. Mine was an open car, as most carg were then, and I had to spend an hour getting the dust out before I could drive home that afternoon. We had dust storms and terrible blizzards, but kept our schools open if we possibly could." Teachers had a lot of bookwork to do, including keeping attendance records. They also often provided crayons, chalk, and other supplies out of their meager wages for those children whose parents were unable to afford them. Teachers in rural schools were their own janitors and had to chop wood for kindling to start the fires in the coal stoves in the schools. They had to bring in the coal from a coal pile nearby, and if they wished, "banked" the fire in the stove for the next morning. Many of the early schools were "soddies" with dirt floors; later, wooden planks were used for flooring. Desks and other pieces of furniture were of the simplest design and manufacture. The fathers of the children built the furniture when they didn't have the money to buy it. The teacher, if from outside the area of the school in which she taught, had to find room and boardwith some family near the school, usually one of the School Board members. Payment for room and board was also from the small wages Before moving, however, Della took the first group of 4-H Club girls to the County Fair in Burlington. Her work with youth was not limited to school hours. by Mary Hendricks HENDRICKS FAMILY F.277 Della Hendricks Della's daughter, Elaine, joined the 4-H Club in 1917. She and another Burlington girl, Bertha Boger (now Mrs. Bertha Wear), took part in a canning club during the summer of 1922. With Della's help, they entered into a 4-H Club canning competition. In August of that year, the girls entered competition as a team at the State Fair at Pueblo, Colorado, and won. They were the only entries in the Regional Competition and automatically won that. Going into the National Competition, held at Chicago in December. Elaine and Bertha won second place. With the two first place winners, the two Colorado girls were awarded a trip to France, where they demonstrated to women in war devastated areas how to can their home grown produce and fowl. Both girls felt they owed much of their success in the competitions to the help and encouragement �they'd received from Della. With her interest in school, it was natural for Della to consider the office of County Superintendent of Schools. Running for the office during the fall of 1922, she won the election in November and won reelection two HENDRICKS FAMILY r.278 Della Hendricks years later. While performing the duties of her office, Della was instrumental in starting many young people on a teaching career, among them being her own son, Sam. Another, now Mrs. Blanche Lipfored Carper of Flagler, Colorado, says, "Mrs. Hendricks was always interested in getting young people to teach. She would give teachers whatever breaks it was possible for her to give." A pupil during Della's terms as County Superintendent, now Mrs. Marie Fisk Smith of Flagler, remembers that she "was always scared when Mrs. Hendricks came to visit the school. She was so dignified and all business. No nonsense was accepted in Della's schools, particularly those in which she taught. Children went to school to learn, and learn they did." Della made it a point to visit each school in the County at least once during each school term. In visiting School District No. 10 in the southwest part ofthe county, she recalls she "drove ten miles over hills and plains where the horizon seemed to retreat farther and farther under an immense sky before I saw a habitation of any kind. In fact, I saw only the schoolhouse and wondered where the children lived." State Teachers Normal Institutes, which had begun in 1904, came to an end during f925. The state was divided into 13 Normal districts, Kit Carson, Lincoln, and Cheyenne Counties making up District No. 6. Each county seat held the Institute in turn. The last Institut€, in Burlington in 1925, had an enrollment of t25, the largest attendance on record. Della conducted this last Institute. State laws regarding teacher training had been changed, thus eliminating the Institutes. The money on hand in District No. 6 was used to purchase books for a county school library which was placed in the office of the County Superintendent. The books were checked out to teachers, filling a school need at that time. The winter of 1926 was a sad time for Della. Although she was happy with the birth of her 2nd grandchild in October, she lost her bid for reelection in November. In December, her daughter, Elaine, died of complications following the birth of her first child, a daughter; Della's first grandchild. Della returned to teaching District No. 34 for the term of 1927-1928. In July of 1928 the winner ofthe 1926 election resigned and the County Commissioners asked Della to serve out the rest of the term. On October 31, 1928, Della Hendricks wag awarded a State Teacher's Honorary Life Certificate, which states: "This is to certify that Della Hendricks, having shown superior ability as an educator in the State of Colorado by distinguished success as attested by satisfactory testimo- nials. has been awarded this Certificate which confers authority to teach in any Public School in this State." The certificate was issued by the Department of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, sigrred by State Superintendent Katherine L. Craig. by M. Hendricks In November, Della was elected again, and, two years later, reelected. In trying to be of assistance to the county's teachers, she began issuing a regular bulletin each month. In her December bulletin, she urged the organization of music classes in the schools, an innovation much to the liking of teachers, pupils and parents. Again visiting the schools in the county, Della went to visit a school district in the northeast part of the county, a district which in 1928 was conducting its second term of school. Della had heard ofthe school and had frequently inquired about roads leading to the school but had been unable to get any directions. She finally decided to take her time and hunt for the school house. After leaving the graveled roads and following a trail which, she said, "might have been made by the ancient aborigines", she came upon a modest little school, attractively built and well equipped. She found the teacher and students engaged in industrious work and the school, as a whole, spoke ofgood results being obtained. Mrs. Hendricks made a lengthy call at the school as it was their first visit by a County Superintendent. Then she went to the County Commissioners and asked for a better road into Peaceful Valley, the site of the school. While on her county crossing trips, Della had become fascinated with the history of the area and the many kinds of wild flowers found on the open prairies. Having started accumulating material on both the history and the flowers during her first years as County Superintendent, she now continued these activities. Roads had improved and she found it easier to hunt out Indian artifacts and historical markers. and locate the few remaining residents who had helped settle the county. She added to her own writings which she'd started in L922 and went on with her scrapbooks, ofwhich she had literally dozens. Obituaries of the county's earliest settlers were of great help and constitute a history in themselves. She had also gathered impressive amounts of data on the wild flowers of the country side. At the end of her second four year term as County Superintendent of the Kit Carson County schools, Della again returned to teaching, this time at District No. 71 in the Flagler area. Here she taught during the school terms of 1932-1933 and 1933-1934. staying at the Ollis James farm home during the school months. In the fall of 1934, Della went back to District No. 34 and taught at this rural school just out of Burlington for four years. Evenings were devoted to the work required of her as a teacher, but weekends and vacations were spent in searching out "ghost" towns long forgotten by most of the people. She spent many hours typing up pages for her files and her scrapbooks. Becoming known for her insistence on facts, Della was called upon by historical societies and publishers of historical periodicals to verify writings of others or to supply information. Students of the pioneer West came to regard her as an authority. In the realm of wild flowers, Della familiarized herselfthrough long and careful research with most of the native species so she could recognize them on sight. She was a true pioneer of this work in her part of Colorado. She also readily knew on sight the differences between edible and poisonous mushrooms found on the virgin prairie land. Della's interest in flowers extended into her own garden. She held a lifetime membership in the Burlington Garden Club and was a staunch promoter of conservation long before the word began to receive national notice. At one time her garden contained a collection of 140 different varieties of iris plants, many of which cnme to her as gifts. by M. Hendricks HENDRICKS FAMILY F27S Della l{endricks Della's long years of teaching appeared to come to an end with the 1938-1939 school term which she taught at District No. 21 out of Burlington. She had seen schools develop from one room "soddies" to one or two room frame buildings, then to gradual consolidation of districts and larger school buildings. Instead of one teacher for a group of children of varying ages and grades all in one room, there were now separate rooms for each grade and a teacher for each grade. Few children depended on a horse to get to school consolidation had brought busing of the children to the larger schools. Teachers were required to have more and more years of education before receiving credentials for teaching. But Della did not retire. In addition to all her other activities, she had been active in Red Cross work for many years. She became County Chairman in L942. Also in 1942, Della was appointed Stat€ Chairman of Consewation of the Colorado Federation of Garden Clubs. She received official notice of the appointment in a letter from the State President who said, "We won't take 'no' for an answer." Telling about the appointment, a local newspaper said, "We doubt if the Federation could find a more able head for this important department. Mrs. Hendricks is a keen student of nature and an authority on Eastern Colorado wild flowers and is interested in conservation of all wild life. The Burlington Garden Club is honored to have one of its members thus recognized. According to Della's own personal notes, she was employed to open school at 1st Central District No. 29 and to teach until the school board could get a teacher. She taught grades 9 through 12 and acted as principal. Interestingly, Della's first grandchild, Jac- quelyn Hendricks (Snm's daughter), was teaching grades 1 through 4 at this school at this ssyne time. Della wrote in her notes. "f taught 9 weeks my last teaching." She was 74 years old. - During the years of World War II, Della grew her'victory garden'and continued with Red Cross work. The funds of the Red Cross would go only so far and Della refused to turn �down a call of distress. She often used her own money to help a stranded service man or extend aid to the traveling family of a serviceman. In 1946. Della received a letter of commendation from the Colorado Gover- nor, John C. Vivian, and a citation for "meritorious personal service performed in behalf of the nation, her armed forces, and suffering humanity in the Second World War", signed by Harry S. Truman, President of the United States, and Basil O'Connor, National Chairman of the American Red Cross. The mounting number of candles on her birthday cakes did not deter Della Hendricks. She continued her research of Eastern Colorado history and other activities. In 1952, she received a gift from Ed C. Johnson, the United States Senator from Colorado, for the Burlington Library and also a gift for the auction which was to be held for the benefit of the new Burlington Library building. These gifts were being assembled by a group known as Friends of the Library, of which Mrs. Hendricks was a member. She also remained active in the Garden Club and the Inter SeSe Sorority. Many nights she would fall asleep while typing her notes or articles relating to historical events or personalities of Eastern Colorado. Her interest in this never slackened. Sponsored by the Burlington Library Board, an Open House was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sem Hendricks on December 7, 1961, in honor of Della's 90th birthday. During the afternoon, between 65 and 70 friends came to greet her and many friends and relatives, unable to attend, sent cards or called on her later. The next spring found her with spade and rake in hand, planting her garden as usual. Throughout the years, Della's husband, Dick. had carried on his work as a veterinarian and had spent most of his later years on one of the family's farms. However, he and Della were living in a small house in Burlington in January of 1965 when Dick suffered a massive stroke and died a few days later. Following the death of her husband, Della went to live at the home of her son, Snm. She had her own telephone, desk and typewriter, and spent her time reading, typing, talking to old friends, and carrying on her extensive correspondence. She was still receiving and answering queries about persons, places and events of Eastern Colorado such as frontiersman Kit Carson; William H. Bleakley, the first aviator in Burlington, who in 1915 was instrumental in forming the National Guard in Kit Carson County; the Battle of Beecher Island; early political figures; and the sit€s of historical markers. Later in October of 1968, at dinner time one evening, Della fell. Although not serioue- Congressman Frank E. Evans. She also received many gifts, flowers and telephone calls from people unable to attend the reception. Della's son, Sam, taught for several years and later entered the U.S. Postal Service from which he retired in 1969. Her son. William, became a mortician, owning and conducting the Burlington Mortuary and Ambulance Service. He is now semi-retired. the business being carried on mainly by his oldest son. Besides the two sons, Della has 8 grandchildren,25 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Today Della Hendricks, 101 years of age, maintains her interest in local and world affairs. Ifshe were to walk into a schoolroom today, with all the changes that have taken place she would still be a schoolmarm, one of the very best. Della died at Grace Manor on July 22,L973 at the age of 101 years, 7 months and 15 days. by M. Hendricks HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY F280 In the latter years ofthe 19th century and the early years ofthe 20th century, there were Great Uncles and Great Aunts of Bill Hendricks that migrated from Missouri to what is now known as Kit Carson County. Some data about these individuals follow. A.F. Hendricks was the first Dry Goods Merchant in Burlington, the old building that housed the store was eventually razed by Doren Knapp. This edifice was probably in the vicinity of the present day Equitable Savings and Loan. A.F. Hendricks moved to Denver in 1890. Abrahsm, commonly known as Abe, was one of the committee who journeyed to Denver to establish Kit Carson County of Eastern Colorado. He moved to Denver and later to Kansas City, MO. Oliver and his wife, Tammy moved to Seibert, CO. and built the first hotel in that community. Oliver planted a grove of trees north of Seibert which became a popular spot for picnics. In 1888, he sold the hotel to his sister and her husband, Kate and Lee Hutchens who had also migrated from Missouri to Seibert. They continued the operation of the hotel for many years and they also farmed. Two brothers, George and Bert operated the first land business in Seibert. Later, both moved to Denver. Two sisters, Harriet Brown and Alice Carter and their husbands lived on homesteads S.E. of Seibert. As previously mentioned, several Hendricks families had migrated from Missouri to the area of Kit Carson County. In March of 1908, Dick and Della Hendricks, parents of Bill Hendricks, had decided to join their kin and moved via box car, settling on a homestead 372 miles south of Seibert. While Dick worked on the homestead Della found employment in Seibert as a clerk in a department store. She took her son Sam who was a mere toddler with her. Two buggies were making the trip to town drawn by her, the other by her young -sonone Bill with his sister Elaine who attended school in town. So Della realized it would be much better for them to live in town. In the fall of 1910 the family moved into a house in Seibert but they retained the homestead. By profession, Della was a school teacher. After Sam started to school she taught in schools near Seibert. Eventually she bought a car one of Seibert's first. It was a 1916 Model- T. William R. Hendricks (Bill) of Burlington, CO has resided in Kit Carson county for approximately eighty years. Following are episodes relating to those years and also some historical events that involved him. Bill had a vivid memory of his childhood and adolescent years. To this day he will not eat rabbit regardless ofhow it is prepared. It seems that rabbit was a prime source of food : -::tr:.- {ll *' '.1i.. ly injured, she had to be hospitalized for about two months. Upon her release from the hospital, Della went to Grace Manor, a nursing home in Burlington, where she has continued to reside. On December 7,197L, Della celebrated her 100th birthday. A reception was given in her honor at Grace Manor by her two eons and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. Sa- Hendricks and Mr. and Mre. William Hendricks. Approximately 150 relatives and friends attended. She received nearly 150 cards, a personal letter from President Richard M. Nixon and a congratulatory greeting from Colorado George and Bert Hendricks. First land office in Seibert, Colorado, 1890's. ff t4 ...,1;;,i.,.,:l1:r.r.,i:ill �when living on the homestead south of Seibert. He remembers going to school in Seibert he and his sistcr Elaine - via an old buggy and the old horse "Hop". Bill was only five years at this time when he had the responsibility of driving the rig 3% miles back and forth to school. He was seven years old when the family moved to town. From the stories he tells, one concludes that he was quite an ingenious young lad. By connivance won't tell you - heAlthough they he acquired two oxen. how were -approximately the same height, they did not match, one was full bodied and had a smooth hide; the other was scrawny and scraggly. With the help of a local blacksmith, Bill made a yoke to fit the oxen. He would hitch the oxen to any old wagon, sled or buggy that he could gain possession of and using a rope for reins he would drive those "critters" all around town and the surrounding areas. He could leave the oxen at a halt, enter a store or go wherever he wanted to; however, regardless of how long he was gone, the oxen would still be standing wherever he had left them. by Mary Hendricks HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY individual owners. For this chore, Bill was paid a dollar a month for each "town cow". One summer while still living in Seibert, Bill went to his Aunt Kate's to help with putting up hay. She had a number of hired hands working for her. Among them was this "mean man" - this is what young Bill called him. Other workers, including young Bill, teased this so called "mean man". One day he beceme very irate with young Bill and took after him with a pitch fork. Instead of running away from him in an open space, he ran into the barn and was trapped against a stall. The pitch fork aimed directly at Bill was getting very close; however, quite suddenly this so called "mean man" was grabbed around the neck with such force and strength that the pitch fork fell to the ground. The man's name who saved Bill's life was Claude Huges. Following this incident there was much commotion for a while. Soon Aunt Katc had this culprit running down the road. Years later when operating Hendricks Ambulance Service. Bill remained somewhat intimidated by the mentally deranged. He could perform his duties with compassion, concern, and professional efficiency; however, arriving in the corridors of a mental hospital and a door was unlocked for him to enter with his patient and then the door locked behind him - sometimes this proce- dure repeating itself several times - Bill had F28t to overcome his fear of being trapped. The boyhood experience he had had with the "mean man" had made an indelible impression on his memory. Young Bill had a memorable experience when he was nine years old. At this time his father Dick Hendricks, was operating a livery stable in Seibert. His service included rental of a buggy and a horse and, when needed, included rental for a rig and a driver. At this specific time there was in Seibert a gentleman, Alvin T. Steinel, editor of the Southwest Trail, a farm magazine. He needed to go to Flagler. Young Bill who had earned reputation of successfully making many trips, was chosen as driver for Mr. Steinel. Driving a buggy pulled by a horse named "Old Fred" they began their journey. They t'--*ii: Willie Hendricks, age 9, Seibert, Colorado. In those early days people were permitted to keep horses, chickens, hogs, cows - whatever - in town. One of Bill's main sources of making spending money was to herd what they called "town cows". After milking them in the morning, he would round up the cows and drive them to a near pasture where they could graze. Before milking time in the evening he would drive the cows back to their encountered a torrential rain. Although they managed to cross the bridge that spanned the Republican River, in a short time they were forced to find shelter because of road conditions, wind and the down pouring rain. Shelter was found in an old abandoned shack. The Editor. Bill and of course "Old Fred" remained in the shack until the storm receded. Then once again the horse was hitched and without any further trouble they arrived in Flagler where young Bill spent the night. The next day he returned home safe and happy - the buggy seat was loaded with candy and nuts. Later Steinel came to the Hendricks'home at Seibert to get Bill's picture. The picture and the story ofthe trip appeared on the front page of the Denver Post. The Burlington Record on Apri6 l, 1978 printed an article captioned 1912 Newspaper Clipping Lauds "Willie Youngest Livery Man". The conclusion of the article was verbatim -. Mr. Steinel mentioned by the News later beco-e editor of Western Farm Life Journal and the boy, a father, grandfath- er, and great grandfather many times over - now affectionately called "Pa Bill" by his progeny who would agree in retrospect, that there was a lot of "Pa Bill" in young Willie and still much of Willie in Pa Bill. Bill Hendricks was at this time 75 years old. by Mary Hendricks HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY F282 During the summer of 1917, the town of Burlington was looking for a teacher for a school east of Burlington. Della Hendricks was recommended and was hired immediate- ly. The following fall, the homestead was sold and Della with the three children drove the car and moved to Burlington. Later Dick joined them walking and driving three milk cows all the way from Seibert to Burlington, a distance of thirty-two miles. Bill Hendricks was in his early teens when he moved with the family to Burlington. Most of the summers he spent living and working on farms. He had varied employment while attending high school. He worked at a soda fountain, a restaurant, a bakery and also in a men's clothing store. In his senior year, Bill played basketball position center. The tenm made state playoffs - Boulder - lost. He was also on the first football team organized at Burlington High School. He played tackle, year 1920. After graduating from high school in 1923, Bill went to work at Penny Hardware which was owned and operated by Orin P. Penny. As was common in those days, the store's merchandise included furniture and in addition was licensed for funeral and nmbulance services. There was no mortuary edifice. Caskets were displayed in the basement of the hardware store and it was also there that the preparation room was located. Quite frequently families, mostly those living at the settlement, would request that their departed one be embalmed and prepared for burial in the home. Many nighls Orin and Bill would be secluded in an unheated, cold room with only an oil lnmp or lantern for light. The trips to the home would occur every day - carr)nng supplies and equipment - until after the funeral was conducted. The funerals were held sometimes in homes, churches or a schoolhouse. Bill Hendricks'interest in mortuary science was activat€d when first employed by Orin Penny and remained steadfast throughout the years. In the late spring of 1926, Bill met Mary Louise Wilson. Her parents, Rolla and Myrtle Wilson, had given up housekeeping immediately after Mary left for college in Missouri - 1925. Rolla Wilson was the head buyer of Arizona Packing Co. He and wife Myrtle traveled extensively, their home, hotel rooms. However that spring of 1926 a school teacher of Burlington High School, J.R. Walters, was leaving with his family to attend summer school in the east. They rented their home intact for the summer months to Rolla. The Walters family moved out - the Wilson family moved in. The address of this house is 150 14th St. Today it is the home of Bertha B. Wear. The house directly south was the home of Dick and Della Hendricks and their son Bill. With the assistance of Della Hen- dricks who was at this time County Superintendent of Schools, Mary started a summer �ded one sometimes found herself in an atmosphere of black, oily particles that were adhering to everything. One of the happiest days of my life was when my grandfather Earl gave me a green and ivory colored cook stove. All that space on which to cook and there was also a water weU so I readily had access to hot water. The large oven had no thermometer; however, I soon learned to gauge the temperature by holding the palm of my hand just outside the open door ofthe oven. I sincerely believe that during the eighty years of my live have I ever baked better bread, cookies, biscuits, cornbread, cakes, pies, etc. I graduated from the kitchen range to what was then the ultra modern bottled gas stove. It boast€d a deep well cooker that operated similar to our present day crock-pot. Every Sunday the children and I could leave home for Sunday school and church with me content that the bulk of our dinner was slowly cooking. It was a Sunday ritual for Bill's parents and my mother to join us for noon time dinner. In addition, as long as Bill remained active, I knew knew, Sundays or week days, how Burlington High School football team, 1920. Kindergarten. She was given permission to use the facilities of a room in the school house. Some of her wee-little students are still living in this area - among them are the Ford brothers, J.C. Penny and Betty Chal- fant Sutton. The romantic relationship that developed between Bill and Mary continued throughout the summer; however Mary was adamant about one matter - Bill must go to Mortuary School before they could marry. In the fall, the Wilsons moved to Norton, Kansas taking Mary with them. They had been advised by an eye specialist that Mary should not return to college for at least a year. Eventually, Mary planned to teach school so following her year of inactivity she decided to postpone college, go to Burlington where she could take the exnmination for a teachers certificate and then teach for a year or so. It was at this time during her stay in Burlington that she realized that Bill - due to family circumstances - would not go to mortuary school in the very near future. Bill and Mary eloped and were married in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado on April 27, L927. Following the marriage, Mary's frugality alienated some members of the Hendricks family; however, she was persistent in her determination to help raise sufficient funds for them to go to Kansas City for school. She augmented her hoardings by the approval of her application for a substitute teacher at Smokey Hill. Mary taught seventh and eighth grades and Latin and English to the upper classmen. At this time, Ora Cruickshank was a teacher at Smokey Hill some will remember her. "The icing on the cake" - so to speak - followed. In her will, Bill's grandmother, Martha Hendricks, was leaving one hundred dollars to each of her grandsons. When she becnme aware of Bill's endeavor she advanced his legacy to him. ln January of 1928, Bill and Mary left for Kansas City where he attended Williams Institute of Mortuary Science. After receiving his degree he went to Denver, took the state exnmination and in 1929 was awarded his first State Mortuary Practitioners License #459. When Bill returned from school. he resu- med his emplo5ment with Orin Penny. Most of Bill and Mary's friends were as hard pressed for money as they were; however it did not necessarily take much money to have entertainment. They played games and there was extensive visiting in homes. Square dancers would gather in country homes and dance the hours away. In Burlington, the dilapidated old armory as it is today, was built in 1926. For many years, it was an ideal place for dancing. The dance floor was superb - the rest rooms were clean, shiny and most accommodating. One of the outstanding dances of the year was the Fireman's Ball. Many of the ladies wore formals. Over the years, Bill Hendricks, bit by bit, was acquiring land, some cattle and horses (always horses). His family was multiplying, Wilson Robert (Bob) was born on July 30, 1928; Dixie Lee was born on July 15, 1931; John Joseph (Joe) was born on December 29, 1932; and George Thomas (Tom) was born on September 24, 1936. Twice he quit his employment at Penny Hardware. His wages were always frugal. He sold cars for C.D. Reed Motor Company and also at one time joined Rolla Wilson in his buying and selling of hogs and cattle. by Mary Hendricks HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY many extras he would bring home for a meal. I learned to improvise; I never knew whether I would feed six, sixteen or more. In later years when we were blessed with daughters-in-law, I assiduously discouraged them from becoming slaves to lavish Sunday meals. I remembered my self inflicted martyrdom. Following a Sunday dinner Bill took the grandparents home for their naps, the guests would leave and Bill and the children left to ride the horse. I remained home faced with a "slug" of dirty dishes to wash by hand. There were so many women like me in those days; did we think we were saints by being martyrs? I laud the modern day women! "You've come a long way, baby!" We must acknowledge that during our life span we all experience obstacles. Some are world wide - some national and others a bit closer to home. Seemingly there are people who live in gloom and despair - others who learn to handle troubles and never lose sight of the miracles of "progress". One summer grasshoppers were spotted in one of the fields that Bill was farming. Grandpa Dick, Bill's father, drove an old pickup all around the boundaries ofthe field. I rode in back - legs hanging over the tailgate scattering grasshopper poison along the edges of the field. Today there are planes equipped to spray entire fields using a formula specified for the encroachment of the bug or insect. Hundreds of acres are sprayed in less time than it took to toss grasshopper poison to the boundaries for the field. "Progress". F283 How did I do it? I was always a stickler for well balanced meals so I know I prepared hearty meals three times a day for four children and Bill and I. How did I do it on just a two burner kerosene stove and without a single electrical appliance? In those days there were no packaged foods nor were there any frozen items; all cooking was done from scratch. One advantage, no worry about preservatives. Does anyone reading this recall how the wicks on those ancient kerosene stoves had a tendency to creep when lit? If left unatten- Having lived in Burlington for 60 odd years, I have experienced and lived through many types of dirt storms. The rolling type of the Dust Bowl of the thirties were hellions to me. All window curtains, wall pictures and bric-a-brack were concealed in any drawer or covered space available. Damp sheets were in the bathroom. Whenever I would spot a monstrous, vicious black cloud rolling in the sky, I would hang wet sheets on the window curtain rods. Soon that cloud would settled over the house like a canopy, dirt penetrating every crack and crevice. When the hellish cloud eventually rolled on and away I would carry out the dirt using a shovel, broom and coal bucket. At this time Bob was in Kinder- �city resumed the annual 4th of July fireworks display. On July 18, 1929, a Rock Island passenger train traveling east while attempting to cross a bridge collapsed. The story is that two cars had safely crossed before the breakdown of the bridge which plunged several cars into the water. Ordinarily the creek was dry; however due to a torrential rain there was adequate depth to the water to trap and drown the passengers. All bodies were taken to the Penny Mortuary. Bill Hendricks today doesn't remember for certain how many - over the years he was involved in many drowning tragedies. The local weekly newspaper published that were were 15 or more. Bob Hendricks of Hendricks Mortuary, has searched through all old records of Orin Penny but can find no mention of this specific tragedy. In thoee days, detailed records were not compiled and filed as they are today. The catastrophe of the train wreck caused a gteat influx of outsiders to Burlington. Besides editors, reporters and newspaper men, there were many curiosity seekers. Seibert Boys Band, July 1916 at Colorado Springs band competition. Standing, I to r; G.W. Klokenteger, Paul Morrison, Parker Calvin, Elmer Ericson, PauI Jeffries, BiIl Klokenteger, Elmer Everett. Seated; Ted Cruickshank, Wm. Hendricks, Lindley Cates, Snm Hendricks, Reginald Allen, Monta Jeffries, Floyd Johnson, Harry Simmons, Dwight Frankfather, Abe Hendricks. garten. On stormy days he was sent home, Dixie was a toddler and Joe a crawler. I scooped dirt out of the kitchen sink and the bathtub before flushing with water. I had a horror of mud plugging the drains. During those days we women fought our battle to protect our families and our homes. Our battles were minimal when compared to those of the farmers and merchants. New methods of farming and the ever increasing Pse of irrigation have helped diminish the in Burlington a business man by the name of Earl Baber. He unexpectedly approached Bill and Mary and offered to finance the transaction of the sale of the mortuary business. It didn't seem to worry Earl that Bill and Mary did not have sufficient collateral for the loan. He remarked, "You two will make it". They did make it! The following fall Bill had a bumper wheat crop. Earl was paid in full. enter competition against him. Twice Bill was offered financial support for a mortuary business of his own. Bill remained loyal to his promise to Orin. John Curtis and Gene Penny, sons of Orin, approached Bill. They informed him that they had no desire or intention to operate a mortuary. They advised Bill to persistently tag their dad and culminate a sale of the business. October 1944, Penny Mortuary became Hendricks Mortuary. After all these years, the dream and goal of Bill and Mary's became a redity. Orin was surprised when Bill paid him cash for the business and equipment. There lived that is how he - in Burlington that referred to them, who were he had a friend Grace Milburn, stay with Mary and baby, Billie Bob. Mary remembers one heartbreaking story that Bill told her about one of the victims. A young girl was returning home from a swim meet where she had won the championship. She drowned in Spring Creek. by Mary Hendricks HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY atrocious dirt storms of bygone years. ttProgress". seemingly can be completely devastated. If mother nature works in her wondrous ways giving us sunshine, moisture, adequate temperatures, etc. in one years'time our lands can again display luxuriant growth. Always, after Bill had quit his job at the hardware store and mortuary, Orin Penny would contact him and induce him to come back to work for him. Definitely Orin Penny needed Bill. He had built a small mortuary and had depended on Bill for many years to do all the professional work. This reactive cycle would tire Mary; however in due time proved beneficial. Orin held a restraining advantage over Bill. He had had Bill promise that he would never the many vagabonds by Mary Hendricks possibilities of a recurence of the violent, How many people in the world live in a "Garden of Eden" as we do? Our land Some one had to be on duty day and night at the mortuary. Bill Hendricks would return home only long enough to bathe, shave and change clothes. He was so concerned about HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY F285 r.284 The train wreck west of Stratton, Colorado. One girl wasn't found until 5 days later. 1929. The bon fire celebrating the end of World War II in Burlington. Bill Hendricks had heard that the signing J.E. McFadden, age thirty-three, a mail carrier for the Burlington Postal Service, suffered a tragic and brutal death on July 4th, 1928. He was the one discharging all the fireworks display for the annual 4th of July celebration sponsored by the City of Burlington. One of the rockets back fired and exploded in McFadden's face. Orin Penny and Bill Hendricks were morticians and coroners at this time. Mr. McFadden's wife and eleven children were left to mourn his death. A duration of years passed before the of the Armistice that would end hostilities of the World War would officially be announced in the afternoon of August 14, 1945. He anticipated the mob-like hilarity, jubilance and the intensive high to celebrate. With the cooperation of the local merchants in Burlington and the help ofyoungsters, the alleys were confiscated of all boxes, papers, wood anything that would burn were piled - and at the intersection of 14th and Senter. On the roof of the Bank of Burlington Bill placed a music box illd emplifier. �Crowds were gathering in anticipation. When the announcement was broadcast by PresidentTruman at fiive o'clock, pandemonium broke loose. The bonfire was ignited, people were crying, laughing and hugging one another. The din of the sirens, cars honking, music blaring, noisemakers and wildly happy shoutings ofthe people who were gathered in the paper and confetti strewn streets was immense. All boys and men had to forfeit shirts and ties - some their coats and haLs - to the bonfire. Tears mingled withthe smiles of more than one in the community as thoughts were turned to the boys who made the supreme sacrifice and would not be coming home rmong the several hundred from this county. Fuel was added to the big bonfire until the midnight rain came to put an end to the festivities. Although celebrating was riotous throughout the county, Sheriff R.W. Plummer, undersheriff Roy Peters, nor the Hendricks Ambulance Service received a single call. The majority of the residents remained quietly and thankfully at home listening to the radio for further details of Japan's unconditional surrender. On Wednesday a joint religious service was held at the Community Center, preceded by band and decorated floats at 2:00. Following that, a huge crowd enjoyed a free show and several barrels of lemonade, donated by the city. A big dance at the State Armory climaxed the day. During the war's duration of three years, eight months and seven days, Kit Carson County folks had done their utmost toward this victory raising more than the alloted quota on all seven war bond drives, donating thousands of dollars to the Red Cross, USO and other similar causes, sending preciorur sons and daughters to the Armed Forces and taking over the work on the home front, planting and harvesting three record food crops. by Mary Hendricks IIENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY F286 Bill couldn't delay contacting architects and contractors for bids on building the mortuar5r. He had only a five year lease to rent the Penny edifice. After that he would be compelled to move out. Orin Penny died during this period and his son, John and his wife Deane had plans to remodel and enlarge the building and make it their home. An architect from Denver and Bill and Mary compiled a blueprint for the mortuary to be built. To hire a contractor becnme a big headache. All prices they would quote were exorbitant for Bill. There was no possible way he could raise the money any one of them were asking. At this time there \Das a gentleman, Leonard Krebs, living in Burlington who did construction work. He and other parishioners had recently built their first St. Paul's Lutheran Church. The construction was most impressive. Leonard Krebs became the supervisor for building the mortuary. He was very meticulous, wouldn't tolerate a flaw; however he had the personality and ability to cooperate with all labor and the ability to relieve any tension that would occur. Most labor was local men. Some construction necessarily had to be contracted such as the brick laying, plast- ering, wiring, plumbing, etc. but whenever feasible the contractors were local. Bill sold land, the farnilyhome and borrow- ed money to finance the building. He had always said that if it were ever possible for him to build a mortuary he wanted a building that the town, he and his children and future grandchildren would be proud of. He anticipated the growth of Burlington which is an explanation for the size of the building. Also he wished to discourage competition. When the five year lease on the Penny building terminated, John Penny immediately began excavating and Bill was forced to vacate and move everything to his mortuary that was still under construction. The preparation room was completed; however, that was the only room ready for use. Caskets that would eventually be displayed in the Show Room that would be located in the basement quarters were lined up in the room that was to become the chapel. They were covered with heavy plastic sheets. When Bill had an undertaking call and the family of the deceased was expected, all construction on the main floor would come to a halt. The men would sweep up shavings, sawdust and any other debris from the bare wooden floor and remove the plastic sheets from the caskets then Bill or a member of his staff would ready them for display. Bill and Mary always marveled at the public's tolerance of their crude facilities. After the sale of their home the family moved to a tiny three room apartment in the back of what was then Ed Hantens Dress Shop and was located directly across the alley from the Penny Building. Mary had packed in crates and boxes all but the bare essentials. These were stored in the basement of the Hantens and that is also where the boys slept. Ugh!Bugs! Mice! On New Years Eve the Hendricks family vacated the Hanten apartment and moved bag and baggage to the top floor of the mortuar5r which was to be their home. Heat, water and electricity were available and also there were bathroom facilities, a kitchen sink, a stove, a refrigerator, an automatic washer and some furniture. There were no doors, rods, hooks or cupboards and the bare floors were splotched with plaster. Mary especially appreciated the many windows that would afford sunlight and fresh air. The Hanten apartment had only one window located in the small kitchen. Trying to keep abreast of the book work and the care of the family in that stagnant air had begun to make Mary sick. Following the move, the Hendricks tribe became increasingly involved in the construc- tion work of the mortuary. They were assigned their daily tasks by Leonard Krebs. Bill and Mary have repeatedly said that they could not have built the mortuary nor functioned in the early years without the labor and dedication of their family. During the early years there was a shortage ofmoney available to hire help. All through high school and during college vacations their family was on call at the mortuary. At the time the mortuary also had the Ambulance Service and the Flower Order Business. There were times when the progeny were tempted to leave it all and find a good paying job but their loyalty remained steadfast. Perhaps they had pride in what all were trying to accomplish. Bill suffered a coronary. Joe postponed entering college for a year so he could help with the farming and the mortua4r business. The mortuary, as all new buildings do, gradually reached creditability. Mary revels in her contribution. The outmoded, very rough plaster used in those days could not be painted for a year. Painting the walls and ceilings on three floors was emong her contributions. Although Bill Hendricks had many interests and hobbies, the mortuary took precedence over all. Except on occasions when he was gone, he made it clear to his family and all employees that he was "Boss". When conducting a funeral he expected complete autonomy - the funeral must run smoothly and in his way. Anyone helping him must be alert and be able to interpret his little hidden gestures of hand or head and then follow through. In 1974, Bill relinquished his status as "Boss" to his son, Bob and wife Bonnie. They moved to the apartment while Bill and Mary moved to a house at 85 Cedar Circle, that is owned by their son, Joe. Mary said that she almost shed tears ofjoy when Bonnie told her that she was willing to move to the mortuary. Mary was becoming very tired; she had experienced much satisfaction in her close association with the many diversified responsibilities, however the years were taking their toll. Bill had insisted that she continue with all bookwork; however she knew her methods were most antiquated in contrast to son Bob's. Also she was worried about Bill's health. She realized that the many stair steps were becoming a problem - she wanted to move before health conditions forced them to do so. In June of 1984 Bob and Bonnie Hendricks purchased the mortuary; they also own a Funeral Home in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. They have spent much time and money on repairs, decorating and remodeling. Mary had inherited money from her Aunt which made it possible for them to sell the mortuary debt free. by Mary Ilendricks HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY F287 The Flagler plane tragedy occurred on September 15, 1951. Surely someone from Flagler will contribute the details of the crash. Although no one from the staff of Hendricks Mortuary or Ambulance Service was present at the time of the tragedy, Bill and Mary and staff allocated many hours in Flagler subsequent to the tragedy. Mary speaks; "I, with a friend Peggy Shamburg, were returning home from Ft. Collins, we had taken my daughter, Dixie, back to college. To accommodate all her paraphernalia I was driving a station wagon that could be converted to a small ambulance. I became apprehensive, didn't know why, but felt the urgency to return home quickly. On the way, the Hendricks embulance wan �taking a patient to Denver and passed us. A.^ Since Bill had gone to Eads, Colorado to the races, I realized that our son Tom - 15 years old - was alone at the mortuary. That did not cause me great concern since I knew he could ^^l 71"fui' / clov Hotsl, Seibert, rely on Steve Rockwell at the hospital to aseist in atty emergency. I was nearing the grounds of the air ehow at Flagler and noticed that traffic was being directed at the gate. This appeared normal to me since I had heard a large attendance was expected. After driving a ehort distance, a string of cars, one with a siren, and all driving very fast was approaching me. I hurriedly parked the car on the side ofthe road and told Peggy to help unload. We had spent the night in Ft. Collins so there was luggage. Riding in a car approaching me wae a fireman who on recognizing me and the car that could be ueed as a small nmbulance. took the cue and practically jumped from his vehicle to the one I had been driving and shouted "A plane cragh". I do not remember who brought me home to the mortuary. I can still see young Tom sitting on the outside stairway looking quite forlorn and lonely. He said "Gosh, am I glad to see you". There was no 911 to dial in those days. Tom, however, who all his life had been associated with emergencies, had called Steve Rockwell at the hospital, Bob Shamburg who was a fireman and called the sheriff and state patrol. I contacted an operator at Limon and asked her to alert someone who would flag down Hubert Hill. driver of the Hendricks ambulance and give him the message to go directly to the grounds of the tragedy at Flagler. A call from Flagler was received informing me of the urgent need of Bill Hendricks, the county coroner. I replied that Ralph Clapp who Iived in Flagler was deputy coroner and to call him for all duties. I was dismayed when told that Mr. Clapp was on a plane that was flying his critically injured wife to Denver. I called Dr. H.M. Hayes to go help in any way he could until I was able to send Bill. After calling Bill at Eads he immediately left going directly to Flagler. After identifying the 20 dead, the morticians who had come to Flagler to help insisted that Bill who was still recuperating from a heart attack go home. Hubert Hill remained. For the following two days, Bill and I were occupied at the funeral home in Flagler compiling essential data for death certificates and burial permits. Our contacts with the mourning families were heart breaking. Twenty died and thirty or more were injured at this tragedy." by Mary Hendricks A.--rt*l-:* Aunt Kate's Hotel, Seibert, Colorado, 1908. passing was a great loss to us all. Dick Hendricks, Bill's father, was affectionately called "Grandpa Dick". He lived with us periodically over the years. At one time he lived on a farm 2Vz miles north of Burlington that Bill had leased from Merritt Stanton. Merritt and Dick batched. They farmed, raised garden, chickens, hogs and milked cows. Every day Grandpa Dick brought us milk and cream and when in season a variety of produce. He helped our boys train horses and break and ride the many colts born at this location. After Merritt died. he moved to town and Bill did not renew his lease on the farm. During the final years of his life, Grandpa Dick helped at the mortuary discharging the small tasks that his health would permit answering the door bells, moving the hose, emptying wastebaskets and licking stamps on statements and other outgoing mail. Grandpa Dick suffered a stroke and died shortly after at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital on January 28,1965 at the age of 92 years and 15 days. Many, many tears were shed - he was loved dearly. My parents, Rolla and Myrtle Wilson, bought a home at 295 14th St. and moved from Goodland, Kansas to Burlington. This home is today the location of Tyrrell Insurance Agency. Rolla Wilson was the head buyer for Arizona Packing Co. Due to a head injury he received in a car accident, my father died of a cerebral hemorrhage on May 26, 1933. He left my mother Myrtle Wilson, financially HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY F288 independent. Prior to her move to Burlington she suffered a broken hip. She was crippled for the remaining years of her life. "Mamo Myrtle" as she was lovingly called by her grand and great grandchildren, had many, rnany friends and was on the go I have been told that a history on the life of Della Hendricks, Bill's mother, is being included in another story, so I will not dwell on her many accomplishments as County Superintendent of Schools in Kit Carson County, as a school teacher and historian. Her progeny called her "momee". Della died at Grace Manor on July 22, L973 at the age of 101 years, 7 months and 15 days. Her whenever possible. She loved parties, her card clubs and the association with Eastern Star and the Methodist Church. Before arthritis severely crippled her hands, Myrtle Wilson was an artist with her needle and also with her Archer foot controlled sewing machine. She made aprons, some quite fancy, for her family and friends; she crocheted insertion lace and embroidered dozens of pillow cases; she appliqued many tea towels and pieced quilts for all members of her family including grandchildren. She crocheted and embroidered most intricate works of art. The pot holders she crocheted were awarded first prizes locally, nationally and internationally. It seems that all friends and members of her family wanted a pot holder that Myrtle Wilson had crocheted they decorated kitchens in many, many homes. She was able to remain living in her home for many years; however in her later years she became pathetically crippled with arthritis and made her home at Grace Manor. Follow- ing a stroke she passed away at the Kit Carson County Hospital on February 14, 1970 at the age of93 years, S months, and 17 days. She never lost her mental faculties. There are ones today who say to me "You had a wonderful mother". I agree. By 1973, Bill and I had lost both our parents. We were grateful that they had never experienced isolation from family. Many a feast was shared and happy hours were spent in family togetherness. Bill had a sister, Elaine, born March 5, 1905. The summer following her graduation from Burlington High School in 1922, she and another girl, Bertha Boger, (today known as Bertha Wear), won a 4-H canning competi- tion and were awarded a trip to France where they demonstrated to the women in the war devastated areas how to can their home grown produce. Elaine's first year of college was at Greeley - the following two years at Colorado State University (then known as Aggies) - Sorority Gamma Phi Beta. On August 15th, 1925, Elaine married Holmes Burnett of Fort Collins. They had one daughter whom they called Connie. On December 27, L926 Elaine died of complications following the birth of her daughter; never had she been able to leave the hospital which was over a period of two months, Bill's brother, Snm, died at a Care Center in Denver at the age of 79 years, 11 months, and 8 days. Lucille, his wife, continues to live in the home she and Sam bought. Her two daughters and a son are scattered from � https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/483/Families-H2.pdf 8e212c986ff3dd11cf94411c87e59eec PDF Text Text Denver to the west coast. All of the Bill Inclusive in membership were Rotary, Jay- Manor. Hendricks family love "Aunt Cille" very cees, Elks, Odd Fellows, Golf Club, Country William R. Hendricks (BiU), was bornJune much. Club, Cattlemnns and Quarter Horse Associations, etc. He received life membership in Burlington A.F.&A.M. Lodge #77, also in ?, 1903 at Cross Timbers, Missouri. At the age of five, via box car, he moved with his parents, In his younger years Sam taught school. For a number of years he was associat€d with Bill in farming with the title of "Hendricks Brothers". Before retiring he was the city mail carrier. I had one brother, Cecil E. Wilson, that was two years older than me. He wae born on February 23, 1905. At the age of 2L he joined the navy. As a Warrant Officer, he was a prisoner of war in Japan for 3% years. After 30 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Navy he retired as a Captain and was a recipient of many medals. He and his wife, Louise, had no children. As in a Navy tradition, when Cecil andLouise died in 1984, their bodies were cremated and the ashes gcattered in the Pacific Ocean. by Mary Hendricks HENDRICKS - WISON FAMILY d,?^* t rbl F289 Denver Rocky Mountain Consistory and Denver El Jebel Shrine. Mary says that Bill over the years developed a great pasgion for horses. In the thirties when their children were small he owned a pony and a pinto horse. The pinto, whom the entire family adored, was sold to pay the delinquent rent on their home. Bill continued to "wheel and deal". He bought, sold, raised and traded horses. He had registered stallione and collected stud fees. His boys broke the colts and his sons were also his best jockeys. His race horses traveled all over the state of Colorado, Lincoln, Nebraska, Cheyenne, Wyoming and New Mexico. As BiI grew older his physical disabilities worsened and also following the sale of the mortuary, he and Mary were living on a fixed income. Bill had to be persuaded to relinquish his long love affair with horges. It was tough! In the fifties, Bill suffered an emergency appendectomy and a short time following he had a heart attack. In the sixties he was diagnosed as having Parkinson; however for several years the disease was not excessively debilitating. In addition to his customary 8Ll*u '8*',( activities he and Mary enjoyed tripa abroad. They traveled to the Hawaiian Islands, to St. Croir, went down the east coast of South Anerica on a ship that docked for tours of varioug countries. They aleo traveled extensively in Africa with a camera Safari. Shortly after returning from Africa, Bill's lifestyle changed drastically. During the next several years he was a patient at St. Joseph Hoepital in Denver or Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington sometimee two or three times each year. He had five operations on the bladder to remove malignant tumore, a hernia operation, one on his back and two on his hip. In July of L974 Bill and Mary moved from their apartment at the mortuary to a home owned by their son Joe. For awhile Bill's recuperation permitted him to walk with the Pa Bill ag "Buffalo Bill" on Baby Ki August 1, 1964. Won lst prize in the "Old Timee" contegt, Ttail Ride Days in Burlington. Bill Hendricks was a gregarious fellow. He sincerely likes people and he wants them to like him. During the years that he was physically active he seldom missed a celebration held in the tovms of Kit Carson County. He loved to join the people in their revelry. The County Fair Days were very specid to Bill. There may be a few who remember him leading the parade riding his palamino horse, "Wildo". His sons would show hie horseg and aleo were the jockeya for his race horses. During World War II Bill helped instigate the Sunday free rodeos held at the Fairgrounds. The participants were mostly local - male, female, children and adults. At the conclusion ofthe rodeos war bonde were eold. Bill wag nmoDg the instigators of "Trail Ride Daye". In 1964, dressed as Buffalo Bill and riding his horse "Baby Ki", he won first prize in a Trail Ride Parade. Several mem- bere of his family also participated in the parade including grandchildren. He was a "joiner" during his active years. aid of a cane or a walker and also to drive hie pickup. However, rapidly his health deteriorated and soon he was a wheelchair patient. Linda Romer, companion and nurse assisted in the care of Bill for over two years. Bill and Mary loved her dearly. She was on duty eight hours a day for five days a week. In addition to the usual care, he continued with his "outings". He especially enjoyed the trips to the Burlington Bakery where he drank coffee and visited with his friends. Bill wae a big man - six feet and one half inches tall and at this time weighed around 190 pounds. He was becoming more and more dependent and the bulk of his medication wag caueing confusion. Mary is around five feet three inches and her weight varies between 90 and 100 pounds. The care of Bill on weekends, morning, evening and night hours were becoming arduous tasks. She finally agreed with her fanily and the full consent of Bill that he ghould make his home at Grace Manor Care Center. He moved July 24,L984. He received excellent care which includes T.L.C. He never complained and his seemingly innate beautiful personality prevailed. As etat€d before, Bill was a gregarious person. He was surrounded by others at Grace Dick and Della, a young sister and brother, Elaine and Sam, to a homest€ad south of Seibert. When he was 13, he moved with his folks to Burlington. Burlington was his home for the remainder of his life. Bill passed away on August 28, L987 at Grace Manor Care Center at the age of 84 years. by Mary Eendricks HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY F290 During our 60 years of marriage our family has always come first. Our four children and their marriage partners have given us 16 grandchildren and they in turn have awarded us with 13 great grandchildren. We happily anticipate many more "greats". We are a most fortunate fanily. All our progeny are healthy, handsome and seemingly well adjusted individuals. I reluctantly realize there is not space in this history to elaborate on their lives. (I will strive to be brief and concise.) Son W.R. (Bob); CSU, degree Psychology, Frat. Sigua Chi, Air Force, politics, CSU Alumni, horses, wife Bonnie, own and operate Hendricks Mortuary in Burlington and Cheyenne Wells,6 children; Daughter Vicky Tapis, Brush, Politics, city clerk, husband Ken, RN - 2 children Joshua and Joy. Son Terry, Tucson, wife Lynn, 3 children, Angel, Bart, Jake. Daughter Tammy Baughn, Englewood, handwork in great demand, hus- band Russell, machinist, 3 children - Becky, Aaron, Daniel. Son Randy, Austin, TX, degree Stering, Durango - Social Service Hot Line, single. Son, Troy Vance, Burlington, degree paremedics, Denver, College of Mor- tuary Science, Austin, TX, single. Vickie Vance, degree Sterling, Larnmer Vo-Tec, Orthodontics assistant, Ft. Collins, single. Daughter Dr. Dixie Sullivan, California, Degree Psychology, CSU, Sorority Tri Delt, PhD Degree, California, lucrative clientele, Rolling Hills. widow, 3 children - John, Los Angeles, Degree Mexico and California, Masterg and PhD from USC, wife Angelina, 2 children John, Carlos. Erin, San Francigco, degree Loyola Marymount Univ., Mgr. of Employment Randolf Hines Inc., single. Bill, Los Angeles, degree Loyola Mar},mount Univ., P.R. Profs. Surfing Ass. of America, single. Son Joe, Ft. Collins, CSU, Frat. Sigma Chi, football, army, J.J. Hendricks Realty, Broker, Ft. Collins and Burlington, wife Pat, 5 children - Ki, CSU, Lic. real estate insurance, owner and mgr. Rocky Mtn. Escrow, Estes Park, single. Mike, degree CSU, football, Hendrickg Reality, broker, Burlington, wife Nancy, 2 children, Barrett and Jacky. Wyn, art, travel agent, employed Rocky Mtn. Escrow, Estes Park, CO. divorced, 1 child, Jordon. Dai, Dickerson, CO, co-owner Health Spa, Phys. therapist, husband Dennis, Pres. Rye Telephone. Tobin, college, repair and sales of cars, Mesa, AZ, single. Son Tom, Burlington, CSU, Air Force, counselor alcohol and drug abuse, farming, �think not. There are old timers and their progenythat remain with us and ask us about the many eventg of the past. AU this eulogizing has a tendency to make Bill appear a saint, that he is not. He is just an ordinary run-of-the-mill man (Question mark here). He has been known to be miechievous and full of tricks. Although he had always had a tenacious attraction for the female gender, he is basically, a Man's man. During his younger active yeara he was often lazy. He would nonchalantly sit and watch otherg work. Luckily for me, he cannot expose my many idiosyncrasies. In 1977 our caring family sponsored a 50 year wedding anniversary celebration for us at the Country Club; in 1987 the again Bill and Mary Hendricka on their 50th wedding anniversary, Prairie Pineg Country Club, Burlington, CO. trucking, insurance, divorced, 2 children. Tryn Pizel, Lakewood, CO. VO-Tec Goodland, Ks. Secy-Mgr, Howard Electric, husband Mike, Howard Electric, mechanic, no children. Todd, Burlington, Vo-Tec Good- old song?) "I Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine". To many, Bill and I are known as Pa Bill and Mnmo Mary. land, KS, mechanic, single. by Mary Hendricks HENDRICKS WILSON FAMILY sponsored an Open House in celebration of our 60th wedding anniversary, this time at Grace Manor. Blees our family! Over 100 joined us for this social time and we received over 200 cards. God bless all ofyou. I am more fortunate than so many lonely and elderly women. I wish they could have the concerned attention that is mine. Our son Bob and his wife live close by as do our grandson Mike, with his wife, Nancy, and their two children and our son Tom lives with me. They all humor and wait on me. They glorify this old lady's life. Nevertheless, I do miss Bill. I may be or not be prejudiced; however the absolute truth is (remember the by Mary Hendricks HENRY, LEROY AND CINDY F29l D2S2 The passing of time has a tendency to play tricks on ones memory. There may be thoee who do not recall episodes or dates ag reiteratcd in this history. Memorieg are as diversified as the people that have them. I have heard said that with each telling of history, history changes a bit. Anyone reading this history will readily conclude that it wae writt€n by an (elderly) woman. I have in my family members of the male gender. Although they encourage me to write the history their cooperation ie minimal. It is impossible for me to depict the male vergion of a conglomeration of episodes and events that happened over the yeare relating to Kit Careon County. I have concentrated at times on the woman's interpretation of events, her lifestyles, bad and good tines and obstacles that were overcome. During these yeals, man's lifestyles, his ways and meane, delineated progress and simultaneously it was so for woman. A few days ago a highly respected and long time reeident of Burlington, Henry Hoskin, was visiting with me in my home. He told me, Mary, that Bill Hendricks had always been one of his most favorit€ people. We spoke of his sincerity, nothing phony about Bill, hie love and respect for otherg was absolut€. His generosity and trust in mankind caused him at times to experience costly and unhappy repercussions; however it did not seem to dnmage his continuous trust and generosity. Bill was active as a mortician, nmbulance Mary and Bill Hendricks celebrating their 60th wedding anniversar5r at Grace Manor Care Center. Leroy and Cindy Henry, May 28, 1983. operator and coroner for over 50 years. Never did he become calloused to the anguish and In January of 1982 Leroy Henry, a handsome young bachelor, wentto supper at Velda suffering of the fanilies he served. His compassion and sympathy were always manifeet. There is a possibility that I, Mary, Bill's wife, have been a bit prejudiced in my commendable nanations concerning Bill. I Adolfs house and met an "old maid school teacher" nemed Cindy Kosley from Vona. Velda was a mutual friend and was not really trying to introduce Leroy and Cindy. Several months later, Leroy hit Cindy with a sledge hammer and asked her out for their first date. �They dated several months before Leroy asked if they could have their first kiss. Two weeks later he proposed. On May 28, 1983 LeroyLynn Henrymarried Cindy Sue Kosley at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They now live six miles southwest of Kirk on the farm that Leroy's parents purchased in 1953. Leroy is busy ranching where he raises hogs and cattle. Cindy enjoys her fanily and tcaching Kindergarten and Special Education at Lib- erty School. Leroy Lynn Hen4r, second child of the late Ralph and Lois (Corliss) Henry Schafer was born January 12,L955 at Kit Carson Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Colorado. He has lived on his parents'farm four miles south and two and a half miles west of Kirk all his life. Leroy went to school in Kirk until the school moved to Liberty in 1966. During his high school years, Leroy played football and basketball and participated in FFA activities. He graduated in 1973 and began raising hogs with ten gilts he had purchased. He has expanded his farrow to finish hog operation managing over eight sows. He also has a small cow herd of his own. Leroy has two brothers, Clifford Eugene and Melvin Lee and one siet€r Maltha Marie Kroll Maxey. Cindy Sue Kosley was born to Raymond and Christina (Manyik) Kosley on December 13, 1956 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cindy attended school in Colorado Springs and graduated from Waseon High School in 1974. She went to the University of Northern Colorado and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary and Special Education: EMR in 1978. She then taught for two years in Pueblo, CO. In 1980 she moved to Vona and began teaching Special Education at Hi Plains Schoolg for the East Central BOCES (Board of Cooperative Education Services). She taught four years in Vona and Seibert and went to Aniba on Mondays for one year. During the summer of 1988, Cindy began working on her Master's degree in Special Education: Emotionally Disturbed and Learning Disabled. She received her Master's in August of 1983. In 1984 she transferred to West Yrrma School District R"I-l to teach Kindergarten part-time at Liberty. Cindy has an older brother, Andy Joe Kosley and a younger sister, Becky Rae Kosley. On August 9, 1984 Nicholas Sherman Henry was born on his Grandpa Kosley and Grandma Lois (Henry) Schafer's birthdays. He was no-ed after his Great Grandpa Sherman Henry Corliss. One year later on the fourth ofJuly, Daniel Raymond Henry was born. He was named after his Grandpa Raymond Edward Kosley. Both boys have been a very special addition toour family. We do hope toadd to our family sometime and look forward to raising our family on the farm. by Cindy Henry HENRY, RALPH AND LOIS F293 1931 he moved with his parents to the Seeman farm 17 miles north of Vona. This is where Ralph grew up and attended the Searnan school. He graduated from the Kirk High School in 1947. Ralph worked in Denver for a short time with Gates Rubber Company. Ralph returned to his father's farm and started his farming career. He also bought a Minneapolis Moline corn sheller and did custom shelling for several years. On June 10, 1951 at Goodland, Kansas, Ralph married Lois Marie Corliss, the daughter of Sherman and Grace Messing Corliss. Lois was born August 9, 1935 at Burlington, Colorado at the home of her Aunt Luella Hitchcock. Lois grew up on her folks ranch northeast of Stratton, near the Republican river. She attended the South Tuttle School and two years at Kirk High School. Ralph was inducted into the Army November 15, 1951. Leaving Burlington, he was sent to Crmp Gordon, Georgia for his basic training, later taking special schooling for the signal corps. In June 1952, Ralph was sent to the Marshall Islands. He was stationed on the island Eniwetok, and while there he partici- patcd in Operation Ivy (testing of the Hydrogen bomb). Ralph returned to the states in January of 1953 and was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and was assigned to duty at the Pentagon at Washington, D.C. Ralph was honorably discharged November 15, 1953. Lois joined Ralph whenever she could while he was in the service. Clifford. our first son, was born November 4, 1953 at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After Ralph's discharge we returned to Kit Carson County, buyrng a farm 1? miles north and.2r/z west of Stratton. Here we raised our family of four children. Leroy was born January L2,l9ll,Melvin, March 1, 1956, and Martha, May 7, 1957. Our children attended Kirk School. In 1955 Kirk and Joes consolidated, the school was named Liberty and is located three miles east of Joes, Colorado on Highway 36. This is where the children all graduated from high school. In December of 1973 Ralph became ill. His illness was diagnosed as leukemia. Ralph passed away May 17,1977 in Denver at the age of 47 and is buried at the Kirk cemetery. I have continued to live on our home place with our sons. As time went on each son has married and lives nearby with their families, Clifford and Gay (Mitchell) Henry, Leroy and Cindy (Kosley) Henry, Melvin and Peggy (Becker) Henry, and Martha and Robert Maxey of Denver. by Lois Henry HERBURGER - SHORT FAMILY F294 Roy Herburger had been working in Haigler, Neb. when he purchased the Stratton Press. He bundled up his baby daughter, his one-and-a-half year old son, and his wife in On November 10, 1929, Ralph Orin Henry his Nash and arrived in Stratton in the beginning of 1932 to take possession of his Elizabeth Avirene Sea-an Henry, four miles west of Kirk, Colorado, Yuma County. In new enterpriee. His wife Gladys, had a feeling of dread when she surveyed Stratton's treeless, barren lands. The stormy day did not was born at home to Earl Eugene and help her depression. Roy, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Joseph Herburger, had been born March Brd, 1901 in red Cloud, Neb. He met his bride-to-be. Gladys Ahilda Short, daughter of Chester and Jennie Short of Prairie View, Kansas, in McCook, Neb. while he was working on the Camfli6*", Neb., CJorion. Gladys was a doctor's assistant. Roy and Gladys were married July bth, 1929 in Norton, Kan. They purchased the Haigler News before selling it and moving to Colorado. The only house available to rent in Stratton was a one bedroom house on the edge of town and it was in such a sad state that the family had to stay in the Collins Hotel a few days while it was being cleaned. Their baby LaRene, born Nov. 21, 1931, in Haigler was cranky, and their son, Roy Emmel, Jr., born Aug. 2, 1930 in Cambridge was sick, as they crammed the cribs into a large closet of the small house and began a stay that last€d for twenty seven years. In April, 1935, Gladys wrote in her diary, "I can't keep the house clean. I can't keep the children clean. I've never disliked land so much as I dislike this land. The dust is so thick that we must turn on the lights.', Farmers were forced to sell their farms because of lack of rain for their crops, or the farms were foreclosed and Roy printed hundreds of "Sale Bills" which listed farmers' belongings for sale, cheap. But things did improve and as they did, the family becnme valuable members in the town. Roy served three terms on the Stratton Town Board, was on the council almost every year that they were there for St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was on the WW II Selective Service Board, Head of the Scrap Iron Drive, was active in the promotion of "Stratton Days" and the accompanying parade, was a charter member of the Rotary Club, among other things. Gladys, who was co-owner of the Stratton Press and an active participant in the operation of the business wag also an active helper for the town. She was one of three women who were head of the planning and excavation for the city park. The other two women who oversaw the WPA project were Elora (Mrs. Ray) Calverly and June (Mrs. Jerry) Schofield. Gladys was one of the founding members of MSA Club and was twice their president; she was an active assistant with the 4-H clubs; was Sunday Superintendent and teacher for St. Paul Lutheran Church. During this time there were no school buses so she volunteered manv hours driving students from the Stratton Public Schools to sports events, to Drama meets and to Band events, often getting stuck in heavy snow drifts or finding herself driving after midnight with weary pep club members. The young family, during the "Dust Bowl Days" often went arrow-head hunting in the wind swept fields around Stratton. Roy had many frames of beautiful artifacts on the walls of his office and was known as being quite knowledgeable about the area's history. Their son, Roy Jr., was active in sports, drnma and band at Stratton and graduated from high school i 1948. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1953, served with the U.S. Airforce, and eventually ended up near Sacrarnento, Ca. He married July B, 1954, in Riverton, N.J. to Mary J. Hull. To this union were born two children: Elizabeth �Jo, born oct.17,1962, and David Roy, born June 6, 1965. In Nov., 1981, in Manila, Philippines, Roy manied Aurora Santiago. They have a baby girl, Leah, born Oct. 1982. Roy has been a successful newspaper man' owner, publisher of several newspapers in and near Sacramento. He'g been a civic leader, head of many organizations in communities where he owns newspapers such ag Elk Grove and Galt, as well as being the chairman of the Camelia Feetival in Sacremento. He currently livee in Sacremento. LaRene also graduated from Stratton High School where she was a member of the pep club, the drama club and was in the musical activities. She was the piano player for the Rotary Club and St. Paul Lutheran Church moved to eastern Colorado where we settled she graduated from Stratton High School. She graduated with her undergtaduate de- side. from the time she was in eighth grade until gree from the University of northern Colorado and with her graduate degree from the University of San Francisco. On Sept. 2L, L954, ehe maried Harold Dean Kauffman, They lived in Denver, Germany, Illinois, and finally settled on the Monterey Peninsula in Ca. where their son Eric was born on Feb. 21, 1962. Remaining in on a farm about eix to eight miles south of Bethune, Colorado. I (Luella) moved to Denver in May, 1938. I went to the Emily Griffith Opportunity School at night to brush up on typing, shorthand and bookkeeping. I have worked for various companies including an orntmental iron company. The owner bought in with a steel company in 1964, and took me along to work in that office. I retired in January, 1979. In 1970, I was able to go to Europe and the Holy Land on a three week trip with a church group from Kansas City, Mo. Thiswas a trip I'll never forget. Also, in August, 19?7, Violet and I took a trip to the Scandanavian countries as well as Amst€rdam and London. We visited five different families in four cities in Sweden, all related to us on my mother's My folks moved to Denver in 1941. My mother passed away on January 19, 1957 and my father passed away September 24, L97L, and both are buried at Crown Hill Cemetery is a t€acher in the Pacific Grove Public in Denver. Gordon married LaDene Mock. Their oldest son, Robert, was born in 1943, and Kris wag born in 1946. They lived in Denver after Gordon was discharged from the eervice. A few years later they moved to Greeley as it was more central for his work as a traveling St. Timothy Luthern Church in Monterey. don retired in May, 1985. Ca. after the death of her husband, LaRene Schools and is organist and mueic director for She is also an active member of organizations in her community and in the tcaching profession. While they were in Stratton, Roy and Gladys had a third child born to them. Sharon Leah was born April 23, 1949 in Goodland, Kan. She was in Girl Scouts, in the St. Paul Sunday school, and was also a musician. Sharon graduatcd from Loveland, Co. High and on Oct. 10, 1967, she married Gerald Thomas lrvin at a ceremony in ldaho Springs. Sharon graduated from the University of Neb. at Chadron. She and her husband are the parents of Lisa Ann, born Aug. 10, 1968. They are teachers and are presently living in Seward, Alaska. They are active in their church and school and community affairs. Gladys and Roy sold their newspaper in 1959 retiring to Loveland, Co. Roy died in Loveland on July 5, 1966. Gladys moved to Pacific Grove to be near her daughter in 1976 and presently resides there. by Gladys llerburger, LaRene Kauffman in Burlington, later being transferred to the phone company in Denver and in Portland, Oregon in the early 1950's. She married Edgar Storey in 1952. A son, Jnmes was born in 1953. In June, 1954, they moved to Denver. In 1955 another son was born, Jeffrey Earl. Jeff was killed in 1973 in a motorcycle accident when he was a senior. Jim is married and lives near Mesa, AZ. Violet graduated in 1934. She married Leo Kirkendall in 1936, and lived in Burlington where Leo worked in the courthouse and later for the T.W. Backlund Co. They had two daughters: LaDora and LaDene. Leo worked with Elnore in the heating business for a number of years, and Violet worked for the Denver Motor Vehicle Dept. until she retired in 1977. Leo died suddenly in 1977 of a heart attack. by Luella Ilernblom HERNDON FAMILY F296 saleeman. They have 4 grandchildren. Gor- Roland married Edna Sealock in April, 1942 in Goodland, Kansas. They have one son, David, born in Stratton in June, 1945. They lived in Burlington a number of years where Roland worked for the T.W. Backlund Co. Later he worked for hie brother-in-law, Wayne Clark. Roland and Edna now live in Stratton. Their son, David, went to Anderson College in Indiana. After graduation he worked for an accounting firm for one year before enlisting in the Air Force. He married Mary Lu Waggy in Denver in March, 1970. They have three children: Christy, Richard, and Ryan. Elmore married Irene Calvin on July 5, 1935. They had a double wedding with Clarence Iseman and Allie Jean Beck. They were married by Rev. R.E. Hooper at his home south and east of Stratton. They had a daughter, Karolyn Marie, in 1937. They moved to Denver that summer to look for work and to get away from the dust storms we were having. A son, Gary Kelvin, was born in 1939. ELnore worked at various jobs and learned the heating and air conditioning business. Later he formed his own heating company - L&H Sheet Metal Co. He had to retire early on account of his health and his George Washington Herndon and Emma Wood Herndon, parents of Walter Herndon. son, Gar5/, took over the business. They George Washington Herndon was born in Daviss County, Missouri, April 18, 1863. His wife was Emma Florence Wood, born in Boon mother, Edith E. Olson, married on February 20, 1907 in Stromsbwg, Nebraska. Seven children were born on their farm located 4 miles northeast of Stromsburg. The oldest one died when hewas five months old. Roland was born on July 20, 1909; John Elmore was born June 26, 1911; I (Luella) was born August 7, 1913; Violet was born January 28, 1915; Gordon was born September 30, 1917; Gladys was born January 8, 1920. We attend- moved to Arizona in 1978. Irene developed cancer in 1983. On Feb. 16, 1985, Elmore had a heart attack and passed away. On Feb. 27, Irene passed away. Both are buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery. After graduation in 1939, Gladys came to Denver to look for work. She married Lyle Hooper, also from Stratton in 1943. They had three children: Barbara, Ron and Don. Lyle worked for many years at the Gates Rubber Company in Denver before retiring. Clarice and Cleona graduated in 1940. In 1946, Clarice and Vearl Fager were married. They lived in Pratt, Kansas. They had three day School and Church. In April, L922, we daughters and one son. Clarice n9w has seven grandchildren and lives in rfrfrchita, Kansas. Cleona worked for the telephone company Elsie and Wdt Herndon taken in the 1930's. HERNBLOM, DAVID F296 My father, David A. Hernblom, and my ed a school a half mile north of us. We attended the First Baptist Church for Sun- County, Indiana, March 6, 1864. They lived �before buying our farm. [t was only two miles from where I was born. The years of 1955 and 1956 were bad drought yea$; we had to sell our stock and look for work. Our children were gone from home, Hazel maried Ernest Adolf and Roy had a job. We lived in Colorado Springs since Sept., 1956. Archie first worked at a tree nursery, then at School District #11, where he retired from in 1978. I worked at Pike's Peak Green House for gome time. The last four and a half years, I worked ae a cook in Wasson High School. In 1970, my sister Elsie passed away in Iowa, and in 1973, my mother passed away and in 1983 my brother Harold passed away. Were such sad times. Archie retired in 1978. Seems our happiness these past few years has been our 6 grandchildren and our 5 great grandchildren. We now live in a beautiful Mobile Park of 240's mobiles. We have activitieg to keep us busy and enjoy our good friends. by Clara Matthies Hicks The Herndon family, gtanding: LeRoy, Leola, and Dean. Seated: Elsie and Walter. in Daviss County Miesouri. Their children were: Harley Webster, born Sept. 8, 1890; Clarence Elmer, born Nov. 8, 1892; Lydia sworths. At this time, back in1906 and 1907, my father Fred Matthies was a bridge on September 8, 1929. They have three children: Leola Mae (Herndon) Bunch, foreman on the railroad. My oldest brother, Harold, was born in Norton; the other brotherg and sigt€rs were born out on the homeet€ad. There were 6 boys and us three girls. For several years even after taking the homestead my father still worked on the railroad. My mother and my grandfather put in the crops. After a few years my dad quit the railroad and got involved in his ranch work. He wan more of a stock'nan than down to earth farmer. In the 1924 and 25 winter, we children had the scarlet fever and had a quarantine put on our house, for the second time as there were geveral of us children to take it. The disease Edwin LeRoy and Darrell Dean. Walter and Elsie farmed in the Stratton and Bethune area until 1935 when they moved to Oregon. While there Walter worked in the lumber industry. They later moved to California left my brother, Okie, who was 4 years younger than myself, with Bright's disease. He was but a little over 5 years old when he passed away, afber eeveral months of being quite ill and a stay in the Children's Hospital where he was employed by General Motorg until 1942. At that time they moved to a farm eouth ofBethune. In 1948 they purchased a farm south of Stratton. They resided there until 1976 when they retired and moved into Stratton. Walter died in May 1987. Elsie lives in Stratton. As ofthis writing the only one of Walter's brothers and sister yet living is his sister, Lydia Herndon Tschanz, who is 93 yeare old. She liveg in Eldorado Springs, Missouri. in Denver. Myrtle, born Dec. 20, L894; William Woody, born March 10, 1897; Homer Lewis, born March 14, 1899; Ora Lester, born January 3, 1902; and Walter Lee, born April S, 1904. Wdter and possibly some of the other children were born in Dedrick, Miesouri. The family moved to Colorado in 1915 and lived in a sod house on a homeetead beeide the Smokey, south of Bethune. The children attended school at Firgt Central. Later George and E-ma lived in Stratton and then moved back to Missouri in 1945. Walter wag married to Elsie Mae Beeson by Eleanor Herndon IIICKS AND MATTHIES FAMILY Then in the winter of 1932, my brothers Paul age 23 and August age 2L both passed away within a week of each other of flu and pneumonia; Paul leaving a wife and small daughter. All the family were ill at this time. December of 1932, there was no Christmas at the Matthies house this year. My mother and youngest sister were the only ones who kept well. I feel the reason for keeping mother well was to care for the sick ones. Eighteen months later my dad passed away from a stroke; this was in June of 1934. Archie had been working as a hired hand for the folks for sometime. In Sept. of 1934, he and I were married and we made our home with mother for the first 7 years as she needed I am going to begin the history of us back to where my parents moved from Norton, help with the farming and ranching. We milked 60 to 70 cows and sold the cresm to keep bills paid. Our two children were born through this time. Hazel in 1935 and our son Roy in 1937. These were my very happiest days. My two children were my joy. Kansas to their homestead 20 miles south of Burlington. This homestead joined the homeetead of my grandparents; the Ell- In 1942, we moved to a rented farm, our two children, our stock and what we'd accumulated through these years. We lived here 1 year F2S7 HINES, DARWIN WILBER F298 Darwin Wilber Hines was born in Guthrie County near Guthrie Center, Iowa on January 3, 1877, first child ofJohn and Florence Hines. In the fall of 1878, John Newton Hines (Darwin's father) moved by covered wagon to near Long Island, Kansas. Darwin, a sister Estella and their Mother followed sometime later, after the father had established their new home. At the age of twenty-three, Darwin Wilber Hines was united in marriage to Ethel Arvilla Hicks on February 28, 1900 in Norton County, Kansas. To this union were born seven children - five boys and two girls. Darwin, (Dar, to all who knew him), his wife and their first child, Viola, departed Norton County on September 3, 1901 by covered wagon. Four days later they arrived at their new home, a rented farm, 772 miles southeast of Kanorado, Kansas. Although they were sad to leave their families and friends, they were looking forward to building a home on the virgin plains of Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado. The winter of 1902-1903 wae spent working at the Dyatt Brothers Ranch where their second child, Marion, was born. On March 23, 1903 they moved back to their farm and obtained the property through a tax titled purchase. An uncle and previous owner, Elmer Harrington, was paid one hundred dollars for his imagines equity. On this farm their third child, Clifford, was born. In the spring of 1904, Dar traded a cow, valued at twenty-five dollars, to Wallace McKinzie for a homestead relinquishment located in Kit Carson County, Colorado, four and one-half miles west of Kanorado, Kansas. Dar filed for the land, under the homestead act, on April 4, 1904. He built a two-room sod house and moved onto the homestead in August of 1905. Final homestead proof was obtained on February 20, 1911. Four children were born on the homestead, which complet ed their family. �passed away Januar5r 16, 1933 and was laid to rest beside his wife. Mr. Hines was a soft-spoken, self-made, righteous man. He treated all acquaintances with respect, never ggadgmning Snyone, speaking only oftheir good qualities, and not of their faults. by Velna Hines HITCHCOCK, GORDON A. AND Dar and Ethel Hines Homestead LUELLA (CORLTSS) F300 Our Dad, Gordon A. Hitchcock, born in Douglas County, near Lawrence, Kanoas, on April 28, 1890, and Mother, Luella YaIe Corliss, born on December 29, 1894, in a sod house, at Yale, Kit Carson County, Colorado, were married in Burlington, Colorado on July 25,L92L, by Rev. C.A. Yersin, in the home of H.G. Hoskin. Thie becnme my (Marie Hitchcock Hoskin) home when I married Henry Y. Hogkin, in 1951. Dad cnrne to Colorado in 1911 with his parents, A.E. and Rose Holloway Hitchcock, from Lawrence, KanBaE, and homesteaded south of Kirk, in Kit Carson County, Colo- Dar and Ethel Hines 1931 rado. Dad and hie father built the house, which still stands in the curve ofthe Stratton- By 1916, the Golden Belt Road (the only graded road in Kit Carson County at that Kirk road. They evidently believed the time), now marked "U.5.24", was being resurveyed, for grading with dirt, and would property line to extend farther west than it pass through the sod house on the homest€ad. Mother's father, A.N. Corliss, came to Kit Carson County in 1889 from Vermont, home- did. Being forced to move the buildings that were on the homest€ad because of the highway, Mr. Hines built a well improved farm about a mile southeast of the homestead. On steaded near Yale, Colorado, and manied Lillian Yale. Dad served in the Army Ambulance Corps in World War I in France and Belgium. On his return he took a homestead near Delhi, Las Animas County, Colorado. He and October 30, 1917 they moved to their farm. They lived on this farm nearly twenty-five years, before retiring to a modern home in Burlington, Colorado on September L, L942. Ethel Hines was well known for her unselfish assistance to friends and their neighbors. She often traveled by wagon, brggy, sled or auto to care for the sick, or to act as midwife with many deliveries, when a doctor could not be present. One trip, in particular, occurred at night during a blizzard, and required traveling 15 miles on a large, flat barn door, drug through the snow by a team ofhorses - to assist a young mother in the birth of her first child. Mr. and Mrs. Hines, being of hardy ancestry, following the pioneer life of their era - planning and toiling for the future, never faltering and facing hardships with a determination that never failed. by Velma Hines HINES, JOIIN NEWTON John and Florence Hinee 192? Emily Harrington on February 17, 1876. Mrs. Hines was born in Guthrie County, Iowa on October 16, 1869. To this union were born seven children - five girls and two boys. The two eldest children, Darwin and Estella were born in Guthrie County, Iowa. Late in the fall of 1878, Mr. Hines moved by covered wagon to a pre-emption in Phillips County, west of Long Island, Kansas. Mrs. Hines and the two children came west after the home was established. While residing there, John was employed as mail carrier the only time he engaged in an enterprise other than farming. Tbice a week he hauled mail, express, and passengers by springwagon from a post office west ofLong Island to Norton, and returned; the next trip being to Republican City, where he stayed overnight and returned the next day. Later, he moved to a homest€ad timber claim in Norton County, Kansas. At this residence, five children were born, completing their family. F299 John Newton Hines was born in Urichsville, Ohio on March 26, 1853. His parents and family moved to Lucas County, Iowa in 1861, residing there until 1867, at which time they moved to Guthrie County, Iowa. John Newton Hines married Florence On June 12, 1905, they arrived at the home they had purchased in Kit Carson County, Colorado - near Kanorado, Kansas. They lived on this farm until 1911, when they built a home in Kanorado, Kansas and retired. Mrs. Hines passed away at their Kanorado home on November 6, L929. She was laid to rest in the Kanorado Cemetery. Mr. Hines Mother lived in a tar paper shack on this land the first year and a half they were married. Following Delhi they went to live on her fathers ranch on the Republican River where they spent the next 11 years and where their four children were born; two daughters, Rose Mae and Marie, and two sons, Merton (Mert) and Albert (Bert). In the early days of the depression, when the bank in Burlington went broke (1931), Mother and Dad lost everything. Shortly after this Dad became ill and spent several months in hospitals. Mother was left to run the ranch, care for 3 children, and she wag expecting a fourth child. Because of his illness, we moved to Burlington, Colorado in 1933, where Dad plowed gardens and did odd jobs. We kept 2 horses, a milk cow, chickens and a pig or two. In 1936, Dad built a service station at the corner of 18th Street and Rose Avenue in Burlington, Colorado, which wag a family operated business. We all learned to pump gas and check oil! From 1941 to 1949 our home was connected to the station, and during World War II operated 24 hours to accommodate service men and truckers. In addition to the service station, Dad beceme the bulk agent in 1945 and continued in that capacity until 1953. Mother and Dad sold the gtation in 1949, and moved to a home at 153 17th Street where they lived the remainder of their lives. �In retirement Dad worked on and repaired bicycles for many children of the area. They were both active and interested in community affaire. Dad in American Legion and Masonic Lodge. Mother, American Legion Auxiliary, two Extension Homemakers Clubs, Hospital Auxiliary, Garden Club, Eastern Star, United Methodist Women and a Church Circle. Both were active and long r& * is ..wrr time members of the Burlington United Methodiet Church. Mother was one of the t* {' .*..ir. t* {$ *, * .@- -i .-rtJtr first Cub Scout Den Mothers in Burlington. She received the Kit Carson County Homemaker Award in 1967. Mother and Dad were charter members of the Polka Dots and Dashes, a square dance club that was active in Burlington for some twenty years. Dad played the fiddle for some ofthese dances and Rose Mae played the piano. Both of us, (Roee Mae and Marie), married local men and have always lived in Burlington. Rose Mae married Hubert Tyrrell who owns and manages Tyrrell Insurance. Marie married Henry Y. Hoskin who owns and manages the Kit Carson County Abstract Company. Our brother Mert lives in Salina, Kansas, and brother Bert in Ellsworth, Kansas. Dad died September 25, 1966, and Mother on August 19, 1980. r It, ir ."d. ,*. ;m- &ft 31 - | ffi* *"!.*,.. '{ * *l 6s ''$ t-I ). t t li::irlrrr,::;, ,-& SLA(I.F: R. Key: 1915, Flagler High School built in 1915, Burned down in 1951. 1917, Remodeled Lutheran Church. 1893, Public School in Flagler, Grades 1 thru 8, Farmers State Bank-was changed to First National in 1918. 1921, Improved farm buildings of Wm. Hohenstein who homesteaded 4 miles West and 4 Miles North of Flagler, in 1907. Our grandmother, Rose Holloway Hitchcock, made her home with Mother and Dad Zastrow, cnme to Colo. from Vernon Center, Minn., and each filed for a claim side by side, 4 miles west and 4 miles north of Flagler. At the very beginning, they dug a "Dugout" in a side of a small hill, and they lived in it for 3 months. They had just enough money to buy a teem of horses and a wagon. Many until her death in L944, at the age of 92. by Rose Mae llitchcock Tyrrell early settlers shared their farm equipment with each other. Dick Blanken was one who shared in many ways with William and HOHENSTEIN, WILLIAM 'ii i \' Herman. F301 In 1908, William married Minnie Blanken. They made their home in a one room house William (Wilhelm) Hohenst€in of German nationality was one of the many settlers in Kit Carson County, who filed for a claim under the Fed. Homestead Act. In 1907, at the age of 21, William and his cousin Herman On the left is the one room house. After 4 years, two rooms were moved from another farm and added with space in between. on his homestead. Thru hard work, other buildings were added, and finally, around 1917 to 1920. a new house and barn were built. William and Minnie parented four children: Hartwin, Erwin, Lorena, and Alma. William was an active member in the commu- nity and also a charter member of the Lutheran Church. All their children were baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran i,, i I.ii' Faith, and were educated and graduated from the Flagler High School. As years went by many changes occurred, and finally, his son, Erwin, operated the farm. William and Minnie retired in Denver, Colo. Erwin farmed the land until he sold it and moved away in 1960. Hartwin worked in the CC Qamp during the depression years and later spent most of his life in Denver. Alma taught in a rural school near Genoa, Co., later going to Denver to work for the government during World War II. Lorena'g first teaching job was at the Brownwood School, locatcd 10 miles north, and 4 miles east of Seibert. She taught in the Arriba Public School, and at Olathe, Co. During W.W. II, she worked at the Reception center at Ft. Logan, Co. On her 50th high school reunion, she donated a painting that she had painted of buildings, (that no longer exist) to the Flagler Historical Society. Front row: Harwin Hohengtein, Erwin Hohenstein. Back row: Alma Hohenet€in Thyssen, Lorena Hohenetein Davig, Minnie Blanken Hohenst€in, Willian Hohenstein. by Lorena Davis �good; however we did end up with 8 grand- HOLDEN FAMILY kids, 12 great grandkids and 5 great great grandkids and there were some girle among them and they were all beautiful children. F302 by Mrs. Anna Moore HOMM FAMILY Fairview School in 1928: Front row, Ieft to right: Warren Clemens, Irene Holden (me), Isaac Gustin. Second row: Gracie Moody, Eva Johnson, Clarence Holden. Third Row: Marjorie Clemens, Pauline Moody, Maxine Clemene, Oscar Gustin. Back row: Frances Holden. Mrs. Dora Wolverton, Beulah Guetin, Mildred Holden. My mother, Iva Van Syoc, cnme from Milo, Iowa to Colorado and homest€aded 16 miles north of Flagler in the year 1909. She married Charles Holden on March 12, 1911. He had a homestead in Lincoln County; they chose to live on her place, in a dugout or now they call them "outdoor cellar". As the family enlarged, they built a two room frn-e house. Just before I was born in L922, they built a cement house that was home for us 9 children altogether. Charles died in 1958 and Iva in 1959. They were still the owners of the homestead. We went through dirt storms and floods, hail outs and drouth, but we had love in our home. Our school dietrict # 14 had four schools in it Mount Pleasant, White Plaine, Dazzling Valley, and Fairview. We went to Fairview School, a one room school house with eight grades. I spent all my eight gtades there. Then we had a big graduation the last day of school with a picnic dinner and games. We had to walk three miles to school. Bad days my dad took us in the wagon. He was on the school board with Aaron Thompson and Charley Huntzinger. My dad, Charles Holden, served 12 years on the board. We had literaries or talent progrnms, pie suppers and Chrigtmas programs in the school for entertainment in the winter time. We all met at Mount Pleagant for Sunday School and Church. Everyone took baeket dinners and stayed all day in the summer time. The picture was taken in 1928 and includes Clemene, Holden, Gustin, Moody, and Johnson children. Our teacher that year was Mrg. Dora Wolverton. "Going to Town?" Shown in the picture, L. to R. are: Chris Dowell, Annie Glaister Hawthorne (wife of John Hawthrone,) Esther Glaigt€r Dowell (wife of Chris), Elizabeth Glaister Holliday (wife of John Holliday), and Annie Holliday (later Mre. Frank Moore). The youngeat on the cart floor is Verla Holliday (Mrs. Dan Sheratt). Taken at Seibert about 1905. er Holliday. I had just started to the 5th grade of school in Lafayette, Colorado, when my parents decided to go to the barren plains of Kit Carson County. It broke my heart to leave my friends and I never went back to school after that. Some of our relatives who had already settled in Seibert were my Uncle Walker Glaist€r, who was a school teacher, a lawyer, a county judge and hardware store owner. (A Walter Caywood had a shoe shop and a harness shop in the back of his hardware etore.) The Hawthorne's, the Jef- fries and the Guys were all realted by marriage to my family. My folks took a homestead claim about Yz mile south of Kipling Crossing, and there my dad built a 2 room frnme house to which he added 2 more rooms and we ended up with a 4 room shack. He ueed to get railroad tieg which he sawed for fuel for the little kitchen stove, our only source of heat, and once in a while, he would buy a ton of coal, but for the most part, we burned cow-chips which we would gather during the summer and fall until there would be a high pile on the side of the house, but by early spring, these would be gone. Dad smoked a corncob pipe and had a spittoon which I had to clean. This was the worst job I ever had. We had feather beds which are hard to make and we sank out of sight in them when we went to bed. Our only floor coverings were home-made rag rugs but it helped keep our feet warm in the winter time. It seems to me that all we did was work. When I was 17 or 18, I working in a regtaurant across from Aunt Kate's Hotel and one time, when I was working for Tom & Gladys Manion, ghe had her first baby and I helped fp. llnmle1g deliver it. This muat have been about 1910. We had a couple of cows which eupplied milk by Irene Barnum HOLLIDAY GLAISTER FAMILY F303 and we had chickens which mother would cook for Sunday dinner with home-made noodles made from flour and our own eggs. We had a garden in the summer time and I would have to carry water in a bucket from the horse tank to the garden to water the plants. As I remember, we had potatoes, squash, lettuce, and some oniong. Pancakes were generally made for breakfast. The winds Annie Holliday Moore was born on the 29th of July, 1891. This is her story of Kit Carson County as told to Jack Messinger on the 16th of January, 1986: I am 90-what? I think I an 93 but I wouldn't swear to it. My maiden name was Annie Margaret Holliday. My father's nryne was John (Jack) Holliday and my mother's nnme was Elizabeth Glaist- F804 were terrible, sometimes with dust and sometimes with snow, but just the winds were bad and they seemed to blow all the time. Afrb,er we left the homestead, I married Frank Moore and we had 3 boys: Bill, Fred and Jack and my husband, Frank, would ask why we couldn't have a gitl and I would say because you're no do-n good-you're just no damn Howard and Burdine Richards Homm. Iloward Homm I was born March 18, 1921 to John and Zuella (Knapp) Homm at the farm that my folks bought on S.3-T.6-R.44 about 2 miles northwest of the Spring Valley Ranch. I staded to school at 5 years old at the north school in District #3. I and my family lived there until I was 8 years old. This was cattle country and I learned things about cattle even at my young age. One of my first lessons in the cattle industry was one ofthe funniest that has even happened to me even though I didn't think it was very funny at the time. I was about 5 or 6 years old when my Uncle John (Hans) Knapp one day gave me a young billy goat for a pet. I taught him to lead and generally played with him and had a lot of fun with him. The goat loved staying with the cattle and when the cattle would come in for water I would catch the goat and tie him up to play with him, but if he ever got loose then he would go back out with the cattle. Our cattle were used to him and would pay no attention to him. Now the Rhineholt Brothers were leasing the Spring Valley Ranch, and running a lot of cattle there at the time. Slats Senti was the foreman of the Rhineholts and lived on the Spring Valley Ranch. This particular day Slats and some of his cowboys were moving a big herd of cows by our place. I had my goat tied to the leg of the windmill. Just as the cows start€d to come up the hill east of our house a terrible thing happened. My goat got loose and went down the road to meet that herd of cattle. I ran and tired to catch him. I don't think these cows had ever seen a goat before becawe when they saw hin back they went and nothing the riders could do would stop them. They really made a cloud of dust and when it cleared so you could see there in the road were three cowboys and Slats in his old model T car. Now if you knew �Slats Senti you knew a man that would stutter and a man who could cugs. He caught the goat for me. He was really mad; he said "SSSSSon of a GGGoathome and youtie him up and keep him tied up." I promised him that I would never let my goat loose again. It must have been an hour or more before they got the cows gathered up and moved on past our house. It was a real catastrophe for me that day but today I have to smile when I think about it. At the age of about 13 years I joined the 4H at Happy Hollow Club. Reuben Anderson was my first club leader. I selected a steer from my Grandad's herd. I fed steers for three years. In 1936 I caught a calfin the "catch-it- calf'contest at the National West€rn. In the three years I saved and put together enough money to buy two registered herefords. In 1940 I made an agreement with E.D. "Doc" Mustoe, Manager of Foster Farms of Redord, Kansas to run gome registered cows on ghares. We had barely gotten started acquiring cows when we dissolved because of the possibility of me being drafted into the Armed Forceg. I bought Mustoe's shares to add to my herd. I now had 15 or 20 head of cows. On February 3, 1945 I married Burdine Richards, daughter of John and Mayme (Anderson) Richards. The first five years aftpr we were married we lived on the old home place (where I was born). In 1949 we built a house on the ranch down on the river and moved there in early 1950. It was then that we joined my Father, John and Brother, Jim in the operation of John Homm & Sons. We specialized in the production of registered Herefords. I was in charge of registered cattle, records, selection, and fitting. I exhibited carload buls in the yards at National Western from L944tn 1984. I helped organize the Kit Carson County Hereford Breeders The Homm Fa-ily, standing, Larry, ZuAnn, Richard and John. SeatBd, Howard and Burdine. the way to a very successful judging career. Three of our children took music lessons and make an attcmpt to play music. ZuAnn played the piano, John played the accordian and Dick played the guitar, and for a while had a Country Western band called "The Outlaws". At present our oldest son Larry lives on the ranch. He attended Colorado State University and graduated with a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He then manied Dorthea Ruple of Kremmling and they have two children, a daughter, LaDee, and a son, Wade. Association and served that organization as Our second son, John, also lives on the ranch. John attended Chocise College in number of years. We also have staged many production sales of our own. One of my most prized possessions is a plaque I was presented in 1941 by the Kit Carson County Farm Douglas, Arizona and University of Texas at El Paso on a baseball scholarship, Colorado State University and graduated from University of Southern Colorado with a degree in President and also Sale Manager for a Bureau naming me the outstanding 4-H member of the year. Another honor ofwhich I am equally proud is a silver platter presented to the Homm Family in 1983 by the Colorado Hereford Aseociation nnming us the outstanding registered breeders of the year. It was presented at the Annual Banquet during Stock Show to my wife, Burdine, and I and our children and grandchildren present. We have four children and ten grandchildren. by Howard Homm IIOMM FAMILY F305 IIOWARD IIOMM Our children and grandchildren have all been active in 4-H work. They mostly have projects in Market Beef, Breeding Beef, Swine, and Horses. Starting in 1960 and continuing for about 15 years Homm Ranches Inc. sponsored a 4-H and FFA beef judging contest during Christmas Vacation in December. We are proud that the contest and workshops etarted many 4-H beginners on Accounting. John married Gail Silcott of Castle Rock and tbey have three children, girls, Erin and Jacie and one son, Bret. Third son, Dick lives on the ranch also. He attended college at Northeastern Jr. College in Sterling and Lo-ar Community College, La-ar. He joined the Army and spent a year in Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne Division. He maried Marilyn Armagost of Yuma, and they have three children, daughter, Kristi, and sons, Cy and Bob. Our daughter, ZuAnn, attended Northeastern Jr. College in Sterling, Colorado State University and graduated with a degree in Psychology from Southern Colorado State University. She marriedRon Hogan of Lamar and has a son, Glen and a daughter, ZuElla. They presently live in Yuma, Colorado. Through the years we have been active in a number of Civic Organizations. In addition to the Hereford Associations I have been on the School Board, served for 20 years on the board of the EquityCo-op Exchange, andwas a 4-H Leader when my children still had projects. My current interests include help- ing on the ranch as usual and square dancing which I find very enjoyable. by Howard llomm HOMM FAMILY F306 Iloward llomm I was born August 25, L926 on this ranch where we presently live. Part of this ranch was homesteaded by my grandfather Wm. A. Richards. I have lived on the same ranch my entire life. I walked to school at No. 4&I which was only a short way from our house. The 9th grade was also taught there, but I graduated from the Burlington High School in 1944. I then taught school at the home school, #4&I, for one year. As long as I can remember Grandpa Richards lived with us until he moved to Burlington in 1945. My Grandma Richards passed away shortly after their youngest child was born in 1900. I still remember the big gardens that Grandpa planted and how hard he worked at it, as we kidg had to help him plant, hoe and etc. He rode a little black ponyto church whichwas about 7 miles away. He passed away in 1947. I can remember a number of tragedies: there was the blizzard of 1931 where a number of school children froze to death on a schoolbus at Towner, Colorado. Then there was a great drought of 1933-34-35. The dust storms followed and were caused by the drought. I remember in some of these dust storms it would get so dark in the house that my mother would soak sheeta and blankets in water and hang them at the windows to keep some of the dust out, and taking the blankets down they were pure mud, while outside you couldn't at times see more than 8 or 10 feet. The dirt and dust drifted everywhere just like snow in a blizzard. It covered roads, fence lines, and put big drifts around houges and barns. There were many people who moved away at this time. In the spring after those t€rrible dust storms we had cattle that just layed down and died. By cutting them open it was found their lungs were filled with mud. Also we were invaded by millions of jack rabbits during these drought years, there were rabbit huts where �the people drove the rabbits into pens where they would kill them. From these hunts there would be truck loads of dead rabbits hauled off, some were even sold. There was the 1935 flood which sure had a deep impression on my mind as I could never build or live on the river bottom since. There was a lot of rain one night and my mom got up and locked our porch door as the wind and rain was so strong it would blow it open. When we got up the next morning the flood was on, water was ever5rwhere the glow water was around our chicken house and barns. We could see animals and barn roofs etc.going down the river which wag very fast. Out in the center the waves jumped, 20 ft. high. You could see big trees fall in the water and would not see them again for about % of a mile down the river. My Dad lost a number of cows and a few horses in the flood. Dad found some of them dead as far away as Benkelnan, Nebraska. There were some reports that we had around 24 inches of rain. Many people in Burlington did not know it rained that muchanywhere. This flood ruined all the nice level hay land in the valley, the irrigation ditches and any thing else that happened to be in its way. It turned it all into one big sand creek. The next year the river bottom came up with lots of trees which are very pretty today. There were not that many trees before the flood in 1935. I have been very active in different organizations. I was the first president of the Kit Carson County Cowbelles, an office I held for a number of years. During the time I was president we put together the Kit Carson County Cattleman's History. This book was started by Roy Bader, he put alot of hard work into this and it was after his death Avis Bader, Harley Rhoades, and myself had the book completed and published. I was a director of the Colorado Hereford Auxilary and also was the president for 2 terms. We in the Hereford Auxilary are in the procese of compiling a book on the History of Herefords in Colorado. Howard and I have 10 grandchildren, 5 boys and 5 girls. We enjoy them very much as we all go camping and swimming in the dnms in the summer. They like to come to our house and help me paint, sew, or what ever I have to do. Howard suffered a heart attack in April of 1985; since then he has turned more of the active management of the ranch over to the boys. We still live here on the ranch and we do what we can to help out. by Burdine llomm HOMM FAMILY F307 The Homm family came from Ostfriesland, Germany. Herman, the oldest child, cnme first. He worked very hard, saved his money and sent for the rest of the family, which was George, the father; Altamina, the mother; and John, George, Anna and Henry. They came in a German sailing ship and took 3 weeks because the weather was so bad. This was in December of 1869. A friend persuaded George to take along his son, John Bruns, because his stepmother made life so miserable for him. When they arrived in New York (Ellis Island), John Bruns eyas so lousy they wouldn't release him until he was deloused. Altamina didn't want to stay and wait for him so they went on to lllinois. When John got deloused they put a tag on him and sent him to Illinois. While he was walking to the Homms and he heard horses coming, he'd think they were Indians and jump into the brush and hide. Father George died in Illinois. He was hauling wheat to town in a wagon with one of the boys when he had a heart attack. The mother, Altamina, went to Grinnell, Kansas, with several of her children. She took a homestead, as well as George and Henry. She died in 1893, before proving up on the homestead. George's girls, Alma and Minnie, can remember that they went to their grandmother's a lot of times and she always fed them prunes. The son, George, married Anna Duelm in Illinois before moving to Kansas. They lived in a part dugout with the front laid up with magnesia rock. There was a spring close to the house where they kept their milk and butter. In 1889, George went to St. Francis, Kansas, to cut corn, then brought his family there in a wagon with a team of mules, one black and one white. Then he went back to Grinnell for his cattle. On the way back to St. Francis he drank from a pond and contracted typhoid fever. He died after 5 days. He is buried at St. Francis. Since typhoid fever is contagious, Anna took care of him in St. Francis and got a neighbor girl to stay with their little girls. The girls remember that the neighbor told ghost stories and had them scared. Another neighbor, Mrs. Shanklin, cnme to help get the girls ready for the funeral. George's brother, Herman, came from Kit Carson, Colorado, to help with the cattle and other things. Herman had lost his wife, Emma, in 1888, and his 2 daughters, Minnie and Mary, were living with their Lengel grandparents at Grinnell. Herman took the mules back to Kit Carson with him and sold the cattle to John Lengel in Colorado. Anna went back to her parents in Illinois and son George was born there. In 1892, Herman went back to llinois and married Anna. They, along with her children, Lena, Kate, Alma, Minnie, Mary and George came to Colorado and lived on a rented place on the Republican River just above where Bonny Dnm is now located. They had 2 more children, John and Tillie. In 1896, Herman got a carbuncle under his arm and soon died. He is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery on the Kit Carson-Yuma County line. That left Anna a widow again and now she had 6 girls and 2 boys to raise. She had some cattle on the rented place which had irrigation so they could always raise something. Later she bought the home ranch and homesteaded 160 acres nearby. The girls had to help with the cattle, irrigating and other work until George and then John got big enough to work. Part of the time she sent her cattle down to pasture on the Smoky, southwest of Burlington with hired men, Charlie Stump, Glass Davis and Jake Lengel. Anna lived alone for several years after her children were grown and later spent some time with some of her children as she got older. She died in 1941 and is buried at the St. John's Cemetery south of ldalia. Lena married Carl Zick, Kate married Charlie Stump, Alma married Jake Lengel, Minnie married Glass Davis, Mary married John Brenner, George married Clara Fleer, John married Zuella Knapp and Tillie married Roy Russmann. Kate and Charlie Stump took their fanily to Oregon in 1936. The others lived around the BurlingtonIdalia area. Only George's wife, Clara, is still living. Of the 8 Homm children, 5 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversaries. There were 39 grandchildren. George built a sod house and brought his bride there in 1912. Gilbert was born there in 1913, Velma in 1915 and Clifford in 191?. They moved to the Herman Zick place in Kit Carson county and Hazel was born there in 1921. Later George bought his mother's home place and they lived there while the children were going to school and growing up. The children attended the Newton school. In 1963, George, Clara and Gilbert moved to Burlington and George died there in 1969. Hazel married Ernest Langendoerfer in 1941, Velma married Hugh Gerber in 1943 and Clifford married Carolyn Chase in 19b1. There are 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. George was always interested in the better- ment of the community. He encouraged literary at the school, organized several ball teams in the area and donated land for the teams 1P 01"t. Clara's greatest joy is to have her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren around her. George and Clara spent many hours entertaining the grandchildren by telling them stories and taking them fishing. by Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Homm HOMM FAMILY F308 A herd of horses that belonged to Herman Zickmn on the range. Nothing had been done with them for so long that they had nearly turned into a herd of wild horses. I remember Grandad bought those horses and brought them home and sorted them out. There were about 8 or 10 head of pretty nice young horses. Grandad hired a man named Joe Queen who lived up by Cope to take and break them. There were four or five that broke out real gentle. One of them was a beautiful gray mare that Grandad gave to me. I rode this mare home and nemsd her Grace. I rode Grace for a couple of months, one day my dad needed a saddle horse and he didn't have a bridle or saddle. He put a blinded bridle on her, (one from a work harness) and got on her bare back. All of this change spooked her and she threw him off. After this Dad wouldn't let me ride her anymore. He said that she couldn't be trusted and she might hurt me. He finally sold her to a horse buyer that cnme through from Arkansas. I remember many times of helping Grandad salting the cattle. He would come by in his old Dodge coupe and take me along to open gates. Grandad leased the old Zick and Jansen places as his summer range. In the early 1930's Grandad sold the north part of the ranch, on the Republican, to Foster Farms, one of the most prominent Hereford breeding establishments in the nation at the time. They bought the ranch and had plans to establish a registered polled hereford herd there. The flood on Memorial Day 1935 changed all their thoughts and I'm sure they �were more than glad to sell it to the Government where they built Bonny Dam. My uncle Don Knapp had kept the part of the Godsman ranch on the Launchman. The U.S. Government took this land too when acquir- ing land for Bonny Dam. Don moved on a Iittle farther south and bought the old Homm Ranch from my uncle George Homm. Don's wife, Violet lives there yet today. I also can remember my Mother's Grandad John Knapp. He was very old when he used to come and visit my Mother and Dad. I remember that when he came he would always ask mother to play the piano for him. He was a Civil War Veteran and his favorite song was "Marching Through Georgia". by Howard Homm HOMM FAMILY F309 When I was a little boy my Grandad had a favorite trick he used to play on me. First he would ask me what I had in my pockets, I knew I didn't have anything, he would have to look and everytime he would find a nickel. I always ended up with the nickel. It took me quite awhile to figure this trick out. I remember a story my mother used to tell about when Grandad was the Sheriff. During the summer mother and her sisters and brothers stayed out at the ranch and helped out there. On this certain Saturday evening the kids were making plans to go somewhere to a dance. They had the good driving team and they were primed for a great time. Along about dark Grandad sent word out that he had an unexpected sheriffs call to make and he wanted Clyde to bring the driving team and buggy to him. Of course the kids were all mad so Clyde hitched the team to the buggy and got up in the driver's seat and rapped the horses a good one with the end of the lines. The horses reared up and came down and broke the tongue out of the buggy. Sometime about the last day of World War I Grandad disposed of most of his ranching operations and went to drill for oil in Wyoming. It proved to not be a very profitable move. Not that he didn't find oil but because the refinaries were all owned by the major oil companies and they would not buy his crude. In the early 1920's he came home and started over. Grandad first acquired the Dr. Godsman Ranch on the Launchman. I remember my folks taking me to the Godsman farm sale. I remember my uncle Johnny Knapp, (Hans) and how he carried me around and the big crowd of people that were at the sale. Later Grandad lived back and forth between the Godsman Ranch and his house in town. At this point Grandad had a pretty big operation, lots of cattle and horses not to mention several hired men. I'll never forget the old bunkhouse. I spent many an hour there playing records on the old Victorola they had there. I also remember that down in the feedlot where Grandad fed steers and hogs there was a spring that ran, Grandad had a dam put across this gulley and made a nice pond. Everyone referred to it as the "Hog Pen". It was a real good fish pond. I Jim Knapp, father of Zuella Knapp Homm. I Remember Grandad The things that I remember my Grandad for are probably different from other people. The Grandad I'm talking about is J.H. "Jim"; spent many happy hours there as a boy. Grandad at one time bought the entire registered Hereford herd owned by Julius Stutheit. He ran them as commercial cattle. My first steer I fed when I started in 4-H came from his herd. by lloward Homm Knapp. My Grandad Homm died in 1879 when my Dad was only 2 years old. So the only Grandad I ever knew was my Grandad Knapp. My first memories of him were when he lived in Burlington during which time I was only 2 or 3 years old. He lived in the house now owned by Lucy Russman across the street southwest of the Post Office. He also owned the lots south of the house now occupied by Dave's Body Shop and the library. He had a big corral and barn and always had a lot of horses there. Many times his well drill would be parked there too. I also remember a friend of my Grandad's. His name was Grant Mann. He was a short heavyset man with a big handlebars mus- tache. He must have owned a lot of horses and mules for everytime I saw him he would ask me if I came to ride his "Hee-Haw" todav. John and Zuella Homm, parents of Howard Homm. open range; it was open at that time from his place to the Bar T. Dad leased a water gap from the Bar T on the lower end of the Bar T close to Lee Yount's irrigation dam. The cattle could get water there when they were on the north end of the range. In 1923 we raised a real good crop of corn, he put his steers in the feedlot, fed them out, and had a very successful financial experience, while making a good profit. However, from then until 1929 his corn was hailed out 5 times. He ended up returning to the river to put up hay on shares with his father-in-law (Jim Knapp) to keep his cattle through the winter. In 1929 after being hailed for the 5th year they decided to give up and move back to the river where hay was a little more dependable than farming crops. And so they bought and moved to the Herman Zick Ranch which is on Highway 385 at the Kit Carson - Yuma County line. Here they raised commercial cattle as their main occupation. In 1936 they built a filling station and general store, called The County Line Store. They operated it until 1939. In 1939 John traded his ranch and store for the ranch which is the headquarters for the present day Homm Ranches Inc. Only 31,'z years earlier this ranch had been hit by the worst flood that the Republican River has ever known. All fences had to be replaced, hay meadows had to be cleaned up and irrigation ditches had to be rebuilt. This took much HOMM - KNAPP FAMILY F310 John Homm married Zuella Knapp, daughter of J.H. Knapp and Celia (Barkley) Knapp. They had two sons, Howard born March 18, 1921 and James Herman born, August 20, 1926. They first started farming and ranching on the farm they bought on S.3T.6-R44 northwest of the Spring Valley Ranch. They were here from about 1919 to 1929. They farmed 300 acres to wheat and corn. Horses were used to plant corn and the wheat was then planted in the cornstalks in the fall of the vear. Dad also ran steers on the hard work. In 1932 John had bought the first registered Herefords, 15 head of late heifer calves that were bred by Rosser Davis and Sons. This was the start of an operation that has run through three generations. For 20 years the purebred Hereford operation was known as John Homm and Sons consisting of John and sons, Howard and James. In 1959 the partnership was dissolved. John and Zuella retired. Howard kept the home ranch and purebred cattle and James took the commercials and the place on S.3-T.6-R.44. Zuella passed away in 1968, and John died in 1975. James married Lois Thomas in 1953; they lived on the place on S.3-T.6-R.44 for a number ofyears when they sold the farm and moved to Burlington. They have 2 daughters and a son. Their daughter, Dorothy, married �Richard lbbetson and lives at Yates Center, Kansas, she has two boys and a girl. Daughter, Barbara married Torrence Button and lives in Denver. Ron, their son, is unmarried and also lives in Denver. Jim died in 1973 in a truck accident. His wife, Lois, still lives in Burlington. by Howard Homm IIOMM, ANNA F31r I was born in Warsaw, Ill., on September 29, 1856, and spent my girlhood days there with my parents, then came to Kansas and lived there for nine years. I came to Colorado on July 19, 1892, coming by train to Burlington, and hiring a wagon and team, went to a rented farm then owned by Sam Shepherd of Denver. We built our sod house, plastering the walls with native lime and covering the roof with tar paper and sod and putting in a wooden floor. We made our furniture from packing boxes and a little lumber; we made a table, bedstead, bench, or two. Then we bought some chairs, two other bedsteads and a stove. Our supplies were brought from St. Francis, Kansas, from Wray, from Burlington and some were shipped from Kansas City. I had six daughters before my sons were born, so the girls had to help my husband in the fields, with the cattle and with the irrigation. Mail was brought every other day to Newton, Colorado, a post office about a mile and a half from us. A Miss Linnie Jones was the mail carrier. We kept a herd of two hundred fifty cattle and it was a necessity for the girls to help care for them. One very severe winter when the cattle had to be fed all winter and then in the spring .we lost forty-five head by a disease known as blackleg but that goes with the life of a pioneer farmer. My husband did not live long after we settled here and then I had to raise my family alone, but we managed to keep going and when land was not selling at boom prices, I bought 305 acres right down on the river bottom for which I paid $1050.00. Later, I sold this same piece of land for $10,000.00. My children went to school at Newton, Colorado. Miss Annie Attis was the first to our house to ask for some cough syrup for one of his children. We noted then, that he had a revolver with him. He went out, presumably to go home, but met two neighbor men coming into our yard. One of those men accused him of stealing a pig. There were some words, then we heard a shot and discovered that Munsinger was lying in the yard dead, by the cellar door. None of us saw the shooting or heard the quarrel, but the man claimed that he shot in self defense as Munsinger tried to get his gun first. The body lay there all night; there was no coroner near and the two neighbor men left at once to go and surrender and send the coroner out. Note: As this was across the county line in Arapahoe, now Yuma county, accounts for the delay in getting a coroner or deputy, as Denver was the County seat. The two men involved were August Meyers and Bill Harachek. They were tried and acquitted. The Munsinger family moved to Denver after this tragedy in their lives. The mother died within a few years and the children, it was reported, were put into foster homes. One of the children was named Ralph. Named for Ralph Talbot, the attorney at Denver, who defended Munsinger for the slaying of the Bar T. foreman. Mr. Allen. by Della Hendrickes HOMM, CLIFFORD F3l2 Clifford John Homm was born in a sod house in southern Yuma County, December 7, LgL7. His father, George, had built the house in 1912 just before he married Clara Fleer, daughter of Louis and Caroline Rohlfing Fleer of the Idalia community. They also had a sod barn. chicken house and nice cemented cellar. The farmstead looked very nice with a big garden and alfalfa growing all around the house, but it was away from the road and Clara got lonesome with George working away from home all day. "Doc" Godsman's wife saw how nice the place looked so she persuaded her husband to buy it for her. She was a school teacher in Chicago so she never did live there. The Homm's moved to Herman Zick's place along the Launchman Creek then, It was a new cement brick house. Herman had painted the living room red. He said all the parlors he ever saw were painted red. He also planted rows of cottonwood trees all around The furniture was moved into one room and everyone danced. The very small children were put to sleep on beds or any available place. Each family brought something for a midnight snack. Sometimes the dance would last until dawn. Another pastime was card parties. They especially enjoyed Auction Bridge. A few times they and their company were still playing when breakfast was ready. One visitor got disgusted with his playing or luck and took the lid off the kitchen range and dropped the cards into the fire. That stopped the party. Most evenings just the family would gather around the kitchen table and play games by the light of the kerosene lamp. In 1931, George, Gilbert and Clifford bought their first registered Hereford cattle from Rosser Davis who lived just up the river. This proved to be a profitable and very enjoyable venture. Hereford breeders are noted for their hospitality and the Homm's took many trips to see other herds. The Fulschers of Holyoke and Wyoming Hereford Ranch of Cheyenne were the favorite places to see good cattle. The Homms liked to show their cattle to visitors, too. They have now sold their cow herd and retired. In 1939, Clifford bought Herman Zick's place where he had lived a few of his early years. He and his family, except Gilbert, moved there. Gilbert bought the home place and he stayed there. The men always worked together, however. The girls, Velma and Hazel, ran the grocery store and gas station on Clifford's place that John and Zuella Homm had started. As soon as Clifford bought his ranch he started making improvements. All the outbuildings were eventually removed and new ones built and corrals were improved. More trees were planted nearly every year. The house was enlarged and remodeled. Y.W. Electric came with an electric line in 1950 and an irrigation well was put down. Electric appliances were put in the house and other buildings. In 1951 Clifford married Carolyn Chase from Beecher Island. George Howard was born in 1952 and Helen Elaine in 1953. Now the family is complete. George and Helen went all 12 years to Burlington schools. George got a B.A. from Boulder and law degree from Denver University. He practices law in Burlington. Helen got a B.A. and M.A. degree from University of Northern Colorado. She was a librarian at Burlington then Stratton. Now she is the librarian in the Holvoke school teacher and Sam Nelson was the second. The children walked and when it got real cold they wrapped their feet in gunny sacks to keep them warm. In the early days we did not buy anything that was not really needed. I bought calico and made the girls dresses and when a bit of the farmstead. After only a few years, Clifford and the rest of the family moved to another house. By 1926, George had bought his lace was added, that became their best or Sunday dress. They were just as contented as could be. I made my yeast cakes, my soap, and by for Grandma Homm to live. The Homm children walked to Newton school. As long as Clifford can remember, they HOMM, IIERMAN saved in every way that was possible, but we always had enough to eat and although we worked hard, we had good times also, for we had a number of good neighbors around us. received the daily paper. Sometimes when he and his father walked to the mail box, they'd stop along the way to read the sports page so they could see how the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals were doing. Clifford was and 1850. He was 14 years old when he cnme with We were acquainted with the man Munsinger, whom we always classed as a desperado and who kept the neighborhood in fear by his actions. He killed a man, a Mr. Allen, shot at others and caused the home of a neighbor to be burned and was finally shot by one of his neighbors in our back yard. He always carried a pistol and this night he had come system. by Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Homm mother, Anna's, home place and the family moved there and built a smaller house close is a loyal Cubs fan. George rooted for the Cardinals. Literary evenings were an enjoyable community pastime. Nearly everyone participated in the plays, programs and debates. As the children grew, the whole family went to house dances in the neighborhood. F3r3 Herman Homm was born in Germany in an Uncle to the U.S. A short while later the rest of the family came to this country. Herman's family consisted of three brothers, one sister, and his parents. They settled in Illinois across the Mississippi River a short way from St. Louis. Later the Homm family moved to western Kansas to a place south of Grinnell. Herman's brother John and sister Anna stayed in Illinois. �At Grinnell one of their neighbors was the Lengel family. Here Herman met and married Emma Lengel. Two girls were born of this union. Later Herman took his family with his brothers-in-law, Jake and John, and followed the railroad on west to Kit Carson, Colorado. Here the open range offered many opportunities to one interested in the cattle industry. Here at Kit Carson they ran cattle for a number of years. According to stories Iater told by Uncle Jake they grazed their cattle at such places as: Big Springs, Little Springs, Rush Creek, Sheridan Lake, Sand Creek, and the Smokey. This country was all open range at that time and the cattle were moved around and grazed in any area where there was water. At the museum in Old Town at Burlington there is an old sword that one of Herman's men found near the site of the Sand Creek Massacre near Chivington when they were moving cattle through there. No one knows whether the old sword belonged to an Indian, an Army Officer, or a Soldier or who? Even though the Kit Carson area was a good grass country they found that it didn't offer much for protection of feed during the winter. There were some winters that they moved the cattle to the Republican River north of Burlington and on down the river as far as St. Francis. Here they leased corn stalk fields from homesteaders to feed on when snow covered the grass. Later Emma died and Herman took her back to Kansas for burial and left the two little girls with the Lengel Grandparents. These girls, Minnie and Mary, both died in their teens. Later he left Kit Carson and went back to Illinois. It was in Illinois that he married Anna Homm. Anna was his brother George's widow. George had died of Typhoid Fever. So Herman and Anna and her family of six children came back to Colorado. This time they settled about 20 miles north of Burlington, Colorado where the Republican River and the Launchman Creek meet. This land today is owned by or covered by the waters of Bonny Reservoir Here they leased a ranch, stacked the hay in the fall and grazed their cattle on open range. Much open range was still available on the Smokey south of Burlington and Stratton. For many years they trailed their cattle south to the Smokey. It was a hard drive to take the cows south in the Spring, but it was an easy job in the fall, the cows would nearly come home by themselves. Dad told about a year when they were coming home, they reached a spot somewhere east of Stratton where some homesteaders had the road fenced on both sides for about a mile. They thought this an ideal place to bed down for the night. They ran the cattle in the long lone, they parked their chuckwagon in the north end of the lane, staked out their horses and layed down in their bed rolls in the north end ofthe lane. It had been a long day and they were very tired. Long about midnight someone woke up to hear the last cow slip by. The cows had crept by them one by one during the night and were headed on home. So everybody got up, packed their things, mounted their horses and followed the herd on home. They made it on home the next night and were a very tired bunch of cowboys. Uncle Jake told about a time they were moving the cows south one spring. There on the prairie they came upon a herd of wild horses. The horses ran on ahead and soon out ofsight. A little farther on they were surprised to see a little baby colt following the chuck wagon. They caught the little fellow and put him in the wagon, and took him home and raised him on a bucket. Dad said he never did get very big, he was quite a pet and was kind of ornery. Uncle Jake told many tales of wild horses. It seems these horses were a constant threat to all of the other horses in the area. If horses were turned out in the pasture wild stallions would many times come in at night and drive off the mares. Many a homesteader thought horse thieves were responsible only to find them with the wild horses. One of the worst things the early day cattlemen had to contend with was the gray wolf of which there were many of in this country. There are people today wl,o are worried that the gray wolf will become an endangered species, I just don't understand. Uncle Jake always told about the time when he rode up on a pair of old gray wolves who had just cut down a four year old bull. The wolves would cut the ham string in the rear flank and then the animal would go down and could not stand up. In this case the wolves had eaten part ofthe rear quarter and the bull was still alive. Jake said he killed the bull and tried to get the wolves. It is easy to understand why early day cowboys killed every wolf they could. Herman died in 1897 and is buried in the old Evangelical Luthern Salem Church cemetary north of the Spring Valley Ranch at the county line. After Herman died Anna stayed and operated the ranch with the help ofhired men and the help of her family who were all quite young. She held on until her boys were big enough to take over. Few people realize the hardships that were endured by this strong willed pioneer woman. She died in 1942 and is buried in the St. John Church Cemetery south of ldalia. Anna's children were: Caroline, Lina as she was better known, married Catl Zick, lived in Burlington. Kathrine, known as Kate, married Charlie Stump, lived by Kirk, and later in Oregon. Minnie who married Glass Davis lived by Kirk, and later in Burlington. Alma who married Jake Lengel and lived a mile or so southeast of the home place. Mary married John Brenner and lived south of Idalia. Son, George Jr. who lived on the home place and married Clara Fleer. In addition to Anna's family Herman and Anna had two children of their own. Matilda, or Tillie married Roy Russman. Son, John born in 1895 married Dee, LaDee, Wade and Larry Homm. Shirlene Walters; Ray, Roger and Catherine Richards, Wilma Schaal. Also there were Bruce and Dale Richards, Dennis and Linda Moore, Kenny, Mary Lou, and Betty Thomas, Lora and Karen Schlichenmayer, Rick and Randy Pratt, and Phyliss and Don Scheir. In the fall of 1960 this school was closed and everyone was bussed to Burlington. My first year in High School 1959-60 I stayed in town with Ray and Sara Rhoades. I graduated from BHS in the spring of 1963 and attended CSU that fall. My roommate was Bruce Poley from Burlington and we stayed in Braiden Hall on campus. I attended Vet College until 1971 when I received my DVM degree. I moved to Glasgow, Montana and started work at a vet clinic. While in Vet College I met Dorathea Ruple and we were married on November 6, 1971 in Grand Lake, Colorado. Dee, as she is known was originally from Kremmling, Colorado, and was working at LaPlatta County Hospital in Durango when we were married. We moved to Montana and lived there until the spring of 1972 when we moved back to the Burlington area. Dee has worked as a registered nurse at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital since 1972. We have two children. LaDee Ann was born March 11, 1976 and Justin Wade was born September 13, 1978. LaDee and Wade are both active in 4-H and enjoy working with animals. LaDee also enjoys art and Wade likes working cattle. I have a limited vet practice since my ranch work takes up most of my time. I still enjoy veterinary work and raising cattle. by Larry Homm Zuella Knapp. by Howard Homm HOMM, LARRY AND DEE HOMM, RICHARD AND MARILYN F3r5 F314 My name is Kristi and I am proud to say that I am a part of the Homm family. My family has lived in Kit Carson County for as I was born January 31, 1946 in Burlington, long as I can remember, which isn't very long since I'm only 16. I currently am attending CO and grew up on a cattle ranch on the south fork of the Republican River. I attended country school, Ritizius 48J, for eight years. I started first grade in the fall of 1951. My first grade teacher was Lucy Russman. Other teachers I remember were Mrl. John Schaal. Mrs. Leo Devlin, Mrs. Jesse Wagoneer, Mrs. Willi Schrayer, Mrs. Bergstein, Mrs. House, and Ms. Gay Rigdon. People that attended school during this time were Jerry and Bob Paintin, Sharon, Beverly, and Sandy Langendoerfer, Larry and Stan Mangus, Carole and Burlington High School. My interests are writing, reading and riding horses, I also help with the ranch work as much as possible. My family is a source of much talent; we all do as much as we can to promote and encourage people to follow their dreams, if someone hadn't then none of us would be where we are today. My Grandfather on my mother's side, or Poppy as we call him is very special to me. His name is Mervin and my grandmother's is Roberta or Bert as she is commonly called. �4-H. I have been in for eight years and enjoy it thoroughly. My real love is horses and I would like to learn everything I can about them. I used to have this old horse that would not get into the trailer for my dad or anyone else, but when I would go and tell him to stop all this nonsense and just get in the trailer he would just step right in. This same horse used to hate to be worked in the round corral so he would just follow you everywhere you went in the corral. I have this friend that hadn't ridden before and I took her with me. She rode behind my brother Bob, we were almost back to the house without any trouble when the horse takes off and she is sitting there with both hands on the saddle horn and she totally let go of the reins. All she could say was help me, help me, and all I could do was laugh at the very sight of her. Finally we made it back to the house and got her hands pried off of the horn. purchased a home in Stratton where he and his wife resided until her death in 1956. Mr. Hoot also owned another place, which he rented to Elvin "Boots" Wilson. The Wilson daughters remember him as a very kind man. When he came out to check the land which he did often he always brought them all day suckers. After her death, he went to Denver. to make his home with his sons. He lived to the age of 100 years, 6 months and 28 days. by Florence McConnell HORNUNG FAMILY F317 by Kristi llomm Richard and Marilyn Homm. HOOT, J. H. FAMILY F316 Edith and Swidbert Hornung Swidbert A. Hornung rode through Eastern Colorado on a train with his parents on a family trip when he was ten years old and made a vow that he would live in this area Joseph, Nellie Hoot and son Dale in front of their home in Stratton. Joseph Henry Hoot was born in Freeport, Ill. Nov. 3, 1869 to Ira and Maria Young Hoot. Mr. Hoot Iived in Illinois until the age of 3, then in Missouri for four years. He moved to Johnson County, Nebraska where he received his early education in rural schools. He gained a high school diploma at Tecumseh, Nebraska and attended State Teach- er's College in Peru, Nebraska where he Kristi, Cy and Bob Homm, children of Richard and Marilyn Homm. My mother has five brothers and sisters: Sandy currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona, Hope lives at Yuma as does Jack, Peggy, and Pat. My Grandfather has sold seedcorn since 1957, and currently sells and farms northeast of Yuma, CO. My Grandmother Homm is a great storyteller. She tells of a time when my dad and his brother were supposed to be trimming their steers, but instead they were shaving their sister's favorite cat like a lion. It seems to me that they were always doing something that they knew would get them into a lot of trouble. I have two brothers that take after their father and uncle. They are usually up to something and it isn't always on the best of their judgement or common sense. Cy and Bob, my brothers, have both had their share of stitches and knocks in the head or all over. The whole family is or has been active in earned his teacher's diploma. He taught in county schools near Tecumseh for ten years. Joseph was united in marriage to Nellie L. Beech at Tecumseh in 1895. Nellie was born at Bedford, Iowa July l,1874. She attended elementary school at Red Oak, Iowa, learning all the counties in the state beginning at the northeast corner. Her parents, Hiram and Alice Friar Beech, got the western fever and moved to Dundy County, Nebraska and fought the grasshoppers and dry weather for two years. Giving up pioneering, they moved to Arapahoe, Furnas County, Nebraska, where Nellie graduated from high school and taught school for two years. Here is where she got acquainted with Joseph Hoot. Joseph taught school for five years after they were married. Three sons Joseph W., Wilber M. and Henry Dale, were born and a daughter died in infancy. Getting an urge to farm, Mr. Hoot bought a farm near Goodland, Kansas which he tilled for three years; then he purchased a farm south ofStratton, Colo. which he operated for 17 years. In 1952 Mr. Hoot sold his farm and some day. In 1943, "Swede" brought Edith, his wife, and their children, Palamon, Albert and Joyce to Stratton, Colorado. They first settled about nine miles northeast of Stratton. Swede, not only farmed, but he also was a real estate salesman. He first started working at Batt Realty, and later he bought Batt Realty. He trained and employed Joe Hendricks before Joe went on to Burlington to form his own business. Swede was very active in the community. He served on the Stratton Town Council. He promoted many community projects: a swimming pool, the Stratton Days barbeque. He had Mr. John McCracken of Holly, Colorado, come show Stratton people how to set up the barbeque process. Swede pushed for progress for Eastern Colorado and Stratton. He was one of the first farmers to produce sugar beets, as well as irrigate his land. He convinced several people from his hometown area in and near Spearville, Kansas, to come live in the Stratton and Burlington areas. Swede and Edith (Kasselman) had four children: Palamon William, Albert Maurice, Joyce Marie, and Kenneth Vincent. All three of the boys graduated from Colorado State University - 1961, 1961, and 1968, respectively. They majored in agricultural business, engineering and physical education, respectively. Pal farms in Stratton. He and his wife, Shirley, have four children: Stan, Whitney, Susan, and John. Albert works for Brock, Easley in Englewood, Colorado. He and his wife, Carla, have �two girls, Tara and Kendra. Albert was previously married to Elaine Smelker and they had four children; Devon, Kris, Kirk, HORNUNG, PAL AND SHIRLEY and Lane. Joyce and Ron Austin live in Stratton and have five children: Rhonda, Lyle, Debbie, Julie, and Roger. Ken was married and is divorced and has Swede and Edith Hornung's oldest son, Palamon, returned to Stratton in 1972 because he wanted to farm and raise his children in his hometown. Pal met and married Shirley Andrews from McDonough County (Industry), Illinois and Grand Junction, Colorado, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Pal and Shirley lived in Fort Collins, Des Moines, Iowa; Portland, Oregon; and Colorado Springs, Colorado before returning to no children. He has his own business, a recreational distributorship in the Kansas City area. by Shirley Hornung HORNUNG - LISTUL FAMILY Stratton in L972. They had four children; Stanley Byron who presently lives in Dallas, Texas, and is a manager trainee for NW Transport trucking F318 Terrence Hornung and Shelley Listul were married in Stratton on April 23, 1977. Now, in 1985, we are lucky enough to have four children. Michael was born in November, 1977; Jonathan in March, 1980; Thomas in November, 1982; and Savannah, our daugh- ter, born in August, 1984. In 1980 we purchased the farm we are living on from Val Kordes. Terry was born in Stratton on October 19, 1947. He is the oldest child of William Hornung and Joan (Conrardy) Hornung. His parents had moved here from the Spearville, Kansas area. Terry went to school at St. Charles Academy and Stratton High School. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1970. He is farming and raising cattle. F319 lines; Whitney Anne who is a public relations director for one of the five casts for "Up with People", an international musical tour group; Michael, Jonathan, Savannah, and Thomas Hornung. 1985. Susan Lynn, a senior at Colorado State University who plans to continue on to law school; and John Robert who is a senior at Stratton High School. He presently serves as Student Council President and loves varsity Colorado when I was 8 years old. That was where I grew up and went to high school. My great-grandparents emigrated from Norway and Sweden in the 1880's to homestead in North Dakota and Minnesota. Stan and Whitney graduated from Colorado State University in 1984 (the 100th class to graduate from Colorado State University) by Terrence Hornung Class of 1986 from CSU. Stan was a Colorado All-State basketball I was born in Grafton, North Dakota on March 9, 1955 to Norman Listul and Avis (Anderson) Listul. As a small child I lived in North Dakota, California, and Westminster, Colorado; but my family moved to Elizabeth, basketball. and Whitney graduated with honors in the and football player and received a footballacademic scholarship to both Colorado University and Colorado State University, upon high school graduation. Whitney was selected to Who's Who at CSU along with several honorary society invitations. Susan will be graduating from Colorado State University in 1988 with honors. John is first in his class academically and is senior class president. Pal has served on the Stratton Town Council, Stratton Swim Pool Association, Plains Ground Water District Board, Burlington Soil Conservation District Board. He too has his real estate sales and brokers license. He has been active in Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, PTA and 4-H. He received his Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University in 1961. Shirley received her Associate of Science Degree from Mesa (Jr.) College in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1958 and then went on to Colorado State University. She majored in Home Economics and Sociology. by Shirley Hornung Terry Hornung and Shelley Listul, in April, 1977. Also in the picture are David Hornung, Robert Cure, Tammy (Monsebroten) Grasser, Arlene (Hornung) Brinkhoff, Patrick Hornung, Dennis Listul, LaDaen Polzin, and Mark Hornung. �The storm in 1977 left 20 and 30 foot drifts in the trees. The cattle could walk over the fences of the corrals, but lucky enough they didn't. Instead, we had cattle walk into our corrals from outside. We lost 27 head of steers that were in a shed when the weight of the snow caused the roof to collapse. The feedlot construction started in 1954. Almost every year additions and improvements have been made, until now it has capacity for 3,000 head. We have seven sons: Terrence, Stephen, David, Patrick, William, Jr., Timothy and Mark; and five daughters: Victoria, Cynthia, Arlene, Janine and Annette. The children attended St. Charles Parochial Grade School until it closed in 1965 and then they attended the Stratton Public Schools. Terrence graduated from Colorado State University. He and his wife Shelley Listull have four children: Michael, Jonathan, Thomas and Savannah. Terry is farming near Stratton. Victoria received her R.N. degree from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Wichita. She and her husband Richard Sutton have six children: Stephen Jad, James, Jeffrey, Lindsey, Sara and Kathrine. In 1966 Stephen won the catch-it calf Stanley, Whitney, Susan and John with their parents, Shirley and Palamon Hornung IIORNUNG, WILLIAM AND JOAN F32o nie Conrardy, at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Wright, Kansas. Joan attended school in Wright and Dodge City, Kansas. Before she married, Joan was a student nurse in the Nurse Corps program. On November 13, 1946 we moved on a farm, 7-112 miles northeast of Stratton, owned by Swidbert Hornung. When we arrived we could hardly get to the farm. There was 30 to 40 inches of snow on the level. Bill and Ray Schiferl fed cattle by pulling a sled behind a tractor. The snow was almost all melted by Thanksgiving. In 1948 we purchased the farm owned by Carl Arends just 1/2 mile north of Swede's farm. After our good wheat crops in 1958 and 1959 we built our new house on this farm. Harvest crews from Oklahoma were William, the son of Andrew and Elizabeth Hornung of Spearville, Kansas was born in 1923. Bill attended school in Windthorst, Kansas. On March 30, 1944 he was inducted into the Naval Air Corps Reserves and was discharged on June 6, 1946. Bill was in Portland, Oregon when World War II ended, ready for action with flight crews in the Aleutian Islands. On November 12. 1946 Bill manied Joan Conrardy, the daughter of August and Min- Cynthia graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. In 1971 she was Kit Carson Queen Attendant. She married Kent Luebbers and they have two daughters, Kerri and Kendra. David attended Northeastern Junior ColIege in Sterling. He and his wife Barb (Schwieger) have six children: Andrew, Christopher, Brian, Darren, Marci and Greg. David operates his own farm. Patrick attended Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo, majoring in woodwork and constructional engineering. Pat is now farming near Stratton. furnish meals for them when weather permit- Arlene graduated from Parks Business School in Denver as a Medical Assistant. She and her husband David Brinkhoff have four ted them to work. children: Shantel, Matthew, Benjamin and During the winter of 1960 we received a lot of snow. It snowed every day for weeks. The ground was frozen before the snow so that when the snow started to melt, the moisture could not go into the ground. AII the creeks were up and it was almost impossible to go anywhere except on horseback. Arrangements were made for the school children to stay in town for a week as so many students were absent from school. Terry and Steve stayed with the Ray Schiferl family. Vicki and Cindy stayed with the Myron Dischner's. In 1964 we drilled an irrigation well just Cassandra. hired to combine our wheat. We had to Bill and Joan Hornung, November 10, 1986 on their 40th wedding anniversary. contest, fat beef Champion and the Hereford Steer Champion at the Kit Carson Fair. He attended Northeastern Colorado Junior College in Sterling. On March 1, 1970 Steve and a former high school classmate were killed at a railroad crossing in Stratton. north of our home. Before that we were renting irrigated land. We then began raising our own sugar beets and corn. All ofthe wheat was dryland. It was not until we had our irrigation well that we were able to get our shelter belt established. It had been planted three times. The third time is a charm. After the 90 mph wind and dirt storm on February 23, 1977 and the 90 mph blizzard on March 12th and 13th of that year the shelter belt was severely damaged. In 1980 we replanted trees and added five more rows using the drip irrigation system. Janine is married to James Fox. She and Jim have four children: Corey, Amanda, Kyle and Cody. Annette is a hairdresser and she and her husband Lee Bennet Short have a son, Luke. William, Jr. attended the University of Northern Colorado. Billy married Jeanine Stegman. They have a son, Louden. Billy manages Triple-H feedlot. Timothy graduated from DeVry, Phoenix, Arizona as an electronic technician and is currently employed in California. Mark is busy with high school, sports and helping on the farm. In 1982 Bill ran for Kit Carson County commissioner of the 2nd district and was elected. He started his second term in 1987. by Joan Hornung �HOSKIN FAMILY F32r Henry G. Hoskin I was born in Perranporth, Cornwall, England, March 30, 1871, not far from Land's End, and in the historic setting for the adventures of King Arthur. My father was a blacksmith in the tin mines. When I was about five, my father and mother crossed the ocean in the steamship "Cirsassian" and we finally arrived at certain mines in Nova Scotia, located just across the "Basin of Minas" from the early home of Evangaline. After spending a very short time here we entered the United States in the year 1876 and located at New Diggings, Wisconsin. Two of my father's brothers had preceded him to the U.S. and one located in Wisconsin at a small town near New Diggings and the other in Central City, Colorado. When the lead mines played out, my father decided to go out to Colorado and find a job. My mother, brother, sister and myself were left in Wisconsin. Father found a new place to work and live at the Freeland mine, several miles above Idaho Springs, Colo. Very shortly thereafter, my mother and her children took the Union Pacific train for Colorado. One particular item that stands out in my mind from this trip is our arrival at Windsor Hotel in Denver, and the Negro porter, who carried our luggage up the broad stairway, broke off the handle of a parasol that stuck out from a shawl wrap. It was soon found out the altitude was too great for my mother and the doctor ordered us out of the mountains. Stopping for a week or two at the city of Golden, we went on to Denver. Here my father found work at his trade, first with Colorado Iron Works and later with the Rio interested and The Burlington Shops. When the Burlington short cut was built into Denver, many of the railroad men became highly interested in the cheap farms along the route and we finally moved to Holdrege, Nebr. in 1883. However, it took money to buy even a cheap farm so my father went back to his old trade of blacksmith. When the Rock Island road was built in 1887 and 1888, it attracted a great deal of interest because it was opening up a new tract of land to homesteading. In L886, a rough character in Holdrege, who claimed to have been a buffalo hunter and to have traveled over all of what is now Eastern Colorado, made up a party to go out to the new country and take up tree claims. They took the train to Wray, Co. and there, this buffalo hunter, named Baker, had a light covered wagon. They drove south from Wray about 70 miles and each person in the party filed on a tree claim of 160 acres. After leaving Wray, the party passed through country that was occupied only along the three streame that were crossed. This man, Baker, had already been tried for assault with intent to kill and was later to be lynched at Cheyenne Wells for shooting a man who drove across the corner of his homestead. As this will probably be completely covered by other parties who are better posted than I am, I will not tell this story. In 1888. father moved his blacksmith equipment to Beloit, Colorado, eight miles south and two miles west of Bethune, Colorado. This town had been largely boomed on the strength of a survey that had been made which would take the Rock Island through Beloit. However, the Rock Island went through eight miles to the north and Beloit soon passed from the picture. Our pre-emption had been taken near by, and as father wanted to have holdings close at hand he filed on a homestead in the adjoining section. In 1892, I filed on my homestead so we had 800 acres in a fairly compact body. By this time, the original settlers began to leave and by 1894, we had no neighbors closer than seven miles. This was fine for a ranch and we exerted every effort to increase our holdings ofhorses and cattle. In 1895, we took 600 head ofsteers to hold for the Bar T Ranch and I got my first experience of what life in the saddle really meant. These were all big southern steers and could be at the ranch house in the morning and in the other county by morning. However, with some breaks and some assistance from the Bar T people we accounted for every head. We lived on the ranch until the early 1900's, when the younger children began to need schooling and the folks moved into Burlington, leaving me on the ranch. In 1905, I was candidate for the office of County Treasurer, running against Fred Flexer and was defeated. In the same year, I moved into Burlington, selling the stock and equipment. In Burlington, I was the first Clerk of the county court, for Walker Glaister who had been elected County Judge and did not care to leave the school he was teaching to stay in the office. This lasted four months. by Henry Hoskin HOSKIN FAMILY F322 Henry G. Hoskin In the middle of the summer of 1905, Mrs. W.D. Selder offered me a place in the Stock Growers Bank at $12.5 a day. Later this was raised to $65.00 and I felt rich enough to marry. I married Nannie B. Yersin, whose people had homesteaded near us at about the same time we did. This has been the outstanding good fortune of my life. Since joining the Stock Growers Bank I have been continuously connected with the banking or abstracting business until the present moment. In 1916, I purchased from Geo. D. Gates, the Abstract business and incorporated the Kit Carson County Abstract Company of which myself and family hold all the stock. My education was begun in a small one room school at Freeland, Colorado, continued at the Twenty-fourth street and Gilpin Schools in Denver, and ended in the early part of high school at Holdrege, Nebr. I received a teachers certificate from the county Supt. of Elbert county in 1888 and held a certificate for many years thereafter under both Elbert and Kit Carson counties. I have taught in seven different country schools covering a period of 10 years. I now hold an honorary life certificate from the State of Colorado. Also I have been both Sec. and Treas. of the old Beloit Dist. #29, and was for ten years Sec. of the Burlington Consolidated Dist. school board. I have since, coming of age, taken an active part in politics and have voted at every election, at which I was eligible to vote, with two exceptions in that entire period. I have been precinct committeeman for many years in different precincts and for four years, county chairman for the Republican party and served in the state legislature in 1927 and again in 1929. For ten consecutive years, I managed the Kit Carson County Fair. And so this is the story, the short and simple annals of the poor and I find myself at 62, with my fortune consisting of my wife and two children, Katherine and Henry, having enjoyed immensely the years as they have gone and hoping to enjoy many more as they come. by llenry G. Hoskin HOSKIN, H. G. F323 I was born in Perranporth, Cornwall, England, on March 30, 1871, not far from Lands End and in the historic setting for King Arthur. My father was a blacksmith in the mines. When I was about five years of age, my parents, a younger brother and sister and myself crossed the ocean in the steamship 'Circassian'and we finally arrived at certain mines in Nova Scotia, located just across the 'Basin of Mines' from the early Evangeline. After spending a very short time here we entered the United States in the year 1826 and located at New Diggings, Wis. Two of my father's brothers had preceded him to the United States, and one was located in Wisconsin at a small town near New Diggings. The other was at Central City, Colorado, and had been doing very well for himself. The lead mines on which New Diggings depended played out and my father decided to go on to Colorado and find a job. My mother, brother and sister and myself were left in Wisconsin until he could locate a place to work and live. He found this at the Freeland mine, several miles above Idaho Springs, and very shortly thereafter my mother and her children took the Union Pacific train for Colorado. It was soon found that the altitude was too great for my mother, and the doctors ordered us out of the mountains. Stopping for a week or two at the city of Golden, we came to Denver. Here my father worked at his trade. When the Burlington short-cut was built into Denver many of the railroad men became highly interested in the cheap land and farms along the route and we finally moved to Holdrege, Nebr. When the Rock Island was built in 1887 and 1888, it attracted a great deal of interest because it was opening up a new tract of land which was open to homesteading and a party came to the new country. They took a train to Wray and driving about 70 miles south each person in the party filed on a tree claim. In 1888 father moved his blacksmith equipment to Beloit, Colo., eight miles south and two west of Bethune. This town had been Iargely boomed on the strength of a survey that had been made which would take the �Rock Island through Beloit. However, the Rock Island went through eight miles to the north and Beloit soon passed from the picture. Our Pre-emption had been taken nearby, and as my father wanted to have holdings close at hand he filed on a homestead in an adjoining section. In 1892, I filed on my homestead, so that we had 800 acres where she grew up. Grandfather Bert (Barney) Hough was born in 1863 and came with his father, three brothers and one sister from Saaler, Norway when he was 7 years old. He was the youngest. His mother had died in Norway. They came to Ottertail County, Minnesota, which was mostly timber country and also some farming. His father's name was Ole Nyhougen, but in a fairly compact body. By this time the original settlers began to leave, and by 1894, we had no neighbors closer than seven miles, We lived on this ranch until the early 1900's when the younger children began to need schooling and the folks moved to Burlington, leaving me on the ranch. In 1904 I was a candidate for the office of county treasurer, running against Fred Flexer, and I was defeated. In the same year I moved to Burlington, selling the stock and equipment. In Burlington, I was the first clerk of the county court for Walker Glaister, who had been elected county judge and did not care to leave the school he was teaching to stay in the office. In the summer of 1905, W.D. Seider offered me a place in the Stock Growers State Bank at the salary of $1.25 a day. Later this was raised to $65.00 per month and I felt rich enough to marry. I married Nannie B. Yersin, whose people had homesteaded near us, and about the same time as we did. This has been the outstanding good fortune of my life. Since joining the Stock Growers State Bank I have been continuously connected with the banking business until the present moment. In 1916 I purchased from George O. Gates the abstract business and incorporated the Kit Carson County Abstract company of which my family and myself hold all stock. My education was begun in a small oneroom school at Freeland, continued at the twenty-fourth street and Gilpin schools in Denver and ended in the early part of high school at Holdrege, Nebr. I received a teacher's certificate from the county superintendent of Elbert County in 1888 and held the certificate for many years thereafter under both Elbert and Kit Carson counties. I have taught in seven different country schools covering a period of ten years. I now hold an honorary life certificate from the state of Colorado. I have also been secretary and treasurer of the old Beloit district No. #29, and was for ten years secretary of the Burlington consolidated district. Ever since coming of age, I have taken an active part in politics and have voted at every election at which I was eligible to vote, with but two exceptions, in that entire period. I have been precinct committeeman for many years in different precincts and for four years I was county chairman for the Republican party, and served in the State Legislature in 1927 and,1929. For ten consecutive years I managed the Kit Carson county fair. (Mr. H.G. Hoskin passed away in 1949.) by H.C. Hoskin HOUGH FAMILY F324 Grandmother Petra Gilberts was born in Iowa in 1862. At an early age she moved with her parents and their family to South Dakota and then to Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, he shortened it to Ole Houg. There were so many Hougs around there, some of them started spelling it differently to avoid confusion. Haug, Huage, Haugen, Houg, Houge, Howg. Barney added a silent "H" making it Hough. He worked in the woods and farms around Barnesville. In 1882 he married Petra Gilberts, and they started housekeeping in Barnesville, and three children were born there. In 1892 they decided to join many relatives and friends from that locality who were going to Roberts County, South Dakota, where the government had opened up part of an Indian Reservation for homesteading. They filed on a claim of 160 acres, 1 miles northeast of Sisseton, put up some buildings and started farming. Five more children were born there. Then in 1904 they moved to Sisseton where Grandpa went into the grain elevator business. Herbert (Bert) the last of their nine children was born there in 1905. In the spring of 1908 they moved to Cheyenne County in eastern Colorado where they had bought 320 acres of land with the intention of farming. There were six children with them when they moved. Oliver Melvin, the oldest boy, died in 1907 and was buried in Sisseton. Ida was working in a store in Omaha. She married James Chase, a circus performer. After a few years of traveling with circuses in all 48 states, they settled in Chicago. After James died quite young in 1939, Ida ran a rooming house. She was quite influential in Democra- tic circles, a trait she inherited from her father. She died in Chicago in 1970 leaving one son, Bruce, who has a wife Phyllis and four children. Albert had moved to southern Alberta, Canada, with quite a few relatives and friends from Sisseton. and homesteaded 160 acres of land. He never farmed it. He went into the Iumber business in Enchant. Alberta. He was not married so when Grandma needed a home for herself, Bernice and Bert, it made it nice for her for a few years. He got married late in life and moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. Died there in 1937. No children. When Grandpa and Grandma moved to Colorado in 1908, this turned out to be a very disastrous move. That territory was having a cycle of short rainfall at that time. After two years ofno crops, they had to figure out some other way to make a living. they moved to Wild Horse where Grandmother started a restaurant and Grandpa did construction work. He took quite an interest in politics and was a leader in Democratic circles. This rubbed off on some to the children, Ida and George for sure. He was killed in an accident in 1911. Joe and George had stayed in Colorado as they were working there. Elmer .went to Sisseton to stay with relatives and then she went to Canada with Bernice and Bert and stayed with Albert for some time. In 1918 she moved back to Colorado with Bernice, but Bert stayed in Canada where he had gotten into banking early in life. After working in many towns there, his company, The Canadian Bank of Commerce, moved him to Los Angeles, and he worked for them until retiring. He married Ellen (De De) Lee in 1940 and they are living in retirement in Temple City, California. They have no children. Grandma got married again in 1924 to arr old neighbor, Iver Peterson, from Wild Horse, He was section foreman for the U.P.R.R. there. He had two daughters, Ida and Ellen, who were welcomed to our family. They were near in age to Lucille and Eunice Beeler, and they had many good times. They also acquired a grandpa of whom they were very fond. They enjoyed for Grandmother Peterson to visit them in Flagler. She came on the train and sister Marian would meet her at the depot, with her little wagon and bring the luggage home. Ida Ristesund lives in Manning, Alberta, Canada. Ellen Patterson is deceased. Bernice married Claude Kelly and moved to Denver. but died before she had been married very long and is buried in Denver. Had no children. She had TB and was never in very good condition. Joe and George both moved back to South Dakota. Joe was in the army for a time at Fort Lewis, Washington. When he was discharged, he went to Canada to live. He managed grain elevators in southern Alberta and married Vera Dawson in 1934. When he retired, they moved to Calgary where they still live. They have one son, Alan, who has a wife Carol and two children. George went back to South Dakota in harvest time 1914. He worked different places before stopping at Bradley. He married Vera Phelps there in 1924. They farmed in that locality until they retired and moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1962, where he still resides. They had three children. Herbert, the oldest, died in 1969 at age 44. He and his wife Marcella Schneider had one daughter. Gordon married Janet Marx. They have three boys and one girl. Avanell lives in Olympia, Washington. Her name is now Mrs. George Taylor. Elmer Hough worked in North Dakota, Wyoming and South Dakota. He married Effie Johnson near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, and had a timber farm there. He died there in 1980. He left a son Merle at Detroit Lakes and a stepdaughter Mrs. Mavis Frazier at Pelican Rapids. by Lucille M. Morgan HOWELL MUSSELMAN FAMILY Clara had married a rancher in Kit Carson County named Hubert Beeler, and they were living on a ranch near Flagler, so there were five children left now. Grandma got married in 1914 to a man n"med Braley and with her three youngest eastern Colorado in the spring of 1887. They moved with him to Missouri. This did not turn out very well, so she left him and moved to St. Paul in 1915 with her three youngest. came from the Lacona - Chariton. Iowa vicinity. They shipped a team and wagon from Omaha, Nebraska by train to Haigler, F325 The Sylvester L. Howell family came to �helped plant trees at the Kit Carson County Court House. In addition to farming and raising cattle, S.L. wag also a Land Agent. He measured the land by tying a rag on his wagon wheel and figuring so many wagon wheels per mile. He would meet prospective buyers at the train and show them around the country. Four more children were born, Ruby R. in 1890, Henry 1892, Harry E. 1895, and Clark A. 1900. In 1915 they moved to town and built a house on Howell Street. Clara Howell wae a charter member of the Vona Baptist Church and remained active until about a year before her death. The lots for the church were donated by the Howells. She also served on the School Board. She was affectionately known as "Grandma" Howell to all who knew her in later years. She related a story to me about one time that S.L. had gone to Haigler for groceries and left her alone on the North farm. He gave her a pistol and showed her how to use it. When night came on the coyotes started howling and scaring her and the children, so she opened the door and shot out into the dark. when morning came she found a dead one lying in the yard. She also told of a few Indian stragglers who roamed the prairies. They were friendly and moved around and camped wherever they found a dead animal to eat no Fo-ily reunion, Howell - Musselman. Back row, L. to R.; Ruby Howell Fuhlendorf, Charles Howell, Clark Howell and Glenn Howell. Front row; Harry Howell and mother Clara Howell. Nebraska and then traveled on to the Vona rrea by wagon train. S.L. as he was known, married Clara Alice Musselman in Lucas County, Iowa. Clara suffered from malaria rnd it was thought a dry climate would help her. Their oldest son Charles was born in 1881 in Iowa and traveled to Colorado with them. They took a pre-emption two miles west rnd eight miles north of where the town of Vona is now located, and they lived in their wagon until they built a sod house. Water was hauled form a spring on the Republican River, about six miles away, for some years. Mail was brought from Haigler, Nebraska, to Floyt, Colorado, a small town and post office north of where Seibert now stands. S.L. was I freighter for some time until the railroad :nme through and freighting by rail estab- lished. He freighted from Haigler to Hoyt, using a horse team and wagon, and taking rbout six days to make the round trip. He rsually made a trip every week, bringing in lupplies for the whole community as well as lor his family. There were lots of buffalo on the prairies and they were selling at 'ones r pretty good price, so S.L. always planned o pick up a wagon load on his way to Haigler, ;hus getting money enough to buy groceries. Ihe first well in the community was a handlug well 280 feet deep. Water was hauled up ry a windlass by horse power. This well was ;ood for years, and supplied many families rnd livestock with good water. In 1888, Vona was eetablished when the lock Island Railroad came through, so in t890 S.L. took a homestead, and drove to Kiowa, the County seat of Elbert County, to ile his papers. He moved his family including ris son Glenn, who was born in 1889 to the romestead two miles north of Vona. There he rlso took a tree claim which consisted of rlanting trees and caring for them. He also matter how long it had been dead. S.L. Howell was born September 7, 1853 in Iowa and died February 15, 1928 at Vona. He was the son of David L. and Malinda Howell. Clara Alice Musselman was born September 19, 1864 in Lucas County Iowa, the daughter of Daniel E. and Nancy Musselman. They were married there December 23, 1881. Clara died June 19, 1950 in Burlington. Charles R. married Laura Evans and they had one son Rex G. Glen L. married Blanche Bridge and had two children Velma and Roy. Ruby R. married Arthur Fuhlendorf and they had two sons Leland and Gus, and three daughters Alice, Wilma and Mildred. Henry died as a baby and Clark married in Califor- Harry and Amelia Howell. moved to Paonia Colorado where Don was in partnership with his family in a garage and machine shop. Our two children graduated from Paonia High School. Don graduated from Colorado University in 19?5 as a pharmacist. He and his wife own the Medicine Shoppe in Delta, Colorado. On September 4, 1976 he and Judith Pecharich were married in Paonia. They have two children, Donald Joseph born June 7, tgTg and Cheryl Renae born April 18, 1982 on her great grandmother Amelia Howell's 89th birthdav. Beth attended Mesa College and on July li, 1973 she married Ross A. Allen at Paonia. They own and operate a sheep ranch and reside at Hotchkiss, Colorado. They have two sons John Donald born July 5, 197b and Gregory Mark born April 2, 1978. Kit Carson County holds many fond memories for me and my family. by Betty J. (Howell) Chapman nia. by Betty Chapman HOWELL - WEPEL FAMILY F326 My father and mother, Harry Howell and Amelia S. Wepel were married April 15, 1916 at Burlington, Colorado. Amelia was the oldest daughter of Martin and Sarah Wepel. She was born April 18, 1893 in Hamilton County Iowa. Her mother died when she was 12 years old and she, her father and sisters, Odessa and Rachel all moved to Vona in 1911. Martin farmed and raised cattle on a farm two miles west of S.L. Howell ranch. In August 1913 he passed away while harvesting at his place. His body was taken back to Webster City Iowa for burial. When the girls returned to Vona they moved to town. I was born November 24,1929 in Vona and graduated from Vona High School in 1947. On June 11, 1950 I married Donald L. Chapman of Bethune. We lived in Bethune when our two children, Donald Howell. March 2, 1952 and Elizabeth Anne, Septem- ber 8, 1954, were born. In June, 1956, we HOWELL, GLENN AND BLANCHE F327 I was born in Colorado on a homestead near what is now Vona, on May 2, 1889. My parents came from Iowa to Haigler, Nebr., then joined a wagon train coming to Colorado, arriving in the spring of 1887. Among others in this emigration were the Ferris and Walton families, both long-time residents of this county. Father took a pre-emption two miles west and eight miles north of what is now Vona. He and mother lived in the wagon until our sod house was built. Father was a freighter for some time until the railroad carne through. He freighted from Haigler to Hoyt using a horse team and wagon, and taking about six days to make a round trip. He usually made a trip every week, bringing in supplies for the whole community as well as for his family. For years we had no cows or chickens, then father traded for a cow and we had our own milk. I do not remember seeing any buffalo, but there were lots of bones on the prairies and �they were selling at a pretty good price, so father always planned to pick up a wagon load on his way to Haigler, thus getting money enough to buy our groceries. I used to have some very fine specimens of buffalo horns, but in moving I have lost them. The first school I went to was located in Vona, and was held in a little frame building. The first teacher was Ruth Burnett. Our greatest danger was the prairie fire, which when started would get out of control. I remember of one time when a fire burned up to within 100 feet ofthe barn, and it took some hard fighting to hold it there. The largest fire around here was start€d by a man burning weeds and let the fire get away from him. I took a homestead in 1910 and proved up on it, and then took additional land in 1919, and own both lands now. My wife, Blanche and I are now living in Vona, and have four small orphan children which we have taken Hudler III and Adrian Wellington Hudler II. John III was married to Linda Christian Liley in 1982. Hudler editors of the Republican Record include Bill, his son John, and his grandson Rol. His great-grandson John III is anticipating the job in the future as he learns the ropes from his Dad, as generations before have done. by Maxine Hudler HUDSON - POOLE PURINTON FAMILIES F329 by Glenn Leroy Ilowell Older brother Clyde lived close by and F328 Adrian Wellington (Bill) and his wife Martha May Houbbold Hudler cnme to the Burlington community in the fall of 1919. They were both born and raised around Audubon, Iowa, where they were also married. Bill was a "Printer's Devil" as a very young man but poor health forced him to change jobs at the age of 23 at which time he and Martha homesteaded in South Dakota for several years. However, he kept at hie printer's trade by publishing a "Claim Paper" while living there. Upon returning to Iowa, Bill went into the real estate business in Audubon where their My mother, Dolly Barker Hudaon, Aunt Amber Hudson Purinton, in front of the "Ma Hudgon" home, 210-12th, in the mid 1920'g. in Yuma for a couple of years where Bill The history of The Burlington Record now includes fotr generations of Hudlers. Bill and Martha'e son John was manied to Maxine Frances Backlund in 1936 and to this union was born a daughter, Adrienne Anne, and a son, John Rollin, Jr. Adrienne was married to Eugene Donald Fasse in 1961 and the Fasses have two children, a son Ernest Dean, and a daughter, Francine Anne, who manied Gregory Scott Floerke in 1985. John Rollin, Jr. (Rol) and Joy Lindsey were married in 1960 and they have two sons, John Rollin Mexican sniper, he becnme a mechanic in his own service station. He had borrowed $500 from Wanen Shamburg to start his business. 13th Street where Duerst's Machine is now located. In the early 20's he bece'ne the Chewolet dealer in Burlington and soon moved around the corner to Senter Street, where he later established the Sim Hudson Motor Co. The "Garage" remained at the same location until 1983, when his widow Hazel (my st€pmother), sold the sixty someyear-old business to Vince's Chewolet, Olds Same company. Burlington Record. having been shot through the knee by a Before long he began selling Whippet cars on worked for the Wolf Land Company, later transferring to Burlington working for the papers merged to become the present day wet and chilled during his first winter in greatly assisted the family, so that, although Sim no longer attended school, the younger ones managed to keep going to a nearby country school. Often they would ski or ride horseback in order to get through the deep snow that lay on the ground. The family stuck it out near Elizabeth for five or six yeare before moving to Burlington, where 33 year old Bert was quite well established as a custom thresher (using a huge steam threshing machine so common to the times). They did fairly well, financially, until Sim was called by the Army to the Mexican border at Nogales, LZ. ta frght Poncho Villa (1917). In order to survive, Grandma and Aunt Amber provided room and board for several bachelors and schoolmarms, while Pete and Mike did odd jobs. When Sim returned from the Army, after HUDLER FAMILY Burlington Call from the Wilsons and the two children, moved on to Elizabeth, CO., where in 1910, Deck died of pneumonia after getting overnight, doing the farming as best he could, with Grandma and the smaller ones (Pete 11, Amber - 8, and Mike - 6) doing the chores. Dated Jan. 24,L934. He eventually left the real estate g'me to go back to his first love, the newspaper business, working for many years for Arthur Wilson, editor of The Burlington Call. In 1930 Bill and Martha bought The Burlington Republican and Record from the family of George (Stormy George) Wilkinson, who founded the paper in 1888. The name was changed to The Burlington Record and in 1944 the Hudler's son John purchased The moved from Lenora to Goodland, KS. for about four years, and then with their younger Colorado while he was feeding the family's dairy herd. Since Sim, just 15, was the oldest child at home, he became head of the household to raise. son, John Rollin, was born. When John was two years old they were forced to make another move because of their son's bout with asthma. The Hudlers moved west and settled stopped by lndians, who only wanted to do some trading, which was much to the relief of everyone who had thought they were being attacked. Grandma's parents later moved to Wyoming, homesteading there. While in Kansas, when Grandma was only 10-12, a neighbor, Deck Hudson (born 1857), came to work for the Poole family as a wheat thresher. He kidded Grandma that when she grew up he would marry her, which he did. . . when she was all of 14 in 1880. From 1883 to 1904 they had eight children: Bert, Only, Clyde, Bertha, my dad Sim (born Dec. 9, 1894), Pete, Amber and Mike. The family Grandma Susan Hudson and I (Georgeanna) in the early 1930'g by a spruce tree that still stands at 1187 Donelan looking NE. - My grandmother, Susan Poole Hudson, was born in New York State (Apr. 15, 1866), where, living on a houseboat, she learned to swim before she could walk, because her mother would tie a rope around her babies' chests and toss them in and fish them out of the water, until they managed to stay afloat. Then when Grandma was just barely old enough to remember, her family came in a covered wagon to western Kansas, settling near Lenora. On their way west, they were and Cadillac, where it still remains today. During the years 1919-1926, Sim married my mother, Dolly Barker, Bert married Mabel Walters (later Mable Parke) and Amber married Ed Purinton. Within a year of his marriage Bert died (age 38); within six years Ed died and in 1938 my mother died (age 36), when I was eleven. Since death struck so often and so early, our family learned to survive byjust plodding on, rather than caving in to each unhappy situation. But this was no different than what most pioneer families did in order to survive. Over the years, the various Hudson brothers and sisters moved to other Kansas and Colorado locations, leaving just Sim and Amber to make their homes in Burlington. For seven years Sim and Mother lived in the "Ma Hudson" household consisting of �Grandma. Pete. Amber and Mike. Then I was due to arrive so they moved across the street to 1187 Donelan, where a previous Methodist parsonage had been relocated and where I was born (L527). By 1931 they had added on more house than was originally there, built a two-story, two-car garage, a large sunkin lily .l 'irrr..'i"'1.!. pond that accommodated 10-15 neighborhood "swimmers", and had planted many trees including the huge spruce trees that still stand today. The next year, when I was 5, Sim added on, and extensively remodeled his Garage, having a grand opening that featured an Indian doing a native dance on the long counters in the showroom, and I was absolutely thrilled to be so close to a "real" Indian! li. After Mother died. Sim and Hazel Carmichael of St. Francis, KS. were married and they, along with Eldon Snowbarger, maintained the Garage as a thriving business, selling and servicing Chevrolets, Oldsmob- $&:,, .@ .,,'ll :llilli .. . .l:il l5:l.,',11i1 iles, and Cadillacs for many years. l.*'r:rr After Ed died, Amber, along with her children (Eddie - 4, Gwendolyn - 2, and Raymond - 8 months) moved back home with Grandma. From that time on Amber dedicat- ed her life to serving others, although she never considered it a sacrifice. Because of Grandma's weak legs, even though she was otherwise quite healthy and did most of the cooking, the work burden fell on Amber and the kids. Grandma lived until 1959 (age 93); then Sim died in 1960. and soon afterward Raymond ceme home to live with Amber since he had recently been paralyzed from the chest down, in a swimming accident. In spite of his paralyzed hands, he learned how to repair antique clocks, which frequently made it necessary to cease conversation every hour, on the hour, due to all of the chiming and cuckooing that was taking place. For 23 years, until Raymond's death in 1983, Amber unselfishly cared for him, and together they led a happy life despite their individual obstacles that most people would've considered insurmountable. By now all the Deck Hudson family is gone except Amber who presently makes her home in Arvada, CO. with her daughter and son-inlaw, Gwen and Roy Courtney. by Georgeanna Iludson Grueing Vena Scheierman age 2. This was by the homestead sod house. Vena's birthplace. . .,4.;:.,..::, HUGHES FAMILY F330 Schools and Early Settlers Harve Hughes and Rosa Wilson Hughes ;- l were born and grew up at Marion, Kentucky. They married there and lived on a farm. After a few years, they decided to go West and take a homestead. Raymond Lester Hughes and Martha Wilson Hughes Reeder were born to them in Kentucky. They, with two other families, moved their household goods and some livestock (cows and horses) in a railway car. They stopped at Seldon, Kansas and farmed two years. Hail and drought took both years crops. Ida Wilora Hughes Waite was born to them in 1903. In 1907, they filed for and received a homestead eleven miles southeast of Claremont, CO. (now Stratton, co.) They brought their household things in The Hughes family and their horses by the homestead sod house. -&--.. �for the kitchen and cellar. They burned cow chips and after they began to raise corn for livestock and chicken feed, they burned big ears of yellow corn. It was cheaper than coal and made a hot fire as there was no wood. Fresh fluffy white corn shucks or barley straw made stuffing for bed mattregses. A heavy musling was used to cover these mattresses. It cost from 20 to 50 a yard. Most household needs cnme by mail order. Mr. Van Hook drove a one horse buggy in summer and a sleigh in winter and brought 1:' j the mail. Most clothing and some foods were ordered by mail. The children cut cardboard insoles to go in their shoes when the soles wore out. These soles wore out in a day at school. All the cardboard was saved and sometimes my father made new leather soles on our shoes by using cow hide, a shoelast and tacks. Two pair of shoes a year was about it. One pair was for school and chores and a pair for Sunday School. Three children were born to Harve and Present Hughes homestead, the Herbert Scheierman Ranch, 1980. The sod house was torn down and this 8 room frnme house and porch was built in L922 for $1200.00. Rosa Hughes on the homestead. They were Vic Hughes Whitmore, Vena May Hughes Scheierman and a little brother, James Thomas Hughes. James Thomas passed away when young. There were six schools in this area south of Claremont. Bethel, a sod school house was located one half mile east of the present Ed Herndon home. Bethel Sunday School was held there also. A sod wall fell in on this building and a frame school building nnmed East Bethel was built. It was near the Clarence Borden home. Another school was built on the R.O. Hoover land. It was called West Bethel. This land is now the cow pasture near the Hughes homestead. There was a school nnmed the Day School. This was one and one half mile south of the Hughes homestead. District 58, an adobe building, near the Weingardt farm is still standing. Two other schools, North Pious Point and South Pious Point were in this vicinity south of Claremont (Stratton). First Central School was located on the correction line, four miles south of the Hughes homestead. It was a grade school and a high school at one time. Early teachers at the Bethel sod school were, Ella Rhen Dunlap, Shek Mc Connell, Ray Dorothy, Dora Jean Baird, Miss Root, and Miss Troup. The following is a list of early settlers and homesteaders. Not all homesteaded. Some families bought Iand or rented it from Vena Scheierman 1970. Harve and Rosa Hughes. covered wagons from Seldon to the home- this was much better than the path out to the adobe outhouse that my father built. What were homesteaders to do for a home? Buffalo Grass with prairie rattlers was about all there was in eastern CO. at that time. They plowed and cut large pieces of this sod and neighbors gathered in for a work day and neighbor wives brought food, as the sod walls stead that is now known as the Herbert Scheierman Ranch. The horses and cows were led or trailed back of the wagons. Along with them they brought bedding, clothing, two stoves, utensils, wash stand, wash pans, tubs, a sewing machine and sewing needs. They also brought hand pieced quilts and coverlets that my mother and her mother (Martha Paris Wilson) had made in Kentucky. They also made wool and linen bed spreads. We still have some of these items. They brought wool blankets and rugs that my mother wove on a loom. They brought a table, which I still have. There were four chairs and two benches. and featherbeds. Tucked in somewhere in these wagons were blue and white enameled cha-bers. These were to go under the beds and on a zero degree night, for a house were laid. The wooden roofs, doors and windows had to be shipped into Claremont by railroad. They put pieces of sod and tarpaper on the wooden roofs. These houses were warm in the winter and cool in summer. The deep windows were ideal for the popular geranium houseplants. A wagon with two or homesteaders. These people at one time lived south of Claremont (Stratton) in an area 10 miles wide and extended to the correction line. This area is five miles east of the Hughes homestead and five miles west. Harve and Rosa Hughes, (parents of Vena M. Scheierman), Henry and Ida Wilson, George and Mattie Hopkins, Alice Webster, Roy and Addie Hoover, Ray and Zelia Deakin, Hope Root, Faith Root, Ed Hooper, Walter and Lulu Hooper, Ray and Winnie Hooper, Albert and Minnie Clift, A.D. and Julia Reeder, Mr. and Mrs. Coad, Charlie and Iva Day, George and Orpha Hodge, Julia four horses made the trip to Claremont Felch, Jap York, Ed and Mable Besson, Charlie and Pearl Kern, Ora and Lettie Wellman, Mr. Filback, Alpha and Sarah Waite, Mack and Myrtle Whitney, Bill and Bess McFarland, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Collins, Mr. and Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Rhen and daugh- hauling the wood for the sod house. They also brought coal, two or three bushels of apples, sacks of flour, sugar, coffee, and other staples ters, Ada Kalb, Ella Rhen, Tina Rhen, Grace Rhen, and son Sam Rhen. Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Walker, Mrs. Phoebe Simpson, Mr. and Mrs. �Weingardt, Jim and Ruby Hollaway, Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Dargraval, Mr. and Mrs. Stein Dunkle, Mrs. Mc Pheeters and son Jim, Dr. and Mrs. Troxel, Mr. and Mrs. Tape, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Megel, Mr. and Mrs. Zern Ryan, Bill and Esther Brantley, Asa and Anna Wood, George and Bertha King, Frank Yelek, Bert Hull, Mr. and Mrs. Tom McMahon, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Burgraff, Harry and Eva Hamiliton, Mr. and Mrs. Nevins, Fabe and Dell Anderson, John Gerhke, Mr. and Mrs. Wence, Jerry and Miranda McNair, Mr. Huntleys left behind a rich legacy of family and service. by The Editors Their children, Ruby and Albert, were born in the sod house, but Homer and Agnes had the honor of being born in the frame house built ]n 1922. The children attended the Liberty School, two and one-fourth miles HUNTZINGER BRANDENBURG FAMILY and Mrs. Obermeyer, Leonard and Kate Calvin, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Holstein, Mr. and Mrs. Grinnell, Mr. and Mrs. Unger, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Collins. Mr. and Mrs. George Church, Mr. and Mrs. Higgins, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Bradshaw Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Cook, Paul and Edith Webster, Charlie and Lucy Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Boehm. south of their home. Ruby and Albert F332 by Vena Scheierman HUNTLEY - JOHNSON FAMILY 1917: My parents first home - Gerda and Sidney Huntzinger's F331 first generation English immigrants. He was educated in the common schools of Spring- Flagler. Their daughter, Agnes, attended St. field, Illinois, near his father's farm. Anna E. Johnson was born near Springfield, Illinois, other necessities. In 1921 they moved into Flagler and were active in building the community. A Republi- can in political matters, George served as county commissioner from the third district from 1904-1908 and 1920-1928. From 19291930 he also served as deputy sheriff. The Huntley's were faithful and active members of the Flagler Congregational Church and involved themselves in other community organizations. George was a member of Kit Carson Lodge No. 127, A.F.&A.M., serving as master of the lodge for two terms. He was also a charter member of the Flagler Lodge of the IOOF. Anna was a charter member of the Order of the Eastern Star. In his later years, George was one of the organizers of the Crystal Springs Country Club, and invested much time and effort in making the lake a popular family recreation area. George passed away on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1931. Anna died ten years later on November 5, 1941. They left behind nine children: Freda, Opal, Vernon, Gladys, John, Cecil, Lloyd, Maurice, and Donald. As one of Flagler's pioneering families, the attended high school for two years at Shiloh School, four miles northeast of their home. Albert, Homer and Agnes graduated from Flagler High School but had to board with families in Flagler and their parents had to pay tuition for their education. Sidney was a wheat farmer and a stockman. They managed to persevere during the dirty 30's even though Sidney spent a month in Colorado General Hospital in 1934 with dust pneumonia. Sidney raised Black Angus cattle and was well known in the area for his fine herd. He usually fattened his own steers in his feed lot before selling them. Gerda raised lots of chickens to eat and for eggs to sell. The family milked lots of cows so they could sell the cream. Red Duroc hogs rounded out the diversified farm. Their son, Albert, served in the Air Force in World War II. Their son, Homer, became interested in irrigation from deep wells and drilled the first two irrigation wells north of George W. Huntley was born in Franklin, New Hsmpshire, on September 4, 1862, to where she was schooled and raised. The two were wed in 1882, and continued to farm in Illinois until 1884 when they moved to Nebraska. However, the lure of the West had captured George's imagination and in 1887 he came farther west to Colorado, where he was the first to file a homestead in the western part of Kit Carson County. There, the Huntley's first home was a oneroom dugout that was later replaced by a sod house. In the early days, George would gather up a wagon load of bones from the prairies, haul them to Haigler, Nebraska, the nearest trading point, where he would sell them and return home with a supply of groceries and probably how she became a crack shot that was used to good advantage during the depression and dry years of the 30's, when Sidney and Gerda hunted rabbits, skinned them, stretched and dried the hides to sell. Lukes Hospital School of Nursing during World War II, graduating in 1946. Agnes, Homer, Albert and Ruby Huntzinger, ages 4, 6, 10 and 11 years in 1929 Sidney V. Huntzinger was born at Thurman, Colorado on his parenLs', T.J. and Elsie Huntzinger's, homestead. In 1900 when he was four years old the family moved to land they had purchased twelve miles northeast of Flagler in Kit Carson County. He attended the sod school known as the Huntzinger School near Hell Creek. He was able to attend only when there was no farm work to do and managed to complete the 8th grade at the age of 18. In 1915, Gerda Brandenburg, daughter of Ferdinand and Emma Brandenburg of Creighton, Nebraska, arrived to keep house for her brother, Conrad, who lived northeast of Flagler. She was told that she would have to cross the "river" three times before she arrived home. Little did she know the "river" would be the loops of the dry Buffalo Creek. Following the war, Albert returned to the area with his wife, Allie Jo (Kountz) and began farming south of the farm that Sidney and Gerda now owned. In 1950, Sidney and Gerda sold most of their farm land and moved to Flagler. Following Albert's death from cancer in 1964, his widow sold their farm and in 1981 Gerda sold the last section of their farm land. 1981 was the first time since 1900 that no farmland was owned by Huntzingers in Kit Carson County. by Agnes Ottenan HUNTZINGER. GREENWOOD FAMILY F333 Thomas Jefferson Huntzinger came to Colorado with three brothers in 1886. They walked in from Independence, Kansas. He was born in Anderson, Indiana on May 18, Her brother, Conrad, got acquainted with Cora Huntzinger, who lived a few miles northwest of them. Cora's brother, Sidney, got acquainted with Conrad's sister, Gerda, and the couples were married in a double wedding in Burlington, Colorado, June 26, 1917. Sidney and Gerda began their married life in a sod house on land owned by Sidney's father thirteen miles north and two miles east of Flagler. Gerda remembers setting the kerosese lamp on the floor in the evening while she waited for Sidney to come in for supper. With the lamp on the floor she would take the 22 rifle and shoot the mice that poked their heads out to investigate. This is December, L924: Jeff and Elsie Huntzinger and their 7 children in front of their home north of Flagler: Edith (Gering), Charles, Ida (Jensen), Sidney, Ivan, Harvey, and Cora (Brandenburg). �1864. The brothers became disillusioned and left. T.J. or "Jeff'staked his homest€ad east of Thurman in Washington County. In a letter he wrote in 1934, he stated that he had the firet sod shanty between Akron and Hugo. He also wrote in that letter that he had plowed the first furrow in that part of the county. There was nothing on the prairie but buffalo grass and one thistle. He said that you could plow a furrow and leave it for two years and no weeds grew on it. In 1888 the Charleg Sala Greenwood family arrived from Kangas to help build the Rock Island Railroad. One of the brothers had a contract for one mile of grade in the Limon area and the father and brothers helped him with his contract. The mother, Sarah (Cook) Greenwood staked a homestead claim east of Thurman. Before coming to Colorado, Charles and Sarah helped build the church in Iowa that was made famous by the song "Little Brown Church inthe Vale". All eleven of their children were born in Iowa. According to fanily records, the ancestors of Charles Sala Greenwood fought in the Revolutionary War. His great great grandfather, Sylvanius Perry, was one of the patriots at Lexington who fired the shot that was heard around the world. On October 21, 1891, Jeff Huntzinger and Elsie Jane, the daughter ofSarah and Charles Greenwood, were married at a small church east of Thurman. Their first five children were born on the homestead in Washington County but by April, 1900 they had moved twelve miles northeast of Flagler in Kit Carson County. Their children were: Charles, Edith (Gering), Sidney, Harvey, and Cora (Brandenburg), all born at Thurman, and Ida (Jensen), Thomas, and Ivan, all born north of Flagler. Thomas died in infancy. All their children except Ivan attended the sod house Huntzinger School near Hell Creek. Ivan attended Liberty School which was a frnme school built in 1919 one mile west of the Jeff Huntzinger home. The oldest son, Charles, went to Wyoming to live and make his home. The rest of the children established homes on farms near their parents north of Flagler. When the Huntzingers moved north of Flagler, their home was on a direct trail for wagons coming from the north going to threshed into the wagons and then scooped into the bins at Thurman, then when all finished it would be scooped into wagons and hauled to their farm north of Flagler and scooped into the bins. Then when that was completed it would be scooped into wagons and hauled to Flagler where it would be scooped into the granary there. When the sons had enough to fill a rail car it would be scooped into wagons, taken to the railroad and scooped into the car on the tracks. Sidney used to say the wheat was worn out by the time it was shipped out. Ivan remembers that it was scooped into the bins at Flagler and scooped back out and scooped into the rail car to save the two cents per bushel that the elevator charged for handling it. by Agnes Otteman HUPPERT, GEORGE F334 My grandfather, George Huppert was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1868. His parents were Frederick (1831 to 1895) and Elizabeth Fritz (10-10-1840 to 7-7-L922). They were MoIIie Huppert America with an older brother and Elizabeth came by herselfat the age ofsixteen. She had followed Fred here and could not speak any English. Fred had settled in Milwaukee, homestead. At that time the land was still being surveyed and the young people would gather at the surveyor's station and that is where George and Mollie met. They were both born in Germany. Frederick came to Wisc. and Elizabeth had taken a train to Wisconsin to be with Fred. They were married in Mequon, Wisc. in 1862. Fred moved his family to Blue Hill, Nebraska where they homesteaded. At that time you had to plant a tree claim. Some of those trees are still standing at the farm 3 miles west of Blue Hill. It is recorded at the Red Cloud married in 1898. George had a threshing machine and moved houses for a living. My Aunt Tres said My grandmother, Mollie Lichleiter, was that when World War I ended her dad started up the steam engine tractor and let the kids blow the whistle. In 1921 he shipped the tractor and thresher to Stratton, Colorado by train. Some friends from Blue Hill had moved here earlier and told him there waa a need for a thresher in this community. He cnme back born in lllinois on April 15, 1880. Her parents were Mathias (1831) and Mary Armburster (1839). They also both came from Germany and moved to Nebraska from Illinois. They again came out during the harvest season and rented a farm so he could move his family to Colo. court house in Webstcr County on 12-8-1880. bought land 3 miles from the Huppert to Blue Hill for the winter and in 1922 he When he returned to Blue Hill. Mollie was Flagler for supplies. Their home became the stopping place for water for the horses and even milk for the babies if needed. Ivan rememberg his mother recalling that she had counted up to forty teame and wagons going by. Ivan recalls that his dad bought the tax title on two quarters of land for $64.00. During World War I, Jeff mortgaged seven quarters of land for $4000.00 to the State Land Bank so he could buy Liberty Bonds, thus assuring himself of getting the job of going around the countryside to sell bonde. Afterwards he failed to pay off the mortgages when he cashed the bonds. During the depression he wae unable to pay the interest and taxes and the land was put up for sale but no one would buy it. The State land Bank leased it back to the family and it was later purchased by sons, Sidney and Ivan. Jeff and Elsie moved to Flagler after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 1941. One of the stories that Sidney used to tell was: Jeff built a granary in Flagler for grain storage. It was built on the site of what is now the Community Medical Center. The wheat from the homestead at Thurman would be George Huppert family taken in Blue HiIl, Nebraska shortly after Mollie's death. Back row L to R: George, Tres, Mary, Gertrude, Frank, Helen. Front row L to R: Dorothy, Mildred, Leona, Irene, George. �very ill and died on Aug.ust 29, L922. George moved the family out to Stratton in June 1923. They lived 1 mile south of Stratton. At that time their neighbors were John Gerke and Pautler dairy farm. They shipped the furniture and other belongings by train and moved out here in a Model T touring car and Ford truck. Circles painted in colors on telephone posts were the highway signs. Free range was the law and only fields were fenced. There were many acres of grass land and cattle roamed freely. It was not unusual for some farmers to come by looking for their cattle and if it was meal time they were always invited to come in for a meal. Later George moved his family three miles east and one and a half south of Stratton. George's son, George, drove a team of horses and a wagon and took the children to school. Later on they drove a car. Aunt Tres went to high school and Leona, Irene, Mildred, George and Dorothy went to grade school at Stratton's St. Charles Catholic Grade School. In 1926 George became ill and had an operation for cancer in Denver at St. Joseph Hospital, and the day he was to come home, he died from a blood clot. There were 11 children in the family and three are still living. Frank (10-12-1899 to 85-1961) married Catherine Colgan. They had 2 children. One died as an infant. Helen (1901 to 1968) married John Harrison. She taught school in a country school in Stratton. They moved to Missouri. They had 5 children. Mary (8-26-1902 to 6-11-1957) married Joe Kloecker and lived in Denver. They had 5 children. 1 son died. Gertrude (3-27 -L904) married Tony Beller. They had 5 children and still live in Denver. Theresa (8-19-1907) maried Raymond Bush and had 4 children. ISEMAN FAMILY F335 Febr. 1924 brought Ralph and Josie Iseman to Kit Carson County with their children Clarence, Loraine, Agnes and John. Ralph had been out from Burlington, Ks. to look things over earlier. So with the George Bailey and Hill families they loaded their household items on two immigrant cars on the train. They drove out in a Model T car. The windows were ising-glass. The weather was very cold and they kept warm with a heater that had something like charcoal briquettes inside. The trip took five days. They stayed at the Collins Hotel in Stratton until the Austin place was available. Ralph always said that his ancestors were Pennsylvania Dutch. How right he was. In reality Pennsylvania Dutch means German born. The first Iseman of Ralph's family to enter America was Peter and he came from Germany in 1749. Those first Isemans spelled their name many ways: Eyseman, Eisaman, Eiseman, Isaman. Westmoreland Co., Pa. has many of Peter's descendants and most of them spell their names Eiseman. The ones from Freeport, Pa. spell their name Iseman. Ralph's father and mother, John Andrew and Evaline Nancy (Hill) Iseman, were born in Freeport, Pa. One of Ralph's distant cousins lives outside Freeport on Iseman Rd. Ralph was the seventh generation of Isemans in America. John Ralph Iseman was born in Guthrie Co., Iowa in 1890. Ralph married Josie Thene Updegraft 23 Jan. 1912 in Burlington, Ks. Josie was born in Burlington, Ks to Sidney Denton Updegraft and Susan Lane Dawson Loraine, Agnes, and John were born in Burlington, Ks. Wayne and Maxine were lives there. George (10-10-1910 to 7-12-1950) married Tbila Boul and they had 4 boys. Pauline died at the age of 3 from measles and is buried in Blue Hill, Neb. Irene (8-25-1912 to 1976) married Walter Halloway and lived in Denver. They had 5 children and 1 died as an infant. Walter still lives in Denver. Leona L924 to L946. chtenbach. Millicent Luebbers, daughter of Gertrude and Willard, Walter and Wilford Huppert and their mother Twila, sons and wife of George. After the death of their father Uncle Frank and Aunt Tres took care of the younger children until they were able to be on their own. My Aunt Tres had started a business known as the T V Booties after they had moved to Denver awhile. by Betty Jean Brachtenbach lius Wood. Neil died in 1985. Loraine still lives in Burlington. Agnes married Leonard Beeson. They live in Burlington and are still involved in farming and cattle south of Bethune. John married Ellen Bemis, a Kansas gal. They live in Burlington, Ks and farm in the area where Ralph and Josie first lived. Wayne still lives and farms south of Bur- lington. Maxine married Jake Chandler. They are both retired and living in Denver. Josie died 9 Sept. 1974. Ralph died on his 96th birthday 27 Oct.1986. Both were real pioneers. Their friends and family loved and respected them. Ralph spent the last 6 years of his life in the Grace Manor Nursing Home. His determination and out look on life was an inspiration to all. by Lenora Sexson JACKSON, DEWEY AND REVA (BRALY) F336 13 Nov. 1893. Their children Clarence, Two boys died as young men. They lived in Denver and moved to Lag Vegas, Nev. in 1981 where Raymond died in 1985. Theresa still (5-25-LgL4\ married Val Kordes and has 5 children and farmed in Stratton area. Mildred (1916 to 3-19-L924) died of sugar diabetes and is buried in Stratton. Dorothy (12-19-1919 to 5-19-f96f) married Coy Pearson. No children. The family of George and Mollie that still reside in Kit Carson County are their daughter Leona Kordes and her daughters Patsy Eisenbart and Betty Bra- selling cattle and fishing. Ralph and Josie's family was so important to them. Clarence married Allie Jean Beck. He still owns land south of Stratton. Allie Jean and Clarence are retired and live east of Colorado Springs. Loraine married Corne- born south ofStratton. Ralph and Josie lived and farmed on the Austin place, Glaze place, Collins Ranch and the Beveridge Ranch from Memories of the family include the time spent hunting the driest, most productive spot for cow chips, loading the wagon, getting them all home, keeping the pile dry and removing all the ashes that hot fire created. The fun basket dinners after church and Sunday school at First Central included fried chicken, rhubarb pie, lemonade!!! The Ladies Aid and sewing clubs provided needed social contact for the women in the neighborhood. From these activities beautiful quilts were created and close friendships developed. There were the local ballgames on Sunday afternoon for the old and young to enjoy. In the 30's there were very few fences. Most of the cattle ran free and the crops were fenced. The grasshoppers were terrible. The poison was placed around the fences because the grasshoppers even ate the fence posts. You never left leather harnesses out because in a few hours there was nothing left but the metal. You could take a clear drinking glass and coat it with smoke from a kerogene lnmp, to protect your eyes as you looked directly at the sun, and see the grasshoppers flying through the air. In 1946 Ralph and Josie moved to Burlington. Josie babysat with grandkids and Jeanne Zick. Josie loved to sew and make quilts. Many a wedding dress, Raggedy Ann, and quilts are prized possessions of her descendants. Ralph kept busy buying and J. Dewey Jackson's first residence in Kit Carson County in 1925, shown with his 1916 Reo truck, 1925 Fordson tractor and a new Ford car J. Dewey Jackson was born north of Phillipsburg, Kansas in 1898, the 5th of ten children born to William A. Jackson and Betty Mae (Bales) Jackson. He walked to school 2t/z miles. While still at home he took a correspondence course on Basic Electricity out of Chicago, Illinois. He rode a horse to Woodruff, Kansas, 19 miles for 8th grade examinations. To help the family income he did trapping; then skunks were worth $20 a piece. When he started his one year of high school, his mother gave him a gold pocket watch to encourage him not to start smoking. This prized possession was pawned several times thru the years to buy life's necessities. The winter of 1917 he went to Kansas City, Kansas, worked as a street car conductor, and attended Sweeny Automobile School. Summer of 1921 traveled to Canada where he was a jack of all trades: helped paint a church, built a school house, hauled logs, and then summer of 1922 helped build a wooden elevator at Sturgis, Saskatchewan. In 1923 back to Alma, Nebraska to rent a garage for one year. Then in L924he traded all the shop supplies for half of the cost ($10 A.) on his first purchase of land in Colorado. His dad � 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- H Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource A brief history of the founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "H." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Janice Salmons Marlyn Hasart Dorothy Smith 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:486 2020-03-23T10:14:34Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/486/Families-I.pdf 9b412aea385e5ea613ab0a5ee19ba7fa PDF Text Text very ill and died on Aug.ust 29, L922. George moved the family out to Stratton in June 1923. They lived 1 mile south of Stratton. At that time their neighbors were John Gerke and Pautler dairy farm. They shipped the furniture and other belongings by train and moved out here in a Model T touring car and Ford truck. Circles painted in colors on telephone posts were the highway signs. Free range was the law and only fields were fenced. There were many acres of grass land and cattle roamed freely. It was not unusual for some farmers to come by looking for their cattle and if it was meal time they were always invited to come in for a meal. Later George moved his family three miles east and one and a half south of Stratton. George's son, George, drove a team of horses and a wagon and took the children to school. Later on they drove a car. Aunt Tres went to high school and Leona, Irene, Mildred, George and Dorothy went to grade school at Stratton's St. Charles Catholic Grade School. In 1926 George became ill and had an operation for cancer in Denver at St. Joseph Hospital, and the day he was to come home, he died from a blood clot. There were 11 children in the family and three are still living. Frank (10-12-1899 to 85-1961) married Catherine Colgan. They had 2 children. One died as an infant. Helen (1901 to 1968) married John Harrison. She taught school in a country school in Stratton. They moved to Missouri. They had 5 children. Mary (8-26-1902 to 6-11-1957) married Joe Kloecker and lived in Denver. They had 5 children. 1 son died. Gertrude (3-27 -L904) married Tony Beller. They had 5 children and still live in Denver. Theresa (8-19-1907) maried Raymond Bush and had 4 children. ISEMAN FAMILY F335 Febr. 1924 brought Ralph and Josie Iseman to Kit Carson County with their children Clarence, Loraine, Agnes and John. Ralph had been out from Burlington, Ks. to look things over earlier. So with the George Bailey and Hill families they loaded their household items on two immigrant cars on the train. They drove out in a Model T car. The windows were ising-glass. The weather was very cold and they kept warm with a heater that had something like charcoal briquettes inside. The trip took five days. They stayed at the Collins Hotel in Stratton until the Austin place was available. Ralph always said that his ancestors were Pennsylvania Dutch. How right he was. In reality Pennsylvania Dutch means German born. The first Iseman of Ralph's family to enter America was Peter and he came from Germany in 1749. Those first Isemans spelled their name many ways: Eyseman, Eisaman, Eiseman, Isaman. Westmoreland Co., Pa. has many of Peter's descendants and most of them spell their names Eiseman. The ones from Freeport, Pa. spell their name Iseman. Ralph's father and mother, John Andrew and Evaline Nancy (Hill) Iseman, were born in Freeport, Pa. One of Ralph's distant cousins lives outside Freeport on Iseman Rd. Ralph was the seventh generation of Isemans in America. John Ralph Iseman was born in Guthrie Co., Iowa in 1890. Ralph married Josie Thene Updegraft 23 Jan. 1912 in Burlington, Ks. Josie was born in Burlington, Ks to Sidney Denton Updegraft and Susan Lane Dawson Loraine, Agnes, and John were born in Burlington, Ks. Wayne and Maxine were lives there. George (10-10-1910 to 7-12-1950) married Tbila Boul and they had 4 boys. Pauline died at the age of 3 from measles and is buried in Blue Hill, Neb. Irene (8-25-1912 to 1976) married Walter Halloway and lived in Denver. They had 5 children and 1 died as an infant. Walter still lives in Denver. Leona L924 to L946. chtenbach. Millicent Luebbers, daughter of Gertrude and Willard, Walter and Wilford Huppert and their mother Twila, sons and wife of George. After the death of their father Uncle Frank and Aunt Tres took care of the younger children until they were able to be on their own. My Aunt Tres had started a business known as the T V Booties after they had moved to Denver awhile. by Betty Jean Brachtenbach lius Wood. Neil died in 1985. Loraine still lives in Burlington. Agnes married Leonard Beeson. They live in Burlington and are still involved in farming and cattle south of Bethune. John married Ellen Bemis, a Kansas gal. They live in Burlington, Ks and farm in the area where Ralph and Josie first lived. Wayne still lives and farms south of Bur- lington. Maxine married Jake Chandler. They are both retired and living in Denver. Josie died 9 Sept. 1974. Ralph died on his 96th birthday 27 Oct.1986. Both were real pioneers. Their friends and family loved and respected them. Ralph spent the last 6 years of his life in the Grace Manor Nursing Home. His determination and out look on life was an inspiration to all. by Lenora Sexson JACKSON, DEWEY AND REVA (BRALY) F336 13 Nov. 1893. Their children Clarence, Two boys died as young men. They lived in Denver and moved to Lag Vegas, Nev. in 1981 where Raymond died in 1985. Theresa still (5-25-LgL4\ married Val Kordes and has 5 children and farmed in Stratton area. Mildred (1916 to 3-19-L924) died of sugar diabetes and is buried in Stratton. Dorothy (12-19-1919 to 5-19-f96f) married Coy Pearson. No children. The family of George and Mollie that still reside in Kit Carson County are their daughter Leona Kordes and her daughters Patsy Eisenbart and Betty Bra- selling cattle and fishing. Ralph and Josie's family was so important to them. Clarence married Allie Jean Beck. He still owns land south of Stratton. Allie Jean and Clarence are retired and live east of Colorado Springs. Loraine married Corne- born south ofStratton. Ralph and Josie lived and farmed on the Austin place, Glaze place, Collins Ranch and the Beveridge Ranch from Memories of the family include the time spent hunting the driest, most productive spot for cow chips, loading the wagon, getting them all home, keeping the pile dry and removing all the ashes that hot fire created. The fun basket dinners after church and Sunday school at First Central included fried chicken, rhubarb pie, lemonade!!! The Ladies Aid and sewing clubs provided needed social contact for the women in the neighborhood. From these activities beautiful quilts were created and close friendships developed. There were the local ballgames on Sunday afternoon for the old and young to enjoy. In the 30's there were very few fences. Most of the cattle ran free and the crops were fenced. The grasshoppers were terrible. The poison was placed around the fences because the grasshoppers even ate the fence posts. You never left leather harnesses out because in a few hours there was nothing left but the metal. You could take a clear drinking glass and coat it with smoke from a kerogene lnmp, to protect your eyes as you looked directly at the sun, and see the grasshoppers flying through the air. In 1946 Ralph and Josie moved to Burlington. Josie babysat with grandkids and Jeanne Zick. Josie loved to sew and make quilts. Many a wedding dress, Raggedy Ann, and quilts are prized possessions of her descendants. Ralph kept busy buying and J. Dewey Jackson's first residence in Kit Carson County in 1925, shown with his 1916 Reo truck, 1925 Fordson tractor and a new Ford car J. Dewey Jackson was born north of Phillipsburg, Kansas in 1898, the 5th of ten children born to William A. Jackson and Betty Mae (Bales) Jackson. He walked to school 2t/z miles. While still at home he took a correspondence course on Basic Electricity out of Chicago, Illinois. He rode a horse to Woodruff, Kansas, 19 miles for 8th grade examinations. To help the family income he did trapping; then skunks were worth $20 a piece. When he started his one year of high school, his mother gave him a gold pocket watch to encourage him not to start smoking. This prized possession was pawned several times thru the years to buy life's necessities. The winter of 1917 he went to Kansas City, Kansas, worked as a street car conductor, and attended Sweeny Automobile School. Summer of 1921 traveled to Canada where he was a jack of all trades: helped paint a church, built a school house, hauled logs, and then summer of 1922 helped build a wooden elevator at Sturgis, Saskatchewan. In 1923 back to Alma, Nebraska to rent a garage for one year. Then in L924he traded all the shop supplies for half of the cost ($10 A.) on his first purchase of land in Colorado. His dad � 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- I Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource A brief history of the founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with an "I." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

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https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/487/Families-J.pdf 5cb9855edfe322ce49340c2a3f8251d6 PDF Text Text very ill and died on Aug.ust 29, L922. George moved the family out to Stratton in June 1923. They lived 1 mile south of Stratton. At that time their neighbors were John Gerke and Pautler dairy farm. They shipped the furniture and other belongings by train and moved out here in a Model T touring car and Ford truck. Circles painted in colors on telephone posts were the highway signs. Free range was the law and only fields were fenced. There were many acres of grass land and cattle roamed freely. It was not unusual for some farmers to come by looking for their cattle and if it was meal time they were always invited to come in for a meal. Later George moved his family three miles east and one and a half south of Stratton. George's son, George, drove a team of horses and a wagon and took the children to school. Later on they drove a car. Aunt Tres went to high school and Leona, Irene, Mildred, George and Dorothy went to grade school at Stratton's St. Charles Catholic Grade School. In 1926 George became ill and had an operation for cancer in Denver at St. Joseph Hospital, and the day he was to come home, he died from a blood clot. There were 11 children in the family and three are still living. Frank (10-12-1899 to 85-1961) married Catherine Colgan. They had 2 children. One died as an infant. Helen (1901 to 1968) married John Harrison. She taught school in a country school in Stratton. They moved to Missouri. They had 5 children. Mary (8-26-1902 to 6-11-1957) married Joe Kloecker and lived in Denver. They had 5 children. 1 son died. Gertrude (3-27 -L904) married Tony Beller. They had 5 children and still live in Denver. Theresa (8-19-1907) maried Raymond Bush and had 4 children. ISEMAN FAMILY F335 Febr. 1924 brought Ralph and Josie Iseman to Kit Carson County with their children Clarence, Loraine, Agnes and John. Ralph had been out from Burlington, Ks. to look things over earlier. So with the George Bailey and Hill families they loaded their household items on two immigrant cars on the train. They drove out in a Model T car. The windows were ising-glass. The weather was very cold and they kept warm with a heater that had something like charcoal briquettes inside. The trip took five days. They stayed at the Collins Hotel in Stratton until the Austin place was available. Ralph always said that his ancestors were Pennsylvania Dutch. How right he was. In reality Pennsylvania Dutch means German born. The first Iseman of Ralph's family to enter America was Peter and he came from Germany in 1749. Those first Isemans spelled their name many ways: Eyseman, Eisaman, Eiseman, Isaman. Westmoreland Co., Pa. has many of Peter's descendants and most of them spell their names Eiseman. The ones from Freeport, Pa. spell their name Iseman. Ralph's father and mother, John Andrew and Evaline Nancy (Hill) Iseman, were born in Freeport, Pa. One of Ralph's distant cousins lives outside Freeport on Iseman Rd. Ralph was the seventh generation of Isemans in America. John Ralph Iseman was born in Guthrie Co., Iowa in 1890. Ralph married Josie Thene Updegraft 23 Jan. 1912 in Burlington, Ks. Josie was born in Burlington, Ks to Sidney Denton Updegraft and Susan Lane Dawson Loraine, Agnes, and John were born in Burlington, Ks. Wayne and Maxine were lives there. George (10-10-1910 to 7-12-1950) married Tbila Boul and they had 4 boys. Pauline died at the age of 3 from measles and is buried in Blue Hill, Neb. Irene (8-25-1912 to 1976) married Walter Halloway and lived in Denver. They had 5 children and 1 died as an infant. Walter still lives in Denver. Leona L924 to L946. chtenbach. Millicent Luebbers, daughter of Gertrude and Willard, Walter and Wilford Huppert and their mother Twila, sons and wife of George. After the death of their father Uncle Frank and Aunt Tres took care of the younger children until they were able to be on their own. My Aunt Tres had started a business known as the T V Booties after they had moved to Denver awhile. by Betty Jean Brachtenbach lius Wood. Neil died in 1985. Loraine still lives in Burlington. Agnes married Leonard Beeson. They live in Burlington and are still involved in farming and cattle south of Bethune. John married Ellen Bemis, a Kansas gal. They live in Burlington, Ks and farm in the area where Ralph and Josie first lived. Wayne still lives and farms south of Bur- lington. Maxine married Jake Chandler. They are both retired and living in Denver. Josie died 9 Sept. 1974. Ralph died on his 96th birthday 27 Oct.1986. Both were real pioneers. Their friends and family loved and respected them. Ralph spent the last 6 years of his life in the Grace Manor Nursing Home. His determination and out look on life was an inspiration to all. by Lenora Sexson JACKSON, DEWEY AND REVA (BRALY) F336 13 Nov. 1893. Their children Clarence, Two boys died as young men. They lived in Denver and moved to Lag Vegas, Nev. in 1981 where Raymond died in 1985. Theresa still (5-25-LgL4\ married Val Kordes and has 5 children and farmed in Stratton area. Mildred (1916 to 3-19-L924) died of sugar diabetes and is buried in Stratton. Dorothy (12-19-1919 to 5-19-f96f) married Coy Pearson. No children. The family of George and Mollie that still reside in Kit Carson County are their daughter Leona Kordes and her daughters Patsy Eisenbart and Betty Bra- selling cattle and fishing. Ralph and Josie's family was so important to them. Clarence married Allie Jean Beck. He still owns land south of Stratton. Allie Jean and Clarence are retired and live east of Colorado Springs. Loraine married Corne- born south ofStratton. Ralph and Josie lived and farmed on the Austin place, Glaze place, Collins Ranch and the Beveridge Ranch from Memories of the family include the time spent hunting the driest, most productive spot for cow chips, loading the wagon, getting them all home, keeping the pile dry and removing all the ashes that hot fire created. The fun basket dinners after church and Sunday school at First Central included fried chicken, rhubarb pie, lemonade!!! The Ladies Aid and sewing clubs provided needed social contact for the women in the neighborhood. From these activities beautiful quilts were created and close friendships developed. There were the local ballgames on Sunday afternoon for the old and young to enjoy. In the 30's there were very few fences. Most of the cattle ran free and the crops were fenced. The grasshoppers were terrible. The poison was placed around the fences because the grasshoppers even ate the fence posts. You never left leather harnesses out because in a few hours there was nothing left but the metal. You could take a clear drinking glass and coat it with smoke from a kerogene lnmp, to protect your eyes as you looked directly at the sun, and see the grasshoppers flying through the air. In 1946 Ralph and Josie moved to Burlington. Josie babysat with grandkids and Jeanne Zick. Josie loved to sew and make quilts. Many a wedding dress, Raggedy Ann, and quilts are prized possessions of her descendants. Ralph kept busy buying and J. Dewey Jackson's first residence in Kit Carson County in 1925, shown with his 1916 Reo truck, 1925 Fordson tractor and a new Ford car J. Dewey Jackson was born north of Phillipsburg, Kansas in 1898, the 5th of ten children born to William A. Jackson and Betty Mae (Bales) Jackson. He walked to school 2t/z miles. While still at home he took a correspondence course on Basic Electricity out of Chicago, Illinois. He rode a horse to Woodruff, Kansas, 19 miles for 8th grade examinations. To help the family income he did trapping; then skunks were worth $20 a piece. When he started his one year of high school, his mother gave him a gold pocket watch to encourage him not to start smoking. This prized possession was pawned several times thru the years to buy life's necessities. The winter of 1917 he went to Kansas City, Kansas, worked as a street car conductor, and attended Sweeny Automobile School. Summer of 1921 traveled to Canada where he was a jack of all trades: helped paint a church, built a school house, hauled logs, and then summer of 1922 helped build a wooden elevator at Sturgis, Saskatchewan. In 1923 back to Alma, Nebraska to rent a garage for one year. Then in L924he traded all the shop supplies for half of the cost ($10 A.) on his first purchase of land in Colorado. His dad �paid for the other half of WVz30-7-47 inKit Carson County. Dewey came to Colorado to start farming on March 1st 1925. His first home was a hole in the ground with a tent over it. Heat was a brooder stove. One month of this and he built a wooden shack. He broke sod for himself and others with a Fordson tractor; main crop was corn. In 1926 he took C.A. Monroe and older boys to Cheyenne Frontier Days in his Reo 3/ T truck; it would haul 100 bu. On return trip, they drove the Fall River Road; curves were so sharp one had to back up to make the curve. Later he rented a place Vz mile north of S. Fork Republican. He cooked for corn pickers and others when Hank Howell, owner of a corn sheller, was shelling corn. In June 1930, Dewey married Reva Grace Braly. They lived north of the river in a 2 story tar paper house. Here the three oldest children, Virgene, Paul and Betty were born. Here Reva had to kill her first rattle snake. After the flood in May 1935 they moved up on a hill north 1/z mile. Lost in the flood was a hog shed and hogs, cattle, side of cement tank and windmill pushed over some and other damages. The fall of 1935 they moved 2t/z miles west where a third girl Mary was born 1936. In spring of 1937 they moved again on north 3 miles where the two older children started school at Boger School #12. Then in 1939 they had another girl Anna Belle. By now farming was done by horses or an International high wheel row crop tractor with steel wheels. He sold wheat crop, went to Vona Bank for a loan, was turned down, so on to Stratton Bank. Ray Calvealy, banker at Stratton, approved a loan so Dewey has banked there ever since. In 1940 he made dov,rn pa5noent on 5 quarters. Then spring of 1942 they moved to location L4-7-48, From here the kids walked about a mile to attend the (Adobe) Plainview School #64 on 22-7-48. After planting a lot of trees on their building sit€, the home place was nomed Shade Lane. Traded 4large Pigs for a piano so the girls could take lessons from Ruth Vincent and later the Catholic Sisters in Stratton. Basic crops were corn, certified coes, Fremont cane and Wichita wheat. He also raised beef cattle; milked up to 12 cows by hand. In 1956 Dewey won the Skelly Award and Reva was named outstanding home maker of the county. Both were 4-H leaders for 5 years or more. Dewey was very active in Farm Bureau, served on school board, helped organize the new phone system and many other community or county activities. They both enjoyed traveling for a few years after all the kids were out on their own. Then in fall of 1961 after death ofa son's wife, they helped raise three grandchildren for 10 years till their son remarried. They slowly phased out of cattle and, having rented the farm, had their main farm sale in February, 1972. Then in the fall of L977, they moved to a house they purchased in Burlington, Colorado. In October 1978 they had another sale to sell extra items and to clean up the farm. They still enjoy visiting with friends and family, Dewey at the coffee shop with the guys, and Reva busy with her yard work, fancy work, church and club activities. by Mary (Jackson) McCaffrey JACOBER FAMILY F337 John and Marie (Matteis-Matthies) Jacober were part of the Germans who came to this country by way of Russia. John was born March 12, 1866, in Tirraspolftrispol, Russia, and Marie was born Dec. 22, 1868, in Geidetown, Russia. Their obituaries list Glueckstahl, So. Russia as their birthplaces and Tirraspol is listed for both of them on their Petition of Naturalization dated Oct. 30, 1909. When the ancestors of John & Marie went to Russia, Catherine was Empress. She wanted to settle the Ukraine with German farmers so she promised them free farms, less taxes and freedom from military service for 100 years. The land there was somewhat like our Great Plains but had better water, timber and deeper soil. Years went by, Russian Emperors changed, the 100-year military exemption expired and the Russians started calling the young German men into their troops. At that time John was a young farmer with a wife, having married Marie on Nov. 10, 1887, and two small children. He was taken into the military for a year's service and was attached to a cavalry regiment located at Odessa. Since he was handywith blacksmith tools he was made farrier, or horse shoer, for the regiment and several times shod the saddle horse of the Royal Duke. After serving five months, with no bad marks against his record, he was told he would be granted a month's furlough at the end of his 6-month service. Just before his furlough he received a letter from a cousin who had migrated to the United States and was living in the Dakotas. He told John the U.S. had given him 320 acres of land, and that he had raised 2,000 bushels ofwheat that year. John began to visualize himself on a farm in America, sowing the seed by hand from a sack over his shoulder, harrowing it, cutting it with a sickle or cradle, llamping it out with horses on a hard clay bed or pounding it with a flail, and winnowing it by dropping it from an upheld pail. Farming was certainly not an easy task in those days. Finally, unable to get the thought ofa farm in America and 2,fi)0 bushels of wheat out of his mind, he wrote to his wife, Marie, to sell their farm and everything else she could. She followed his instructions, and when he arrived for his furlough all their possessions had been converted into money except for the few bundles of personal belongings they could carry. That night, after farewells to friends and relatives, they took their two small children, Anna, 3 years, and Louise, I year, and left. They traveled only at night for fear of being caught, and after passing through a forest and over a river arrived in Austria. While waiting for a train, an official, sensing that they were running away, arrested John, put him in jail and took half of his money. At the next stop the same thing happened, and Marie, with the two small children, spent the night on a bench outside the jail. The next morning the chief military officer came by, saw her and the children, and sent his orderly to inquire as to what had happened. When he learned the story, the officer made the jailer release John, return all his possessions and money. The orderly was then instructed to accompany John's fanily to the station and see that they got safely on their way. After a long journey they arrived in Hamburg, Germany. They sailed for New York aboard the ship "Warl" on March 24, 1892, and after arriving there April L2,1892, spent three days in a day coach to Burlington. They reached Burlington at 3:00 in the morning of April 15, 1892. Not knowing the English language they were unable to communicate with anyone. About noon that same day, Frank Mann heard of their situation and with T.G. Price, who could speak German, went to the depot and arranged to take them to the Settlement. There they found friends who located work for John and a place for the family to stay. John went to work for the railroad. They built a sod house and plastered it with native lime. Every Saturday Marie would get fresh lime and whitcwash the walls so the house would always look fresh and clean. The floor was plastered with a mixture of clay and straw, which when dry became so hard it could hardly be broken with a hatchet. John moved with his family to Denver in 1895 and worked in the smelter at Globeville until 1898. At that time they moved to Brighton and had a truck garden until 1905 when they moved back to Kit Carson County. They homesteaded 320 acres, which included 240 acres in the N 1/z E r/z SW %, Sec. 27, T. 6, R. 44 and 80 acres in the NE % NW % and NW % Ne % of Sec. 34, T. 6, R. 44, about 17 miles north of Burlington. With the help of neighbors they hauled rocks and soon had a stone house and barn built. John then bought a horse and a set of harness. After he borrowed a rod breaking plow and Henry Goebel loaned him another horse, he was ready to start working his American farm. Though it took several years of hard work, John finally one day saw his dream of 2,000 bushels of wheat come true. In addition to their two daughters who came with them from Russia, Anna, born in Tirraspol, Russia Oct. 11, 1888, and Louise also born in Tirraspol, Aug. 5, 1890, there were three sons born after arriving in the United States. John, Jr. was born Mar. 3, 1893, and Ralph Oct. 24 L894, both in Burlington, and Christian "Chris", born Dec. 15, 1897, in Globeville, Colorado. When World War I started two of their sons, John and Ralph went into the service. John died shortly afterward aboard the USS Pocahontas near Brest, France, Sept. 29, 1918. Ralph was wounded at the Battle of Metz near Paris, France, and received his honorable discharge in Feb. 1919. John had not married before he went to war so Ralph took over his homestead when he returned from service. In L922 Chris started working John & Marie's homestead and they moved into Burlington a short time later. On Oct. 8, 1934, John passed away and Marie followed him on Dec. 15, 1950. Both John and Marie set good slamples to their descendants as good citiz- ens and faithful followers of God. They became official American citizens on June 15, 1910 and were a true credit to their adopted country. In addition to their two sons who served in World War I, they had grandsons serving in World War II, andthe Korean War andgreatgrandsons in Vietnnm. None of John & Marie's children are living. Anna passed away Feb. 7, 1981, Louise March �16, 1918, John, Jr. Sept. 29, 1918, Ralph Oct. 8, 1970, and Chris May 15, 1967. by Alice M. Jacober JACOBER - OUTHET FAMILY F338 Christian "Chris" Jacober, son ofJohn and Marie (Matteis-Matties) Jacober, was born 15 December 1897, in Globeville, CO. and on 14 Septembet 792L, in Burlington, CO. was married to Bessie June Outhet, daughter of John William and Mary Annora "Nora" (Broadsword) Outhet. Bessie was born 18 June 1903 in Y 'ma County, Colorado, near Hale. Inl922 Chris took over the operation of his parent's homestead about 17 miles north of Burlington. He and Bessie continued to farm there until 1951 when they moved into Burlington. While they were on the farm they were blessed with five children: John Chris "Jake" born 10 Sept. 1922; Dortha Viola born 20 May 1925; Edwin Chris born 20 August 1927; Darlene Josephene born 10 Sept. 1929 and Elmer Jnmes born 7 November 1931. The children all attended Columbine School District # 3 about a mile or so southwest of their home. Their lunchboxes were syrup buckets which they also sometimes used for playing kickball on the way home. Lunch might even consist of syrup sandwiches when times were hard. When they were fortunate enough to get a bucket of jelly or jnm with the bright emblem on it, they all wanted that one for their lunchbox. With the depression, the onslaught of the "dirty 30's" and five children to feed, it was hard to keep food on the table; but by working together and working hard, they persevered. There were times the old chickens had hardly enough fat on them to even make soup, but the family stuck together. The boys did some trapping of skunks, muskrats, coyotes and sold their fur. A good skunk or muskrat fur would bring $4.50 to $5.50 and an average skunk about $2 to $2.50, a jackrabbit about 25 cents. John worked at CCC Camp when he was about 16 years old and Ed worked at the farm ofFloyd Jacobsen. When World War II started Chris and Bessie's son John and their son-in-law, Clarence "John" Schlosser, Jr, both served in the Navy. Following in the Navy tradition, their other two sons, Ed and Elmer and another son-in-law, Ben Nix, served in the Navy during the Korean War. Two of their grandsons, Steve and Ed Schlosser, also served in the Navy in the Vietnnm War. In 1951 Chris and Bessie moved into Burlington as all three boys were still in the Navy and the two girls both married and away from home. They bought a small house in the east part of town. Chris worked part time at one of the elevators in town. When Ed and Ebner returned from the Korean War, Blmer married Vivian Sailer and Ed maried Alice Barnhart. Dorothy had married Clarence "John" Schlosser, Jr. and Darlene married Ben Nix of Texas. John, "Jake", spent 20 active years and 10 inactive years in the Navy and during that time he married Patricia Travis of Massachusetts. Chris and Bessie lived in their home in Burlington until November 1959 when they moved to Lakewood, CO. near Ed and Elmer's families. Chris enjoyed woodworking projects and was official "master of the barbecue" at family gatherings. In November 1963 they moved into a small house in Wheat Ridge, CO. and were living there when Chris died very suddenly on May 15, 1967. Since Chris passed away Bessie has lived with her son Ed's family and now resides with He is a Lutheran. Mr. Jacober has proven to be a proficient and resourceful farmer and rancher, and his efforts have been rewarded with a great measure of success. by Janice Salmans JAMES FAMILY them near Westcliffe, CO.; Dortha and "John" also live in Westcliffe; John "Jake" and Pat live in Wheat Ridge, CO.; Darlene F340 and Ben in Edgewater, CO.; and Elmer and Vivian in Lakewood, CO. by Alice M. Jacober JACOBER, RALPH F339 Ralph Jacober is owner and operator of a fine farming and ranching property seventeen miles northwest of Burlington, where he specializes in high grade Shorthorn cattle, with registered bulls and raises feed, corn, sorghums, and wheat. Mr. Jacober's farm is located thirteen miles north and four miles west of Burlington and was homesteaded by his brother, John. Mr. Jacober was reared in ranching and farming. He worked with his Shiloh Baptist Church. Photo taken many years aftcr building was abandoned. father prior to entering World War I. Mr. Jacober served with the 28th Division in France. Following his discharge in May of 1918 he returned to his father's farm and then took over his brother's homestead nearby. His brother was a victim of the flu epidemic of 1918. Here Ralph has lived and reared his family since that time. He has put up all the buildings on the farm and has planted trees and lawn. Ralph was born on October 24, 1894, in Kit Carson County to John and Mary Mathies Jacober, ranchers. His parents were born in Russia, his father in 1864 and his mother in 1868. They were married in Russia in 1887, and ceme to the United States in 1892. In 1894, they took a homestead north of Bur- Summer fun, about 1929. Marie Jones, Virginia James. Helen Jnmes and Reta Jnmes. O.R. and Gertrude James O.R. and (Ollie) James and wife Gertie and Cleo, Lola, Rollo, and Virginia moved from- Washington, Kansas to lington. Ralph Jacober attended public schools in Kit Carson County. Mr. Jacober manied Miss Bthel Goebel, their four children the daughter of Henry and Mary Chandler Rock Island Railroad Goebel, on February LL,L925, in Burlington. Mrs. Jacober's father was born in Germany and came to Wilbur, Nebraska, from there with his parents in 1875. In 1891, his parents - they purchased a farm Vona. Two years later came to Kit Carson County and took a homestead northeast of Burlington. Mr. Goebel went to work at the age of twelve years for Mr. McCurtis, owner of the Spring Valley ranch north of Burlington. In a few years, he beceme foreman. In May of 1901, he married and in 1916, he acquired a ranch of his own. Here he remained until 1951, at which time he sold out. He was well known in his area and engaged in the buying of livestock, traveling widely throughout the state. He passed away in September of 1955. Mr. and Mrs. Jacober are the parents of one daughtcr, Helen Marie, who is married to Dale Young. They are the parents of two children, Bruce, born in 1951, and Gregg, born in 1954. Mr. Jacober is a member of the Farm Bureau, Colorado Wheat Growers Association, and the Burlington American Legion. Kit Carson County via "immigranf,, ss" in the spring of 1917, bringing livestock - horses, cattle, hogs, chickens, as well as- household furnishings, their destination a rented farm north of from Marvin Barnett in the Shiloh community north of Seibert. This area was nickna-ed "Suckers Flat". Why it was called that I never knew because it was and still is a very choice spot with table level land and rich black soil. The newly acquired farm was improved with a good barn and a 2 room "soddie". The fifth child was born in this house which was home to this family of seven for six years. Having been accustomed to better living conditions, the rodents etc. that went along with sod house living were a constant source of frustration for my mother. However, her Irish good humor managed to prevail and to see everyone through happily. Mother and Dad took part in community "Literarieg" in those early years. Neighbors included the Ace Harmons, Quentins, Grover Todds, Alec Todds, Mason Wilsons, Andrew Hermans, �Vic and Marvin Barnett, the Millers (George, Ord, and others) the Houglands, Teeters, Porteniers, Gerings, Jenkins, Loutzenhizers, Nelsons, Probascoes, Backs, Elmer Kings, Denver where Helen died in 1965. Buss died about 15 years later. In 1946 Ollie and Gertie James sold the farm in the Shiloh community to Walter Clinton Jones's. The North Flat School was located a few hundred feet from our house. Water for the school children was carried daily from our well house in the "water bucket", Teachers that I can remember who taught there were Madeline Ott Becker, Della Hendricks -Julia Bancroft Wnmczyk Dugan - Irene Bernice Harmon McBlair. Timm. They moved to Denver and spent the remainder of their days there. Until Ollie's death in 1962 they lived on an acreage in Lakewood. After his death, mother and Virginia moved to north Denver where they lived out their lives. Only survivors of this large family are Lola and Reta. Reta married This farming community enjoyed economic good times during the 20's as did most of the country and many new homes were built. My parents built a new frame house with a finished basement the winter of.'24 and'25. They moved into the new house in April. I was born a couple of weeks later on May 3. The James's were active members of the Shiloh Baptist Church which was located 3 miles to the west of our place. My older brothers, Cleo and Rollo along with my dad helped dig out and construct the new basement under the church. This was about 1928. The digging was done with horses. Dad, (Ollie James) served on the board of directors of the Seibert Equity for many years. He was interested in politics and was reside. Percy Lounge in 1945. They have lived most of the years in Burlington where they still by Rita James Lounge JAMES FAMILY F341 to care for sick animals. He was called out of bed many a night to take care of a neighbor's cow that was bloated or couldn't deliver her calf to pull a horse's tooth or whatever - ordoing people knew who to call. needed In 1928 my -younger brother was born my parents seventh child. He was named He nicknamed Robert and "Buzzy". William Our father at the age of 36 sitting beside the "soddie'with Virginia and Helen. j $: -;; out of that quarter eection of pasture land until it was absolutely clean. He stacked them in a pile the length of the yard but I don't think he ever did get the cows to eat them. At least the pasture was cleaned up anyway never stand sunflowers growing could -on he his land either. In 1934 my brother Rollo married Ruth - daughter ofCharlie Purvis ofCope. Theyspentthe firstyears of their married life locally and then moved to Denver where they have lived since. Rollo died in 1984. Christmas Eve of 1937 my sister Helen Purvis married Buss Reynolds (son of Walter Reyn- olds of Flagler). They were married at our home. They lived all their married life in brick. Even the roof was covered with sod instead of shingles. The roof was re-sodded every year and fresh sod would green up with the grass growing like a lawn. Buffalo grass had strong roots that held the soil firm. One room of the "soddie" was the kitchen, dining room and living room all in one. The other room was the bedroom, draped off to give us four bedrooms. The drapes could be opened for light during the day but drawn at night for privacy. One of the spaces was used most of the time like a closet except when relatives came for a visit. Cots would be placed for them. We also had a "dugout" building near the house. This building was half under and half above ground, the above ground part built of sod. Good windows gave light and this teacher's desk was placed here. The stage also had curtains to draw closed and many plays weakness and have to be helped up. Because overgrown with cactus. Dad was sure he could somehow make cattle feed out of those cactug if he could just figure out a way to get rid of the stickers. He dug by hand all the cactus ginia. We had never seen a "sod house" before but soon learned to enjoy the comfort it gave us. Two large rooms with outer walls made of sod blocks cut from the prairie and laid like quarters for hired help during cattle drives and harvest time. The schoolhouse, also a sod building, had been built on the northeast corner of the farm, not more than a hundred feet from our barn and corral. It was built with a stage a foot higher than the rest of the floor. The contribution to the community was his ability of the drought our pastures had become Our father, Ollie James, moved us to the farm he bought north of Seibert in 1919. A real change for all of us my mother, brother Cleo, myself, brother -Rollo and sister Vir- made a good workshop and also to hang hams and beef from the raftprs in the wintertime. Later the building was used for sleeping a fervent Democrat. Probably his biggest died in 1961. The fall of L929 my oldest sister, Lola went off to college at Fort Collins (Colo. State Agricultural College). She received her teacher's license 2 years later and taught school at Prairie Gem (north of Flagler) and at Progress (north of Seibert). Lola married Loren Portenier. Loren joined the navy shortly after their marriage where he spent an interesting and productive life retiring after 30 years. Loren died in 1983. Lola resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Oldest brother, Cleo died at age 25. He is buried in the Shiloh cemetery. The Depression and the "dust bowl" hit hard. Dad was hard pressed to find feed for his animals. They would get down from O.R. and Gertrude James A gathering of the Shiloh Church ladies and children. and progrsms were performed there by the students especially at Christmas time. The teachers also used this area as their living quarters. Often ate their dinners with us at our home. The schoolhouse wan heated with a regular pot-belly stove that burned corn cobs and coal. The sod school was torn down and a nice fra-e school house built in the same location. The only high school in the area wENr three miles west and half mile south from our house. After graduating 8th grade, I rode horse back to and from Shiloh school for three years then transferred to Flagler �High School for my senior year. I worked for graduated spring of my board and room Virginia and Helen also 1929. Younger sistcrs attended Shiloh High School. Virginia graduated from Flagler High in 1934 and Helen from Seibert High in 1937. Our father was a horse and cattle breeder. He used the free range to run the cattle so the "L-Dismond" brand was selected. Cleo and I spent many days riding the range to keep the cattle from roaming too far away. Our father took out a hundred year leaee on a school section that he fenced in. A deep well with windmill was added to pump water into two large tanks. The cattle would be herded into the corral around the water tanks to be fed extra food when necessary. This corral was also used at branding and dehorning time. Most of the herd were shorthorned some however had to have their horns sawed off. In 1925 our family moved into a newly constructed frame house with a good basement. The "soddie" was torn down. Where the sod house had gtood a grove of trees were planted. To the south of the yard was a large garden space. Dad would plow with a one horse walking plow in the early spring and our mother would take it from there raising all the vegetables (except potatoes) that we would need to last through the year. Potatoes were planted in the fields. Mother always managed to work in some flowers along with the vegetables, usually zinnias and cosmos. She took great pride in her garden and definitely had a greenthumb. Soon after the new house was built we enjoyed the convenience of a telephone. Our ring was "one long and four shorts". Everyone on the party line would be sure to listen in whenever the phone would ring and sometimes several people would be in on the conversation before it was over. by Lola James Portenier JAMES, CHESTER AND WINIFRED F342 Chestcr and Winifred James were married September 22, 1943 on Winifreds 22nd birthday, in Stratton, Colorado. We lived in Kanorado, Kansas until March L7, 1944 - lt was a cold, windy, snowy day when we decided to move 41/z miles North of Peconic. Colorado. We had a 1941 white (Coyote catching) Ford car and we loaded it down We stopped at the post office in Kanorado and picked up 500 baby chickens we had ordered. The baby chickens went in the back seat (along with the lemp and mirror), We had a big old white sow, and she went in the trunk of the car - we had to stop every once in awhile to open the trunk and give her some air - We headed the Ford North of Peconic and to work. - went Lyle Jn-es, Chester's father, having our best int€rest at heart, told us to get some milk cows and milk - but youth being as it is, that was not what we wanted to do - We bought 1100 turkey poults and start€d in the turkey business - we learned a lot - a whole lot, even our neighbors learned a lot. Between disease hail storms and hungry coyotes we did manage to raise a few and sold them in a Back Row: Diane W. James, Carlyle J"-es, Debbie Brown Jnmes, Heather James. Front Row: Chester James, Winifred Jones, and Cody James. Turkey Co-op at the Kit Carson County Fair Grounds. The people of Kit Carson County realized the need of a hospital, people hauled loads of wheat to town to help finance the building of our local hospital. A telephone line was badly needed and the Beaver Valley Telephone Company was formed - 110 miles of line was built - the poles were stock-piled at our place and cross arms assembled. The neighbors worked hard on that line - it was a big help to the community - This line was later sold to Mountain Bell Telephone Co., for 91.00. The oiled road north of Peconic was helped along by the farmers in the community by hauling gravel, the county laid the oil. We were privileged to live in a very industrious community and that holds true today - "The Happy Hour" Home Demonstration Club was started in 1935. Today it is one of the larger clubs in the county and "Community Pride" is one of the main could be. I say we because it takes involvement of the whole family - We feel 4-H to be one of the finest programs for youth there is. I was a 4-H leader for quite a few years. We worked hard, (No more than many other farmers), farmed hard too - hooking 2 John Deere D Tractors together to pull large machinery - We hauled our entire cattle herd to Nebraska for pasture during the drouth in 1955. We were blessed with 2 children our son, Carlyle and daughter Diane. Carlyle and his wife Deborah Brown James have two children, Heather and Codey. They live 6 miles east and 472 miles north of Burlington on the "home place". Diane graduated from Colorado State University in 1986. She majored in Ag-Journalism, and is Associate Editor of the High Plains Journal, Dodge City, Kansas. We moved into Burlington in 1972. Winifred and Chester James projects. We purchased Sheep from the Jolly Ranches at Deertrail and Hugo, Colorado running one band of 1500 one year and 2 bands later on We ran them on wheat pasture from October until March - Sheep were good to us - The old adage being "Sheep make more money accidentally than cows do on purpose". The Sheep bought the Angus Cow Herd. Later on, we crossbred using Limousin Bulls and then Chianina Bulls. This 3 way cross worked well for us, producing a large, black calf. In 1975 under the management and hard work of our son Carlyle and his wife Deborah. We started holding a Club Calf Sale in November. The Sales proved very successful - had buyers coming from many States and quite a few winners on the Big Show Circuit. Our daughter Diane was successful many times in the Show Ring with our calves. We held these Sales until 1985. Our children were enrolled in 4-H about all the years they JAMES, LYLE AND BLANCHE F343 Lyle James was born at Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. His parents were Bert and Emma (Brewer) James. In 1894 Lyle and a sister Bessie along with their parents came by covered wagon to their homestead, the SW L3-6-42 in Grant Township, about 18 milee north of Kanorado, Kansas. Seven more sons were born to this pioneer family: Harold, Jesse, Earl, Howell, Lowell, Delph and Curtis. This made them enough for a baseball team, which they enjoyed playing together. They broke the ground and farmed with horses and mules. Bert Jnrnes was quite a horse lover and trader. The fanily went to a country school known as the Kemp school, or �.' :r' :'1.1' "1]:,:j' ,'.'. 'l:;-,::l1l;,1.:;1;...'.y:,,,, ..;, ra,,, t.a :,:]ll- ., rrll The sod house on the Lyle James homestead was built in 1915. The young man in the picture is Blanche's nephew, Galen Weeden. He spent his summers helping on the farm. Lyle and Blanch Jo-es, their wedding picture taken on Feb. 25. 1914. Pleasent Hill District #49. D.O. Fortmeyer and Harold Kemp were two of Lyle's teachers. Lyle moved to Kit Carson County, Colorado when he was 22 years old and took care of some cattle for W.J. Detwiler. Blanche (Nealley) Jn-es was born in Kit Careon County, on her parents'homestead 18 miles NE of Burlington, Colorado. Her parents, Charles and Lizzie (Paul) Nealley, were married Feb. 1, 1888, at Ceresco, Nebraska. Soon after that they started by emigrant train for Haigler, Nebraska, which at that time was as far west as the railroad co-e. They drove a wagon loaded with their possessions and drawn by a pair of mules across country to their homestead in Kit Carson County, Colorado. Blanche had an older sister Haidee who was born in Nebraska. The Nealleys first home was a frnrne house and they had Jim Knapp dig them a well, which was dug by hand. Their first place was located on NW 26-6-43, and some trees Nealley section, ag at one time four Nealley families owned and lived on 160 acres of it. They all sold to Charles Nealley later on. Haidee and Blanche went to school 1 % miles west of where they lived. It was a sod school house and believed to be in SE 34-6-43. Blanche's first teacher was Eva White. Charles retired from farming and moved his family to Kanorado in 1919. Lyle and Blanche drove their teem and buggy to Burlington on Feb. 25, 1914, and were married at the Court House. At this time Lyle was living on 22-6-43 on the place that Orrin and Cellestia Mesch had formerly lived. Lyle and Blanche continued to live there till the fall of 1916, when they moved to their homestead located on NW L-7-43, where Terry James lives now. They had built a 2-room adobe house, a barn, and had a well and well house to start out with. Later they added one more room on the house. We can still stand there today that they planted. In remember several of the hired men that worked for Lyle. They slept in the bunk 1898, they moved to SE 35-6-43 where Greg Jo-es now lives. This section is known as the house. We also boarded several of the school teacherg in our home. Most of them walked w M ', t\fi, rc ;'.-j-r*. Lyle and Blanch James family taken April 1, 1945 when Marvin was home on furlough. L to R: LiIa, Orma, LyIe, Marvin, Blanch, Elna and Chet. Lyle and Blanch Jsmes, taken in 1962. almost 2 miles across the pasture to ow small one-room school, District #66 known as Tip Top. On one occasion Lyle rode our horse "June" to check the cattle and break the ice in the water tank two miles north. The horse stumbled and fell and Lyle suffered a broken leg. His first thought was that he would freeze to death as there was a deep snow and bitter cold. Finally "June" put her head down and Lyle layed across her neck and was able to get back on good enough to ride home. The Dr. cnme out and set his leg and he spent 6 weeks in bed that winter. Lyle would take the tenm and wagon and go to town for supplies - usually it took 2 days to make the trip. He usually went about once a month. We raised a lot of our own staple foods such as meat, butter, potatoes, eggs, chickens and garden products. He would bring large quantities of flour, apples, oats, �prunes, raisins, baking powder, soda and spices from town. Lyle was partial to Black Angus cattle and kept a good sized herd. He fattened quite a few head most winters. We can remember getting up about 2 AM to start driving those big critters to the stock yards in Kanorado. They were then loaded on freight cals and shipped to market at Kansas City or Omaha. Lyle rode in the caboose to accompany them to market, which I'm sure wasn't very comfortable. Blanche had a pump organ which she chorded on and enjoyed. It had a frame with a mirror in it. One day while we were gone a hired man evidently aimed his gun at himself in the mirror and pulled the trigger, as there was a hole through the mirror when we returned. He never did confess he was guilty though. Our recreation took place mostly in the school houses in the area. They would have school progtams, box and pie suppers, plays, debates, parties and ball games. As a family we always looked forward to going to Sunday School every Sunday. We first went to Happy Hollow school house, then in later years to The Gospel Hall north of Kanorado. Lyle played a lot of checkers with his brothers and neighbors in the winter time. The 4th of July celebrations in Kanorado and fair time in Burlington, were fun times we enjoyed and usually spent all day, getting home late to do our chores, Our folks built a new house on the farm in 1929, and we really appreciated the electric- ity and all the modern conveniences. Then in 1945 they moved to Burlington to take life a little easier. They bought a large home on 10th St., then in 1959 they built a new smaller home on Senter Ave. They traveled quite a lot over the years and spent 13 winters in the Ft. Myers, Florida area. Lyle and Blanche had five children: Orma Turner, Elna Johnson, Lyla Enyart, Chester E. and Marvin W. Marvin passed away May 5, 1980, at Parker, Colorado. Burlington is the home address for the rest of the family. Lyle and Blanche celebrated 50 years of married life on Feb. 25, 1964. Lyle passed away of a heart attack on July 4, L964. been a radio minister, founding the daily Bible Fellowship Hour in Fresno, California previous to their coming to the Smoky Hill Area. Theyhad originally come from Western Coldwater, except for two years of grade Nebraska. While they were in Colorado the Janzen's actively supported several missionary families whom they knew personally. school. which were attended in the New Eden Along with several others, particularly Bernice Eberhart, they helped organize the Smoky Hill Sunday School. Nick and Bobbie enjoyed working with the people of the Smoky Hill area. Later Nick also filled the pulpit occasionally for Dr. Henry Beatty at the Burlington Methodist Church. Nick's severe illness brought the Janzen's three year stay to an abrupt halt. The family moved back to Fresno, Calif, in March of 1950 so Nick could have the medical attention he needed after brain surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Marilyn was the only one of the family who stayed in the area. She became the bride of Russell Scott, a neighbor, in August, 1949. They have three sons, Steve, Doug, and Tim. Steve and Darlene and Tim and Debbie and boys farm around Smoky Hill, and east of Burlington. Doug lives in Houma, Louisianna, with his wife Mary and children. Nick died in Fresno in Oct. 1950. After several years, Bobbie remarried and now lives in Reedley, Calif. Francis and his wife Waneta, Vernon and his wife Shirley live in Fresno and Gracie and John in Clovis, California. Manyhappymemories are enshrined in the lives of the Janzen's family of their stay in the Smoky Hill Area. Bobbie says she misses the wheat fields, and she comes to visit when she can, Vernon comes back every summer to help Russell and Marilyn harvest wheat. by Mrs. Ted Eberhart JARNAGIN - LIPSETT FAMILY F345 Blanche passed away November 30, 1982, of a broken hip and complications. In those times farming was a lot of hard work. They made do with what they had by raising livestock and grain crops. There were many good years along with several lean Colorado. by Elna M. Johnson JANZEN, NICK AND F3,44 Nick and Amanda, better known as "Bobbie" Janzen came to Burlington, Colo. in March, 1946 with their family, Marilyn, Vernon, Francis and Gracie. All of the children except Marilyn, who was attending college in Calif. were enrolled in the Smoky Hill School. Nick was the manager for some of the Albert Kirschmer farms. Nick had school. Jean D. Lipsett was the second of four children born to Sheldon Butler and Hattie Fern Johnston Lipsett in Buffalo, Ok., on Oct. 15, 1926. When she was four years old the family moved to Ashland, Ks., where she attended school. Dean graduated from Coldwater High School in 1941 and ventured to California, where he was employed in an arsenal for two years. He enlisted in the Navy, in May of 1943 and was sent to Farragut, Id. for basic training. Shortly thereafter, he was sent to Port Hueneme, Calif. Dean and Jean met at a barn dance at Protection, Ks. They both continue to enjoy dancing after 43 years of marriage. Dean and Jean were married on Sept. 15, 1943, at a Baptist Church in Ventura, Calif. After two weeks of marriage, Dean was sent overgeas on a 21 month tour of duty to Pearl Harbor and the Gilbert Islands. Jean remained in Calif. for several months, living with her uncle Paul Johnston and family. Much of her stay was spent touring Calif., and Mexico before she returned to Erie, Ks. and her job as a telephone operator. Dean was attached to the 907th U.S. Naval Air Base and shipped out to the atoll of Tarawa. 45 miles from the coast of Calif. His company was shipped on a tanker, that was used for refueling other naval ships. After the takeover of Tarawa, the men explored the atoll, and many of the nearby atolls, which became connected at low tide. The natives found on the atolls were able to speak fluent English and were supplied with cases of food from the U.S. When Dean returned from his overseas assignment in June of 1945, he had a brief furlough in western Ks. He and Jean then made their home in Corpus Christi, Tx., where Dean was assigned to the Naval base as a Storekeeper Disbursement clerk. Jean continued working as a telephone operator. On Feb. 2,L946, Dean was discharged from the Navy and they moved to Coldwater, Ks. In 1947, they moved to Arapahoe, Co., where Dean and his brother, Byron, broke out a quarter section of sod for Simon and Fishman. A family friend, Bill Chance, and his girl friend, M'Lee Isenbart remained in close years. As a pioneer family they saw many changes in their life time and were thankful they could be a part of the history of Eastern AMANDA N. Dean Jarnagin was born to Engiver and Edith Johnston Jarnagin, at Coldwater, Ks. on Sept. 5, 1923, and attended school in Dean and Sheldena Jarnagin Sept. 15, 1943. contact with Dean and Jean. Miss Isenbart's relative, C.L. Hickman, leased land 11 miles south of Seibert, to Dean and Bill. The following year, 1948, Dean and Jean bought their home place 3 miles south and 4 mi. west of Seibert, from Heye Wilkinson, which they still own today. Their first tractor was an F-30 International with an 8 ft. oneway. At that time, they thought they were really getting the farming done in a hurry. Their farming operation eventually became much larger, and they were soon planting and harvesting over 3000 acres of wheat a year. They have two children, a daughter, Sheldeana Marie (1954), and a son, Kevin Jay (1958). Sheldeana lives in the Los Angeles, Ca. area with her two sons, Christopher (1973) and Michael (19?5). She worked in the computer field for an engineering construction firm in Pasadena. Kevin married Shirley Brachtenbach from Stratton, and they have �two sons, David (1978) and Ryan (1981). They are engaged in farming and ranching operations in the Seibert area. In 1958, Dean and Jean purchased a home in Seibert, which had been built by G.W. Klockenteger, the then banker of Seibert. Jean and friends Vivian Hatfield, Lou White and Stan Strode, spent many hours stenming off paper, painting and hauling plaster until the house was remodeled. Dean missed the excitement of the remodeling, as he was the field manager of the Colorado Springs Production Credit Association. Dean was also kept busy driving and delivering LP gas and doing custom farm work for others in the JENKINS, HAROLD AND STELLA F347 In March 1906, Harold Jenkins, a curlyhaired farmer and sometime well driller, married Stella Gardner, a pretty little school teacher. In 1908, a son, Dale, was born. In 1909, the little boy died. In 1910, Harold and Stella sold everything, left families and friends in Nebraska to homestead their half section of land in what was to become Shiloh community, 20 miles Dean was hired by Matt to mix and carry northeast of Flagler in Kit Carson County, Colorado. They built a L2' x 14' frame "shanty." The following year they built a 14' x 16'"soddy" attached to it. wa"s a great asset in helping them get started "shanty" but the "soddy" was really a snug little house with window seats a foot deep, the thickness of the walls. A frame roof was area. They beceme acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Matt Simonson, who operated a ranch 14 mi. southwest of Seibert. For a short time "mud" for Sig Viken to stucco the old schoolhouse in Flagler, which was being converted into an apartment building. Matt in the cattle business, in 1949. by Sheldena Jarnagin JEFFRIES - GUY FAMILY F346 Horace Greeley said, "Go west, young man, go west," so in the 1890's Leroy and Ada Jeffries did just that. They moved all the way from western Kangas to the bleak eastern Colorado plains. At about the same time a dashing young man, Harrison Guy, came out of Nebraska and met Leroy and Ada's daughtcr, Anna. This meeting culminated in marriage. Harrison and Anna homest€aded near Seibert and out of this union came five boys and one girl who left a distinctive mark on the small towns of eastern Colorado. Leroy, the first born was an outstanding basketball and track star. Garland (#2) was also a prolific basketball player and an outstanding softball pitcher and in 1932 led Seibert to the district basketball tournament. Jay (#3) followed in his older brother's footsteps by excelling in everything he undertook. Ventan (#4) died at an early age in the influenza and diphtheria scourge of the early 1920's. Robert (#5) was the youngest of the boys and carried on the Guy tradition in grand style. Then, "Lo and Behold," along came a girl, Ada May (#6). She was the baby for many years and Harrison even reserved a seat on the school bus for her. Today in 1986 there are four of the Guy family left. Leroy is retired from thorobred horse training and lives in Phoenix. Garland is retired from Ford Motor Co. after 35 years of service and is really enjoying life by raising, breeding and racing thorobred horses in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Robert lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and baby Ada May and her husband, Merle, live in Phoenix where they also race horses in Arizona and NewMexico. The Guyfamilyhas come along wayfrom Grandpa and GrandmaJeffries and the Hotel and Poolhall in Seibert. Colorado. by Ada may Midgett There was nothing wrong with the covered with tar paper and a layer ofsod. The inside was plastered with native magnesium which had an interesting texture and was naturally white and was calcimined as needed to keep it that way. It was lived in until 1924, then used for a wash house and storage. High on the list of priorities in living on a homestead was breaking ground a - with walking plow and the lines from the horses tied over one shoulder and around the waist planting the crops and hurrying to fence -the fields before crops cAme up and the "critters" began visiting. And then the well drilled. Neighbors helped build the windmill to pump the water and dig and cement a cistern for storage. People with no wells of their own would come to get water in barrels and tanks on wagons until they had wells. With a garden and some livestock to care for, Stella usually stayed home alone while Harold made the frequent two-day trip to town alone for supplies like lumber for building; tubing, pipes and rods for the well; posts and wire for fencing. Of these times Stella said, "There is no sound lonelier than a coyote howling on the prairie at night." When Henry's tin lizzie became available a few years later, it was the answer to many pioneers'prayers. However, before that in 1911, Harold and Stella and Stella's parents from Nebraska went by teem and buggy to visit relatives in La Junta, Colorado. While Harold farmed and built barns and shops and graineries and huntedjack rabbits, Stella helped him where she could, raised a garden and taught school in a sod school house four miles away, driving "old gray Pete" morning and evening. The livestock increased. With more ground planted, crops were larger. So life became, if not easier, at least more abundant. Then in 1914, a long wished for baby arrived, a girl named Lila. Somewhere about this time, shortly before or after WW I, Harold and Ed Gering got phones and strung the wire on fence posts. In 1917, Harold and Stella rented their place to Bill Gering and sold out to him and his brother, Ed. Then they moved to Washington state. Harold and his brother, Charlie, had a Maxwell agency in Garfield. A second daughter, Myrle, was born there. The auto business wasn't great, so the brothers sold out and moved to Spokane where Harold and Willard opened the No-Tie Mattress Works. That wasn't great either so the Jenkins family moved back to the homestead. InLg24, a third daughter, Maxine, was born, complet- ing the family. The family weathered grasshoppers, dust storms and depression and Harold set up a 6-volt, wind-powered electric system while the girls went through ten years of schooling at Shiloh. Lila graduated from high school at Seibert and Myrle and Maxine at Flagler. Harold's health had been deteriorating, and by 1942 he couldn't take care of the farm so they moved to a smaller place near Littleton for four years, then to Arlington, California. Harold's health was bett€r in the lower altitude for several years. He and Stella ran a variety store in Cucnmonga from 1948 until 1955, when he becnme so ill they moved to Los Angeles to be closer to Myrle and Maxine and their families. Harold died just a few weeks later months to the day short - four of their fiftieth anniversar5r. Stella was quite ill for a while after Harold's death. When she was better, she went to work as a practical nurse caring for the elderly-ill. She was taking care of a sick "old lady" when she had a stroke in 1963 at age 77. She had a fair recovery but had hardening of the arteries and went down hill pretty fast. She died in 1973, age 86. Lila (Jenkins) Nodacker had 3 children. The youngest died of a brain tumor in 1966, shortly before his tenth birthday. Her remaining son has a son, her daughter has a daughter and a son. Lila died in 1973. Her husband lives in San Diego. Myrle (Jenkins) Kappmeyer had one son. He has two sons and one daughter. Myrle lives in Yucaipa, California with her husband. Maxine (Jenkins) Thompson started working for Western Union in January 1943. She is still working for them and is the only instructor in the Western United Statps. She is a widow and lives in Reno, Nevada. Much of this information was obtained from a personal history written by Stella Jenkins. by Myrle (Jenkins) Kappmeyer JENSEN, THOMAS AND EMMA BAILEY F348 Thomas and Emma Jensen cane to Colorado with their four oldest children, Leslie, Oliver, Goldie and Orpha from Decatur County, KS. Thomas and son Oliver came by covered wagon in the spring of 1910. They plowed some of the land and put in epring crops and made a dug-out for temporar5r living. Mrs. Jensen and the other children came by train. The rest of their belongings and livestock were shipped by train. Mr. Jensen and Oliver met the others at Seibert by wagon. Leslie and Oliver drove the livestock to the homesite on foot. Alma, Leon, Letha, and Marion were born in the years after the move to Colorado. All of us children but Letha and Marion attended the Pleasant Valley adobe school, and the younger children attended the North Flager School, one mile east of our home. My dad purchased one quarter and homesteaded another quarter of land. They lived for a time in the dug-out. Later a close neighbor, the Tandy Todds, moved away and the family lived in their sod hous€ until their �own sd house was completed. This home was located fourteen miles north and four west of Seibert. Later it was gituated in the Pleasant Valley School District No. 40. My father was a cattleman, farmed wheat, barley, and corn and feed crops. The open range joined on the south with many water holes made an ideal place for grazing cattle. They also raised hogs and chickens, sold eggs and cream to help buy groceries and needed items. Dad did some blacksmith work for himself and to help out the neighbors, and that activity made him a little cash too. At harvest time Dad and the older boys operated Alms Jensen Lammey, died in Commerce Tennessee Pass, down the western slope to City, Co, in October, 1983. Sister Goldie is in the Grace Manor Nursing Home in Burlington, CO. The rest of us and our families live in Colorado, except for Leslie's family Glenwood Springs and from there to Grand Junction. members who live in Idaho, Washington, and cattle, fruit orchards, and the majestic moun- California. by Orpha Jensen Goodrich JOIINSON FAMILY F349 a threshing machine and a header crew, exchanging work many times with the neighbors, and doing some custom threshing. Living this far from market was a big chore. They hauled the grain and other products to sell by team and wagon, bringing back groceries and needed itcms. They would leave home early in the morning, returning home late at night. They usually went to Siebert as it was the closest town. The old timers burned cow chips, cobs, wood and some coal, but mostly cow chips. Most used cook stoves which cooked on top, baked, and heated water at the seme time and heated the kitchen. They used small heating stoves in the other rooms. The school was the center of entertainment. Literaries, box and pie socials were held, and also Christmas progrnms with treats for the children. In 1913, the Shiloh Baptist Church was built and was the church center of the community. Later the men organized a baseball tenm, with the men and boys playing ball and the women folk coming for the entertainment. Some private dances were held in the homes. Sleigh rides, taffy pulls, and parties were enjoyed along with visiting in the various homes. The women of the conmunity enjoyed getting together in harvest time to help with the cooking for the men. During the grain cutting time, the men liked to play croquet at the noon hour while the horses rested. In 1918 the influenza hit about every home. Sometimes all in a family would be in bed at the same time. Then the neighbors would help out with the chores. Some lost loved ones, but our fanily was one of the lucky one8. The winters were long and very cold, with blizzards lasting three days, and some times the feed crops becnme very scarce too early in the spring. Later in 1918 until the 1920s were better years. My dad bought both a touring car and truck, which made marketing much easier as well as attending recreational activities. The 1930's brought the dust storms and no crops, the time called the "dirty thirties". Our early neighbors were Ace Hatmons, Mason Wilsons, Jim Millers, Delbert Todds, Burr Borings, Harold Jenkins, Fred Landaus, and later the Gene Teeters and Ord Millers. One very early neighbor \pas Calvin Hembrees who had the first etenm engine plow in the neighborhood. There were not many organizations at this time. Dad belonged to the Seibert and Flagler Equity Coop. Vernie and Marion served in World War II, with Marion serving overseas. Dad died in January, 1930, at the age of 62 years. Mother died in May, 1971, at the age of 92. Leslie, who lived in Idaho, died in 1975; his wife Viola dicd 5 years later. Our sister, All of this country was like heaven to us dryJand farmers all the rushing streams, - lush full flowing rivers, hay meadows, fat Asa and Elberta September, 1965: This story of our "courting" will seem really corny to the youths of today, but keep in mind there was no radio, television, movies, nor even easy transportation to help'us learn the ways of the world. For myself, even books weren't easily available. My formal education consisted of the first three grades, so I would have had a hard time reading, let alone understand anything. So bear with me now as I recall eome of our experiences. September, 1911: I was 22 years of age. My father, Richard Martin Johnson and my oldest sist€r Katie Murray and her husband, Tom, chartered a Rock Island Emigrant boxcar at Goodland Kansas, and in it we put all our belongings and headed off to Hotchkiss, a small town on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies. Another sister, Minnie Foust, husband Joe, and their children Mabel and Tilman lived there as well as some of our Kansas neighbors, who had moved there earlier. In those days an emigrant car was used to haul household goods, livestock and machinery across country. Only the persons needed to care for the livestock were allowed to ride in the emigrant car. Since I would be helping my brother-in-law Tom with his stock, I was permitted to ride in that car. My mother, sister, and the children rode in the passenger car, We were three days and nights on the trip. What interesting sights and spectacular scenery we saw! Being a "high and dry, short grass country boy, my eyes bulged with excitement and wonder. The "emigrantg" who for some reason didn't haul barrels of water in their boxcars had to unload their livestock at every regular water stop. Fortunately, all we had to do was refill our barrels of water at the stops to keep our 6 horses and one cow satisfied. Besides the stock, we had a few chickens, our household possessions, beds, dressers, a tains, it was a feast for the eyes and soul. We finally "landed" at Midway, between Hotchkiss and Paonia. I don't think there is even a post office at Midway an5rmore. Father and Mother moved in with my sister Minnie Faust and her husband, Joe and their two children. Katie and Tom pitched their tent between the homes of the Mclntires and the Potts', and for a couple of months I shared the tent with Katie and Tom. We knew the Mclntire family as they had been our neighbors in Kansas. In fact they were the ones who promoted and encouraged our move. We were not acquainted with the Potts family. The Mclntires had a daughter, Maude, who was 17 or 18 years of age and even though I was still single, I was not interested in courting her as we had practically grown up together and she seemed like a sister to me. The Potts' had a daughter, Elberta. However, from bit^s of conversation with the Mclntires, mostly from Maude, I got the impression Elberta was about 12 years old. Even though she looked too big for a 12 year old, I had seen a few girls who were large for their age, so it didn't even enter my mind that she might be available for courting. Much later it dawned on me that it just might have been Maude was interested in me and didn't want me to know that Elberta was really 16! One day Elberta was visiting at the McIntire home, and when she started home she suddenly remembered she would have to pass by where I lived. She was barefooted, and although in those days girls wore their skirts well below their knees, she wasn't about to take any chances that I should see her bare legs, so she sashayed quite a distance out of her way to avoid me. Somehow, I did manage to visit the Potts' home at intervals. In fact I got pretty well acquainted with Mrs. Potts. It so happened that she acted as midwife for my sister, Katie, when one of her children was born, and came by daily to care for things. I didn't have work at the time so I helped out with the household chores and with the other Murray children. by Opal Joy JOHNSON FAMILY F360 sewing machine and cookingutensils. We also packed in some farm machinery, most of which proved to be of little vdue to us in an irrigated country, such as the Hotchkiss area was. At Pueblo, Colorado we trangferred to the Denver and Rio Grande line which would take us through the mountains via the Royal Gorgeto Salida. Thiswas a steady, slow climb so I got off and walked alongside the train 'till we crme to the Royal Gorge suspension bridge the firet I'd ever seen. The engineer- involved in that project boggled my ing work mind. After leaving the Royal Gorge, we followed the Arkansa! River to Leadville, crossed Aea and Elberta Johnson I soon found out what a wonderful person Mrs. Potts was, and my esteem for her has endured. The winter months crept by, and in March, 1912, my sister, Melinda, accompanied me on a train trip back to Kansas to visit our brother Joe and family who lived in CIay Center. I might add here that I was the 5th child of 15 born to my parents. I had 9 sist€rs and 5 brothers. I needed work and the good man Nels Nelson, with whom I had worked before �traipsing off to Colorado, needed help so I ended up staying in Kansas. Meanwhile, things had not gone well for the Murrays in Colorado. In December, 1911, fire had destroyed their home, then in May, 1912, the Potts' family lost their home and possessions when the North Fork of the Gunnison River flooded. The Murrays deci- ded to return to Kansas and Mr. Potts wanted to locate in the Denver area. The two families rigged up covered wagons and left Midway on the 19th of June, crossed the Continental Divide and arrived in Canon City the Fourth ofJuly. They then separated, the Murrays taking the route to Bird City, Kansas while the Potts family went on to Dodge City Kansas, for a visit with Mrs. Potts'brother, Henry Smith. Aftpr their visit there, they went back to Denver, where Mr. Potts decided he liked the suburb town of Littleton. That's where they made their home. Fall of 1912: Mr. Nelson's harvest was all completed, and no immediate work available, so sister Melinda and I boarded the train again. This time we went to Seibert, Colorado where we visited our sister Pearl Thorson and her husband, Thalmer. With their two children Benny and Marvin, they lived on their homestead 18 yz miles north and 1 % miles east of Seibert. I'd made up my mind that after our visit I wanted to go to the South Park area or to Gunnison to find work and a place to call my home, but Pearl and Thalmer could talk fast€r than I could, and succeeded in talking me into staying there, and filing a homestead claim. Before I could file, though, I had to find a suitable, unclaimed piece of property, which proved to be quite a task, as nearly all homestead land had already been filed on. I think it was about 1909 that Congress passed a bill a single individual could file for a halfsection claim. It was established that a family needed a full section. A section is a piece of property a mile square, 640 acres. Therefore, I, as a single man, could file for 320 acres. 640 acres should support a family, or so Congress members determined. There were scattered pieces of disconnected land we looked at that was still available but I didn't like the inconvenience that would cause in trying to do anything with it, so we kept looking and inquiring around. Finally we found a 7z section 18 miles north of Seibert. The east side of it bordering on what later was named Highway 59 and the north side near the Washington County line. Although this parcel had already been filed for by an Earl Simmons, we found out his claim could be contested since he had not complied with the homestead requirements. However, ws nlse !6alned that contesting was time consuming, anywhere from 90 to 180 days. We learned that if Mr. Simmons would sell his relinquishment, we could then file without a contesting period. Somehow we found out that the person who had a claim on the south side on Simmon's parcel was a relative of Simmons. We contacted him and he, in turn, contacted Earl Simmons who was willing to sell the relinquishment. I don't remember how much I paid. It couldn't have been much, as I didn't have much money. Anyway, I went ahead and filed my claim. I might add here that I later beco-e well acquainted with this relative of Mr. Simmons. His ntme was Keep Lee. He had a twin brother named Quit! Can you believe it! The story they told was the their mother already had several children and when along ce-e these twins she decided they'd "keep" them, but "quit". They proved to be neighborly and were a lot of help to me. Building an adobe shack was the next step after filing, and I located it as near as I could to the center of the half-section so as not to wake up gome morning on someone else'g property. This shack was 14 feet long and 10 feet wide. It had one small window in the south and one in the west. The door was made of floor boards. There weren't enough boards for the floor so it remained dirt. I packed it down good. Then I built a fence to keep out the livestock that ranged freely over the prairie. I'll skip ahead a little now to tell you what happened to my shack. It was Spring, 1915. Mother nature blessed us with a three-inch rain accompanied by a strong north wind. I didn't realize what was happening even though I was confined most of that time inside that shack. Suddenly I heard a loud cracking noise and before I could even think what was happening, the North wall began to buckle. Well, my bed and bedding were against that wall and did I ever fly into gear to get that out of the way and where it would be protected. Nothing else in there could be harmed so I took off, hoofed it a mile north to the Wrape home. by Opal Joy JOHNSON FAMILY F351 Asa Elberta qlohnson I had worked offand on for them and they, John and Belle, were like family to me. To this day I'm grateful for their kind friendship and all the help they gave me. In the few days, the Wrapes gave me a lift into Siebert where I bought lumber and stripping and soon my shack was once again my happy home. Later on you'll read how it cerne in handy for me to be able to say that my home was "part" frnme. Now getting back to Fall of 1912. Even after all of the above expenses, somehow I managed to have a little money left, and with some of it I bought a little 2 lz yeat old pony. She was black with just a sprinklilng of grey, all four feet were white, and she had a "blazed" or white face. She weighed about 650 pounds. I named her Polly and she and my saddle were my treasured companion and possession. I sure was thrilled with them. Before winter set in that Fall of 1912 I rode my pony to Bird City, Ks. where my sister Katie and family lived and I made my home with them, working around the country picking and shucking corn, and any other odd jobs I could get. By spring, 1913, I again had a little "nest egg" so I returned to my homestead. I took over Thalmer Thorson's horses and equip- my home with Katie and Tom. One day during this stay, Katie who had kept up a correspondence with Mrs. Potts since their journey across the mountains said, "Asa, why don't you start writing to Elberta Potts?" "Oh," I said, "I don't care to be writing to or courting a yolrng school girl." "Well, Bertie (as she was being called then) may still be in school," Katie said, "but she's old enough for you to correspond with." Katie didn't give me their addresses and I didn't ask for it and no more was mentioned. But one daywhen the family had all gone to town, I became curious and snooped around a bit 'till I found Potts'address. However I didn't write until Easter, 1914, when I mustered up enough courage to write a note on an East€r card. Months went by and finally I received a note from her on a Christmas card so then we started corresponding regularly. Bertie was studying German in school and in one of her letters she signed off in German. It could have been chinese or Greek as far as I was concerned. . . I didn't know what she meant, so I wrote and asked her what she was trying to tell me. She always read her letters to her parents and after reading this particular one, her father said, "well, if he can't read your writing you just quit writing." Right here I'd like to add that Bertie's handwriting was beautiful. Well. she couldn't think of what she might have written and wanted me to send that letter back so she could straigh- ten it out. She hadn't written anything she was ashamed of she said in her letter. I didn't return the letter. Bertie's two brothers Ezra and Ted could be quite mischievous and hard telling what they might add if they got hold of the letter and cause Bertie trouble so I wrote that if I ever came to Littleton again I'd bring the letter with me. June, 1915, I went Litteton, above letter in my pocket and she explained, "Why that's just my name in German, that's all." So, we all relaxed and had a chuckle. My visit there lasted about a week. Bertie and Ezra showed me places of interest in downtown Denver and a few days after that Bertie and I were permitted to go to Denver by ourselves. This was the first opportunity we'd had to be alone. I was as shy as she wds, but on the one-anda-ha]f mile walk from their home to catch the street car, I ventured to ask her ifl could hold her tender little hand and started to do so. She jerked it away saying, "It's too hot." Gee whiz, I hadn't noticed. I don't think we missed any of the sights. We toured the State Capitol building and the Capitol museum . .a whole bunch of walking. I was feasting my eyes but I was feeling like a feast for my stomach. I asked her if she'd like to stop at a restaurant, but no, no, she wasn't hungry. There was still a lot of walking after that as we went to City Park and all through the museum there. By then I was so hungry I could have eaten the part of a bear that goes up the tree last. Aromas from the eating joints and bakeries we'd pass made my mouth water. Do you think she'd stop to eat. . no. (Later, I found out she'd rather crochet, shop or play cards, then take dryest. The crops were miserably meager. time to eat). Well, when we got back to Littleton her mother had one swell dinner and did I ever relish it. Another day we were allowed to visit headed back to Bird City for the winter. This time with a team and wagon. Again I made Bertie's sister Laura Mumm and family and on the way back by golly I got to hold her hand and at last feel a little of the affection ment and farmed his place and my claim also. That summer had to be the hottest and There was nothing to harvest, so again, I �of my future life companion and helpmate. I didn't waste any more time. I popped the question then and there. She didn't answer. by Opal Joy JOHNSON FAMILY F362 Asa and Elbert Johnson A couple days later I asked her if she had mentioned my proposal. She said, "No." But she did say that if they gave their consent she'd be willing to marry me. I felt it would be easier to approach her mother first. We waited until her father was out in the raspberry patch and with a lump in my throat as big as a goose egg, I asked Mrs. Potts for her coneent. I don't remember exactly what she said, but you girls remember how grandma looked when she was pleased as punch about something, yet didn't want to let on that's the cute look she had all - well, over her face. She did say, "I hate to give Bertie up but she couldn't get a better man." That stat€ment made the goose egg in my throat shrink to the size of a pigeon egg, giving me the courage to head out to Mr. Potts in the raspberry patch. In all my younger years when I had my natural teeth I was always whistling or singing as I worked. Evidently Mr. Potts had heard me many times as we did work with each other when we were all on the western slope. I didn't realize though that thig habit irritated him. As Bertie and I made our way towards him, out of habit I was whistling. I blurted out my question as quickly as possible. He didn't even look at me, but glued his eyes on Bertie and said, rather sarcasti- cally, I thought, "I sure thought we had gotten away from this whistlin' boy!" Hi! voice softened a bit as he said "Well, I suppose you've already talked it over with your mother. Just remember, you're making your bed, so you'll have to lie in it." I took that statement as his consent and we hurried out of the patch. Now that she knew we had their consent, I got-my very first kiss from her. The first thing I did then was to buy an engagement ring. But being such a gteenhorn Kansas Jayhawker, it turned out to be the wedding band. I didn't have ertra money for another ring so it had to be put away for the wedding. That show of ignorance didn't "make points" with her father. Everything was smoothed over but Bertie never did get Littleton for our wedding. The two months went by in a hurry, and I was hoofing the 18 miles to Seibert to catch the train. I didn't town and offered us a lift home in their wagon. Before the festivities were over though, storm clouds rolled in quickly from know of agood place in townto leave myteam the north west. Many people decided not to and wagon so decided to start out walking and by chance maybe someone would come along to give me a lift. There were no travelers that day, so by the time I got to Seibert I was sure looking forward to the long train ride into Denver. I knew Mr. Potts would be meeting me at the depot, however I didn't expect to see him toting a shotgun. I spied him before he saw me so I sashayed around to try to get close enough to tap him on the shoulder or get hold of the gun. His brother-in-law Henry Smith whom I'd not yet met was with him. He had seen me sneaking up on them and since he didn't know me, he wondered if I was some kind of nut trying to rob them or something. Anyway, I finally got Pott's attention and asked him where he thought he was going with that gun! It turned out the gun needed repairs but there hadn't been time to leave it at the gunsmith shop before meeting me. We all had a good laugh and proceeded to the gunsmith's, then on to Littleton. A marriage license had to be purchased at the courthouse in Littleton. I thought Bertie and I could surely go alone to take care of that. Oh, no! Bertie's brothers Ezra and Ted hooked old Netty, an iron grey, flea-bitten mare to the single seated buggy, and Mr. Potts and the boys accompanied me. I guess Potts wanted to be sure everything was done legally and carried out to the point of no return. All arrangements were made including getting the Justice of the Peace lined up to pronounce the wedding vows at the Potts' home at 7:30 pm, Monday September 6th. September 6th. The family shoved Bertie and I out of the house early in the morning for another day of sightseeing with the admonition to get ourselves back in time to get fixed up proper for the 7:30 ceremony. We returned in time and what a transformation awaited us. Everyone in the house had set to decorate the front room just beautifully and a real banquet had been prepared. Everything was simply gorgeous. Begides Bertie's parents and brothers, others who witnessed our ceremony were Bertie's sister Laura Mumm and husband Pete and their children, also Henry and Susan Smith, her Uncle and aunt from Dodge City, Ks. The knot was tied. September 9th. My bride, with her hope chest and clothes and I boarded the train for Seibert. by Opal Joy an engagement ring. She was curious about the kind of house there was on the farm. I gaid real quick to keep from lying that it was part frame and part adobe. Fortunately she didn't ask how large it was or about the floor. Later I realized JOHNSON FAMILY how heart sick and disappointed she was when we entered that 10 ft. x 14 ft. shack with Asa and Elberta a dirt floor. When she said, "I thought you said the house was part frame", I said, "well, it is, there'e frnming around the windowe." At that point I'm sure if she could have gotten back to Seibert to catch the train she'd have gonetopapaandmo-a. . . andlookingback I could not have bln-ed her. After our engagement was settled I went back to the homestead knowing that in a couple of months I'd be going back to attempt the long drive to their homes. Townspeople generously opened their homes. I don't remember where the Wraps stayed but Bertie and I were given a room in the Clay Frankfather home. The rain and hail pounded all night three inches of moisture by morning! That was Bertie's introduction to Seibert. Finally we went to my bachelor hut to set up housekeeping. I didn't realize until much later how crude Bertie must have thought I was to bring her into such a shack. . . but she stayed by my side through thick and thin. . . and regardless of the hardships and heartaches brought on mostly by my thoughtlessness, she seemed to always keep a positive outlook. Prairie life was a terrific adjustment my bride had to make. It didn't dawn on me at the time though. She was quick to make friends. All the neighbors were wonderful. But neighbors were not close enough to visit frequently so there were long, lonely days for her. No phone either, so she couldn't call anyone. One day I hooked up a young team I'd purchased the previous year, old Cap and Midget. I seemed to call the horses old this or that, even though they were young. Anyway we took a ride over our half-section. I guess she thought I owned the whole country as about every quarter mile she'd ask whose property we were on and I'd say "ours". It seemed like endless miles to her not a tree in sight, no hill higher than a prairie dog mound, no house except the Wrap home, and a seemingly never- ending wind blowing across the flat land. I think her desolation and loneliness for the city, the mountains and greenery, and her folks was deeper than I ever dared imagine. I was so accustomed to this prairie life and had high hopes for our future, I couldn't sense any other thing. To make our "home" a little brighter and cleaner I plastered the walls. It made them cleaner but not much more interesting. While I was in Seibert one day Bertie gathered all the Farm Journal papers we hadand pasted the pages on the walls. They made for interesting reading while we ate our meals. Eventually we knew the "news" by heart. To cook on during the hot summer we obtained a perfection oil stove. One day Bertie put some "vittles" on to cook, then joined me on a errand that took us away for about a half hour. Those oil stoves had a way of playing dirty tricks. The flame wouldn't always stay in the position it had been set. It and oily smoke would creep higher. When we F363 got back to the house pages of the Farm Journal hung like black sooty webs from the walls. I think we both had a good cry before tackling the clean up chore. When we arrived in Seibert we found a Seibert Day celebration was in full progress so we took in all activities. It so happened that prizes were being given to the couple married the most years and the most newly married couple. We won a 50 pound bag of flour for the later category. Were we ever thrilled with that. My good neighbors, the Wraps, were in Another mishap occurred that first winter. For some reason our Big Ben alarm clock refused to keep proper time. On a stormy day when little work could be done outside I decided to give old Mr. Ben a good cleaning and oiling. I was ready to take the clock apart when Bertie said, "Oh my, you know what? I just remembered that Papa always boiled the clock in milk to clean it." So that's what we did for 20 minutes. Guess what we had? - clock coated with clabbered milk A no-good and whey. We probably had another good cry �then a good laugh when Bertie remem-bered that it wasn't the clock her father boiled in milk but his meerschaum pipe! Thus began our wedded life. Today is Monday, September 6, exactly 50 years later. I wish her parents could have been here to help celebrate. Her father's bark was worse than his bite. He did have a heart of gold and they both would have been as happy as larks that we'd made it to the 50 mark. We've had our troubles, illnesses, squabbles, sadnesses and financial difficul- ties (the homest€ad was lost during the depression), but the memories of the many happy times we've had and the rich rewarding experiences we have shared with our six daughters, 17 grandchildren and 3 great needed to be done. Roy and Elna were married Sept. 3, 1935 in Burlington at the Christian Church par- times. sonage. The depression was on, but somehow we managed to have groceries and our needs together. by Opal Joy JOIINSON - JAMES FAMILY F354 ltl ri:&:llsr,it9l would pick us up at school in a wagon or sled. After we got to school we walked % mile to get drinking water at Jake and Pauline Schlichenmayers home. We girls, being the oldest, helped our Dad do chores, work in the field, check cattle by horseback or whatever grandchildren far outweigh the difficult This is our Golden Anniversary and we're now looking forward to our truly golden years ,:,lir : r, Elna Mae James was born on her parents homestead NE of Burlington, Colorado. Her parents were Lyle and Blanche (Nealley) Jnmes, and Elna had two sisters, Orma and Lyla and two brothers, Chester and Marvin. The children attended school at Tip Top District #66 which was a country school one and three-fourth miles across the pasture. After doing our chores we walked to school. The weather had to be real bad before they were supplied. We lived in Ft. Collins for 3 months in the fall of 1935 and Roy worked in a dairy. We moved back to the farm north of Ruleton, Kansas where Roy farmed. At first he farmed with horses then bought a tractor in 1938. Our first wheat crop was hailed out. Our daughter, Wanda, was born Elva Asel, and Gustavis "Gus" Lesley Johnson in L924 in Goodland, Kansas in 1938. In January 1939 we moved 18 miles NE of Burlington in the Happy Hollow area. There was still open range NW of our farm for about two years before it was fenced. Over the years we built up the farm buildings and planted several trees. We also remodeled the house ae we could afford to - nothing fancy but at least it was modern. Two sons, Dwaine, and Gary, joined our farnily circle. All three of the children attended grade school at Happy Hollow, then after the country schools consolidat€d with tov,'n they went by bus to school in Burlington and graduated from high school there. Wanda lived in Germany for 3 years after her marriage to Larry Klinger. They also lived in Louieiana after coming back to the states. They have made their home in Broomfield, Colorado for several years, and Wanda workg for AT & T. Dwaine attended college two winters at Emmaus Bible College in Chicago, Ill. He also went three years to Rockmont College in Denver, Colorado, before coming back to Roy and Elna Johnson was taken in August 1985, just before their 50th wedding anniversary. Roy Johnson's patents, Joe and Annie, owned the store and Postoffice at Thurman, Colorado and Rry was born on a farm in that area 10 miles south of Anton, Colorado. Roy Burlington. Gary went to NE Jr. College in Sterling, Colorado one fall, then he went to Vo-Tech School in Goodland the nert winter. Dwaine and Gary both live NE of Burlington now with their families, and farm. We moved to Burlington on May 31, 1971 and enjoy living in this small town of eastern Colorado. We have seen many changes over the years. by Roy Johnson JOHNSTON - WEST had an older brother, Roscoe, and two younger sisters, Mae and Ruth. When Roy was 4 years old his Dad passed away of tuberculosis. Over the next several years Roy lived in Arriba and south of Karval and attended schools in Arriba, Blue Cliff, Karval and Sugar City. In 1932 Roy picked corn north of Goodland, Kansas. In 1933 and 1934 he farmed in the area north of Ruleton, Kansas and lived with his sister Mae and her Some time in the early part of the year 1904, my parents, Charles Edgar and Elva Ansel Johnston, plus my older brother, Gus, who was age three years at the time, loaded their wagon with everything they owned and husband. left Corning, Iowa. They finally stopped in FAMILY Barney lra Johnston, age L2, and his brother, Gustavis "Gus" Lesley Johnston, age 21. Flagler, Colorado, where Dad filed on a homestead, two miles west and four miles north of the water tank at Flagler. Dad built a dugout and this is where they lived the first year. The first thing after that was to dig a well. Mother said he just started digging and kept getting deeper and deeper. Finally at about sixty-five feet there was a big rock which covered the whole bottom of the shaft. In anger and disgust he slammed the digging bar down on the rock and it went right on through. He pulled the bar out and water shot up aboutthree feet. He made a few F355 more jabs and water ran him up out of the well. Water came up to fifteen or twenty feet of the surface and it stayed there. No matter how much was pumped out, the level of water never varied. The next thing of course was to build a house. Dad fashioned a sod cutter so that he could cut the sod in strips, then go along with �a spade, cutting the stips into blocks, twelve inches wide and eighteen inches long and about six inches thick, and there were the walls of our house. For a roof it was one inch by twelve inch planks bent over a ridge pole, forming a round shape. The planks were covered with heavy tar paper with a layer of sod on top ofthat to hold the tar paper down. When it was finished, it was L-shaped; the short length was the kitchen, running east and west. The long length ran north and south. It contained a parlor and three bedrooms. The parlor and bed rooms had a wooden floor, while the kitchen had a cement floor. I don't remember the size of the rooms; they were probably small. But the kitchen nowthiswag a kitchen. This is where we lived. That kitchen was the heart and soul of the Farm. A cool place in the summer and warm place n the winter, and when it rained the roof did not leak. Mother, like all farm wives, had certain days for certain chores. It so happened every Saturday was for doing the baking for the week. This was my day. And so it is even today; the odor of fresh baked bread is the sweetest odor in the world! I was born in that sod house 16 October '07, and lived there the first six or seven years of my life. There was a sister, a year or two before me, born premature, only weighing one pound at birth. She only lived a couple ofweeks. Then there cnrne a younger brother. He lived two years and died with cholera infantrrm. Dad died in 1916. A cancer had developed on his check. Mother said he was just getting on his feet when he got sick. My older brother passed away in 1972 and is buried in National City, Cdifornia; but the rest of the family still has a small piece of Colorado in the Flagler Cemetery. They are all there, lined up nice Mother, Brother, Sister and - Father, Grandma and Grandpa West, Mother's folks. Life was never easy in the "good old days" even in the city. On the farms and homesteads it was even tougher. Think about it: load our worldly goods in a covered wagon, behind a tenm of horses, travel with the sun for several hundred miles. Take a bare piece of land and make it into a home. With only a strong constitution and good teem of horses, and a whole lot of Guts, and with very little of a very important ingredient money! - Our human nature prevails; they had their lighter momentg church socials, box suppers, dances and- all kinds of other things to lighten their life. I know one of my own fondest memorieg is Mother popping a big dishpan full of popcorn. Everyone got a tin pie pan and dug in. Now there is popcorn and there is more popcorn, but there never wa!r, nor will there ever be popcorn like that . . . make up a big lunch for us. Dad would put hay and grain in the wagon, and off we would go. This was a three day trip: one day going, one day visiting, and one day going home. The older folks would have a great time bringing everybody up to date, and we kids, and believe me there was plenty of kids to go around, would have our own good times. The whole family looked forward to this trip in the fall. There was a neighbor just south of us on the west side of the road. He was of Dutch extraction and a widower. Dad and Mom were going to town in the buggy. The old Dutchman stopped them and asked my dad to find out how much the implement company wanted for a corn lister they had. So Dad said he would find out and he did. It was listed at $40. It seems that the Dutchman and Dad were going to go pratners on the planter if it didn't cost too much. On the way home the old man was waiting for them at his gate. He asked how much and Diirl told him they wanted $40. Dad got all excited and forgot Mom was right there. He pounded on the buggy wheel and said, "They can just kiss 40 times our. . " When Mom would tell about it in later years, she would say that after that the old Dutchman would hide from them. For a few years the elevator operator in Flagler had things pretty much his own way. No one had any way of holding their grain at harvest time. So when they would harvest, they had to take their grain to the elevator right away and take whatever he offered. Well, Dad didn't think this was such a good idea. So he built a barn, a nice big double wing barn. On the south end he had horses on one side and cows on the other with a hay loft. But on the north end it was a solid grainery where he could store his whole crop even if it was a bumper. He had big doors on both sides where he could drive a team of horses and a wagon right into the barn. Then he could shovel the wheat right into the bins. At this period in time we were still living in the sod house. Mother couldn't quite understand the advantage of storing the wheat until later when the price came up. Dad's life was pretty miserable for awhile. Mom felt she should have had a new house rather than a pretty new barn. Things remained about the same until the harvest that fall. Then Dad was able to show her the advantage of holding their wheat. Well, through all the trials and tribulations, the good times and the bad, I have often wondered how it would have been if Dad would have lived his normal life span. My brother would have gone his own way. I would have stayed and helped Dad and today I I. He told me one time about the time Dad proved up on the place. It seems he had to go over to Hugo to do it. He did it, and then he would have been retired into town, a farmer like my Dad. So instead, Mom had to sell the place and we moved into Denver. I started my schooling. In June, L925, I graduated from West Denver High School. Then Mother died in July, 1925. My aunt from Omaha came out and made all the arrangements for the funeral. Mother is buried next to mv dad in got drunk, Gus said. He finally got home and Flagler Cemetery. on a cold winter night with lots of good country butter. My older brother was nine years older than the next day he had the world's worst hangover. When I look back at it now, I think he had every right to celebrate. Mom ehouldn't have gotten so mad at him. There were two Thompson families living about 20 miles north of us. They were fairly close relatives on Mother's side of the family. After the hawest and while the weather was still good, we would go visiting. Mom would by B.I. Johnston JONES - HEISZ FAMILY F366 My father, Roy Eugene Jones, was born to John Lewis and Electa (Brown) Jones 28 August L872 in Richland Center, Richland Co., Wisconsin. My mother, Matilda Heisz, was born to Adam and Augusta (Naylor) Heisz 20 February 1875 in Old Omio, Jewell Co., Kansas. Roy and Matilda were manied 20 February 1895 in Belleville, Republic Co., Kansas. While residing in this area, Father worked with a threshing machine crew oqAed by his uncles, John and George Heisz. My brother, Harry Lee, was born 22 December 1895 and died 19 April 1896 at Grandma Heisz's near Courtland, Republic Co., Kansas. After his death, they moved to Arkansas in a covered wagon. They lived on top of Boston Moutain in a one room log cabin with a dirt floor. Although it was very damp and moss grew everywhere, it was so rocky not much else would grow. It was a difficult life and many meals consisted of cornbread made without salt and wild hog meat; peaches were eaten while in season. Moonshine country harbored unfriendly neighbors. I was born 30 March 1897 and weighed five pounds. Father left for Kansas the next August and Mother stayed until January. She said it wan a very hard trip, walking several days to get to the railroad at Little Rock and then the cold train ride to Kansas. We stayed with Grandma Heisz in Courtland, Kansas till James Alfred was born 2l January 1899. By November, 1900, we had treked on toSelden, Sheridan Co., Kansas, where geveral other family members had already settled. Our house was a one room dugout built into the hillside. Minnie Adella was born here 9 November 1900. Uncle BertJones moved to Canada in August, 1902 so we moved onto his place. That fall I attended Enterprise School which was one mile north of our home. Elmer Fred was born here 20 December 1903. Father and a neighbor, George Osborne, drove a tean hitched to a buggy to Colorado looking for a homestead in January, 1906. Father returned to prepare all of us for the move onto 160 acres nine miles north and four miles east of Claremont, Kit Carson Co., Colorado in October 1906. With proceeds from the farm sale he bought us a beautiful little bay pony so that Alfred and I could herd our cattle. He also bought Mother a new "Home Comfort" range. Mother drove the covered wagon and Father the header box. Mr. Osborne and his three boys had their wagon also. Father chartered a railroad car from Goodland, Kansas to Burlington loading it with the cattle, one favorite horse, machinery, and furniture. It took us three days by wagon. On the fourth day we started out to Osborne's homestead leaving two of our horses in the livery stable and returned the next day to find the stable burned to the ground taking both of them. When we arrived in Colorado, Claremont had been changed to Stratton. The land was barren with no treeg or roads. Wherever the settlers wished to go they started across the prairie. Soon trails were formed crossing the country later known as cattle trails or ruts. We camped on the north side of the draw, known as "Lost Man's Creek" in a tent while a shack was built for George Osborne, a two �Pop was away at work so Mrs. Williams cnme ::*;a to be with Mother. The mail route was sublet to Pop for 6 months. Pop built a 10 x 12 foot shack in Stratton and stayed there thru the week coming home on Saturday night. He carried the mail from Stratton to the old Tuttle Post Office, a distance of 24 miles. He made the trip both ways six days a week, never missing a trip. When Pop's term for carrying the mail was up, he brought his shack out, putting it near the kitchen door and it was used as an extra bedroom. Since Mother's health was poor she requested to return to Republic Co., Kansas to stay with her brother (Simeon) till the birth of Elizabeth Lenora, who was born 4 November 1912. Minnie and I traveled with Mother by train. She never regained consciousness from the birth and passed away 5 November 1912. Father and the boys were sent for and her funeral was held at John Brown school. She was laid to rest in McDonald's Cemetery at Courtland, Republic Co., Kansas. Father left Stratton Day 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller and the Borders children with Roy Jones driving his tenm of horses. James Alfred, Elmer Fred, Roy Eugene (father), Leona Pearl, Minnie Adella, and Mettie Love Jones. Year about 1912. room house for Fred Osborne. and a 12 x 16 foot shack on Pop's homestead with lumber bought in Burlington. We were settled by Christmas day. Pop sold our pigs to Mr. J.P. Evans (our nearest neighbor) on Christmas day since we had no feed or money. The folks let us kids ride home with Mr. Evans and spend the afternoon. He gave us each a big red apple which was quite a treat. Alta Mae was born 22 February 1907 and passed avtay 27 July 1907 while Pop and AUred were in Kansas for the harvest. From Mom'g letter to him earlier, he knew she was ill and had already started home. There was no place to buy a casket so the neighbors made one. With no minister or church available Mr. Evans gave a short service and prayer in our home. The school house was in the process of being built when we arrived in Colorado so we were able to attend school the next fall. The school term was only six months. The first year here Alfred and I herded the cattle thru the cold winter until finally they got use to the range and would return on their own. Each year a little more sod was broken with a walking plow. The new sod was sown to corn by Alfred following behind the plow. For fifty cents/acre Pop broke land for the neighbors also. In the Spring of 1908 the government shipped in wheat seed. Pop got enough to plant 18 acres and our first crop made 18 bushels/acre. Pop broke sod near St. Francis, Kansas in 1909 and returned in the fall. The kids thought it would be fun to sleep with Mom and Pop in the covered wagon the night he returned only to discover our house in flemes during the night. The neighbors helped Pop build an adobe room (14 x 20) for it us. When it rained, the roof didn't leak poured. - In 1908, the government passed an ordinance giving a homesteader the right to another 160 acres. Pop homesteaded the north quarter. The only crops planted up to this time were corn and wheat. Mother planted a garden every year but with no water Back row: Minnie Adella, Mettie Love, James Alfred, Elmer Fred. Front row: Leona Pearl standing beside father Roy Eugene Jones. it didn't amount to much. However, we seemed to always have more than we could use. Leona Pearl was born 8 October 1909 while Elizabeth to be raised by Uncle Simeon's family. Alfred married Louise Klotzbach 30 September 1919 and to this union six children were born: Eva Matilda, Lily Mae, Lila Fern, Kenneth Verne, Ronald Keith and Verla Rae. I got married 16 June 1920 to Eugene Lee Sisson and to this union one child was born: Ernest Leroy. Minnie Adella never married and was nearly blind in her latter years. She died 9 September 1951. Elmer Fred has never married and resides with me (Mettie) on the homestead place. Leona Pearl married Clarence Everett Churches 28 August 1933 and to this union three children were born: Eugene Clarence, Harold Wayne, and Donald Dee. Elizabeth Lenora married (lst) Lavern Libhart 10 December 1930 and to this union two children were born: Janet R. and Robert S.; (2nd) Mark N. Goddicksen. Father (Roy Eugene) passed away 3 October 1947 and is buried at the Claremont Cemetery, Stratton, Kit Carson Co., Colorado. by Mettie Sisson JONES, DANIEL II. F357 One by one the pioneers of Kit Carson county are passing away. One of the last to pay the debt of nature was Daniel H. Jones. He had been a resident of our county about 30 years. I have known him 25 years as well as I remember. When you first felt the grip of his hand and saw his face you were impressed with the thought that his friendship was worth having. And after that all that you would see and know of them would confirm that first impression. He was a plain, blunt man freely outspoken. I think there was as little hypocrisy about him as any man I ever knew. He was the same Dan Jones to everyone he met, no matter whether it was a beggar, or a tremp, or president, or king. He was one of the kind of men whose acquaintance wore well, The more you saw of him, the better you liked him. I worked with him when he was on the board �of county commissioners (elected in 1891) and learned to admire him for his earnestness, honesty, and unflinching adherence to right and duty. He had a tact for getting over difficult places and carrying his point, that was simply irresistable. As an instance, one of the commissioners advocated strict parlimentary usage in the board, each member should arise to speak, address the chair, and if recognized should refer to the member of the board, as the honorable commissioner from district etc. Uncle Dan sat and listened without a word and when asked what he thought about it replied about like this, "Boys, parlimentary usage is all right, but it is hard to learn old dogs new tricks, I guess we have killed enough time, lets go to work, Mr. Clerk, what is the first thing on the program this morning?" And the work commenced. He despised fraud and graft of every kind. He was optomistic and charitable. Not only did he nurture faith in God and Christ but he had confidence in mankind. He was a great believer in Eastern Colorado. I do not believe that he ever for a moment thought these plains would finally come to the front as agricultural county. He loved to live here better than any other place. During his last illness when told by his physician that he could not cure him, he quietly and deliberately got his house in order for the change he knew was near. He spoke to me about it, just as he would have a trip to Missouri, or any other place. Speaking about his suffering he said, "I suffer, of course, but there is no kick coming from me, God has been very good to me, better a great deal than I have been to him." Lately, we had a many heart to heart talks together. Good bye, neighbor, friend, comrade, brother, while I live, your memory will be dear to me. When my task on earth is done I confidently hope to have more of your companionship in the world beyond. by C.A. Yersin - lgl4 JONES, FLORY AND PERNA F358 Flory Bruce Jones came to Seibert, Kit Carson County, in 1912 from Goodland, Kansas. He left his wife, Perna and son, Bruce with her parents Cad Wallander Jones (no relative) until she had her second child. He homest€aded some land about 7 miles northeast of Seibert arriving in the spring of 1913 with their eons Bruce and Wayne, in a spring wagon. They told us in order to keep the baby warm they put a kerosene lantern under the blanket and when they got to Seibert he was quite smokey and dark. Often wonder how they lived in those days. Flory started farming and buying cows. We don't knowwhat they lived in, but Wayne can remember when they built a sod house, when he was about 6, cutting the sod from the banks of the Republican River. Bruce and Wayne went to a small country school about 172 miles N.E. from home riding a horse to school. There was a small shed they kept the horse in while in school. They added 5 more children to their family; Emily Jane born Oct. 12, 1914; Clyde Clark born July 28, 1916; James Levi born The Flory Jones family taken 1924. Back row: Emily, Wayne, Bruce, FIory holding Irma, Mother Perna, Front row: Delbert, James o16 gttd.. Dec 17, 1917; Delbert Ray born April 27, 1920; and lrma Mae born Aug l, 1922.They all went to school in Seibert and Bruce graduating in 1929; Wayne 1931; Emily 1932; and Clyde 1934. About 1920 Flory bought a 360 acre farm on Cope highway about 4 miles north from Seibert. There was a large 3 bedroom house. They built a large barn. He also rented, leased or bought more land. They farmed up to 2,000 acres and all with horses; raising mainly wheat, corn, cane, and broomcorn. One time he bought some Jennys, but they disappeared during a storm in the winter. In the spring they appeared under a bluffunder snow drift; they froze to death. They also had cows. They milked up to 20. When the children got old enough, which was about 9 or 10, each one grabbed a pail and headed to the barn to milk cows morning and night (there were no milking machines). At one time they had a dairy and delivered milk in Seibert. Mother Jones always said it was the milk cows that carried them through some of the hard times. Flory tried about everything on the farm. One time in about 1934 he bought a band of sheep. Wayne had to herd them. They only had them about a year. Flory learned to take care of his animals because there was no veterinarian around so it got so the other farmers called on him a lot to look at theirs and he had to pull many calves when the cow couldn't have them. They also had good times, too. In that big barn they had barn dances up in the hay loft. Flory liked to dance and wanted the children to dance, too. Mother Jones would make cake and pies and sell them. Everyone around would come. That big barn was also used for boxing. A mat was put in and they practiced with Flory teaching them. Flory loved to box and some times wrestle. He did most of his training by running about 4 or 5 miles every morning up and down hills. When a carnival came to town, he would either box or wrestle, which ever they wanted. He also was the main feature on some of the American Legion and other cards. One of his last fights was with Pat Andrews of Burlington, Co. about 1931 or 1932. He also taught some of the boys. Wayne was on some of the boxing cards. Beginning of the 30's, times were starting to get hard; one thing on account of the depression and so many of the banks were closing. Flory had lost some money in the bank, too. Also the crops weren't too good because of the dry weather and no rain and what was good, the grasshoppers started eating everything in sight. They would clean out a field in a day. They would have to put a pitchfork handle in the hay stack or they would eat it, too. It kept getting dryer and the dust started to blow; it got so dusty that it would turn dark in midday. When Perna set the table she would set the plates upside down and you still ate dirt. They still tried to farm but it didn't do very good. Weeds would sprout on the hollow of the cows back. The cows were dying, too. The government stepped in and bought them paying from 98 to 916 a head; if they were real bad they shot them and the best ones were shipped away. In 1932 Bruce went to Kansas City to work, Emily wentto Wichita to school, Wayne went to the fruit harvest, picking peaches and apples in western Colorado and shucked corn in Kan. In 1936 Flory decided to go to LaGrande, Oregon to a cousin, see if he could find work. He, Wayne and Jim drove a 1928 Chevy, leaving Clyde in charge of farm and family. They got a job working in a sawmill. Clyde put in some corn and when he went to cultivate it, the grasshoppers ate it to stubs. The rest of the family, Mother, Clyde, Delbert and Irma loaded a L929 Chevy and headed to Oregon, too. Their white collie dog started following so they put him on top and he came to Oregon, too. Flory died in 1950; Bruce in 1951; Perna in 1969; Delbert in 1983 and Emily in 1985. by Wayne C. Jones KAISER, BRUNO F. F359 Bruno F. Kaiser was born at Olean, Indiana, Nov. 13, 1858. He left home at the age of. 22 in the spring of the year 1884, went to Wymore, Nebr., then to Gibben, Nebr., then to Holdrege, Nebr., remaining there for � 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- J Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief history of the founding families of Kit Carson county with names starting with "J." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:489 2020-03-23T10:14:00Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/489/Families-K.pdf b29b172411ae7573d0a7becfcd69a715 PDF Text Text of county commissioners (elected in 1891) and learned to admire him for his earnestness, honesty, and unflinching adherence to right and duty. He had a tact for getting over difficult places and carrying his point, that was simply irresistable. As an instance, one of the commissioners advocated strict parlimentary usage in the board, each member should arise to speak, address the chair, and if recognized should refer to the member of the board, as the honorable commissioner from district etc. Uncle Dan sat and listened without a word and when asked what he thought about it replied about like this, "Boys, parlimentary usage is all right, but it is hard to learn old dogs new tricks, I guess we have killed enough time, lets go to work, Mr. Clerk, what is the first thing on the program this morning?" And the work commenced. He despised fraud and graft of every kind. He was optomistic and charitable. Not only did he nurture faith in God and Christ but he had confidence in mankind. He was a great believer in Eastern Colorado. I do not believe that he ever for a moment thought these plains would finally come to the front as agricultural county. He loved to live here better than any other place. During his last illness when told by his physician that he could not cure him, he quietly and deliberately got his house in order for the change he knew was near. He spoke to me about it, just as he would have a trip to Missouri, or any other place. Speaking about his suffering he said, "I suffer, of course, but there is no kick coming from me, God has been very good to me, better a great deal than I have been to him." Lately, we had a many heart to heart talks together. Good bye, neighbor, friend, comrade, brother, while I live, your memory will be dear to me. When my task on earth is done I confidently hope to have more of your companionship in the world beyond. by C.A. Yersin - lgl4 JONES, FLORY AND PERNA F358 Flory Bruce Jones came to Seibert, Kit Carson County, in 1912 from Goodland, Kansas. He left his wife, Perna and son, Bruce with her parents Cad Wallander Jones (no relative) until she had her second child. He homest€aded some land about 7 miles northeast of Seibert arriving in the spring of 1913 with their eons Bruce and Wayne, in a spring wagon. They told us in order to keep the baby warm they put a kerosene lantern under the blanket and when they got to Seibert he was quite smokey and dark. Often wonder how they lived in those days. Flory started farming and buying cows. We don't knowwhat they lived in, but Wayne can remember when they built a sod house, when he was about 6, cutting the sod from the banks of the Republican River. Bruce and Wayne went to a small country school about 172 miles N.E. from home riding a horse to school. There was a small shed they kept the horse in while in school. They added 5 more children to their family; Emily Jane born Oct. 12, 1914; Clyde Clark born July 28, 1916; James Levi born The Flory Jones family taken 1924. Back row: Emily, Wayne, Bruce, FIory holding Irma, Mother Perna, Front row: Delbert, James o16 gttd.. Dec 17, 1917; Delbert Ray born April 27, 1920; and lrma Mae born Aug l, 1922.They all went to school in Seibert and Bruce graduating in 1929; Wayne 1931; Emily 1932; and Clyde 1934. About 1920 Flory bought a 360 acre farm on Cope highway about 4 miles north from Seibert. There was a large 3 bedroom house. They built a large barn. He also rented, leased or bought more land. They farmed up to 2,000 acres and all with horses; raising mainly wheat, corn, cane, and broomcorn. One time he bought some Jennys, but they disappeared during a storm in the winter. In the spring they appeared under a bluffunder snow drift; they froze to death. They also had cows. They milked up to 20. When the children got old enough, which was about 9 or 10, each one grabbed a pail and headed to the barn to milk cows morning and night (there were no milking machines). At one time they had a dairy and delivered milk in Seibert. Mother Jones always said it was the milk cows that carried them through some of the hard times. Flory tried about everything on the farm. One time in about 1934 he bought a band of sheep. Wayne had to herd them. They only had them about a year. Flory learned to take care of his animals because there was no veterinarian around so it got so the other farmers called on him a lot to look at theirs and he had to pull many calves when the cow couldn't have them. They also had good times, too. In that big barn they had barn dances up in the hay loft. Flory liked to dance and wanted the children to dance, too. Mother Jones would make cake and pies and sell them. Everyone around would come. That big barn was also used for boxing. A mat was put in and they practiced with Flory teaching them. Flory loved to box and some times wrestle. He did most of his training by running about 4 or 5 miles every morning up and down hills. When a carnival came to town, he would either box or wrestle, which ever they wanted. He also was the main feature on some of the American Legion and other cards. One of his last fights was with Pat Andrews of Burlington, Co. about 1931 or 1932. He also taught some of the boys. Wayne was on some of the boxing cards. Beginning of the 30's, times were starting to get hard; one thing on account of the depression and so many of the banks were closing. Flory had lost some money in the bank, too. Also the crops weren't too good because of the dry weather and no rain and what was good, the grasshoppers started eating everything in sight. They would clean out a field in a day. They would have to put a pitchfork handle in the hay stack or they would eat it, too. It kept getting dryer and the dust started to blow; it got so dusty that it would turn dark in midday. When Perna set the table she would set the plates upside down and you still ate dirt. They still tried to farm but it didn't do very good. Weeds would sprout on the hollow of the cows back. The cows were dying, too. The government stepped in and bought them paying from 98 to 916 a head; if they were real bad they shot them and the best ones were shipped away. In 1932 Bruce went to Kansas City to work, Emily wentto Wichita to school, Wayne went to the fruit harvest, picking peaches and apples in western Colorado and shucked corn in Kan. In 1936 Flory decided to go to LaGrande, Oregon to a cousin, see if he could find work. He, Wayne and Jim drove a 1928 Chevy, leaving Clyde in charge of farm and family. They got a job working in a sawmill. Clyde put in some corn and when he went to cultivate it, the grasshoppers ate it to stubs. The rest of the family, Mother, Clyde, Delbert and Irma loaded a L929 Chevy and headed to Oregon, too. Their white collie dog started following so they put him on top and he came to Oregon, too. Flory died in 1950; Bruce in 1951; Perna in 1969; Delbert in 1983 and Emily in 1985. by Wayne C. Jones KAISER, BRUNO F. F359 Bruno F. Kaiser was born at Olean, Indiana, Nov. 13, 1858. He left home at the age of. 22 in the spring of the year 1884, went to Wymore, Nebr., then to Gibben, Nebr., then to Holdrege, Nebr., remaining there for �1 and one-half years. Heard there was government land in Colorado to be had so he started to Colo. in August, 1886, in company with Scott Ready, Wm. Van Osdol, Wm. Stout and Ed Hoskin, by B & M R. R. to Wray, Colorado and took a tree claim and then returned to Holdrege. Later in the fall Kaiser, Ready, Osdol, and (Shorty) Stout left Holdrege by covered wagon for Colorado. After driving over the prairie for about ten days, they stopped at Wray, then drove south to the soddy store. There a man by the name of L.R. Baker, who had a claim nearby, helped them locate. Mr. Kaiser located on Sec. 10-9-44, which was l-t/z miles south of the first Burlington. Only a sod house was in sight at that time, and it was on Sec. 15-9-44. He had to go about 18 miles to the McCrillis ranch to get his mail. He built a sod house on the northeast corner of his claim, and proved up on his claim in the summer of 1887, by paying $1.25 per acre. He received a patent signed by President Benj. Harrison. He built a sod shanty for his anvil and did blacksmithing in Burlington. When the two towns consolidated, and when he got title to his land, he moved to old Burlington, then he moved in 1888 to present Burlington, Lot 28 in block 30. In December, 1888, he returned to Olean, lnd. and married LauraI. Thum of Versailles, Ind., on Jan. 13, 1889, and after a few days returned to Burlington and the house he built there. The house he built is still standing. They lived there for seven years and on Nov. 24, L892, a daughter was born. They nemed her Anna M. Kaiser. On Dec. 25, L892, they had the first Christmas tree in Burlington, which caused considerable comment. Mr. Kaiser reports that very few crops were grown at that time; mostly sheep and cattle were kept on the free range. The land is still owned by the daughter now Mrs. Anna Smith of Versailles, Ind. Mr. Kaiser was elected county treagurer in Nov. 1893 and served for two years. (The house built by Mr. Kaiser is now owned by San and Lucille Hendricks.) (Written in 1935) by Della Hendricks KALB, ADA F360 Ada Kalb cane here in 1905. She was working for Mr. Wtherall as a printer when he told her of the homesteads here. She and her mother sat all night in the Hotel Emery with no rooms, the windows out, and the weather very chilly. Mr. Witherall cnme with a one-horse buggy and took them to Bur- lington to sign up for homestead. On the way he stopped to milk and ate dinner from the lunch they had brought along. He charged ten dollars for locating them. They made a dugout on the hillside with doors on the lowest side. She sometimes had to walk seventeen miles to get the horses for work. There was no rifing machinery then. One neighbor worked a bull and a mule. When still in her eighties she was seen doing her own farming, with a tractor and she drove a Model T Ford car. Her sons, with their families lived on the homestead near her, and they finally had to take her car away form her because it was dangerous for her. One son has passed away and Kenneth retired and moved to Missouri. by Dessie Cassity KENNEDY AND DUNHAM FAMILY F36r In the early 1900's, Elizabeth and William Kennedy ca-e by box car, with their worldly possessions and took up a homestead south of Cheyenne Wells. There was no water to be found so they moved north west ofCheyenne Wells. They had three boys here, Frank, William and George. The mother passed away when George was 15 yrs. old.; with there being three younger children, the three boys started working out, sometimes they got a $1.00 and other times worked for a place to sleep and meals. George worked for Buss Dunlap, Bert Loaper and Tom Taylor. The father passed away in a short time and George had to help care for the younger children who were boarded out in other homes. George worked in helping build the Loveland Pass, in the boom oil fields of Texas and in 1929, he returned to Burlington area and worked for Warren Shamberg, Joe Eastin, and Mr. Bruner, who ran the Foster Lumber Yard, as well as renting the Alvia Bacon farm. He rodeoed at the fairs and helped entertain in the Sun. Afternoon shows. In 1931, he rented Mr. Bruner's farm south of Vona and took a cow herd on shares. In 1932, he and Irene Dunham were married, hard times and dirty dry years had hit. In 1936, they bought a farm South of Seibert, This was beautiful grass country and Oh! how nice it was to get away from the dirt. They had a daughter. Many back-breaking days were spent with Irene picking up cow chips with the wagon for fuel. George was gone from home quite a bit working for the WPA. When he was quite young he contracted the disease of arthritis and the work was doubly hard for him. Times got better and they accumulated a nice herd of cattle along with the ranch. In 1966, due to ill health of both, they sold the ranch, and bought a home in Burlington, and moved there in 1976. George worked at different things until 1980, when he passed away. Elizabeth still lives and enjoys her yard work, daughter and grandsons when she gets to see them. by Irene Kennedy KENNEDY ACKELSON FAMILY F362 Thomas E. Kennedy and Bessie Ackelson met in Yuma County, Colorado, around 1905. They were married March 8, 1908, at Wray, Colorado. Bessie Ackelson cnme to Yuma County at the age of seven with her parents, Willian and Susan Morgan Ackelson, the youngest of eleven children. She was born in Winterset, Iowa on April 24, 1884. Traveling by covered Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kennedv in 1930 at their Stratton home. wagon, her parents migrated from lllinois to Iowa, then Nebraska, and finally Colorado, an area being settled. During the winter months the family would go to the Arkansas River, taking their livestock. Before her maniage she carried mail by horse and buggy to Fox, Colorado. She also filed on a homestead which adjoined her parents home. She had a small two room house built on it. Our parents lived here for five years, and it was here that their eldest child, Hazel, was born. Thomas Edwin Kennedy came to Yuma County around 1905. His birthplace was Cora, Smith County, Kansas, on August 23, 1882. His parents, John Kennedy and Almetta Morgan Kennedy migrated to Kansag from lllionois. He was one of eight children. We recall him telling about playing hockey on ice nearby and he enjoyed playing baseball. He had an excellent knowledge of horses, and we remember the many "horse trades" that he made. You never knew for one day to the other when one would be gone, with a different one replacing it. A desire ofhis early life was to some day own a motorcycle, but he never did own one. By 1916 or so, however, he did purchase a Ford Model T automobile, but he never farmed with a tractor, preferring to use horses or mules. In 1913, the family moved to a homestead that our father filed on, which was seven miles northwest of Stratton. The first "homestead" house was a two story freme covered with black tar paper. It was here that Helen was born in 1915. We left Colorado to reside in Arkansas for one year, about 1920 or 1921. Our father purchased cattle there and shipped them to Colorado by immigrant car where they were sold. It was very difficult life than we were accustomed to, and father soon learned he didn't like chasing cattle in the brushy hills there, so we returned to the open plains ofthe Old Homestead, as we're used to hearing it called. This house burned about 192L or 1922. Mother was home at the time, but she was alone, so most of our possessions were lost. The present house was built in 1923 by a close neighbor, Mr. Malone, who was a carpenter. He built several of the homes still being occupied in Stratton. It was in this home that Tom and Zelma joined the family in 1923 and 1925. The barn was built about 1928. When it was completed, a dance was held in the hay loft. Since Father practiced "diversified" farm- ing, the crops were usually fed to the livestock. Some of the livestock were sold, which provided the cash we had to spend and save. A big part of the food we raised were beef, pork, chicken, milk, butter, cream and eggs. Some eggs and crearn were sold and provided money for most of the staple �groceries. Mother canned all kinds of food items, including beef, chicken, fruit and vegetables. In our memory no food ever tasted as good as the biscuits, pies, cakes, cookies or the roast beefor pork that Mother prepared on the old "Home Comfort" range. We had many chores to do, gathering corn cobs from the pig pens to burn in the stoves, bringing coal into the house, filling kerosene Inmps, washing the cream separator, gathering eggs, 6illrilg cows and feeding the calvee. Living on the homestead was filled KINDRED, CORA AND EARL F363 with daily activity. The family lived on the farm until 1938. Since Father was a lifetime Republican, in 1937 he decided to become a candidate for breaking through the fences and drinking all the water. Duane, Leo, and Dale were born at home on this farm. The boys went to school at Blakeman, 2 miles west of their home. For awhile they had a white horse that Leo and Dale rode while Duane walked; after the horse died they all walked. Perhaps the horse didn't appreciate their wanting a spotted horse and getting Mother's blueing bottle to make a spotted horse, so he gave up the ghost. The country school of Bethel was the meeting place for Sunday School and Church for the neighborhood. It was near where Eddie Herndon now lives. Neighbors were Bordon, Scheierman, dear mother, Father's helpmate, passed away in 1945. After Mother's death, Father lived with his daughter, Helen, and her husband, Eddie Kerl, until his death in 1950. We feel we grew up having a good life. We were taught to work hard, to be honest, and to help others. We were always encouraged to get an education. Our parents were strong advocates ofgood schools, and Dad served on the Idlewild School District Board. We received our elementary education there. It Brantley, Wilson, Hodge, Dunlap, Kalb, was a typical rural school of the times - grade 1 through 8. We had to leave home to attend high school. Hazel graduated from Burlington, while Helen, Tom and Zelma all The first grandchildren, their twin sons, Dona]d T. and Ronald E., were born March 8, 1943. All have resided in the California area for the past forty years. Paul died in 1974. Helen and Eddie Kerl have resided in Stratton since their mariage in 1937. She worked for the Co-op for forty years, retiring in 1975. Since their retirement they are very active in many activities. Tom, Jr. served in the Naw in World War of them a half section of land. Later, her mother and sister, Rose, owned and lived in the house where Allen Greenwood now lives. Leo still farms and land that was Anna Hughes', that Marie Greenwood now owns. Earl and Cora farmed and had livestock and persisted through all the hardships of early settlers. It was always interesting to hear their stories about the blizzards, floods, and the way neighbors helped each other at birthings and deaths, barn buildings, and harvesting crops. It was still open range then and they told of the problem of horses County Commissioner from the second district. He was elected and served two termg. At this time they purchased a houge in Stratton. A few years later the farm was sold. They made their home in Stratton until our graduated from Stratton. Hazel taught school for twelve years in Kit Carson County. She and her husband, Paul Gagnon, moved to the BayArea of California. here and bought quite a bit of land, and nearly all of her brothers lived in or around Stratton at one time, as her father gave each Earl and Cora Kindred taken in 1970. Coraand Earl Kindred came to Kit Carson County in 1921 from Smith Center, Kansas. They, along with Leonard and Kate Calvin, shared a railroad box car to bring their belongings to Stratton. They had purchased a farm three miles east and four south of Stratton, next to a half section that Cora's father had given her. Her father had come out Wood, Bassinger. During the depression and "Dirty thirties" and after Leo's dad was laid off of WPA because he owned land, he and a neighbor, Ed Stevens, went to Castle Rock, Colorado, and got work helping build a new school house. Earl later got a job working for a farmer south of Castle Rock and was able to move his family there. Leo says they moved everything in the back of an old Model A Ford truck even the milk cow and a crate of chickens. When moisture began to fall again, they moved back to the farm and continued to farm there. The war came and Duane was in Australia for four years and, a baby girl, II. He maried Betty Blancken in 1946, residing in Flagler, Colorado. Diana, the first granddaughter, was born January 20, 1950; Karen Kay was born Auguet 31, 1951; Larry Gene was born April 15, 1953. Tom died in 1973. Betty gtill livee in the home there. After graduation from Stratton High, Zelma attended school in Denver where she also worked. She married L.G. Eubanks, and they resided in New Mexico. Their children were Gar5r, born December 15, 1974, and Debra, born March 19, 1951. Debrawas lrilled in a car accident in May, L970.7*lma died in 1980. Surviving Thomas and Bessie Kennedy are two daughters, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. by llazel Gagnon and Helen Kerl ar;'-l'";,S rf' .,.-..4-zl Earl and Cora Kindred farm southeast of Stratton. They built these improvements in the 20's. The man is Earl Kindred with sons, Duane and Leo. �in that area worked together to put up a Earlene, was born to complete the family. In 1947 they sold the farm and bought the Rose Bud Court in Loveland, Colorado. This was during the time before Esteg Park was telephone line from Stratton to this area. The farmers pooled their labor and set and strung the wire for Mountain Bell and then later sold the line to Mountain Bell for $1.00. Mountain Bell then serviced the line. It has now been torn down and underground wiring has been built up very much and lots of vacationerg stayed in Loveland in order to fish and relax along the Big Thompson Canyon. Earl would work at the sugar factory dwing the winter. In 1951, the Hughes family made good use of the Court and had a farnily reunion, withJim, put in. While on this farm many good things happened to us. We were successful in Clarence, Ray, Ida, Anna, and Rose all farming and ranching. Some of our neighbors that we enjoyed visiting with were the Walt Herndons, Kenneth Scheierman, Herb Scheierman, Walt and Kenneth Kalb, Francis Grubbs, Bill Drietz, Leroy Herndon, Howard Rouse, Fred Storrer, Louis Pickards, Shelby Taylor and Louis Werner. In 1968 we coming. They later sold the court and bought a small acreage in Qampion, a small town south of Loveland. Mom Kindred was active in American Legion Auxiliary and received honorable mention at a national meeting for her work of making lap robes and such for the hospitals. Until her eyesight failed, her hands were hardly ever idle, for she loved to crochet and make quilts. They celebrated their 50th anniversary while living s1 Qnmpion, and we had an open house for them at the Loveland Methodist Church. After several years, they decided that it would be nice to live nearer Duane and Leo, and sold their acreage, and bought a home in Stratton, which was very enjoyable for all of us, and they had a chance to get to know their grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lived here. They enjoyed their comfortable home and neighbors, the Al Kittens and John Hasarts, and usually had a wonderful garden. In 1979. all of us kids and their friends joined them in celebrating their 60th anniversary in the newly completed Fellowship Hall at the Stratton United Methodist Church. Cora died in 1981 at the age of 82. Earl died in 1982 at the age of 88, after living in this mind-boggling era, spanning having only horses for transportation, to taking a trip in a jet plane, and from the time when records were kept with a tedious quill pen, to the coming of the mighty computer. Duane married Netha Hansen, daughter of John and Cora Hansen, and they live in Stratton. Dale is married to Roberta Guy, daughter of Mabel and Gerald Guy. They live in Spokane, Washington. Earlene married Bill Smith and lives near Loveland. (I nm married to Leo, and we own a farm 5% miles south of Bethune. We have a daughter, Carol, who lives at Sterling, Colorado.) had a farm sale and moved to Stratton, Colorado. We purchased the A.J. Dischner home, where we still live. We raised and educated our children in the Stratton Public School. All of them graduated from Stratton High School. After moving to tov"n Duane and Jack Titsworth built the Burlington Commercial Feedlot. Duane later went to Duane and Netha Kindred. 1986 Duane was the first son born to Earl and Cora Kindred. He was born on the farm southeast of Stratton in t922. He attended grade school at the Blakeman School south of Stratton. One of his teachers was Edith Powers Hasart. He attended high school in Stratton. In 1941 he volunteered for the service by joining Co I in Burlington, Colorado In 1941 Co I mobilized and he was shipped to Texas with the unit. Duane spent 5 years in the service of his country, serving in the Pannma and Southwest Pacific. He was discharged in 1945. After being discharged, he returned to Stratton where he did custom trucking and later went into farming with his brother Leo. I was the daughter of John and Cora Hansen. I wag born in Oakley, Kansas. In 1935 I moved with my parents to a farm south of Firstview, Colorado. I attended my first five years of school at the Firstview School. My parents moved to Stratton, Colorado in 1941. I finished my grade school at the Pious Point School. My teachers at this school were Caroline Husenetter and Ruth Gulley. I graduated from the Stratton High School in 1948. by Maxine Kindred KINDRED, DUANE AND NETHA F364 On June 1, f948 Duane and I were married at the EUB Church in Stratton, Colorado with Rev. Erickson officiating. Charles Sholes and Claudine Stoner were our attendants. We had a wedding dance at the Legion Hall. The music was furnished by Mr and Mrs Howard Gall and Clarence and Nadine Pottorff. Our first home was the little house just north of the Church of God. It was at one time the parsonage of the Church of God when Rev. Hooper was the minister. While we Duane and Netha Kindred's wedding day, June 1, 1948 were living there our first son, Dennis was born. In 1951 we sold this house and moved to the ranch of W.J. Garner. Duane and Leo farmed together on this farm. While we were living on this farm another son, Gary was born in L552. A daughter, Janis was born in 1955. While living on this farm we saw many changes being made in the country. When we first moved to this farm there was no electricity. REA csme to the area in 1952. What a sight to see the lights. Driving around the country side everyone had a yard light. It looked like a big city. In 1960 the farmers work for the Stratton Equity Coop. He worked there for 15 years as a feed truck driver. He retired from the Coop in 19&1. I presently am working at the Coop as a receptionist. I have worked for the Coop for 18 years. We have been blessed with two lovely daughters-in-law, Roberta, wife of Dennis and Mary Anne, wife of Gary and a son-in-law, Jerry, husband of Janis. Two grandchildren, Brian and Bridget, are children of Gary and Mary Anne. We will celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary this year, 1988 on June 1st. Through the last 40 years let me relate some the things and happenings, old and new that have come and gone while we were married. They will not necessarily be in order, but just as they come to mind. Consolidation of school into district R-4, eliminating First Central, Pious Point, Blakeman and schools north of Stratton. Needing school buses, Carlos Dillon and Bob Eberhart were the first bus supervisors and owners; Dirty 50's; Bonny parn; new high school; '60 snow storm and the mud that followed. Our children missed 32 days of school due to this storm and mud; black rust in the wheat 1961; closing the Stratton Locker Plant; new grade school; fire that destroyed the feed mill at the Stratton Coop; new Coop Hardware; moving the Coop lumber yard to the new Coop Hardware location; new elevator at the Coop; Interstate I-70, street signs; GPI Motel; new Catholic Hall, Church and Parish; new Legion Hall; new Church of God; new Fellowship Hall at the United Methodist Church: new swimming pool; new library; remodeled Collins Hotel now is Twin Oaks; new First National Bank; Doughnut Shop; new Post Office; the old school gym remodeled into a bowling alley and restaurant, Dairy Delight. Some of the old buildings that once were are now into something else. Red and White Store is Gambles; McCheseny Grocery is Bob Miller; Wolfrums Service Station, (Vacant); Lutheran Church is Jostes home; Seventh Day Adventist Church became the Library; Nazarene Church is Berry home; Spurlin Creemery is the Coop Hardware; Toland Creamery is Kenny Pottorff fertilizer; Hor- nung Realty and Batt Realty are Road Runner; the first sale barn that was in downtown Stratton is the Storage Barn; �Collins Hotel Annex, that was once called the Selby House is the Park Malone home; Homer Shoe Shop and Toland Cafe are B&B Drug; Al and Lil's Bar is the Brandin lron; Zurcher Garage is Jim Leoffler Garage; Cassidy Station is J&B Automotive; Sam Adair Station is Pottorff Fertilizer; Snell Grain is the Coop. I am gure there are many more that have come and gone and that have changed hands and been made into other services. Just as the service station that Del Kordes has run for many years that all may have forgotten was once the Lee Zurcher station where you saw stuffed northern animalg that he and his brother shot and had stuffed and were put on display at this station that many children loved to see. The Medical Clinic is another addition. by Netha Kindred the Dillon Hardware. People were anxious to get their name in line for the machinery orjust parts that were not available during the war. New- elevator bins were going up in all the towng as crops were good and wheat sold for $2.85 a bushel. Wheat harvest meant leaving your truck parked in a long line down main street, perhaps for days, until rail cars csme in; otherwise you made your own wheat pile on the ground. I could watch the Kit Carson Memorial Hospital being built from my window in the County Treasurer's office where I worked under Steve Rockwell and Ssm Travis. The new slab facing was added to the courthouse also. The new sale barn was built on the north edge of Stratton and the old one, practically in the center oftown, was torn down. Bonny Dam was under construction so Burlington was building and booming also. The spring of 1953 we had a beautiful crop ofwheat so Leo and Duane bought a fabulous KINDRED, MAXINE AND LEO F365 new self-propelled combine from Dillon Hardware to replace some old pull combines. But, the rains didn't come and very few bushels were raised that year or for quite a few following. They did some custom cutting in various areas where there was a little more moisture. Leo and Duane both had to find other ways to make a living. We had Federal Crop Insurance, and they had to scratch a little seed in the dry powdery soil to qualify for the payments. The winds blew as they always seem to during a drought and the dust was so dense a lot of days one could hardly see across the street. During the years when no crops were raised, Leo worked at various jobs to keep food on the table along with the dust! Carlos Dillon owned- the school buses at that time and Leo drove a bus. He usually drove the southwest route, but ifhe had to go north, I always worried on the dirty days as the "Rocket" passenger train went through town about evening bus time. he also worked at the Coop station and elevator. This was during the era when an individual from the community went to the homes of property owners to the Crouses by driving a beet truck during the "good" beet years . . and also the muddy ones when it was virtually impossible to get the beets out. Later on, he started driving a school bus for the Bethune district, where our daughter was attending school. After she was older, I also drove one of the buses a lot of the time on regular routes, and to ball games, and special trips. We have tried to figure how many years Leo had drive a bus - with the interruptions here and there. We decided that at least twenty-five years had been spent this way, as he had picked up some Bethune students from the time they started to Kindergarten through graduation. Our daughter graduated inl977, and went to Sterling for college. We were happy for her to seek out her destiny, but we missed the hours of her playing the piano. However, driving the buses gave us the opportunity to continue our interest in young people and school activities. Most Sundays found us at church in Stratton and visiting Leo's parents before their death, or perhaps Netha and Duane, as they live in Stratton. The years of doctoring and coping with the rheumatoid arthritis that Leo has had for twenty-five years began to take their toll and he retired from the school buses in 1985 and has not experienced very good health since. We are still living on our farm, but it is beginning to be time for us to retire from that also. As I nm qryi1i1g this, we are happily looking forward to Carol's marrying the man of her dreams, Monte Keil of Crook, Colorado. She is the office manager at the Superior Fertilizer Company at Crook and they will live on a farm east of there. So we will have new things to interest us with this addition to our lives. I am looking forward to pursuing some of the project that I've never made time for previously. Leo passed on May 31, 1987. by Maxine Kindred assess them for county taxes, and Leo did that for several years under Assessor Park Marine and Leo Kindred. My husband, Leo, was born on his parents farm southeast of Stratton and I have told in my parents (Galen and Emma Stoner) story how I cnme to this vicinity. We were married in 1947 by Rev. Erickson at the Evangelical Church. Leo and his brother Duane farmed together on what was known as the Collins Ranch, owned by Bill Garner. We lived in town in the house just north of where the Coop manager's houge is now. This was during the post WWII time when prosperity and building was in evidence ever5nrhere. The new Legion Hall was built and for awhile roller skating was held there as well as dances and other activities. The big Catholic Church replaced their small one and the Evangelical Church (now Methodist) was remodeled under the guidance of Rev. Bayles, Mrs. Ray Calverey, Vena Scheierman, Adeline Sawyer, and others. The Foster Lumber was a proud and busy business then, as was Guthrie. Even household property was taxed then. Two different years we went to Loveland, where he worked at the sugar beet factory during the fall campaign. We would stay in one of his folks' kitchen units, at their motel. Our first child, Everett, was ill during these years and died in 1956. The summer of 1956 we stayed in Colorado Springs while Leo helped Clifford Messenger, my brother-inlaw. build a house. Leo then worked at the sugar factory in Loveland that winter. There was finally enough rain for crops in 1958. Our daughter, Carol Anne, was born in April 1959 and that fall Leo realized his dream of getting out of town when we moved to a farm 5% miles south of Bethune. Naturally, that was the winter that it never quit snowing until we had at least thirty inches on the level. At that time, most farmers did not have the large equipment to take care of livestock or to get to town. During these years irrigation wells went down all around us (no permits were required), but for various reasons we stayed with dry land farming and running cows and calves. Leo had a self-propelled swather and did quite a KING, CLARENCE F366 The Clarence King family lived south of Bethune from 1915 to 1919, then moved 1 % miles west of Levant, Kan. We went back through Kit Carson County often. In May L927.we moved back south of the Kit Carson County Line, 20 miles straight south of Bethune. Clarence had 10 children, Orvis King, born Nov. 9, 1914, Levant, Kan., Morris M.'King, born July 11, 1916, Levant, Kan., Delores L. King Schroeder, born April 23, 1918, North of Cheyenne Wells, Co., June Y. King Jones, born Oct. 10, 1920, Levant, Kan., Max L. King, born Jan.26, 1923, Levant, Kan. died Nov. 3, 1949, Mary K. King Fuhren, born June 6, 1925, Levant, Kan,. Ord L. King Moore, born Jan. L9, L927, Levant, Kan., Wanda F. King Barnett, born March 29, 1929, North of Cheyenne Wells, Carrol C. King born April 10, 1931, North of Cheyenne Wells, Co., Verlyn F. King, born July 7, 1933, Cheyenne Wells, Co. died Feb. 19, 1969. We bought m{rny groceries in Burlington lot of custom swathing for our neighbors. and Stratton. Went to Dentist, Dr. Flatt, Doctors, Dr. Remington, Dr. Robinson, and After wheat drilling was done, he would help Dr. Hayes. My sister-in-law, Martha Schroe- �summer of 1933 Maynard raised enough feed to last al'nost 2 wintprs. He had an old bull, was born Sept. 1, 1916 and Wilda was born by Mar. 1935 the bull wouldn't eat dusty thistles, so he fed the bull horse manure and molasses. A little gtass grew in July and he Early in 1919, George King went to Denver to be on the Jury, he got the flu and died in Denver. He was about 37 years old. World loaded some old cows and gtandpa's bull and came by our old dusty place and said "I'll get him in to that Burlington sale ring and if Ray McDaniels opens his head just once, he's War I was over and the prices of livestock and gonna own that bull." Maynard was having a hard time getting the furniture down the stairs into the basement, so he said, "When I leave here I hope they take me out feet first." We knew Herndons, Dudley Swaneon, Fred Storrers, Guy McAr- hurs, all the Schlossers, Roy Taylor Tom Taylor. The adobe school and cracker box school, Fred Mathis family, Joe Eastons, The Knapp family, Bill Meads, Bill Smiths Pete The Clarence King Family. Seated, L to R: Clarence L., Nettie E., Verlyn F. King. Standing, L to R: CarroII C., Wanda F. Barnett, Delores L. Schreoder, Mary K. Fuhrer, June Y. Jones, Orda L. Moore, Morris M. King der King passed away in Burlington, age 20, April 1939, with too much sugar in her blood, the doctor couldn't do much about it. Tom Johnston was a real good sheepman. I helped Tom drive sheep 4 t/z d.ays to May Valley, must north of Lamar in Sept. 1930, a wonderful trip for a kid of 14 yrs old. Tom died June of 1939. In 1915 Frank Daily was drilling a well for Ted Stubbs near N. Smokey Hill River, 1 % miles west of the Tom Johnston sheep ranch, a big rattle snake was hid in Ted's dugout, so Boydes, Legter Piersons, So- Allens, John Boggs, Bill Kelly, Fuzzy Walstrom, Fred Nortons, Cage Bunch, Art Low, Charlie Barr, Jim Ausbern, Charlie Smelker, Bill, Alfred, and Mont Pfaffly, Lashers Magnisons, Sedmans, Rollie Smith, Willis Perkins, Charlies Perkins, the Airs Family, Ora Welmans, Art Welmans, Clif Beeson, Ed Beeson, Frank Beeson, The Nazarene Church L2 miles south and 1 mile west of Bethune. The Holstine family, Allen Jenkins, Lee Raines, Bill Schaal and many more. Bill Eslinger didn't speak to good, he said, "I tharmed with a tharmall thour years and didn't raise a thing." Feebe Simpson was like a grandma to me. Harold King stayed with her a lot. Harold done a lot of shop work on everything. He drove us in to Cheyenne Wells just after the March blizzard in 1931 and almost bit his pipe stem in two when he drove by the poor old lady froze stiff about 40 feet from the road, her name was Terall. Harold looked in Daily wouldn't sleep in there. The dog throwed the snake upon Ted under the covers, Ted got the shotgun and said, "I'll shoot the dog." The dog jumped aside and Life Magazine and read where Jim Gurnhart was going to have a mock funeral for himself and said to my mom, "Are you going to Jim's funeral?" She said "well I didn't know he died." and Harold said, "Well he ain't." We went from Yoder and visited Bertha Ted shot holes in his lard bucket and his King, Harold King, Leo E. Kings, Bud Kings, water bucket. Dorthea Humphrey, E.R. Mills, Charles There were lots of stills running in the years of no whiskey. The Andrews, Hightowers and Clarence Brannon, Ray Schlosser played the fiddle for dances. A lot of people went to the Nazarene Church and First Central School to Sunday School. We went from 1929 until 1931. They had Grange in a school about 10 miles south of Bethune. My brother and I passed the 8th grade the spring of 1929. I was about 12 years and 10 months. Mills, Bverett Allman, Doc Burds, Bud Mathews, Duane Taylor, Pete Schlicken- meyer, and Victor Sponsel. by Morris King KING, GEORGE in 1918. grain were down and the wind and dry weather was a problem. Aunt Bertha's children were well behaved and were not bad to drink liquor. There were many bad years for all the people. Bertha King married Ray Knapp. Virgil Bud King and Dorothea were born about 1924 and 1926. In the spring of 1928, Grandma Simpson died. She didn't have many livestock left and others had the so-e troubles. Harold King bought a 640 acre nearby. He could fix almost anything from a pocket watch to a 40 horse on the draw bar tractor, which would weigh about 7,(M) to 10,000 lbs. Mabel King married Ed Mills, about 1930. They worked for wages and did OK. When Charles was born, they got a place 3 miles south of Burlington and milked good Holstein cows and delivered and sold milk in glass bottles. Joyce Mills was born there at Burlington, too. Charles Mills'wife is one of Art Lowe's children. They have been farming in Kit Carson county, south of Vona for a long time. Charles and his family farm wheat, sorghum, corn, and have a feed lot and sell Grade A milk. Ed Mills also spent three years proving up on 640 acre homestead southwest of Hartsel, Colo. Les King married Alpha McCracken, in about 1939. Les worked for wages at farm work, and lived in rented places in the county and in Eade. Their daughter Becky King Morgan has one girl and two boys and lives in Denver. Their son George, helped his father a lot, moved away and is back again. Jim King (born Jan. 18, 1943), has a wife and two boys. Elmer (JUly 28, L944) has a wife, a girl and two boys, and operated King Sale in Burlinton. Leo D. King (June 28, 1945) is with Farm Bureau. has a wife and home north of Lamar. Bertha King is married and has a son and a daughter and lives near Casper, wyo. Tom King has a home in Eads, a wife, two boys and a girl, Bob lives south of Lamar, has wife, two boys and a girl. Les King died in July 1961, and Alpha lives in Eads. Leo E King and V.R. Bud King went into the Army all through World War II. Leo married Charlotte Munstdr. Leo worked at different things, one of which was the trash hauling, Charlotte does official office work. F367 Bud married Mildred and they live in too. I wanted to play the guitar and sing over the radio. I did sing and play a little. I went to a rodeo or two, was that something, it is still my number one show. We broke many horses to work and drove eight head a lot. I worked for A.J. Pfaffley, Guy Thoman, O.C. Dunlap, Leon Smelker and Burt Loper, all in Kit Carson County. M.W. Dunham and Mr. Herrington would ride after horses near Back about 1906, George King an older brother of my father, Clarence King, home- Burlington. He still has his grandma Simpson's place. Their boy Richard was born in Burlington, and a little girl died of Polio. Bqd worked at selling cars and trucks for marty Charlie Peterson and Tom Johnstone's north of what I knew as the Grandma range. Maynard said Johnstone would ask them in for dinner, but Charlie would come to the corral gate and talk and talk, never Simpson place. I helped at farm work and worked out some even say get down and rest your saddle. Maynard saw a sheep herder a mile over there then Maynard rode down in N. Smokey, there was a coat and a dinner bucket, he got offthe horge and had dinner right there. The steaded a northeast 160 acres, 5 miles south and 2 miles west of Bethune in Kit Carson county. Albert and Mrs. Simpson, also her brother, Malin McNare, homesteaded or had land 1 mile west and 2 or 2Vz miles north of where George King's buildings were. Doyle Roberson lived one mile east and 7z mile In the early 1920's, Mrs. Simpson's only child, Bertha married Uncle George King. Not long after, he built his one room sod house. He had a big barn and many head of livestock. Harold King was born, then Mabel King, and then Les King on July 13, 1913. One small boy died no-ed Elmer King. Leo years. Wilda married Joe Humphrey in 1937. The twins Larry and Gary were born in 1938. Ronnie was born in Casper, Wy. Bonnie is a musician and travels all over. Keith Humphrey is a good worker even though one leg is short. Joe's family moved many howes in Wyo. Jack and Kathy were both born in Casper. Jack died in Casper and Wilda and Joe are gone now too. Ronnie died in a truck accident. Dorthea King maried Claud Humphrey in 1944. Claudia Humphrey, the next sister, a third sister and a brother lived in Burlington in the 50's and early 60's. Claud died a few �the children. The Kings still have land near Uncle George's place. by Morris King ltl ':: !:i:r: KLASSEN, ABRAHAM AND KATHERINE &'rl, ,! r,:. F369 Abraham and Katherine Wiebe Klassen 4 _p11t 9f Bqtha King's family. Back row, L. to R.: Claud Humphrey, Mildred King and their little girl, Ed Mills, V.R. "Bud" King, Leo E. King, Charlotte Minster King, Wilda King Humphrey, and small boy, Joe Humphrey, Harold King. Front row, L. to R. Mabel King Mills, Dorothy King Humphrey, Humphrey boy, two of Dorothy's girls, Bertha King, and Dick King. years ago and Ed Mills died in 1984. Aunt Bertha died in 1964 and Harold in Sept 1971. Harry Roberson has been gone some time now, but Dorthy and Doyle are still southwest of Bethune. A Garner boy has some of the King Place. I knew a lot of the cousin's neighbors. Our cousins played a lot of music with our family. The Hightowers played the fiddle too. They were at many gatherings, fish fries, harvest, threshing, hauling feed, and shucking corn. We'd go to Burlington and Eads to the fair and rodeo's. One of America's finest sports I think. Neighbors I knew were: Chandlers, A.V. Harding, many young Smelkers, Schaals, Perkins, Taylors, McMahans, Jim and Richard Ausborn, Clarence Brannen, (who played fiddle for many dances), and Charlie and Geo. Bar, and their bunch. Aunt Bertha could Jan. 19, 1892, Greeley, Co. and I don't know when Bill King was born. Marie died sometime in 1892, Henry died in 1884. The six children were taken to their Uncle Lambert and Annie Brooks' home, six miles west of Colby, Kan., about 2 miles east of the William Waters home, who owned the town of Levant. The 4 older ones were soon working out. Lois and Herman moved northeast of Seattle, Wash. with their Aunt. Bill King lived many places and raised a family. George M. King homesteaded a good 160 acres, 5 miles south and 2 miles west of Bethune, Co. He did well, but died in 1919, leaving his wife Bertha with came from Margenau, South Russia. They came to Marion County, Kansas in 1876. Abraham and Katherine were connected with the Mennonite Church and left Russia to flee from religious oppression. They needed more room so moved to Flagler, Colorado in 1883. Due to a drought they moved to Kirk, Colorado in 1896. Their children were: Marie Klassen Muncy, 18921972; Emma Klassen Elmers, 18gg -; Helen Klassen Heinrichs, 1896-1978: Frank W. Klassen, 1888-1975; Henry Klassen, 18941952; Cornelius K. Klassen, 1880-19b4; Mar- garet Klassen Braun, 1890-1971; Anna Klassen Burkard, 1876-1959; Katherine Klassen Nikkel, 1883-1970; Johannes Klassen, 18851887; Agnes Klassen, 1887-1901; Jake W. Klassen, 1882-1955; Abe W. Klassen, 18281951. Daughters-in-law: May Dulmer Klassen, 1895-1979 and Emma Dulmer Klassen, 1892-1986. Son-in-law: Peter A. Braun, 18881963. Marie, Katherine, Helen and Emma all taught in the early schools in the northern parts of Kit Carson County. These were schools north of Bethune, Stratton, Joes, and Burlington. Emma taught in the Murphy and Brownwood schools in t923-24. Frank. Henrv and Peter Braun all farmed. Abe'was a blacksmith at Kirk, Colorado. Jake was a rancher and Cornelius farmed and ranched north of Vona. tell many stories of neighbors and fun they had. Harold looked at the paper one day and eaid "Aunt Nettie, are you going to Jim Gernhart's funeral?" She said "I didn't know h?dlf,ieT7-'r"E EAsn't", He said. It was one of his mock funerals. I think I left out some important parts and didn't name enough people. The Kings have owned land almost 100 vears. by Morris King KING, HENRY F368 Henry M. King, my grandfather, was born about 1836 and lived on a small farm near Greeley, Co. He enlisted in the Army April 17, 1861, discharged Aug. 6, 1861, at Pittsburg, Pa. He enlist€d again in 1864, discharged Aug. 3, 1865, at Atlanta, Ga. He came to Kellerton, Iowa and married Marie Dun- ii.':l.il bar. Henry and Marie had 6 children. George M. King, born April 27, 1882, Kellerton, Iowa, Laura M. King, born Oct. 14, 1883, Kellerton, Iowa, Clarence L. King, born Aug. 22, L886, Kellerton, Iowa, Lois A. King born May 3, 1889, Kellerton, fowa, Herman A. King, born This picture was taken in front of Gtandmother Klassen's sod house about late 1913 or early 1914. Back Row: Marie Klassen Muncy_, Emma Klassen Elmers, May Dulmer Klassen, Helen Klassen Heinrichs, Frank W. Klassen. Middle Row: Henry Klassen, Jake W. Klassen, Abe W. Klassen, Peter A. Braun, Cornelius K. Klassen. Front Row: Katherine Wiebe Klassen, Margaret Klassen Braun, and Emma Dulrner Klassen holding baby Paul C. Klassen. �The father, Abraham C. Klassen was born Cornelius Klassen was a pioneer resident in 1852 and died in 1900 and mother, of Kit Carson County having lived here for 62 years. In the early years he helped build and died in 1941. the Rock Island Railroad. He rode horseback from Yuma to Hugo, from Limon to the state of Kansas, helping with roundups and eating in chuckwagons. As foreman of the Wm. Lavington Ranch, located six miles north of Vona, Colorado, taking care ofthe cattle and sheep, breaking bronco horses, and buying calves from the homesteaderg were Cornelius's duties. He rode many miles over eastern Colorado and the settlers would invite him to Katherine Weibe Klassen was born in 1854 by Edith M. HugleY KLASSEN, CORNELIUS F370 Jack and Helen Klaseen hunting rabbits on the Republican River on Ned and Prince in 1938. August 8, 1912, Emma Dulmer Klassen and Cornelius K. Klassen in their buggy on their honeymoon trip to t-ireir ranch home five and one-half miles north and one and one-half west of Vona, Colorado, near the Republican River Valley. Loyd Klassen in Merchant Marines in 1943. This ie a picture of Emma Dulmer Klassen and her children, except Mabel. Back Row: Paul C. Klassen, Deitrich A. Klassen, Edith Mae Klassen Hugley, Ervin E. Klassen, Doris L. Klassen Klooz, Loyd J. Klassen. Front Row: Helen M. Klassen Smart, Emma Dulmer Klassen, and Cornelius C. Klassen (Jack). Taken during the 1981 reunion in California. eat a meal. Emma's folks were very hoepitable people, so he was invited to eat and to go to box suppers and church socials. They, no doubt, sold some calves to him. Emma was nineteen or twenty when she fell in love with her cowboy. Cornelius had taken out a claim here in about 1910, so there was already a nice little house and some other buildings, a windmill and big wooden corrals with a snubbing post in the center of one. Here he �The Cornelius and Emma Klassen family in 1935 or 1936, this was taken on the farm north of Vona. Back Row: Paul C., Deitrich A., Ervin E., Doris L., and Edith Mae. Front Row: Mabel T., Jack, Emma (mother), Cornelius (father), Loyd J. and Helen M. i,*t* .,a,..l.l.l ,$ ,.:.,l|,,',i,.,"" ,, was able to take care of the livestock and break the wild horses. The weekends he would spend with his widowed mother and younger sisters and brothers. He suffered some years with arthritis. ',1:tl s s $ st $ t Ford car of C,K. Klassen in 1920. This is a picture of Cornelius and Emma Dulmer Klassen taken in 1911 or 1912, in August or September. Note the large turnip and the fence made of adobe brick. Moving storage tank back to school section after a big storm. Dick and Jack Klassen and their team, Ned and Prince in 1936. Loyd Klassen P.F.C. U.S. Army, 1946, and Bill Corwin E.N.C., U.S.N. and Joan 14 months. q-._*1 h.Fh.n 'k-, n aA Cornelius K. Klassen and his horse Stinger, about 1912. ".,\" - i, l',& q,--'- :\ Deitrich Klassen. conductor on Rock Island Railroad, he worked 40 years for the railroad. �Clarence Klooz. She died at the age of 93 on January 20, 1986. by Edith M.Ilugley KLASSEN, EMMA DULMER F371 Memories Cornelius K. Klassen born August 11,, 1880 in Hillsboro, Kansas and Emma Dulmer, born April 8, 1892, in Garfield, New Jersey, were married on August 8, 1912, at my folk's home 14 miles north of Vona, Colorado. We had just had the house built. It was made of adobe bricks. So this was a big event! The pastor, Charles Ashley, drove out form Vona Paul Klassen, U.S. Marines, 1946. Dick Klassen, U.S. Army and Mabel Klassen, Ensign in U.S.N.R. in 1943. Glenda, one son, Richard (Richy), four granddaughters, one set of twin grandsons. Mabel and William (Bill) Corwin live in Gig Harbor, Washington. They have two daughters Joan and Katherine, two grandsons, one granddaughter. Loyd and Opal live on their farm home about 15 miles north of Vona, Colorado, and one mile east. They have four daughters and three sons, five granddaughters and three grandsons. The daughters are Diane, Marsha, Terri Jo, Virginia Lee; the sons are Bruce K., Verl L., and Troy J. Helen and Herb Smart live in Diablo, Washington. They have two daughters and two sons, three granddaughters. Their daughters are Barbara J. and Joanne E., the sons are Robert L. and Douglas F. Jack and Audry live in Ojho, California. They have one daughter, Emily Lou and two sons, Jack Ryan and Russell Paul, one granddaughter and one grandson. Cornelius passed away on July 1, 1954 of arteriosclerosis and a cerebral hemorrhage. Many of this family served their country throughout the Second World War. Ervin eerved in the Navy and was on the cruiser, Phoenix on December 7, L94L, but survived the holocaust of Pearl Harbor when the Japanese warplanes attacked the home base Ervin Klassen in 1943. Cornelius and Emma Dulmer were married in 1912. They had 9 children and lived on the ranch five and one-half miles north and one and one-half west of Vona, Colorado down near the Republican River Valley. Their children include Paul and Joyce who live in Joes, Colorado. They have one son Darrel, and two daughters, Linda and Jary Lee, two grandsons and three granddaughters. Dick and Esther live in Goodland, Kansas and have two daughters, Pamela and Sally, three grandsons and two granddaughters. Dick retired from working on the Rock Island Raihoad. Edith Mae and Earnest Hugley have one son, Cornelius Claud (Jim), two daughters, Patricia Jo and Janet, three grandsons and three granddaughters, and two geat grandsons and one great granddaughter. Ervin and Vera have three daughters, Debra, Susan and Carolyn, and twin grandsons. Doris and Clarence Klooz have three daughters, Barbara, Beverly and of the U.S. Pacific Fleet on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Ervin received a Purple Heart. Dick served in the Railroad Engineers in Alaska. Mabel T. Klassen Corwin served in the Navy Nurse Corps. Paul served in the Marine Corps. Loyd served in the Army on the Pacific front. Helen Klassen Smart was a Cadet Nurse. Jack joined the Navy Air Force after the war, Mother's sons-in-law who served were Willinm Corwin who was in the Submarine Corps, Clarence Klooz was a Marine and served in the Pacific front. Herbert Smart served in the Army in the Europe Front. There were no war fatalities in this family group, a blessing for which we are all thankful. Mother was about a nine star Mother, and a lot more. Emma made quilts by hand for each of her children and for each of her grandchildren. The folks were charter members of the Vona Baptist Church. Mother's life and testimony have been a great blessing to her family and friends. Mother was usually humming a tune while she worked. Mother spent her last years in Sacramento. California with Doris and to perform the wedding ceremony. Cornelius and I got our license from Burlington a couple of weeks before. We got our pictures taken at Stratton, Colorado, too. We were surprised to have relatives from Hillsboro, Kansas, come to our wedding. My father went to meet the train in Vona. He had a team of horses and a Spalding Spring Wagon with two seats. We just invited the immediate families on both sides to the wedding since that is all we had room for. Everyone had a good time though, the Dutch and the German. We got lots of gifts. We bought some furniture for our house which had two rooms, a small cellar and a porch. We sent an order to Montgomery Wards for a pretty cast iron stove with a warming oven and a reservoir that held about three gallons of water, linoleum for the kitchen floor, a kitchen cabinet, and a bedroom set. We had homemade carpets which I had made. We also bought a table and chair and a few other things. It came to Vona by freight from Denver. Dad hauled it home with his team and wagon. This was all exciting at this time. Vona was new on the map in those days. Mr. S.L. Howell filed on the West side of town and H.K. Haines the East side. There was always lots going on at our ranch with the cattle and horses around. The colts were so cute. My folks would stop by quite often since we were half way to Vona, Our ranch was 6 miles north and a mile and a half west. About this time the First Baptist Church of Vona was organized. Before that we held meetings in the Boger School. The minister, Ira J. Calahan, would drive out and preach. We had good crowds. Later we drove to Vona. Later on my sister Sadie Iler taught school in the Boger school. I remember the picnic ll miles north and 1 east of Vona. It was in a gxove of trees on a timber claim. We had a good crowd. They played games like baseball, foot races, horse shoe pitching, jumping rope and other games. Each family brought dinner. We enjoyed the day. The fourth of July was usually a happy time. There were quite a few roads graded over the country. Each land owner had to pay a tax to work on the grading and plowing of roads. It was easier to get around. Most all the ranchers would plow fire guards too, in case of fire, so the grass couldn't burn up. There had been a fire in the sandhills some years earlier. Mrs. Frank Boger who lived near Hell �miles we had a central station. There was one at Vona, then 12 miles north, then at the Charley George Place, then at Mrs. Coleman's Place and at Kirk, Colorado. As the years went by we had other babies. Our family grew to include besides Paul and Deitrich, Edith May, Ervin, Doris, Mable, Lloyd, Helen, and Jack. We built a room on the north side of the kitchen and made the porch larger. Dad did most of the work. Henry came down from :i.;r:i li,:l,l: 'i.-i.i Kirk and helped him. The material was .rl.:: hauled from Vona. The school district rented a little sod house 7z mile west where Paul and Deitrich went to school. We had pretty good .:I'i:: crops. The grass was good too. We would irrigate from the storage tank when it would run over. We had some fruit trees and a strawberry patch. We all enjoyed the berries with the rich cren- from the cows. About this time we got a washing machine. Dad bought it from Harlin Haines Hardware in Vona. I could get a big washing out in half a day with a little help! Later the new Murphy School was built. It was in the center of the school district. There were lots of people and farms and ranches in the country by this time. Cars were in style by this time. Dad had the first Model T Ford in Kit Carson County. We even made a cover of light weight canvas to keep it clean. We all enjoyed riding in it. We didn't have too many good roads yet, mostly cattle and horse trails. The driver had to watch out for loose sand. The above was written by Emma Klassen after she turned eighty years old. She wrote much more. Still living in the area are her son Lloyd Klassen, grandsons Bruce Klassen and Troy Klassen and grand daughter Virginia Johnson. Emma died on Jan. 20, 1986. She was 93 years,9 months, and 11 days old. Edith May Hugley KLASSEN, MARY DULMER F372 In December of 1909 we left for Out West. Nick Brownwood had made trips to Colorado with groups of men to interest them in homesteading. He bragged about the country and had no trouble getting men to travel to see the area. My father, Cornelius Dulmer, was one of them. It was in June when the land was green and beautiful. Dad thought it was Cornelius and Emma Klassenn August 8, 1912' a beautiful place and wanted to own the land that he could get by homesteading. Several Creek said she could read the paper by the light of the flames shooting up over the hills! To go north from our ranch we always had two big hills to climb. We called them the Spark Hills. We always had to go 4 miles north to the school section Dad had leased for several years. We fenced it in and had a well drilled. The well was deep. We had a big storage tank to have a supply ofwater for the Iive stock. On August 29, 1913, Paul was born. My mother was at our house. Dad rode with the teo- and buggy to get the doctor. They got back in time. The work was different then. We had the baby to feed, bathe and play with. He was a good baby. Henry Klassen brought Grandma Klassen over to see the baby. Bv this time the Brownwood Store was open for business. Nick Brownwood did the hauling for supplies with a team and wagon. Edith, my sister, worked in the store. They bought creo- and eggs. There was a new school built a half mile west of their store. It was called Elfis, Colorado. It was 15 miles north and 1 west of Vona. We had a mail route north of Vona 20 miles. Mr. August Carlstead was our mail carrier. He drove a team and buggy. Our baby Paul was growing. On May 25, 1916, Deitrich was born. Dad drove to Flagler to get Dr. McBride. They got home in time. I had an oven full of bread baking. The doctor sure thought the house smelled good. Later on I had help again. Dad herded the cows and broke the horses. He had help. Telephones came in style by this time. They run the lines on the fences, about every 12 of the Dutch families decided to go along. We had to be there in six months. We arrived on December the 9th, 1909. We had a special car on the train for all ofus to travel on and bring our belongings. We arrived in Seibert at eight o'clock in the morning. It was 28 degrees below zero! All of us went over to a big hotel there and had a hot breakfast. Myron, my brother, was there. He had a spring wagon with a closed top and side curtains. There were other spring wagons there to take us to my sister Edith Brownwood's home, many miles to the north. We travelled all day, stopping whenever we could to watm ourselves at peoples' houses on the way. Edith's house was a two-room frame house with no insulation. The walls weren't completed. It was very cold. There were many of us to sleep �in that little two room house. Later Nick built Mother and Dad, May and Frank Klassen a much nicer home and opened a store called are dead now and leave fond memories for us the Brov,rnwood Store. We all stayed in with Edith until the men had houses built for us to cherish. to move into. I want to tell you about the comet. Well, it was so beautiful out there outside in the cold. You know, you could see for miles and miles, which we weren't used to, coming from New Jersey. There were no trees around us and the prairies were so flat. But on the tenth ofJanuar5r, I looked out one evening an here was this comet called Halley's Comet. It was just beautiful!There was a large head to begin with and out from that streamed a long, huge tail. Oh, it was so beautifuMt seemed to light up the whole sky. That was January 10, 1910. It showed for several nights. Then, all of a sudden it was gone. It cerne back in June with an eclipse of the moon and this comet. That was the most gorgeous sight I have ever seen. It kind of made a hissing noise. Later on after she married Frank Klassen he would tell about this comet that they had stayed up all night to watch. He lived near Joes then. Later they met and were married. Well, when they began to build for us on our land, Dad and Nick and the others built our barn first. They partitioned off part of the barn for us to live in until they could get the house built. We had to make the adobe blocks. We had to fir a place where a horse went around and around to mix the mud or adobe. There was a lagoon close to the place to use the water to mix the mud for the adobe. We had forms to fill with this mixture. We made these adobe blocks by the hundreds. Just one after another. It only took them a short time to dry with the wind and the hot sun. Our house had two bedrooms and a big living room and kitchen combined. He made a pantry and clothes closet and a place for a milk separator. We had a warm place. It didn't get cold in that house. Mother kept plants in there all winter. We brought some furniture with us and we ordered some from the mail order house. We had to help Dad with the cows. I was 14 and my sister Emma was 17. We'd stack feed. Clean the barns. We used to help put up fences. We did everything around there. Of course, there would be cows to watch the cows always wanted to get into the cornfield. I'd be the one to ride herd. Myron gave me a big black whip which I always was thankful for. As I rode along watching cows I'd kill rattlesnakes. I killed with the whip. The whip had a swirl handle and all I had to do was snap it at their heads. Sometimes I'd be on the horse and some times I'd be off, but I killed lots of snakes. Then we had meetings at the Brownwood schoolhouse. People from here and there and everywhere would meet and get acquainted. We had socials. On Sundays we would have youth meetings. Sometimes we'd have a visiting preacher come and hold services. This is how Emma met Cornelius Klassen. Later I met Cornelius's brother Frank and we were manied. Frank had a homestead near Kirk where we lived until our oldest son Robert was ready for school. Then we traded the Kirk homestead for the one that my Dad had improved and owned. Our children went to the Brownwood School until we had to sell our belongings and leave, since the bank foreclosed in 1925. By then we had Robert, and twins, Philip and Phyllis, and Miriam and Deane. Deane was a baby when we left the farm and moved to Denver. by Phyllis Klassen Rehmer KLIESEN FAMILY F373 Joseph Conard Kliesen was born on Febru- ary 5, 1906 and grew up on the family farm near Wright, Kansas. Loretta Schaffer was born March 3, 1910 and was raised in nearby Speawille. J.C. and Loretta were united in marriage June 22, 1931 and moved to a farm south of Dodge City, where they lived for 14 years. They had two sons: Leon, born Januar5r 2L, L932 in the hospital at Dodge City; and Roger, born at home during a dust storm October 27, 1935. Both attended country school at Rickland Valley as young boys. In the spring of 1946 they moved to Stratton, Colorado with all their belongings in a car and a pickup with a horse trailer. Their first home, which had been the old telephone office, was located south of the Collins Hotel (now Twin Oaks). This twobedroom home was purchased for $4000 and was one of three in town at that time with an indoor bathroom. At that snme time, they purchased 80 acres for $3000, which now is the Stratton Golf Course. They lived on a farm northeast of Stratton for a year and moved to their present residence on 340 Colorado Avenue in September of 1960. This house was built by J. W. Borders, and originally had a maternity ward on the second floor. Leon attended school in Stratton, after moving with his parents, and attended the Abbey School in Canon City his junior and senior years of high school. In May of 1951 he married Dorothy Drietz at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton. They have two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren: Darrell and family of Ft. Morgan; Dennis, who lives in California; and Jody and family of Denver. Leon passed away June 19, 1981. Roger graduated in 1954 from Stratton High School. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from January 1955 to December 1956 on the U.S.S. Wisconsin. During his tour of duty, he spent time in Denmark, Spain, Scotland, England, South America, Cuba, Haiti, and New York City. After returning home, he attended Northeastern Junior College and was a member of the NJC football team. On August 2, 1958 he married Marcia Peters of Burlington at St. Charles Church. Soon after their marriage, Roger and being the new elementary school. At the time they moved out of the "soddy", Roger and Marcia had two daughters: Kendra, born November 13, 1959 and Moira, born October 7, 1960. Soon to follow were another daughter, Trina, born May 17, 1962, a son, Wade, born November 2, 1963, and their youngest daughter, Dana, born August 1, 1966. All five children graduated from Stratton High School. They now have one grandchild, Sheena Hawks. Kendra married Bryce Monasmith from Burlington on August 23, 1980. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in March of 1986 with a B.A. in secondar5r math and currently teaches at Bethune High School. Bryce taught and coached at Stratton High School for three years. They now reside in Burlington. Moira was very active in the Future Homemakers of America while in highschool, serving as a State President and a national officer for two years. She manied Bob Hawks from Flagler June 6, 1981. She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in occupational therapy in 1983 and now works for the East Central BOCES as an occupational therapist. Bob and Moira presently live in Burlington with their daughter Sheena, born May 10, 1985. Trina married Russ Benson from Flagler September 5, 1981. She graduated from NJC with a degree in cosmetology in 1983 and now works at the Hair Gallery in Stratton. Russ and Trina live north of Stratton. Wade is currently attending the University of Southern Colorado. He is pursuing a degree in industrial arts. Dana graduated from NJC in 1986, where she was a member of the volleyball term. She currently is a student at UNC majoring in special education. J.C. and Loretta have enjoyed their 40 plus years living in Stratton and they and their farnily remain close to the community and its people. by Loretta Kliesen KNAPP - BARKLEY FAMILY F374 My Grandad, James Harvey Knapp, cnme to McDonald, Kansas, in a horse and ox drawn covered wagon with his parents, John H and Lucy E. Knapp from Winchester, Illinois in 1885. After helping his parents establish their Marcia moved seven and one-half miles south of Stratton, where they farmed, milked cows, and lived in a sod house. In December of 1960 they moved into a new home built just a few feet away from the old "soddy". This home is their current residence. Roger decided to sell the milk cows in 1962 and bought Angus beefcows. In 1966 he started breeding his cow herd by the procedure of artificial insemination (A.I.), which was somewhat revolutionary at the time in commercial beef cattle. By 1972, all the breeding was completely done by A.I., and a herd bull hasn't been owned since then. Roger served on the Stratton School Board from 1965 through 1983 and during that time the school saw many changes - one Right: James Harvey Knapp, Left: Son John W. Knapp (Hans). Taken 1943. �.laii:rr. , ,llr:tri dren: Virginia Mae Kelley, Duane Arnold tt Kelley, Junior Darrell Kelley, Kenneth Lloyd Kelley, Ronald Lee Kelley, Marvin Gerald Kelley. In January they started to school in Seibert. That spring we had to move our fences so the county could grade up the road, which now is road nineteen by our house. At this time there were still roads thatwere more or less just trails. lai:'r::'1. Grass was good for the cattle and we Right to Leff John W. Knapp (Hans), James Harvey Knapp, and Jap Willin-s. Drilling well in Wyoming. Picture taken 1920. home at McDonald, Kansas, he worked at various jobs that were available. In 1887 he walked to Kit Carson County and chose a homesite 15 miles northeast of the present Burlington, Colorado. The Rock Island Railroad ca-e into being the following year. In these years he dug many wells with a shovel. October 1, 1889 James Harvey Knapp married Celia Hester Barkley of McDonald, Kansas and lived on the homesite he had school. It was now 1906 that he purchased the Penfold Property, now 489-15th Street in Burlington. The house is presently owned by his daughter Lucy A. (Knapp) Russmann. The family lived here during the winter; come spring they moved back to the ranch, and all the children had jobs to do. Grandma Knapp died September 1, 1920 from cancer; leaving a couple young children. Grandad later manied her sister Della, loved and known to the familv as Auntie. by Iva Gross selected, then known as a pre-emption. Their first home was a little dugout, but it was "A Home in The West". After the railroad was built. Jo-es and Celia made several trips during the winter to Pueblo where Jnmes would work in the F376 LucyA. Knapp (Russmann, ClydeA. Knapp, Cora Zella Knapp, Jomes Harvey Knapp Jr., Zuella M. Knapp (Homm), John W. Knapp, Nettie V. Knapp (Homm), Donald W. Knapp, and Elsie M. Knapp (Schutte). The Knapp's moved to several different locations and they always had to build a house and dig a well. There houses ranged from a little dugout to a 2 room sod house with dirt floor and finally a frame home. Celia served as the Post Master of the Goff Post Office for some time. Grandad Knapp followed the Well Drilling Business all his life. From digging with his shovel, then a derrick with a pulley pulled by a horse, then to a well auger which resembled an auger in the carpenter's brace and bit, (pictured is his well drill). He drilled many water wells as well as oil wells in Wyoming. It has been related that he drilled the first town well for Burlington. My Dad, John W. Knapp (Hans) drilled the first town well for Burlington. My Dad, John W. Knapp (Hans) drilled with him for many years, then later on his own. Jgmes H. Knapp raised lots of cattle and his ranch was well known of over the country for his fine herd. Jemes H. Knapp was elected Kit Carson County Sheriff in 1906 and served thru 1910. It was at this time he moved the family to town so he could be cloee to the Sheriffs Office, also so the children could go to a better Seibert. by Ruby Knapp KNODEL FAMILY F376 Gottlieb and Christena Knodel and seven children started the trip on November 20, i,ffiaN& smelters and Celia cooked for the laborers. To this union there were 9 children born; farmed mostly wheat and feed. Fields blew pretty easy in the fifties and we had many a dirty day with schools being dismissed. It was one ofthese days January 1, 1956, when we were blessed with a baby girl, Janice Marie Knapp. The "Flagler News" man came to our farm and took pictures of Fay listing some of our land to keep the land from moving. All our children graduated from Seibert High School. The school bus came by our door for twenty-five years. The spring of 1958 we planted a large six row windbreak on the north and west sides of the buildings. The wind break took a lot of hoeing and replanting of trees for several years. We did some remodeling in 1958 and added a new addition in 1966. Through the years with seven children, twenty-one grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren we've had no great excitement but a good life south of The Knapp hackberry tree, Nov. 1985 I remember, when in October, L947, we, Fay and Ruby Knapp, bought the Ned and Grace Clark farm located eight miles south, three miles east and one-fourth mile south of Seibert. Ned and Grace Clark homesteaded here about 1914 and lived in their sod house till they built the house we now live in. On a trip back from Iowa, Ned brought back a small hackberry tree in his suitcase. They planted the tree south of the house by the stock tank. This tree was thirty years old when we bought the farm and is now a graceful seventy years old. December, L947, we moved to the farm from McDonald, Kangas, with our six chil- 1906 to America. I em Eva Knodel Schaal. We came from Josephdorf, South Russia. My sister Mary was 16 years old, Edward, 13 Gottleib, 10; David,8; Eva 6; Benjo-in 4; and Gustave, 2. We went by train to Bremen, Germany, and spent a week there for physical examinations, shots and so on. Then we were loaded on a freighter ship; that's how poor people traveled. It took us 16 days and nights to cross the Atlantic Ocean. It was a tiresome trip when you don't see nothing but water and sky. Gottlieb and David got scarlet fever and were real sick. We never saw them for days. The rest of us never got it. Dad took us kids on deck on nice days and the sharks swam along the ship to grab anything that was thrown overboard. Sometimes the sea was really rough and the waves splashed against the port hole or windows. Mother prayed aloud that the Lord be merciful if it's His will to bring us to shore safe. Finally one clear day word spread all over the ship, "We can see the Statue of Liberty". Soon we landed in New York. Another physical for health's sake. Mother was expecting her eighth child and got sick there and was put in the hospital. Our Uncle John and Dora Knodel and their children were on this trip with us so we went on by train to Burlington, Colorado. We left Mother and Dad behind to have the baby. When we cnme to Burlington, Dad's cousin, Peter Knodel was there to meet us in the wagon. That night nearly everything was moved out of the kitchen to make beds on the floor for us fourteen visitors with our feather ticks which we brought with us. I want to say this: we called this cousin Uncle Peter and his wife �Aunt Christena and they were worthy of hauled to the elevator in town. The oats were being called that. Who would do such a good deed for so many people at once today? Dad and Mother came a week later with baby Andrew but he died. A month later we moved in an old house belonging to a family nemed Martin Stahlecker, total strangers but shocked by hand after being cut with a binder. The corn was picked and shucked by hand and piled in long ricks to be shelled by a custom cornsheller, Jim Weaver, and again ground and then hauled to the elevator in really good Christian people. Uncle John's moved into a granary at Uncle Peters until our soddy, one room, was built on our town in a lumber wagon pulled by two horses. Fred later bought a Hart Parr tractor with which to farm. hospital bill took everything Dad had. Here we were a family of nine and nothing to go on. But the good people which were poor too, shared. They brought food to keep us until we moved in our soddy and dad went to work for a big rancher to help support the rest of Daisy. Bessie married George Stubbs, Flora married Henry Drager, Rosa married Bus Rhule, and Bertha married Clifford Hines, all men from this locality. homestead. We were terribly poor and that us. The worst ofall happened after a couple of weeks that we left Uncle Peter: their six children got scarlet fever and three died inside of a week. The other three got well; they were Ted, Lydia, and Emil. The school with the neighbor help. Corn was piled on the All the Klooz children graduated from Burlington High School except Bessie and Claude served in the armed service in World *war I in 1918. Clarence, Lawrence, Ra5rmond, and Earl served in World War II and all returned safely home. Flora and Bessie still reside in this area. The rest live in different parts of this state with the we're all older we realize with a grief and heartache that must have been on Uncle Peter and Aunt Christena. No one will every exception of Clarence and Raymond who live in California. Fred Klooz died of a heart attack in 1929 leaving his wife, Flora, to rear young children and manage the farm. The family moved into know. Burlington. Flora died in 1964. was closed and no one else got sick. But since The first years were awful, drought, no rain but gradually things picked up. Oh how homesick the folks used to be for Russia. They left a paradise, everything grew there because ofthe rich soil and plentiful rainfall, fruit of all kinds and grapes, the very best. But never enough to own a home because each farmer had a few acres, just enough to make a living. Our parents have been gone for years. Mother died in December, 1935, at the age of 66 from sugar diabetes. Dad died in 1940 at the age of 71 from cancer of the bowels. Mary died at the age of 44 due to heart trouble in 1941. Brother Gus died due to cancer of the lungs in 1967 at the age of 62. Sister Lydia died due to hardening ofthe liver in 1954 at the age of 46. Brother David died on March 6, 1982 at the age of 83. Brother Ed died on February 22, 1983 at the age of 88. Sister, Eva Schaal, lives in Loveland, Colorado with her husband Bill. by Fern Gramm KOOZ, FRED by Flora Klooz Drager KORBELIK FAMILY F378 The Fred Klooz family arrived in Kit Carson County in a 1914 Model T touring car at Burlington on August 1, 1919, Colorado Day. They settled on a farm two miles north of Burlington. The family consisted of wife, Flora, and children Bessie, Daisy (now deceased), Flora, Rosa, Bertha, Clarence, and Lawrence. Raymond and Earl were born in Burlington. Claude, Fred's son from previous marriage whose mother died, came in a railroad car on the Rock Island line with the horses and milk cows to water and feed them as it was a three day journey from the home at Farna-m, Nebraska. The farm grew wheat, oats, and corn. The wheat was hawest€d with a push binder called a header which was done by six horses. The cut grain was elevated into a header barge and hauled away and put into a stack to be threshed later by a thresher and a crew and helo from neiehbors. The crain was Carson County to stay. They moved to Section 16-9-42 and it was their home for many years to come. This is where their son, Harvey Lee was born in 1937. The crops were poor in the 30's due to the drought and the hungry grasshoppers and rabbits. Adolph found summer employment in various areas. He worked for a farmer near Holyoke and while there one day they were blessed with a nice rain at home. So Rose went out with tractor and grain drills and sowed the millet seed into damp soil! (Yes, it made a short crop.) Another summer, Adolph, along with a group of local men helped with wheat harvest near Imperial, Nebraska. Their house was destroyed by fire on January 26, 1938. The dense smoke awake- ned Vernetta and her screams awakened them. Harvey was a baby asleep in his crib. They got the children into the car and Rose hurried them a half mile to the neighbors, Fred and Mildred Schaaf. From there she drove another half mile to Harold and Minnie Schmidt's for help and back home. There was no phone in the area at that time and the severe cold and high wind made the fire too far along to save the house. Somehow, Adolph managed to pitch a cream separator out the west window and also tried to pull a mattress Hauling water from the creek to mix concrete for the basement of the house. 1931. Adolph and Rose Korbelik F377 sold weighed 400 lbs. and they got $2.75 for it (total). They rented a tractor for use in drilling wheat that fall. Soon csme the beginning of the dust years, remembered as the dirty 30's, and also as the "depression years" nationwide. Farmers tried very hard to stop the fields from blowing. The government was paying 25 cents per acre for working the ground with a lister. Adolph listed many acres in our community, which eventually helped pay off the new International tractor he had purchased at a cost of $1,025.00. In 1934, in the fall, they were back in Kit In 1931, Emil Frank Korbelik and Catherine Marie Korbelik came to Kit Carson County, Colorado from Milligan, Nebraska with their six song: Emil, Jim, Sylvin, Arvil, Lee and Adolph, with Adolph's new bride, Rose. They made their new home on a half section of land which they had purchased southeast of Burlington, now part of the Green Valley community. They arrived two days ahead of the "Big Blizzard" of 1931. What later beco-e the barn was the first building they built there and was where they lived until the basement of their house was finished enough to move into. So the "barn" was where the family also survived the blizzard. Adolph and Rose rented a farm 16 miles north of Kanorado. Kansas in 1933. Their daughter, Vernetta, was then 2 years old. They lived in a sod house there, which was a new experience for them. The landlord had a herd of Angus cattle, which they cared for for half the calves born. The first calf they through a window, not realizing it was on fire and guffered severe burns on his hands. His parents were still living two miles east so they lived there for a few years together. Adolph's father passed away in November, 1938. Ray and Persis Mangus lived and farmed about a mile north with their four sons: Glen. Jack, Dale and Leslie and their two daughters: Ona Jean and Ina Lea. Vernetta rode to school with the Mangus children in their buggy in good weather and horses and wagon sled when the snow was too deep. During these depression years, cattle grazed on free range and were herded on horseback, usually by the "kids". Cow chips were gathered for fuel. Rabbits were hunted for feed for hogs. Grasshoppers and dust storms and drought made survival a struggle. Russian thistles were harvested and stacked for feed for cattle. by Rose Korbelik �Harbor, but happened to be out at sea at the time of the attack. Alois was wounded in the battle of the Solomon Islands and hospitalized for a time at Guadalcanal. Germany and Italy declared war on the United States of America a few days after the President declared war on Japan. Everyone in our country was issued "War Ration Books" of stamps to be used in buying sugar, flour, shoes, fuel, etc. during the four year war. Harold Schmidt and Adolph sponsored a dance at the Armory in Burlington in honor of our local servicemen who were leaving for war duty. Adolph and Rose helped organize the Green Valley 4-H Club in 1944 and were active as 4-H leaders, Rose for five years and Adolph for 17 years. Rose was a charter member of the Green Valley Home Demonstration Club. In May, 1948, the Green Valley Home Demonetration Club painted the basement walls and hung pretty curtains in the windows in the schoolhouse. They also built a much needed storage cabinet in the basement. That summer there was much of the interior finish work that needed to be done in the new Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital. The club was happy to be of Korbelik'e "barn" houge. L. to R.: Emil Korbelik Sr., Emil Korbelik Jr., John Kucera (Roge's father)' Jim Korbelik, Bill Koca, Catherine Korbelik, Helen Kucera (Rose's sister), Rose Korbelik, Adolph Korbelik and Darlene Koca in front, 1931. KORBELIK FAMILY F379 or pitching horseshoes, children played together and the ladies visit€d. Musical talent in the community made dances and suppers together a treat. Neighbors visited often in the evenings or played cards together. Children enjoyed vieits listening to the grownups tell stories of their experiences or of the "old days". Our community remembers the first big tornado, June 8, 1941, when the George BlomendaN farm wae taken and it plowed its ugly path through the McCullough farm where it tore the baby from Mrs. McCullough's arms and left her badly injured. (The assistance. Rose remembers they were applying an oil finish on the doors and shellacing chairs. Later on there was landscaping to be done. Rose attended the groundbreaking ceremony and broke ground in the southwest area of the hospital for the evergreen tree which the club donated in memory of their deceased member, Julia Broadsword. Years later the hospital was enlarged. There was an addition to the south and so the plantings there were removed. by Rose Korbelik KORBELIK FAMILY F380 baby was found unharmed). Because of flooded roads, Mrs. McCullough had to be transported milee out of the way to get to a Korbelik family moving to Colorado, 1931. doctor. The tornado continued its devastation into Kangas and past Ruleton before it lifted. The family was happy to be relocated back to Section L6-9-42 (Road 57 and S) in March, 1942. They had replaced their house, which they lost by fire, with one which they found south of Kanorado. It was just a ehell and they had to plaster the walls and remodel. They were then only a mile and a half from the brand new Green Valley school. Their son, Hawey, start€d his first year in school in the 1942-43 term in the Green Valley school. Their daughter, Patricia Jane, was born then in March 23. 1943. By this time, the depression had broken up Firgt Korbelik home built in Colorado, later beco-e the barn after their house was built. Adolph and Rose Korbelik These were hard years but they were also years that created warm memories of close friends and togetherness. Neighbors helped each other and got together regularly for basket dinners where the day was spent with the men and boys playing ball in the pasture the family with Jim returning to Nebraska, Sylvin and Arvil working their way west and settling with jobs in California, Lee working his way through electrician school and finding himself settled in Washington. Emil moved to Burlington and Adolph remained to beat the depression and build his farm. Our United States had been at war since December 8, 1941 when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared war on Japan, after the Japanese Air Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th. Rose's younger brother, Alois, was in his third year in the Naw at the time. He was stationed at Pearl Emil Frank and Catherine Marie Korbelik with granddaughter Vernetta Korbelik, 1936. �Green Valley School in 1944. In 1948 she reigned as homecoming queen and graduated a$ valedictorian from Burlington High School. She went on to Colorado A&M (now CSU), was attendant to Kit Carson County Queen when Bonny Dam was dedicated and aleo Engineer Queen Attendant at Colorado A&M. She transferred to Barnes Business College in 1951 and latpr studied under Florence Keeeler School of Dance and Fred Astaire Studios in Denver. She then taught dance for Fred Astaire Studios, sang and did dance exhibitions with her dance partner, _# Korbelik's new houee built in 1942. Bob Tate. She earned her private pilot's license in Lafayette, Louisiana, where she also met and married Eno Mallet in 1960. They had four sons: Rick Anthony, Todd Joseph, Gary James and Christopher Jnmes. The family moved to Arnold, Missouri in 1963 where Eno worked for the Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis. That was home for 15 years during which time Vernetta was involved in civic, community and church affairs. She held office on the parish council, taught third grade in School ofReligion, organized and led The house that burned on January 26, 1938. the second metropolitan 4-H Ctub in Jefferson County, which rapidly grew to second largest in the country. She served on County Adolph and Rose Korbelik Council and was awarded outstanding leader of the year in 1976 by the President of the Rose worked for a time in the Kit Carson County Clerk's office. Adolph was a charter member of the Isaac Walton League. He was Co-Op Board member fot 25 years, Farm Bureau member and officer. school board member and officer 17 years. He helped organize and establish the Green Valley Telephone Association in 1948. Their phone system was sold and became part of the S&T Telephone Cooperative Association in 1955. He helped otganize and establish REA electricity in Green Valley. John Guthrie and Eddie Johnson hooked the wiring to their house and their lights were turned on at noon March 4, L952. In 1947 they bought Section 17-9-42 and planned to build a house there some day. They planted a few rows ofpine tree seedlings for a windbreak the next year. The new house was built in 1974 and ready to move into on Christmas Eve. They, with their family, enjoyed a special Merry Christmas! They continued to raise Hereford cattle and stayed with the cow-calf operation until their retirement a few years ago. Life got better but things still happened. In the early 60's, Adolph experienced another tornado. This time he was in it. Caught working in the field, he held tight to the one way plow he was using, while lying as flat as he could in a furrow as, first, the front of the tornado hit, then the eye and, finally, the back. Finding himself still alive, he made his way to his pickup as tennis ball size hail began to hit. He found the pickup with one glass left in it. As he started for home the hail claimed that glass too. When the family helped him into the house they found him bleeding from the hailstone pelting and in shock but alive, thank God! Rose and Adolph say, "Thinking back to the 30'swhen some families moved awayfrom the "dust bowl" area, we were tempted to do 80, too. Ifwe could have found a buyer for the stack of millet we had, we might have left, also. Wethank God we didn'tfind the buyer". Vernetta graduated from eighth grade in University of Missouri for work in Career Education and for getting it recognized by the schools and as an approved 4-H project in the State of Missouri. She was a charter member of the Arnold Chapter of the National FISH organization started by combined efforts of five churches in the Arnold area. She served there as counselor for five years until she moved back to the Green Valley community in Kit Carson County in 1978 to finish raising her four sons. She went into partnership in Western Engravers and Designers in 1976 and took sole ownership of the business along with her move to Colorado Adolph Korbelik farnily. Back row, L. to R.: Vernetta, Rose and Adolph. Front: Patricia and Harvey, 1946. in 1978. Rick graduated from Burlington High School in 1979 and went on to the University of Southwest Louisiana as did Todd one year later. Todd graduated with honors in Business Management and is presently Night Audit Manager atthe Downtown Holiday Inn in Denver. Rick moved to Denver in 1987 and went into business with his mother. Gary graduated from Burlington High School in in sports, dramatics and many other activities during his four years at Burlington High School. He received a scholarship to Colorado School of Mines but after one semester decided to enlist in the Air Force. Four years being able to finish raising her own sons in her home Green Valley community and to watch them do well and graduate from her he spent in the Air Force, most of the time being in Texas. He was honorably discharged in the rank of S/Set. in 1959. During 1959 he worked on the construction of the East elevator at The Kanorado Co-Op. In October of 1960 Harvey was united in marriage with Connie Still. They had five children, two of which died in infancy. Susan Marie is now the wife of Russell Corliss and they live northwest of Bethune. Williem lss is engaged in farming and ranching with his parents. David Dean is presently a freshman same Burlington High School. at Burlington High School. 1984, attended University of Southwest Louisiana and went on to graduate with honors from Colorado Aero Tech in 1986. He now works for Continental Airlines in Den- ver. Chris is now a freshman at Burlington, is also following in Gary's footsteps as a drummer. Vernetta is feeling great satisfaction in by Rose Korbelik KORBELIK FAMILY F381 Adolph and Rose Korbelik Harvey went eight years to Green Valley School graduating in 1950. Harvey was active Harvey, Connie and family started farming with Harvey's parents in the early 1960's. The family farm has expanded and is still in operation southeast of Burlington. The emphasis being on successful farming and raising quality type cattle. Harvey and Connie are most proud of raising three wonderful children who all have a great sense of community spirit which has been instilled in them through active involvement in their schools, their 4-H and FFA work and their church. Youngest of three children, Patricia �Jane, known a Patsy in early years, was one of the luckiest kids I know. Growing up on a small eastern Colorado farm with a beautiful big sister and a big brother whom she worshipped, in a home full of love, is not KORBELIK - STILL FAMILY F382 everyone's good fortune. The Korbeliks were not rich but Patsy never felt deprived. She was happiest in blue jeans, barefooted and riding her pony, Stardust, pigtails flying. She went to school eight years at Green Valley School, which had a Korbelik enrolled every year of its existence. Don Gilbert and she were the last eighth grade graduating class. She attended and graduated from the old Burlington High School in 1960. The old one-room Green Valley schoolhouse offered students much personal attention. Recesses were spent playing ball, Kick the Can, Fox and Geese, plus, and all ages played together. Green Valley and Smoky Hill had a track meet one year, thanks to organization by Dorothy Baney. Willa Zick, County Supt., used to bring "outside readers" to the country schools. She remembers Catechism and summer school in the basement of the old Catholic Church in west Burlington. Saturday late afternoons and evenings were spent in Burlington doing the weekly shopping. While the neighbors visited at Red Front Grocery, then on Main Street, the kids sat at W-B Drug reading comic books, which could be bought for a dime. The family would grab a bite of supper at Carpers Cafe and then take in a picture ghow at the Midway, hoping they'd be the lucky "Bank Night" winners. Women's Lib wasn't needed on their farm. Mom drove the tractor, helped work cattle and helped Dad whenever he needed it, and Dad, in turn, helped Mom when needed, too. The kids grew up doing the sayne thing. Pat remembers the sound of hundreds of baby chicks, purchased from Mrs. Stewarts Hatchery in Goodland, all in boxee in the living room and remembers rubbing and drying baby calves in the kitchen if they were unfortunate enough to be born during a blizzard. The whole farnily was very involved in Green Valley 4-H Club and the Annual Kit Carson County Fair was a highlight every year. There were basket suppers, minstrel shows, and skits put on by the HDU club. In 1961 she moved to Goodland, where she met and fell in love with James Allnman from Wallace, Kansas. They married in June 1962. Jim is now owner of and self-employed at Jim's Independent Mechanic Shop in Goodland and Pat is employed by Goodland CoOp as Grain Accountant. They have three children. Their oldest daughter, Terri, graduated from college with a degree in Animal Science and Industry and is currently a freshman in Veterinary School at Kansas State University. Their second daughter, Cindy, is married to Mike Weaver and resides in Dillon, Colorado. Mike is employed in lift maintenance at the Keystone Ski Resort and Cindy is teller at a bank in Frisco, Colorado. They will become parents in September! The youngest, a son, Monte, has graduated from NWKA Vo-Tech in Communications Technology and is employed by Northern Telecom, home-based in Dallas, Texas. Katy Korbelik, came to farm in 1931. by Connie Korbelik KORDES, TONY AND ELTZABETH F383 Tony Kordes was born in St. Anthony, Indiana on September 5, 1878. His parents were Valentine and Phelomena Kordes. He moved to Nebraska in March of 1907. He farmed for an aunt and uncle for a while. Elizabeth Reining Kordes was born in Harvey and Connie Korbelik on their wedding day, October 29, 1960. Hawey Korbelik and Connie Still were married October 29, 1960. The sun was shining at the wedding but as they started on their honeymoon trip it began to snow, complete with white shoe polish whipping in the wing window off the car. Reaching Limon, the muffler fell off the car, there's Harv under the car trying to fix it. Back on the road again they were stopped by a patrolman for having a headlight out. They were maried five years or so before Connie realized Harvey could use some Ferdinand, Indiana on February 7, 1888 to Herman and Sophia Reining. It was in Lawrence, Nebraska that Tony and Elizabeth were married on February 16, 1909. They had six children. Tony did not have enough to farm in Nebraska so he sold the land he had there and moved to Colorado in 1930. They put everything they owned on a train and stayed in a hotel when they got to their new farm. He had bought 3 quarters for $30 an acre. There was lots ofland to rent and grandpa and the boys raised corn and feed for the cows and had lots of hogs. Before he came to Nebraska he worked in a foundry in Kentucky for a year. He played the harmonica in a band in Indiana but I don't remember him ever playing it for us profanity - or vise versa - raising pigs can do that! One sow they owned had a favorite trick of lifting the yard gate off its hinges and plowing up the lawn. Loading the fathogs can when we were growing up. In September of 1950 they sold their farm be a trying experience! around the house and her crocheting. I guess all the grandkids will always remember her most for her angel cookies, her flowers and her beautiful crocheting. Elizabeth died on July 22, 1985 at the age of 97. The last summer of her life she was still making fancy work for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Each great grandchild has at least They were blessed with three children, Susan, Bill, and Dave. Susan had a passion for her blanket as a child. If Connie tried to wash her favorite, Susan would be found under the clothesline - blanket in one hand and the other thumb in her mouth. The only child who had to be convinced that Linus (off of Charlie Brown) didn't really take his blanket to school! BiU is a goer. When he was two, he disappeared. Looking eve4mhere - checking stocktanks, creeks - no Bill - finally someone spotted Sparky, the family dog, in an adjoining sugar beet field. Heading in that direction, we found first one shoe, a sock, another shoe, another sock - as Billy had run out of them in the tailwater mud. About 3/t of the way across the field, there we found Bill. Had it not been for little Sparky's trick ofjumping straight up in the air, we would never have seen Bill in those towering beets! Dave, with the help of his much older brother and sister, developed an early use of words and questions. When he was first starting to talk, he was out helping Grandpa Korbelik fix pasture fence. Grandpa warned him to be careful of snakes. Davey replied, "Don't worry Grandpa, we've been over this 'territory'before." As a three year old, he also caught on to the phrase, "Dad, let's drag main!" Actually, it didn't work any better for Davey than it did for his brother and sister. Though there have been a few sorrows, including the loss of their daughter, Sharon, by Rose Korbelik parents, R.A. and Frieda Still, came here in 1923 and Harvey's grandparents, Emil and to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, there have been endless joys in their married life. They are both proud of having long time roots in Kit Carson County. Connie's grand- and moved to a new home in Stratton. Grandma kept busy with beautiful flowers one piece she made when she was 97 years old. Tony was the most perfect grandpa anyone could have. He loved to play with the grandkids, and I know we remember the hand clapping games he used to play. We never could get to be as fast as he was. I still remember the aroma of his pipes when you would come in. He walked downtown to play cards with his friends everyday, even when his rheumatism w{Nl hurting him very much. He always had a smile or was laughing about something. Until a week before he died he still was walking downtown to see his friends. He always had a pony beer before he walked home. Tony and Elizabeth attended Mass everyday or a communion service as long as they were able. Tony died in November 22, 1970 at the age of 92. He used to tell us grandkids that he would catch turtles of all sizes and make turtle soup. He always would tell us kids something and then laugh about it and we were never really sure whether to believe him or not. Grandpa and grandma celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with all the children and most all the grandkids there. Ferdie lives in Stratton. Sophie married Ervin Wolf and lives in Burlington, Colo. They have 6 boys. Delbert lives in Stratton and has 3 children. He married Wilma Schmidt Bruckner. Val lives in Stratton and �grass. Dad also farmed a quarter of wheat land for his dad and rented land from Pat Doughtery from Lincoln, Nebraska for many years. Denny (5-14-194f) is married to Kathleen Hoffman and they have4 kids, Scoot, Wendy, Kelly and Tony. Denny workg for IBM and lives in Denver. Betty (L-22-19,14) is married to Larry Brachtenbach and they had 3 children, Laura, Dee and Matthew. Laura and Dee died as young girls. They farm in the Stratton alea. Beverly (L-26-L947) ig married to Gene Beattie and they have 2 children, Troy and Aaron. They live in Seattle, Washington. Patsy (8-13-1951) ie married to Mike Eieenbad and they have 4 children, Brandy, Clint, Ryan and Jill. They farm in the Stratton area. Valerie (7-21-1955) is married to Ron Thyne and they have 4 children, Denise, Ronda, Clay and B.J. (Bradley). They live in and work in Wray, Colorado. We had a good life on the farm when we Tony and Elizabeth Kordes at their 50th wedding anniversary, L to R: Ferdie, Val, Del, Tony, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Sophie and Joe. has 5 children. He maried Leona Huppert. Dorothy lives in Denver and has 4 children. She maried Richard Schreiner. Joe lives in Goodland, Kansas. The family that still lives in Kit Carson County are Ferdie, Sophie, Val and Del. Grandchildren are Larry Wolf, Jerry Wolf, Patsy Eisenbart and Betty Jean Brachtenbach and their children. Grandpa was really a hard worker and the age of 70 would come out and help my dad shock feed and could stay way ahead of everyone else helping. by Betty Jean Brachtenbach KORDES, VAL AND LEONA F384 My mother and dad both moved to Kit Carson County from Nebraska. Dad came from Lawrence, Nebraska in 1930. He was born January 27, 19L4. His parents were Tony and Elizabeth Kordes. He has two gigters and three brothers. My mother, Leona Huppert Kordes, was born on May 25, l9L4 in Blue Hill, Nebraska. She came to Stratton with her father and brothers and sisters in June, 1923. Her mother had passed away in August of L922, from sugar diabetes. There were two boys and 9 girls in her family. She attended St. Charles grade school and to the tenth grade in high school. Her father died in 1926 after they had been here three years. Mother and Dad were married in January 16, 1940 in St. Charles Catholic Church. They moved to a farm west of Stratton and rented it from Fritz Kruse. Their son, Denny and daughter, Betty Jean, were born while living there. They then bought a farm from Dick Kruse northwest of Stratton. They raised wheat, corn, feed and had cattle and hogs. Three more daughters wete born, Beverly, Patsy and Valerie. Dad bought five more quarters west of their home place. It was farm ground and some grass. Eventually he broke it all out and raised wheat. All of us took our turn running the tractor for Dad and helping with the gummer work. Dad and Uncle Ferdie worked together on some of their farming. My dad has always been an avid card player and likes nothing better than to get into a good challenging card game. He also enjoys very much the greyhound dog races. He also likes to travel whenever he gets a chance to. Dad always tried to teach us kids the true value of a friend. Mother is always happy at home doing her fancywork or just making a home for all of us to come to. She is a very important part of the ladies sewing circle at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton and has quilted on Wednesday afternoons at the church hall for many years. She also helps arrange the Taken at Val Kordes' place the day of grandma's funeral. Back row: Denny, Beverly. Front row: Mom, Betty, Patsy, and Valerie. flowers for the altar every week. In 1980, they sold the home place to Terry and Shelly Hornung and moved to Stratton into a new home. They enjoy living in town and having friends drop in and being so close to church. After they moved to town Dad rented the rest of the land out to Patsy Eisenbart and her husband Mike. In 1986 he began to sign it all up into the conservation reserve progrnm and is drilling it all back to were growing up. Even when times were hard somehow Mom and Dad seemed to make holidays special. They gave us a set of values that we have been able to call on during our lives. We will always be forever grateful for our parents. by Betty Jean Brachtenbach KOUNTZ FAMILY F386 James R. Kountz, wife Emma and three daughters, Hazel, Betty, and Pauline, moved to Kit Carson County in 1920. They were late arrivers but still found many hardships. Mr. Kountz visited the county the summer of 1919 and found such relief from his hay fever and asthma that he purchased a ranch 15 miles south of Flagler, consisting of a four room house and small horse barn and a good well. He returned to Crawford County, Kansas, sold most of his livestock and prepared to move. In March of 1920, he loaded his horses, Model T. Ford, and family and moved to the southwest corner of Kit Carson County. He soon found that the Model T Ford could not get over the hill at the "brakes" south of Flagler except in reverse, so until the road was changed, they backed over the hill. Shortly after arriving and getting settled, he went to Denver to purchase cattle and in a few days returned home with a herd of sheep. This was a profound shock to his family. By fall, he had built a sheep shed and suitable corrals to handle sheep. Through the years he algo accumulated a small herd of cattle, two more daughters and two sons Allie Jo, June, James R., and Richard - Hazel and Betty started school at Texarado school, about 3 miles across the prairie from their home and one by one all the children attended this country school. For many years, a herd of wild horses many of them locoed, tore up fences and watering tanks. During the depression and drought these disappeared but the Kountz's prospered and remained on the ranch. Through drought, grasshoppers, hail, and severe winters, Mr. Kountz continued to love Colorado. Many hired men and sheep herders �later, his health failing and age a handicap, he eold his livestock and moved to Seibert where he passed away in 1947. by clune Pottorff KRAMER STAHLECKER FAMILY Lutheran Church. We are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Bill served on the church board for five years as V. Chairman in the late 1950's. Theresia taught Sunday School for many years and also served as Tri-State Conference A.L.C.W. Sec. of Education for one term beginning in 1967. Theresia also is active in her local A.L.C.W., serving as an officer through the years. In 1969, she had a heart attack, While the kids were home, Bill and Theresia were leaders for the Settlement 4-H Club. We are active Farm F386 Bureau members, attending the Settlement Farm Bureau Community organization until it was disbanded. We always had a Christmag progrrm with skits and "readings", singing and treats. Theresia performed many humerous readings and skits for her community and church. In 1981, Theresia was selected as Kit Carson county "Heart Mother of the year". In 1983, Theresiawas asked to prepare the program for Church Women United. Theresia and sisters Martha and Lydia wrote their families'story about the Stahlecker and Dobler families. by Theresia Kramer The Bill and Theresia Kramer farm north of Bethune, Colorado showing Bill and his tenm of Mules, Jack and Jerry. KREOGER FAMILY F387 Louis Kreoger was born on November 21, 1881 in Smith County, Kansas, in a dugout. The water in Kansas was poor and scatce, so in 1902 Louis cnme to Colorado with his dad, \{illinm, and his brother Charles. They drove their cattle and brought all of their belong- ings, including their dog. They lived in a dugout northeast of Burlington for a while, and William eventually bought a farm nearby with a sod house on it. Lou homesteaded some land on the Repub- lican River near Hale, Colo. He did this because it was easier to raise good hay on the river bottom, and they hauled the hay with a teem and wagon back to the farm northeast September, 1985, the new home of BiIl and Theresia Krn-er north of Bethune, Colorado. This house replaces the home that burned on April 13, 1985. William (Bill) Kramer and Theresia Stahlecker were married in 1928, at Mosca, Colorado. "The boys ceme and got us girls back to Bethune." Bill bought the Reinhold Weiss homestead in the mid'20s. We lived in the small house with 2 rooms down stairs and 2 attic rooms up stairs for 19 years. InL947, we felt we could build a bigger house that we are still living in now. We have lived on the snme farm all our married life. This house burned to the ground on April 13, 1985, due to a gas leak. Everything was lost except the clothes on our backe. A new home was built on the old site and we moved in on September 22 the same year. We have three children, Norman who married Betty Lillich, Irene who married Gilbert Hilt, and Doris who married George Bartchenger. We had our good years and bad years. In the dirty thirties and again in the fifties we were back eating jackrabbits and beans, grinding our own wheat and corn, picking up cow chips to burn and carrying out ashes. We got electricity in 1949 and 1950. This was a real blessing. In 1978, we celebrated our fiftieth Wedding anniversary at Immanuel of Burlington for the cattle and horses. On April 20, 1909, Lou manied Mary Ann Broadsword, born February 28, 1885. They lived on the snme place with Lou's father for a while. Lou and Mary lived in the sod house and his father, William, moved in a small green frame house to live in. Two sons were born to Lou and Mary in that sod house. Carl was born March 7,tglz, and Julian was born September 20, L914. Later they built a frame house where they lived for several years. In 1925 Lou bought a place 13 7z miles north of Burlington along what is now Highway 385. In 1926 Lou moved his family there. He and hig wife Mary lived there for about forty years. Lou farmed and raised cattle until he was about 80 years old. In 1965 Lou and Mary moved to town and lived in Grace Manor because of failing health. They had a lot of good years mixed in with bad ones of hail, drought, grasshoppers and such. They made it through the hard years of the 30's and the 50's. Louis Kreoger died on April 15, 1968 at the age of 86. Mary Broadsword Kreoger died on July 4, L977 at the age of 92. Carl and Julian farmed with their father, and in spare time and lean times they also worked outsome. Julianworked in ldaho four different summers. They both worked for other farmers in the area from time to time. Carl and Julian were both in the army during WWII. Carl was in the Pacific, spending some time in the Phillipines. Julian start€d out in North Africa and worked his way north to Germany. After the army Julian moved to Denver where he married Helen Pitt in 1951. He worked for Gates for a while, then International, and finally the Post Office, where he remained until he retired due to his health. Julian died in July of 197?. Carl remained in Kit Carson County and on March L, L952, he married Doris Keeler, born December 8, 1920. Doris had been teaching at the Broadsword School 14 miles north of Burlington. They moved to a farm 12 miles north of Burlington where Carl farmed for many years. Carl and Doris had two daughters. Margaret was born September 20, 1954, and Marilyn was born October 16, 1956. Margaret moved to Denver where she married Tim McCandlegs in 1977. Theyhave two sons, Danny and Kevin. Marilyn remained in Kit Carson County and took over the family farm in 1979 when Carl and Doris moved to town and semiretired. Carl still stayed active in farming, helping his daughter keep things running. In 1983 Marilyn married Roy Schlichenmayer and they are now engaged in farming north of Burlington and also north of Bethune. by Marilyn Kreoger Schlichenmayer KREOGER FAMILY F388 William Kreoger was born September 5, 1854, at Starr Garr, Germany. He was the youngest of the family of three, his parents passing away when he was around 8 years of age. In L872, he cnme to America aboard a ship as a stowaway, landing in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. In 1878, he moved to Smith County Kansas near Kirwin, where he took a homestead. He married Emma Hoft in 1879. to this union three children were born in a dug out, Louis in 1881, Charles in 18&1, and Louisa in 1888. Emma died at the birth of Louisa and three months later Louisa died. Emma had a daughter from a previous marriage, Katherine Coles. Katherine received a head injury from a pump handle accident after she was grown, and later was entered in the State Mentd Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. William continued caring for her until her death in 1945. In 1889, he married Elizabeth Penicost and in 1896 she died. After the death of his wife and with a desire to find better water, he and his sons came to Colorado in 1902, and settled 14 miles northeast of Burlington, where they lived in a dug out for several years. Later he bought adjoining land with a sod house and other improvements. He with his two sons drove their herd of cattle out from Kansas (200 miles). In later years he sold his cattle herd to his sons, who then developed a Black Angus herd. Louis and Charles held a cattle partnership for 64 years. Having disposed of his herd, and to supplement his income, he ran a medicine wagon selling Baker Products. His route covered the area north ofBethune and ldalia, and many a night was spent at his customer's �Coop which was located at the north end of Main Street. Shoveling coal was his main task. He also worked for his sister, M5rrtle, and husband, Tom Hall,61 ths llalls Hatchery. Maybe this is why he never was fond of chickens while I was growing up. Bill was offered a football scholarship to CU at Boulder, but was unable to take advantage of it because he was needed on the farm. He graduated in 1938. On July 22, 1945, he married Helen Charlotte Wilson, from near Lindon, Colo- rado, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington. To this union were born two This was taken for Charles and Ethel Pearls Kreoger 40th Wedding Anniversar5r. Back row: M5ntle Kreoger HalI, Ethel Kreoger Stewart, William C. Kreoger, Ella Kreoger Runge, Eilene Kreoger Lightle. Front row: Charles and Ethel Pearl Kreoger. home. He helped otganize the Equity at Burlington and was a charter members. He played an accordian and played for many a dance. He told of early dances where there were very few women, so the men tied ribbons on their sleeves and danced as women. The women that were there were very tired as they never got to sit a dance out. He endured many hardships, but there were good times too, and he lived to be almost 98 years old. Louis was married to Mary Ann Broadsword, April 20, 1909, and lived most of their lives on a farm north of Burlington. Two sons were born to this union, Carl and Julian. Charles was married to Ethel Pearl Inman, October 7, 1908, at Goff, Colorado, by H.A. Rankin, Justice of the Peace. Charles had homesteaded the quarter of land with the dug out when he became of age. A few years later the second homestead act came out and he homesteaded an adjoining quart€r of land. Here he built a two room frame building which they lived in until they could build a sod house. The sod house had three rooms with plaster on the walls. The Goff post office was at this site for a short time. For several years after the post office was moved, they would find coins in the dirt where they had fallen through the wood floor. About 1925, they built a modern frame house which they lived the remainder of their lives in. Claude Hall did the carpenter work. age 20 died in 1930, Ethel died in 1974, was married to Calvin Stewart, Myrtle married Thomas Hall and resides in Kennewick, Washington, William died in 1984, was married to Helen Wilson, Ella died in 1972, was married to Harvey Runge, Eilene was married to Harold J. Lightle, June 8, 1956, and stiU resides on the old homestead. In 1976 a new house was built and the old frame house moved to Bethune. Harold and Eilene had two sons, James and Jerry who were raised on the old homestead. Eilene Lightle passed away on September 26, 1985. by Eilene Kroeger Lightle children, Katherine Mar5l, on March 25, 1949, and Charles Louis, on August 29, 1951. Their first home was on the farm ofhis grandfather, William Kreoger. In 1950, they built a brick home on the land they had purchased from Frank Moose. Thiswas one andone half miles west of their first home. During their early years of marriage, Helen taught school in Kanorado, Kansas, Hale, Colorado, and Broadsword School. They also ran the dance hall and were the owners of the town of Hale, Colorado, from the spring of 1946 to November of 1948. At the dance hall, Bill was his own bouncer. Helen helped run the concession stand and was the postmaster. Being an adventurous person, Bill drilled one of the first deep irrigation wells north of town. This well later led to two more and convincing his father, Charles, that he needed one. He enjoyed collecting and restoring antique tractors. Bill's life centered around his family and doing for others. He helped to organize the Kit Carson County Association for Retarded Citizens, which later led to the development and incorporation ofthe East Central Activities Center. He served on numerous local, state and national committees and offices for the retarded citizens. Recognition csme his way from several Colorado Governors for work with the retarded, and from the Colo- rado Association for Retarded Citizens as outstanding contributor to the handicapped. Helen has taught Special Education in elementar5r and secondary levels for the past seventeen years. KREOGER, WILLIAM c. F389 William Charles Wilbert Kreoger was born in a sodhouse, on the homestead of his parents, Charles and Ethel Pearl Inman Kreoger, on September 13, 1920, 14 miles north and 2 miles east of Burlington. He farmed many years with his father using horses and later they used a Farmall tractor with lugs. As a young boy he trained his Bill and Helen were members of the First Christian Church, where he served as elder, both were 4-H leaders, and members of the Rebeka Lodge. Bill joined the I.O.O.F. Lodge nearly fifty years ago so that he could take his Grandfather to the meetings. He served as secretary ofthe Broadsword School Board for seventeen years. In August of L974, Bill and Helen, built a brick home and moved to Burlington. Their daughter, Katherine, and husband Richard Lundien, now live on the homeplace north of Burlington. They have three daughters, Katrina Marie, born December 27, 1973, in favorite dog to pull his wagon. During his early years at the Broadsword School he often told how his older sisters, Meade, Kansas, Annea Jane, born May 28, 1978, in Burlington, and Rylana Lydia, born March 12, 1982, in Burlington. On September Ethel, Pearl's mother, Martha and stepfather, Aaron Gaines, came to Colorado in 1907, and homest€aded a quarter of land a Ethel and Myrtle, would bundle him up, place him in the bottom of the buggy and cover his head with a blanket. It was the 30, 1984, Bill passed away. mile northeast of Charles' place. Aaron never covering ofthe head that made him unhappy. proved up on his homestead and left in 1908, Tbo years of High School were spent at moving to Republican City, Nebraska, and Happy Hollow School. He and Dale Guffy would ride their horses across country to the school. Burlington High School was the site eventually back to Kirwin, Kansas. Charles farmed until he was 80 years old and his eyes began to fail him. He enjoyed farming the land and had a special feel for his cattle. He and Pearl were married 59 years. There were six children in the familu Cecil, of his last two years and his main extracurricular interest was playing on the football team that went to the state playoffs. To earn his room and board he worked at the Equity by Katherine Lundien �The Kruse's, Dick and Margaret, were the parents of Fritz, Peter, Elmer, Hilda and Lilah. They moved to Stratton, Colorado, from the Syracuse, Nebraska, area in March, L926. Elmer, Matilda and son Keith moved to Stratton, Colorado, in March, 1932. Dick and son Peter managed a meat market in Stratton. After the death of his brother, Peter, Elner helped his father in the meat market and also worked for his brother Fritz in the filling station. Fritz had come to Stratton in 1919 and first farmed; later he operated a filling station and was a substitute rural mail carier. Elmer and Tillie in their later years worked in the Stratton post office as clerks. Their son, Keith, graduated from Stratton High School in 1946. He and his family reside in Omaha, Nebraska, where he teaches school. Four generations taken in 1951. L. to R.: Willinm C. Kreoger, Katherine Kroeger Lundien, Charles Kreoger, William Kreoger and Charles Louis Kreoger. KRUSE FAMILY Nebraska, where she now lives. Dad has F39O passed on. The exodus of the Kruse family from Nebraska started when my uncle Fritz Kruse and another uncle, John Harms, migrated to Colorado to farm and raise wheat as wheat prices after the first World War were high. They farmed ground on what later was the George Leoffler farm. In 1926 my grandparents, Johann Dietrich (Dick) and Margaret Kruse moved to Stratton because my grandmother had asthma which could be somewhat alleviated with the drier climate. Moving with them were my uncle Pete and aunts Lilah and Hilda. My After retiring from the post office Elmer and Tillie remained in Stratton until poor health prevailed, and they felt a move back to Nebraska closer to their son would be wise. They chose Syracuse as their home. Elmer passed away March 15, 1986. Tillie stil resides in their home in Svracuse. Nebraska. by Tillie Kruse by Keith Kruse KRUSE, DICK FAMILY KUEKER, ELMER F392 F391 uncle Pete and grandfather then start€d a slaughterhouse and meat market which was open until about 1934. Their slaughterhouse was on a sit€ which was close to the place where Jim and Susie Carnathan nowlive weet of town. My aunt Hilda was in high school and aunt Lilah etill was in grade school in 1926. Hilda married George Claussen and lived on a farm somewhat north of Stratton. thig was the farm where Valley Kordes lived after the Claussens moved to Loveland in the 1940's. My Aunt Lilah graduated from high school in 1934 and was on the famous high Elmer C. Kruee, P.O. mail clerk, November, 1971 school girls'basketball team that I think was state chempions and even defeated gome semi-professional teams from Denver and Kansas City. As I recall from stories, Stella Sholes was the super star of the tenm. Another star player was Helen Bardwell. My aunt Lilah married Wayne Campbell. Neither of the aunts had any children. My uncle Pete died in 1932 and my aunt Lilah died in Elmer Kueker 1953. My parents moved to Colorado in 1932. Dad start€d working with his brothers, operating the meat market and slaugherhouse. In the mid-thirties Fritz and Dad opened a service station and fuel delivery Elmer F. Kueker came to Colorado with his parents, Henry and Bertha, brother Arthur and sisters, Ella, Ester and Clara. Sister Adela died. They cnme to Colorado in 1915. In 1917 the family moved to the Flagler area. Children attended a country school over the service. Dad started working with the postal service in 1940. I graduated from Stratton High School in 1946. I worked for Roy and Gladys Herberger at the Stratton Press for one year and then left to work for the Goodland Daily News. My father and mother moved to Syracuse, line in Lincoln County. Elmer worked for Matilda H. Kruse, P.O. Clerk, November, 1971 others, a necessity to survive in this early day; one employer was the Reece family south of Flagler, where he attended school at Second Central for a time. Ebner was confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church on June 15, 1919 at Flagler by Pastor Bierwagen. In 1919 the �family moved to Southern Colorado, return- ing to the Flagler area in 1924. When the family returned to Flagler, Elmer then attended Flagler High School, where he graduated in 1927. He was a valued tackle on the football tenm and served as class presi- dent in his sophomore and junior years, writing the class prophecy for his graduating class. Elmer attended Concordia College in Sew- ard, Nebraska for a year. On January 12, 1938, Elmer married Natalie Blanken in the parsonage at Arriba, Colorado. Two children, Lawrence and Lucille were born, both dying at an early age. Natalie gave loving care to her aging parents and after their passing, Elner Association. Elmer was a Kit Carson County Commis- sioner in 1959 when a new grandstand was dedicated at the Kit Carson fair grounds. Elmer served faithfully as a county commissioner, representing the county at many meetings taking him far from home and conducted his share of direction of county business to the best of his ability. For many years, Elmer worked to have the State of Colorado assume care of Hwe. 59, becoming a reality just now in 1987. Elmer and "Tollie" moved to Flagler when his health began to fail, ending many years of farming northwest of Flagler. and Natalie occupied the D.F. Blanken homestead, where they lived until retirement when they moved to Flagler. The bitterness of World War II was felt in the Kueker family when Elner's brother, Arthur, lost his life on the coast of France on June 14, 1944. He had enlisted in the army in March, 1942 shortly after the war started. He was a member of the 90th. Divieion. Elmer was vitally interested in affairs of the communityand county, giving aid to most who required his help. Through this unselfish part of his nature, he served the community in many ways. He eerved as president of the Zion Lutheran Congregation for 24 years. He served ae a 4-H Club leader for 14 years, served as a board member of the Flagler Farmers Cooperative Association, often as president, for 24 years. He was elected County Commissioner for his district by his friends, neighbors and electorate, serving faitMully in this capacity for 12 years. In the early 40's, Elmer saw a need and started working toward getting electrical posrer for rural communities. Working through the Flagler Farm Bureau in 1942, a need for such an improvement of rural living was discussed. A committee consisting of Elmer Kueker, Arthur Gaines and Roy Bader were appointed by the Kit Carson County Farm Bureau to look into the possibility of obtaining this service for the area. Much work went into the promotion of electrical power and in 1945, a "sign up" time was reached. Elmer was elected secretary-treasurer on the board of directors of the local REA. When K.C. Electric was organized in 1948, Ebner continued in this capacity. At this time, Elmer wrote a check, which was probably the largest ever written for K.C. Electric in the nmount of $550,000.00 for the purchase of Inland Utilities distribution system in Lincoln, Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties. Elmer continued to serve on this board for many year8. Elner served on the board of directors of the Colorado REA, as vice president in 1954 and '55 and as president in 1957, perhaps serving other years not known. When the hospital was built in Burlington, working through the Farm Bureau, Elmer helped promote a progrnm of donated wheat to aid in financing the building. Other organizations participated in this program. Since the largeet donation ca-e from the Farm Bueau, this organization was requested to be present at the laying of the corner etone. Elmer attended this event and an open house at the hospital in 1968. Promotion of FFA in the Flagler School system was another of Elner's interests. This has become a vital part of the school system. He as also active in the Colorado Shorthorn the Flagler Country Club. For the past twelve years he has been a 4-H leader. He is a member of the Lutheran church and serves as superintendent of the Sunday school at Flagler. Mr. Kueker has been very active throughout the years in community and school affairs, and his nnme has been synony- mous with progress and community improvements. by.Ianice Salmane KUKUK, F. \ry. by Lyle W. Stone F394 F.W. Kukuk was born Aug., 1876, and died June 10, 1936. He was born in Germany, a son KUEKER, ELMER FREDRICK F393 Elmer Kueker, one of the leading farmers and ranchers of Flagler, is owner of the KarLyn Farm. Mr. Kueker specializes in Shorthorn cattle, nearly all registered, and raises hogs for sale and home use. His brand is Reverse K Slash Reverse L. Some years ago, Mr. Kueker went into the egg production business and had three thousand DeKalb laying hens, all housed and individually caged. Eggs are shipped to the Denver Market. Mr. Kueker came to Kit Carson County at the age of nine years with his parents, who rented several farms in the area. He went into farming on his own in 1938 when he bought his present place. About half his farm is in pasture and the balance planted in wheat. Ehner Kueker was born on November 14, of Fred William and Carolyn (Boehm) Kukuk. In 1906, he came to Colorado, settling on a homestead southeast of Burlington. He lived there until 1913, when he moved to town and built the blacksmith shop. He also ovmed the lease on Sunset Camp, at the southwest corner of town. During his residence in Burlington, he served the town as mayor, and councilman, and gave honest efficient service throughout the years. by Janice Salmans KVESTAD, BIRGE F396 1905, in Red Bud, Illinois, to Henry and Bertha Hartman Kueker. His parents were married in Illinois. Ebner attended public schools in Kit Careon County. He married Mise Natalie A. Blancken, the daughter of D.F. and Marie Eisenberg Blancken. Mrs. Kueker's parents were married in Missouri and homesteaded the present Kueker farm in 1903. Here Mr. and Mre. Blancken reared their nine children, three of whom still live in the area. Mr. Blancken engaged in the cattle bueinese. His brand was L Cross H. Mrs. Kueker, recalls that early cattle shippers made her parent's ranch their headquarters when bringing cattle from outlying districts. From here they took their cattle to the railroad station at Flagler for shipping. Mr. and Mrs. Kueker have no children. Elmer Kueker has served as county commissioner for three years. He was instrumen- tal in organizing the Rural Electrification Asgociation in Kit Carson County and has served on its board since its inception. He is a member and former president of the Colorado Rural Electrification Association and a member of the Farm Bureau. He has served for the past five years on the board of the Flagler Farmers Co-operative Association and helped organized the Flagler Rural Fire Department in 1947. This is said to be one of the first rural fire depadments to be organized in the state of Colorado. He is a member of the Colorado Cattlemens Association, Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association, Flagler Soil Conservation Board, and Mr. Bert Kvegtad. In Memory of Birge Kvestad, commonly known as Bert was born April 25, 1886 in Noaa Hardanger Norway, to his parents Ommund and Synva Noaa Kvestad. Bert came to Anerica in 1903 making his home in Iowa for five years then moving to Vona, Colo. here he homesteaded in 1908. Bert was united in Holy Matrimony to Roxie Orcena Gray, April 12,L924 by Rev. W.T. Gatley in the Methodist Church in Burlington, Co. They made their home on the �l,':lil r'i]::t:',tl KYLE - RIESBERG FAMILY 1ir,.111 ;:; :lt:.]:l;::l. ',:il ' ,i:llir il. ,:U:ii, :t:: .ia'f F396 .. ,:1.:r.'rril,. ,:,,: .:.:aai:..:,: ... ...: :',:.ra.,:.. "' ,l :,."';lrl' ' ::a:a:, tr,,,.'i':r'" :1.'.',,tt'' rrtll'l :l.1rl a::i .:t1,1 ::ll:1 ,tli:: Bert Kvestad's homestead in the fall of 1909. Rocking K Herford Ranch, north of Vona until Roxie passed away on July 10, 1956. In the spring of 1957 Bert sold the ranch to the Harris Brothers, and taking his car he returned to Norway to visit relatives and friends. He traveled on the ship Oslofjord Den Norske Amerikalinje (The Norwegian American Line). Following is an excerpt from his own words in a Dairy: "I remember just before our ship left New York - there was a lot of hustle and bustle and moet of the passengers throwed thousands of colors "Streamers" to the relatives, friends or wellwishers on the pier below. So it looked as our ship was "Spider Bound" in colors. Sure pretty and very impressive. Then as the ships motors started and the tugboats begun to pull and push - the ships band played 'The Star Spangled Banner'and after we was out from the pier and turned out the band struck up 'Ja Vi elsker ditta Londe'- It was all so fittin we floated right past the and trilling - and asI could see as well as feel Statue of Liberty, going home for some the queer emotions Leaving home for- others. I remembered -when the big ship "Titanic" went down (In 19f2) with 1,513 lives - it was one of the biggest tragedies of all times. - We also bought a big book and later saw a motion picture show on this sinking, So I have a "Deep" feeling on this matter. - I inquired if we would go near the fatal "Spot" - Oh yes - said the officer - The Spot is marked we got quite close and we will let you know. It was Iater in the afternoon when we heard the Fatal Spot. A quarter or half a mile to our left - I was on the top deck the weather was cloudy windy blustry rough sea and bitter I looked at the spot no humans cold And- as we passed, (almost) I could hear the Titanic's band playrng 'Nearer My God To Thee'- and as we sailed into the their cries for help could-last long out there dark night - just ahead. Life aboard was most interesting and well organized, we had church - Picture shows - dancing Coming home we missed a hurricane -by 10 mi. it rolled some out of their beds - but I really wished we had come closer - we might got a real triller out of it. There was "Only" three meals, each one an Event yes - they in itself with every thing - atOh4:30 P.M. in served coffee and "Bullion" the Garden Lounge. There was flowers and plants all around so it looked like a city park. The coffee was awful strong so I put in a "Liberal" amount of sugar and a lot of thick cream, The Bullion was nothing but a sickly looking greasy water with a few tears floating on top. One evening my waiter come with a I looked Lobster on a fine big Silver Tray - and ugly at them large claws and long legs head and body, but the waitcr said "This is food for the Gods" So I tried to eat some but it was the worst I ever tasted and I said "I am not dead yet take it away" later I found out that Russian Caviar was no better. I hope you enjoyed this little voyage with me." Bert then returned to American in October 1957 and moved to Stratton, Co. where he lived until 1975. Then due to failing health he could no longer live by himself. Bert chose to live with his friends Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Malone. They made their home in Denver, Co. for the summer of 1975 and moved back Loyal and Emma Kyle. It was the year 1918 when three Kyle brothers Thomas, Charles and Loyal came to Flagler, Colo. from a homestead south of Kimball, Nebraska, to make their homes north of Flagler. Thomas was a bachelor and remained so all his life. He had been in the Flagler area earlier when he homesteaded in the Shiloh community, sold it and returned to Kimball. Charles crme as a single man and later married Rachael Hardwood. Loyal came with his wife Emma, whom he met at a dance in a little school house and married Sept. 27, 1913 at Kimball, Nebraska and it is these two people, my parents I will write about. Loyal was born July 16, 1890, in Frontier County, Nebraska to Alexander and Theresa Kyle, and Emma Riesberg was born Nov. 22, 1893 at the now historical site of Pawnee Buttes in Weld County, Colo. to Frederick and Mary Riesberg, her parents who had come from Germany. Loyal and Emma decided to come to Flagler in April 1918, Loyal driving a four horse drawn wagon loaded with their belong- to Stratton for the winter of 1975-76. Bert then spent his last eight months at the ings to a place approximately 16 miles northeast of Flagler. Emma with two little Burlington Rest Home. He went home to be with the Lord, March 18, 1977 while at the Kit Carson Memorial Hospital in Burlington. He had attained the age of 90 years, 10 girls, Mamie age three and Mildred age one, came in a model-T driven by a 14 year old months, and 21 days. by Janice Salmans neighbor boy a few days later. Loyal had drawn a map for them but when they went to cross the Arickaree Rivet they got stuck in the sand, finally got backed up and Emma sat the two little girls on the bank and spread out blankets she had brought along and they got across. Loyal returned to Kimball on horseback to bring a herd of horses. He got back with the horses only to have them get away during the night and he was never able to find them. In 1922 they bought unimproved land 13 miles northeast of Flagler and built a small �cement house and barn. The family in a few years needed more room so a basement house was built, all the neighbors helping. They worked long hard hours struggling to provide for their family, farming with horses, fighting the grasshoppers and the blowing dirt, picking up cow chips to burn in the stove, washing clothes on a washboard, but as time went on progress was made and a tractor and machinery purchased, a new house was built and rural electricity available. Loyal had worked in the 1930's during the real depression years for W.P.A. which was a govern- ment progrnm that built bridges, da-s, buildings, etc. He was in a cave-in on one of the dems; he did survive from a broken back; he lay many months in a full body cast. These were probably the most difficult years for the family, the dirt blowing so bad that Emma would hang wet sheets over the windows to try and prevent dust in the room for those that were ill with pneumonia. Millie and I did finish, I graduated in 1926, and she in 1929. Millie is retired from the telephone service having 55 years of service. She is a golfer and enjoys living in Escondido, Calif. I worked for the telephone 18 years and finally retired to get married. Art and I were married on April 5,L942,so we will be having our 45th wedding anniversary this year. We both belong to the Trinity Lutheran Church on Seventh Street and try to be as active as we can. by Mrs. Arthur J. Lange LANGENDOERFER, ERNEST F398 There were eight children in the family, Mamie, Mildred,Evelyn, Lois, Robert, Thomas, Kathryne, and Imogene. All the children attended school thru the eighth grade at Liberty which was a half mile north of the farm. It was at the school where "Lit€raries" were held, people in the community putting on plays, singing,jigging, rattling bones, playing musical instruments, giving readings or sharing some talent they had. Other social things in the community were box and pie suppers, ball gamsg and going to someone's house for Sunday dinner. The teacher of the school usually stayed at the Kyle home since she could walk to school and get the fire started each morning. Loyal and Emma retired from the farm in 1955 and moved to a home in Flagler. Loyal became ill in 1960 and was in ill health until 1967 when he died. Emma was confined to a wheelchair the last few years of her life with arthritis and she died in 1977. Their son Thomas (Tom) and wife Delores now live on the farm. by Kathryne Daniel LANGE FAMILY Ernie was born on his family's homestead 5 miles west of Idalia in 1917. His descendants were from Weingarten, Germany, and settled in Missouri in the early 1800's. His grandparents homesteaded south of Idalia in 1887. His parents, William and Mnmie (Helling) Langendoerfer had three sons: Harold, Ernie, and Alvin; one daughter, Florence, and raised an "adopted" cousin, Stan Voss, orphaned by the flu epidemic of 1918. The fanily raised wheat'and hauled it to Burlington to sell. It took one day to prepare the wagon for the trip, one day to go and one day to come home. The wagon hauled 55 bushels ofwheat. In 1925, the Langendoer- fers bought a Ford Model-T Truck, which also canied only 55 bushels of wheat, but at a speed of 25 MPH on the level and 5 MPH on the hills, they could make three trips to Burlington in one day, quite an advantage over the tenm and wagon. Ernie married Hazel Homm in 1941 and together they ran a general store in ldalia before moving to the Bar-T ranch in 1943. His father had purchased 2080 acres from Bertha M. Bently, a wealthy Nebraska investor, for $4.00 an acre in 1939. The Republican River bottom land had been heavily damaged in the 1935 flood, which contributed to its depres- F397 Bart and Emily Rice Hoschouer cnme from Friend, Nebr. to Colorado in 1900. They homesteaded southeast of Holyoke, Colo. in Phillips County. They built a two room sod house and other buildings. Dad farmed corn, and wheat. There was a lot of free prairie in those days and we always had cattle. We had many prairie fires, sand storms, rattlesnakes (lots of them), and a tornado once in a while, to say nothing of the blizzards. It was rough going as my mother and dad worked hard. We would pick up the most anowheads and there was a large bucket we'd throw them in. When we sold the farm, we left the anow heads. I have regretted that many times. My dad always said he wanted to have a good education for his family, so we cnme to Burlington. We lived in the house where the late Mable Parkes lived. We later bought a home in east Burlington. My oldest sister, Sylvia eloped with her boy friend and lived in Nebr. Albert quit school and found a job on a farm. Clifford, Clarence, and Glen did get to junior class, then quit and found jobs. sed value. Dad and Mother began by repairing and rebuilding the ranch. The one-room bunk house served as their first home until they built a ranch house the following year. They rebuilt a cattle shed that had burned down, moved in a large barn, built corrals and fences to accommodate the 100 head of cattle they acquired to start their business. They began farming 25 acres of dryland feed, hayed the salvagable meadows for winter feed, and cleaned flood-stricken land oftrash to regen- erate growth. They bred with registered Hereford bulls and saved the quality replace- ment heifers to build their cattle herd. In 1952 they drilled one of Kit Carson County's first irrigation wells and went from farming 30 acres of poor dryJand corn to 300 acres of top producing irrigated corn. Dad told folks he raised "corn, cattle, and kids" on his ranch. The three daughters, Sharon, Beverly, and Sandra were born between 1944 and 1948. Having no sons in the family, we all were enlisted to help with the work, but Mother worked side by side with him. Dad kept a hired family all the time and had neighbors help at roundup and haying time, the big events of the year. We bought and built a sheep herd in the 50's, but bobcats became a vicious predator, killing a large number of the herd. Friends and neighbors hunted and killed the wild animals over a few years time, but not before we were forced to sell the surviving part of the herd. By early 1960's we had &illed three irrigation wells, and broke out 200 acres of pasture land, infested with soap weed, to plant irrigated grass. It was an innovative idea that later became popular for heavy cattle grazing. We also began to cross-breed our Herefords to Shorthorn and Angus bulls. We saw positive results in the feedlot performarce of those cattle. Soil conservation was important to Dad. He put in dnms and terraces and worked at the projects faithfully. He and I would ride the ranch to check cattle and the dams. He was faithful and meticulous about greasing windmills, filling backscratchers, and providing salt for the cattle. In 1971 Dad and Mother moved to a new home they built just outside of Burlington, and Dad became active in feedlot and salebarn management. They sold the ranch to my husband and me, and Dad bought and sold cattle. He always laughing called himself a "bullshipper". He was a devoted Christian who took time to live and grow in his faith. He taught us to trust God's timing for our lives. He died of a heart attack in 1986, and we know it was in God's perfect timing. by Sandee Strobel, daughter LAVINGTON, WILLIAM IT. F399 During the latter part of the nineteenth century stories of gainful opportunities and adventure began to reach the eastern part of the United States. Those stories appealed strongly to ambitious, restless young men. One of these young men was my father, William Henry Lavington. He was born March 5, 1859, near Liverpool, New York, the son of Charles C. Lavington and Elizabeth Price Lavington. He was educated in the Syracuse, New York, area and atten{ed Fulton Academy. About 1881, at the age of 22, my father decided to move west and seek his fortune. He arrived in Fremont, Nebraska, where he farmed for 2 years. Following this he settled near Kearney, Nebraska, and spent three more years farming and teaching school. by then he had accumulated enough money to form a grading contracting business which he operated in Nebraska for two years. He had acquired equipment, horses and worlrmen ready for any grading needed. In 1888 he returned to Syracuse, New York, where he was married on March 14, 1888, in North Syracuse, to Louella Isabel Van Heusen. She was born August 30, 1864, at Pitchers Hill, Salina, New York, the daughter of Captain Stephen Van Heusen and Rachel Delong Van Heusen. After their marriage they returned to Nebraska where they soon learned that the Rock Island Railroad was planning to extend their line west across Colorado. It was af that time that my father moved his entire opera- � 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- K Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "K.' As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:491 2020-03-23T10:13:45Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/491/Families-L.pdf 109740d5deb8a224545b821dea71a0df PDF Text Text cement house and barn. The family in a few years needed more room so a basement house was built, all the neighbors helping. They worked long hard hours struggling to provide for their family, farming with horses, fighting the grasshoppers and the blowing dirt, picking up cow chips to burn in the stove, washing clothes on a washboard, but as time went on progress was made and a tractor and machinery purchased, a new house was built and rural electricity available. Loyal had worked in the 1930's during the real depression years for W.P.A. which was a govern- ment progrnm that built bridges, da-s, buildings, etc. He was in a cave-in on one of the dems; he did survive from a broken back; he lay many months in a full body cast. These were probably the most difficult years for the family, the dirt blowing so bad that Emma would hang wet sheets over the windows to try and prevent dust in the room for those that were ill with pneumonia. Millie and I did finish, I graduated in 1926, and she in 1929. Millie is retired from the telephone service having 55 years of service. She is a golfer and enjoys living in Escondido, Calif. I worked for the telephone 18 years and finally retired to get married. Art and I were married on April 5,L942,so we will be having our 45th wedding anniversary this year. We both belong to the Trinity Lutheran Church on Seventh Street and try to be as active as we can. by Mrs. Arthur J. Lange LANGENDOERFER, ERNEST F398 There were eight children in the family, Mamie, Mildred,Evelyn, Lois, Robert, Thomas, Kathryne, and Imogene. All the children attended school thru the eighth grade at Liberty which was a half mile north of the farm. It was at the school where "Lit€raries" were held, people in the community putting on plays, singing,jigging, rattling bones, playing musical instruments, giving readings or sharing some talent they had. Other social things in the community were box and pie suppers, ball gamsg and going to someone's house for Sunday dinner. The teacher of the school usually stayed at the Kyle home since she could walk to school and get the fire started each morning. Loyal and Emma retired from the farm in 1955 and moved to a home in Flagler. Loyal became ill in 1960 and was in ill health until 1967 when he died. Emma was confined to a wheelchair the last few years of her life with arthritis and she died in 1977. Their son Thomas (Tom) and wife Delores now live on the farm. by Kathryne Daniel LANGE FAMILY Ernie was born on his family's homestead 5 miles west of Idalia in 1917. His descendants were from Weingarten, Germany, and settled in Missouri in the early 1800's. His grandparents homesteaded south of Idalia in 1887. His parents, William and Mnmie (Helling) Langendoerfer had three sons: Harold, Ernie, and Alvin; one daughter, Florence, and raised an "adopted" cousin, Stan Voss, orphaned by the flu epidemic of 1918. The fanily raised wheat'and hauled it to Burlington to sell. It took one day to prepare the wagon for the trip, one day to go and one day to come home. The wagon hauled 55 bushels ofwheat. In 1925, the Langendoer- fers bought a Ford Model-T Truck, which also canied only 55 bushels of wheat, but at a speed of 25 MPH on the level and 5 MPH on the hills, they could make three trips to Burlington in one day, quite an advantage over the tenm and wagon. Ernie married Hazel Homm in 1941 and together they ran a general store in ldalia before moving to the Bar-T ranch in 1943. His father had purchased 2080 acres from Bertha M. Bently, a wealthy Nebraska investor, for $4.00 an acre in 1939. The Republican River bottom land had been heavily damaged in the 1935 flood, which contributed to its depres- F397 Bart and Emily Rice Hoschouer cnme from Friend, Nebr. to Colorado in 1900. They homesteaded southeast of Holyoke, Colo. in Phillips County. They built a two room sod house and other buildings. Dad farmed corn, and wheat. There was a lot of free prairie in those days and we always had cattle. We had many prairie fires, sand storms, rattlesnakes (lots of them), and a tornado once in a while, to say nothing of the blizzards. It was rough going as my mother and dad worked hard. We would pick up the most anowheads and there was a large bucket we'd throw them in. When we sold the farm, we left the anow heads. I have regretted that many times. My dad always said he wanted to have a good education for his family, so we cnme to Burlington. We lived in the house where the late Mable Parkes lived. We later bought a home in east Burlington. My oldest sister, Sylvia eloped with her boy friend and lived in Nebr. Albert quit school and found a job on a farm. Clifford, Clarence, and Glen did get to junior class, then quit and found jobs. sed value. Dad and Mother began by repairing and rebuilding the ranch. The one-room bunk house served as their first home until they built a ranch house the following year. They rebuilt a cattle shed that had burned down, moved in a large barn, built corrals and fences to accommodate the 100 head of cattle they acquired to start their business. They began farming 25 acres of dryland feed, hayed the salvagable meadows for winter feed, and cleaned flood-stricken land oftrash to regen- erate growth. They bred with registered Hereford bulls and saved the quality replace- ment heifers to build their cattle herd. In 1952 they drilled one of Kit Carson County's first irrigation wells and went from farming 30 acres of poor dryJand corn to 300 acres of top producing irrigated corn. Dad told folks he raised "corn, cattle, and kids" on his ranch. The three daughters, Sharon, Beverly, and Sandra were born between 1944 and 1948. Having no sons in the family, we all were enlisted to help with the work, but Mother worked side by side with him. Dad kept a hired family all the time and had neighbors help at roundup and haying time, the big events of the year. We bought and built a sheep herd in the 50's, but bobcats became a vicious predator, killing a large number of the herd. Friends and neighbors hunted and killed the wild animals over a few years time, but not before we were forced to sell the surviving part of the herd. By early 1960's we had &illed three irrigation wells, and broke out 200 acres of pasture land, infested with soap weed, to plant irrigated grass. It was an innovative idea that later became popular for heavy cattle grazing. We also began to cross-breed our Herefords to Shorthorn and Angus bulls. We saw positive results in the feedlot performarce of those cattle. Soil conservation was important to Dad. He put in dnms and terraces and worked at the projects faithfully. He and I would ride the ranch to check cattle and the dams. He was faithful and meticulous about greasing windmills, filling backscratchers, and providing salt for the cattle. In 1971 Dad and Mother moved to a new home they built just outside of Burlington, and Dad became active in feedlot and salebarn management. They sold the ranch to my husband and me, and Dad bought and sold cattle. He always laughing called himself a "bullshipper". He was a devoted Christian who took time to live and grow in his faith. He taught us to trust God's timing for our lives. He died of a heart attack in 1986, and we know it was in God's perfect timing. by Sandee Strobel, daughter LAVINGTON, WILLIAM IT. F399 During the latter part of the nineteenth century stories of gainful opportunities and adventure began to reach the eastern part of the United States. Those stories appealed strongly to ambitious, restless young men. One of these young men was my father, William Henry Lavington. He was born March 5, 1859, near Liverpool, New York, the son of Charles C. Lavington and Elizabeth Price Lavington. He was educated in the Syracuse, New York, area and atten{ed Fulton Academy. About 1881, at the age of 22, my father decided to move west and seek his fortune. He arrived in Fremont, Nebraska, where he farmed for 2 years. Following this he settled near Kearney, Nebraska, and spent three more years farming and teaching school. by then he had accumulated enough money to form a grading contracting business which he operated in Nebraska for two years. He had acquired equipment, horses and worlrmen ready for any grading needed. In 1888 he returned to Syracuse, New York, where he was married on March 14, 1888, in North Syracuse, to Louella Isabel Van Heusen. She was born August 30, 1864, at Pitchers Hill, Salina, New York, the daughter of Captain Stephen Van Heusen and Rachel Delong Van Heusen. After their marriage they returned to Nebraska where they soon learned that the Rock Island Railroad was planning to extend their line west across Colorado. It was af that time that my father moved his entire opera- �tion to Colorado. My parents were emong the first inhabitants of what is now Flagler, Colorado. Soon my father sold his contracting business and opened the first general store in Flagler in a tent. Later the store business was moved into a new frane building. My mother assumed part time management of the store thus giving my father time for other activities. During 1889 to 1894 my father served as Kit Carson County Commissioner and he was Postmaster of Flagler from officers training school at Camp McArthur in Waco, Texas, until the end of the war in 1918. In 1921 I graduated from the University of Colorado in geology, a profession I followed until I retired in 1962. I was married to Marguerite Deidesheimer in Denver on December 28, 192t. We became the parents of two sons. Marguerite died in 1945. by Charles S. Lavington 1889 to 1894. By now the Homestead Act had been extcnded and many homesteaders from farther east were moving into the area and much building was being done. The need of LAYMON FAMILY F400 The dateline was from Springfield, Colorado, and the pictures were of Springfield and Holly, Colorado and Elkhart, Kansas. It was written by the person who wrote the movie "Grapes of Wrath." I really remember that Sunday April 14, 1935, real well. I had been in Kansas shearing sheep and was on my way home to Stratton. I had to stay all day at Beloit, Kansas and didn't get to Stratton until Tuesday. I got as far as Stockton and my cousins whom I stopped to see were scooping dirt out of their house with a scoop shovel at midnight. Monday is my birthday and I will be 84. Stratton sure changed a lot since I went there 50 years ago. I was there almost 20 years. I building material was the main reason for my father to open a lumber yard. He was also involved in building a brick veneer hotel as My dad and I moved to the Stratton area the first part of January, 1935. We lived in the basement part of the house west of town land men and homesteaders needed to place to live while they could provide homes for which is now the Grasser place. Nels Moody by Clarence Laymon February 14, Valentine's Day. He went into the beer parlor Shorty Bush and Joe Riley were operating. I did other things and then LENGEL, ELIZABETH GUTTING themselves. Up to this time cattle grazing was the principle industry for most of the land was virgin soil. Gradually small tracts of ground were plowed and cultivated to produce food for the people and animals, thus eliminating the need for provisions to be brought in from the east. During the years my father had acquired a herd of cattle which he gtazed on a large ranch north ofVona. He later bought a ranch south of Flagler where he raised sheep. Earlier a bank had been established in Flagler but in 1910 it suffered difficulties. It was saved by the intervention of my father and other stockmen. With the assistance of money from Denver and the reorganization of the business, the bank survived and it is a strong thriving business to this day. My father was elected president and he remained in that office until his death. About 1930 my father sold the store and lumber yard but he continued to oversee his cattle and sheep business. Both ofmy parents were active in community affairs. My mother served on the school board several years. She died in Flagler, July 25, 1936. My father died in Glendale, California, March 12, 1940. My brother, Leon E. Lavington, the eldest child in the family, wae born in Flagler in 1889. He was the first child born in the town and later became the first mayor when the town was incorporated. He graduated from the University of Colorado in 1915. After graduation he returned to Flagler and established a Ford Agency which he operated until about 1942. After retiring from private business he served as state purchasing agent, later state auditor and state treasurer. He was a candidate for governor in 1946. He was married to Marjorie Dixon of Denver and they becnme the parents of three children. Leon died in Denver in 1961. My sister Anna N. Lavington, was born in Flagler on June 20, L892. She maried Clyde Seal of Flagler, and they became the parents of three daughters. They later moved to California where Mr. Seal died. Anna remained in California and in 1943 she married Arthur Lockwood, a former Flagler business man. She died in California in 1982 at the age of ninety. I was born in Flagler April 5, 1898, and qthe only living member of the W.H. Lav- ington farnily. I attended grade school in Flagler and graduated from high school in Colorado Springs. I enlisted in the armed services in the last year of WWI and attended was still living there and Nels was an alcoholic. I and him went to Stratton on saw a dirt storm coming and drove my car up by the beer joint. Nels was very intoxicated but Shorty and Joe got him in my car and I got him home before the dirt storm struck. When Moody came up through the basement door he hollered, "God, Clarence, come here. Did you ever seen anything like this?" You couldn't see the windmill and it wasn't more than 60 feet to it from the house. have been on the Western Slope of Colorado for thirty years in July, 1985. F401 I, Elizabeth Gutting, was born in Patterson, New Jersey on Jan. 31, 1866, and went to Omaha with my parents when 5 years old. In the spring of 1880, father, Chris Gutting, came to Colorado and built a little frame house and dug a well. I went to Haigler, Nebr., from Omaha bytrain, then traveled by wagon When I moved there the first part of to Kingston (near Armel) and then hired a January the water tank never froze and it was nice weather until February 14. From then on it blowed nearly every day until Decoration Day. Then came a big rain and washed out the railroad bridges at Bethune, Vona and Seibert. There was no trains for a week or so, but Stratton got no rain that time. As long as Moody was there I had plenty of company . . . Fred Wagoner, Joe Adkins, Fred Hyman, and all of the drunks. Finally Nels moved to Edgewater, Colorado, on the team and wagon to bring me across with a few supplies. The country seemed so strange to me, so outskirts of Denver. There were several rabbit drives when they killed rabbits by the thousands. May Tatcher moved in during March, 1936. My father was a veterinary and when the sale bam got started he was appointed the veterinarian to inspect the livestock that was sold through the sales at Stratton, Burlington, Flagler and Limon. All hogs that was not to be slaughtered had to be vaccinated for hog cholera and I did not care for the job of holding the pigs while he vaccinated them, but I did it. As far as I know he was the only licensed veterinary in Kit Carson County at that time. I, Frank Seelhof and his brother, Walter, and Ray Bey went coyote hunting one Sunday. The coyote was going northwest. There was a small patch of green thistles and the coyote went to run across it. He jumped about 4 feet high and went northeast. Our dogs all came back, so we went up to see why they quit. Walter Seelhof saw a big rattlesnake and shot it with a 22 rifle and snakes came from ever5mhere. All four of us killed 185 rattlesnakes that day. The Stratton paper had it right; if I remember they said 185; Burlington's paper said 135. But I think 185 was right. It has been 45 years ago this October since that happened (written May 15, 1985). There is a piece in the Kansas City Times about the Dust Bowl day of April 13, 1935. very few settlers and homes to be seen; although the rolling hills and the closeness to the river made this part of the country much more attractive than the high plains south of the river. I took a pre-emption and a timber claim in what was then Arapahoe county. My father and I planted together. That clump of trees you can see yonder is my father's claim, which I still own. There were plenty of antelope and gray wolves in the vicinity, and the coyotes would howl so mournfully, that it made me feel lonely, but I kept busy and forgot to be lonely. I kept house eight years for my father. We used homemade bedsteads, table, and cup- board, but bought our stove, and chairs in Flagler and brought them overland. I had no clothes line and I would hang the clothes on a J rcca plant - soap weed, which grows so plentiful in the sand. Mail was brought from Jauqua, Kans., and from Cheyenne Wells, Colo. to the Landsman post office, where we got our mail. I was well acquainted with the man, Munsinger, a homesteader in the middle of the Bar T cattle range, who had so much friction with most everyone around him, homesteaders as well as cattlemen. He kept the community fearful of just what he would do next. I knew Mr. Allen, the Bar T foreman, whom Munsinger shot; I spoke to Mr. Allen that morning when he was passing on his way to fix fence and he was carrying no visible firearms then, but at the trial that followed the murder, it was claimed a gun was found by his side, thus helping to establish the pleas of self-defense on the grounds of which Munsinger was freed. My father and I were questioned about the visit with Mr. Allen as to whether or not he �had carried a gun. Our replies being in favor of Mr. Allen, aroused the ire and enmity of Munsinger and he had our little home burned to the ground in revenge. We lost everything, including the keepsakes of my deceased mother. Then father and I built a sod house, and startcd all over again. It may sound heartless, but the community wae relieved to hear of Munsinger's death. He and Mace Old Bill - kept the community in fear as to where they were, what they were doing and who would be the next victim of their revenge. After living with my father for 8 years, I married J.L. Lengel, and he filed homestead papers on the land on which we are now living. We raised a family of seven children and gave them a good education. I boarded the men that built the Emerson ditch; a project headed by a company in and managed by a man in Kansas. The plan was to use this ditch for irrigation purposes, taking water from the Republican River and using it on the farms of eastern Colorado and Kansas. But the project did not extend beyond the Colorado-Kansas boundary line. This ditch is just a short distance north of our home. It took two days to make the trip to the nearest railroad, to market our wheat and hogs; we had nothing to travel in except our wagon, to go to Burlington for supplies, which is 22 miles from here. some home made furniture and dishes. At that time a branch line of the Union Pacific from Kit Carson to La Junta was later discarded. The ties from this old road bed were used by the settlers for posts, corrals, and shacks. I engaged in the cattle business homestead. Our sod has been displaced by a cement block horse, and other buildings have been displaced by ones of frnme and stone. with mybrother-in-law, Herman Homm, and was out on the prairie much more than I was in my shack. Many nights I have camped on the lone prairie while watching the herd and have had to endure all kinds of storms. There were numberless herds of antelope on the plains when I came here, a few buffalo, plenty of coyotes, and a few gray wolves. In variety of fruits. But the terrible hailstorms we have had the last few years have broken the summer of 1889, we had 11 head of calves killed one night by the wolves, and in the summer of 1894, one of my horses was bitten by a gray wolf. The bite of a wolf was considered as dangerous as the bite of a rattlesnake so the animal was always under treatment until it got over the effects of the bite. In 1888, while riding with the 111 ranch outfit with head quarters near Wray, the foreman and I rode into the hills north of the Arickaree river, and there we saw five buffalo. This was about the last bunch seen in this country. We did not molest them, but learned later that there had been six in the bunch, but one had been killed, by a man living west of their trail, earlier in the day. I think that the severe winters of the early years helped to exterminate the antelope and We have endured the hardships subsequent to pioneering, having endured the severe storms in summer; the blizzards of winter; the losses of livestock and other disappointments in the years past, but we buffalo in this country more than anything else. Even after we came, we had such terrible blizzards and such cold winters when the ground would be covered with snow from November to early spring. There was nothing fared as well as most pioneers and are glad to have been, to some degree instrumental in the development and economic life in this for the wild animals or stock to live on, people did not learn until experience taught them, that one had to prepare food and shelter for the livestock in order to keep the herd safe. So when there was no food. water and shelter for the wild animals, they just starved or froze to death. When riding one day I noticed an area. We are now alone in the large frame home, in which we reared our family but we are blessed with happiness and appreciation of pioneer days. by Janice Salmans LENGEL, JONATHAN L. F402 I was born in Pennsylvania in 1861 and came to Kansas in 1879, then came over into Colorado in 1881. I did not stay long, but returned to Kansas and stayed there a while. In the fall of 1887, I returned to Colorado, at a place known as Big Springs, about eleven miles north of town. Kit Carson was a prairie town on the U.P. Railroad and consisted of a store, a saloon, a livery barn, and a few shacks. I worked for the "77" outftt for some time, and worked for different small cattle owners. This was quite a cattle country in the early days and many a bunch of cattle have I trailed across the country to winter headquarters in Kansas cornfields. We would drive the herds from Big Springs to Hoyt, which is north of Seibert, and we would water and rest. We would then drive down the Republican River into Kansas and to our destination. In 1888, I took a homestead near Rush antelope standing up against a bluff, I wondered why it did not run, but kept riding toward it. When I got to it I found that the poor thing had been frozen and was still standing in an upright position, although dead. I saw thousands ofbuffalo bones on the prairie where the buffaloes had either died or We planted an orchard down by the Emerson ditch and at one time had one of the finest orchards in this country. We had a the trees and destroyed our orchard so much that we get little benefit from it. We have worked hard to build our home, and to educate our children. We have endured the hardships that went with pioneering, and had experiences that were lessons for the future, broadening and mellowing our lives. But in all my experiences I do not remember anything so tragic and far reaching as the past few years have been for everyone. It has been hard on the young folks just starting out. I have always loved the outdoors, the great plains, and the great herds of cattle roaming the prairies. My faithful cow pony and I have enjoyed many a communion with nature. There was some fascination in the care-free, romantic life of a cowboy. I like to be alone to think of the beauties of nature and to ride wherever I wanted to go. One time while riding across country I stopped at a ranch home and asked for water for myself and pony. I was told that the well was too deep to haul water by man-power. There was a yoke of oxen near but I had never handled oxen so I would not try them now and my pony was unfit for such work. I decided to travel on and take my chance at the next place. I came to a dugout a few miles farther on and stopped to ask for a drink. What was my surprise to see W.M. Hollowell, later a surveyor of our county come out to greet me. I knew him in Indiana and did not know that he was in Colorado. Needless to say, I enjoyed a visit as well as a drink of water for myself and pony. The west did not seem so far away after all. by Jayne Hubbell LENNEMAN FAMILY F403 killed by hunters. Buffalo bones are very heavy and when we gathered them, we had to sell them for $4.00 per ton, later, we got as high as $14.00 per ton for them. Of course, that was when they got scarce on the plains. I never saw any Indians in Colorado, but saw them in Kansas, and during the time of the Indian scare at Fort Wallace, the town of Grinnel was used as a fort, and the people from the country came there for safety. The town was surrounded byguards and lookouts, and I was one of the guards who kept watch. We had no trouble, with the exception of the fight with the soldiers, there were no other fight that I heard of. The Indians had a bad name and the people were easily frightened. In 1893 my brother-in-law and I dissolved partnership. I sold my relinquishment and moved north of the Republican river. Here, I bought a relinquishment, built a sod house, plastered it with native lime and put in a floor, dug a well fourteen feet deep to good clear water and again started in as a cattleman and as a farmer. I married Miss Elizabeth creek, south of Kit Carson, and built a shack Gutting and she filed papers on my relin- out of old railroad ties and furnished with quishment and we are living on this original Homestead Days My father, Frank Antone Lennemann, age 29, died June 9, 1910 in Orleans, Nebraska, of an appendectomy. My mother, Lena (nee Mary Magdalena Willy) age 22 was left a widow with two small children, my sister Regina (2 years) and myself Leona (6 months). My father and mother were renters on a farm north ofOrleans. The corn crop was maturing abundantly. Mother, with help, assumed the responsibility to see the crop harvested and the correct rental of returns properly paid. Then faced with the reality that the future held no hope for her to continue living on the farm without a husband to manage farm responsibilities ehe moved into town to do domestic work and readjust her life. She had manied at age 19. My father (7 years her senior) had fallen in love with Mother when she was only 15 years old and he had waited for her parents to give their consent to her marriage when she becaure 19 years old. Her one hope had been to be a good wife, a good mother, and a �Willy, a bachelor, who had gone to Stratton, Colorado, to homestead land under the Government's Homest€ad Act of 1909, wrotc to mother informing her that the adjoining west acreage, to his own assigned land, was being returned to the Government for reassignment. He asked mother if she wished to sign up for this acreage. Mother at age 23 took the challenge. The Homestead Act required the applicant to actually live on the land only a part of each year. Mother took us children by train to Stratton where Uncle George met us and took us in his buggy to the homestead 12 miles north of Stratton. Mother's acreage was divided from Uncle George's by a narow prairie-grass-road. His homestead cabin housed his living necessities. His barn sheltered his cattle, horses and his farming equipment. His windmill watered his garden and sustained his cattle. We lived in a similar one-room cabin-shelter with rag rugs covering the grass floor. Our table, Picture of my mother Mrs. Lena Lennemann taken about 1906. Regina and Leona Lennemann. Taken in the Rectory of St. Charles Catholic Church 1914 when Mother was housekeeper for the priest during months when she did not have to be on the homestead. helpmate to her husband. This hope was now suddenly altered by my father's sudden death. Mother, as a child, had attended school only partway through the fifth grade when she stopped going to school in order to remain at home to help her own mother raise a family of eight children on a rented farm. In those days there was no law requiring parents to send children to school. Therefore, mother had never signed a check and she knew little about business transactions. She now assumed her duty of supporting us two children. She learned to handle business as a dedicated responsibility. In 1912, mother'g oldest brother, George chairs, stove, bed and dresser were all under this one-roof -shelter. Our water supply was from Uncle George's windmill. Periodically Regina and I barefooted pulled a large milkcan in our wagon over the grass pathway to the windmill. One day we encountered a rattle snake in the pathway. We abandoned the wagon and ran screaming back to the cabin and mother. Uncle George's barn provided "keep" for mother's horse and buggy and we shared in planting a garden. Sometimes at night the howl of the coyotees awakened us. Mother then took from a redvelvet-lined leather case a pearl handled revolver which she told us our father had purchased before his death when he took his cattle to sell in Kansas City, Missouri. Mother pointed the gun to the sky and we heard the shot. The coyotees were quieted and we slept. On each Saturday Mother's horse and buggy took ug the twelve miles over the prairie road (now Highway 57) to Stratton. Regina and I wore our gunbonnets until we were a half mile from Stratton. Mother then took from under the buggyseat a hatbox. We traded our bonnets for lovely white straw hats with blue and pink velvet ribbons with forget-me-not trimmings. We then road into town and stayed overnight with the O'Neil family in order to attend Sunday Mass at St. Charles Catholic Church. I loved Granny O'Neil. Once as I sat on her lap I asked her "Where did all your wrinkles come from?" She hugged me and replied that each wrinkle was a part of her love. After Mass and dinner we returned home. One Sunday as we were driving home a black and churning storm cloud frightened mother. With a vocal prayer she directed the horse toward the Anthofer's home and paddled the horse with the reins. The horse dashed forward, stumbled on the turf, the buggy jerked and I, sitting in the middle of the seat, bounced forward over the buggy dashboad. I fell directly between the horse's back feet and the buggy wheels. The Anthofers recognizing us and seeing the accident ran with children our own ages. Mother explained the sadness of death when the young Collins boy (son of the Collins Hotel Manager) fell from a tree and died. Mother wept as we stood with mourners and she explained that he would never return to play again. I was learning the realities of life. One summer the homest€aders organized a picnic celebration. Children partook in the program. I was only four-and-half years old. I stood on a rag rug (center ofthe crowd) and quoted: "Twinkle, Twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are, up above the world so high, like a dinmond in the sky." Muchto my mother'g delight I remembered all the words. When mother took us back to Orleans, Nebraska. to visit our relatives we traveled part way on a cattle and freight train and we sat in the caboose. I can still remember the sound of the whistle at crossings. The engine smoke and dirt blew in our faces and our clothing from the open window in the summer. Mother insisted we be clean-faced and tidy when we stepped from the train. Her handkerchief served as our washcloth. Uncle George had been a bachelor. One day he returned from a trip and introduced to us his new bride, a former school teacher, as Aunt Agnes. Soon Regina and I watched men digging the earth for they were building a new house near Uncle George's windmill. We soon walked over wooden floors and through rooms which would now be home to Uncle George and Aunt Agnes. In 1915 mother had lived the required time on the land. The land was now hers. She could return to Nebraska. She said "goodbye" to wonderful friends - Alice Connor, the O'Neils, the Colgans, the Anthofers, the Knockels, the Pughs, the Garners, and many others who had befriended her. She loved them with a grateful heart for these homesteaders had helped her complete a challenge. They had been her friends and now she was leaving, but she would never forget them. Mother had gone to school only partway through the fifth grade. Her determination had been her education. The memory of my father's love had sustained her. Her faith had been her constant companion. Mother passed away March 23,L971. Today the homestead, with Mr. and Mrs. Larry Brachtenbach as tennants, provides two-year scholarships to help teenager attend Notre Deme and Carmelite Catholic high schools in California where Mother passed away. This is possible because of "THE HOMESTEAD DAYS." Poem which I wrote about my mother - My Mother - Magdalena There was never a happier bride than she . . . A girl of nineteen - sweet as could be/ out and picked me up. I was crying but As the sun shone in Nebraska's April sky . . . Surely no sadness ahead could lie/ A happy year passed without a regret. . . And a blue-eyed child with ringlets was sent/ To enrich their happiness and bless their love . . . Surely this child had been sent from above/ So proud of this first-born baby was unharmed. Mother tightened the reins of the horse to stop the buggy.We all reached the house as the storm broke. During winter months mother kept house for the Catholic priest, Father Alphonse Keifer, in the St. Charles Church Rectory. Regina Louise/ . . . Sometime later to little Regina God gave . . . A plump blue-eyed sister: Leona Marie/ These two babies were Mother taught us to be helpful in household duties. We also learned to play and associate she . . As she watched it with young motherly glee/ And to honor the heavenly Model of Queens . . This baby was baptized the pride and delight . . . Of this happy couple whose future looked bright/ Six �months sped by and then came a cross .. . As she wept at the deathbed and faced the loss/ Of her beloved husband as she heard him say . . "Take good care of the girls." as he passed away.l Then followed a period of heartache and sorrow. . For in sadness of death there is no tomorrow/Lingering memories of one who has been taken away . . . Will cling forever with the one who must stay/ Prayer and faith brought Magdalena healing grace. . When at age twenty-three with the future to facel She journeyed to Colorado to live on homestead land . . . Her brother, George, was there and he lent a hand/ In helping her establish a nearby prairie home . . . Where all nature nestled under heaven's dome./ New friends were sincere, helpful and kind . . . Thus the prairie life she did not mind./ When under a trillion stars, the umbrella of night . . . Prairie coyotees howls caused moments of fright/ Or when lightning and thunder crashed a stormy sky . . . Magdalena taught her daughters on prayer to rely/ After three years of homesteading the land was her own . . . So she and the girls returned to Nebraska to make a home./ The girls she enrolled in a parochial school . . . To educate them in the Christian rule./ But one o-bition burned in her mother-heart . She must never fail, she muet fulfill her part/ To rear the girls in the very best way. . . And hold true to the promise she made that sad and on at intervals when they needed an English teacher and none happened to be available from 1947 until 1964. I always enjoyed it . . . particularly the fact that I learned to know so many of the young people who have grown up to be worthwhile citizens now. After Kenneth's death, I stayed on in Stratton and married Jim Clark. Jim had just returned from his tour of duty with the Navy and purchased the Stratton school buses. He At the close of World War II, Kenneth Lepper and I moved to Stratton to go into farming. He had the opportunity of going back to his job in Texas, which was a stationary engineer for the Natural Gas Company, or to break all ties and come to Stratton and start farming, which was what he always wanted to do. Of the land that my father had purchased, we choose and bought the one from him which was known as the Al Simon place. It is 2 miles north and 1 east of Stratton. Al Simon had moved off of it and Dad purchased it; then we bought it from my father in 1946. From that time on we lived there for 16 years until Kenneth passed away in 1961. Chris and Yvonne Schwieger and girls moved down from Arriba at that time and started farming out of here as their headquarters, having remained on there ever since. Yvonne is now operating the place since Chris's passing away. We as farmers here learned to love the country and really appreciate Eastern Colorado. And we liked it better than Western Kansas. and we were never alone because so many people from Western Kansas had moved out here and bought land and etarted farming in this part of the country. So far as we are concerned, it has always remained home to us. I taught school in the Stratton schools off scrubbed on a washboard. Washing machines by Lucile Clark sold, helped to buy groceries. Leshes left Kit Carson County, in 1936, and moved to California. Later, in 1943, they moved of to Oregon. Harve, Paul, and Loren, along with their families, still live in Oregon. Hazel and her husband live in California, Ralph and his wife live in Boulder, Co., Dale and his wife in Florida, and Frank and his wife in Arizona. Irwin and Dutch both passed away in 1972. LESIIER, W. F. F406 to Denver. That cream check, along with eggs by Isaphene Leshers LEWIS FAMILY by Miss Leona M. Lennemann F404 to have one, or into wash tubs with laundry were 'hand powered'. Also, the wringer had to be turned by hand. After the washing was hung out on clothes lines to dry, ironing was done with'flatirons', which were heated on the cookstove. Not a pleasantjob during the summertime. Everyone helped in milking the cows. Milk was seperated by'hand powered' seperator. Cresm, in five and ten gallon crerm cans, was taken to town where it was sold, and shipped - FAMILY There were lots of Mouths to feed and it was a big job with no modern conveniences. Wash day was another big job for a family of that size. Water had to be carried in from the water barrel at the windmill. and heated in a wash boiler on the range (cook stove). After the water was hot, it was poured into the washing machine, for those fortunate enough operated the school buses until 1972 when he sold out and the school bought them to put them in with their system. After that we have been spending our winters in Arizona and coming back here for summers and traveling in between. Traveling being our hobby, we do a great deal of it. But when it is all said and done the Stratton area is our home and we still always think of it as such and we will never change that address. day./ For through the years that were passing too fast . . . She must faithfully continue to accomplish the task/ Which was bestowed with love on her alone to do . . . A mother's task veiled by a father's blessing too. LEPPER AND CLARK young roosters were used for fryers to eat. W. F. and Susie Lesher's 50th Wedding Anniversa- ry in 1955. On March 30, 1905 Willaim Frank Lesher and Susan Harriet Manges were married in Agra, Kansas. Frank heard about homestead land in Colorado. In the spring of 1907 he went to Colorado and filed on a quarter section, Section 26 - Township 11- Range 46. In the fall of 1907 they chartered an immigrant car on the railroad and moved their belongings, including livestock, machinery and household, to Stratton, Colorado. They hauled their belongings 16 miles south and 3 miles east of Stratton by team and wagon, and there they set up a tent to start life in their new home. They had their baby, Hazel, who was about a year old with them. By Thanksgiving they had a sod house built, later a sod barn, a cave dug and had a well drilled. They made several moves back to Kansas and then back to the Homestead. They finally came to stay in Colorado in 1916, until they moved to California in 1936. The Lesher family consisted of 8 boys, 'each of whom had a sister'. Hazel, the eldest, was born 1906; Ralph in 1908; Irwin (Skin) in 1910; Harve in 1912; Allen (Dutch) in 1914; Dale in 1918; Frank in 1921; Paul in 1924; and Loren in 1929. They all attended school at First Central, Dist. #29. They also went to Evangelical Church, held in the school house. Susie always raised a large garden and did a lot of canning, pickling and made her own sauerkraut. In the spring she set the incubator and raised young chickens for food, as well as young pullets for next years eggs. The F406 My parents, John H. Lewis and Evelyn Burton Lewis; my brother, Russell E. Lewis; my grandparents, Ernest and Alla Wright Lewis; and my aunt, Helen Lewis csme to Burlington in 1934 from Nebraska, originally from Bedford. Iowa. The house at 350 12th St. in Burlington was purchased in 1935 and remains in the family to this day. This house was built about 1906 and homes in that era were without insula- tion plus the upper story had no heat. It was "hot water bottles" and "heated bricks" in the winter time. We spent many months remodeling this house in the 1950's and since. An interesting point is Ernest and Alla Lewis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversar5r plus John and Evelyn Lewis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary while living in this house, plus my Aunt Helen married Laurence Pugh in this snme house. An attraction ofthe Burlington area during those times were the advertisings from the land agents to "buy your land in Kit Carson County, put in a crop of wheat, and the first crop will return enough to pay the land off'. The recommended farming mode was to pulverize the soil, no clods, which would result in better crops. What it did was help produce the dust bowl, watching the earth go by at 40 miles per hour on its way to Texas and on out to sea. After planting many acres in wheat and corn throughout the 1930's, without harvest success, Ernest and John decided to stop the no-win farming program, no government subsidies in thoge days, and starbed the "Lewis Dairy". Everyone helped with the daily operation of the dairy (no days offl which included feeding and milking the cows, �bottling the milk in glass milk bottles, storing the finished product overnight at the icehouse and delivering the milk the next morning before school . . . 40 hour work weeks are a piece of cake compared to that work. Milk was 100 a quart, delivered, and this was an improvement over farming. Soon after the dairy was started the rains LEWIS, DWIGHT AND ESTHER F408 came, the drought lessened, farming practices improved, resulting in good crops. There were a number of bumper crops during the 1940's which turned some farmere into country gentlemen. Hail storms took the place of dust - as the current problem - and could blast the field on one side ofa road and leave the other side untouched. This had a sobering effect on your financial status, resulting in liquidation for one family and a good living for the other. Ernest and Alla Lewis had 8 grandsons and no granddaughters; talk about discrimination. John and Evelyn had 3 sons, Russell, Homesite of Dwight and Esther Lewis Dean and Duane. Helen and Laurence Pugh had 5 sons, Allan, Owen, Evan, Steve and Bryan.Russell was lost in a truck accident on June 8, 1949 when we were following the wheat harvest in Oklahoma. Steve Pugh was lost in another accident in Oklahoma on December 2. L978. We miss them. John finished his working career as a tinsmith, learning this new trade at age 55; he quit working at age 70. Evelyn taught 22 years in the Burlington School System. Helen and her family moved to Hanison, Arkansas in the early 1950's. Duane is a basketball coach at Alameda High in Lakewood. Dean has been a special agent for Northwestern Mutual Life for 24 years in Grand Junction, Colorado. Life Goes On! by C. Dean Lewis LEWIS, ALYCE MARGARET DISCHNER r.407 Alyce Lewis was born in Lindsay, Nebraska, grew up and graduated from the Stratton High School in the dust bowl days of Eastern Colorado in 1937. She was a telephone operator and supervisor in Manitou and Colorado Springs, Colorado during the war year8. She was united in mariage to Marshall Maurice Lewis of Nacogdoches, Texas in 1945 in Colorado Springs, Colo. They lived in Nacogdoches, Brownwood, and Dalhart and Meridian, Texas for nine years. In 1953 they moved to Stratton, Colorado and bought the Gamble Store which they operated for eleven years. It was during this time that she attended the University of Northern Colo- rado and received her BA degree. She taught school in Stratton from 1961 to 1964. She also worked with kindergarten youngsters during this time. They sold the bueiness to a cousin, Eugene Jostes, and moved to the lovely North Platte Valley of Nebraska and made their home in Bayard, Nebr. She taught school in Bayard and in rural schools in Nebraska for nineteen years. She was president of the Morrill Country Teachers Association and of the Bayard Teachers Assn. She taught music and was church organist for 24 years. We moved to Stratton in September of 1960. We came from Sharon Springs, Kansas. Linda, Jim and Bob are the children. We lost Bob to cancer in 1976. Alyce Dischner Lewis During these years she had the good Linda is married to Harold Miller from Flagler and has two children, Bill and Cindy. They live in Hudson, Colorado. fortune to travel in 1969 and 1975 to Europe with the Foreign Study League. Each trip lasted six weeks and she studied the Humanities. She has been to the Costa Del Sol in Spain, to Hawaii twice, Africa twice and on a Carribean Cruise. In 1984 over the Christmas holidays she toured the Holy Land in Israel and Egypt. In 1985 she went on an inspirational tour of Fatima, Portugal, Lourdes, France, Spain, England and the shrine at Knock. Ireland. While teaching she becnme interested in art and began study with various teachers. She hoped this would come in handy when she was ready to retire from teaching. Mike died May 20, 1983 and with two large store buildings empty in 1986, she started the Art and Craft Mart as her new career. She displayed, handled and sold crafts and arts for the area craftspeople and artists. This venture evolved into the present Lewis Gallery in 1987 when she sold the buildings at 424 Main Street in Bayard. Hobbies are reading, crafts, music and photography. She was Does Musician for the Scottsbluff Drove #21 for nine years. She now teaches music and tole painting. She attended the Halsey Autumn Workshop at Halsey, Nebraska the past five years and has studied under such artists as Gwen Middleswart of Bridgeport, Ne., Amy Sadle of Columbus, Ne., Pat Hall and Nancy Jim is married to Kathy Lempp from Stratton and they have three children, Kris, Brian and Kim. We were one of the first to put down irrigation. I believe it was in 1963. We bought our place from Al and Mary Wy. September of that year received his honorable discharge in Texas. They made their home in Texas for nine years. One Thanksgiving in 1952 Mike was fascinated with the pheasant hunting in the area and always marveled at the wide open spaces of the plains. We moved to Colorado and purchased the Gamble Store from Grace Hyde in 1953. They operated the business until they sold it to Eugene Jostes in 1963 and they moved to Bayard, Nebraska and purchased another Neibauer of Scottsbluff, Rose Edin of Staples, Mn., Charles Rogers of Lakewood, Co., and Barbara Schaffner of Torrington, At present she has a one woman art show at the Country Club in Scottsbluff, Ne. Although she has sold some of her work, she has never received any awards probably because she hasn't entered any competitions. by Alyce Dischner Lewis Kitten. We planted a windbreak of trees to the north. Dwight and I planted it. Then every Saturday it was the boy's job to water the trees. Then came the weeds and all of that hoeing. We very seldom grounded the chilit was "go hoe the trees." dren - by Esther Lewis LEWIS, MARSIIALL MAURICE F409 Marshall Maurice Lewis was born in Denton, Texas January 2, 1913 to Catherine Martine and Charles Wllliam Lewis. His family lived in East Texas around Cleveland, Texas until the family moved to Nacogdoches when the children were old enough to attend Stephen F. Austin College. "Mike" had two years of college and taught school for a short time. In 1941 he entered the service and spent four years in the Canibean. His rank was that of Staff Sargeant. He married Alyce Dischner Lewis in Colorado Springs in 1945 and in �hood including going to town with Dad, sneaking outside while Mom was napping, playing the piano, playing on the playground and in the treehouse, herding sheep, learning how to ride a bike (thanks to Jan and Shan!), riding horses and Frisky, our dog. When we were little we visited our relatives and grandparents in Oklahoma every summer and Christmas. We always went swimming at Crrmberland Cove on Lake Texoma. Both grandparents, Jim and Nina Poole and JC and Berniece Long, had fishing ponds in their backyards. What fun was spent fishing. I still remember the first fish I caught! My Grandpas are gone now but I thorough- ly enjoy my Grandmas who traveled to Colorado together for a visit the summer of '87. They're special ladies! My first and dearest teacher was Mrs. Esther Daum. She was like a gecond Grandma to me. I mowed her lawn when I was older and enjoyed spending time with her. I'll always treasure her. I nm a member of the United Methodist Marshall "Mike" Lewis Gamble Franchise. He sold the business to retire in 1977. He died May 20, 1983. by Alyce M. Lewis LIMING, ROBIN AND KRISTY F4lO Church in Burlington. I was in MYF and always enjoyed the trips we took. We went se-ping in the mountains, traveled to Texas, and went snow skiing a couple of times. I made a lot of friends. I went to school at Bethune. Dad is superintendent there. I was involved in volleyball, basketball, track, FBLA, FHA, drnma and speech. In 1981 I earned a second place medal in my poetry division at the State Speech Festival in Fort Lupton. That was quite a moment. I still enjoy volleyball and participate by officiating at local schools. I graduated from high school in 1983 receiving the honor of being nemed valedictorian. I also received the President's Scholar- ship at UNC. I've always loved horses and have been involved in the 4-H horse program. In 1981 I was Kit Carson County Fair and Rodeo Queen. And what's better was that my best friend Penny (Ziegler) Aeschliman was the lst Attendant. We always rode together, so why not go to rodeos and parades together! It wae a time I won't forget. For my junior and senior prom my escort was Robin Liming. He's still my escort and very best friend today. We were married October 1, 1983. We have such fun together! We live southeast of Kirk, Colorado. We water ski, golf and enjoy hunting. We farm and own land in Kit Carson County. We have hogs and share horses. I'm thankful for this ru $o' $ ,-,e' life! ri{ by Kristy Poole Liming 1 : S i1*r $ Kristy and Robin Liming, September of 1987. My life began March 25, 1965 at Ardmore, Oklahoma. Although my parents, Ja-es and Nora Poole lived in Bethune, Colorado, Mom attended her Granny's funeral in Oklahoma. The timing was such that I'm an "Oakie." My name is Helen Kristy (Poole) Liming. My brother is David Poole. My sisters are Janet Cure and Sharon Green. All are maried and each have two kids. I have many fond memories of my child- LIMING, WILLIAM MELVIN AND IJAZEL MYRTLE HAGAN F4l1 Willi"m, or Bill as he was known, was born in Lawrence, Kansas, on March 30, 1891, and was of English and Irish descent. His mother was Elma Smart. His father, William Bainbridge Liming, was the son of George Washington Liming and Hanna Malvina Murphy, both of Ohio, near Cincinnati. Their children The Bill Liming family, (back row) Bill and Hazel with children (left to right) Melba, Alma, Marvin, Robert and our dog, old Queen our belovedAirdale. Our neighbors, Bill and Susie Thompson's car, taken in 1928. were Mary Jane (Mollie) Hitchcock, William Bainbridge, Matilda Olive (Tint) Harman, Elizabeth Street and George T. Liming. May (Liming) Wixon researched George Wash- ington Liming's ancestry and traced it to John Liming I who cnme to America from Yorkshire, England, in 1665 on the "Nevis Merchant" ship from Dover, England, and was married in 1680. The older Limings were farmers in Ohio. George Washington Liming and his familymigratedto Lawrence, Kansas, and in 1907 cqme to Colorado and homesteaded 1 mile south and 3 miles west of Kirk. He and his family made adobe bricks and built their house a home that knew many - with all of our families. happy get-togethers Grandmother would spend hours playing games and running with the grandchildren, and Grandfather had a long white beard, sparkling eyes, and was always very kind to all he knew. Dad had two brothers, George Jemes (Dock) and Bert. Bert died in infancy. Dad and Dock were raised by their grandparents, George and Hannah Liming. Dock married Bessie Taylor and they had seven children Melvin, Hazel, Clarence, Frances, Gladys, Juanita and James. They lived near Kirk until the late 30's, when they moved to Dearing, Kansas. Dad had four half sisters - Emma (Herrin) White and Ruth (Herrin) Braizer (his mother's daughters from her marriage to Mr. Herrin), and Melvina (Liming) Wise and Nellie Bain Payne (his father's daughters from his marriage to Nell Dod- dridge Liming). Dad also had two step brothers - Milton and William Doddridge, and one step sister - Visa (Doddridge) Heberlein. Previous to 1907, several of the men folk came to Colorado an homesteaded (or applied for a homestead) and built dugouts on their respective lands. Then in 1907, they formed a caravan of covered wagons to move their animals and belongings to Colorado. After traveling from Lawrence to Topeka, Kansas, in near impassable trails due to heavy rains and mud, and seeing their animals losing weight that would be vital for them to keep in order to face a winter on the plains of Colorado, they decided to put the animals on the train. They told about slipping the "boys" Liming, - Bill andOraDock Milton and Bill Doddridge, Street, and possibly others on the train with the animals. There -was a wagon box turned upside down that the boys hid under so the brakeman wouldn't see them when he made his rounds. I guess the food didn't keep too good and the boys developed dianhea, which �created quite a problem as you can imagine. Visa Heberlein tells me that she, her mother, and sister Melvina came by train at a later date. Her memory of seeing her first sunset on the plains is still very vivid, in contrast to coming from an area dense with trees. When Dad was 18, his father got typhoid fever while working in the sugar beets in Brush, Colorado, and died. At the time of his death, the family was living in a dugout. His stepmother, Nell, remained on the homest€ad and with courage and a lot ofhard work, Nell and the boys built a sod house, and then the house east of Kirk where Melvina Wise now resides. Dad was in World War I and served in Company C-110 Infantry as a Private. In July of 1918, he wae wounded and gased in the Aragon Forest in the Battle of Aragon. He was discharged October 5, 1918. In 1919, after getting his Patent Deed, he built a dugout on his land and helped his grandfather farm. Hazel Hagan was born to Robert McDonald Hagan (Mack) andElizabeth (Edwards) Hagan on June 10, 1902, in Waverly, Kansas. She was one of 11 children - Pearl Smith, Cecil, Johnny, Hazel Liming, Ralph, Lela, Lester, Ray, Delilah, Merle and Betty Avers. Her father's descendants have been traced to John Graves (1703-1804) on his mother's side, and to his father, Elijah Hagan, from Guilford, Missouri, on his father's side. Mom moved to Colorado in 1907 in a covered wagon and buggy with her parents. Their first stop in the Kirk area was at Rufus and Ellen Graveg' home. Then the families went together to Ike and Emeline (Robert McDonald Hagan's mother) Gleaves for supper. Mack moved his family into a dugout that another family had left, and then homesteaded there. He worked as a sod cutter and layer and also did carpentry work. Later they moved to Kirk where he had a butcher shop and sold sandwiches. In 1929' they moved to Missouri and remained there until his death on Feb. 13, 1946. Elizabeth then stayed with family until she moved into Heinrich's Nursing Home in Burlington until her death in 1965. Mom went to Boone School, working during the summers ag domestic help. She maried Dad in 1920, and devoted her life to her husband and children. On April 6, 1920, Dad married the girl that he had picked out to be his wife when she was Hazel Hagan. To still playing with doUs - born this union 4 children were - Alma Van De Weghe, Robert, Melba Rehor, and Marvin. Their lives were filled with happiness, LINDLEY, WENDELL CLARK r.4t2 Wendell Clark Lindley was born April 23, 1910 to Luke and Pearl Lindley who lived with their two small daughters on the homestead northwest of Stratton' Wendell lived all his life in the Stratton area except for the first three years of his life when his family was in Arizona and Calhan, CO. He greatly appreciated his neighbors and friends, and enjoyed talking with them. He wanted to be helpful when he could. Wendell is to be remembered by all who knew him by his long beard and it was said that he never cut his hair. He always wore a hat. Young and old alike knew him as "whigkers". He walked very where and always relied on a friend to come along and pick him up and take him to where he wanted to go. In January 1979 he suffered a stroke and severe exposure in cold weather. After leaving the hospital he made his home at Grace Manor Care Center. He regained most of his speech and was able to get around in a wheelchair. During the last 10 months of his life his health declined and another stroke csme in February. He died June 22, 1982. He was 72 years old. His mother died in 1948 and his father in 1965. His brother Kenneth still survives and lives in New York. \^c, ri He was laid to rest 6y his parents and sisterg in the Claremont Cemetery, Stratton, fields on "snipe hunts"), the first hot lunch progrem overseen by mothers and featuring those ever-present peanut butter cookies, 4H box socials, Saturday night on Main Street in Burlington, and the 4-H square dancers who went to Fort Collins. The Lindseys fought the dirt for awhile through the 1950s, but when Joe becnme ill with cancer, his health finally forced a move to Amarillo, Tex., in 1955. He died February of 1957 and Muriel, Joy and Hap moved back to Burlington, Lucky had attended Parks Business College in Denver and married. Muriel sold the home place to Ed Rainbolt in the late 1960s. (Ed, too, was also a Protection childhood friend of Joe's.) She moved to Burlington, later to San Jose, Calif., where she still resides. Lucky Jeanette Gipe and her husband, Karl, live in Burlington where he is a mechanic at John Deere. Their daughter, Debbie, lived in Burlington; son Ken, Beaver, Okla.; and Lee, Washington state. Muriel Joy Hudler, too, resides in Burlington with her husband, Rol, publisher of The Burlington Record. Their oldest son John (and wife Chris) is in business with them and their youngest, Ad, works for a large city newspaper in Fort Myers, Fla. Janeen Louise (Hap) Schrader and her husband Dave are the parents ofsix children: Eric, Endie, Derek, Emily, Cord and Ward. The family lives in Eagle, Idaho, where Dave is an insurance broker. The Lindsey girls'lives are still entertwined with the Smoky Hill residents and their happy memories of the community. by Bernice Eberhart Colorado. by Florence McConnell LIPFORD, CARL W. F4t4 LINDSAY, JOE AND MURIEL F413 Stationed at Camp Carson, Colorado Springs, during World War II, Joe Lindsey was farming before he got out of the service, being a partner of Howard Mountain, who had been a childhood friend in their hometown of Protection, Kans. In Colorado Springs, Joe met Muriel Ward Burghard and her three daughters, Lucky, Carl William Lipford was born to Lena and John William (Jack) Lipford on March 1, 1910. at their homestead in the Shiloh neighborhood twenty miles northeast of Flagler. He grew up on the homestead with two older sisters, Hetty and Blanche, until the family moved into Flagler a few years later. A brother, John Thomas, born in 1912, lived only a few months. He attended the Flagler School, as well as one year at Shiloh, and graduated with the class of 1928. He attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Then he transferred to what is now Colorado State University at Ft. mixed in with trials and hard work known to that era. Shortly after their maniage, they purchased a one- room school house and moved it to their land, partitioned it and made it their home. As time went by, Dad turned the farming over to the boys and he and Mom bought a restaurant in Joes in 1948. They kept the restaurant until 1957 when they sold it to Rex Shafer. They then moved to West Plains, Missouri, but their ties were in Colorado, so they come back to the farm. Daddy passed away on April 29, 1973' and Mom stayed on in her home until ehe had a stroke in May, 1982. She has reeided at the Grace Manor Nursing Home in Burlington since then. Joy and Happy, and began his arduous campaign to make them his own family. After his discharge, he lived in Wichita, Kans., for awhile before he and Muriel were manied but by Alma Van De Weghe purchased and a new way of life had begun. InL942, Carl joined the Air Force where he served until 1945, and was stationed in Texas, would have to include the pinochle parties at the schoolhouse (while the kids roo-ed the much of the time. he continued farming operations with Moun- tain, buying the farm on the Correction Line from him in 1948 and moving his'girls'out to batch in a machine quonset/shed the summer of $59 while they built their home. The adjustment wasn't an easy one for the displaced city gals, who discovered soon after classes start€d at Smoky Hill that their pretty especially when dregees just would not do - the boys and you played tag football with crawled under the merry-go-round to tell jokes. So, off came the skirts and hems were put in the "new" blouses, new jeans were Special memories of life at Smoky Hill Collins which he attended for two years. There he was a member of the Advanced R.O.T.C. which was a cavalry unit at that time. After he returned to Flagler he was employed at the Flagler Equity. On Decembet 29, L937, he was united in marriage to Margie Jane Ellis, daughter of Herbert L. Ellis and Anna M. Ellis of Flagler in a home wedding atthe home of the groom's parents with members of both families present. The couple made their home in Flagler. Jane first worked in the telephone office and then began working for the First National Bank. After returning from service, he was em- �ployed at the Lavington Motor Company as a mechanic. In 1947, he received an appoint- ment as mail carrier and continued with that until he was stricken with a heart attack on Oct. 11, 1960 while preparing the mail for delivery. Burial was in the Flagler Cemetery. Survivors included his widow, Jane; his father, Jack Lipford; his sister, Blanche Carper; and a niece, Jacqueline Spiars. Preceding him in death were an infant brother, his mother, Lena, and his sister, Hetty McCormick. He was a member of the Congregational Church and active in Lions Club. He was also a member of the Volunteer Fire Department and the American Legion, serving as presi- dent the year that the Legion building was planned. by Blanche Lipford Carper LIPFORD, JACK AND LENA F4l6 Bethel community, farming. Lena, born Jan. 3, 1878, wae the daughter of Sylvanus and Mary E. (Moore) Bragg. Her father was in the drugstore business as well as farming and cattle raising. Lena and her brother, Tom, were born to this union. After her mother,s death, her father remarried after several years, with seven children being born in that family. After completing public school, she attended an academy at Columbia, Missouri, for a year. When she was 16, she inherited some money from her mother's estate and bought an organ. The organ came west with the Lipfords and is now owned by Gus and Vella Vassios of Flagler. The Lipfords and their two daughters possibly made the move to Colorado for Mrs. Lipford's health. A son, Carl W. was born in 1910 and in 1912, a second son, John Thomas, was born on June 8, but lived onlv until October. A Dr. Wheeler, who had moved to Colorado for his health had homesteaded south of Cope, delivered both Lipford sons. The Lipfords lived like the other homesteaders, with a lot of hard work for all members of the family. Hetty was her father's helper while Blanche helped with the household chores although both did the farm chores typical of the era. After moving to the homestead, they found they were closer to Flagler, so came to Flagler for their trading like others heading across the prairie in the -straightest line possible. When telephones cnme to the area, it was transmitted bv the fence wires but was an improvement oir not having a phone. When the family acquired a surrey with "a fringe on the top", it made the trips across the prairie more comfortable. In the fall of 1915, when Hetty was ready for high school, the Lipfords rented a house, between 5th and 6th on Navajo (now remodeled and moved to Main Street). They moved J.W. Lipford god house in Shiloh community and Lena Lipford and children near house. Harveste in back row, neighbor children in front. John William (Jack) Lipford and his wife, Lena, with their two daughters, Hetty and Blanche, were among the group who came from Shelby County, Missouri, and home- steaded in Sucker's Flat in 1908. Jack had come with friends in the fall of 190? to file on the homesteads and returned the spring of 1908. The men csme first to begin the sod homes with the women and children follow- ing a few weeks later. Like others they chartered an immigrant car, along with Walter Currys, and brought their household furnishings. In the Lipford's case, they brought only chickens and purchased their livestock after they reached here. Jack had been born on Dec. 8, 1878 in Boardley, Kentucky, to John William Lipford and Mary Henrietta (Hewitt) Lipford. Hig father died when he was only 6 months old and he and hig mother then made their home with his mother's sister and husband, Jacob and Missouri (Hewitt) Curry and their son, Walter. Upon Jack's mother's death when he was 21/z,he was raiged by the Currys, who moved to Shelby County, Missouri, to avoid any claims other relatives might have on him. It was some years before he knew he had been orphaned and when he was 18, he began using the Lipford ne-e. On Dec. 29, 1897, he and Lena (Moore) Bragg were married at the home of her uncle, John Moore, and made their home in the LITTLE, ROBERT Last Sunday, at noon, word was received that Robert Little, the nineteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. F.P. Little of this city, had met death by accidental drowning in the Corliss lake north of town. th9_ unfortunate young man in company with Willie Trude and Hescoe Murphy left a day or two prior to the accident for a few days outing at the lake. It seems that it was the intention of the party to run a seine across the lake and the boy decided to test his ability as a swimner before doing so. On his way to the opposite side he was seized with cremps and sank before the eyes of his companions. Burt Corliss, who was with the boys, swnm to the young man and reached him just as he was going down the third time and succeeded in towing him quite a distance nearer to the shore, but in the struggle Mr. Corliss became too exhausted and in order to save his own life was compelled to release his hold on the drowning man. A boat was procured and the body recovered lying on a bed of moss which in summer rises within a few feet of the surface. An automobile party left as soon as the sad news was received and returned with the body which was taken to the undertaker. The funeral services were conducted bv Rev. C.A. Yersin, pastor of the Christian Church, at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning; Pearl Shannon, Hescoe Murphy, Ben Buchele, John Gates, Wm. Wilcox, Vernon Coak- ley, six of the unfortunate young man's friends, acting as pall bearers. by Myra L. Davis to town on Oct. 15, 1915, the day the cornerstone of the new brick school building was laid in Flagler. After living in town during the school year for two terms, the Lipfords returned to the homestead and Blanche sta*ed high school in the new Shiloh Center scbool where thev offered the first year of high school. After a few weeks, the family sent her back to Shelbyville, Mo., where she stayed with relatives and completed her freshman year. In 1918, the Lipfords moved back to Flagler from the homestead, soon buying the house on Srd and Ouray, which remained their home for the rest of their lives. After they moved to town, Mr. Lipford worked for W.H. Lavington in his store and also owned a clothing store for awhile in what is now the Pool Hall on Main Avenue. In 1923, he became manager of the Flagler Equity Co-operative Assn., which he managed until his retirement in 1952. Among the activities of that business was a flour mill. operated by Joe Eckert, which ran for many years. Coal was also sold. Jack helped organize the Fire Department in 1920 and was a member until 1946. He also was a member of the Masons, IOOF Lodge, Modern Woodmen of America and the Eastern Star. Lena Lipford passed away suddenly on June 1, L944, of a heart attack. Jack continued to make his home in Flagler after his retirement. He passed away on July 26, 1963, at the age of 84 years. by Blanche Lipford Carper F4l6 LIVINGSTON - SHORT FAMILY E4t7 In February 1920, Earl and Verna (Short) Livingston moved from a farm near Alexandria, Nebraska to a farm southwest of Seibert in Kit Carson County, with their two small daughters, Vera and Viva. They stayed with Verna's parents, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Short. while -waiting for the Conley family to get moved out of the place where they were to live-. Everybody was having the flu so moving took longer. They farmed, milked cows, raised hogs and chickens. The cream and egg money lielped eke out a living in the dust bowl days of the 1930's. - Two more daughters and a son joined the family; Eloise, Rose and Bill. The children all attended school at Rock Cliff and then Seibert High School where all were graduated. The family was active in the Rock Cliff Sunday School as long as they had services there. During the 30's when money was scarce, Earl put a hitch on the front ofthe car q"9 t!" 9ld $ay lsam pulled us to Sunday School, the gas was saved for the long trip to Seibert for groceries. Later, when Rolf efff no longer had Sunday School they attended at Second Central. Earl was Sunday School superintendent at Rock Cliff for many years. �Verna was active in the Rock Cliff Helpers Ladies Aid and served as President and Secretary. In L922 Rock Cliff school district pur- chased three school busses. At that time there were almost 60 pupils, with 14 beginners that year. Earl was one of the drivers for the new busses; much of his school route was a trail across the prairie. He drove the bus for several years and when he was busy in the field Verna would drive the bus. Later Earl served on the School Board for many years. Earl worked on Farm Progromg for many years. He measured acreages all over Kit Carson County, and also traveled the county as Assessor. calf, and one car left friends and relatives, to embark on an exciting new adventure. They drove into a blinding, choking duststorm. It took another trip to bring the horse, other cars and another truck load of belongings. Claude and Genevieve had an eighteen month old daughter, Claudia Ann. Then in 1951 two babies joined the family. Jeanetter Jeanne born to Claude and Genevieve, and Gary Joe born to Joe and Pauline Long. A few years later, Pnmela Sue was born to Joe and Pauline. The families were made to feel welcome in the community. There was soon participation in the Friendship Circle Extension Club, and the non-denominational Sunday School. In 1958, Earl and Verna moved into Seibert and Bill and Rogene took over the farm. Verna passed away in December 1965. In February of 1970 Earl sold out and moved to California. In March of 1970 he and There were community dinners held in the school lunchroom. Most entertainment all Viola Goff were manied. He remained in California until her death in December 1979. Now at the age of 95, Earl is back at the farm with Bill and Rogene. next time they reversed the food brought. The children played their running games and had a lot of fun. Warm, close friendships were formed. by Vera Gottshall After Claudia and Jeanette started to school, Genevieve took her turn as the lunchroom helper. All mothers took turns helping the cook with the hot lunches. When the sod was broken up many arrowheads became visible, and looking for arrowheads became a fascinating activity, in the LONG - BELL FAMILIES winter was the Saturday night pinochle parties. Half of the families brought sandwiches, the other half brought cakes. The F418 The Longs and Bells Enter Smoky Hill Community The westward expansion continued in 1950. The Long family pushed west, since farm land for erpansion in northwestern Oklahoma was impossible to find. The pre- vious generation had moved from Pennsylva- nia and Kentucky, through Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas into Oklahoma. Addison Joseph Long and his eon-in-law, Claude Martin Bell drove through western Kansas and eastern Colorado looking for a tract of land to lease. A man driving a tractor in a field suggested that they could contact A.G. Kirschmer in Burlington, Colorado. Nine miles southeast of Burlington, Addison and Claude leased twenty-eight quarters of land, 4480 acres, from Mr. Kirschmer. It consist€d of 2320 acres of summer fallow, 1840 acres of wheat and 320 acres of pasture land. Along with the lease, a purchase was made of tools, equipment, and machinery. The exciting acquisition was a D-7 Caterpil- lar and the machinery it pulled. It tilled a seventy foot swath. Addison gold his farmland at Fairview and Longdale, Oklahoma to finance his son Joe Arthur Long and his soninJaw Claude Bell in this farming venture. Claude sold his automobile and tractor repair garage, and Joe graduated from Oklahoma State University, then moved to Colorado to form this three-fanily partnership. In March of 1950 the three men began their farming operation known as the LBL Ranch. The LBL was also their cattle brand. The women, Addigon's wife Dollie May Long, Claude's wife, Genevieve May Long Bell and Joe's wife, Pauline Edwards Long, began to pack and sort and prepare for a farm and home sale. On March 1, the caravan, a truck with home furnishings, a pick-up with a cow and fields and along the Smoky riverbed. The partnership lasted for six years, until the leased land was sold, and each family LONG, WILLIAM MELVIN F4r9 I was born in Harrison county, Mo., December 10, 1864 and spent my youth near Blue Ridge, Mo. In 1887, another party and myself came by covered wagon and settled in the northwest corner of Kansas, in Sherman County. In 1889, I moved into Colorado and took a homestead. I lived in my covered wagon until a sod house was built, and the lumber for the roofing and frame were hauled from Haigler, Nebr., along with other supplies needed. Water was hauled from Sand Creek several miles away and often we had to get water from holes which held water. I plastered my house with native lime, sometimes these soddies were plastered with clay, most of them had dirt floors, very few of them having wooden floors. I never saw any buffalo, but the day I went to Jacqua for supplies, the last buffalo seen in Kit Carson County was chased across my yard and killed a little further north, and I enjoyed a steak from this one. T.G. Price, a pioneer judge of this county, had one of the heads of the last two buffalos killed here. We saw plenty of antelope and some wild horses. I remember we drove to Denver in July, 1888, following the trail west from the divide between Haigler and Burlington and through the Hash Knife, which was north of Limon killed in a car accident at the age of L7. and east of Deertrail. 1rys samped the evening before on the Arickaree river, and planned to go to Lusto Springs the next evening, for we wanted to be near water. So we drove to a point below the low-lying hills, and got ready to camp. We began to pitch our tent and then we noticed someone riding toward us and waving. We had not seen another rider all Addison remarried Inez Richardson and they moved into Burlington. In 1960 the Bells moved to town, and in the man came up to us and we were told a continued to farm independently in the area. Irrigation farming was introduced to the community, and Joe and Claude went into irrigation. Addison stayed with the dry land wheat farming. Genevieve taught in the Smoky Hill School for two years, 1958-60. Dollie Long died in 1965, and Pamela Sue was 1970 they were divorced. He continued to farm until his death in 1983. Genevieve taught in the RE6J district for 18 years and retired in May 1986. Claudia entered Oklahoma State University for three semesters, then entered Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from there as a registered nurse, moved to Salmon, Idaho where she worked in Steele Memorial Hospital for eight years. She has lived in Colorado Springs since and works as a critical care nurse in the Intensive Care Unit of Penrose Hospital. Jeanette married Clord D. Meyer of Bethune, and attended Arizona State University for one year. She and Clord graduated from the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo. They divorced after 15 years of marriage. Jeanette has worked since 19?2 as Communications Coordinator in the Marke- ting Department of the St. Mary-Corwin Hospital in Pueblo. Joe and Pauline moved to Stroud, Oklahoma in 1981. Pauline worked in TG&Y store until it closed. Joe drives a refrigerated reefer truck in a seven state area. Their son Gary Joe and his wife Corrine, operate a carpet cleaning business in Prague, Oklahoma. They have three daughters, Jessica. Cn-ela and Chelsea. by Bernice Eberhart day, so we wondered who the rider was approaching us in this manner. As we waited, herd of five thousand Texas longhorn steers were being driven to Montana for grass and were watering at Lusto Springs, and our camp was right in their path. We quickly moved and gave the herd plenty of room. I shall not soon forget the sight of the vast herd passing us, and how grateful we were to be warned in time to move out of the way of the dangerous path of such a herd. It took us four or five days to drive to Denver to file on homesteads. Folks drive it now in that many or less hours. Mr. Long was a pioneer teacher in this county and the third county judge of Kit Carson County. He moved to Stratton in 1917 and operated a hardware store there until his death. His wife, Jennie was also a pioneer teacher and preceded him in death. (Your scribe liked to visit with Judge Long as we were both from Harrison County, Mo. and knew many of the ssme people near Blue Ridge.) by Della Hendricks �LOUTZENHISER - WILDMAN FAMILY I.420 The day of the sale a terrible wind hit about LOVTZENIIISER, DONALD mid morning. People that weren't already there had trouble traveling, as it was like a snow blizzard except it was dust in the air. The sale warl well attended though. Prices F42l were extremely high as the inflation of World War I wag still in effect. A week or so after the sale a big snow blizzard. hit and everything cnme to a halt. By the time the roads were again passable, a depression had set in and the bottom fell out ofthe financial world. Everything snm6 t 'mHing down. E.T. and Edith decided not to make the move to Colorado at this time. The farm was restocked and farming was as usual for a few years. In L924F,.T. started to farm in Kansas and Colorado both, as the older boys were able to handle most of the farming in Kansas. [n December of 1928 the family moved to Colorado, all except one son Donald, who came later. By this time the family had grown to nine children: Lester, Donald, Clair, Everett, Irene, Vera, Rex, Millard and Lila. E.T. rentcd a farm near by with improvements on it and moved the family into the rented house until one could be built on their section. A bad depression start€d in 1929 or there about, and last€d all through the 30's, along with one of the worst droughts that start€d in 1934 and last€d until 1939. Late in 1935, Edith had become partially paralized, and the doctors in Denver, ColoErnest Talmage Loutzenhiser and Edith Glynn Wildman. They were married November 25, 1908 and moved to the Shiloh community north of Flagler in December of 1928. rado, discovered it was caused by a tumor on the brain. In an attempt to remove it by surgery, she didn't recover. On January 11, 1936, she went to be with her Lord and Savior, of whom she was a faitMul follower all her life. She was buried in the Flagler cemetery. Ernest Talmage Loutzenhiser, better known as 8.T., was born July 28, 1885, at Bridgeport, South Dakota. When he was two weeks of age, his parents, John and Mary (Nichols) Loutzenhiser, and two older sons, Ramie and Orie, traveled by covered wagon to Jewell County, Kansas. There he attended school and grew to manhood. November 25, 1908, he married Edith Glynn Wildman (born May 4, 1886). They set up house keeping on one of his father's falms. After ten yearg or so of farming, four sons and two daughters, they decieded a vacation was needed. So, somewhere along the line after World War I and the Armestice was signed on November 11, 1918, they bought their first new car, a Model T Ford. E.T.'s brother, Ranie, and his family had moved to Yuma County, Colorado a few years earlier, so the family decided to go to Colorado to visit them. While they were in Colorado, it only seemed natural to think of a new territory to move to. While they were looking around, they purchased a section of land eighteen miles north-east of Flagler, Colorado, in Kit Carson County. This section of land was decided on because it was level, the Shiloh School was on it, which taught the first eleven grades, and the Shiloh Baptist Church was acrogs the road on one corner. Sometime later, March 31, 1920, E.T. and Edith billed a farm sale so they could move to Colorado. The neighbots cAme in and had a farewell oyster supper for them. During the course of the evening, the remark was made by someone, "Why should you risk taking them kids to East€rn Colorado! If a winter blizzatd didn't get them, a rattle snake would". Times were rough during the 30's. By the late 30's improvements were built on the section. By this time the oldest sons were married and on farms of their own. Along with the help of his sons and daughters at home, E.T. got into the purebred Duroc Jersey Hog raising business. This turned out to be a real success and the family took great interest in this adventure. He won his share of the grand chnmpion ribbons at the Colorado State Fair and also at Lincoln, Nebraska State Fair one year. E.T. held a pure bred gilt and boar sale every spring during these trying years, which turned out to be a great thing for many farmers in Eastern Colorado to get started raising a better class of hogs. On May LL, t947, E.T. married Ruby Leona Gearing. By then all of the children were married or out on their own. E.T. and Ruby continued living on the farm. In the early 1950's R.E.A. built power lines to the farm area, which made them more modern. In the fall of 1956, E.T. entered the Flagler Hospital for exploratory surgery. It was found he had a large gallstone that was causing a bile blockage. He was later moved to a hospital in Denver, Colorado, where he passed away on December 2, 1956. E.T. was buried beside his first wife Edith in the Flagler Cemetery. by Donald Loutzenhiser Donald Loutzenhiger. fall of 1954. Donald Loutzenhiser and Laveta Thelma Gattshall were married February 23, 1933, at St. Francis, Kansas. Donald was twenty-two and Laveta twenty-one. Everybody that ever got married had to set a wedding date. We discovered my birthday was February 22 and Laveta's was February 24, so we settled for February 23. A bad depression had set in a few years earlier, but that didn't drmpen our spirit. We set up house keeping on a rented 160 acre farm just across the road in Washington County, about 21 miles north-east of Flagler, Colorado. We had an unusually wet spring and corn planting time was a little late. When thatjob was out ofthe way, I plowed ten acres witha team of mules and awalking plow. This was planted to millet on the fourth day of July. After the millet seeding was done, we went to Seibert, Colorado, to celebrate the 4th. Seibert has always been famous to remember certain days. We didn't receive much rain that summer, especially in the early fall. The millet crop was great, the corn was fair, but the prices had fallen to nlmsst, nothing. I think around twenty-five cents a bushel, but others remembered it being lower than that. The next spring, 1934, we moved three and one-half miles east of Flagler on a farm owned by Alfred Hartzler, he being Laveta's grandfather. There were two living quarters there and grandfather wasn't getting any younger, so we were able to see that he had transportation to town and elsewhere. By then a long nation-wide drought had set in and along with the depression, people didn't have much income. Our first child, Duane, was born May 30, 1934. In those days doctors made house calls and cnme out to the farm. The drought lasted into the late 30's. With the help of the good �Lord and the government programs, people seemed to survive. There were days when the air was filled with duet so thick it was so dark the chickens went to roost about 12 o'clock noon. The spring of 1935, there wasn't much wind blowing. One day the sky began to turn red about midday and a good manY PeoPle thought the end of time had arrived. The red dust from down Oklahoma way was passing through. It was so bad with dust in the air, it was terrible to see where to turn corners you were familiar with. On May 30, 1935' a terrible flood hit Kit Carson and Washington Counties, maybe others too. The storm hit northern Kit Carson County and Southern Washington County during the daylight hours, later after dark, it hit the town of Flagler. Several people lost their lives in the flood swollen streams. People didn't realize just how bad a storm had struck, being no weather reports like we have now. Our oldest daughter, Darlene, was born July 21, 1935, while we were living out east of Flagler. The jack rabbits and grasshoppers seem to thrive in dry weather. The rabbits were more like flocks of sheep, so rabbit drives were organized. People didn't have a lot to do in the way of farming, so everybody came out to help herd the rabbits toward a holding pen in the center of the area being covered. Lots ofrabbits were destroyed. Lots ofpeople were using rabbit for food also. In the spring of 1936 we moved to a rented farm twenty-two miles northeast of Flagler in the Shiloh Country. The Shiloh Baptist Church was close by as well as the Shiloh School. It was close to church services and school for the children. Our third child' Josephine, was born November 15, 1937. In the late 30's the drought began to taper off, and things began to look up. Price-wise, things were still low. When World War II was declared on December 7, L94L, prices began tn rise and inflation set in. All wars seem to do this. In 1942 we bought the present farm we still own, twelve miles north and three east of tractor less. as I had rented the farm to the oldest son Duane. by Donald Loutzenhiser F422 Arthur Lowe personifies the pioneer spirit that promoted the gowth of this County. Arthur's roots in Kit Carson County were established long ago. He and his twin brother, Archie Merril, were born January 18, 1897 near Augusta, Wisconsin to Edward Augustus and Harriett Elizabeth (Cooper) Lowe. There were four older children in the family; Beatrice (Lowe) Braddy, Kenneth, and twins Vern and Vernice (Lowe) Thomas. In 190? the family immigrated to Kit Carson County where you could acquire a tract of land from the government under the Homestead Act of 1812. Arthur's sisters were teaching schools near Augusta, Wisconsin at the time, so they stayed in Wisconsin to finish their school term. Vern stayed behind to ride the Jersey Milk train with the family belongings. Arthur, Archie, Kenneth and their parents rode the train to Stratton, Colorado, where they rented rooms to stay in temporarily until Vern arrived. They bought some lumber which they loaded on their wagon, along with their belongings, hitched their team ofhorses to the wagon and headed twelve miles south and four miles west of Stratton. There they pitched a tent and staked out a quarter section of land to start their homesteading. The Homestead Act of 1812 provided that anyone who was either the head of the family, twenty-one years of age' or a veteran of fourteen days active duty in the military service, and was a citizen of the United not to States, could acquire a tract ofland by settling on- it for a exceed 160 acree - Edward Lowe and his sons built a cook shack near the tent with the lumber they had purchased. They began to plow the land and put in crops. They also cut sod blocks from the surrounding prairie with which to build a house for the family. Within a month, the walls of the sod house were ready for a roof. LOWE, ARTHUR MYRON period of five years. They carefully tore down the cook shack and used the lumber for building the roof. Arthur's sisters, Beatrice and Vernice, came to Colorado as soon as their school terms were completed. It was nearly a year before a well was drilled for water. In the meantime, their water had to be hauled by a team of horses, pulling a wagon loaded with four water barrels, from a farm located two miles southeast of their homestead. Arthur and Archie attended the Nutbrook School which was three miles east and one mile north of their home. They also attended the Jones School located three miles north of the homestead. Some of their teachers were Annie Matson, Bessie Lightfoot, Hope Root, and Beatrice Lowe. Arthur and Archie worked for a neighbor herding sheep. One winter an unexpected blizzardswept the area and sheep piled up in the gulleys and ravines trying to find sheltpr. When the storm subsided, the boys helped dig the sheep out of the snow banks. Many were dead, however, the boys earned one dollar for every live sheep they dug out' In some places they found twelve to fifteen sheep piled on each other, all smothered to death in the deep snow. In early 1918 Vern, now married, left to work in the Portland Gold Mines at Victor and Cripple Creek, Colorado. Arthur soon decided he would like to try his luck in the gold mines and went to Cripple Creek where he worked in the mine and lived with Vern and his wife. In August of 1918, Kenneth was called to the service and Arthur came home to enlist in the Navy. He did not weigh enough so had to wait for the draft, which placed him in the Army. He was sent to Carnp Fort Lewis, Flagler. Crops were real good through the fortiee and early fifties. The fall of 1946 we purchased a home in Flagler so the children could attend school, there being no schools north of the old Flagler school district open that fall. We found out the Eummer of 1951 Laveta had cancer. It was too lat€ for a hysterectomy surgery to eave her life, and we lost her on May 28, 1954. She was buried in the Flagler cemetery. January 9, 1955, I married Irene Nola Host€tler. She had lost her husband, Charles, from a heart attack in 1953. We were blessed with a son, Gregg Kent, on September 27, 1955. We were saddened again in June of 1957 when we learned Irene had breaet cancer and surgery didn't save her. We lost her February 16, 1958, and she was buried in the Flagler cemetery by her first husband, Charles. Gregg was three years old then. October 16, 1958, I married Nyla M. Asher. I don't know how time got away so fast' it didn't seem long before he was out of school and on his own. Nyla and I moved to Burlington, Colorado, the spring of 1980 so I could be close to a golf course. The idea being to play more golf and run the farm Art and Thelma Lowe and fanily. L to R. Elva, Alvin, Art, Paul, Thelma, Judy, Velva, Ladeen and Velma. �Washington to train for the infantry. He expected to be sent to France. However, the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1919, so he never left the United States. His discharge was delayed for three months when he got the mumps. Arthur was now past twenty-one and he and some other young men decided to look for land near Trinidad, Colorado. He bought a section of relinquished Homeetead land for $1000.00 near Model, Colorado. He cut sod blocks and built a house ten feet by fourteen feet. He also dug a cistern and worked for neighboring farmers cutting and stacking hay. On June 29, t920, Arthur went back to Stratton and manied Agnes Marie Radspinner, daughter of Arthur and Lucy Radspinner. They were married in Burlington, Colorado by Judge Boger and witnesses were Audrey M. Glaze and Frank Whitmore. Arthur took his new bride to the soddie house near Model where they lived for a time. They moved to Swink, Colorado, where Arthur worked with the sugar beets until the season's crop was processed. Their first child, Cecil Alvin, was born January L9, L922, in Swink. Arthur moved his family to Colorado Springs while Alvin was quite small. Here he operated a street maintainer and on May 16, 1923, Vehna Lorene was born. In August of that same year, the family moved back to Swink and in September they went back to the homestead at Model, where they lived until they returned to Kit Carson County in 1926. For about a year they lived with and helped Arthur's parents, who by now had built a lovely wood frame home. The old soddie house was now a barn. (This farm is now owned and operated by Arthur's daughter Ladeen and her husband Charles MiUs.) By the spring of 1927 Arthur had located a farm to rent. This farm was twelve miles south and four miles east of Stratton, Colorado, near the First Central School. It was about one mile from Agnes's parents farm. Arthur worked this farm and again he cut sod from the surrounding prairie with which to place around the outside of the farmhouse to keep it warm in the winter. He took a team of horges and wagon, and with his family, went out on the prairie to gather cow chips for winter fuel. Arthur took his wife and children to the First Central School house every Sunday morning to attend church cnme to live with the family and help make a home for the seven of them. During that year of 1931, the children had chicken pox, measles, mumps and whooping cough. Vernice also got the mumps and was very ill. On May 22, 1932, Arthur was greatly blessed when Thelma Arnetta (Nielson) Armstrong became his wife and the mother of his four children. She was no stranger to the family as she had taught at First Central for four years. Among her teaching duties was music teacher for all the grades. Thelma's first husband had died in a tragic drowning accident in 1928, just three months after their mariage. grand children and great grand children gathered in Burlington to celebrate with Arthur and Thebna on their 50th wedding anniversary. raised hogs there until 188?, when the hogs all got cholera and died. Things got bad for Grandpa and he was about to give up. The Government had land for homesteading in Colorado, so my Dad and his older brother (Oscar) got on their bicycles and followed the Republican River and cow trails till they got a couple miles south of Hale, Colo. At that time there was no Hale or any towns close. When the boys left my Grandpa had told them "Now boys, I've lived in the swsmps and by ponds with mosquitoes all mylife, and I wish you would find a place higher up." Well they did a real good job of that, when they went south of Hale and got in those hills and that old yeller dirt. There they staked out by Velva Lowe Pickard LUNDVALL STAFFORD FAMILY F423 My Dad (Emil Lundvall) was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 18?2, and came to this country in 1875 with his parents (The Nels Peterson family) 5 brothers, 1 sister, and an uncle. They settled in Holdridge, Nebr. There were so many people in Nebraska with the nn-e of Peterson, that Grandpa had trouble getting his mail, so he changed his name to Nels Peter Lundvall and his brother took the neme of Carlson. They farmed and Alvin and Velma start€d school at First Central while living on this farm. Then Arthur moved his family to a farm one mile east ofFirst Central School on the Correction Line. This was a much larger farm with a nice house, big barn and chicken house on it. Arthur was able to get cattle, hogs, chickens and turkeys to raise. The A/L became his registered brand and the farm becnme known ag the AIL Ranch. Twin daughters, Elva May and Velva Fay, were born on this farm on October 6, 1930. When they were seven months old tragedy struck the family. Their mother Agnes became ill and died in Denver General Hospital May 4, 1931. Arthur was left a widower at the age of thirty-three, and with four small children. Arthur's sister Vernice and her son Donald Wooley by their Dad'e 1916 Ford truck. Photo was taken at the old homestead. Arthur and Thelma, together with their family, withstood the drought and depression years, the dirt storms, blizzards, bad times and good times. On July 22, L933, Arthur and Thelma had their first child, Margaret Ladeen. Their first son Paul Arthur was born August 1?, 1936, and daughter Judith Elizabeth was born on September 10, 1943. In 1948 they moved to their home in Burlington, Colorado, and Arthur retired from farming a few years later. The A/T, Ranch is now owned by son Paul. In 1982, all seven children, along with services. Arthur's neighbors were very kind. Mrs. Lloyd Megal, who lived a quarter mile east, came to help the family every day. Soon Virgil and Archie Lundvall and friend Donnv Rudolf, Axel, Emil and Oscar, The Lundvall Brothers. some quarters for the family, and rode on to Lamar, Colo. to file on them. My Dad was only 15 and too young to own his, but Oscar filed on his and they got applications for Grandpa and the other boys. Dad and Oscar had no money and ran across a man in Lnm61 that had 20 acres of onions that needed to be weeded and taken care of, and he offered them a percentage if they and 2 Japanese families would take care of them. They got credit at the general store for food and clothing, and lived in a tent that summer until the onions were harvested. They made enough money that summer to pay the grocer and have a few dollars in their pocket. Before leaving they made a verbal agreement to work for this man the next summer in Greeley, Colo. They then rode their bicycles to the quarters they had staked out, and on to Holdridge, aniving there about Christmas. �The next spring my Dad and Oscar went to Greeley to work. My Grandpa and two of the other boys hitched up the oxen and loaded the wagon with supplies and groceries, which was mainly beans, cornmeal, scorched corn and coffee. They used the scorched corn with the coffee to make the coffee go further. I'm not sure what kind of house they built but I think it was sod. The next year (1889) my homestead in 1928, but he was a gardener and we moved a lot of places where new ground had been plowedup. All of us kids would work in the garden, and sometimes go with him to peddle garden truck. He was known for his watermelon days when he would give free melons to all the people that ceme. The drought came and then the gras- Grandma came out. She had raised some broom corn and had about 30 turkeys, so they built a crate on the wagon to put the turkeys shoppers, and just about everyone left the homesteads. By 1934 most of the Lundvall's were gone. One person now owns what 12 people owned back in the homestead days. in. Once again they started to the homestead, but along the way they hit a rut and the crate by Virgil Lundvall broke and turkeys got out. They couldn't catch them so started on without them. Soon they noticed the turkeys were following behind the wagon. They were catching grasshoppers and taking care of themselves. The oxen were so slow the turkeys had no trouble keeping up with them. railroad wan coming up the Republican River and some post offices were built. Some of these were the Jaqua, Hale, Bonnie, Hermus and the Tuttle. These were built about 8 to 10 miles apart, and all were the same with a 9 ft. rock wall then about 4 ft. of board and the sloped roof, which made them about 15 feet high. I don't know if the government or the postmasters built them. The railroad never cAme thru, but little towns were springing up and more settlers were coming. Kanorado was one of the fastest growing little towns, but if you needed supplies you either had to go back to Holdridge or to Lemar. On one trip to Lnmar, one of Dad's oxen got sick and died. He bought an old black horse for $8.00 and put it with the oxen, but that didn't work. The horse would take 2 steps and have to wait on the oxen to catch up. They stopped at some willows and got some branches and made some shafts so they could drive each the horse and the oxen a half a day. Later on my Dad bought another horse from Bill Cody. I asked Dad why he ever fooled with the oxen and he said, "Because the oxen were easy to keep. They never strayed far and ifthere was a storm they would come home. You had to have a fence for horses or they would stray or some one would take them and you'd never eee them again." In 1905, my Grandpa Stafford and his brother Rube came to homestead. While they were improving and starting to dig the basements, a fella by the name of Bud Hill came by and asked if they had filed on the land. Rube said, "No, but we are going to Wray and file in the morning." The next day when they went to file they found out that Bud Hill had filed on uncle Rube's earlier that day and beat him out. Rube told Grandpa Stafford, "Well, if they are going to be that crooked and mean out here I'm just going back home." Rube caught the train that afternoon and went back to Decatur, Illinois. Grandpa Stafford had a family of 6 children and went back to the homegtead to build. He dug a hole in the bank, the north, east and south walls were dirt. On the west, he nailed boards and tar paper, leaving a door and 2 emall windows. He had two 10 ft. x 10 ft. rooms, but it was very dark and not much air could get in or circulate. Dad married my Mother, Flora Mae Stafford, in 1911. They had six children. Ethel, Thelna, Violet, Virgil (myself), Archie, and Lillian. Dad mortgaged and lost the organized the first M.E. Church in Burlington. Our supplies were either freighted in from Haigler, Nebr. or gotten at the small store at Lo-born, Kans. (now called Kanarado). We could not always get what we wanted, so just had to be content with what we could get. My husband worked in Denver for a while, then went east to work for the Foster Lumber Company and while he was away I stayed on the homestead with the children. His wages were the means of getting what supplies we needed, so we did not suffer the hardships of a great many other pioneers who could not get LUNDY, MARTHA GILMORE F424 In 1899, my Dad cnrne back and improved on his homestead. There was a rumor that the teachers in this county. Rev. Frank Thomas I was born in Putman County, Ind., in July 1856, and spent my girlhood and young womanhood in that state; then after my marriage to Charles L. Lundy, we came west with our two small children to visit my mother and sister, who were then living in Beaver City, Nebr. That was on May 20, 1888 when we arrived in Beaver City. My husband had been ordered west for his health and he came on out to Colorado, and liking the looks of the country, he drove to Denver and filed papers on his homestead. He then returned to Beaver City in March 1889. We came out and settled on our homestead. We built a sod house and otu goods were shipped to Denver work and had not the money to get the needed supplies for themselves and their children. We would have such terrible storms during the winter and it was always a worry when our husbands or children were out on the prairies for fear of a storm coming up suddenly and causing them to lose their way home. It was so easy to get lost for there were no fences to follow, no trails, no landmarks of any kind. It has always been a wonder to me that more people were not frozen to death on the prairies. I remember Rev. Thomas telling of his first meeting in the new town of Burlington, being in or very near a saloon building, and when some of the converts becgme happy over their religion and some of those in the saloon becnme loud from too much tippling, there was quite a loud babel of voices. But it was not long until the little frame building was put up and the first M.E. Church held and on down to Burlington. Water wag hauled from Carlisle, the place now known as Peconic Siding. The railroad dug a well there, and the people of the surrounding country would go there for the water. It was six miles from where we lived, and we hauled water with a team and wagon and barrels. Later we had a well dug and had water hauled up by a windlass. A short time after we were settled, a sod school house was built and our children were sent to school. At first school was held just three monthe in the year, as we were always afraid of our children getting lost in the storms that would come up suddenly. In the early fall and spring we would have terrible dust storms and in winter it would be the blizzards. My children had to go so far that I was glad they concluded to have school in good weather only. picked up a hunter's knife and steel on the prairie and we always thought that some hunter had been skinning a buffalo and happened to leave the knife laying beside the carcass, as there was quite a pile of bones at the place where the knife was found. And it was no unusual thing to pick up Indian arrow heads on the prairie. My husband returned to Colorado and helped to transcribe the county records aft€r the county was organized. He worked in the office of county clerk for many years. He served one term as county clerk and recorder. When we first came to Colorado there was no cemetery anywhere near us, and the dead were laid to rest in a corner of the homesteads. Finally someone donated an acre of ground and a neighbor lady and myself went There was no church or Sunday school; this round the community and into Burlington was a missionar5r field of the Methodist Church, so my brother-in-law, Rev. Frank Thomas, was sent here as the first minister. He preached in school houses and little churches all over this county, and helped to organize many a Sunday school in the little communities scattered over these broad prairies. When the visiting preachers would come to the community, I was the one who always entertained them, and kept them overnight and we would enjoy their visit, for we got glimpses of the old home and news of the outside world so far removed. Although I was a Presb5rterian, I acted as Sunday school superintendent of the M.B. Sunday School for some years; our preacher was Methodist, and one of the teachers was of the Christian faith. We used to have some good natured arguments, but we all did what we could for the furtherance of this new field. My brother, Jarree T. Gilmore, was one of the pioneer meetings there. I did not see any buffalo, but my boys and solicited funds enough to put up a woven wire fence around the plot so our dead would not be molested by coyotes or badgers that always dug holes in the soft earth that was on the graves. by Martha Lundy MAGEE, C. L. AND VERA F426 Clarence Lauck Magee was born Sept. 19, 1889 at Cleveland, Tenn. His family moved to Ida Co., Iowa in 1899 and it was there that he grew up and attended school. He went to his brother "Zan" who lived in Washington and intended to finish high school there but � 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- L Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of the founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with the letter "L." As found in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:503 2020-03-23T10:13:32Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/503/Families-M.pdf 4ea46e06dcbc7a3b313b92d21582fb03 PDF Text Text The next spring my Dad and Oscar went to Greeley to work. My Grandpa and two of the other boys hitched up the oxen and loaded the wagon with supplies and groceries, which was mainly beans, cornmeal, scorched corn and coffee. They used the scorched corn with the coffee to make the coffee go further. I'm not sure what kind of house they built but I think it was sod. The next year (1889) my homestead in 1928, but he was a gardener and we moved a lot of places where new ground had been plowedup. All of us kids would work in the garden, and sometimes go with him to peddle garden truck. He was known for his watermelon days when he would give free melons to all the people that ceme. The drought came and then the gras- Grandma came out. She had raised some broom corn and had about 30 turkeys, so they built a crate on the wagon to put the turkeys shoppers, and just about everyone left the homesteads. By 1934 most of the Lundvall's were gone. One person now owns what 12 people owned back in the homestead days. in. Once again they started to the homestead, but along the way they hit a rut and the crate by Virgil Lundvall broke and turkeys got out. They couldn't catch them so started on without them. Soon they noticed the turkeys were following behind the wagon. They were catching grasshoppers and taking care of themselves. The oxen were so slow the turkeys had no trouble keeping up with them. railroad wan coming up the Republican River and some post offices were built. Some of these were the Jaqua, Hale, Bonnie, Hermus and the Tuttle. These were built about 8 to 10 miles apart, and all were the same with a 9 ft. rock wall then about 4 ft. of board and the sloped roof, which made them about 15 feet high. I don't know if the government or the postmasters built them. The railroad never cAme thru, but little towns were springing up and more settlers were coming. Kanorado was one of the fastest growing little towns, but if you needed supplies you either had to go back to Holdridge or to Lemar. On one trip to Lnmar, one of Dad's oxen got sick and died. He bought an old black horse for $8.00 and put it with the oxen, but that didn't work. The horse would take 2 steps and have to wait on the oxen to catch up. They stopped at some willows and got some branches and made some shafts so they could drive each the horse and the oxen a half a day. Later on my Dad bought another horse from Bill Cody. I asked Dad why he ever fooled with the oxen and he said, "Because the oxen were easy to keep. They never strayed far and ifthere was a storm they would come home. You had to have a fence for horses or they would stray or some one would take them and you'd never eee them again." In 1905, my Grandpa Stafford and his brother Rube came to homestead. While they were improving and starting to dig the basements, a fella by the name of Bud Hill came by and asked if they had filed on the land. Rube said, "No, but we are going to Wray and file in the morning." The next day when they went to file they found out that Bud Hill had filed on uncle Rube's earlier that day and beat him out. Rube told Grandpa Stafford, "Well, if they are going to be that crooked and mean out here I'm just going back home." Rube caught the train that afternoon and went back to Decatur, Illinois. Grandpa Stafford had a family of 6 children and went back to the homegtead to build. He dug a hole in the bank, the north, east and south walls were dirt. On the west, he nailed boards and tar paper, leaving a door and 2 emall windows. He had two 10 ft. x 10 ft. rooms, but it was very dark and not much air could get in or circulate. Dad married my Mother, Flora Mae Stafford, in 1911. They had six children. Ethel, Thelna, Violet, Virgil (myself), Archie, and Lillian. Dad mortgaged and lost the organized the first M.E. Church in Burlington. Our supplies were either freighted in from Haigler, Nebr. or gotten at the small store at Lo-born, Kans. (now called Kanarado). We could not always get what we wanted, so just had to be content with what we could get. My husband worked in Denver for a while, then went east to work for the Foster Lumber Company and while he was away I stayed on the homestead with the children. His wages were the means of getting what supplies we needed, so we did not suffer the hardships of a great many other pioneers who could not get LUNDY, MARTHA GILMORE F424 In 1899, my Dad cnrne back and improved on his homestead. There was a rumor that the teachers in this county. Rev. Frank Thomas I was born in Putman County, Ind., in July 1856, and spent my girlhood and young womanhood in that state; then after my marriage to Charles L. Lundy, we came west with our two small children to visit my mother and sister, who were then living in Beaver City, Nebr. That was on May 20, 1888 when we arrived in Beaver City. My husband had been ordered west for his health and he came on out to Colorado, and liking the looks of the country, he drove to Denver and filed papers on his homestead. He then returned to Beaver City in March 1889. We came out and settled on our homestead. We built a sod house and otu goods were shipped to Denver work and had not the money to get the needed supplies for themselves and their children. We would have such terrible storms during the winter and it was always a worry when our husbands or children were out on the prairies for fear of a storm coming up suddenly and causing them to lose their way home. It was so easy to get lost for there were no fences to follow, no trails, no landmarks of any kind. It has always been a wonder to me that more people were not frozen to death on the prairies. I remember Rev. Thomas telling of his first meeting in the new town of Burlington, being in or very near a saloon building, and when some of the converts becgme happy over their religion and some of those in the saloon becnme loud from too much tippling, there was quite a loud babel of voices. But it was not long until the little frame building was put up and the first M.E. Church held and on down to Burlington. Water wag hauled from Carlisle, the place now known as Peconic Siding. The railroad dug a well there, and the people of the surrounding country would go there for the water. It was six miles from where we lived, and we hauled water with a team and wagon and barrels. Later we had a well dug and had water hauled up by a windlass. A short time after we were settled, a sod school house was built and our children were sent to school. At first school was held just three monthe in the year, as we were always afraid of our children getting lost in the storms that would come up suddenly. In the early fall and spring we would have terrible dust storms and in winter it would be the blizzards. My children had to go so far that I was glad they concluded to have school in good weather only. picked up a hunter's knife and steel on the prairie and we always thought that some hunter had been skinning a buffalo and happened to leave the knife laying beside the carcass, as there was quite a pile of bones at the place where the knife was found. And it was no unusual thing to pick up Indian arrow heads on the prairie. My husband returned to Colorado and helped to transcribe the county records aft€r the county was organized. He worked in the office of county clerk for many years. He served one term as county clerk and recorder. When we first came to Colorado there was no cemetery anywhere near us, and the dead were laid to rest in a corner of the homesteads. Finally someone donated an acre of ground and a neighbor lady and myself went There was no church or Sunday school; this round the community and into Burlington was a missionar5r field of the Methodist Church, so my brother-in-law, Rev. Frank Thomas, was sent here as the first minister. He preached in school houses and little churches all over this county, and helped to organize many a Sunday school in the little communities scattered over these broad prairies. When the visiting preachers would come to the community, I was the one who always entertained them, and kept them overnight and we would enjoy their visit, for we got glimpses of the old home and news of the outside world so far removed. Although I was a Presb5rterian, I acted as Sunday school superintendent of the M.B. Sunday School for some years; our preacher was Methodist, and one of the teachers was of the Christian faith. We used to have some good natured arguments, but we all did what we could for the furtherance of this new field. My brother, Jarree T. Gilmore, was one of the pioneer meetings there. I did not see any buffalo, but my boys and solicited funds enough to put up a woven wire fence around the plot so our dead would not be molested by coyotes or badgers that always dug holes in the soft earth that was on the graves. by Martha Lundy MAGEE, C. L. AND VERA F426 Clarence Lauck Magee was born Sept. 19, 1889 at Cleveland, Tenn. His family moved to Ida Co., Iowa in 1899 and it was there that he grew up and attended school. He went to his brother "Zan" who lived in Washington and intended to finish high school there but �Fairview Cemetery at Burlington. Barbara Ann graduated from Burlington High School in 1942. In 1948 she manied Melvin D. Butterfield. He served as County Clerk and Recorder from 1950-59. They have three children, Kerry Lee, Dea Ann and Lonny Jack. They moved to Denver in 1959 and have lived at 10845 Morrison Road, Denver, Colorado 80227, for 20 yrs. Melvin ig retired from the Real Estat€ Profession. Nathale graduated from B.H.S. in 1943 and entpred Nurses Training at Corwin Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado and graduated in 1946. In 1945 she married Roger W. Foster of Port Washington, Wisconsin who was stationed with the Army in Pueblo. They made their home in Waukegan, Ill. where he was a Physical Ed. teacher. Roger is retired and they make their home in Eagle River, Wigc. Nathale works as an R.N. in a Nursing Home in Phelps, Wisconsin. They had three children, Steen, who was killed in Cembodia in 1970, and Eileen and Gwen Natalie. Ellen Jessie graduated from B.H.S. in 1947. In L947 she married Floyd D. Winfrey (class of '47) who was the son of James and Jessie Winfrey of Burlington. They had two chilThe Magee family taken in 1943. Standing: Nathale, Ellen and Barbara. Seated; Clarence L, (Jack),Marlyn, and Vera. they needed him to work so he returned to lda Grove, Iowa and finished his senior year and neighbors of the Harbigon's in Salina, Kansas. The Kerrs operated a cafe and there she met Jack. Vera needed to return to Salina and gradauted along with his sister, Polly. Both were valdictorians of the class of 1910. His parents had moved to Colorado and homesteaded south ofSeibert, in 1907-08. He and his sisters remained in Iowa to finish school. "Jack" as he was known, attended Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa and completed a course in law. Jack ovrned and operated a dairy bar to support himself and his sister Jack drove her back in his Model T Ford. Orville remained to help with the harvest. He met Freda Mae Dittmer, daughter of Berton and Lillie Dittmer of Seibert. Freda and Orville were married in L924. They lived in Flagler, Colo. before moving to Loveland, Colo. Orville died in 1980 and Freda died in Polly as they attended Drake University, finishing in 1915. He became ill with a ruptured appendix the last weeks of school 1923 in Salina, Ks. They returned to Seibert and did not receive his diploma. He worked in Iowa and passed the Bar before coming to Colorado to be with his family. At the beginning of World War I he was drafted and inducted into the Army but failed the physical and was discharged in 1918. In 1919 Clarence came to Seibert, Colorado. He took the Colorado Bar Exarn. and passed. He began practicing law in the office of G.W. Klockenteger. Mr Klockentcger moved to the state of Washington as business was slowing down and Jack remained to practice law and purchased the law books. Vera Iona Harbison was born April 30, 1905 in Salina, Ks. She was the daughter of William Sedgwick and Olive Addie (Richards) Harbison. The mother Olive died April 8, 1916 at 32 yrs. of age, after giving birth to her eighth child on March 16, 1916. The father made a home for the older children, Orville, 14, Eula 13, Vera 11, and Vernon 6 yrs. old. Evelyn, not quite 2 yrs., went to live with an Aunt. The new baby, Willard, was raised by another Aunt who was expecting her 5th child at the time. After graduating from the Eighth grade in 1919, she began the ninth grade but was needed at home and was not encouraged to continue school. In 1922 she worked in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Neal, who owned a Drug Store in Salina, Ks. In the summer of 1923. Vera cane to Seibert with her brother Orville to visit Mildred and Jim Kerr. who were former 1987. Jack and Vera were married on Aug. 17, and lived in the Magee home with Jack's brother Bruce and father Coleman. Their first daughter, Barbara Ann was born June 2, L924. In 1925 they purchased a home one block east of the Church. On Oct. 24, L925 Nathale Olive was born. Jack was appointed Deputy District Attorney in Jan. 1929. They moved to Burlington and rented a house from Mr. Fred Kukuk, just behind the ice plant, for $25. a month. Jack practiced law in Mr. Sidney Godsman's office. Their third daugh- ter, Ellen Jessie, was born July 12, 1929. Jack was elected County Judge and took office in Jan. 1933. The County Judges office was in the basement of the Courthouse. During this time he was appointed Attorney for the Federal Land Bank. He served one term as County Judge. Marlyn Vera was born August 19, 1936. Jack returned to private practice and had his office above the Midway Theater for many years, later moving to an office in the Ha-mond Building on the second floor. Jack took an active interest in community affairs and was appointed to fill a vacancy on the school board in 1936 and was re-elected for several terms, ending in 1948. Jack loved his yard work and raised many flowers. He was a member of Rotary Club and held the office of Sec. for many years. Jack belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fellow's Lodges. Both Jack and Vera were members of Eastern Star, Rebeccas and American Legion. They were active members of the Methodist Church. Jack died Jan. 10. 1950 and is buried in dren, Michael and Ruth Ellen. Floyd died in 1978 in Independence, Missouri. Ellen still lives in Independence and is bookkeeper for her son's Tire and Auto Supply Store. After Jack's death, Vera remained in Burlington with Marlyn, working at the J.C. Penney Store. In Jan. 1952 Vera and Marlyn moved to Denver where Vera worked as a housekeeper for Mrs. Shay and Marlyn lived with Dr. and Mrs. Hicks, as live-in help while finishing her sophmore year at East High School. In June, Vera went to Salina, Kansas to work and Marlyn went to live vrith Vera's sister and husband, Evelyn and Howard Kite at Auburn, Nebraska. At one time the Kite's farmed the Guthrie Farm north an east of Burlington. In 1936 Evelyn Harbison spent the summer with Jack and Vera. Evelyn met Howard Kite while attending the Methodist Church and they both sang in the choir. They were married in 1937 and still live in Auburn, Nebraska. In the summer of 1953 both Marlyn and Vera returned to Burlington and on Aug. 10, Vera married Mr. Raymond Reeve. Vera and Raymond moved to Loveland, Colorado in 1959. In February of 1975 Raymond died and in September 1975 Vera moved to Denver to be near her daughter Barbara. In 1987 Vera made her home with Barbara and Melvin Butterfield. Vera died on March 25. 1982 from Cancer. Marlyn Vera graduated from B.H.S. in 1954. In 1954 she married Jimmie Lee Hasart, son of Jacob and Nettie (Adolf) Hasart. who farmed north and east of Stratton, Colo. They have two sons, Jerold and Lester. by B. Butterfield and Marlyn Haeart MAGEE, COLEMAN AND NANCY F426 Coleman Lauck Magee, son of Jesse Bent- ley Magee Jr. and Catharine Star Lauck Magee, was born Oc/". 22, 1848 near St. Clairsville, Ohio, on a farm that was homesteaded by his grandpatents, Elizabeth Cole- �man and Jesse Bently Magee Sr. in 1788. There he grew to manhood and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church which was located near his home. On Feb. L7,L875 he was united in marriage to Nancy Mitchell Jacob, who lived near Wheeling, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Alexander Mitchell Jacob and Mary Julia Woods and was born Oct. 1, 1853, Wheeling, West Virginia. Her father was Deputy Sheriff in 1847-48. He was interested in politics and was a State Senator 1870-73, and was in the Civil War. Coleman and Nancy lived on a farm near ,.r*i...,l,,. Wheeling for a few years. They had 7 children. Their first son Alexander Jacob was born in 1876 on this farm. Jessie Catherine was born in 1878 at Cherry Hill, West Virginia. Julia Woodg was born 1880 in St. Clairsville, Ohio. In 1882 they moved to Ida County, lowa and lived on a farm in Blaine township, later moving to Silver Creek Township. On Jan. 1, 1883, son Frank was born at Silver Lake, Iowa. In 1883 Coleman and Nancy moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, where he worked in a foundry. Robert Bruce was born in 1885 and Clarence Lauck was born in 1889. Mary Mabel (Polly) was born Jesse Bentley Magee Jr. in 1891. The last 3 children were born in Cleveland, Tennessee. In 1899 they moved back to Ida Grove, Iowa. The father Coleman and son Frank moved to Colorado in 1907 and took up homesteads 4 miles south and Yz mile westof Seibert, Colorado. The mother Nancy and son Bruce csme to Colorado in 1908. Frank and Bruce proved up their homesteads and Coleman signed over his homestead to Frank. Jessie came to Seibert in the winter of 1911-12. She taught at Tinsley School. That winter 16 inches of snow covered the prairie and a Mr. Mullen lost 1500 head of cattle. Traine were blocked for 3 days and in Catherine Star Lauck Magee the town of Seibert, feed was exhausted. The Hendricks family were neighbors of the Magees. In 1915-16 a home was built in Seibert, Frank and Nancy stayed on the farm and Coleman and Bruce lived in town. Clarence, known as Jack, crme to Seibert in 1919 after finishing school at Drake Univ. and working a few years in Ida Grove, Iowa. Coleman died on Nov. 27, 1934 in Seibert, Colorado. All the fanily were affiliated with the Methodist Church in Seibert. Nancy Magee was able to pursue her art during the years on the farm. She painted many pictures oflife on the prairie by capturing the subjects of sod houses, howling coyotes and other scenes. When visiting her children she painted pictures of Washington's Crater Lake and farm scenes on visits to Tennessee and [owa. In 1934 Frank and Nancy left the farm and went back to Ida Grove, Iowa to work. This was due to the depression and the drought that occurred during thie time. Nancy died in Ida Grove, Iowa on Sept. 26, 1937. by Barbara Butterfield & Marlyn Hasart MAGEE, FRANK F427 In early days, there were two established Magee ranch south of Seibert, 1920's ranches on Sand Creek, six miles west and three south of Seibert. Colorado. A family by the name of Hawthorne lived on one gide of the creek, while on the west side Frank Magee sitting in front of his "soddy" south of Seibert. lived a family named Glasiter. Frank relates, "we homesteaders hauled water from what was known as the'Hawthorne well'. There was a faucet in Hawthorne's backyard where we would get the water." The Magee farnily arrived in the month of January of 1907 and built the first sod house in that neighborhood which was located four miles south and a half mile west of Seibert. Later, there was one frame house built in the neighborhood; otherwise, sod houses were built by the homesteaders. Before the arrival of homesteaders, Hawthorne went over on Shanty Creek and dug a well by hand. It was an open well, 120 feet deep, on government land. It was named "Shanty Creek", because an old shanty had been built there to be used by cowboys for shelter when in that territory. Provisions were kept there, possibly some canned goods, a cot and a supply of cow chips for fuel. Whoever used the shack lagt was to replace the chips before leaving for one never knew what the weather conditions, or time of night, might be when the next occupant would arrive for food and sheltpr. There was a cistern dug on higher ground above the "Hawthorne well" and it was to serve as a supply tank. A windmill pumped the water from the "Hawthorne well" into this cistern. It was then piped to the Hawthorne yard. There was a tank on lower ground where the water was controlled by a float valve. Here the Hawthorne cow 6avnp wat- ered their cattle before the homesteaders anived. Homesteaders filed government claims all around this Hawthorne Ranch, the well still being on government land. In fact, the homesteaders were so thick that Hawthorne could not run his cattle herd an5rmore and they all hauled water from the neighborhood well. None of the homesteaders had funds to hire a well dug on their own slqimg. Frank and others had to dig cisterns and hauled water from this well to fill them. Hawthorne told the neighbors that if they would take care of the windmill and pump, keeping the mill oiled and repaired, that they could have dl the water they wanted. Maggie Hawthorne finally filed "homestead rights" on the land on which the well was located to protect rights to the well. The land was finally sold to a fellow by the name of "Erickgon". The well eventually was ruined by a big flood that c'rne down the creek and the well caved in. "That was the end of the Hawthorne well." Frank chuckles and says that "going to the well on a Sunday morning was about as good �as going to church", since everybody was there and one would get to see all the neighbors. And in case someone had left the water on and it all drained out, making the cistern dry, there was a "prayer meeting in reverse", and sometimes they would all have to stay a half day to get a barrel of water. If Hawthorne hadn't let the neighbors get water, they just couldn't have stayed since none had money enough to dig a well on their claims. "The water wag hauled in banels in lumber wagons with a gunny sack over the barrel top to keep the water from splashing out as they drove home over the rough prairie trailg." An acquaintance of Frank's used to say, "this isn't farming country", and he was right! He said a person could raise crops here by tillage, or as we commonly call it, summer fallowing. But Frank laughs, "they forgot to tell us it took some rain along with it". When questioned about prairie fires, studied art while attending classes of high education in a private school, while her father lived in Wheeling, West Virginia. Her father had been elected to the "legislature". Those were the only art lessons she had taken, but Frank says, "during all those years she never lost interest in art". Many are the beautiful pictures of wildlife which she painted, proving the wider appreciation and understanding of the arts. Her collection of early day one-room sod houses on the virgin prairie proves she had been a keen observer, with an instinctive feeling for color and composition. The collection is naive, but sincere and highly individualistic portraying the early life of the settlers of these prairies. Today, these sod houses are mere memories and just a few dry clods of grass rooted in earth are left to tell the tale ofwhere they were standing. Some ofthe sod houses looked so desolate, pictured on the snow-covered Max Mason, custom farming. Frank recalls his first memory of one was in January of 1907. "The fire broke loose at the prairie. However, the collection will be a memorial to the lonesome, difficult lives of Arkansas-Missouri countryside. He had at night was red, like a quarter circle. It burned to within seven miles of Seibert. the early day settlers and record their feeble attempts to improvise a shelter from nothing more than the virgin soil of the prairie. Of all the pictures, which fascinated, there and had enjoyed the creeks and told of caught of a horseback rider, picturing a wild and furious storm about to break with giant thunderclouds forming a menacing background while the wind made a vicious onslaught on man and beast, madly blowing the mane and tail of the horse, while the flying scarf was secured tightly about an upturned coatcollar. Grass on the terrain was buffeted madly about as the waves of any storm-ridden sea. The man rested a gun across the pommel of his saddle. Wild ducks, buffaloes, fish, deer and forest scenes lived in perfect surroundings by the masterful stroke of her hand. Frank's mother was over 50 years of age when she did most of her paintings; like the beautiful collection of pictures which Grandma Moses painted, the pictures of Mrs. Magee portrayed the everyday scenes about her in a beauty and serenity all their own. Her pictures were not frivilous, as her daughter Polly recently remarked, but had a subdued passion and beauty of living. It is certain the and jellies by his mother or visiting grandmothers. While living there the family home burned so at that time the Mason's moved to a couple of farms south of Stratton. Max's dog, "Sock," was grudgingly allowed to be south railroad, down by Kit Carson. The sky There wasn't too much of a breeze and the fire stopped in the vicinity of a place called 'The Cox Ranch'." Another recollection of a fire was when one startcd on the Rock Island railroad around Seibert and burned eouth to the Union Pacific railroad tracks before being burned out. The only way to fight a fire was from the edge. One didn't dare to get in front of a prairie fire or behind it. Oft times a critter would be killed and split open to make it wider and two horseback riders would drag it between them to snuff out the fire. Again, another fire spread from the rail tracks to the north tracks. It was said there was nothing to do with the stock except move them out of the country to get fed. Later the railroade maintained fireguards, which were several plowed furrows. Frank said "it sure would surprise you how fast that little Buffalo grass would burn!" He also recalls a few wild horses. 18 or 20 miles south of Seibert, in what was known as the breaks. The most drastic storm Frank recalls was the one wherein the Towner school bus tragedy occurred. It was a huge blizzard with high winds and temperature readings of 12 degrees below zero. He said he never went outside to do his chores, as he didn't consider it safe to go from one building to another during ablizzard. Frank's sister, the late Mrs. Jesse Magee Gray, an early day teacher, and also later the County Superintendent of Kit Carson County, came to this country in the summer of 1911. She had been an Iowa school teacher. Her sister, Polly, a young lady, was here. Both wished to teach school. Since Polly hadn't taught before, it was natural she should take the teacher's examinations before teaching. However, it was unique, so it seemed for Mrs. Gray, to do so coming to an undeveloped country to teach in a "soddy" after the standards oflowa schools. Jesse taught in the "Flint Sod House School" on the Flint homestead; Polly taught southwest of the Magee homestead. One outstanding thing should be noted in this article on the Magee history and that is the fact that Frank's mother was a real artist, as well as a well-educated person. She had is one favorite. It was a wonderful scene helped his parents raise hundreds ofchickens swimming with water moccasins and smelling a strange odor and realizing they were in danger. The family had enjoyed picking wild berries and fruit which were made into jems moved to Colorado. Max had many pets through the years badger, monkey, - fox, animals raccoon, and he enjoyed such as horses, pigs, cattle and dogs. Max attended country school south of Stratton and attended Stratton High School, graduating with the class of 1952. He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle to La Junta to attend La Junta Jr. College. After attending school he went custom harvesting and started working in the oil fields at Sterling, Colorado and oil fields near Kimball, Nebraska. In 1956 Max married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Jean Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Oscar Smith. The Grandma Moses had, as quoted, "So that people will know how we lived". couple's first home was La-ar and later Liberal, Kansas. In the spring of 1957 Max had the pleasure of working on an oil rig which was on land previously owned by his grandfather, William Lawrence Mason, near Beaver City, Oklahoma. by Marily;n Hasart family. On January 25, L959, Margaret same thought was prevelant in her mind as On December 6, 1957, James Lee joined the Maxine was born. This family lived briefly in MASON, CLIFFORD MAX F428 Max Mason, a Lincoln County and Kit Carson County rancher and farmer, died as a young man nearly 46 years of age on October 15, 1981 after a two and one halfyear courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Beaver City, Oklahoma, on November 21, 1934, and moved from there to Pea Ridge, Arkansas, with his parents, Clifford and Averil (Swiger) Mason. During his childhood in Arkansas many memories of an interesting home and childhood terrain were imprinted on Max as he retold his children many stories of his childhood. As a young boy he had enjoyed swinging on vines in the timbered Denver while Max attended Colorado Barber College and then moved to Fort Collins where Jean finished college at Colorado State University as a mother of three with Linda Lea joining the family on August 8, 1960. The family lived there for three years while Max barbered for the College Barber Shops on Laurel and College Avenue. In 1962 the Mason's moved to Arriba and enjoyed farming and Max continued to barber, owning and operating his own barber shop for ten years. While residing there, Max also sold feed for Ralston Purina and raised swine. Jean taught home economics at Arriba Junior-Senior High School for five years and kindergarten for one year. In 1967 Carol Lynn, the Mason's third daughter, was born on her father's 33rd birthday, November 21. During the summers beginning in 1959 Max and his custom cutting partner, Clifford Hughes of Seibert, went to Oklahoma to cut �s&, Jean Mason family in 1986: Seated, Carol holding Michael Mason; Jean holding Jayme Mason; Standing: Jim Mason, Bill Mason, Marla Mason, Michael McPhilomy holding Matthew, Don Mason, Margaret McPhilomy holding Michael, Blake and Linda Hemmert. wheat. This operation continued for 22years. Max stayed home the summer of 1969 to await the anival of his second son, William Dean, who was born June 28. When the swine operation became too large, the family bought their present home site and moved to Seibertwhere Max excavated a basement and poured his own walls with some help from his son, Jim. Mar and his three older children enjoyed many hours of pleasure working with sheep, swine, cattle, horses and farming operations. When the Masons raised registered swine they gave iron shots, ear-notched, and maintained a quality sanitation program. On January 29, L974, the Mason's were thrilled to have their third son, Donald Eugene, join the fanily. Don spent his first five years in the care of his dad and some excellent babysitt€rs, but mostly enjoyed the family shop, combine, and tractor in the company of his father. In 1979 Max's biggest challenge in life seemed to be of little concern as he carried on farming routine, but he was disabled in 1980 and continued chemotherapy treatments on a monthly basis. His love of people and God sustained him in his last months of life as he had time to reflect on his brief but complete life. He had served as school board member and president for six years for HiPlains Schools, was a member of the Masonic Lodge, El Jebel Shrine, and United Method- ist Church as chairman of the board and enjoyed Men's Breakfast as a cook and Christian layman. Margaret graduated from CSU in 1981 with a degree in Home Economics with a concentration in Human Development and Family Studies. After marrying Michael McPhilomy of Aurora, she started a home day care. The McPhilomy's have two sons, Michael James, born on June 8, 1983, and employed by the downtown Broker Restaurant in Denver. Blake is a professional musician and has been in the Minneapolis and Denver area band circuits. Jim is married to Marla Jean McGriff of Seibert and they have two children, Michael James, who arrived July 12, 1978, and Jayme LeeAnn, born January 3, 1981 on her mother's birthday. Carol, a 1986 graduate of Hi-Plains H.S., is a student at Adams State College in Alamosa and currently studying education. Bill, a 1987 senior at Hi-Plains H.S., is studying Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State College in Denver. Bill was active in Honor Society, FFA, and sports at Hi-Plains H.S. Don is a Jr. High student at Hi-Plains H.S. He is active in camping, bicycling, shooting sports, basketball, and other teen activities. Jean is employed bythe Hi-Plains H.S. and teaches Home Economics, is acting H.S. librarian, teaches a reading class, and keeps busy with United Methodist Church work as lay conference delegate for four years; Youth Fellowship sponsor; and is church pianist. Jean also is FHA sponsor, and was the sponsor of both the 1981 and 1987 class. by Jean Mason MATTHIES ELLSWORTH FAMILY F42g In the spring of 1906, Frederick Matthies and Roysten Ellsworth were married at Mike is employed by Boyd Distributors and Norton, Ks. The following year they came to Colorado to claim a homestead adjoining Roysten's parents. Their homestead was Southwest of Burlington, on the SE t4 of Sec. sells commercial turf equipment. 18-11-44. Matthew Allen, born on March 29, 1986. Linda married Blake Hemmert of Burlington on July 4, 1981. Linda is currently Fred continued working for the Rock Island railroad for several vears. This meant Fred August Matthies and Raysten Sophia Ellsworth. Married April 3, 1906 at Norton, Kansas. he had to be gone several days at a time and then he would be home a few days. It took five hours to make the trip to town one way by wagon. Roysten, a neighbor, or her father would take Fred to town, so he could catch the train. Many times they would leave home in the wee morning hours, in order to catch the 8:30 train. At times Fred would walk home arriving in the early morning. During the spring of 1909, Roysten said she planted over 300 cabbage plants, lots of potatoes, and pumpkins as well as many other vegetables. Early fall they would take some of the cabbage, pumpkin and potatoes to Cheyenne Wells and Burlington by wagon to sell. On one trip, they sold 1795 pounds of potatoes for $17.90. At that time, one hundred pounds of sugar cost 95.80. They bought 10 bu. seed corn and nine bushels ofcane seed for $23.25. Fred and Roysten had nine children: Harold, Paul, August, Elsie Medaris, Clara Hicks, Okie, Charles, Bessie Boyd and Leonard. They lost three sons: Okie passed away at age 5, Paul and August died in Dec. of 1932 from pneumonia at the ages of 24 and.2L years. Fred passed away in 1934, after suffering a stroke. Roysten remained on the farm and raised her children. The family milked cows and shipped the cream on the train to creameries at Phillipsburg and Concordia, Kansas and sometimes Denver. by Shirley Matthies �MATTHIES - SCHAAL FAMILY MATTHIES, LEONARD F4g2 F430 Leonard Matthies and gome of their saddle horees. The adobe garage in the background is still being ueed. Early threshing days on the Matthiee farm. Leonard and his brothers. brothers-in-law and neighbors. Leonard Matthies, youngest son of Fred- rick and Roysten Matthies, was born in sod house, 19 miles southwest of Burlington. Mrs. In the fall of L947, Leonard Matthies and Shirley Schaal were married. We lived on a farm southwest of Burlington. In 1962, we bought the farm Fred and Roysten had homesteaded. This farm had been in the family since 1907. When Leonard's oldest brother, Harold and wife, Della retired in 1968 and moved to town, we bought their farm, the former Ellsworth homestead, belonging to Leonard's grandparents. We milked cows during our early mariage years and shipped the cream by railroad. We also raised chickens and sold the dressed chickens to the local grocery stores and the hospital for several years. We raised seven children: Frederick. Everett, Carolyn Martell, twins Gene and Dean, Betty Ganser and Allen. In 1949, there was an epidemic of polio and Frederick contracted this disease at age 3 months. He spent several weeks every summer at the Children's Hospital in Denver, until he was about eighteen, for surgery and treatments on his leg and foot. by Shirley Matthies MATTHIES, AUGUST AND CHRISTINE F43r August and Christine Matthies homesteaded, NW% of Sec. 29-10-45, two miles south of Beloit. The Matthies Brothers had a hardware store in Beloit. When the railroad by-passed Beloit they moved their store to Claremont. August and Christine had five children: Fred, Emma Dunham, Carl, Lena Sy and Mary Whitlew. Around 1906 or 1907, August and Christine and children, except Emma and Fred, moved to Washington County, Oregon. Will and Emma Dunhn- later moved to Oregon also. Fred stayed in Colorado and at the age of twelve he worked for the Lang sheep ranch. Later, he worked for the Rock Island railroad with the bridge building crew. by Shirley Matthies Ed Clark was the midwife that attended the birth of Leonard. The midwife would go to the home about the day the birth was expected. Sometimes they would have to live several days or weeks with the family that was Harold and Ines McArthur expecting a new member to arrive in their grew up and spent her childhood years family. The thirties brought dry, dusty weather. In order to have feed for their cows, the family moved their cows from the farm southwest of Burlington to a farm near Anton, Colo. They drove the cows by riding saddle horses and they also walked as the weather had turned cold. They would stay overnight with the nearest farm family, after bedding the cows attending the neighborhood country school. Her parents moved to the First Central down for the night. It took three days to move the cattle to Anton. Leonard was eight years old when he made this trip on foot and horseback. Part of the family stayed at the farm near Anton while the children went to school there. Some of the older children stayed on the farm south of Burlington. They all moved to the farm south oftown as soon as the rains cn-e and the grass improved. Leonard always enjoyed working with the horses. When he was nine years old, he had four head of horges hitched to a wagon to go to the field about 3/ of a mile from home, to 'weed'the feed. The horses spooked and took off on a run. The road was very rough and Leonard bounced out of the wagon. The rest of the family was harvesting wheat in a community south and west of Bethune, Colorado in 1920. She attended First Central School and graduated in 1929. After leaving home, she met Harold McAr- thur at a "literarie" gathering in the local school house. These were fun and educational social events for the people living in the area. Harold McArthur was born on October 29, 1910 in Bellaire, Kansas. He was one of twelve children. Harold grew up and attended the country school north of Bellaire where he finished the 8th grade. The McArthur family came to Bethune, Colorado in May of 1926. They purchased land and lived 17 miles south of Bethune. Harold and Ines were manied on January 6, 1932. Their first home was in Bellaire, Kansas where they lived for a short time before moving to Burlington. Harold worked on road construction and he and Ines tried t6 farm in the dirty '30's. He worked for Jack Chalfant who owned the John Deere dealership in Burlington for one and a half years. In 1938 an opening for a John Deere dealership beceme available in Flagler, Colorado. nearby field and saw what happened. When Harold and Ines made their home in they caught the horses about three miles from home, the little dog was still in the wagon, barking loudly. Leonard was "out" most of Flagler for the next eight years. In May of 1945 Mr. Chalfant was ready to give up the John Deere dealership in Burlington and asked Harold if he would like to purchase the business. Harold acquired the business and in the summer of 1945 they moved back to Burlington. the afternoon. Leonard's father passed away from a stroke when Leonard was six years old. by Shirley Matthies When the Montezuma Hotel burned it went up for sale and it was purchased by Harold and Ines along with four other parties. McARTHUR - DUNIIAM FAMILY F433 Ines Dunham was born on the farm southeast ofBurlington on July 29, 1910. Her parents were Maynard and Bessie Thomann Dunham. Ines was their first child. Along with her sister Irene and brother Lee. she Ines was asked to help run this business consisting of the hotel and apartments, dining room, bar and beauty shop. Good managers were hard to keep so she kept the books andmanaged the hotel until Mr. Albert Crouse bought their interest five years later. Harold and Ines lived on 8th and Martin in the old Valine house until 1966 when they had a new home constructed for them on Pomeroy Street. Both Harold and Ines have enjoyed their �lifetime as residents of Burlington and Kit Carson County and have participated in many community activities and organizations. Ines is active in the Burlington Garden Club, Inter Sese, and the Rebecca Lodge. She is now helping with the Sod House picture display at "Old Town." Harold was active in the Lions while in Flagler and is a member of Rotary in Burlington. He was elected mayor of Burlington and served 12 years in that capacity. He has been a member of the Kit Carson County Hospital Board for 25 years and helped organize Dynemiq Dimensions, Inc. by Ines McArthur McARTIIUR PIERSON FAMILY F.434 When I was twelve I broke my leg. It was a bad break with the bone breaking the skin. They put me in bed and called the doctor. The girls held me down and the doctor pulled my leg, reaching through the bed fra-e and using his foot against the mattress for leverage and pulled the leg into place. They used boards for a splint and wrapped it up and made me crutches from broom handles. One year, when the grasshoppers were bad, we spread poisoned bran (treatcd with arsenic and flavored with banana oil and mixed at the county fairgrounds in Bur- lington) to kill the hoppers. We buried some of the bran and later the cows pawed it up and ate it. All our milk cows died. a terrible loss. For recreation the family attended the "Grange" dinners, the country dances, box suppers, and "literaries" held at the school house with all the family attending. As a young man I participated in the local rodeos at Kit Carson, Cheyenne Wells, Seibert, Stratton and all the town around. They charged a gate fee and paid the riders $3.00 ifthey rode and $1.50 ifthey got bucked off. for 20 years. He was president of the N.E. Stratton Telephone Co. as long as it existed, served on the board of the Kit Carson County Cattlemans Association and was president for several terms. He served 12 years on the board of the Arickaree Ground Water Management District. In 1946 Ernest was elected County Commissioner, 2nd District, for Kit Carson County and served until 1958. Projects completed during his term were; 194748, Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital; 1953-54, Remodeling of The Kit Carson County Courthouse. 1958, Built the grandstand at the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds at a cost of $48,000. Ernests latest project is the building of the "Old Town" in Burlington and he is chairman of this project. by Erneet and Mary McArthur McARTHUR, KENNETH P. Ernest McArthur and Mary Pierson were married on July 18, 1935 in the Courthouse at Burlington. We moved 14 miles south and 2 miles east of Burlington and lived in this basement home for 2 years. Our firet child, F436 Kenneth was born there. The dirt was so bad in the 30's that "blow dirt' covered the basement house and the cattle feed. Then we moved to the O.C. Dunlap place south of Bethune. Elaine, Mary Ellen, and Betty were born there. We milked cows and raised chickens and had a garden. We bought only "neceggities". From 1936 to 1939 Ernegt worked for the county in his spare time. He put in the intersections on the county roads that they were building with a four horse scraper. They paid $6.00 a day and it took most of that to feed the horses. It was hard work but he was glad to get the job. He would go to work at 7:00 in the morning and quit at 6:00 in the evening. Mary would have the cows milked Mary Pierson and Ernest McArthur on their wedding day, July 18, 1935. Photo was taken on the north end of Main Street, (14th St.) in Burlington, juet south of the old depot. My parents, Guy Franklin McArthur and Margaret May McArthur, came from Smith County, Kansas. They cnme to Colorado in March of '26 with nine children, Clifford, Harold, Ernest, Russell, Faye, June, Guy Jr., Dean, and Dave. Three older children remained in Kansas. We cnme in a solidwheeled chain drive "Little Car" truck. They loaded up their belongings and family and drove 250 miles and eet up a tent in Bethune, Colorado, behind Corbit's Lunber Yard and stayed there until late April and then moved 17 milee eouth of Bethune. Bethune was about the snme size as Burlington at that time. Dad bought the place for $15 an acre. The ground was sod so they started plowing sod. They raised corn and wheat, hogs and sheep, about 150 ewee. when he got home. We moved 16 milee north of Bethune in 1946. We bought the place from Mark Jay in March. The cattle were hauled up in a truck and the driver dumped them out at night and they scattered all over the area. The cows couldn't find their calvee and they got all mixed up with the neighbors cattle and we lost three cows. The place was in bad shape from the flood of 1935 on the Republican River. Our family grew up here. They attended school in Bethune, Colorado. Ernest and Mary and the children worked very hard to bring their farm and ranch into a very nice and productive home. This place was known as the Cor Ranch (Six Mile ranch). The house is the old house constructed ofrock in 1895. Ernest remodeled this house and built a beautiful rock fireplace in it. Their son Kenneth and his wife, Beverly, and their family live on the home place north of Bethune. Mary and Ernest moved to Burlington, Colorado, in 1982. Mary's hobby over the years has been quilting for herself and others. Through the years she has been active in the Cowbelles, Republican Women, Hospital Aurilliary and Home Extention club since moving to town. They are members of Hope United Church of Christ north of Bethune. Ernest served on the Bethune School Board Kenneth and Beverly McArthur, Wedding Day, October 1957. In December 1936 my parents, Ernest and Mary (Pierson) McArthur, had a baby boy; nemely myself. We lived south of Bethune, Colorado until 1946 when the family moved north of Bethune to the old "Cox FLanch" on the Republican River. I graduated from Bethune School in 1954 and decided to join the Navy "to see the world" and was fortunate to do just about that. My last several months before discharge were spent in Norfolk, Virginia and it was here that I met my future wife. Beverly Jean Geel was born in September 1935 in Chatanooga, Tennessee to Charles Lambert and Ella (Bush) Geel. After living in Tennessee and New Jersey, the family settled in Clarence Center, New York and it was here she graduated from high school in 1953. After college, she followed her family to Norfolk, Virginia where her father worked for the U.S. Navy. Needless to say, this is how an "easterner" and "wegterner" met and were married in Ithaca, New York in October 1957, just three �days after my discharge. We packed our belongings in a 1954 Buick and started on our trek to Colorado. I had a tearful bride on my hands as we crossed the vast expanse west of the Mississippi since she had never been further west than New York. We spent our hone5nnoon on the ranch, Bev getting acquainted with my family and myselfenjoying a reunion after being gone for four years. We then settled in Denver, Colorado where I worked for Thompson Rnmo-Wooldridge and Bev at the University of Colorado Medical Center. In 1960. we decided to continue our journey weet and ended up in Sunnyvale, California where I was employed by Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, and Bev worked for an orthopedic surgeon. In 1964, we were blessed with the arrival A gathering of neighbors beside Pleasant Meadow School, summer 1938. everyChing onto a box car and shipped it to Vona. My grandmother, cousin Winnie, and sister Eva stayed with an aunt until we got to Vona. It took us two weeks to get there as it rained a lot and we had to stay in peoples machine sheds for up to three days till the gtorms passed. The road we cnrne on was the Golden Belt Highway and it was marked with a gold belt around a telegraph pole about one mile apart. The highway was one mile north of Vona which later wasrmoved and beco-e of our first child, Patricia Lynn. Kenneth Charles was born one year later; and this certainly made for a bustling household. We were findingcity life very confining and hectic at this time, so in 1970 we returned to Colorado to farm with my Dad. Our third child, Elizabeth Anne, was born one month highway 24 through Vona. After we got to following this move. In addition to learning to farm all over again, I have spent many hours in community Vona we telegraphed Grandma, Eva and Winnie and they came on the train to Vona. My grandmother had bought a 320 acre and church activities. I was a member of the School Board at Bethune for 12 years, on the Equity Coop Board in Burlington for six, and have been active in 4-H, most recently managing the sale at the Kit Carson County Fair. I em currently a trwtee at Hope United Church of Christ and very active in the relinquishment 15 miles south of Vona. The old shack we moved into was tar-papered and had a wood floor and was about 12 foot square and quite drafty. When we got to our new home, my pa killed a rattlesnake before my sister Ora and I got out of the wagon. In the Grandpa W.E. McAuley, 1938. next two years we killed three or four Gideons International. Bev has been active in 4-H. and has served rattlesnakes a day during the summer. My cousin Winnie filed on a 160 acre homest€ad joining Grandma's. Later on my in many capacities at the Hope Chwch, in addition to being an active member of the pa bought a relinquishment of 320 acres joining grandma's land too. The first winter we were here it stormed early in the fall and snowed about three feet. It was frigid and bad Gideons Auxiliary. She has also become quite a "farmer" and an invaluable helpmate. Patricia graduated from Bethune School in 1964 and attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas receiving her degree in Social Work in May of 1987. She is currently working for Kit Carson County as a Social Caseworker. Kenneth graduated from Bethune in 1965 and is currently pursuing a degree in Anthropology and Archeology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. * r I' Elizabeth is a Senior at Bethune this year and plans on attending college in the fall. Dad has since "retired" and he and Mom presently live in Burlington. We can still drive around the ranch and see the many hours ofhard work and sacrifice that they put into making "McArthur Ranch" a place to be proud of. We currently live in the two-story stone house built in 1898 which they lovingly cared for over the years. It is our hope and desire that we can carry on their tradition and that our children can say "we are proud ofour heritage." i by Kenneth McArthur lli ' ji;is:';. ' McAULEY, W. DON F436 W. Don McAuley was born on March 30, 1905, in Phillips County, Kansas on a farm 9 miles north of Phillipsburg. On September 4, 1911 when I was six years old we arrived in Vona, Colorado from Phillipsburg in a covered wagon. My pa Bill and grandmother Margaret, my two sisters, Eva 14 and Ora 13 Harvesting barley, summer '43. and a cousin Winnie Kivett, 24, all traveled together. My mother had passed away in the spring of 1910. We began our trip in two covered wagons. My pa drove one and Eva drove the other. Our wagon was pulled by a span of mules and Eva's was pulled by two horses. When we got to Logan, Kansas one of our horses died so we unloaded the household things and tore down the wagon and loaded all winter. We had to buy feed for one cow and three horses and haul coal from town to heat and cook by. My first year of school I walked two miles to school and was in first grade. But the next year they built a new school house, Rosedale, one mile further west so for the next seven years I walked three miles to school. My pa took the train back to Phillipsburg on business in the winter of 1911 and got stuck down there because of the blizzard. On his return he had to shovel snow offthe tracks so the train could go. When Pa finally got to Vona he had to walk 15 miles to our home. While Pa was gone our neighbor Henry Case made it to town and got us horse feed, coal and food. It was a long hard winter and many cattle died of starvation. We stayed on and homesteaded with our neighbors: Henry Hinds, Emery Helderman, George Lettmann, Henry Rose, Bill Goff, Orley Cockran, Al Gallion, and Charlie Duncan. We allhad to remainon and improve the place for three years, then go to Hugo where the land office was located and get the title to the land. Later in 1918 Pa bought 160 acres from Henry Hinds who left his homestead. About 1915 Oriska store was six miles east and one mile south of our home so we did some of our trading there. Herman Martin was the storekeeper in those early days. Many times when hunting for horses I would stop in and buy lunch. Pa had many horses and it was free range and there were very few �fences so our horses could be far away. The winter of 1918 and 1919 we had Spanish flu epidemic and my cousin Winnie died of it and I was quite ill with it. In 1918 my sister Eva married Clem Rose and moved to Iowa. In the spring of 1920 we had a cow killer blizzard. Whole herds of cattle were piled in fence corners dead. Four hundred head drifted into seven lakes south of Eads and drowned. My grandmother in 1921 passed away at the age of 89. My other sister Ora married Clarence Rose and moved to Iowa. My two sisters married two brothers. Every year Pa and I farmed with horses and raised cattle. After picking our own corn, I got jobs of picking corn for our neighbors. In the late twenties and early thirties we had a plentiful corn crop and rabbits were abundant. We had rabbit hunts in our own corn fields. We killed aroundtwo thousand rabbitg on one hunt. In the mid-thirties I shot up to 50 rabbits a day and skinned them and got paid twenty cents a hide. The money helped pay the taxes and put food on the table, when there was very little corn to pick. On January 30, 1937, Gladys Simonson and I got married. We raised cattle and barley and I sold barley seed all over the county. In 1940 we bought 960 acres that joined our land for $1,500. In 1941 Pa died at age 83. Gladys and I continued to live on the ranch. December of 1945 we were blessed with a son Richard Lee. In March of 1948 we sold the ranch and land and two weeks later we sold all of our livestock. We moved to Flagler to take care of Gladys' stepmother and I helped Gladys' father Matt Simonson do chores during the winter. At harvest I drove a combine for Glen Boyington for twenty six days straight. In the spring and summer of 1949 I worked for Matt on the ranch. In the fall of 1949 we moved to Missouri and stayed until the spring of 1951. Seibert area. Dex started working for my Dad, Horace Boger, in about 1948. He was a kind and honest man and we enjoyed having him around. I was just a small child when he first came to work here and he always took time to pay attention to me. He was one of my favorite people. I remember on one occasion, he helped me put my initials in fresh cement that my Dad and he had poured for a sidewalk. As I recall, my Dad wasn't too pleased when he noticed it but never said anything about it. Dex ate dinner with us and, once in a while, ate supper with us. A couple of these meals are well remembered. The first is still recalled by my mother and she finds it amusing now, but sure didn't at the time. Dex had only been working here for a few days and my mother fixed hash for dinner. When we were all seated for dinner, I picked up the dish ofhash and asked, "Well, is this dog food?" My mother was embarrassed, but it kept Dex laughing all through dinner. One of the times that he ate supper with us ig memorable for me. I was in the living room when he called me into the kitchen and gave me a pearl that he found in his oyster soup. I thought that was really great and always watched for one in my soup hoping that I would find one, but I never did. One time, Dex and a friend of his went into a gypsy tent at the county fair to have their fortunes told. When they came out, he found that his wallet was gone. He told us about it and said it was alright and good enough for him because he had no business going in there. When Dex was at home, he spent many hours working with his flowers and yard. When his health failed he moved into Seibert and later to Greeley where he passed away in March of 1970. He was a dear friend of the family and we missed his friendly presence. We left because we were ill and homesick. We moved back to Flagler and took care of Gladys' stepmother till the spring of 1952. The summer of L952 we bought our farm north of Seibert from Earl Bigelow. That fall we moved into an old house on the place and start€d building a new home, where we have lived ever since. We raieed cattle and in 1959 built a slaughter house and stad€d custom butchering which we did for seventeen years. Retiring in 1976, Gladys and I have enjoyed many vacationg and fishing trips all over the United States. Here on the home place our son Dick and his wife Linda built a new home in 1983. We enjoy them and our three grandsons Lance, Eric and Kurt living beside us. On Sunday, January 25,L987, we celebrated our SOth wedding anniversary at the HiPlains School with our family and many friends' r.\,-\Qto. Looce diec lh " by W. D. McAuley by Joyce Miller McBRIDE, DR. F438 Dr. McBride was born in Mankato, Jewel county, Ks., on Oct. 19, 1885, the son of Robert H. (an attorney) and Mary Young McBride. He graduated from the Kansas City College of Medicine and Surgery in 191?. He arrived in Seibert in the spring of 1918, to begin his practice and continued to serve this area of eastern Colorado until his retirement in 1962. By 1925, he had established a small emergency hospital in Seibert. When the depression years of the 30's forced a change in plans for a new hospital, he purchased a hotel building in Flagler and remodeled it into a nine bed hospital, which he opened in the fall of 1937. At the time it was opened, McBLAIR, DEXTER F437 Dexter McBlair was born October 2, 1898 at Glen Elder, Kansas to Mr. and Mrs. Charles McBlair. His boyhood days were spent around Cawker City and Glen Elder, Kaneas where he attended school. He lived for a time at Clifton, Colorado before moving to Seibert. He spent most of his life in the the Flagler Hospital was considered to be the best equipped hospital between Colby and Denver. For more than 25 years, this private hospital performed a most important and unique gervice for this area until economic conditions forced its closing in 1963. Dr. McBride's years in medical practice began when the country was emerging from the horee and buggy days and continued into the atomic and jet ages with the practice of medicine making revolutionary changes. Dr. McBride was one of those doctors, who were able to tie the old in with the new, serving a rural area with a general practice and employing the latest methods and procedures. His practice spanned three generations of families he served. In 1952, he was the subject of a Denver Post Empire Profile, which described his years as a doctor on the eastern Colorado plains. The article com- mented that the family operating team, which worked together for so many years following World War II, when his step-son Dr. John Straub, returned to take over the operation of the hospital, was believed to be unique in medical history. The team consisted of Drs. McBride and Straub, Mrs. Marie Straub, a registered nurse and Mrs. McBride and Douglas Straub, both trained in operating room procedure. "Because we had our hospital," Dr. McBride said, "and because a hospital, nowadays, means plasma, oxygen, penicillin when you need it, we were able to carry on when the Flagler air tragedy struck our town on Sept. 15, 1951." (of the twenty persons killed in that disaster, seven were adults, thirteen were children. And nine of those children Dr. ushered into the world. With one exception, all persons injured by the low flying plane that day, if they lived an hour, are still alive, thanks to prompt hospital care.) In September, 1918, Dr. McBride and Dr. J.V. Beachley of Stratton organized the Kit Carson Medical Society. For twenty years Dr. Mac was the secretary. It was reorganized in 1935, renamed the Eastern Colorado Medical Society, comprising Cheyenne and Lincoln as well as Kit Carson counties. In 1952, Drs. McBride and E.W. Reid of Flagler and Dr. Frank L. Bergen of Burlington are the three survivors of the original society. Before them, the eastern Colorado short-grass country was pioneered by Drs. Paul B. Godsman and C.A. Gillett both of Burlington. Dr. McBride's first wife died and he married Mrs. Zeta Straub of Flagler, she had two sons and a daughter. The boys were: Dr. John Straub and Douglas Straub the hospital manager (in 1952) and the girl was Mrs. Lloyd Moore (later of Denver, who took nursing training at St. Lukes before her marriage). Dr. John Straub's wife, Marie was also a registered nurse. And as Mrs. Zeta McBride said: "if you're not a nurse when you marry a doctor, you soon get to be one." Dr. McBride had a son and a daughter by his first wife. The son, Robert is an accountant in Las Vegas, and the daughter Annabelle, is a registered nurse and married a Lt. Robert Campbell, a navy doctor in Winthrop, Mass. In Sept. 1967, Dr. McBride was one of several doctors in the state presented a 50year gold pin by the Colorado State Medical Society at their annual convention. On October 4, 1967, Dr. McBride passed away at only two weeks away from being 82 years of age. by Straub �McCAULEY, THOMAS McCAFFREY, FRANCIS AND ALBERTA J. F439 F440 Thomas John McCauley, seventh child of Jordan Mason and Bessie McCauley, was born March 12, 1939, near Sallisaw, Sequork County, Oklahoma. Times were very hard in eastern Oklahoma, so the family moved to Walsh, Colorado in 1948. Thomas finished school in Walsh and attended La-ar Junior College, graduating with an A.A. degree in Business Administration in 1960. After laying out of college to work for another year, Thomas received his B.A. degree in Business Administration from Panhandle State University, Goodwell, Oklahoma, in 1963. While at Panhandle, he met Trulene Garrison and they dated off and on for several years. Thomas took a job as middle school teacherprincipal at Taloga School, a rural school near Elkhart, Kans. in 1963. He taught there two years before coming to Burlington to teach in 1965. Trulene had taken a school position teaching first grade in Garden City, Francis McCaffrey family 1956, Ieft to right: Bobbie, Kenny, Wayne, Hazel, Francis, Darrell, Neva and Junior Francis William McCaffrey was born Februar5/ 4, 1907 at Seneca, Kansas. The oldest of six children born to Richard D. and Sarah Gregg (Clark) McCaffrey. Francis attended school in Kansas, and cnme to Otis, Colorado area with his folks, brothers and sisters in L920. Shortly after coming to Colorado, Francis becnme a member of Bethany Church south- west of Otis, Colorado. Francis worked at the sugar factory in Fort Morgan till his mariage to Alberta Lorraine Preyer on May Lg, L927. Francis and Alberta lived eouthwest of Otis on a farm. Here the five sons were bornl Francis L. 1927, Darrell H. 1929, Richard W. 1931, Kenneth J. 1932 and Robert E. 1934. Alberta died March 28, 1936, leaving Francis with five small sons to raise. The youngest was less than two years. After numeroun housekeepers to help raise five onerous boys, Grandma Sarah McCaffrey, Francis'mother, lived with them to care for the family. Francis married Hazel (Wilson) Back July 3, 1940. In fall of 1940 Francie, Hazel and fanily moved l07z miles north of Vona where they raised Francis' five sons and Hazel's daughter Neva. All the kids attended Boger country school #12 and all graduated from Vona High School. Francis and Hazel lived here till 1959 when they moved into Flagler, Colorado. Francis continued ranching and farming till his death June 9, 1973. All five sons still farm or ranch in Kit Carson County. Francis Jr. married Neva Back; they reside in Burlington. Darrel married Pauline Boese Harrison; they live south west of Vona. Wayne married Fern Pickard; they live on the home place north of Vona. Kenneth married Ethel Tubbs; they live west of Seibert, and Bob married Mary Jackson; they live north of Seibert. On April 19, 1976 Hazel manied Wayne Tubbs and they reside in Flagler. by Robert McCaffrey Kansas. She moved to Juneau, Alaska in 1965, where she taught first grade for four years. Trulene moved to Burlington in 1969 to teach first grade. She and Thomas were manied July 8, 1972. Thomas received his M.A. in Business Education from Western State College in Gunnison in 1966, and his PH.D. in Vocational Administration from Colorado State University in 1982. Trulene received her Master's degree in Reading from Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas in 1966. There are two children in the family;Truitt Jon, born Feb. 10, 1976, and Tryth Amber, born June 23,L978. Thomas was very instrumental in getting cooperative Vocational Education started in Burlington High School in 1970, and this has been his driving force ever since. Thomas is currently Vocational Director for Burlington High and the East Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services serving all the schools from Burlington to Bennett, as well as Kit Carson, Karval, Hugo and Bennett. Trulene is teaching flrrst grade at Burlington Elementary School. The McCauley's are active members of the First Baptist Church in Burlington. Tom is very active with the Gideons International, many vocational and educational organizations, and enjoys working with youth as well as adults. by Trulene McCauley Their original plan to stay in Colorado for 4 years was changed when the decision was made to purchase the farm they moved onto from Lyle James. That was home for the McClellands for 33 years, until they moved into town. Their children are Leslie, who died in 1965, Peggy Scott, a teacher in the Kremmling Schools, and John, who is working in the Burlington area. The whole family was a part of the Smoky Hill activities. There was 4H in which both Bob and Wanda dedicatpd time and energy and enthusiasm for many years. One year at the County Fair a special day was dedicated to honoring Bob for his 4H leadership and devotion. At the F irst Christian Church Food Center they put a sigrr above the door that said, "Bob McClelland eats here!" Bob has also been one of the instructors for "Gun Safety", which is so very important for those learning to handle guns. An award-winning square dance team represented Smoky Hill in competition for 6 or 7 years. The club members were one solid family group as they competed at the County Fair. They were there to cheer for each other or to protect one another if they saw the need. The Smoky Hill Gun Club was an impor- tant part of the community. The trap was located on the banks of the Smoky. Many a Saturday or Sunday afternoon was spent there enjoying tall tales and competing with each other. The McClelland family has many memories of school activities, including Christmas progrrms, and Spring track meets. Other memories include the Sunday School, the 4H Club, the Friendship Circle Extension Home- makers Club, pinochle parties and square dancing. Friendships begun there have lasted through the years, even though the people have scattered. Many of those families are now living in Burlington. by Mrs. Ted Eberhart McCOMBS, JAMES B. F442 James Bluett McCombs was born in Hen- derson, Henderson County, Kentucky, on Nov. 2, 1852 and lived there until 21 years of age. There were no public schools in Ky., in those days only privatc schools where the teacher was fortunate enough to get enough students to earn $3 to $5.00 a month and the parents to furnish the books. My mother taught me at home. ln 1872, my family moved to Kansas. In McCLELLAND, BOB AND WANDA I.44l In the spring of 1946, Wanda and Bob McClelland came across the stat€ line from Sherman County, Kansas to live in the Smoky Hill neighborhood. Their first social event was a charivari given them by their fanilies and friends from back home. Their mattresg had a new home in a tree and the outhouse seat was greased with axle grease. The newlyweds had a ride in a hastilyprepared cart. 1874, the grasshoppers came and ate every- thing including the fork handles, if left in the fields. In those days, the homesteaders hunted buffalo for meat, so I went on one trip with a man nnmed Bruce Cuthbertson and I killed my first buffalo on the head of Landsman Creek in Colorado. We got a load of meat and drove back to Kansas, arriving the day before Christmas, 1875. In 1887, I came to Colorado first locating at Friend, near where Idalia is today. On April 1, 1888, my brother Tom, my sister Maude and myself took up government lands 1% miles southeast of where Seibert now stands. On the newly acquired land, we �engaged in farming, raising cattle and horses, and general ranching, and although many hardships and privations wan our lot in common with all pioneers, we forged onward in a rest home in Wichita. Myrtle wag the youngest daughter of Charles Albert and Rebecca Ellen Bradshaw. Her oldest sister Minnie was Amy McCon- nell's mother and Myrtle was an aunt of Amy's but was also a sister-in-law having Central vicinity, south of Seibert and Flagler. Ellis McConnell was born March 18, 1888 near Creswell, Kentucky. He moved from Kentucky in 1905 to Decatur Co., Kansas. In her early years Myrtle was also a teacher. One of her pupils who remembers her best was Helen (Kennedy) Kerl. After his first wife's death he left Kansas and came to Colorado. He met Ethel Clark and they were married May 11, 1924 at the Baptist Parsonage in Vona, Colorado. This young couple lived on her homestead south of Flagler along with her mother who partnership with A.V. Jessee, in the lumber by Florence McConnell passed away in 1933. Ethel was a teacher of the Sunday School and coal bwiness, which, in 1915, we sold to B.E. Roller. During W.W.I, I managed the Caley Lu-ber Yard for 1 year, while the owner did his bit in the army. My experience is that you have to work if you get any0hing in this old world, and the McCONNELL. CLARK FAMILY and onward with grim determination. My brother took the SW% of 2-9-49, my sistcr the NE%, and I took the SE% of 3-949. We always raised plenty of root crops such as beets, turnips, and potatoes. They make good feed for milk cows as well as humans. In 1907, I moved to Seibert, and went into fellow that is trying to get something for married brothers. I.444 nothing is going to come out at the little end of the horn. In Novembet, L92L, Tom and I went to California to vigit Maude, who had moved there some years before. Tom died there quite suddenly. Soon after, on May 3, L922, I returned to Seibert and remained. Although now, well past the scriptural three score and ten, and nearing the four score period, my mind is clear and alert. . . . Taken from the Della Hendricks youth group for many years. During their years living in Second Central neighborhood their home was a favorite spot for young folks. Their nephew Jim lived with them two years in the early forties and went to high school at Second Centra]. Having not been blessed with children they cared a great deal for the neighbor children, taking care of them whenever needed. One special person was Bunnie (Short) Elliot. Through their last years Bunnie and Jim took care of them. They farmed the land until 1947 when they retired and moved to Loveland, Colorado. There they continued to live with Ellis passing away in 1966. Ethel remained alone in the home until forced to enter a nursing home because of failing health a few years scrapbooks later. She passed away May 7,L974. They are both buried in the Loveland Cemetery. by Janice Salmans by Florence McConnell McCONNELL BRADSIIAW FAMILY r'443 Ellis and Ethel McConnell Ethel May Clark was born August 22,t887 in Beatrice, Nebraska. With her parents, Ethel lived at Selden and Goodland, Kansas in her girlhood. She graduated from Goodland High School. Her family came to Colorado in 1913 and lived near Stratton where she served in the Stratton Poet Office and also worked in the Stratton State Bank until its closing. In 1913 she homesteaded in the Second J McCONNELL - HILLYARD FAMILY F.445 In the year 1904, James and Rebecca McConnell, loaded what earthly possessions they had and alongwith their six children and several other families, Harvey Hughes, Henry Wilsons and Dick Jones migrated all the way 1,'. Ernie and Myrtle McConnell E.A. Ernie McConnell was born February 18, 1896 in Marion, Kentucky. Atayoungage he cnme with hie family to eastern Colorado where hie parents homesteaded. The year of L924 he met and courted Myrtle Bradshaw. They were married in May of that year. They continued to live and farm in Kit Carson County. One daughter Shirley was born. She and her mother suffered from allergies and things were very bad in the early 30's go Ern decided to move his family. They moved to Springdale, then Fatteville, fukansas. Here he got a job in the Veterans hospital where he worked until his retirement. Their health failing, their daughter moved them to Wichita, Kansas to be close to her and her family. Myrtle passed away inAugust 1986, atthe ageof92 years. Ern still survives The Jo-es McConneII family. Front row, L to R: Ellis, father Jnnes, Ernie, mother Rebecca holding son Jack. and Bill. Back row: Shedrick and DelI. �from Marion, Kentucky. These families were grandfather's homestead from the estate. He then remodeled the house, making it modern, and he continued to live with his parents, Then in 1952 Jack decided to run for County Assesgor. He won and served two terms. He and Amy purchased a small home in Burlington where they continued to live for years. While in Burlington Amy enjoyed a wide circle offriends and belonged to various women's clubs and enjoyed working part time all cousins. They all settled on homesteads in Kit Carson County. Their oldest son was old enough to file a claim. Their youngest son was six years old. They farmed and raised their family through some very rough years and enjoyed the company of several grandchildren. There was only one grandson with the McConnell name. Afier the war he purchased their homestead from the heirs. Ja-es passed away in 1936. Rebecca went to live with her oldest son, where she died in in the Burlington City Library. They were both active in the Odd Fellow and Rebecca Lodges. They both enjoyed reading and loved books. After retirement and tiring of city life they moved back to their farm south of Vona, 1937. They are both buried in the Claremont Cemetery, Stratton, Colorado. The Jones settled not far from the McConnell homesteads while the Henry Wilson and Harvey Hughes family settled in the Bethel Community. Every Sunday the McConnell home wae a gathering place for all the families. Colorado. He enjoyed farming and spending time caring for his small Polled Hereford cow herd. He also enjoyed spending time walking in the creek with his three grandchildren when they cnme to visit. In 1981 they held a sale, and as health was failing moved to Stratton, where they purchased a small home across the street from by Florence McConnell McCONNELL PETEFISH FAMILY Jack and Amy McConnell and son Jim. I.44(d the high school. Their last years were spent in this home. Jack enjoyed his garden and yard where he spent many hours and he also liked to build furniture. Their home was furnished with many pieces of furniture that he had made through the years. They enjoyed going to the Senior Citizens Center, and going to the grandchildren's various school activities. Jack went to be with the Lord in 1983. Amy continued to live alone in their home. Then in August of 1984, no longer able to stay alone, her son moved her to his farm to a small trailer house. She continued to attend church, and remained active in the American Legion Auxiliary and Senior Citizens, Farmerette Club as well as attending her grand- children's events. She had a dear friend that always cnme and took her to church, especially Ladies Aid and Jack and Amy McConnell in 1971. grew to young womanhood on the family farm at Bethune, Colorado. She boarded and Jack and Amy McConnell on their honeSnnoon. E.R. Jack McConnell was born in Marion, Kentucky, December 20, 1898. At the age of nine he came with his parents to eastern Colorado, where his father homesteaded on a quarter ofland, 13-10-47 now owned by his grandson, Jim. Jack, as he was known, was educated in Grandview and Nutbrooke schools. Amy Belle Petefish was born February 7, 1901 in Vona, Colorado. She was the oldest daughter of Snm and Minnie Petefish. She worked her way so she might graduate from Burlington High School. She then went to Greeley, Colorado where she attended Greeley Teachers College receiving a teacher'g certificate. Her firgt teaching job was at First Central. Who should she meet teaching there but Jack McConnell. They started courting for a time and were married May 3, 1924. They moved to their first home, a little green house on his father's homestead, where their son, only child, Jatnes Elvin was born October 2L,1926. After the death of his father, his mother went to live with the oldest son; they moved to the big house. He continued to farm and Amy taught school at the Grandview and Nutbrooke schools. Not being able to forsee the future, one of her little first grade students became her daughter-in-law in 1955. Jack farmed with horses, then with a tractor. They enjoyed the radio in early days. They were thrilled as everyone else to have electricity come in 1950. Their son went to service after graduation, and when he cnme home he purchased his Quilting. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in their son's new home south of Stratton, in 1974. The enjoyed fifty-six years of marriage. They are both buried in Claremont Ceme- tery, Stratton, Colorado. by Florence McConnell McCONNELL UNDERWOOD FAMILY F447 W.E. McConnell was born at Princeton, Kentucky, Dec. 5, 1891. At sixteen years of age he came with his family to a homestead southwest of Stratton. He was not old enough to file a claim for a homestead so he purchased a place south of the Underwood homestead. They had a daughter named Susie whom he met and courted. Susie Bessie Underwood was born October 13, 1893 in Oberlin, Kansas. She was a school teacher. She met Bill as he was known and they were manied May 4, 1920. �and she would make him custard. His early school years, through the eighth grade, were attended at Nuttbrooke and Grandview schools. He rode a horse to school. He tells about having to take bean sandwiches in his lunch. The other kids thought this was great and would trade their sandwiches for Jim's bean sandwiches. Money being scarce and no transportation to high school, he spent a year at home. Then he went to live and work for an aunt and uncle south ofFlagler, Colorado where he attended two years of high school at Second Central. -'&4 At this time Jim rode his horse from his parents'home twenty-two miles across open prairie to his uncle's home. He then returned home and used his folks car, a 1937 Chevy, and hauled the neighbor children to town to high school for a small fee so he might finish his high school. He graduated with the class of 1945. Early in his senior year, he was drafted into the service. After graduation he entered the U.S. Army to serve his country in World War II. He was discharged after the war ended in 1946. He came home from service and purchased his grandfather's homestead. He purchased L to R: Bill and Susie, Cousin Everett and lgabelle, and Brother Ellis and Ethel McConnell. Following their marriage, they lived three years in Salem, Oregon, where their first daughter Agnes was born. They returned to Colorado on their place where they made McCONNELL WILSON FAMILY F448 their home. Another daughter Violet was born. They attended grade school at the Grandview and Nut Brooke schools. Both girls stayed in town and attended Stratton High School where they both graduated. The oldest daughter Agnes married a local boy, Ebner Boecker, and they made their home in Denver. She worked for the Federal Center. Violet married a F.B.I. man and lived in several different stat€s. They enjoyed the birth of five grandchild- ren. Jim and I recall the year 1960, the year of the big snow. Uncle Bill and Aunt Susie were snowed in for three long months. Jim rode a horse in to see about them. Even in those days they had a large enough food supply that he only carried groceries to them twice during this time and then it was only On October 2L, L926 in a small green house on his Grandfather's homestead, James Elvin McConnell was born to E.R. "Jack" and Amy McConnell. When only a small boy he helped his father farm with horses, and they always milked a bunch of cows. At the age of ten years he was driving a teem of horses. He recalls the rough times he and his family endured during the dirty thirties. He remembers going in a wagon and team of horses to town to get supplies. As a very young boy he recalls his trips down to see his Grandmother McConnell. She would tell him to go gather the goose eggs his first tractor, a 1932 John Deere tractor, and started farming and ranching. His parents continued to live with him until 1950 when they moved to Burlington. Jim recalls the year 1950 when electricity came to our part ofthe country. A close friend taught him the electrician's trade and they started wiring all the farm homes for electricity. He also worked on a sewer gang, putting in the first sewer system for the town of Stratton. He often jokes about waiting for the little neighbor girl to grow up. This she did and when she finished high school in 1955, Florence Denise Wilson and Ja-es Elvin were married, The times were bad when the dry years in the early fifties forced Jim to go to the city for employment. He worked as a electrician, making $3.00 an hour. Both missing the farm, flour, coffee, and sugar. We had been snowed in nine days and we went down to see about them and Aunt Susie fixed the most delicioug dinner with all her canned goods she had. Then in 1963 they had gone to Kansas to visit an aunt and on their way home in a blinding rain storm they met their untimely death. They were both killed in a head on crash near Levant. Kansas. Joint services were held and they are buried in Claremont Cemetery, Stratton Colorado. The daughters still own the land and rent it to Jim. by Florence McConnell Garrett, Denise, Jim and Raymond and Donna McConneII. 1984 �school and graduated from Stratton High r:ill.a'l -3ili:' :rt:l School. For a period of several years Jim suffered bad health. In 1973 he underwent open heart surgery. He was one of the very first people in the county to undergo this surgery as it was relatively new. :]r'.,.: .':;;;, .'lrji:lr', He continued his farming plus his mail 4r.,.] , carrier career. He has seen many changes take place in the farming industry. He grew up learning to farm with horses, then to tractors without cabs, then being able to purchase a new tractor with a cab. He also saw the beginning of irrigation, having put down an irrigation well on his present farm. He went from ditch irrigation to sprinklers. He recalls many times as a boy and young man working and helping the neighbors thresh their grain. He was forced to retire from his mail "l:ll: carrying job in 1984, having served twentyseven years as a carrier south of town. Through his life of sixty years and her life of fifty years they have made a wide circle of friends. He has always had an active interest in politics serving as a Republican Precinct ' a't.tl'l $ ;i. Committeeman for twelve years. He also ' ,&:uti, ti:' worked a few years as a deputy assessor, After retiring from his job, he could not sit still so he studied to be an EMT, helping get the ambulance service started in Stratton. He has also served as an active fireman. He has been an active member of the American Legion Post 138 receiving his forty year membership card. He is also a Mason, belonging to the Burlington Lodge A.F. and A.M. No. 77. He served all the chairs, to his term as a Master. He also belongs to the Rocky Mountain Consistory. Florence has spent her years in the home, taking care of her family and working beside Jim on the farm. She loves to cook, sew, do things for her family. Her favorite season on the farm is spring when the baby calves arrive. She has belonged to various clubs throughout the years. She has been a member of M.S.A. Federated Woman's Club, serving two different terms as President. She has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for thirty years. In 1980 their children hosted a Silver Wedding Anniversary celebration for them. Through the years of their married life they have traveled, taking several long trips. They Wedding picture of Denise and Jim McConnell, April 22, 1955. they gave up the city to return to the farm. In 1957 Jim worked at a local factory building Colorado Caynpers. In the year 1960 a chance of a life time dream ca-e along for Jim, and he took the exnm to become a Rural Mail Carrier. He received the appointment September 3, 1960. They moved to town. After a year or so in town, Florence got ajob cooking at the school, a job she held for five years. In 1965 they decided something was missing from their life and so they adopted their first child, Raymond Frederick on March 7, 1966. Then in December, another son Garrett Lee cnme to make his home. Three years passed and January, 1969, a baby sister Donna Denise arrived. In 1970, wanting their children to grow up on a farm, they built a new home just two McConnell family; Garrett, Jim, Raymond, Denise and Donna. 1973 miles south of Stratton, where they still reside. Their children have all attended grade have taken their children on several trips, their favorite was a trip to Disneyland, and one year to the Grand Canyon. They have traveled to all parts of the state that they dearly love, Colorado. Florence was born in her Grandmother Wilson's home on January 22, 1937. They moved three times during her childhood. She attended Grandview her first three years, where Amy McConnell, Jim's mother was her first school teacher. She also attended Nuttbrooke school and then in her eighth grade the school districts consolidated and school buses were purchased and the children were bussed to town. She went all four years of high school in Stratton and graduated in 1955. The year 1981 they hosted an exchange student from Denmark who spent six months in their home. The next year a student cnme from Columbia, South America. These students became their host children. Jim enjoyed the companionship of his father-in-law Elvin "Boots" Wilson for twenty three years. They spent many hours �together walking through the fields admiring their crops. They shared a lot of farming wild yellow roses. experiences through the years. Jim and Florence recall lots ofstories about family especially his nieces and nephews. He managed to take care of himself all his Kit Carson County. They now reside only life until he euffered a stroke and spent the miles from where they were both born. Jim especially remembers a lot about the early history. They have both grown up remembering and seeing great things in the County take last months of his life in a rest home in Wray. He passed on to eternity in September 1955. He is buried in the family plot in Claremont Cemetery in Stratton, Colorado. shape. Sheck never married. He enjoyed his by Florence McConnell by Florence McConnell McCONNELL, SHEDRICK McCORMICK, HETTIE LIPFORD F450 F44S Mary Henriette (Hetty) Lipford was born in Shelby County, Missouri, on June 5, 1899 to J.W. (Jack) Lipford and Lena (Moore) Lipford, their first child. In 1908, ghe came with her parents to a homestead in the Shiloh neighborhood, 20 miles northeast of Flagler, where she continued with her schooling at the first school that the new settlers built in the area. Later she attended Flagler High School in its new building for two years. After the family moved into Flagler, she was employed in the dry goods department of the Wilson Brothers General Store on Main Avenue. Later she started an apprenticeship in the undertaking business at the Shaw Mortuary. In 1928, she was married to Carl McCormick of Colorado Springs, where she continued in the undertaking business, working at the Decker Mortuary. In 1930 she received her embabning license and in 1940, a funeral director's license. Later the McCormicks moved to Pueblo where her husband's wholesale distributing business wag located. In the mid-50'e she began having health Shedrick Garrett McConnell Shedrick Garrett McConnell, the oldest son of Jnmes and Rebecca McConnell was born January 20, 1886 in Princeton, Kentucky. He cnme to Colorado with his parents in 1907. Being of age he was able to homestead. He homesteaded one-half mile from his parents. The house and barn still stand on his place. His nephew, James owns the land now. In the early days he farmed with horses. He went to college in Greeley, Colorado to get a Teacher's Certificate. Timeg were so rough that he had to carry a pistol with him while at college for protection. He came back to the county and taught school at the sod school at Bethel. His niece by marriage, Denise Wilson remembers him passing by their home in his Star car. Quite a car in its day. Later he served several years an County Earl and Nellie Burk. A sod school house was built 1% miles on grandfather's homestead, this was where she got her first start of education. Neighbors were few and far between, but they enjoyed one another when they chanced to meet. As time went by William married in 1919 and in 1923 Roscoe and Grandfather Houlton were lost. The district moved the school to another location and built a frame building. My greatgrandmother went there to finish the 7th grade. When the district was consolidated, problems and died in 1958. Burial was in the Flagler Cemetery. what was then Smokey Hill school was built. There she finished her school days in 1924. by Blanche Lipford Carper In that time she had met Earl Burk, my great-grandfather, they married in July of 1925. So started an all new life. Earl cnme to McCRARY - BURK FAMILY F46l Marion Fredrick McCrary and Dora Lav- ina Houlton started their married life in Storm Lake, Iowa. They decided to go west and find a homestead with 2 son's, Williem Ernest and Roscoe Marion. Their Grandfather Houlton also went with them. They loaded an emigrant car in 1904 and proceeded to Selden Kansas, unloaded there and resided for a few months. Marion traveled by team and wagon to Colorado where he homesteaded % section of land. He built a 2 room native sod house. The family moved out in March of 1906;they then began to build sheds for their horses and cows and plowing the ground to put in the crops. My great-grandmother, Nellie M. McCrary, was born in the spring of 190? on a bright sunny Sunday morning, April 21. Assessor. Marion began to work for other homesteaders The family always had a tradition that the graves were decorated on Memorial Day. They always picked wild flowers. He picked Grandfather Houlton and William took care of the live stock and farming. for a small wage to help out at home. Colorado in 1923 from Nebraska. His folks had bought a wheat farm here. They met at an ice cream social at a Smokey Hill school party. After they married they bought a small farm south ofthe school and continued on for 17 years there. Theynowhave one daughter, Helen (Burk) Scheierman, she also went to Smokey Hill school until a tornado went through the area in June of 1941, destroying the school building. She then finished her school days at Burlington High school in 1944. In 1945, they then decided to sell their farm and in 1946, they had a farm sale and moved to Burlington. Earl worked at odd jobs and helped to build the Memorial Hospital. He also did some work for the city. In Spring of 1948 they moved to Loveland and worked for the sugar factory till he got in an accident. After that he worked for a contractor. In Fall of 1950, they came back to Burlington where my great-grandfather worked for the city for 20 years and retired. He now works at odd jobs carpentering and helping friends and family. by Nellie (McCrary) Burk, submitted by Launa Kay Cooper �McCURDY, C. Iry. AND BERTHA (IIOGSETT) F.462 C.W. McCurdy was a Scotch-Irish decent, born September 19, L872.He was the young- ffirl FRESH AND CURED MEATS FRESH OYSTERS, POULTRY & GAME IN SEASON HICHEST MARKET PRICE PAID FOR HIDES Advertisement for C.W, McCurdy in Burlington paper. est of a large family of boys. He was born near Roseville,Illinois and grew to manhood there. He married Bertha (Hogsett). She was born December 18, 1880. They were manied near Shenandoah, Iowa December 22, 1898. To this union two children were born, a son, Leslie McCurdy and a daughter Mildred McCurdy (mother of Winifred James). They lost their only son, Leslie, from pneumonia when he was 18 years old. The death of their son weighed heavy on their hearts all of their days. The family lived in Iowa, near Red Oak and Shenandoah. They later moved to Lincoln Center, Kaneas, where he had a meat market and then moved on to Burlington, Colorado where he opened a meat market on main street, next door to the Record Printing Office - later he moved to a farm Southwest of Burlington. Farming with horses was a tedious task, and when you had 4 to 6 horses hitched to a disk you had the inevitable "Runaway"! More than once someone got a leg cut, and the women were supposed to fix them up, at least "Patch em" until someone could get Dr. Gillette and his good wife Viola. They had a small black and white rat terrier dog, named Trixie, they had brought him with them from Iowa, and that little dog hated rattlesnakes. Trixie had been bitten so many times on the head that his head wag permanently enlarged and he was completely deaf. He didn't seem to mind, he still went after any snake he saw. Prairie Fires were always a threat. What fences they had usually had "gunny" sacks wrapped around the wire near the corner posts - when smoke appeared on the horizon - water in buckets and crenm cans was hauled by wagon - jugt in case - It was coming on through! "Charley", as he was known, was a very pleasant, personable man with his easy smile and copper hair and mustache. Charley had a Model T Ford, and was he proud of it - he knew he could always back up the hills, when he couldn't make it going forward! He would stop by a neighbors house, who rarely got to town, to see if they needed any supplies. He usually ended up with a long list and then when he brought the supplies back - they quite often forgot to pay him - He felt he had helped, but his wife was most unhappy! Money was hard to come by! C.W. McCurdy Meat Market in Burlington, CO. 1905 ln L927 the family moved to Matheson, Colorado where Charley opened a General Store, but this was a short lived venture and in 1930 Charley and Family were preparing to move East of Stratton, Colorado. Charley was repairing the windmill when his canva{r glove caught in the windmill gears breaking his little finger - the wound was a small thing but Blood Poisoning set in and then Lock Jaw. He died at his daughter, Mildred Esch, home on April 4, 1930. His wife Bertha died June 30, 1947, in Goodland, Kansag. Written by his granddaughter Mrs. Chester (Winifred) James. McDONALD FAMILY F463 McDonald ranch Steers for the meat market. The McDonald Ranch was known as the CorRanch. It was firstowned byaMr. Tuttle until 1889 when he deeded a % section to Harry Cox. Mr. Tuttle died in 1892 and Harry Cox died in 1928 or 29. Hie wife, Marie L. Cox leased the place sometime in the 1900'g to John Davis. Morton Davis leased the land after the death ofJohn Davis. Jerry Guy and family lived there from 1933 until March 1, 1935. A Mr. Earl Radcliff lived there for some time and worked for Mrs. Cox. Mrs. Radcliffe was a school teacher in the area and Bud Wood remembers her as being his teacher when he was in the second grade. The Radcliffs lived on the McArthur place and then on the Kennedy place. Frank McDonald homest€aded in Mildred, Colorado just north of Eckley, Colorado in �& ii"'0"'trf""HtT;"J*1T,H.";'il""fr Jt:T;'j family to Colorado in 191.1. They lived in Mildred for 20 years before moving his family to the Bill Mace place east of the Cox ranch in 1929 or 1930. The family consisted of Sylvia, Goldie, Opal, Bertha, Hawey, Clarence, Marion and Rufug. In the early spring of 1935, Frank and his family leased the Cox ranch from Mrs. Cox. They were there just a month or so before the flood of 1935. The McDonalds bought the ranch in 1942 and they farmed and bought more ground to join to the ranch. Frank McDonald died December 13, 1955 and his wife died in the spring of 1955. Clarence lived in Denver several years and then came back to help Harvey and Rufus farm. Their sister Sylvia, who helped care for the home with Bertha passed away on September 22, Lg70 and Clarence passed away on August 8, L977. Harvey and Bertha moved to Yuma, Colorado in 1984. Goldie lives in Denver, Colorado. Opal lives in Iowa and Marion lives in Yuma, Colorado. Rufus still lives on the home place and with the help of his nephew, Verlin, son of Clarence, still takes care of the ranch tending the hogs, cattle and farming wheat, corn and alfalfa. Harvey McDonald told this story to Bud Wood. by Edward (Bud) Wood McKINLEY FAMILY F464 W w The Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital built under Willi"- McKinley's supervision while on a year's sabbatical from Burlington Public Schools new chapter in our lives. By the end of that chapter, we had come to be known most as "Mr. Mac" and "Jo". At this writing, Mr. Mac is gone and this account by me, Jo, from my 83 year-old's vantage recalls the things that felt important to us as they happened. We entered the Flagler community in 1925 with conviction, from our own experience, that education of the young was among the most important of human endeavors. Teach- ing youth to prepare for their lives, to seek out and develop every available opportunity to enrich their own lives and the lives of others, was a life pursuit which neither of us ever doubted. The early years in Flagler were good to us. Mac focused on recruiting a faculty of high quality, improving school attendance, gaining accredited standing with universities and colleges, and generally developing his special style of teaching the pursuit of excellence that touched many lives and endeared him to his students. Together we worked to involve the community more closely with the schools and to develop the spirit of cooperation and to enhance community pride. There were many wonderful people and life was rewarding. Athletics increased in popularity and became a focal point for all, especially as our young athletes won recognition at county, district and etate levels. One of the most memorable events was the Girls'State Basketball Championship and the memoryof the quality of that group of young people lingers on. Some difficult times made deep impresWilliam W. McKinley, superintendent of many schools sions too. An auto accident with Mac and part of the girls' basketball team was too near to tragedy for comfort. It also damaged our new car! Dr. Williams cnme to our house late at night to be sure Mac's neck was not badly injured and many friends rallied with transportation and help to repair our car. Even hard times beco-e good ones when shared with good people. The market crash of '29, followed by severe drought and awful dust storms, tested the stamina of everyone. The blizzards what - storm fear they could produce! I recall one when we worried for six days about one bus driver before hearing he was safe. Most drivers lived in town and we could check that William McKinley in the classroom On a hot day, in early August of 1925, the McKinley family began its 40 year history in Kit Carson County. William W. and Josephyne A. McKinley, with their infant son William (Jr.), left their roots in Fowler, Colorado, and drove to Flagler. We were young and ambitious and eager to begin this the children were home, but one driver was a senior in high school and lived some 20 miles from town. The phones went out after qerlves rrom rlauoween lesf,rvlf,les. rrevloug mischief such as putting a cow in a bell tower and, hazardously, blocking the highway with farm equipment were displaced by a wholesome fun-filled Halloween carnival. held in the theatre building and sponsored by the Woman's Club with help from other organizations and attended by both youth and adults. The carnival's guccess was gratifying to us all. In Januar5r, 1935, we left Flagler and our friends there and moved to Burlington where Mac had accepted the position of superintendent of schools. Besides the school and community activities recalled above, Mac and I had ensured that we would always be busy. We had added two more sons, C. Robert and J. Richard. Some years later we had our fourth and final son, James, and I wisely decided to make do without a daughter. Instead I taught the boys to do dishes and some of them to knit and my penchant for crafts led me to many happy hours of teaching and sharing handwork. The difficult 1930's continued and the dust storms with them. I recall one sudden storm catching about 200 neighboring schools' people at an event in Burlington. Burlington responded sharing homes, supplying food - and, not the least, providing and blankets good companionship to the stranded. The years in Burlington were good. Mac and his faculties developed a school system with high standards and high success. Well prepared teachers with strong ideals and athletic progr4ms designed to develop the young people as well as to win proved to be something in which we all could take pride. And then there was social progress. A new gymnasium with kitchen and hot lunch room, meeting rooms, music rooms and a stage was built as a WPA project. It provided work for residents and became the site for many community as well as school activities. The drought ended and the future began to look bettcr and then came another major time. World War II brought some prosperity but left us with the loss of many of our talented youth. Some teachers moved to better paying positions and there were increased opportunities in business. All ofus, in Kit Carson County and the whole country, were involved in the war effort. One of the most gratifying times for us was the episode of community spirit activated by the building of Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital. Mac had been active in snmpaigning for the hospital, especially while he was president of Rotary. When Rotary voted to sponsor the project and the people of the whole county responded and helped get it done, it was a major highlight for our family. Without government subsidy, our county pitched in and every citizen and organization helped in some way. Hours of labor with shovel and hammer, or needle and thread were donated. Donations by the "10 Acre Club" and other clubs and individuals furnished rooms dedicated to beloved relatives and friends. Service clubs contributed freely. Some I can recall include landscaping by the Garden Club and cooking facilities supplied by the Inter Se Se and Past President's Clubs. his last passengers were delivered, but before we could hear that he was home. In town the The School Board granted Mac a year intended for a banquet were unceremoniously but gratefully divided among those short of food. One exemple of our maturing community sabbatical and allowed him to supervise the building of the hospital. We, he and I, felt a deep satisfaction from the effort when the hospital was open and providing care. After a year (academic 1948-49) in Wray, supplies got so low that seven turkeys �we decided to return to Burlington and Mac joined the Burlington Building and Supply Co. (BBS). There was a growth period and the new company built several nice homes, the new Montezuma Hotel (carefully designed not to burn as the previoue one had), school buildings (in Flagler too), and a face lift on the court house. When the droughts of the fifties affected the building boom, Mac decided to return to In the "dirty thirties", the dirt blew so hard, it would get into the creeks and strenme and just make mud. The cattle would try to get a drink and get buried in this mud, with only their heads sticking out. Lloyd would get a rope and put it around the cow's head to pull her out. One winter, Lloyd raised his 75 head of cattle by feeding them on wheat and rye pasture, 35 acres of wheat and 17 acres of rye, with some corn stalks too. They were 'i'j& t.* He was very proud his real love - teaching. but building lives was always of the buildings, the real action. He and I always agreed on that! We spent three years in Bethune and five more in Flagler, where several of his earliest former students had asked Mac to return "to do for our kids what you did for us." Those years were less hectic, but gratifying and always were blessed with a supportive community and a forward looking school board. The Flagler alumni dedicated the football field as "McKinley Field" on a cool autumn evening that remains a highlight for our family. All four sons, Mac and I were all together during a tribute to all that Mr. Mac L... *r. \, &: $.1- r. . W;*,*a,,, had stood for and taught and exemplified. Those later years I spent deeply involved clubs, church and in community affairs Lloyd and Georgia Megel taken in front of groups. out here in Colorado. They moved south of Stratton and lived there until the thirties. Dave and Eugena finally moved into Stratton where they spent the rest of their lives. Lloyd went to school at First Central. and knitting sponsoring china painting We decided to retire one year early and Mac resigned at Flagler, but then we changed our minds and decided to finish one last year in education. We spent a very nice final year in Stratton where Mac finished as he had teaching in the classroom. After- 40 years in a county that had grown from "no fresh vegetables" in the grocery begun stores to super markets rivaling the city ones, we went to Arizona. Those 40 years were happy developing years for the communities .as well as for us and it is a joy to visit friends of many years and be aware of the growth of our "prairie home". by Josephyne A. McKinley MEGEL, LLOYD AND GEORGIA F466 Lloyd and Georgia Megel's SOth Wedding Anniversary taken at home gouth of Vona. Dave and Eugena Megel came from Marysville, Kansas in 1906, in a covered wagon with their family, Olive, Laura and Lloyd. Lloyd and Laura were four years old. Dave originally cn-e from Bogton where his family were all tailors. He worked for the railroad Armstrongs in early 1930's, by Lloyd's Star Car. Lloyd and Frank Whitmore took singing lessons together. Years back when we were young we'd go to all the dances at Smokey Hill and other schools. Lloyd played the violin, or fiddle. Back then you didn't have to have a driver's license, but the car had to be licensed. The neighbor boys were hard up allowed to graze on the wheat in the spring until the wheat began to joint, then removed to other feed. The wheat had been damaged by a severe hail storm, but we averaged 11 bushelg per acre at harvest time. Once it w{ur so dry, we had to sell out and we only had 11 cows left. So in the spring, when the cows calved, we'd go to town and buy another calf to put on the cow with her calf. To do this Lloyd would put a harness strap around the necks ofthe calves and then a swivel and a rope between both calves. We ended up with 11 cows and 22 calves this way. We built the herd back up in this manner. Our sons Dewayne and Jerry were both in the army. Lloyd passed away on July 29, 1983. I still live on the farm south of Vona. My son, Larry and his wife Nancy, live here also in their own home, with their three sons: Mark, Michael, and Anthony. Larry is a teacher and he taught his first school 20 miles north of Burlington. by Georgia Megel MESSENGER, EARL AND LUCY (WOODJ66 and they couldn't afford one, so they'd borrow ours and off we'd go. Lloyd and I, Georgia Lonzona Armstrong were married in Wray, Colo., in 1929. My sister Cora was married at the seme time to Guy Petefish. We lived with Lloyd's folks l year, then we moved to the McFeeder place for about 1 year. Then back north to my folk's homestead, while they moved into our house. Then back north to a place south ofStratton called the Dick Reisch place. Then to a place south of Bethune. We had 6 children. We lost our flrrst two babiee, a girl and then a boy. My doctor was Dr. Bergen. Out sons, (Larry) Lawarence, Dewayne and Jearold (Jerry), and daughter Carol, were all born in Stratton. Larry and Dewayne were delivered by Dr. Cavey, Jerry by Dr. Hewitt, and Carol by Dr. Keen. Marvin was born at home, south of Vona, delivered by Dr. Hewitt. Marilyn was born in Flagler and delivered by Dr. Straub. We have 17 grandchildren, and 9 greatgrandchildren. We farmed and raised cattle and kids. Whenever someone asked what we did in our spare time, we said, "just raise kids and cowg". Lloyd made wind chargers and sold them to make extra money and that helped us get by. He also worked on the railroad and had hie own threshing machine. Once a Melvin Rogers came by and Lloyd welded his leg back together. That is he welded his braces. He had broken his leg, I guess from a fall from a horse years before, and the brace was falling apart. Jean, Clifford, and Dorothy Messenger, year 1937. Children of Lucy and Earl Messenger. Earl, was born the 31st day ofAug., 1895, to Isaac D. and Lulu P. Messenger in the small trading post town of Cattlee, Cherokee Nation, Okla., and in the spring of 1896, was moved to Loveland, Co., and then to Kit Carson Co. Colo., in the spring of 1901, where he was nurtured to manhood on the old Messenger homestead 21 miles NE of Stratton. His formal education start€d in an old sod building located just south of the Repub- �hone5rmoon, Earl moved his bride onto the homestead to reside until 1939 (Earl's parents had moved into town). It was here their 3 children were born: Norma Jean, Clifford Wayne, and Dorthy Darlene. After the tough and lean years of the 1929 depression and 4 years of drought (1935-39), he gave up the farm and moved into Stratton where he worked with the county road crew for 4 years, 2 years for the electric power company, 2 years again for the county under County Commissioner McArthur. In 1948, he became the manager of the American Legion Club in Stratton and served there for 10 years. On May 27, L948, his beloved Lucy died of cancer after many months of illness. During the next few years all ofthe children married Home of Earl and Lucy Messinger at Stratton, Co. and moved away. On Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1958, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Elsie Proctor and shortly thereafter moved with his bride to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he worked and resided until his death, Jan. 9, 1973. He was buried in the Claremont Cemetery, Stratton, Colo., beside his wife, Lucy. After Earl's death Elsie moved back to Stratton, and resided there close to her children until she passed away May 30, 1983, and wae buried beside Earl. Earl had worked hard all the days ofhis life and was still actively engaged in a good work until his final illness. He had empathy for all who suffered and was a charitable man. He taught his children well to be thrifty, honest, and to do an honest day's labor for a honest day's pay, to do good to all and to honor their parents, by C.W. Messenger MESSENGER, ISAAC D. Earl and Lucy Messinger in 194?. lican River and the old "Wood" ranch, with his classmates; Gladys Quinn, Ethel Whipple, and Louella Hitchcock. He went to school at the old "Tuttle" School through the 9th grade and Yz of the tenth grade before duties at home demanded his time. Earl shared his parents with two brothers, Archie and Ernest, and five sisters: Stella, Clara, Hazel, Mar5/, and Eva. They all grew up, married, and moved away form thie home except; Ernest, who moved to Stratton when his parents did in 1926, and Ernest, who was killed by lightening Aug. 29, 1925. Earl went to the Army on Oct. 2, 1917, and served until May 1919, in the European theatre of England, France, Belgium, and Germany, as a horseshoer for the Cavalry. Upon returning to the farm he helped his father in the building of a new 2-story, L2room home, a garage, shop, a large rambling hog shed, and a new chicken houge. Lucy, a daughter of Henry H. and Rachel Wood, was raised within 2 miles of the Messenger homest€ad with 6 brothers: Art, Harvey, Ted, Earl, Ralph, and lvan. Even though she lived close by for 15 plus years, it wasn't until Aug. 8, 1926, that she and Earl were married, when they were both 30 years old. When Earl and Lucy returned from their West Virginia to Benkelman, Nebr., then went by stagecoach to Bird City, Kansas, where we left Mother with relatives, then my brother and I came by wagon train to Colorado, where we went to my brother's claim northeast of Brulington. He ceme out in the fall of 1885. There were no crmps, towns, or roads; we angled across the prairie from Bird City. I saw no Indians, but there were plenty of buffalo, wild horses, and antelope. We found my brother's claim and lived with him for about a year. In 1887, I took a pre-emption and a homestead beside my brother's claim, 15 mile northeast of Burlington. I proved up on the pre-emption, but let the homestead go back to the government. About 30 years ago I took another homestead in Township 6 in Range 46, Burlington was then situated on the old townsite. and all the water used was hauled from Lostman Creek, a distance of 10 miles, and the haulers charged 25 cents for a 3 gallon pail of water. Folks did not waste water then. Everything used then was freighted in from Haigler, Nebr., Wray, Colo., and Cheyenne Wells. Colo. My brother hauled water until I got located, and then we put down a "company" well in Sand Creek, hauling up the watcr by windlass, and we had plenty for all purposes and for everyone. the fellow who had a good well was the richest man in the community. I worked as a blacksmith for years; in fact, that was my trade when I came west. After taking out the pre-emption and homestead, I would live on it the required time each year, and the rest of the time I worked for companies in different places. I worked for the Colorado City Water Works for some years and also for the Pueblo Street Car Company. During the time I was living on my homestead, I helped by brother put down a few of the drilled wells around Burlington and other places in the county. He had a well- I.467 drilling outfit which he purchased after he Born 1866, in West Virginia, I lived in West Virginia until young manhood, then came to Colorado in the spring of 1886. My mother and a brother and myself cane by train from had been here for awhile. I remember when the Countywas new, that so many people were starving; they had no fuel or clothes when winter came on, and no way of getting anything, for money was very 1952, Stratton, Co. Ira and Lulu Messinger with children, Mary, Eva, Earnest, Stella, Clara and Hazel. "Archie" wae killed by Iightening in 1925. �scarce. Word of this predicament got to Denver, and the store owners there made up a large shipment of clothes, shoes, and whatever was needed to help keep the people warm. The Trinidad coal miners mined coal free. A committee was appointed to distribute these supplies and the people were taken care of until the severe winter weather was over. I know that many people were saved by this timely help. The County Commissioners shipped in three carloade ofwheat and loaned it to the farmers for seed wheat. This was to be paid back when the crop was raised, and was the means of starting wheat raising, in this county. But even with the help given, the winter was so severe that a number of people froze to death and many cattle and horses were lost and died from exposure. It was really dangerous to get far away from home, for one never knew when a storm might arise that would turn into a blizzatd, and as there were no roads to follow, and no fences to use as a linemark, it wan so easy to become confused and wander until exhausted and then to sleep the sleep that meant "another person frozen to death". So we always tried to make it to some farm house before dark or ifthe weather got suddenly cloudy which was likely to mean a storm, It is rather hard to express in writing all the hardships endured by those people who cnme west seeking new homes and often times a better livelihood. Many a man has come here and settled down with his family and lost all he had in trying to make a go of farming, for I know that year after year no crops would be raised, the cattle died, ofdisease or exposure. When a man lost everything he had no way of leaving, so just had to stay and make the best of it. A number of settlers, especially those coming in north of the Republican River, had quite a bit of trouble with the big cattle companies. Of course, the cattlemen resented the intrusion of farmers fences, and small herds, and they tried different ways to scare the people out. I remember that one of the foreman of the "Bar-T" Ranch tried to make a settler by the nnme of Munsinger move off his homestead. He tried many ways, but the settler stayed. Then the foreman, and one of the cowboys went to Munsinger's home and was going to run him out. But they did not figure that Munsinger was a fighter too, so he met those two men with a shotgun and gave them fair warning to get off his land and stay off. However, the foreman would not heed the warning, so Munsinger shot him dead and then shot the heel off the cowboy's boot. By that time, the cowboy was heading towards home and safety as fast as he could. There MESSINGER FAMILY F468 Pioneers To Kit Carson County John W.J. Messinger, a tailor by trade, immigrated to this country about 1765, when a young man of twenty, to make a home in the wilderness, settling in York County, Pennsylvania, where he bought a farm. He married Miss Catherine Goswiler, daughter of John Goswiler of Cumberland County, Pa. John and Catherine Messinger had ten children: Mary, Henry, John, Jacob, William, Catherine, Susannah & Bostorra (twins), Daniel and Margaret. These items were recorded on page 542 of Biographical Sketches in the History of Perry County, Pa., and, on that same page, under the heading of John Loudon was the following: In these early times, the Indians were very numberous, and their depredations troublesome. At one time when some children were going to school they saw a party of Indians, and on reaching the schoolhouse told their teacher, who did not seem to fear any trouble, for he told them to recite one lesson, and then he would let them go home. In a few moments the "redskins" were upon them, and, though the teacher begged for mercy for the children, they were all mercilessly killed and scalped but one, who escaped to tell the horrors of the tale. Wm. Messinger, a son of John W.H., was born in 1787 in Cumberland County, Pa., according to a biography ofhis grandson, J.J. Messinger. His wife was Barbara and they had six children: Elizabeth, John, Hannah, Sarah, Barbara and Susannah. Several times in the f/fstory of Perry County he is referred to as Captain and it mentions that he ran the first store at Grier's Point, once a postoffice, which is located in Rye Township of Perry County. Another item mentions that he built the chop and sawmill east of Keystone about 1835 and the Preseott, Kansas, historian, Florine Norbury, in her article, The Way It Wos, wrote that Wm. visited his son, John, his grandson, John J. and his great grandson, Jesse, in the year of 1886 at Barnsville, Kansas, when he was 97 years of age. John Messinger was born on the 6th of May, 1823, in Perry County, Pa., and he married a Miss Sarah Kell who was born on the 28th of February, 1821, in Perry County, Pa. They had four children: Levi Frank, John Jefferson, Emily and Sarah. In 1860, the John Messinger familymoved toTexas and, inthat same year, they took up residence in Neosho County, Kansas. At the outbreak of the Civil War, John, who was farming Section 20 of Bourbon County, Kansas, entered the state militia and was stationed at Barnsville, Kansas, in Captain Lounsberry's company. In 1865, he sold his farm and opened a store in Barnsville. John Jefferson Messinger was born on the 14th of December, 18b1, in Clinton County, Illinois. Although some of his youth was spent in Clinton County, much of it was in Barnsville, Kansas, and in 1871, at the age of 20, he took over the operation of his father's store. On October 3, l8?b, he married Miss Susan Ann Pierce, whose family had traveled by covered wagon from Kentucky to Illinois, back to Kentucky and back to Illinois before settling in Neosha County, Kansas,and, during these travels, Samuel and Ann (Johnston) Pierce had nine of their total of twelve children plus one adopted girl. John and Susan Messinger had five children: Martha, Cora, JesseThronton. Evaand John S. In 1882, John was one of the first settlers in Hume, Bates Co., Missouri. He hauled the first load ofstone and constructed a two story building which housed the City Hall, an Opera House and a gristmill. This building was still standing in 1982 at the Centennial celebration of Hume. John Jefferson Messinger sold all his holdings in Hume, loaded the family including his wife, Susan, his unmarried son, Jesse, his unmarried daughter, Eva, along with some personal effects and one prize high-spirited horse on the train with a destination of Kit Carson County, Colorado, about the year of 1906. The journey went well except for the horse which died of nervous prostration on the freight car and may have been an omen for the future of this family on the homesteads of Eastern Colorado. by John (Jack) W. Messinger was a bit of excitement at the time, but nothing was ever done to Munsinger, for most everyone felt he was jusified in doing what he did, for he had already stood quite a bit of abuse from the cattlemen around him. (This life hietory was asgembled by Bessie Gunthrie, as a W.P.A. Project in about 1933, directly from Isaac. Received from Henry Hoskin, Kit Carson County abstract office in Burlington, Sept., 1985, by Clifford W. Messenger.) by Clifford Messenger Windmill, storm cellar and cement block house with hardwood floors built on the J,J. Messinger homeetead by J.J' and Jesse Messinger about 1908 at Seibert, Colorado. 3 miles west and 10 miles rorrth of Seibert. �MESSINGER FAMILY F469 Weibert State Bank and slivers into store buildings across the street. The general store they had bought from Fred Probasco was one damaged by the lst storm. This building had a hall above the store with an outside staircase. The hall was used for lodge meetings-the Royal Neighbors and Modern Woodmen to which my mother and father belonged. Later they boWht a store on the south end of the business block and on the west side of the street. I gtarted school in a two-story white frame building on the southeast edge of Seibert. About 1918 a new red brick two-story building was built for grade and high school. It was here that I began my lifelong friendship with Bonny Gaunt. We lunched together often either at school or at our store. For dessert we always had a nickel Hershey bar. Jack and I were expected to help in the store, especially on those busy Saturdays when many of the farmers came to town to do their shopping. On the Fourth of July we always had a stand built outside the store, and we kids sold candy, gum, pop, and especially fireworks. We were one of the few Catholic families in Seibert. A priest from Stratton came to our house and said Mass one Saturday each Maxine and Jack Messinger children of Mary C. Hughes and Jesse T. Messinger about 1918. The John J. Messingers, son Jesse T., and daughter Eva M. came to Seibert, Kit Carson County, Colorado, in about 1907 and homesteaded on a section of land twelve miles southwest of town. Early in 1910, Mary Cecelia Hughes had finished teaching a fourmonth school in weetern Kansas when she and a friend of the Megsingers, Ethel Durbin from Fulton, Bourbon County, Kansas, decided to visit the Messingers in Colorado and file on land for a homestead. Mary (called Mae by most of her friends) met the bachelor Jesse Thornton Messinger. A courtship ensued then letters were exchanged between the two, a proposal by Jesse, and Mae Hughes returned to Colorado for the wedding on August 22, Lgt}, with Eva Messinger and Ethel Durbin as witneeees, and with Rev. Raber officiating. I was born in the cement block house of my grandparents south of Seiberg with only them and my father in attendance as recorded on my birth certificate July 18, 1911. I was christened Margaret Maxine Messinger by the Rev. Geo. P. Fenske on the 29th of August, 1911. I don't remember much about my life on the farm, but I've seen pictures of my brother John (Jack) William and me in front of the block house which our grandfather had built on the homestead. Jack was born there with the assistance of Dr. Blomberg on June 19, 1913. Our parents had moved into the elder Messingers'house when they had moved to California. Later our family moved into the town of Seibert. We first lived in the Clarence Bell house north and west of the main street of town. A tornado that turned day into night caused the chickens to go to roost, then lift€d the hen house, leaving them roosting, but twisting the hen houge to bits. Several years latcr another tornado lifted Kliewer'g lumberyard into the air and drove a two-by-four into the bathtub of living quarters in the month. For an altar he used the round dining table that I now have in my kitchen. My junior high school years in Seibert were filled with parties, picnics, and studies. Mr. and Mrs. MacArthur came from Chautauqua Park in Boulder to teach Math, English, and History. He was principal while Jessie Magee-Gray was assistant principal. The two science teachers, Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Slattery, took us on interesting field trips-especially to Crystal Springs, a wonderful picnic area between Seibert and MESSINGER HUGHES FAMILY F460 James Wells emigrated from England to America about 1695, and settled on the site which is now Baltimore, Maryland. His son, Capt. Richard Wells, born in 1715, served in the Revoluationary War as a rifleman in Captain John Nelson's Company. He was married 3 times and had 24 children, one of whom was George, born in 1745in Baltimore, Md. George had 2 wives and many children amoDg whom was William, born on the 20th of Feb., 1765, in Bedford County, Pa., who had 3 wives and many children, one of whom was Ann Wells, born in 1800 in Ohio. Another William Wells, who was closely associated with this family in Howe's Historical Collec' tions Of Ohio, Yol. II, pages 141-144, was kidnapped as a child by Indians after his parents were killed and he was raised by Little Turtle of the Miami Tribe. He became an Indian brave but abandoned them and joined the white forces when he foresaw the futility of resistance. He was a spy for General "Mad Anthony" Wayne and acted as interpreter between the white forces and the Indians when a treaty was signed at Fort Greenville, Ohio, in the summer of 1795. The first mentioned William Wells established the city of Wellsville, Ohio, married Ann Clark, and one of their off-spring, the afore mentioned Ann Wells married Oliver P. Shearman, born about 1800 in Ireland, and one of their children, Mar5r S. Shearman, born on the 26th of Sept, 1825, in West Virginia manied William H. Green, born on the 27th ofJuly, 1838, at Plattsburg, Clinton County, Missouri. William Green's family in Flagler. America goes back to an estate granted by Academy at Leavenworth, Kansas, which was about 30 miles from Kansas City, Kansas, Tobacco, Md. One of the interesting stories of this family concerns Alice Green, who In the fall of 1926, I enrolled in St. Mary where my maternal grandmother Anna Hughes lived. At the end of my senior year I was awarded a scholarship to St. Mary Junior College, but because of the Crash of '29, I could stay only one semester. After trying various occupations and gaining more college credits through correspon- dence courses and extension work from Teachers' College at Greeley, Colorado, in 1931, I took the Teacher's examinations administered by Della Hendricks, Kit Carson County Superintendent. I received a teachers'certificate which allowed me to teach a couple years with a chance to renew it for another two years. I later upgraded my certificate. My first teaching experience was in a oneroom school near Landsman Creek and Spring Valley Ranch north of Burlington, Colorado. I renewed my contract each year for three years. In 1935, I decided to teach at the Tuttle School north of Stratton, Colorado. While in this district I renewed my acquaintance with Earl Radcliff who was living on the Pugh Ranch. He later became my husband. by Maxine Messinger Radcliff Cecil Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore, at Port married Prince Iturbide of Mexico, whose father was Emperor in L822-23. In 1864, Maximillian was crowned Emperor of Mexico with the assistance of French troops. In the meantime, Alice Green Iturbide gave birth to a boy named Augustine de Iturbide and subsequently, Carlotta, the wife of Maximillian, kidnapped this child to act as heir apparent for Maximillian. Alice Green lturbide petitioned Sec. of State Seward under Abraham Lincoln for help in recovering her son, and, failing to receive help from the Ameriean government, she went to France and petitioned Napoleon III who withdrew the French troops from Mexico, and Maximillian was defeated by Juarez and the Republic of Mexico was re-established. Williem H. and Mary S. Green had 2 children: Anna E., born on the 22nd of Sept., 1861, and Teresa. Anna E. Green married John S. Hughes, born on the 8th of December, 1858, in Pulaski County, Kentucky. His grandfather, born about 1775 in Wales, came to this country from Ulster, Ireland, and settled in Virginia. He was interested in farming and tanning and was also a dealer in slaves. Later, he continued west and purchased a farm of 900 acres at Wolf Creek, Russell County, Kentucky, after which he went to Tennessee and married Miss Sarah Thomas, thought to be a childhood sweetheart. They returned to the farm in Kentucky where he left her in the care of slaves and returned to Kentucky a �townspeople. Kate Hutchens ran the hotel and her niece played a piano in the lobby. She fit entirely around the piano etool. The movie house, cat-a-cornered from the hotel, ran Saturday afternoon matinees of Tarzan and Tarzans' Son in silent black and white pictures which never ended and the cowboy pictures, featuring Wm. S. Hart, Hoot Gibson and Tom Mix fighting Indians, outlaws, rustlers and upholding the rights of the popular moral majoritieg of our day allowed my friends and I to emulate their activities by going to the Roller Lunber Yard where Mr. Roller allowed us to use wooden lathes for horses and we carved guns of wood with an appropriate firing mechanism to shoot rubber rings cut from inner tubes with which we shot up the town without any adult superviaion. Mae Messinger and her mother, Anna Hughes at the Jesse and Mae Messinger home in Seibert, Kit Carson County, Colorado, in 1924. Car ig a 1922 Willys Overland Sedan with a 4 cylinger motor. year later. This union produced l0 children of whom the oldest was Thomas Hughes, Jr., who fought in the Mexican war after which he married Mary Jane Turpin and settled in Fulton, Bourbon County, Kansas, where he was a blacksmith, an Inn keeper and a horse dealer. This couple had 3 children: John S., Rosa and Elizabeth. John S. Hughes married Anna Green as previously noted and they had 8 children: Mary Cecelia, George, William, James, Agnes, John S., Leonidas & Arthur Wayne. Mary Cecelia becnme a country school teacher and, in pursuit ofthis occupa- tion, she and her friend, Ethel Durbin, went to visit the Messingers on their new homestpad southwest of Seibert, Kit Carson, Colorado. There ehe met Jesse Thornton .Messinger and they were married on the 22nd of August, 1910. They settled on a homest€ad claim of their own just north of his parents' claim. The documentaries of the Messinger, Hughes and their related families has been done to show the various cultures which with my mother and there I met Dorothy composed the background of our family as well as many other families which came together to make Kit Carson County one of the integral parts of this gEeat nation of ours. Rockwell. Dorothy and I were married on the 1lth of March, 1936. She did not have the background of Seibert but her ancestry could be traced to the Vikings of Norway, Ralph de Rocheville of Normandy and Britain, Wm. Deacon Rockwell who came to America in 1620, Josiah Rockwell who was killed and by John (Jack) W. Messinger MESSINGER, JOHN AND DOROTHY Jack Messinger and his pet coyote in front of Messinger residence at Seibert, Colorado about 1928. F461 3rd. Generation John (Jack) W. Messinger was born on the 19th ofJune, 1913, on my parents homestead, 3 miles west and 10 miles south of Seibert, Kit Carson County, Colorado. Mysister, Maxine, had been born 2 years earlier on this same homestead without a doctor in attendence. My Uncle Walter Caywood, who had filed on a homest€ad 5 miles south of Seibert, becnme very ill during the harsh winter of 1913-1914 and, eventually, went to St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver where he died ofcancer on the 22nd of February, 1914. His wife, Cora Messinger Caywood, and their three children moved to Denver after which my grandparents gave up In the early days in Seibert, my parents operated cream stationg where they bought cream and milk from the farmers, test€d it for cream content by placing small bottled with long necks, filled partly with milk and a small nmount of acid in a rotary rack, then turning a handle which swung the rack and bottles with enough speed that the centrifugal force separated the cream from the milk with the acid forming a line between so they could accurately assess the amount of butterfat in each can and determine the proper payment to the farmers. Later, the Messingers opened a general merchandise with living quarters in the rear, and lastly, they bought the A.V. Jessee store on the west side of main street. Here, I remember the plug tobacco which was cut by a hand-operated tobacco cutter; the giant wheels of cheese which were cut in wedges by a giant cheese cutter; the caddies of cookiee with lids, when removed, were replaced by a metal and glass display front and fit on a cookie rack; the liquorice stick and the jaw breakers in the candy case; the big barrels of pickles with slime over the top but which came out as delicious morsels for the early settlers. In 1933, my parents separated and I went to Kansas City, Kansas, their homestead and moved to Denver. A few years later my parents, my sister and myself moved from the homestead into the town of Seibert where I remained until the early part of 1933. I will try to reminisce on my memories of that time: Seibert was a typical small western town with a one block long gravelled main street bordered with wooden eidewalks which were covered by overhanging wooden roofs extended from each business place. After the armistice of WWI, some of the younger men about town shot holes through these roofs and hung a straw replica of the Kaiser with a cabbage head in the center of main street and proceeded to try to shoot it down into a bonfire underneath; unable to do this they cut the Kaiser down and let him burn to the delight of the scalped by Indians, Josiah, Jr., who was captured but returned by friendly Indians, Oren Porter Rockwell, a nephew of her 2nd great grandfather, who was the body-guard of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young during the early days of the LDS Church and the account of his exploits as the first Marshall of Satt Lake City is more exciting reading than Marshall Dillon and Dodge City; a second great grandfather who froze to death on the prairies of Minnesota and a great Uncle, Alonzo Rockwell who was the first postmaster at Hale, Yuma County, Colorado, in 1890, so I do believe that she understands the life and times which make all of us perpetual citizens of Kit Carson County, Colorado. by John (Jack) W. Messinger �MESSINGER, JOIIN THORNTON F4B2 2nd of August, 1899, in Hume, Bates County, Missouri, and, in 1901, this family moved to Canon City, Fremont County, Colorado, where Walter Caywood became quite famous for his leather work and his custom-tailored saddles through the year of 1906. Another son 2nd Generation was born in Canon City by the name of Arthur Bernard on the 26th of September, 1903. In 1907, this family joined the Messing- Jesse Thornton Messinger was born on the ers on the plains south of Seibert, Kit Carson 16th of January, 1879, in Hume, Bates County, Missouri. He came to Kit Carson County, Colorado, about 1906 with his parents, J.J. and Susan, and his sister, Eva. John J., the father, filed claim on the SE% of Sec. 24,5 L0 R 70 and, on this slaim, the family built a fro-e barn in which they lived until they built a cement block house with hardwood floors which was an unheard of luxury in those early days. The house faced east but, more importantly, the kitchen door was on the south side and all outside activities revolved about this doorway; a deep well was dug about 50 feet to the south and a windmill was assembled here; a root and storm cellar was between the house and the windmill and, of course, the proverbial outhouse was on the west side far enough away arl to not pose any problems except during the prevailing west winds. Eva, the unmarried daughter, filed claim to the SW% of the same section; however she did not remain on her homestead land for long for she was enticed away by Asa Lemuel Bryant who married her on April 23, 1911, and they settled in Lem's hometown of Island, Kentucky. Another daughter of J.J. and Susan Messinger was Cora Ellen, born on the 27th of August, 1877, at Barnsville, Bourbon County, Kansas, and married Walter Leander Caywood on the 20th of October, 1897. Mr. Caywood was a traveling artistic photographer as well as a creative artist in leather desigl. A son was born to Walter and Cora Caywood by the nnme of Russell Eric on the County, Colorado, by filing aa claim on the SE%, NZz SW, SE SW of Sec 28 T 9 R 49 which was 5 miles south of the town of Seibert on Colorado highway #59, a gravel road which had been a part of the old Kit Carson Trail, named after the famous Indian fighter. The Messingers and the Caywoods proceeded to build a sod house on this claim. The top layer of soil which was held together by the short buffalo grass was cut in slabs. A cutter sled with a three-sided blade was used to cut pieces about a foot wide and three inches thick. These were taken up in lengths easy to handle and laid up as walls without mortar of any kind. A roof of rough boards was covered with slabs. This made a structure with thick walls, warm in winter and cool in summer. This sod house had the luxury of a wooden floor. Mary Pauline Caywood was born at this sod house on the 8th of January, 1909. Two silos were dug by hand, using a courtship, Jesse Thornton Messinger and Mary Cecelia Hughes were married on August 22, 1910, at Seibert. Two children were born of this union: Margaret Maxine Messinger was born on 18th of July, 1911, at Seibert, and was delivered by her grandmother, acting as a midwife, with the help of the rest of the family. Her birth certificatc was signed by her father, Jesse Thronton Messinger, as the party in attendence. John (Jack) W. Messinger was born on the 19th of June, 1913, at Seibert, but his birth was aided by Dr. A.M. Blumberg, who became quite famous for establishing the out patient clinic of the American Medical Center in Denver, which was associated with the National Jewish Hospital. This birth signalled the end of the beginning of the third generation of Messingers in the History of Kit Carson County, Colorado. by John (Jaek) W. Messinger MEYER - ADOLF FAMILY F463 bucket, pulleys and rope pulled by a horse to remove the dirt and clods after which the walls were plastered. (In 1986, this sod house was still standing, disheveled with no roof, but, as a monument to the care and craftsmanship of these early homesteaders.) Early in the spring of 1910, an event took place at the Messingers which was to change the life style of the fanily. Ethel Durbin came to Colorado from Fulton, Bourbon County, Kansas, to visit Eva Messinger who had been a friend of hers in Kansas. She brought a young school tcacher by the name of Mary Cecelia Hughes with her. After a whirlwind Picking corn, Conrad Meyer at the reins and Norman on the barge, The early 1800's were very rough for the people of Germany. There were ware and other political events that effected the lives of the common man. Femine came to many parts ofthe land and the poor and young were among its victims. The land was controlled by the nobility and there was no chance to obtain land to farm and exist. Catherine the Great of Rusgia sent out a call for settlers. Many moved to Russia. Life wae satisfactory until the Ruesian government changed the system in 1871. At this time military duty was changed to compulsory service. They lost their rights and were to change their nnrnes to conform to Russian forms of spelling. The only solution was to leave. The messages of opportunities in the United States spread. The first immigrants used visas, the others used forged documents. So the German settlers moved again, this time acrogs the ocean to America. Eastern Colorado and many other areas looked like a good place to settle and raise their families on a farm. Conrad Meyer came to America in 1902 from Russia at the age of thirteen with his Cora Caywood, Susan Pierce Messinger, J.J. Messinger, Pauline Caywood, Bernard Caywood, Russell Caywood, and Marine Messinger in front of Cora and Walter Caywood's sod house built about 1908 at Seibert, Colorado, 5 milee south of town on Colorado Highway #59. older brother George. His mother, stepfather and brothers, Alec and John and sisters Anna and Marie, had come over earlier and settled at Herrington, Kansas. The following year he went with his brothers to Sugar City, Colo- rado to find work. He later went to Denver and worked for the Rio Grande Western �Railroad. The Willhelm Adolf family also came to America in 1904 from Russia. Margaret, Willhelm's wife, was the midwife for the Settlement area. Their eldest daughter, Margaret, then at age seventeen, stayed with them awhile where they settled north of Bethune, which became known as the Settle- ment. Later she moved to Denver to frnd work to help support the family. Conrad Meyer met Margaret Adolf in Denver during that time and they decided to get married May 7, 1910. They rode the train from Denver to Bethune, then got a horse and buggy from the livery stable. Conrad had dressed light and later commented how he froze going all the way out into the Settle- ment. They were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune, in the old rock church. In later years it was replaced by a new building. They returned to Denver to live. In 1916 they moved to the farm 9 7z miles north of Bethune with their small son William. They had five more children; Reuben, Clord, Norman, Alma and Mabel. Alma died as an infant and William died when he was twenty-three years of age from pneumonia. They made their living on the farm, raising wheat, corn, cattle, hogs, and chickens. Draft horses were used to pull the machin- furs of rabbits, skunks, badgers, raccoons, and other small animals were sold for supplies. Lye was bought, then mixed with craklins and water. Craklins was the refuse from cooking fat to make lard. This mixture School was located 2 miles south of the Meyer homestead and later was within a mile of the home. Children had chores to do every morning before going to school. Checking the traps, feeding the animals, milking. School lunches consist€d of whatever you brought from home to eat. Children didn't go past the grade of eight unless taken to town to school. They were needed at home to help with the work. Times were hard and you made do with what you had. Neighbors weren't any better off either. Everyone helped each other when the need arose. No pay involved, one day's work for one day's work. We had our good times, too. Sunday afternoons during the summer everyone would go to baseball games. In the winter we would go to the school programs and box socials. The box was auctioned off and the money was used for school supplies. The buyer of the box ate the box lunch with the one that made the lunch. Home remedies were used for most ailments, and people hardly ever visited a horses were harnessed up to the header; this machine would cut the wheat with the straw with molasses and bran for grasshoppers. machine separated the wheat and straw; the wheat went into a wagon box. This was pulled by a ten- ofhorses then scooped by hand into the granery bins. Lat€r some of it was loaded back into a wagon and hauled to town to be ground into flour. Some was sold and the rest This was usually sparingly strung along fence rows, so the livestock couldn't reach it. Wood wae not plentiful; therefore, houses were built out of mud and prairie grass. This is called adobe. The roof was made of lumber. The adobe houses are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Many are still lived in today. The kitchen stove provided heat as well as cooked the meals. Cow chips and corn cobs were gathered and used for this purpose. The Meyer family grew up as members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, located two miles from home. Immanuels helped estab- and elevate it up on canvas rollers onto a header barge. When the barge was full one person would fork it down while another person arranged it in a neat stack and rounded the top so the rain would run off when it rained. This was latcr threshed out by a big threshing machine and crew. The kept for planting in the fall. The flour was brought back home all sacked up to be used for baking bread, etc. Corn was raised for livestock feed and the rest was sold. The corn was husked by hand, using a hook fastened onto a piece of leather that fit neatly inside the palm of your hand. The ears of the corn were thrown on the wagon, hauled home, and put into corn cribs. Cattle were branded and those to be sold were put into a cattle drive and herded to Bethune to a stockyard, loaded on the train and shipped out to be sold. Hogs that were to be gold were hauled in horse drawn wagons. The money was used to pay taxes, and purchase supplies. dimina Kuhl was born in Nemaha County, Nebraska in 1897 and grew up in Johnson County, Nebraska with her parents, 5 brothers and 3 sisters. Frank and Ida were manied June 9, 1915. They farmed in Nebraska for a while and realized there was no opportunity for expansion. So in 1919 Frank, along with a number of other farmers who had been contacted by a land agent, came out to Colorado on a train and looked at the prospects of purchasing land here. Many of the men chose to eettle around the Yuma area and many chose this area. In 1920 Frank, Ida, their daughter, Helen, and their foster son, John Willinmson, started a new life, one ofjoy and one of hard times, like so many back then. The Michals had 6 children - Helen Larine, Florence Eula, Eunice Elizabeth, David Junior, LaVern Henry and William Norman. They also raised a foster son, John. Helen married George Jones and has 5 sons: Florence married Alfred Dorsey and had 1 son; Eunice married Jimmy T. Shaw and has 1 son; David married Gwenn Henningsen and has 2 sons and 3 daughters; LaVern married Barbara Kennedy and had 2 sons. has remarried and has 2 daughters; and Norman married Vivian Schaal and has 1 son and 2 daughters. The first house the Michals lived in was on a hill west of the present home place. They then purchased a two room house from from Russia. Reuben married Amelia Beringer of St. Francis, Kansas. They still live on the farm one mile south of the home he was born and raised in. Clord married Clara Beringer, sister to Amelia. Shortly afterward Clord was inducted into the Army and sent to the South Pacific to fight for the United States during WWII. When discharged, he farmed on the old Bauer place, two miles East ofwhere he was born and raised. After sixteen years, they moved to Bethune. Clara became the Postmaster in 1962. She retired in April were paid 91.00/day. Farming was done with horses and nules and their main crops were dry land corn, wheat, oats, barley, and pinto beans. To go to town there were trails across the pasture as there were no fences to start with. Some trips took two days if they were hauling grain in a wagon because you couldn't get it all unloaded and then reloaded with coal and supplies to get back home before dark so they would have to stay overnight in Flagler. The open range on the west side of Kit Carson 1985. The present Postmaster is Kathy (Adolfl Witzel, Willhelm Adolfs great grand stacked to be fed to the livestock during the daughter. Norman and his wife, Doris, live on were valuable in a number of ways; Fresh meat and eggs. Eggs that weren't uaed during the week, were gathered from the storage area cdled the cellar and sold. Milk was separated and the cream also was sold. Trapping was another source of income for the familv. The brothers and 3 sisters. They settled in Pawnee County, Nebraska. Ida Louisa Willu- a mile from the church on a farm. Their pilents were Germans that also immigrated lish Salem Lutheran Church west of St. Francis. Amelia and Clara Beringer grew up Hay was stacked teepee style to dry. When was wasted. Butchering day was a busy one to cook and fry everything up for storage. Meat was fried and put into crocks. Fat was fried and poured over the meat for storage. This kept the meat from spoiling. Chickens Frank Michal was born near Prague, Czechoslavakia in 1890 and came to the United States in 1899 with his parents, 2 Shorty Lebiedzik on the present home site and lived in it until 1938 when they moved in a house that had been Hans Windel's and was located south and east of the Huntley place north of Flagler. Van Goodwin helped move it and some of the Michals' neighbors helped to join the two houses together and dry, it was hauled in from the field and winter. Gardens supplied vegetables and were canned and stored in cellars. Nothing F464 was their soap. doctor. Chemicals weren't used then. Paris green was mixed with water and sprinkled on potato vines for bugs, and arsenic was mixed ery and wagons. At wheat harvest time, MICHAL - KUHL FAMILY the home place and Mabel lives in Burlington. Conrad and Margaret celebrated their 50th wedding anniversar5r in 1960. Conrad died in April, 1974 at age 85. Margaret died in January 1978 at age 90. by Clara Meyer County and into the east side of Lincoln County was shared and cattle were individually branded so the owners could keep track of their own. As crops were planted in broken out land, fences were put up to keep the cattle out and then roads were built into town. Homesteads were much closer together out here in the early 1900's. Most people left during the early 1930's during the terrible dust storms and then the flood of 1935 drove a lot more away. Some of the old neighbors weteZack, Joe and Frank Eckert, Tom Potter, Joe Ostrowski, Paul Andre, John Holter, Charlie Holden, the Lewis's, Oliver La Rue, Charlie Haeseker, Mike Andrewjeski, Abe Sparks and Tom �graduated from there in 1964. The following year, I attended Northeastern Junior College at Sterling. In 1965, I moved to Burlington where I worked for several years. While working in Burlington, I met Mrs. Frances Parsons. She was many years older than I, but we shared an interest in antiques, animals, and plants and I always enjoyed visiting with her. Another older person that I enjoyed visiting with was Carl Riekoff. I met him while working for Sherm Jarrett at his insurance office. Carl lived in the Courtney building and would stop in to visit almost every day. He would tell stories of his early railroad days and once in awhile he would bring me flowers that he had swiped from Mrs. Courtney's garden. In 1971, I met my husband, John Miller, while he was alsoworking in Burlington. John was born March 4, L943 in Denver, Colorado to Lyle and Nell Miller. He grew up at Cope, attending school at Cope and Arickaree. He also attended four quarters at NJC. He joined the army in 1966 and served in Germany and Viet Nnm. At the time of our wedding, he had just Frank and Ida Michal and their family in 1944 when they drove to Burlington to a gtudio: Back row: Florence, Eunice, David, Helen. Front row: LaVern, Frank, Ida, and Norman Kraft. Literary meetings were common and held in schools. Some of these were held at TVin Lakes (which was 2 lagoons west of the old Joe Eckert Place). Revival meetings were held at the old country schools or eometimes in tpnts. The first telephones were neighborhood phones that consist€d of a wall crank phone that was wired out to the barbed wire fence. This way neighbors could talk to each other. The first tractor Michals had was a John Deere Model G purchaeed new from Harold McArthur when he was still in Flagler. The Michal children went to school at White Plains and Dazzling Valley. David also went to Sunny Slope north of Arriba. All 6 graduated from Flagler High School. The three girls boarded at the Fred Garrett's home in Flagler and David and LaVern at the Nels Jorgensen's to finish their high school education. By the time LaVern and Norman were that age, there were school buses. Cowchips, cobs, coal, kerosene lamps, gas lamps, wood ranges, Saturday night "shared water" baths, milking cows by hand, etc. was dl part of growing up. It was a good life and it was a rewarding life. Frank passed away in 1955, Ida in 1961, John in 1972 and Florence in 1973. Helen lives in Chico, California, Eunice also lives in Chico, David livee on the home place north of Flagler, La Vern in Enterprise, Alabama, and Norman in Flagler. by David J. Michal MILLER, JOHN FAMILY F465 Our family has just recently moved back "home" to Kit Carson County after spending the last four years in the Kirk area. We have moved north of Vona to the place my grandfather, Frank Boger, homesteaded in 1896 and are enjoying getting back to the graduated from training for the State Patrol. Since the patrolmen weren't told where they would be stationed until after their training, we didn't have time to find a place to live before our wedding. We were married on the eve of August 28, L97L and afterwards we drove in a down pour of rain all the way to Denver. Early the next morning we began to frantically search for a place to live in the Littleton area where John would be working. We finally found an apartment that would be available in two weeks. Since we were short on funds, we spent the next two weeks (our hone5moon) living with another rookie patrolman and his family. After a short time, we were able to transfer to Elizabeth. a much nicer location for a John, Joyce and Holly Miller at the Kit Carson County Carousel, 1985. peace and quiet of country life. I was born to Horace and Opal Boger on December 20, 1945 at Flagler, Colorado and grew up here on the farm enjoying the farm animals and the outdoors. My closest friends during those years were Linda Schreiner and Emma and Marion Joy. We always looked forward to the days when we could get together and play. In 1957 some of us got the idea of starting a 4-H club in our area and asked Fred (Fritz) and Fern Moffitt to be our leaders. We soon had a meeting at their home to get organized and chose a name for our club. We chose the name Happy Hustlers, much to the disappointment of one of the boys who wanted to call it the Hairy Bee Club. We started out having the meetings in the members homes and eventually moved the meetings to the Church of Christ building 13 miles north of Vona. We always had a good time and there was never a dull moment with Fritz around. A couple ofevents we especially looked forward to were Halloween and our annual hayrack ride and wienie roast. Our leaders and parents went all out on Halloween to create a spook room. They also went to a lot of work in the summer to prepare our hayrack ride which was held in Joy's blowout. My family spent a few winters in Arvada and I started school there. When I was in the fifth grade I started to school at Vona and couple of country folks. We lived there for two years then moved back to Kit Carson County in 1974. Though we missed the forest and hills of the Elizabeth area, we were glad to be back. John went to work for RPM Industries and worked for them for several years before they moved out ofthe area. Since then, he has worked for the Stratton Equity Co-op. Our daughter, Holly Jo, was born at Goodland, Kansas on January 17, 1975. We moved from Stratton to Vona shortly after she was born and she attended kindergarten and first grade at Hi-Plains Elementary in Vona. She attended second through fifth grade at Liberty and is now back at Hi-Plains for sixth grade. One of our favorite things is the Kit Canon County Carousel. I have enjoyed being a member of the Carousel Association for several years and Holly also enjoys helping out occasionally. All of our family enjoys history and Holly and I are currently interested in geneology, crafts, and oil painting. John enjoys reading, sports, and hunting. Elk hunting I've found is a year round project as John and his brother plan their trip for six months and then re-live it for the next six! I will close our story with a favorite verse of mine author unknown. "Let's light the Inmp of -memory/and feel it's glow so warmAMe'll dream awhile of yesterday/and childhood on the farm." by Joyce Miller �MINER, FRANK the flu. I started High School in 1912 and F466 My father, Frank Miner gotto Flagler from Minnesota in December 1906. He arrived in Flagler with all property such as horses and cows and machinery on an immigrant train. He came with a group of men from the gnme locality in Minnesota. In the group was Tom Wright, Otto Bronelle and Fred Miner. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgekins and daughter and her husband, the Lnmbertsons. Win and Ellen McQuat (brother and sigter) and perhaps others. I can't remember. They all filed on claims close by. Elaine Briggs (Posie) was also in the group, and also Tom Wright's wife Esther. The day that my father got to Flagler was the snme day that Dr. H.L. Williams got there. The Miner family c4me by train from St. Peter, Minnesota on January 3, 1907. It was a cold day but very little snow. My father met the train with a big lttmber wagon and a team of horses. The family consisted of Leslie, 13 years old, (born March 19, 1894). Dorothy, 12 years old, (born October 14, 1895) Marjorie, 9 years old, (born October 15, 1898) Stanley, 6 years old, (born Jan 23 1901) and Virginia 2 years old, (born January 20, 1905). My father was 40 years old (born May 24, 1867), and my mother Charlotte Briggs Miner was 33 years old (born April 1, 1870). The family were all born in Nicolett, CO. Minnesota near St. Peter, Minnesota. My father homesteaded on a claim South West of Flagler. He and the other men of the group had built a shack on one of the claims and the women and children slept in the building until my father completed the very livable "dugout" that we lived in. The dugout ,was 24 feet long and about 2O feet wide dug into the south exposure ofa hill. The roofwas covered with eoa and in the Spring it becnme partly covered with grass and weeds. My mother had made a large rag carpet-blue and graduated with the first class that ever graduated from Flagler. 1916. My class consisted of Gilbert Robb, Ray Thompson, Robert Greenleaf, Clark Alexander, Atwood Knies, Agnes Quinn, Mabel Seal, Lydia Schwyn and me, Marjorie Miner. We graduated May 16, 1916. My brother Leslie was ill with inflamatory rheumatism and "leakage of the heart" and he did not go to High School but worked at various jobs. My brother Stanley passed away May 16, 1916 what was then diagnosed as Brights Diseage. My sister Virginia went to high school and graduated 1922. The Miner family moved into Flagler from the homestead after proving up on the homestead. Also want to say, we only lived in the "dugout" a short time. My father built a large sod house just north of the dugout where we miles away. "Before school started my father went back to Kit Carson County, near Beaverton and with the help of Willis Perkins built a nine by twelve sod house for me. Drum, a dog, belonging to Harry Loomis, dug a hole almost through the sod in front of my soddy before I moved in. When it was time for school to start, I rode the Rock Island Railroad train from Denver to Stratton. Mr. Perkins let my father borrow a tenm and wagon to meet me at the station. After my trunks, bed, etc. were loaded, a drenching rain started so we had to stay in Stratton overnight. The next day after a drive of some twenty miles we came past Beaverton, and on to the Willis Perkins place. For some reffron we slept at the abandoned Dickey Place, and that night I was new bait for all the hungry insects in this house. By morning my face was a mass of ugly red bites and I looked horrible. That afternoon a whole buggy full of children came to the house to lived the last year of our time on the see the new teacher! homestead. "When I anived at the school - also. built of sod - I found the blackboard to be three boards about four feet long. At one time, they had been painted black. There was a small heater in the middle of the room, and the walls were unpainted." Ruth Ganett play the piano beautifully and people from miles away used to get together and sing. Victor Mitchell, another My mother, Charlotte Miner, died Dec. 9, 1954. My father Frank Miner died Sept. 2, 1959. My brother Leslie died Feb. 24, 1938. At the time of this writing the only members of our family are Virginia Miner Blackford and Marjorie Miner Allison. by Marjorie Allison homesteader, came to these song fests. Before MITCHELL, RUTH NAOMI GARRETT their homest€ading days were over, they were engaged, and in the fall of 1914, they were married in Denver, Colorado. I nm their oldest daughter. F467 by Helen Mitchell McDowell MITCIIELL, WILLIAM VICTOR white and had it woven before we left Minnesota so we had that on the ground F468 :a::a',.1':, flood. After the old Majestic range was placed in the middle, the beds in three corners and the dining table and chairs in the other corner; we were very well fixed and very comfortable. Leslie, Dorothy and I (Marjorie) went to gchool at Mt. Pleasant School. The men had built a small building and the first year we borrowed books from a nearby school. Some of my books had been used by Gilbert and Pearl Robb who were also early settlere. We had several different teachers, one was Nellie Norburn. The last teacher I had was Ida M. Cassidy. She was a sister of Mr. Gibson who published the Flagler Progress. Mrs Cassidy was an excellent teacher Our 8th grade class consigted of Fred Joels, Lawrence Buck, Agnes Stellar, Gertrude Gibson, (She was Mrs. Cassidy's niece) and me, Marjorie Miner. Jennie Tressel was the Co. Superintendent, and we took a very hard co. exam. We all passed, due to the coaching of Mrs. Cassidy. My sister Dorothy went to Flagler and stayed with the Ora Bodwell family and went to High School, some of her classmates were Winnie Anderson, Robert Weller, George Quinn and Nathaniel (Than) McBride. On February 28, 1911 my sister Dorothy passed away after complications following Ruth Garret's sod school house Ruth Naomi Garrett was born September 22, 1889 in Denver, Colorado. Her parents, John Fletcher Garrett and Rachel Asquith Fitts homesteaded near Cuba. Kansas before moving to Denver where John Garrett was a minister, and later the District Superintendent of the Free Methodist Church. In 1911, at a time when few women went to college, Ruth Garrett graduated from Denver University. However, this accomplishment did not satisfy her. She wanted land.. .Her f.ather and grandfather had homesteaded in Kansas and her great grandfather was one of the earliest white settlers in Indiana, and later in the Illinois territory. Though unaccustomed to the hardships of prairie life, she took a homestead in Kit Carson County. Following is an account of some of her experiences as she wrote them shortly before her death in 1973: "My father had gone out from Denver to Kit Carson County to preach. He knew I wanted to homestead and found a quarter section ofland open for filing; I was fortunate to get a job teaching the school some two Victor Mitchell on homestead 1911. William Victor Mitchell was born in Ohio on September 25, 1886. His parents were David Leroy Mitchell and Sarah Aricula Johnson. His great, great grandfather, Samuel Mitchell, came to America in 17?1 from Derry County, Ireland, and settled in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He fought in the American Revolution. After the war, he moved his family to the western Virginia frontier, and later in 1813 settled in Ohio in the newly opened Northwest Territory in Preble County. The Johnsons, the nsme was originally Johnston, had come to Ohio by the way of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Kentucky in �the early 1800's. Victor's father died when he was three years old, leaving his mother in very difficult circumstances. When he wag thirteen, having finished the eighth grade, he went to work supporting himeelf. In 1910 he cnme to Kit Carson County and filed on a homestead. This haff section of land was twelve miles south of Bethune, but he received his mail at Beaverton which was six miles northwest of his homestead. He built a house of sod on this land and lived there until he proved up on the pl,ace in 1914. In the fall of that year he married Ruth Naomi Garrett whom he had met while she was living on her homest€ad some three miles away. They lived first in Weld County, Colorado where their first child, Helen Gail, and Victor followed her in 1974. They are buried in Rushsylvania, Ohio. by llelen Gail Mitchell McDowell MONROE FAMILY F469 until 1935. In 1921 a son, Marvin Victor, was born. Another daughter, Alice Jean, was born in 1932. Dr. Remington cnme all the way from Burlington, about twenty five miles, to make house calls after these babies were born. The Mitchell land lay in the Norton School district. Here both Helen and Sarah started to school. Later the land was transferred into the First Central District which boast€d a high school. Victor Mitchell drove a school bus some years and Ruth taught school at various times to try to supplement the poor farm income. There was church and Sunday School at the First Central School. The Mitchells were usually there having many times driven a \pagon or buggy the long six miles to attend. Drought was a constant companion of the Kit Carson County farmer, and there was always just enough moisture to tempt him to Btay "one more" year. It was a great "next year" country, but the rain rarely came. There were blizzards that howled down unexpectedly and left all marooned for days in a solid white world. Finally there were the dust storms that cnme in the thirties and tore away the top eoil and the spirit of those who had hoped to make the prairie bloom. In 1935 the Mitchells gave up and moved to Ohio. There, through hard work and perseverance, they soon owned their own farm again. Three of their children, Sarah, Marvin and Jean live in Ohio. Helen lives in neighboring Kentucky. Ruth died in 1973 homestead. Mom passed away on May 18, 1930. Vernon and Orval of the boys went to the service, Vernon to the Navy and Orval to the Army. ffi'' On Oct. 31, 1931, Pop married Cleo Roxie (Elsey) Inman. She was born the oldest daughter of Ernest E. and Mary M. Elsey, June 11, 1904 at Lineville, Iowa. Papa and Cleo resided on a farm 2 miles north of Vona until 1960, when they moved into Burlington. (This farm land is now owned by Raymond Elsenbart (1987). Cleo had four children of her own: Jo-es C. Inman, Paul G., Frances (Foxworthy-Gonsalves), and Doris (Kerr). was born in 1915. In 1918 during World War I the MitcheUe moved back to their homest€ads and began farming them. Early in the spring they piled into their new Model T touring car and headed back to Kit Cargon County. There in May, their second daughtcr, Sarah Grace was born. Mrs. Guthrie, a wonderful Scotch lady from Burlington came to manage the household during that period. There was no well at this place and water had to be hauled in. Soon a new survey determined that their new house, made of rough lumber and covered with tarpaper' was on another man's property; this was above what came to be known as the correction line. Victor set to work building a sod house on the south side of this correction line. The sod was cut from the west quarter section of land and for years it was possible to see where the sod had been taken. The tarpaper covered house was moved to the new location, a deep well was drilled and the family lived in this soddv wheat was thrown upon the barge by the header, and then thrown off by hand to a stack, where it was later thrown by hand into the threshing machine. The Lloyd brothers helped work the harvest many years. All ten of these children were born at the Nine children were born to this union: Vaughn Dean, Jean Marie, Chester Lee, Helen Rena and the twins Bonnie Kaye The Monroes: Everett, Ira, Chester Alvin (Pop), Vernon, Raymond, Orval. (Sitting), Grace, Edna, Neva, Irene (Toots), Inez. Chester Alvin Monroe was born to Rhoda Monroe on March 26, 1885, in Milo, Iowa. Shortly after his birth he was taken to the home of his relatives living in Washington County, Kansas and remained there until 1905. The winter of 1904, he spent working on the large Lavington Ranch near Seibert. He returned to Ks. where he was united in marriage to Anna Alkire, on Aug. 22, 1905' Anna May was the daughter of Isaac Richard, and Mary Ann Alkire, and was born on May 22, L885 in Haddam, Kansas. In 1906, Chester and Anna and their baby Vernon cq-e by wagon to Colorado. He homest€aded 5 miles north and % mile east of Vona, Colorado. Chester's mother also took a homestead just east of the folk's place. Ten children were born to this union: Vernon Orin, Gracie May (Maag)' (Mick) Everett Roy, Ira Earl, Raymond Arthur, (Wheeler) and Ronnie Faye. Three children died in infancy and Chest€r Lee passed away at the age of 19, in 1960. The Vona school that year dedicated its school annual to his memory. Papa had a real interest in farming and raising cattle and belonged to the Colorado Cattleman's Assn. He was a member of the Farmers Equity Union of Vona, a chairman ofthe board ofthe Vona-Joes Telephone Co., and a member of the school board a number of different times. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vona, and had a keen interest in the rebuilding of the church after it burned down. The picture of our family was taken at one of our many reunions. We had 107 members of the family present at this reunion. On Memorial Day we always try to get together in the Vona Lion's Hall or park for a picnic. Papa passed away Dec. 4, 1,965, in Burlington, and at the time of his death his family consisted of 13 children, 4 step-children, 53 grandchildren, and 59 great-grandchildren. On April 1, 1987, Edna, Ira, and wife Gertrude, Orval and Mick's wife Isabelle, were recorded by a video carnera, by Edna's son Brad, and we were able to see it instantly on the TV, while we were recalling this story. by Edna Doughty myself, Edna Alice (Doughty), Geneva (Neva) Belle (Wasson-Finley), Orval Ward, Roxie Irene (Crist), and Inez Gertrude (Standley-Youngren). At one time, Papa went back to Kansas to get work; he left Mom to care for the homestead, children, and the chores. One day when she went after the cows she tied Vernon to the iron boiler so he wouldn't get lost, but it wasn't long before he broke the handles off' Another time, when she went after the cows, Gracie pushed the baby, Everett (Mick) off the stove. He received a severe burn from this incident. In about 1919, I think, Chester and the older boys built an adobe house on the homestead. Rawley Scott, Bert Kvestad, and others helped also, maybe even Cornelius Classen. The basement was dug and the dirt mixed with water in a pit around the house. A horse was ridden around in the mud to mix the adobe and it was set up to form the walls with a mud fork. Ira recalled the days when wheat was put up with a header and header barge. The MOORE FAMILY F470 George Moore, who was born at Blue Rapids, Kansas, on Aug. 21, 1884 and Marga- ret Edwards, born at Loomis, Nebr., on June 12, 1885, were married on December 14, 1910 in Washington, Kansas. As young children, both had accompanied their families to Washington County, Kansas, in covered wagons in the late 1800's. Dad was a barber and Mother a telephone operator at Morrowville, Kansas. They moved to a farm near Washington, Kansas, in 1913. Two children, Mildred and Muriel were born. In October, 1919, they moved to eastern Colorado, hopingthe change in climate would benefit Muriels'health. The family made the trip in a Model T Ford touring car, pulling a small trailer, bringing our dog and cat with us. The rest of our belongings were shipped by rail to Seibert. They farmed and raised �cattle, hogs, chickens, etc. In the fall, Dad hauled grain to Seibert with tesm and wagon and brought home coal by the ton and all staples flour, sugar, etc., by the 100 lbs. or by case.-The neighbors would group together and go to Canon City after a Model T truck load of apples in the fall. Each family raised their own beans, potatoes, popcorn, etc., and butchered their own meat. We never used cow chips for fuel but I picked up tons ofcorn cobs for fuel. We lived in a 2-room soddy with a sod roof that had a big "pig-eared" cactus, red and yellow, blooming every spring. The sod would deteriorate and need replacing often. I rode a horse to school, attending Fremont through the 8th grade, and then riding to Shiloh, 7 7z miles each way three years to high school, graduating from Flagler High School in 1929. My brother, Paul Moore, was born in July of 1926 and my brother, Muriel, died in October, 1927, from asthma and heart trouble. We made our own entertainment. We attended church and Sunday School at Shiloh. Rev. W.J. Petersen of south of Seibert, was our minister for years. The schools had "Literaries" during the winter with debates and programs. At Christmas there were progrnms and treats and gift exchanges. When the candles were lighted on the Christmas trees, the men stood near with pails of water to dowse the fire in case one should start. Radios were few and TV as yet unknown. My parents had a sale in 1945 and spent the winter in Texas. In the spring of 1946, they bought a home in Flagler and enjoyed their retirement and gardening. My father served as Justice of the Peace for the community for a number of years. My father passed away in June of 1969 and mother in September of that year. by Mildred Moore Miller Carl Franklin Morgan, son of Elroy Clifton and Mary (Hall) Morgan, was born in a rock house north of Dorrance, Kansas. He was united in marriage to Mary Eddings Crayne, daughter of Thomas Elbert and Minnie (Eddings) Crayne of Tasco, Kansas, on October 22,19L9. In March of 1922, Carl, Calvin and Ralph Humrich (Ralph was married to Carl's sister, Rosie) decided to move south of Bethune, Colorado. It took them one month to move the 150 miles because they could go no more than five miles a day. They pulled a cookshack and had 35 head of livestock, horses and mules. At Colby, Ks. they encountered a bad blizzard that was blowing across the plains. They went on the highway (only dirt then) and through the main streets of towns. Goodland, Ks. had the cobblestone street that is still in use today. The men took the train back to get their wives and children and to begin their new life in Colorado. They milked the cows, sold the cream for 30 cents a gallon and used this money to purchase groceries. (This was a trade and the people in the Burlington area still say, "do my trading"). Carl purchased some hounds for the purpose of hunting and made a good living from selling the coyote pelts for $9.00 a piece and skunk pelts for 91.50. The three men killed over 100 coyotes one winter. During this time their three children were born, Doyle, Gene and Bonnie. Mr. Kemp came in a big Packard car and he was looking for a family to live on 1,659 acres of grassland 25 miles northeast of Burlington. This place was originally the Jim Barnett place (grandfather to Iva Stephens and Don Teman). Carl accepted the opportunity and moved his family. The sunflowers were so high you could hardly see the tworoom house but couldn't miss all of the rattlesnakes. Carl farmed the land with 8 head of horses until 1930 when he bought a McCormick-Deering tractor at the Ted Anderson sale, MORGAN FAMILY F47l The first car they owned was a Baby Overland. They later bought a second hand Model T for 9125.00. The new Model int924 sold for $590.00. The Great Depression, October 1g29, triggered by the stock market crash caused an unemploSnnent of 12 million. More than 37,000 banks and corporations failed by 1931. The drought came at the snme time and the wind blew so hard the dirt clouds darkened the sky. Times were very difficult for the whole area. One time Carl recalls that he didn't have enough money to buy groceries. A neighbor (Ralph Clark, father of Della statler) cnme with several horses that he wanted pastured and he paid in advance. What an answer to prayer. Big gane hunting was a big excitement each fall. Carl always took his sons hunting. A hunting party was formed with friends and neighbors. Some years the women joined in - it was a special time. Thinking of other special times: Mary played the guitar, Carl the mouth-harp, Doyle, Gene, Bonnie and Mary sang. They were asked to sing at the Farm Bureau Carl and Mary Morgan at their home in Burlington, Colorado, taten for their 65th wcdding anniversary, October 22, Lg8/- meetings and school programs. They entered an amateur conteston KMMJ in Clay Center, Nebraska and won first place. Carl served his country during World War I until the armistice ended the war on November 11, 1918. Doyle and Gene also served time during World War II on the front line in Germany and France. Mary wrote them every day. The war walr over in 194b. What a happy day for the Morgan's when the boys cnme home. In February of 1963, the purchased their home in Burlington and leftthe days of trying to make a living from the land. They are especially glad when the blizzards come and they have no cattle to feed or milk. But the plains of Colorado are home to Carl and Marv and they have enjoyed 64 years in the areal by Kathryn Anderson Morgan MORROW - TAYLOR FAMILY F472 My parents, Sam Morrow and Gertie W. Taylor, were married in Wayne, Nebraska. Their wedding announcement was printed in the local newspaper as follows: "fn Wayne, by Judge Hunter, on Saturday, Dec. 29, 1899, Miss Gertie W. Taylor to Mr. Sa-uel Morrow. This is the kind of notice the Tribune delights in publishing, next to the arrival of kids, and we heartily congratulate this estimable young couple on the wise move they have made. The groom is well known here as being a sober, industrious and energetic young m{rn, and the bride is more than usually cultured and attractive. Mav they have a long and happy life is the sincere wish of the Tribune ." At the turn of the century, Israel Morrow and two of his sons, Frank and gem, came together in covered wagons with mule teqms and a few cattle. All homesteaded in the snme area, 18 miles northeast of Burlington. My parents homesteaded the 160 acres which is still owned and farmed by the youngest son, Sam. Daddy's possessions were a teqm of mules, a moldboard plow, a few household items and 9100. Mother and Rell (10 mos. old) came later by train to Kanarado, Ks., and spent a week at Germann's Hotel until the sod house was livable. When they arrived it wasn't completed on the inside so Mother hung sheets over the eating and cooking area to keep out the dirt. When the house was finished with windows, plaster, wallpaper and wooden floor, it was very cozy and comfortable in the winter and cool - warm in the summer. The cookstove was alwavs used. Fuel was coal (when we could afford ii), corn cobs (ifavailable) and the always - cow chips! Though we always had chickens, Mother said the cows were our security for meat, butter and fuel, milk and cream to sell. Daddy would take his mule teqm and go help neighbors for 50 cents a day or exchange work or machinery (as everyone was in the same circumstances). The homestead was covered with buffalo gass so tall that Mother made Rell wear a red bonnet so she could keep track of him. Daddy, using his mule team and moldboard plow, walked, turning the sod and working the soil to plant the garden and crops ofwheat and corn. This was dry land farming, trusting in the Lord to eend rain. What faith! Daddy's pride and joy were his registered Percheron mares and stallions. These, along with other horses and mules, made good reliable power for all the farm work. �MORTON, LeROY AND Id.AZEI l E47g LeRoy and Hazel Morton moved in 1940 to take over the farm of Mrs. Mary Morton, LeRoy's mother. This farm was just southeast of the Pond Creek school house. Their daughter Judy was one year old and Juanita was born there in 1943. Judy attended the Pond Creek School until it closed and then she went to Smoky Hill. Juanita also attend- as Daddy died March 18, and buried at ed Smoky Hill. The Mortons were involved in all of the social activities, especially the Sunday School and Hazel belonged to the Friendship Circle Extension Homemakers Club. LeRoy was a brother of Jane Morton Matthews and both families were active in the Smoky Hill Community. The farm was sold to the Elbert brothers in 1952 and then the Mortons moved into a house they had purchased in Goodland, and moved into Burlington locatcd at 340 9th St. Another daughter, Kimberly was born while. theylived in Burlington. Theybuiltthe Dairy Queen and operated it for about four years, then moved to Englewood, Colo. in 1956. All three of their daughters live close to them in Englewood, and they now have 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. LeRoy and Hazel were both employed at the Gates Rubber Company and have recently retired. They are thankful for good health and they continue to help raise the coming to help plow a fire breaker strip. Winter Beaver Valley Cemetery. This was a shock to everyone and a tragedy for Mother who was made sure the wintcr food supply was bought early. The 100 # bags of sugar and 50 lb bags of flour were in cloth bags. These were left with five children: Rell 16, Ted 13, Mate 11, Sam 8, and Gertrude 5. Life was never the sa-e. But Mother rose above the loss and the spring crop was planted with the kindness of neighbors, especially Ralph Clark. Rell be- generations. They treasure their time in the Smoky Hill The Morrow Fr-ily: Aunt Sarah Love, Gertrude Morrow, Gertrude, Sam Morrow, Rell Morrow, Ted Morrow, So- Morrow, Mate Monow and dog, Ring. There were many anxious times: not enough rain, the possibility of hail to ruin the crop, rattlesnakes, or prairie fires. When a fire was spotted, Daddy would take his fastest 1snm, put the plow in the wagon, and take off blizzards were very dangerous. Everyone carefully chosen so the material matched, because it was used to make clothing for the family. When Rell was 8 years old he was bitten on the shin by a rattlesnake. He ran the r/z mile home, Daddy made a crigs-cross cut to make it bleed, then they headed for the doctor in horse and buggy. Rell recovered and lived to be 79 years old. Life was very primitive: water was carried to the house in buckets, water was heated in the water reservoir on the back of the cookstove. Baths were taken in the largest wash tub in front of the cookstove, everyone using the seme water! There were outdoor toilets, Searg Roebuck catalogs for toilet paper, feather mattresses, or cornhusk mattresses which were filled fresh each fall. The neighborhood tclephone was on the barbed wire fence, which worked fine until a fence was repaired causing a short. Each family had their own ring and you could count the clicks and know how many were "rubbering" (listening in). The school houge was used as the center of community events: occasionally a Sunday School during the summer (no church). When school was in session there would be programs, usually with a box supper. The young folks had to make their own entertainment barn hay lofts made good places to have a dance, singing "Skip to My Lou", etc. No music usually. These were pioneer days requiring detcrmination to live, the cooperation of all family members and neighbors. You knew you had to work, for you had to pay as you went - there were no charge accounts! In January 1917, Daddy and Mother went via train to the Stock Show in Denver and left the children with dear Hannah Staulgreen. This was their first and only trip for pleasure Community and try to attend the Annual Picnic whenever they can. by Bernice Eberhart ceme a man overnight. Daddy had bought a new Titan tractor and had never driven it. The neighbors tried to get Mother to return it but her answer: "No, if Snm thought we needed it, we still need it", which was true. As years passed, we all shared in the work. Money gained from the sale of cream and milk was made to stretch enough to supplement the food from the farm. As many as 20 cows would be milked by hand. At harvest time, 3 meals a day were cooked on the cookstove for 12-15 men. This lasted L-2 weeks, depending on the crop. There wan no time to "goof off'. About 1920, the sod house began to fall apart. Due to the high wheat prices of WW I, Mother was able to tear down the soddy and replace it (in the same spot) with a large good but not as warm as frame house - verythe house the soddy. While was being built, we lived in two empty granaries, which was quite an experience! During WW I, teachers were scarce so Mother went back to teaching (always her joy) at Plainview School 2 1/z miles avtay, where all 8 grades were taught. She took us along, except Rell and Ted. Mother taught most of the time up to 1928. She also did private tutoring. On Nov. 16, 1945, Mother passed away at home surrounded by 20 members of her loving family and friends. by Sam Morrow MOSS - BAXTER, FLORA BELLE r'474 In 1911, Flora (Flo) Bell Moss arrived in Flagler by train with family members. Her father, Judson, and older brother, Roy, had preceded them, bringing the family belongings by horse and wagon. Other members who came were her mother, Carrie; brother, Orson; and sister, Bess; her husband, Art Strong, and son, Maynard, adopted after sister Edna's husband had been killed in a buzz-saw accident. The Moss family homestead was several miles southeast of town. The Art Strongs homesteaded near town. At the Mosses, after digging several dry wells, water wag finally located some distance from the house. In later years when Flo was asked what modern convenience she would miss the most (expecting her to say washing machine, refrigerator or other appliance) she surprised us by answering "Running water in the house" which we took for granted. - Sometime during the years they home- steaded, Judson Moss worked for the Sinton Dairy in Colorado Springs. He was in charge of the milking barn. Carrie and Flo also worked there as cooks. Before moving to Colorado, their homes were in and around Belvidere, Illinois, where Flo taught school a short time - which she did not enjoy. �better pianist. On August 11, 1914, Flo was married to G.M. Baxter. George Gibbs was the officiating minister and Art and Bess signed as witnesses. Bess and Mr. Winegar supplied the music. Among the 40 guests were the Gibbs, Winnie, Nina and Dewey Anderson, Aubrey Walker, Alma Weller, Hazel Searcy, Iva Reynolde, Claude, Opal and James Gw1rn, Mabel Seal, Agnes Quinn, Opal Parke, Marjorie Miner and Flo's family. George's family was unable to attend becauge of the distance from their home in Kansas. Flo took her piano to the soddy on her homestead where the young couple lived. She continued to give lessons at her parents' home in Flagler. Music played an important part in her life. She enjoyed classical, semi- : ,:i:llii:at:,i: .irtti :ilridlillr',,ti Flo (at left in picture) with one ofher many Congregational Church Choirs 1950 or 51. Others in the picture are: Back Row: Alice Fruhling-Liggett, Lee and Louise Lavington, David Rowden, Cecil Jackson. Front Row: Nettie Deniston, Mabel Eberhart, Doris Rowden, Tom Creighton, Bill Deniston. classical, religious and popular music. Her repertoire of ragtime pieces (committed to memory) was the highlight of many informal gatherings. Her talent was much sought aftcr for dances, school activities, community progrnms, funerals, etc. She even accompan- ied Chautauqua several different years as well as providing background for the silent movies at the Flagler theater. For countless years she helped with graduation, music festivals, homecomings, even during the school day, she accompanied choruses and glee clubs if an accompanist was not available in the school. Her most important musical contribution was to the Flagler Congregational Church where she was pianist and organist from Januar5r 1926 to September 1971. (A Hnmmond organ was purchased in memory of her husband, George, who died in 1948). As a young lady in Belvidere, she had played pipe organ at the Baptist Church where she was a member. In 1922, Bess died and shortly after this the Moeses and Art Strong (an early manager of the Flagler power plant) returned to Illinoig. Flo loved to travel and made several trips back to see her family. She planned extended family trips, the most memorable being to the World's Fairs in Chicago in 1934 and New York in 1939 (included in this trip was Canada and much of the East coast), and the West coast in 1941. Another adventure was a Colorado mountain trip in lg28 along the Front Range. In later years, she enjoyed many trips with Jean and her two granddaughters who made their home with her Flo in 1942 or 43. Flo, George and Jud around 1918 in the yard of home 12 mileg southeast of Flagler. Another job was at a local sewing machine factory where she put eyes in needles. Flo wae born at Belvidere on December 25. a Christmas baby, which may explain why -she always loved the holiday preparations. All her relatives and friends looked forward to her packages as each held a generous sampling of her delicious candies for which she was well known. She graduated from Belvidere High School in 1909. One of 1890 the great joys of her life was music. She started chording on the piano and pump organ, later playing by ear at an early age. This gift continued to add much to her musical ability. Her entire family was musical, especially her sister, Bess, who was provided with piano lessons which were then taught to Flo thus getting two lessons for - the price of one! Flo later rode the electric train to Chicago where Bess had moved after marrying Art Strong to help her give piano lessons. This collaboration continued in Flagler where the two sisters continued teaching piano. One program has been saved listing the music pupils of Mrs. Strong and Miss Moss for a recital at Seal's Hall on April 25, 1913. Their pupils included Helen and Opal Parke (daughters of Mrs. George Gibbs) Agnes Quinn, Retta Epperson, Mabel Seal, Gertrude Gibson, Winnie Anderson (Mrs. Aub- rey Walker) Flo and Bess, and Mr. W.W. Winegar (violinist). The program consisted of readings, vocal and piano solos and duets. Both Bess and Flo continued to give piano lessons until her death and Flo into - Bess the 1950's. The sisters provided entertainment for many community functions. Flo felt that Bess (who had played pipe organ at both a church and a theater in Chicago) was the from 1954. In September 1971, her health began to deteriorate following surgery. She died at the Limon nursing home after a six month stay. She was born on Christmas day 1890, and died on the Fourth ofJuly 1975. Although she was a devoted wife and mother, her 60 years of musical contributions to the communitv were incalculable. by Jean K. Mudd MOSS, LEE AND REBA F476 Reba (Oliver) Moss was born at Elder, Ks., daughter of Cyrus and Minnie (Sweet) Oliver. Brothers and sisters were Ross, John, Irma, Alma, Marie, Merle, Reba, Gertrude, Marjorie, Nedra, Garold and Joe. Reba's father came to their homestead 12 mi. N. between Seibert and Vona by covered wagon. The mother and 8 children came bv train. �They raised corn, and barley to feed the horses, cows, pigs, and chickens. Milked cows, separated, milk - fed the calves, and pigs, and had lots of cream, and butter, for home use. The youngsters helped cut corn with a knife for winter feed, for stock. They raieed lots of watermelons, and would cut corn a while, then eat watermelon. Neighbors were Pearl Bancrofts, McBlairs, Frank Bogers, Fred Martins. They drove teo- and wagon to visit in each other's homee. The children attended Bancroft school SW of their home, and also Boger school, with 8 grades, east of them. They walked 5 mi. to, and from school every day. Some of their teachers were Elizabeth Wrenn, Mrs. Broadstreet, John Husband, and Mr. Wagner (who had an artificial leg). When he was tagged to be'JT', he held his artificial leg straight out and hopped. There was lots of entertainment - ciphering matches, literary meets, music eve4nnrhere, and a barn dance at Olivers every Saturday night. Mr. Oliver played the violin. And for the younger set there was baseball, ante-over, fox and geese, black man, last couple out, drop the handkerchief, or playing in the sand creek and digging down to water. While a group was playrng one day, Reba sat on the side of the tank, and fell into the freshly pumped cold water. The other children ran around the house screaming. There was Sunday School, and Church at the Boger and Shiloh schools. The preacher cn-e with I tenm and buggy from Erie, and spent the night at Olivers. During the 1918 flu epidemic, there were 14 family members in bed at one time (including Irma, and little son who had come to visit). Nedra was unconscious for 10 days. When she awakened she eaid, "Daddy, what'd I do with my clothes last night?" Garold served in WW I. Roes had the flu when his call came and he could not go. The mother did not knit for WW I, but was an excellent seamstress. Mr. Oliver died in 1938, and she in 1941. Reba married Charles Lee Moss 11-281923. They lived in an adobe house, on the Oliver place, on Hell Creek. They had one daughter, Rosalee (Moss) Loutzenhiser. They moved to Flagler in 1957. Lee's parents came from South Dakota about the same time as the Oliver fanily. Lee's health failed and he died 8-24-1969. by Lorris Wickham MOUNTAIN DRAGER FAMILY F476 School during the busy harvest season of those times, she met Jesse Edwin (Ed) Mountain, one of a dozen wheat harvesters eating every day at the kitchen dinner table. He had just been discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps and arrived from San Diego to drive a wheat truck for his brother for the bumper crop of 1946. Ed was born in Buffalo, Oklahoma, later moving to Colorado with his parents and eight brothers and sisters and attended schools in Rocky Ford, Ordway, and Canon City. He joined the U.S. marine Corps in 1943 serving in the Asiatic-Pacific area. Evelyn and Ed were married in Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington on July 23, 1950. Evelyn taught school in Bethune, Kanorado, and Burlington retiring in 1960 to rear a family. Ed worked at Burlington Building and Supply as a cement foreman and farmed wheat. Ed Mountain Cement Construction was formed in 1963 and prospered during the prosperity and growth of Burlington in the 60's and 70's. The wheat farm 10 miles south of Peconic was purchased at an auction in 1968, one of life's "greatest moments" for Ed as he had farmed it since 1947. Being selected "Young Mother of the Year" of the Rocky Mountain States that same year was a highlight for Evelyn. Ed continues with the cement construction and wheat farming. He is retired from the Volunteer Fire Department after 26 years of active services and has 24 years of perfect attendance in the local Lion's Club. Evelyn has been equally active in several service, educational, and social organizations. When her "baby" went to the first grade Evelyn went back to teaching now in her 16th year at Burlington Middle School. Trinity Lutheran is the family church. Three daughters, Roxie Ann, Candi Sue, and Sandee Jo, always their "pride and joy", filled the home with love and adventure. All three girls graduated from Burlington High School, their home away from home! They were active in all varsity sports, drqma, plays, band, flag corps, choir and cheerleading. As youngsters, Mom was a leader for their Girl Scout troops and Sunshine 4-H Clug. County Fair was always an exciting week. The girls all won their share of medals with the Burlington Competitive Swim Team. All three feel they've had the "good life" of a traditional "hometown" including Grandma and Grandpa Drager out on the family farm to love them and share experiences. They still laugh aboutthe Easter they spent on the farm hunting Easter baskets and eggs nmong the haystacks and barns like Mom used to do. Roxie and Candi are graduates of UNC and teach school in Limon and Springfield, respectively. Sandee is an elementary educa- tion major at Fort Hays State University graduating in May, 1986. Evelyn Drager Mountain was born in Burlington, the oldest of four children of Henry and Flora Drager. She attended Smoky Hill, a ten year school, and harbors fond memories of school plays, track meets, baseball games, box suppers, basket dinners, and Saturday night square dances. Education continued in Burlington High School graduating with the claes of 1947. She was awarded a "joint honor" Scholarship to Colorado The local lake at Bonny has brought countless summer weekends of family fun and togetherness boating, skiing, and fishing the past dozen years. In conclusion: We all love living in a little town, Where you wave your hand and say "hello." For every house in a little town, Is more than a house. it's a home! by Evelyn and Ed Mountain MURPIIY, COLEMAN AND MATTIE wrLMorH F477 The Coleman Murphy family taken August 21, 1955: Father Coleman, Mother Mattie, Florence, Lionel, Loyd and Loren. Seated: Awetta, Dale, Twila and Troy. Coleman Elmer Murphy was born, April 26, 1886, at Rexford, KS, in Thomas County, to Herbert J. Murphy, born October 18, 1862 in Randolph County, West Virginia, and Almeda Bell (Gower) Murphy, born December 20, 1862, in Tucker County, West Virginia. Coleman's father died, July 29, 1893, at the age of 31 years and was buried in the corner of their farm at Gem, KS. At the age of 7, Coleman became "head of the household" and helped his mother raise three other children, a sister Mina Evelyn (Minnie), and brothers: Albertis (Bert), and Floyd Edward. Almeda, Coleman's mother, filed on a tree claim two miles west of Kit Carson County, when she first came west in 1887 or 1888. Coleman, his Uncle Ellis Murphy and Lonnie Christie, came to Colorado by team of horses and wagon to look around. They then stayed all night in Seibert. Coleman and Ellis Murphy, Lonnie and Mitchell Christie, all came back and filed for homesteads in November, 1907, through the U.S. Land Office at Hugo, CO. They all homesteaded south of Seibert near the correction line. Mattie Bell Wilmoth, born April 11, 1887, at Kearns, West Virginia, to Charles Wyatt Wilmoth and Lousia A. (Murphy) Wilmoth, born October 30, 1868. On February 21, 1895, Mattie's mother died at the age of twentyseven, leaving Mattie only seven years old, who also helped raise a fanily at an early age, sister Lou, brother Harvey and baby boy Arthur, who died in infancy. Her sister, Lousetta, married an uncle of Coleman's, Ellis Murphy. They came to Kansas but returned for a visit to West Virginia, and Mattie returned to Western Kansas with them. Mattie and Coleman were married March 3, 1908 at Seibert, CO, by a Preacher Seibert. To this union were born five boys and five girls: Florence Alveretta, Lionel Floyd, Lena Sylvia, Loyd Harvey, Grace Elaine, Loren Arthur, Troy Ellis, Twila Arleene, Dale Herbert, and Arvetta Rose (Betty). Mattie filed on a homestead just across the University and later transferred to Colorado State Teachers College graduating with a B.A. and a life teaching certificate. road from Coleman's claim in either late November or early December of 1907, through a county judge at Burlington, but I Mountain wheat farm north of Smoky Hill can find no records of this in Burlington. She did not prove up on this. Coleman and Mattie While helping Frieda on the Howard �moved into their soddy on the homestead, April 1, 1908. The frame house was built approximately 1919 and is being torn down now. They occupied the homestead until they held a farm sale in 1950, having sold their farm to W.B. Weaver of Larned. Kansas in December 1949. Coleman then moved to Flagler, Colorado where they built a home and resided until their deaths. Coleman purchased the pool there in 1950 and operated it. Due to his son Troy's health, he gave up farming and went into the pool hall with his and later was owner, Mattie died April 16, 1969 and Coleman remained in the home, until health caused him to go to the hospital, and after a two months stay in the hospital and the Prairie View Nursing Home in Limon, he passed away July 6, L974. Both are buried in the Flagler Cemetery at Flagler, Colorado. Lena (Murphy) Patterson, Grace Elaine Murphy, Loren Arthur Murphy and Florence (Murphy-McCart) Gibbs are all deceased. Lionel resides at Safford, Arizona, (Betty) Arvetta Rose Randall atTalihina, Oklahoma, Loyd and Troy both at Flagler, Colorado, Dale at Goodland, Kaneas and Twila Gorton at Seibert, Colorado. by Twila Gorton MYRICK - JESSEN FAMILY F478 road that year, for this day was her birthday. In Castle Rock, Keith owned his own concrete contractor business and before their marriage, on May, 29, t970, Yvonne was working at Porter Memorial Hospital, in Englewood, CO., as a Licensed Practical Nurge. Now they were about to live their dren-s of becoming ranchers. A small herd of cattle was purchased from Len Beeson and then Brenda Jean was born on Feb. L2, L975. Nine months later the Myricks moved to the Walter Herndon place, one mile west. This was their place of residence until Sept., 1980, when they moved back onto their ovm property, "the old Husenetter place", residing in a mobile home. Robbie attended K-6 at Stratton Elemen- tary and 7th grade, (at the time of this writing), at Stratton Junior/Senior High. She is an accomplished flutiest and enjoys mar- ching and concert band, volleyball and baeketball. Her plans for the future are to be a "secretary/receptionist". Brenda attended K-5, (at the time of this writing), and she is already an accomplished clarinetist and is looking forward to sports in Junior/Senior High School. Her future plans are still in the making. by Yvonne Myrick Keith won second place,($lO), for'Iongest beard', In the spring of 1974, George 'Keith' Myrick and a friend, Charles Miller, left on a journey from Castle Rock, CO., to southeast of Stratton, CO., to make the "old Husenetter place" livable. During the week a blizzard hit, but they kept up the work and at the end of the week, Keith was able to return to Castle Rock, where his wife, Yvonne Carol (Jesgen) Myrick and daughter Robbie Cay, were waiting his arrival. April 24, 1974, was spent moving from Castle Rock to the ranch/farm of Stratton. Robbies first birthday was celebrated on the cattle and we were always afraid, but they never took after us. Our first teacher was Eva White. Later she married a man from south of Kanorado and continued to make her home in this new country. After a few years she died and was buried in the Kanorado Cemetery. When papa and mamawould go to town for the monthly supplies in the wagon, my sister and I would be left at home to look after things. We always kept our eyes peeled for tramps who sometimes roamed around the country, begging for eats. We were always afraid one would come but none ever did. One thing we always did when mama was gone was to get into her mincemeat jar and pick out all the nice large raisins and eat all we could andthen finish up with brown sugar, which we seldom had otherwise. The raisins in those days were so much larger than they are now, and were real good, especially seasoned by the mincemeat. The next time mama went to bake a pie she missed the raisins but didn't say anything and just smiled because she knew her little girls didn't take them to be mischievous. but had to do something to while away the long hours that they had to spend alone. NEALLY FAMILY NEALLY FAMILY Charles Neally andLizzie Paul of Ceresco, Nebraska, were married February 1, 1888, and soon started by train from Haigler, Nebraska, which at that time was the farthest west the railroad cnme. There they unloaded their belongings and loaded a wagon drawn by a pair of muleg that they had bought and One time when I was about ten years old and was going to look for eggs, I saw a man F47g drove across country to the land they had homesteaded in Kit Carson County, Colorado. Here they had to build their home. At first they just put up a shelter to cover them till they could build a house. They had a neighbor, Jim Knapp, come and dig them a well. It had to be dug by hand in those days. Colorado CentenniellBicentenniel Celebration Stratton, CO. August 1, 1976. Keith holding Brenda and Robbie standing in front of Yvonne Myrick. Waiting for coetume and beard judging. Robbie won first place, ($15), on costume and we were always coming across some of their Most of the homegteaders built houses of sod but the Neallys built a freme house. A little later Charlee'father and two sisters and their husbands came out and homesteaded. They just stayed here long enough to prove up on their homesteads. When they left they sold out to Charles. They soon got three or four milk cows and another horse so as to make a three horse team, as they put the horse with the mules. Then they were able to break some ground and do a little farming. Then they began to get stock cattle to run on the open range. The old McCrillis Ranch line fence was on their west and north and the riders rode the fence every day so they had no trouble with their cattle. The Neallys got their own land fenced in as soon as they could. There were lots of wild antelope on the prairies at that time. Many settlers killed them for meat. In due time two daughters were born to this family. In 1898, they moved over to his brother Harry's place, which was the E. % 356-43 where they lived for several years. When we were old enough we went to a school about a mile and a half west of us. Haidee and I nearly always walked. Knapps didn't have their land fenced like we did and F480 coming down over the hill. I didn't think anything about it as I thought it was a neighbor coming, so I went about my business. About this time he saw some men and all at once he turned and took offover the hill as fast as he could go and that was the last I saw of him. Then, when the next week'g Kansas City Star came out, there was an item about a women down in Kansas who was hunting for her husband who had left home. We often thought about that man and wondered if it could have been him, but we never heard anything more about him and never heard if the woman ever found her husband, but.it gave us something to think about for a long time. We had very little sickness in our family, but some families suffered from smallpox and diphtheria. Doctors were so far away, so if anything went wrong we were doctored vrith home remedies and always got better. Our friends, the Reischs, had smallpox and we would take their mail and some food supplies to help them out. We were very careful and would circle around their place at a safe distance until we attracted the attention of the family. Then we left the things where they would find them and hurried on our way so as not to get the disease ourselves. I remember one time mema had to go to town to the dentist. She had 21 teeth pulled that day and then had to ride that long way home jolting in the lumber wagon. I sat on the floor of the wagon and rested my back between her knees. At first we didn't go to church as there was none around. After the Wallet Post Office and store were established and people went there for the mail, it becnme a meeting place for the people. Here a minist€r would come sometimes on Sunday, and we would have a � 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- M Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of founding families of Kit Carson County whose names start with "M." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:504 2020-03-23T10:13:19Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/504/Families-N_O.pdf 2bb51e52a33f0af35b9262c16c590140 PDF Text Text moved into their soddy on the homestead, April 1, 1908. The frame house was built approximately 1919 and is being torn down now. They occupied the homestead until they held a farm sale in 1950, having sold their farm to W.B. Weaver of Larned. Kansas in December 1949. Coleman then moved to Flagler, Colorado where they built a home and resided until their deaths. Coleman purchased the pool there in 1950 and operated it. Due to his son Troy's health, he gave up farming and went into the pool hall with his and later was owner, Mattie died April 16, 1969 and Coleman remained in the home, until health caused him to go to the hospital, and after a two months stay in the hospital and the Prairie View Nursing Home in Limon, he passed away July 6, L974. Both are buried in the Flagler Cemetery at Flagler, Colorado. Lena (Murphy) Patterson, Grace Elaine Murphy, Loren Arthur Murphy and Florence (Murphy-McCart) Gibbs are all deceased. Lionel resides at Safford, Arizona, (Betty) Arvetta Rose Randall atTalihina, Oklahoma, Loyd and Troy both at Flagler, Colorado, Dale at Goodland, Kaneas and Twila Gorton at Seibert, Colorado. by Twila Gorton MYRICK - JESSEN FAMILY F478 road that year, for this day was her birthday. In Castle Rock, Keith owned his own concrete contractor business and before their marriage, on May, 29, t970, Yvonne was working at Porter Memorial Hospital, in Englewood, CO., as a Licensed Practical Nurge. Now they were about to live their dren-s of becoming ranchers. A small herd of cattle was purchased from Len Beeson and then Brenda Jean was born on Feb. L2, L975. Nine months later the Myricks moved to the Walter Herndon place, one mile west. This was their place of residence until Sept., 1980, when they moved back onto their ovm property, "the old Husenetter place", residing in a mobile home. Robbie attended K-6 at Stratton Elemen- tary and 7th grade, (at the time of this writing), at Stratton Junior/Senior High. She is an accomplished flutiest and enjoys mar- ching and concert band, volleyball and baeketball. Her plans for the future are to be a "secretary/receptionist". Brenda attended K-5, (at the time of this writing), and she is already an accomplished clarinetist and is looking forward to sports in Junior/Senior High School. Her future plans are still in the making. by Yvonne Myrick Keith won second place,($lO), for'Iongest beard', In the spring of 1974, George 'Keith' Myrick and a friend, Charles Miller, left on a journey from Castle Rock, CO., to southeast of Stratton, CO., to make the "old Husenetter place" livable. During the week a blizzard hit, but they kept up the work and at the end of the week, Keith was able to return to Castle Rock, where his wife, Yvonne Carol (Jesgen) Myrick and daughter Robbie Cay, were waiting his arrival. April 24, 1974, was spent moving from Castle Rock to the ranch/farm of Stratton. Robbies first birthday was celebrated on the cattle and we were always afraid, but they never took after us. Our first teacher was Eva White. Later she married a man from south of Kanorado and continued to make her home in this new country. After a few years she died and was buried in the Kanorado Cemetery. When papa and mamawould go to town for the monthly supplies in the wagon, my sister and I would be left at home to look after things. We always kept our eyes peeled for tramps who sometimes roamed around the country, begging for eats. We were always afraid one would come but none ever did. One thing we always did when mama was gone was to get into her mincemeat jar and pick out all the nice large raisins and eat all we could andthen finish up with brown sugar, which we seldom had otherwise. The raisins in those days were so much larger than they are now, and were real good, especially seasoned by the mincemeat. The next time mama went to bake a pie she missed the raisins but didn't say anything and just smiled because she knew her little girls didn't take them to be mischievous. but had to do something to while away the long hours that they had to spend alone. NEALLY FAMILY NEALLY FAMILY Charles Neally andLizzie Paul of Ceresco, Nebraska, were married February 1, 1888, and soon started by train from Haigler, Nebraska, which at that time was the farthest west the railroad cnme. There they unloaded their belongings and loaded a wagon drawn by a pair of muleg that they had bought and One time when I was about ten years old and was going to look for eggs, I saw a man F47g drove across country to the land they had homesteaded in Kit Carson County, Colorado. Here they had to build their home. At first they just put up a shelter to cover them till they could build a house. They had a neighbor, Jim Knapp, come and dig them a well. It had to be dug by hand in those days. Colorado CentenniellBicentenniel Celebration Stratton, CO. August 1, 1976. Keith holding Brenda and Robbie standing in front of Yvonne Myrick. Waiting for coetume and beard judging. Robbie won first place, ($15), on costume and we were always coming across some of their Most of the homegteaders built houses of sod but the Neallys built a freme house. A little later Charlee'father and two sisters and their husbands came out and homesteaded. They just stayed here long enough to prove up on their homesteads. When they left they sold out to Charles. They soon got three or four milk cows and another horse so as to make a three horse team, as they put the horse with the mules. Then they were able to break some ground and do a little farming. Then they began to get stock cattle to run on the open range. The old McCrillis Ranch line fence was on their west and north and the riders rode the fence every day so they had no trouble with their cattle. The Neallys got their own land fenced in as soon as they could. There were lots of wild antelope on the prairies at that time. Many settlers killed them for meat. In due time two daughters were born to this family. In 1898, they moved over to his brother Harry's place, which was the E. % 356-43 where they lived for several years. When we were old enough we went to a school about a mile and a half west of us. Haidee and I nearly always walked. Knapps didn't have their land fenced like we did and F480 coming down over the hill. I didn't think anything about it as I thought it was a neighbor coming, so I went about my business. About this time he saw some men and all at once he turned and took offover the hill as fast as he could go and that was the last I saw of him. Then, when the next week'g Kansas City Star came out, there was an item about a women down in Kansas who was hunting for her husband who had left home. We often thought about that man and wondered if it could have been him, but we never heard anything more about him and never heard if the woman ever found her husband, but.it gave us something to think about for a long time. We had very little sickness in our family, but some families suffered from smallpox and diphtheria. Doctors were so far away, so if anything went wrong we were doctored vrith home remedies and always got better. Our friends, the Reischs, had smallpox and we would take their mail and some food supplies to help them out. We were very careful and would circle around their place at a safe distance until we attracted the attention of the family. Then we left the things where they would find them and hurried on our way so as not to get the disease ourselves. I remember one time mema had to go to town to the dentist. She had 21 teeth pulled that day and then had to ride that long way home jolting in the lumber wagon. I sat on the floor of the wagon and rested my back between her knees. At first we didn't go to church as there was none around. After the Wallet Post Office and store were established and people went there for the mail, it becnme a meeting place for the people. Here a minist€r would come sometimes on Sunday, and we would have a �church service. Jim Knapp wan our close neighbor and friend. He dW nearly all the wells around the countryside by hand. He would be gone from home long periods at a time, but would get back whenever he got a chance and the family never knew when to expect him. One time he arived home late at night when all the children were in bed so they were not aware of it. The next morning early after they awakened one of them said: "Thete's a man in bed with mama." He had about two weeks growth of beard and the children did not recognize him at first. One time a big man hunt was on. Several horseback riders rode onto the place and said they were hunting for a man who had robbed the Zollinger home. Father left with the men. I only knew Jim Rhoades and Jim Barnett who were in the group. After much circling around, the man wag tracked down in the creek bed near the Wallet Store. Word was sent to Burlington for the sheriff to come aftpr him. It was later learned that this man who had robbed the Zollingers was a one time acquaintance of the Zollingers. He knew the Zollinger family when they had lived in Michigan. He had heard that the Zollingers had become wealthy after arriving in Colorado, so had decided he would come and get some of it. It must have been quite a disappointment to find how little they had, but he took what little cash they had. As he was armed the family wag afraid to refuse him. NEALLY FAMILY F481 Mr. Munter was at the Zollinger home at the time and as soon an he could get away he hunied to his home to see if his family had been molested. He told his wife and older children that night but when the younger ones started to school the nert morning he told them to tell the teacher to be on the lookout for the man as it was feared he might still be in the neighborhood. This robber had the Zollinger place well located in his mind by the way the wind was blowing and planned to get away as soon alt Sometimes we would have a new white dress for the occasion. I will never forget the free lemonade. It was in a big barrel on Main Street. As there were no paper cups then, they had a big tin cup fastened on a chain so it wouldn't get away, for the people to drink from. Sanitation was something we didn't think of then. Everyone could drink all they wanted until the barrel finally ran dry. On one of these occasions, when I was about six years old, was a day I'll never forget. I got separated from my parents. I knew they had planned to go to the races which were held just north of the railroad tracks, so that was where I headed in search of them. I was just a few feet from the track when a man on horseback rushed up in front of me and got me back just before a train went by. I finally made it to the races and was standing by the bleachers looking for them. All of a sudden I heard an awful crack and down went the bleachers. Many of the people had their legs hurt, but no other serious damage except to a baby that was in a buggy in the shade and it wae killed. Just the people who could afford the price of a ticket were seated. The ones that had been standing all felt that it was their lucky day. After the accident I finally found my parents. As time went by my father had increased his number of cattle and as they had all their land fenced they didn't have much trouble with them getting mixed with the range cattle, and they didn't have to herd them. They raised mostly white faces. They were nice looking cattle with nice long horns. They began to raige more feed crops, mostly millet so they always had plenty of feed when the weather was so bad they couldn't forage for themselves. The prairie fires in those days were very bad and would travel for twenty five miles at times. The men would have to plow furrows all night and if the wind changed sometimes the fire would jump the furrows. I, myself, remember one fire that came within twenty five feet of our barn before it could be stopped. Many hardships were there in those days but the ones who stayed put were the ones whopaid for their land and made comfortable homee for their families. His youngest daughter, Blanche - 1962. he had robbed them. But while he was tormenting the family the wind changed directions and he wasn't aware of it, so he lost hie way completely, thus enabling the neighbors to pick up this trail and capture him before he left the county. He didn't bother any other fanily. About the main recreation in those early days was for several families and neighbors to get together and go in lumber wagons to the Spring Valley Ranch and spend the day fishing. The Jim Knapp, WiI Reisch and Charles Neally families usually went together as they were close neighbors. Henry Goebel was the manager of the Spring Valley at that time and they always enjoyed visiting with him. On one of these fishing trips the men caught a large turtle, so when they got back to the Knapp home, Mrs. Knapp cooked the turtle and made turtle soup for all. The children didn't care much about it, but it was a change in the menu for the adults. The Fourth of July was always a big event in our lives, because we would go to Burlington where a big celebration would be held. NICHOLS, EUGENE AND DOROTIIY F4A2 existed. Dorothy was born in Arlington, Ks. Aug. 20, 1913 to John and Mary Teeter. Her father ran a hardware store. The family later moved to a farm and ranch near Ulysses, Ks. which he bought from his parents, Henry and Margaret Teeter. This ranch is still in the Teeter family with the fourth and fifth generations living there now. Gene and Dorothy are graduates of Mos- cow High School. Gene attended Salt City Business College in Hutchinson, Ks. one year and also began farming, breaking out a lot of sod and planting wheat. The first two crops made 28,000 bushels with a price of 33 to 18 cents a bushel. Dorothy took the Teacher's Examg, and taught in a country school 8 miles from her folks home in the next school district - salary $50.00 a month. These were years when folks were losing their property, etc. but life went on and love wins. We were maried Feb. 10, 1934; a family wedding at my grandparents in Ulysses, Ks., our favorite pastor performing the ceremony. Mother and Grandma fixed a big supper for' all present. Gene had rented an improved farm near Woods, Ks. After we painted and papered the house, we moved in the day my school was out. We thanked God for my bridal shower, our wedding presents, our parents' cast off furniture and the Montgomery Ward's catalog, also for the homemaking abilities our parents had taught us - we had a comfortable home. Selling our extra eggs and crenm kept us in food and whatever else we really needed. We were both raised in a large fanily and we loved children. Our four children are Richard (Dean), Karen Louise, Sharen Jean and John Henry. Dean married Dorothy Loutzenhiser of Flagler. They are farmers and ranchers near Walsh, Co. Their four children are Pamsls Sue (now Mrs. Max Smith) of Walsh; Patrica Ann (Mrs. Jim Haffner) of Walsh; Robin Jay (married Gina Wells) of Garden City, Ks.; Barbara Kay (Mrs. Gary Burson) of Walsh. Dean and Dorthy have seven grandchildren, making us gteat grandparents. Karen married Robert Best of Stinett, Tx. and have sons, Byron Dale of Emporia, Ks, Rodney Hale of Wichita, Ks. Karen lives in Walsh, Co. where she teaches in the Walsh High School. Sharen manied Raymond Miller of Denver. They now live near Two Buttes, Co. where they farm and ranch. Ray had a son Raymond Joseph Jr. who is married and lives in Loveland, Co. and a daughter Gail (Mrs. Wm. Barocsi) Long Beach, Ca. They made Ray and Sharen grandparents and us 3 more The Eugene (Gene) V. and Dorothy M. (Teeter) Nichols family (four children) came to Kit Carson County in Feb., 1950 from Meade, Ks. They settled on a farm and ranch great grandchildren. Their daughter Debra Jean married DeWayne Britton of Pritchett and now live in Lubbock where they attend college. Jenelle Louise is a junior in high rado, on Duck Creek. John Henry married Zerelda Eddy of Lamar. Their sons are Lance Anson, 8th they bought from the Fred Pages in 1948, located 8 miles northeast of Flagler, Colo- Gene was born in Texas County near Tyrone, Ok., July 3, 1909. His parents, Ralph and Bertha Nichols, had a homestead there. They moved to Moscow, Ks, to start their three older children in a good school. His parents ran a hardware store and sold machinery in Moscow. Gene's grandparents, Henry and Frances Fuller, lived on a farm, part homestead, near Liberal, Ks, before the railroad or Liberal school and Justin Ty is in 3rd grade in Springfield, Co. grade, Jason Roy, 6th, Michael Lane, 3rd, in the Arriba-Flagler Schools. The family farms and ranches on their place and our home place. The children of Gene and Dorothy all graduated from Flagler High School. Dean and John are graduates of CSU in Fort Collins. Karen is a graduate of PSU in Goodwell, OK. Sharen is a graduate of Parks �Life on the farm consisted of helping with the farm work, driving tractor, shocking wheat, shucking corn, milking, 4H, County Fairs, PTA,and walking to echool. In terribly bad weather, Claude took the children to gchool with a te'm and wagon, with bailg of straw in it. They always had homemade bread and summer Bausage sandwiches in their symp bucket for lunch. Tillie was a wonderful cook, baking a batch of bread weekly, and in earlier years twice a week, sharing her bread with family, friends, and neighbors. She made peppernuts at Christmas, grapenut ice cream, and peanut bars. They did their own butchering, canning the meat, and making summer sausage every winter. Ti[ie also did all the sewing for the family, making over clothes to fit the children. Claude and Tillie provided a happy home for their children. They loved to sing together as a family. The community could always hear Claude sing as he plowed the fields, or took a wagon load of wheat to town. "Work for the night is coming", was his favorite. He was also a story teller, enjoying this fellowship with friends. Claude was always plagued with hay fever, asthna, and decided to move the family to California in 1945. They moved to Redmond, Calif., where his sist€r Beeeie lived. Later they accepted an offer of a friend, Elmer Fasse, to lease his farm in Burlington, Colo. moving in 1948. This move accounted for the fanily separation. They moved to Burlington after a few years. They had 23 grandchildren. Claude died on Dec. 15, 1966 and Tillie Gene and Dorothy Nichol's 4fth wedding annivereary in their farm home, February L0,L974. Front row: died 14 years later July 23, 1980. Gene and Dorothy Nichole. Back row: John, Karen, Sharon and Dean. by Dorothy Penny Business College in Denver. The family has been very active in 4-H, Farm Bureau, Baptist Church and its organizations, school and community activities. Gene loves his horses and likes to plant and care for trees. Dorothy is a 50 year member of HD Clubs and likes to quilt, embroidery and sew. We moved to the outside edge of Flagler, July 1, 1982. We still have a cow-calf Nebraska on December 12, 1910. Her parents were Maggie K. and Frank H. Wilson. They manage. We have always owned some cowg and horses. We both have more time now for grandparents on her mother's side were Mary Rodaway from England & Jurgen F. Kramer Center and to shut-ins. We celebrated our 53rd Wedding Anniversary this year and have truly been blessed with a gpeat family. wagons to Nebraska City. Her grandparents on her father's side were Mr. and Mrs. Morris NOWAK, JIM AND RUTH F484 Ruth M. Wilson was born at Lexington, operation which the John Nichols' family lived on a farm north of Lexington. Her volunteer work and visits to the Senior from Germany. They traveled by oxen and F. Wilson from Scotland and lreland. Ruth started to school at the age of five. She went to a little country school and walked one mile each day to get there. At the age of ten she moved with her parents to Stratton, Colorado. They home- We look forward to their visits and our reunions. We are proud of their accomplishments. by Eugene Nichols steaded on a farm seven miles south of Stratton. The building where she attended church and Sunday school with her parents, NIDER - WOLTERS FAMILY F483 Claude Clarence Nider wag born to John and Eldora Harvey Nider, Feb. 15, 1893 near Fairbury, Neb. He attended the University of Nebraska. On January 14, L920, he married Mathilde Wolters, daughter of Henry and Johanna Wolters, born May 3, 1896. To them eight children were born; Maxine, Lucille, Arleen, Dorothy, Louis, Bette, Dale, and Marilyn. Claude was in farming all his life. He brothers and sisters was made of layers of sod with a dirt floor. Claude and Tillie Nider in 1950. worked for the AAA working out of Fairbury, Neb., to supplement his farming there. He had a stenm engine and separator, separating for the farmers in this community. When he would bring the rig home, he would start pulling the whistle, alerting the children for their run to meet him, to ride the rest of the way home. While harvesting, his wife Tillie and the children would run the farm and see that the chores were done. Ruth helped her father who was a carpenter as well as a farmer, make "Doby Blocks" to build their house. To made a doby block you plow a large circle ofsod leaving a ten foot circle in the center where you stand to lead horses around the circle to mix the doby. You keep putting straw and watcr in the mud until it is mixed up smooth like mud pies. Then you put it in a box 18-12 inches, smooth off the top,lift up the box very carefully and go to the next block. Leave the blocks dry a week and turn them over. After a few weeks they are ready to start building. You mix up �more mud to put them together with. Takes a lot of blocks and hard work. Ruth attended school with her three brothers and three sisters in a country school which was heated with a "pot belly stove". There were forty students and one teacher, who had all eight grades. The students all were required to help the teacher with cleaning the school, carrying out ashes and carrying in wood and coal. Classes staded at nine o'clock, at 10:30 we had a fifteen minute recess. Twelve o'clock to one was lunch time. School let out at four o'clock. We were taught reading, writing and arithmetic to the tune of a "hickory stick". Ruth got up early in the mornings along with the rest of the family. After breakfast, while mother packed school lunches, she would help carry in fuel and water for the day, feed chickens, calves and pigs, then walk two miles to school. As Ruth gtew older, she worked in the fields hoeing, plowing, shocking grain, putting up hay, pulling weeds, and shucking corn. Times were hard so when Ruth was thirteen ghe started working out in the summers. She saved her money for high school, and worked out in the summers while attending high school at Stratton. Sounds like a hard life but had wonderful parents, brothers and sisters and we had a very happy homelife. After graduating from high school in May 1929, Ruth went to work on a big ranch up on the Republican River about twenty-five miles northeast of Stratton. The hours were long and the work was hard, as washing, ironing, housecleaning and everything was done by hand. Day began at five in the morning and ended at ten p.m. The pay was $6.00 a week plus room and board or five cents an hour. On February 16th 1931 Ruth was united in marriage to James R. Nowak at Goodland, Kansas. They lived on a ranch north of Stratton where Mr. Nowak was employed. Wages were $45 per month and living quartere. Ruth and her husband had three sone munity activities. When Ray and Bob joined the Navy, she joined the Navy Mothers and is still a member. Besides being a homemaker and mother, Ruth worked as a waitress and bartender for thirty-two years. Ruth now lives with her son Bob at 1916 Miner. She has another son Ray and wife Jessica and grandsons Mike and Richard who live in Lakewood. So after seventy-four years and all my mileage you can see why I am walking with a cane but still get by on my own power. by Ruth M. Nowak NOWAK, MAX AND MARGARET F485 Passenger train Eight came steaming into Burlington on Thanksgiving morning of November, 1910. Coming, aboard that train, to their new home in Kit Carson County were Margaret Ann and five of the six Nowak children. Margaret's husband, Max, and the couple's oldest son, Archie, had come several load of hay to town to sell and was returning to his homestead. He agreed to take the Nowaks to their new home for one dollar. Margaret Ann and her daughter accepted this offer and were then taken to the depot to collect the children, suitcases, trunks, and boxes of canned and dried fruits and vegetables that they had been busily preparing at the old home in Seneca, Kansas, while Max and Archie were in Colorado building a two room house of adobe and sod. Taking a trail which angled northwestfrom Burlington, Mr. Mace and the Nowaks traveled out through the settlement to the long established ranches on the Republican River. It must have been rather warm for November since the children remember running along beside and behind the hayrack exploring the countryside as the group slowly journeyed to their new home. Max, the son of Bohemian immigrants, was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1863. As a young boy Max moved with his family to the Seneca, Kansas, area. It was here that he received his formal education and learned the trade of a stone mason, MargaretAnn McQuid was born in Seneca, Kansas, in 1865. She was mainly of Irish ancestry. Her grandparents had immigrated to Canada in the 1840's and had then monthe earlier to stake out a homestead in the Tuttle community about fifteen miles northwest of Bethune. Due to miscommunications, Margaret Ann and the five children got off the train in Burlington while Max was left waiting for them in Stratton. After some migrated to Nemeha County, Kansas, in anxious moments Margaret Ann surmised Then, because of a farm related injury, Max returned to doing construction work such as what had happened. Consequently she either sent a telegram to her husband or used the railroad telephone to call him. Margaret Ann was given instructions to try to find transportation to the homestead, so she and my mother, Katie, who was the oldest child, went to the various livery barns in town, leaving the younger children to guard the family belongings at the train depot. At one of the barns Margaret Ann and Katie met a man by the nnme of Frank Mace who lived near the river north of Bethune. Frank had brought a 1857. Max and Margaret Ann were married in St. Mary's Church located in St. Benedict, Kansas, on May 8, 1894. They spent the next sixteen years farming in the Seneca area. plastering, stone masonry, and building cisterns. Due to Max's asthma, in 1910, a doctor advised the Nowaks to move to Colorado. Max had a sister, Vic Pike, living in the Tuttle community, and there was land available to homestead in the area, so the decision to relocate in Kit Carson County was made. Soon after the change of residence another sister, Ma4r LeRoy, homesteaded nearby. Even though the homesteaders of that era and a daughter. In July 1934, Ruth, her husband and two small sons Richard and Raymond packed their things in a Model A Ford coupe and moved to Newburg, Oregon. We stayed in cabins along the road at night for $2.00 per night. You had to furnish your own bedding, cooking utensils, towels, etc. The cabins weren't very clean and some were full of bed buge. While in Oregon we lived in a house without heat, water or lights; had to carry water up the hill side from a spring; boiled hops and made yeast to make bread; had lots of good fruit and fish. Jobs were hard to find and it rained dl the time, eo after a year we returned to Stratton, Colo. and back to work on the same ranch. In September, 1936, we moved to Limon, Colo. and lived in a house north of Limon. The rattlesnakes were go bad that one of them hung itsef in the coil bed springs. So back to Stratton in January, 1937. The dust bowl was eo bad that on July 4, 1937, Ruth and her husband Ja-es and three emall sons again packed up and moved to ldaho Springs. Times were hard in Idaho Springs, as Janes was a mill man. While the children were growing up Ruth was active in schools, P.T.A., church and Sunday School, Cub Scouts and other com- Mar and Margaret Ann Nowak with grandchildren. L. to R.: Doris Meade Gulley, Leslie A. Davis, Stanley Davis. Russell Davis and Jackie Meade Smith. �settled on land that had been the range for the ranches (Pugh, Wood, Davis & Corliss) along the Republican River, the Nowak children reported that no animosity was ever ehown. In fact, they all soon beca-e a part of the Tuttle community. The children attended the Tuttle school which at that time was located near the present-day Harvey Wood ranch. The school also served as a community center for Sunday school, for of German descent and her father's people were Scotch-Irish, living at Harisonville, Mo, Some paternal ancestors came from Kentucky. Clara graduated from high school in 1931 at Birch Tree, Mo., and from the University of Kansas at Lawrence in 198b. She taught English and Latin and other subjects at various Kansas high schools. In 1942, she asked for a release from her contract to start working for the Air Force to help win WW II. In 1944 she transferred to Washington, D.C. and worked in the Pentagon until the summer of 1946. She saw Gen. Eisenhower ride triumphantly into the Pen- church on occasion, for dances, for Christmag programs, for literaries, and for other affairs. All of the Nowak children graduated from the Tuttle school. After finishing school all of these children worked at one time or another tagon Concourse after the Allies won the war. She decided to return home to Arkansas, for ranches or businesses in the Tuttle, Hermas, and Kirk areas. The children were Katie, Archie, Alice, Helen, Gilbert, and Jnmes. Katie married Rosser Davis, and they lived in the Tuttle area until 1942, when they moved to Burlington. Katie passed away in 1967. Archie, who left the Tuttle community as a young man, eventually settled in Oregon. It was there that he died in 1974. Alice became the wife of Vida Davis. The couple farmed in the Kirk area for many years and moved to Englewood upon retirement. This is where Alice etill resides. Helen exchanged marriage vows with Gilbert Meade. The Meades lived most of their adult lives in Kirk where Helen passed away in 1977. Gilbert Nowak lived and worked in the Stratton and Tuttle communities before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his discharge, Gilbert lived in Denver until his death in 1956. Jnmes worked on ranches in the Stratton area. He wed Ruth Wilson of Stratton, and in 1937, they moved to Idaho Springs where Jemes died in 1978. In 1937, Max and Margaret Ann moved from the Tuttle community to a Collins Hotel apartment in Stratton. Margaret Ann passed on in 1940, and Max died in 1945. They are both buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Stratton. where her parents had moved in 1g31. Clara's father worked as a Frisco depot operator for many years. Clara has one sister and no brothers. Clara then taught school at Swifton, Ark., and boarded in her sist€r's home 2 years. Then Clara taught in the Hulbert-West Memphis H.S. two years, in Arkansas. After her maniage in 1949, Clara had to help take the Senior class to Galveston and New Orleans in June. She made hotel Frank and Clara Nusser on wedding day, April 17, 1949 ley. Wanda taught kindergarten in the Catholic school at Floresville, Texas for 3 years. Then Wanda taught in a public school in San Antonio, Texas one year. Then she taught third grade at Concordia Lutheran Church School in San Antonio where she is still teaching in 1987. Wanda married Wil- by Russ Davis lia- P. Moody of San Antonio in June 1g82. Their son, Matthew Henry Moody, was born December 2, Lg8l. He will probably be very spoiled as both sets ofgrandparents will help NUSSER, FRANK H. AND CLARA I. spoil him. Sherry worked in Public Health at Myrtle Beach, S.C. She then received a grant to F486 The girls and their father Frank H. Nusser was born at Plevna, Reno County, Kansas on October 26, 1903. He graduated from Plevna High School in 1924. For several yeare he had farming interests with his mother and two sisters. Frank was one of eight children born to German parents, his mother having been born overseas and his father in the U.S.A. Frank was the youngest of five boys and three girls. Frank ceme out to Stratton in 1946 to farm on his brother Martin's two sections, one NE and one South of Stratton. Frank raised wheat by dry farming for 32 years. Frank married Clara lrene Bricken on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949, in her sister's T\r'ine Shirley and Sherry, 3, with Wanda, 7, and mother reservations and rented a Greyhound bus for the trip. She didn't arrive in Stratton until June 17, 1949. Clara taught in the Blakeman country school that winter. She taught at Seibert one year but quit because the Nusser's first daughter was born October 19, 1952 Wanda Eileen Nusser. In 1956 on March -9 the Nussers beca-e the proud parents of twin daughters, Shirley Ann and Sherry Rose. Sherry was Valedictorian and Shirley was Salutatorian of their Senior class. Wanda and Sherry graduated from U.N.C. at Gree- home with her parents present, also her sister, her brother-in-law and their son Jan and daughter Kay as witnesses. Frank and Clara were married by the Methodist preacher of Swifton, Arkansas. Clara was born December 22,LSLB in Black Rock, Arkansas. Her mother's parents were attend the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where she received her Master's Degree. Then she worked about 18 months at the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation of North Dakota, setting up the first program of Public Health and Nutrition in the reservation. Sherry applied for a release from national Public Health so that she could work as a nutritionist for the state of Texas at Lubbock where she is still stationed in January 1987. Shirley Nusser attended Valparaiso University in Indiana for one year, then worked and took classes in Greeley. Later she worked in Colorado Springs. Shirley joined the Air Force in January 1983, taking training at Lackland A.F. Base, later at Keesler A.F. Base at Biloxi, Miss. She then transferred to Whiteman A.F. Base in Missouri where she is still stationed in 1987. Clara Nusser is the elder child born to James A. and Rosa W. Moser Bricken. The other child, Edythe Elizabeth, wag born on October 19, 1919. Edythe attended one summer at a college in Memphis,Tenn., one year at the University of Kansas at Lawrence �and one year at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she met and married Dudley Bullard of Swifton, Ark. They had one other son, Sjon, after Clara was married in Edythe's home. Dudley taught for many years at Swifton where he finally retired. As principal, he depended on his wife for any substitut€ teaching. When Clara taught there, she once had George Kell of the Detroit Tigers as her subgtitute. by Frank Nugser ORMSBEE - DAVIS FAMILY F487 Vi (Davis) Ormsbee in the 1920's. Hap with baby daughter Donna in front ofthe Busy Corner Drug Store. Notice the old Montuzuma Hotel in reflection in the window. the terrible red streak was just the coke syrup from the rim ofthe barrel. In those days coke had to be mixed from a syrup at the soda fountain. For most of Hap's life, he worked in law enforcement. He was a warm, friendly man - salty and outspoken, an unfailing champion of people, causes and principles he believed in. As a very young man, he served as undersheriff in the county. In the late 1930's Hap as in the first class of cadets to originate the Colorado State Patrol - then called "The Colorado Courtesy Patrol." In those days you went where the job was, so Hap was stationed in various cities around the state while Vi stayed in Burlington and taught school. Their summers were spent with their daughters, Donna and Bonnie, wherever Hap was stationed at the time. It was in the winter of 1938 that Hap rode a motorcycle for over ten hours through a severe snow storm to reach Bur- E.G. "Hap" Ormsbee in the 1920's. " . . it came to me that those old hardbitten patriots (Jefferson, Adams, Franklin laid the very foundations upon which our houses, schools, churches, yes, even our government stands today. If there is a crack or crumble in any of those old foundations, I'm sure with the little patience and time' those cracks will be reinforced and covered over and be just as strong and sturdy as they were the day Betsy Ross cut up a pair of somebody's old red drawers and sewed the first stitches in Old Glory . . So, I'm sure that if you will take along your patience and education and blend in a great big hunk of integrity, well, I know you will make it okay." This quote was taken from a speech given by Earl G. "Hap" Ormsbee to the graduating high school seniors. The precepts he was impressing upon those young folks "Patience, Education, and a Big Hunk of Integrity" were concepts that he and his wife "Vi" lived and worked with throughout their lives. Hap's parents, George and Mae (Luther) Ormsbee, moved from Smith County, Kansas to a ranch south of Burlington and, later, into town. Vi's Great-Grandfather, John Glass, lington. You see, the inoculation for di- Hap Ormsbee in 1962 when he was Sherriff of Kit Carson County. and Grandparents, E.G. Davis Sr. and Leah, came to Colorado from Wales by way of Macon County, Missouri. They settled on a ranch near the Republican River in 1887. Vi's father, Griff, grew up there. Hap and Violet May Davis were married on August 2L, L928, in Arriba. For several years after their marriage, Hap operated the Busy Corner Drug Store in Burlington. It was located on the corner of 14th and Senter streets where Standish Drug later stood and Marion Shoe Store now stands. The day his baby daughter, Donna, rode her kiddy-car down the basement steps and landed in a "Coke" barrel will never be forgotten. When Hap rushed down the steps and grabbed her up, he found a terrible steak of red running across her stomach. When Donna and Hap reached the daylight it was discovered that phtheria had just been invented and many had not taken advantage of its benefit. His youngest daughter, Bonnie, along with others in the county had contracted the disease. After he resigned from the Patrol, he was with the Division of Internal Security of the Federal Government until World War II ended. After the war, the family returned to Burlington. For awhile Hap owned a liquor store and Vi taught in the elementary school. As Sheriff of Kit Carson County, he especially tried to guide young people in the right direction for he knew the future ofour county and nation would depend on them. The proof of his ability is that he was one of the few Democratic candidates ever to be elected in Kit Carson County. Vi's grandfather Davis was a member of the first set of Kit Carson County officers and served as County Commissioner. Her father later served as sheriff as well as being a business man. Vi also believed in "Patience, Education and a a Big Hunk of Integrity". She taught school for many years. Her initial �position was teaching Reading in grades 3-8 in Stratton. She taught two years in a rural school where one of the duties listed in her contract wag to keep the etudent'e horses tied in the barn. One of her early salaries was for tional Tech School at Goodland, KS. in 1979, and graduated with a Kansas license in Cosmetology. Afterwards she returned to Omaha and worked as telephone operator at Teem Telephone Co. for a few months; also worked at Dellen Laboratories as Vetcrinary Technician. In 1981 she moved back to Denver, CO. and worked as hairdresger for one year at Michael of the Carlyle. After mariage Dennis andJean made their home in Burlington, CO. and both work at Orth's Dept. Store. He works as Aest. Manager (Buyer of men's wear), and she is also Asst. Manager (Buyer of ladies apparel and Clerk). Their son, Sterling David, was born August 12, 1986. Dennis enjoys sailing, goose and duck hunting, and yardwork. Jean enjoys sailing, English and West€rn horse riding, sewing, teaching dogs obedience, and training and judging show dogs. $800 a year. After Hap and Vi raised their two daughters, she went back to college and earned her M.A. in Adminietration and Supervision of the Elementary school. She did additional work in Special Education at the graduate level. Vi wae the first president of the Burlington Education Aesociation. She was a member of the Burlington Women's club and Garden Club, and served on the Burlington Public Library Board. Vi was a charter member of the local chapter of the Association for Children with Learning disabilitiee and served on the stat€ advisory board after she retired from teaching. Even though her chapter was at least a three hour drive each way, she never missed the monthly board meetings. One month she beco-e ill enroute home and finished the trip from Limon in an embulance. Even after urging from the state president to stay home and regain her strength, she was back again for the next meeting, "rearin'to go". Her only by Dennis Orth Dennis and Jean Orth, Jan. 15, 1983 ORTH, HELMUTH AND FRANCES comment was, "Listen young man, these meetings are important and you can't talk me out of being here. Besides I have a lot of fun." "Patience, Education, and a Big Hunk of Integrity". Yes, Hap and Vi were the children of their pioneer forebears. If the pioneers of the future can live by these precepts, and not fall victim to the, "Why not? Everyone elee does." trap - "Well, I know you will make it (LAMPE) F489 okay." Hap died on July 13, 1963, from a stroke. Vi died June 23, 1975, from heart failure. They have four grandchildren: Robbie Fearon is a teacher, Mike Vance is a farmer, Shelley Laudenschlager ig an attorney and Wade Laudenschlager is a pharmacist. Their three great-grandchildren are: Kacy Fealon, Annie Vance and Griff Vance. by Bonnie R. Laudenschlager ORTH, DENNIS AND JEAN Sterling David Orth, t year old F488 Dennis Deloy Orth was born in St. Francis, KS, on March 10, 1949, to Helmuth and Frances (Lampe) Orth. He has one sister, JoEllen (Mrs. Tim Beattie). Dennis attended elementary school in St. Francis until fifth grade, then moved to Burlington, CO. with his family, and graduated from Burlington High School in 1967. He attended Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, CO., for two years, graduated in 1969, with an L.A. degree in General Education, then continued his schooling at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO., graduated in 1972, with a B.A. degree in Education. In 1973 he and a friend traveled four months, January to April, in Europe through Greece, Turkey, Austria, Germany, Holland, France, England, and Belgium. For three years, 1973-76, he worked for his father at Orth's Dept. Store in Burlington. In 1977, Dennis, a cousin, and friend traveled for three months, January to March, in South America through Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Jnmaica, and Bahamas. After the trip, he worked again at Orth's Dept. Store. In 1979 he went to Baha, Mexico, and sailed with his sister, JoEllen, and Tim Beattie for three weeks along the coast on Tim's 44 ft. boat. Dennis manied Jean Yvonne Heider on Januar5r 15, 1983, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington. She was born Septem- ber 16, 1951, to Lou and Vera Heider, in Omaha, NE. She attended St. Paul's Lutheran School, grades 3-8, and North High School in Omaha, graduated in 1969. After graduation Jean attended the University of Neb. School of Technical Agriculture for two years at Curtis, NE. and received a certification in Veterinary Technology. She moved to Denver, CO. and worked for three years at the Golden Animal Hospital in Golden, CO. also worked at the Westminster Veterinary Clinic four years, L974-78, before moving to Burlington, CO. in 1978, and worked at the Burlington Industrial Bank for eight months. She attended the Northwest Kansas Voca- Helmuth and Frances Orth Oct. 23, 1984. Helmuth Karl Orth was born July 4,L922, son of Karl and Elizabeth (Heinie) Orth on a farm southwest of St. Francis, KS. He was the fourth child with three brothers: Richard, Oscar and Herbert, and two sisters: Alinda (Mrs. Ted Burr) and Waunita, all of whom are deceased. Helmuth was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church northwest of St. Francis. He attended the Walker countrv school and graduated from the St. Francii High School in L942. He farmed with his father and brother-in-law, Ted Burr, until he was called to serve his country for eighteen months, 1946-47. Most of that time was spent in Germany. When he returned, he farmed again. On April 4, 1948, he married Frances Lampe at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. �Francie. Frances Emma La-pe was born December 16, 1923, to Henry and Lydia (Walz) Lampe on a farm twelve miles west and two south of St. Francis. She was the fourth child with two eisters: Ella (Mrs. Bus Johnson) and Nina (Mrs. Harold Raile), and two brothers: Leland and Harvey. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, fourteen miles southwest of St. Francis. She attended parochial school here, also Pleasant Hill and East Gurney schools, graduated in 1937. Later she earned her High School diploma by correspondence. Frances went to Denver, CO. after gradua- tion and worked for Montgomery Ward and Co. in the Mail Order transferring office. She later worked at Stapleton Airport as a Roto- Bin-Clerk, where they modified B-29 airplanes during the war. Her brother, Leland, was in the service and when Harvey was called to serve his country, she went back home to help her parents with the farmwork. After marriage, Hehnuth and Frances built a new home and lived at 521 S. Scott in St. Francis. They have two children: Dennis Deloy, born March 10, 1949; and JoEllen Sue, born November 2, L95L. Helmuth worked as a Laboratory Technician for the Bureau of Reclnmation from 1948 to 1951, while Bonny Dam, Hale, CO, was being built. It was completed in 1951. He then worked for P.M.A. until 1953, when he and Frances decided to go into business for themselves. They built and operated the Dairy King and two and one-half years later built the A.&W. Rootbeer, leasing it out. In the Spring of 1959, they sold both establishments and moved to Burlington, CO. In August they opened Orth's Skogmo Store, now Orth's Dept. Store, which they still own and operate. Their son Dennis, and wife Jean, are in the business with them. Dennis married Jean Yvonne Heider of Omaha, NE. They have one child, Sterling David, born August 12, 1986. JoEllen maried Timothy Beattie of Aukland, New Zealand. Helmuth and Frances both like, to play bridge, and enjoy fishing and golfing. Frances was the "Lucky Ace" to get the first "Holein-One" on Burlington's new golf course, July 31, 1973. No one will beat that! They both enjoy traveling, and have traveled the U.S. from East to West, North to South, including Hawaii, nine foreign countries and islands, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Africa, Canari Islands, Bahama Islands, Germany, Canada, and Mexico. They have been to some beautiful places, but still like the Good Old U.S.A. by Frances Orth OSTROWSKI, JOSEF AND FRANCES F490 1909 Homeetead Days ofJosefand Frances Ostrowski and family in Kit Carson County, Flagler, Colorado. Josef Ostrowski and Frances (Groffin) Ostrowski were born and raised in Jarnova, Poland. Josef learned the plumbing trade in Jarnova. Theycnme toBoston, Mass. in 1887, then on to the southern states to find work. They worked in the cotton fields picking cotton in Miesissippi, Alabo-a and Texas for several years. Later the family moved to St. Paul Minnesota where Josef worked with a plumber, digging trenches and laying pipe. He came to Flagler, Colorado in 1909 and took a homestead 1872 miles northwest of Flagler in Kit Carson County. His wife Frances and their two youngest sons, Vincent, age l0 years old and John, aged 12 years old made the trip to Colorado July 4, 1910 to their new home. Joeef worked in Denver during the winter months to buy a team of horses and two cows, also what machinery he needed to farm with. Josef and Frances lived on the farm until Frances passed away in 1935. Josef passed away in 1941. Vincent, the youngest son, spent his early years helping his father improve and farm the land. His father suffered a stroke while working in Denver in he early days, which left his arm paralyzed. Vincent married a neighbor girl, Cecilia Andrewjeski, on November 3, 1931. They bought the home place and raised their 5 children there. They have retired now and their sons Robert and Js-es have taken over the farm. by Cecilia Ostrowski Lorraine manied George A. Simon, son of George R. and Ruth Simon of Seibert on November 17, 1946. They moved from Flagler in 1955. Marian lived with D.V. Rowden fanily and graduated from Flagler High School. She died of leukemia in 1951. Fred and Agnes farmed with her father for five years before they bought what was to become Otteman's Cash Store in 1950. The brick building on Main Street in Flagler was built in about 1911 and has housed not only a store but the Flagler News, the Flagler Post Office, and later the First National Bank of Flagler. The building had apartments upstairs that many young couples started out in. The apartments are now closed and the bank has moved into their own building. The USDA Soil Conservation Service now is housed in the building. Fred continued to develop the locker and meat business by building the slaughter house in South Flagler in 1963. All four of their children, Gail, Carl, Marla and Mark, became familiar with the business, helping in all phases. Daughters, Gail and Marla, became school teachers and son, Carl,. graduated with a degree in Business Admin- istration and is the Business Manager at LaJunta Medical Center in Lalunta, Colorado. After Fred closed out the grocery business OTTEMAN FAMILY F491 Frederick A. Otteman and Lillian Rathert were married in Colorado Springs, May 19, 1921. Mr. Otteman was an immigrant from in 1978 and concentrated on the meat business, son Mark graduated from Colorado State University and joined his father in the family business becoming the third generation Otteman to become a Flagler businessman. When Fred died of cancer in 1980, Mark bought the family business and continues to Germany and his wife was born and raised in Kansas. They moved to Flagler soon after their marriage. They owned farmland in both Lincoln County and Kit Carson County. This land was rented out for farming. Mr. Otteman became a Flagler businessman when he opened a bakery with a partner by the nnme of Mr. Werner. Mr. Otteman had suffered a sunstroke at an earlier age and became a familiar sight walking downtown from the family home on Main Street carrying his black umbrella. The fanily was very active in Zion Lutheran Church in Flagler. Mrs. Otteman was a renowned cook and baker and during the 30's when the bakery closed, she maintained her family by baking in her home. operate it. Agnes worked as Public Health Nurse for Kit Carson County for thirteen years before she accepted the new position in 1979 with Centennial Mental Health Center to provide Elizabeth died in infancy. Daughters, The horse was so was the rider. It was 5fi) miles from -Peru, Nebraska to They were parents of four children. Mary Lorraine and Marian, not only helped their mother in the kitchen but delivered the baked goods to homes in Flagler. Son, Fred, also helped his mother in the kitchen. During the 30's Mr. Otteman bought seed wheat for his renters to plant back when they failed to raise enough for seed. The mother died in 1941, leaving a young family. The father died in 1943, leaving the youngest, Marian, still in high school. Lorraine and Fred had graduated from Flagler High School by that time. Lorraine entered St. Lukes Hospital School of Nursing in Denver. Fred (algo Frederick A. Otteman) joined the Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Colohan as an Electrician's Mate. After the end of the war, Fred married Agnes Huntzinger, daughter of Sidney V. and Gerda Huntzinger on December 2, 1945. Fred's wife, Agnes, and sister, Lorraine, both graduated from St. Lukes Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. the geriatrics nursing for the Center for Region V, a position she still holds in 1986. by Agnes Otteman PAGE, FRED AND AGNES F4S2 jagged Flagler, Colorado, and Fred Page with all his property tied behind the saddle had followed the trail by the Rock Island Railroad to Rice's place in Flagler. There he had applied for a homestead, was to bring his bride - a school teacher also from Nebraska Agnes Black - and on that Blank - Page and that bleak prairie, write the story of their family. They would shove three homestead shacks together, plaster the out- side and build a house and a home for themselveg and the five children of their marriage - Betty, Margaret, Avis, Agnes and Don. But if the prairie and the structure of their house was bleak, their home was fun, warm, cultured and varied. Fred had been a semi-orphan, living with anyone who had work to do in exchange for board and room. He was immensely proud of his wife and family and constantly reminded them how lucky he felt to have them. Far � 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- N&O Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Briefs histories of founding families of Kit Carson County whose names start with "N" and "O." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:505 2020-03-23T10:13:05Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/505/Families-P_Q.pdf 1d2cd9f4732e71f40080e30b3e7ad2e7 PDF Text Text Francie. Frances Emma La-pe was born December 16, 1923, to Henry and Lydia (Walz) Lampe on a farm twelve miles west and two south of St. Francis. She was the fourth child with two eisters: Ella (Mrs. Bus Johnson) and Nina (Mrs. Harold Raile), and two brothers: Leland and Harvey. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, fourteen miles southwest of St. Francis. She attended parochial school here, also Pleasant Hill and East Gurney schools, graduated in 1937. Later she earned her High School diploma by correspondence. Frances went to Denver, CO. after gradua- tion and worked for Montgomery Ward and Co. in the Mail Order transferring office. She later worked at Stapleton Airport as a Roto- Bin-Clerk, where they modified B-29 airplanes during the war. Her brother, Leland, was in the service and when Harvey was called to serve his country, she went back home to help her parents with the farmwork. After marriage, Hehnuth and Frances built a new home and lived at 521 S. Scott in St. Francis. They have two children: Dennis Deloy, born March 10, 1949; and JoEllen Sue, born November 2, L95L. Helmuth worked as a Laboratory Technician for the Bureau of Reclnmation from 1948 to 1951, while Bonny Dam, Hale, CO, was being built. It was completed in 1951. He then worked for P.M.A. until 1953, when he and Frances decided to go into business for themselves. They built and operated the Dairy King and two and one-half years later built the A.&W. Rootbeer, leasing it out. In the Spring of 1959, they sold both establishments and moved to Burlington, CO. In August they opened Orth's Skogmo Store, now Orth's Dept. Store, which they still own and operate. Their son Dennis, and wife Jean, are in the business with them. Dennis married Jean Yvonne Heider of Omaha, NE. They have one child, Sterling David, born August 12, 1986. JoEllen maried Timothy Beattie of Aukland, New Zealand. Helmuth and Frances both like, to play bridge, and enjoy fishing and golfing. Frances was the "Lucky Ace" to get the first "Holein-One" on Burlington's new golf course, July 31, 1973. No one will beat that! They both enjoy traveling, and have traveled the U.S. from East to West, North to South, including Hawaii, nine foreign countries and islands, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Africa, Canari Islands, Bahama Islands, Germany, Canada, and Mexico. They have been to some beautiful places, but still like the Good Old U.S.A. by Frances Orth OSTROWSKI, JOSEF AND FRANCES F490 1909 Homeetead Days ofJosefand Frances Ostrowski and family in Kit Carson County, Flagler, Colorado. Josef Ostrowski and Frances (Groffin) Ostrowski were born and raised in Jarnova, Poland. Josef learned the plumbing trade in Jarnova. Theycnme toBoston, Mass. in 1887, then on to the southern states to find work. They worked in the cotton fields picking cotton in Miesissippi, Alabo-a and Texas for several years. Later the family moved to St. Paul Minnesota where Josef worked with a plumber, digging trenches and laying pipe. He came to Flagler, Colorado in 1909 and took a homestead 1872 miles northwest of Flagler in Kit Carson County. His wife Frances and their two youngest sons, Vincent, age l0 years old and John, aged 12 years old made the trip to Colorado July 4, 1910 to their new home. Joeef worked in Denver during the winter months to buy a team of horses and two cows, also what machinery he needed to farm with. Josef and Frances lived on the farm until Frances passed away in 1935. Josef passed away in 1941. Vincent, the youngest son, spent his early years helping his father improve and farm the land. His father suffered a stroke while working in Denver in he early days, which left his arm paralyzed. Vincent married a neighbor girl, Cecilia Andrewjeski, on November 3, 1931. They bought the home place and raised their 5 children there. They have retired now and their sons Robert and Js-es have taken over the farm. by Cecilia Ostrowski Lorraine manied George A. Simon, son of George R. and Ruth Simon of Seibert on November 17, 1946. They moved from Flagler in 1955. Marian lived with D.V. Rowden fanily and graduated from Flagler High School. She died of leukemia in 1951. Fred and Agnes farmed with her father for five years before they bought what was to become Otteman's Cash Store in 1950. The brick building on Main Street in Flagler was built in about 1911 and has housed not only a store but the Flagler News, the Flagler Post Office, and later the First National Bank of Flagler. The building had apartments upstairs that many young couples started out in. The apartments are now closed and the bank has moved into their own building. The USDA Soil Conservation Service now is housed in the building. Fred continued to develop the locker and meat business by building the slaughter house in South Flagler in 1963. All four of their children, Gail, Carl, Marla and Mark, became familiar with the business, helping in all phases. Daughters, Gail and Marla, became school teachers and son, Carl,. graduated with a degree in Business Admin- istration and is the Business Manager at LaJunta Medical Center in Lalunta, Colorado. After Fred closed out the grocery business OTTEMAN FAMILY F491 Frederick A. Otteman and Lillian Rathert were married in Colorado Springs, May 19, 1921. Mr. Otteman was an immigrant from in 1978 and concentrated on the meat business, son Mark graduated from Colorado State University and joined his father in the family business becoming the third generation Otteman to become a Flagler businessman. When Fred died of cancer in 1980, Mark bought the family business and continues to Germany and his wife was born and raised in Kansas. They moved to Flagler soon after their marriage. They owned farmland in both Lincoln County and Kit Carson County. This land was rented out for farming. Mr. Otteman became a Flagler businessman when he opened a bakery with a partner by the nnme of Mr. Werner. Mr. Otteman had suffered a sunstroke at an earlier age and became a familiar sight walking downtown from the family home on Main Street carrying his black umbrella. The fanily was very active in Zion Lutheran Church in Flagler. Mrs. Otteman was a renowned cook and baker and during the 30's when the bakery closed, she maintained her family by baking in her home. operate it. Agnes worked as Public Health Nurse for Kit Carson County for thirteen years before she accepted the new position in 1979 with Centennial Mental Health Center to provide Elizabeth died in infancy. Daughters, The horse was so was the rider. It was 5fi) miles from -Peru, Nebraska to They were parents of four children. Mary Lorraine and Marian, not only helped their mother in the kitchen but delivered the baked goods to homes in Flagler. Son, Fred, also helped his mother in the kitchen. During the 30's Mr. Otteman bought seed wheat for his renters to plant back when they failed to raise enough for seed. The mother died in 1941, leaving a young family. The father died in 1943, leaving the youngest, Marian, still in high school. Lorraine and Fred had graduated from Flagler High School by that time. Lorraine entered St. Lukes Hospital School of Nursing in Denver. Fred (algo Frederick A. Otteman) joined the Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Colohan as an Electrician's Mate. After the end of the war, Fred married Agnes Huntzinger, daughter of Sidney V. and Gerda Huntzinger on December 2, 1945. Fred's wife, Agnes, and sister, Lorraine, both graduated from St. Lukes Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. the geriatrics nursing for the Center for Region V, a position she still holds in 1986. by Agnes Otteman PAGE, FRED AND AGNES F4S2 jagged Flagler, Colorado, and Fred Page with all his property tied behind the saddle had followed the trail by the Rock Island Railroad to Rice's place in Flagler. There he had applied for a homestead, was to bring his bride - a school teacher also from Nebraska Agnes Black - and on that Blank - Page and that bleak prairie, write the story of their family. They would shove three homestead shacks together, plaster the out- side and build a house and a home for themselveg and the five children of their marriage - Betty, Margaret, Avis, Agnes and Don. But if the prairie and the structure of their house was bleak, their home was fun, warm, cultured and varied. Fred had been a semi-orphan, living with anyone who had work to do in exchange for board and room. He was immensely proud of his wife and family and constantly reminded them how lucky he felt to have them. Far �from having the stereotyped upbringing we hear of the times, he taught his girls they could be anything they were willing to work @\t lilnitril frtuttx uf Arnlriru, to be. itro sll to nfion tlrrr yrurrrlt r$ull romr, 6nrting: I especially remember his sitting down at the head of the table, looking from face to face about it thoughtfully and saying, "How lucky is the man who can come home to this at the end of a day's work." Agnes, despite the grinding hard work of a ranch wife, the extremely meticulous care of a son with cardiac anomaly (who did far better than anyone dared to let them hope) maintained an atmosphere of joy and some time for music, literature and fun. This couples' interests were their family, Agnes'family, their ranch, and their community. They backed everything they felt was good for the community school, - church, recreation grounds, the country club (twelve farnilies who would eat and spend the day together once monthly 100 - sometimee persons). He the Democratic party, she the Republican. They were interested in friends and neighbors. The doctor's family, the teachers, the bankers, the immigrants who talked with a brogue and dressed funny, the new neighbors from Missouri that were so abrasive no other neighbors dealt with them, the "old maid" who struggled to farm alone, the man who advertised for a wife and got one as socially inadequate as he, the man who had had both legs cut off by a train yet was cheerful and independent. WHEREAS' a Certlffcate of the Reglster of the Land ofice at liuGo, 0oLORADot hs bosn deposilod In tho General Land ofrce' wh€reby it app0a,3 that' pursuant to the Act of Congro$ of ]{ry 20r 1862, ,'To S€cure Homcsteads to Actual Settlerc or tho Publlc Domaln"' and tho act! supplemontal th€f€tor the chlm of FilED TJ. PAGE har beon ostlbllsh€d rnd duly consummatodr In conformlty to law, for tho NORIHEAST QIJaRTER oF s€cTl ON Nl NE- TEEN I N TOWNSHI P EI GHT SUUTh OF RANGE FI FTY WEST Of IhE $I XTIT PRI NCI PAL ME- Bl0tAN, 0oLoRAoo, 0oNrAtNlNG oNE nuNDRE0 SIxTY A0riES, accordlng to the 0fficlal Plat of tho Survey of the.sld [rnd, returned to the GEIIERA! tAt{D OtFlCE by the Suneyor-ienenl: t{ow Kllow YE, That there ls, therefore, gnnted by the UNITED STATES unto th€ sld chlmant thc tnct of Land abovo dsr$lbsdi T0 IIAVE Al{D T0 tloLD the said tract of [and, with the appurienances lhereof' unto tho sld claimant and to the holrs and assigns of the sid claimant forever; subject to any vested and accrued wat6r rlghts for mining' agrlcultuml, manrfacturlnt, of oth€r pu.poselr and rights t0 ditch$ and resenolrs ussd In connection wlth such wator righls' a! may bo recognizod and acknowledgod bytho local customs' laws' and decislons 0f courtsi and lhero ls resened from tho lands hereby granted' a tight of way theroon for dltche8 0r canals conrtructod by tho authorlty of the United Statos, This couple who met in a graveyard at Peru, Nebraska, have met at one in Flagler, Colorado. I miss them when it's Sunday night calling time. I miss them when it storms and we'd be out rounding up the cattle. I misg ll{ TESTIM0I{Y WHERE0f' l, them when I'm disappointed and want a warm place to relax or when I'm proud and know if I brag it's o.k. a little, - they'll brag too. But that is not strange we are only allowed two parents apiece. rJ I LL I Alrt fi. TAFT Prcsldent 0t tho Unltod Siat$ of Amorlm, havc caused theso letisn to bo mrdo Pddf, ud th! sed oflts Crn.nl lr"i{ n6.. lo hci!ruto.Rr./ - GIYEN undor my hand, rr tho clty of Ytuhlngton, llvEt{TY'tlfTll In the yoar of our Lord ono thou&nd day of by Avis Bray M.D. the 'UI.Y nlne hundred and TWELVE Unitod states the one hundred rnd rnd of tho Indeosndonco of thc THIRTY-SEVEi{TH' PAGE, FRED J. AND AGNES F493 One of the reasons life was far simpler in the very early 1900's was that the range of choices in career planning (or any other planning, for that matter) was extremely limited. Therefore, when Margaret Agnes Blank, a native of Creighton (Knox County) Nebraska decided that it was time to improve her teaching skills with a college education her decision as to the location of the college was already made. Nebraska had only one state supported college and it was at Peru on the Missouri River south of Nebraska City Peru State Normal as teachers colleges were then called "Normals." She, as many others, had taught in one room country schools after completion of the 10th grade and had then gone back and finished high school. Now she was ready for an education that would make it possible to teach in "town" schools. In college at Peru she met a young man, a native of Peru, also attending but part-time as he was an orphan and, in addition to himself, was supporting a younger sister. By the year Agnes graduated, 1907, they were RECoRDED, Paton'rumber 286091 Fred J. Page Land Patent. engaged - but not in the near future for he, Fred Joseph Page, was leaving the same week of her graduation to go to Flagler, Colorado in order to look over possible homesteads. He found one about five miles northeast of town and promptly took out papers to improve and claim. She, in the meantime, taught in such "city" schools as Fremont and others in Nebraska, all the time saving (as this Scotswoman would always do) for the day they would marry and need start-up money very badly indeed. Meanwhile, back at the ranch between 1907 and 1913, Fred "improved" the 160 acre claim and built a 12 x 16 structure in which he "batched" when not going back to Nebraska to visit Agnes. Most of his time, however, was working (a) on his own place from early morning darkness to late evening darkness or (b) for neighbors, working the same hours for one dollar a day. He was pretty much a stand- by hired hand for the Robbs, Schwins, Kliewers and others - known, Among other reasons, for his strength and endurance. By the spring of 1913, Agnes had the magnificent sum of 9265 saved and they were married at Creighton on March 8th of that year. The Creighton newspaper carried the story under the heading, "Blank-Page Nuptials." Fred, whose sense of humor owed little to sophistication, would comment in future years that he had looked for a wife but drew a Blank. The honeymoon was the train ride from Creighton to Flagler where fellow homesteader Aubrey Walker, with tea- and buggy, met them at the station and drove them to the farm-house Fred had rented (the "improvements" on the homestead did not �yet include a livable dwelling) for his bride. This house, 3% milee due west of town still stands and is now owned by Monty Strodes. On arrival, the new Mrs. Page joined the Congregational Church - Fred had been a charter member a few years earlier and also, at that time. President of the Christian Endeavor, the young people's society. In their leased home, Bethayne (Betty), now Mrs. Lloyd Robinson of Sandpoint, Idaho, was born in 1914 and Margaret, now Mrs. Fred Nemoede of Cambria, Calif., was born in 1915. Shortly after Margaret's birth the house was completed on the homestead and they moved to what was to become their permanent home until 1949. This home, by the way, was built in the following manner: first, Fred's original bachelor shack, 12 x 16, was attached to an identical structure on their long, i.e., 16 foot sides. Then a kitchendining area was added across the east end and a bedroom across the west end and an attic above. Pretty basic but fully as good as most and somewhat better than others as far as livability was concerned. The building no longer stands. Here, however, Avis was born in 1917, now Dr. Avis Bray of Concordia, Kansas, and Agnes was born in 1919, now Mrs. Clair Loutzenhiser of Flagler. Not content with leaving well enough alone, thing holding this farm together is mortgages and baling wire and I think I just ran out of baling wire." It is difficult to find the slightest trace of self-pity there. In the 1940's crme war. came rains for the parched earth and came reasonable prices for cattle, land and farm products. They, like all of the others who had stuck it out. who had persevered, reached financial security bordering, in retrospect at least, prosperity. At the closing of the 1940's they moved into town, travelled a good deal and lived in comfort. Fred raised a garden that came near to supplying the entire town of Flagler. Agnes was on the Library Board until her death and they were in countless card and supper clubs. Fred, who had been born 2-10-85, died just two days before Thanksgiving in 1967. Agnes insisted on staying on and living alone, died on September 21, 1969. She had been born on 10-29-85. Their wish, now fulfilled, was to be buried side by side near old and dear friends in the Flagler Cemetery. by Donald Page PAINE, MARY F494 Paine, and her daughter, Bertha Gulley, and her family. My Grandma Paine never forgot her first morning on the prairie. She awoke early and went outside for a look at the country she was to call her home. She had never seen a mirage, as she had always lived in wooded areas. On this morning the mirage was very clear; trees and water appeared on the horizon. She had not noticed them the evening before and thought what a pretty place this was. She went back in the house to eat her breakfast and then went back outside to find that the trees and water had di- sappeared and only the sage, tall prairie grass and soap weeds remained, stretching into the far horizon. She wrote ofthis to her youngest daughter, Mary, in Missouri. Upon reading it, Aunt Mary burst into tears and said, "I knew poor old Ma would go crazy if she went way out there!" Far from going crazy, Mary soon becane known as a dear little old lady who knew a lot about cures and medicine. She had cures for most ailments such as, 6amphor for nervousness to different teas for "Summer Complaint". She assisted at the birth of many ' babies and with all childhood diseases. Grandma seemed to have a little ESP, although that erpression was unheard of then. Her daughters often told of their Donald (now of Placerville, Calif.) was born inL924. All five attended first through 12th grades in Flagler. Incidentally, Avis becnme the only female graduate of Flagler High School to go on to become an M.D. The Pages were unique in some respects. First of all, they were Democrats and while this did not actually qualify as a disgrace, it did prove unorthodox in the extreme. Secondly, Fred did not like to farm at all - his mother getting out of bed one night at involved 400 to 450 head of Herefords and around 75 Percherons and riding (Quarter) horses. Going back to the subject of Democrats for a moment, while it would be untrue to state that all Flagler Democrats could be wild geraniums reaching out as far as the road. This patch of ground, when in bloom, was a solid orange-red. Grandma never midnight and starting to dress. She explained that a neighbor lady, who had a three day old baby, had just died and she was going to get the baby. When they ask her how she knew, she said that the woman's soul had just passed over the house crying, "Take care of my baby", and that is just what she did. I spent many days with Grandma while my mom helped Dad with field work. She always had plenty of time for me and was never anything but kind. By then she was in her sixties and had given up most of her doctoring. My mother, Bertha Gulley, took her place in tending the sick. In Grandma's yard there grew a patch of love was raising Hereford cattle and Percheron horses. Farming was only a necessary evil to help keep mortgage payments made. From their basic 160 acre homestead, a ranch close to 5,000 acres evolved, some of it, of course, leased land. Peak production years probably wanted any of these flowers picked. She was as proud of them as she would have been of a garden of tame flowers. Not many flowers counted on one hand, you could count them on two hands with a finger or two left over. From up north there were the Ja-eses and Moores. Cloeer in were the Walkers, the Pages, the Robbs. In town, the Borlands and, later, the T. Guards and finally the one, the only and the inimitable Leroy Cuckow - and if you weren't already on somewhat shaky ground even being a Democrat, having Cuckow among your number pretty much were planted and grown in those days. However, the prairie was beautiful in the early summer with the wild pink phlox growing all over the sandhills, the clumps of purple sweet peas, the white sand lilies, and the tall spikes of bluebells. The blue-gray sage added it's fragrance to the land. Grandma and I would take longwalks and pickhugh bouquets. Mary Paine died on March 2,L935, during the "dust bowl" days. Inside our homes, dust fixed you. The 1930's with the double-wha-my of drought and depression, touched this family just as hard, but no harder, than countless other farmers and ranchers. They, like the others, lived nlmost devoid of cash income and hung on by the skin of their teeth for a very simple reason: there was virtually nothing else that could be done and pride in self-reliance would not tolerate quitters. But there were unusual aspects to those terribly, terribly hard days. There was damned little self-pity. People laughed, they cared for and about each other. There was a tremendous "we're all in the same boat" attitude among the people. Hardships could actually produce humor - I remember how frequently Fred quoted a neighbor's statement that "the only Bertha Gulley and her mother, Mary Paine, at the home of Opal Boger at Vona in 1930. covered everything; the food, furniture, clothing, etc. After the wind stilled, about My grandmother, Mary Eliza Castor, was born in Dublin, Indiana on March 28, L846. Before her 18th birthday she was a wife, a mother, and a widow. At the age of nineteen sundown, we would sweep down the walls and curtains and shake out the bedcovers getting as much ofthe dust as we could onto the floor then sweep it up into piles and scoop it out. At the time of my Grandma Paine's death, we had to hold a sheet across her bed to keep the she married Dr. John Paine. He was a country doctor and his practice extended many miles, centering around Hutton Valley, Missouri. After their marriage, Mary often accompanied him on his calls to visit the sick. Many times she remained in the patient's home to care for them. Dr. Paine died in 1900 and in 1909 Mary came to the Stratton area with her son, Oscar dust out of her eyes and mouth. At her funeral, the dirt was terrible and we could hardly see to leave the cemetery. She was buried at Kirk beside her two sons Oscar and Claude. by Opal Boger �PAINTIN, GAROLD AND JEAN F495 Garold is a native of Stratton but I was transplanted from Towner, Colorado to Bird City, Kansas and rural Cheyenne County, Kansas then back to Seibert, Colorado before my parents, Lawrence and Clara McGriff put down roots. Garold and I were married in the First Methodist Church at Colorado Springs, Colorado August 20, L949. Garolds parents, George and Agnes Paintin and my parents had instilled the knowledge ofhard work in both ofus. They gave us their blessings. Our first home for our ranching career was the little two room house across the river east Tony married Susie Knodel, daughter of Ruth and Lawrence Knodel of Burlington. They are the parents of Christina Elizabeth, Kathleen Renae, and Lisa Ann. Marilyn married David Cranmer of Colorado Springs and they have a daughter, Julie Marie and a son, Williem Scott. We are enjoying the privilege of being grandparents and look forward to years to come. by Jean Paintin PAINTIN, GEORGE AND AGNES F496 of the Paintin parents on the Elzy Newby property. We had no electricity or running water but we did have a battery operated radio. There were no clothes closets except the two nails on the back ofthe door. I vowed to change that. My knowledge of the carpentry trade began with the process of putting my closet together. Dad Paintin appeared and gave me some help along with some good advice. He said "it is never to expensive, if you do it yourself'. Garold served in the U.S. Army for two in the Army attached to the Air Force. Our daughter, Marilyn Sue was born while we the England Air Force Base at Alexandria, Louisiana. We cs-e home in February 1956. While we were traveling with the Army the cattle prices were down and the dirt wae blowing here. Joe Paintin had taken our 'cattle to his place north of Burlington. He put up thistles and anything else available for a feed supply but eventually had to sell most Waterwas piped in from the adobe wellhouse easier. A traveling salesman cnme with a new Home Comfort cookstove. This beauty was soon installed in the new kitchen. A new gas engine Deluxe Maytag washing machine caught Dad's eye. This machine served the Leo and Agnes Paintin Wedding picture, Oct. 14, were gone. We moved a mobile home in to be close by to help. After his death January 16, 1908, Hill City, Kansas. 1957, we purchased the home place and George Edward Paintin and Agnes Elizabeth Garner began their life together October 14, 1908 at Hill City, Kansas. Their first four years were spent near Morland, Kansas. Letters came to them from Agnes' brother, Joe Garner and his wife Susie. They had come to Colorado in August 1911 and settled on a claim ten miles north and two miles west of We started their music education early. Tony decided two years was long enough for him but Marilyn continued studying piano and organ with Lola Kechter for nine years. The flute was her band instrument. She participated with music in Church and school. She continues enjoying music by teaching. Marilyn and Tony both loved horses. Several years were spent as members of the Country 4-H Club. We were all members of the original Stratton Roping Club. I enjoyed the Stratton Homemakers Extension Club membership. Our carpentry skills learned over the years were put to use when we built our new home in 1977. catalog. Nothing was wasted. Quilt tops were made from new scraps and used material was made into braided rugs. This machine lasted her a life time. Trees were planted in the early years. Water was carried to them to insure their life. Some are still standing today. A large garden was planted yearly with the surplus being preserved for winter use. Butchering, curing and canning their meat was an annual event. to a gink with an outside drain to make life of them. two years. were purchased at the Fuller General Store in Stratton or from the Montgomery Ward and Doris. Leroy died at birth. About 1919 they had outgrown the little sod house so a new four room adobe house was built. A new kitchen with a basement was added in 1929. were there. Six weeks later we were sent to after each event. Marilyn and Tony are both graduates of the Stratton High School. Marilyn also went on to graduate from Northeastern Junior College at Sterling, Colorado. She received the Jack Petty's award to help her thru the sewing machine made the job easier. Supplies The family grew to a total of ten children. Joe was their first born in Colorado followed by Ivan, Gladys, Leona, Leroy, Wilda, Garold Force Base at Mineral Wells, Texas. He wae fire in June 1963 made us count our blessings Aydelot, come to stay in with them. Mending was a never ending job. A prized possession of a new twelve dollar treadle Prairie chicken and cottontail rabbits occa- to Ft. Ord, California, then to Wolters Air Mother Paintin moved to Stratton. Our son Tony Ray was born April 6, 1957. A car accident with injuries to Garold and Marilyn in September 1959 and a disastrous from the cook and heating stoves. She worried about leaving the small children alone so she had a neighbor girl, Cora sionally changed the menu. When a new supply of lard was rendered any from the previous year was made into soap. years. He was inducted May 24, 1954 and sent Dad Paintin's health had failed while we Uncle Joe and Aunt Susie helped them get settled. Work began before dawn and ended at dusk. George returned to Kansas in the fall to pick the corn crop they had left behind.Agnes stayed behind to keep the chores done. She had to milk the cows, feed and water horses, pigs, and the chickens besides doing her everyday outside chores of getting in wood, cobs, water and carry out the ashes Stratton. They wrote of property that was available for reclaiming which joined them to the east. Along with their small daughter Eva and baby son Guy, they let their pioneer spirit guide them to Colorado in the summer of 1912. Most of their possessions along with the chickens were in one covered wagon and the other carried their beds and clothing. They trailed their milk cows behind. As they approached the property, they were impressed with the view. Behind them to the east was the dry Republican River and to the west were slightly rolling hills covered with knee high grass. They settled on the reclaimed quarter section of land. The property had a good well, a two room sod house, a lean-to barn and one scrawny tree. They traded one covered wagon to the fellow that held the claim on the land and he headed back east. family faithfully for years. A big red barn with a hayloft replaced the little lean-to barn. Their cattle herd started with a variety of breeds but progressed to be predominantly Black Angus. They carried the Quarter Circle Triangle brand. A herd of horses were kept for work and pleasure. At one time Dad sold horses to the U.S. Cavalry for extra money to pay the property taxes. After a long life of ranching and enjoying his children and grandchildren, Dad went to his heavenly home Januar5r 16, 1957. Mother went to join him on November 25, 1961. The original quarter section ofland grew to 1440 acres and was purchased by Garold. Their beginning created ten children, twenty four grand-children, forty five great grand-chil- dren and four great-great-grand-children thru May 1986. by Jean Paintin �PALMER, EUGENE AND SYLVIA helped start Dakota Bible College at Ar- lington. Eugene taught classes and Sylvia took classes. During his ministry at Lamar, Nebraska, their son, Eugene Rogeray Palmer was born Jan. 30, 1946. During his ministry (ROGERS) F4g7 at Burlington their son, Paul Andrew Palmer was born April 13, 1948, at Vona at the home of Harry and Amelia Howell with Dr. V.M. Hewitt the attending physician assisted by his wife, Edith Hewitt. We moved back to Vona in June 1948 and again Eugene preached for the Vona Church of Christ. He also did other jobs: section crew, plumbing jobs, ran the creem station, and they operated the Vona & Joes Telephone Exchange in Vona for several years until it went dial in 1958. In 1951 Eugene started working with the Colorado Dept. of Highways with the survey crew and retired from it in L972. Eugene Palmer family. L. to R.: Rogeray, Sylvia, Eugene, and Paul. Taken on their 25th Anniversary open house celebration on August 28, 1966. January 3, 1955, we had the misfortune of losing our frnme house in Vona and all its contents by fire without any insurance. Vona didn't have any fire truck then but within a few days they purchased one. By pick and shovel and wheel barrow, Eugene dug a basement and built a concrete block house, even making the blocks. He did this mornings Eugene Raymond Palmer and Sylvia June Rogers met at a Tri-County Christian Endeavor Rally at the Flagler Congregational Church in June, 1940, and were married at the Church of Christ Church - Christian in Vona, August 31, 1941, where he was ministpr. Sylvia and younger sister, Beulah, and their parents, Claude W. and Jane (Brennan) Rogers moved from Syracuse, Nebraska March 6, 1925. Claude came by immigrant car on the Rock Island Railroad and family by p$Fenger train to Flagler to take up residency at their farm at Saugus west - 6inmiles of Flagler but one mile over Lincoln County north of the R.R. where there had formerly been the Saugus General Store and Saugus Post Office. Her mother died May 29, 1930 of cancer. Her father remarried July 30, 1931 to Hester Holmes. They had five children: Claude, Marilyn, Paul, Donna, and Betty. The children attended the Arriba School. The family all attended the Arriba Christian Church. Sylvia recalls one bad dust storm of this and evenings and days off work from the highway. He never worked a bit on the house on Sundays. That day was for the church and family. Starting in Sept. 1981 Sylvia served as a school bus driver for four school terms on a north route from Vona. Starting Dec. 1, 1981 Sylvia also started driving the Senior Citizens'Bus, "The Road Runner," for Vona and Seibert. Both of our sons are married and living in Nebraska. We have three granddaughters and one grandson. We made a home for Sylvia's dad his last ten years of his life with us, ending July 22, 1984, at the age of 91. Note: Eugene passed away 1986. by Sylvia Palmer PANGBORN, HERSCHELL NAPOLEON AND JANE ELVINA BLAKE F498 Herschell and Jane Pangborn were married the eleventh day of September, 1867, in Maquoketa, Iowa. To this union were born While our boys were growing up we had our own milk cow, pigs, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, cats, calves, and a dog. The boys were in 4-H with rabbits and gardening projects. They also had paper routes intown- Denver Post and Grit. They helped with the chores and activities around the home and church. three sons and two daughters. Their youngest child, RoyJason, was born in Aurora, Nebras- They enjoyed the church, Vacation Bible blacksmith. He was born March 29, 1842, and died in Flagler in 1919. His wife, Jane, was born the second of March, 1849, and died in Flagler in 1925. Schools, camps, and rallies and all the sports in school besides band. After graduating from high school they each attended Platte Valley Bible College at Scottsbluff, Nebraska. After Eugene retired from the Highway Dept. he held ministries at Meeker and Mesa, Colorado, and Deming, New Mexico, from 1972 through L977. In January, 1978, he started serving the Vona church again and continues now in that capacity. He has also enjoyed gardening. He has two lovely large well-producing apple trees he started from seeds he plantpd in a flower pot one day while area when echool was let out early. The school bus had stopped at the R.R. crossing at Arriba and just start€d to move to cross when Sylvia saw the light of an approaching passenger train, No. 8, from the west and hollered at the bus driver. He stopped in time to avoid being hit. Seconds do make a difference sometimes between life and death. Be watchful! She recalls her worst work of childhood days was shaking and picking gray beetles off potato vines into a pan of distillate. She and Beulah piled up several gallons at the ends ofthe patch during the eeason. It was worth it; they did have a good crop. Sylvia worked at the Soil Conservation Office in Hugo a number of years aftcr graduation from high school. Eugene was the oldest of seven children born to Eugene Allen and Jessie Maria (Parsons) Palmer at Stamford, Nebr. His father was also a minister of the Christian Church. He died in 1928 and his mother in 1963. Eugene and Sylvia moved to Blunt, South Dakota, March I, 1942, to minister and eating an apple. The amazing thing to us is the difference in the fruit from these two trees, both are very good but different in color and shape. The Pangborn Ranch at Thurman, Colorado. ka, October 16, 1886, and when he was a young boy, the family moved to Colorado and settled first in Thurman, Washington County, Colorado, and later in Flagler, Colorado. Herschell was a farmer and a by Mrs. William E. Pangborn �Roy and Faye originally resided in Thurman and then later moved to Flagler, Colorado, and stayed with Roy's mother to help out after the death of his father. In 1924, they moved to Burlington, Colorado. Roy Jason Pangborn was born October 16, 1886, at Aurora, Nebraska, the youngest child Hergchell and Jane Pangborn (seated). TWo of their children, Addie and Roy Jason (standing). PANGBORN, ROY JASON AND FANNY zooI( F499 of Herschell N. and Jane (Blake) Pangborn. He had two brothers and two sisters. In 1906, he went to work for the Rock Island Railroad as fireman. He continued in this work for two or three years until the wreck of the Rock Island Flyer near Omaha. He did not return to this job after the wreck. Roy was a skilled mechanic and in October of 1918, shortly after his marriage, he enlist€d in the Coast Guard Artillery as a mechanic and served until his discharge on January 21, 1919. Roy worked as a mechanic in Flagler and again later in Burlington for the Anderson Motor Company and the Victory Garage. He played the violin and enjoyed music. He died of a heart attack in 1953. Faye Pangborn Ferguson was born Fanny s -v outing in 1928. garden, and tended a herd of milk cows, as large as 21 head at one time. Each of the family members had their own jobs. Faye and her sisters were responsible for milking the school. Faye always enjoyed learning and her favorite subject was math. She used it too! In her mid eighties, she could still tell you down to the penny the balance in her checkbook. She was a good manager. She was very frugal and never wasted anything. She was a good neighbor and friend and always shared what she had with others. Her garden was a good sanmple of this. Her green thumb and hard work always produced a bounty of fruits and attest to her ability and are cherished heirlooms of the family. She also enjoyed crocheting and took up china painting in her later years. Music has always been a part of Faye's life. Her second husband, Maurice E. (Mack) Roy and Fanny (Faye) Pangborn were united in marriage at Hugo, Colorado, June 27, L9L7 .They grew up together and attended the same country school. To this union was born one son, Willinm E., on July 23, 1919, in the sod house of Faye's parents, Jonathan and Barbara 7,ook, aI Thurman, Colorado. F500 French, and German origin. They lived on a farm, planted wheat, corn, applique work and colorful, artistic quilts enjoyrng an evening of music in the 1950's. PANGBORN, WILLIAM E. AND ELEANOR M. PENNOCK Colorado. The second youngest of nine children born to Jonathan S. and Barbara (Reber) Zook, Faye was raised in a sod house with her two brothers and six sisters. The family was Amish Mennonite and of Swiss, vegetables, which she canned. There was always plenty for her friends and neighbors. Her family looked forward to the harvest of sweet corn and homemade jellies and jams. She was an excellent cook, and for a few years worked at Beatty's Cafe in Burlington. Faye was well rounded in her abilities. Her home was adorned with beautiful flowers. She was an excellent seamstress and applied this skill though her efforts while working in the Sewing Room during World War II. Her Mack and Faye Ferguson and BilI Pangborn by Mrs. William E. Pangborn homestead in Thurman, Washington County, cows and separating out the cream. The crenm was then sold. The children attended a one room country Roy and Faye Pangborn with their son Bill on an and raised chickens and hogs. Mack passed away at the age of 88 in August, 1980. Faye continued residence at her home for another couple years. At 92 years old, she now resides in Grace Manor Nursing Home in Burlington. Zook on April 14, 1895, on the family barley, and oats, raised chickens, had a family '.\ over forty years. For many years, they farmed Ferguson was a musician, and together with her son, Bill, the three of them spent many an evening singing and playing their various instruments. Faye was proficient at the mouth harp, ukelele, and guitar. Mack and Faye purchased an acreage north of Burlington during the war and built their home with the help of Bill when he returned from the service in 1945. Their "place" was their pride and joy, and they lived there for Bill and Penny Pangborn, newlyweds, 194?. William and Eleanor (Penny) Pangborn were married in Denver, Colorado, on June 23,L946,and settled in Burlington, Colorado, where Bill was employed as a pharmacist for Weinandt and Brown Drug Store. When the opportunity arose, Bill and Penny purchased Joe Brown's interest in the store, and they, in turn, sold out in 1958. Bill was employed by Standish Drug for eight years prior to opening his own store, Pangborn's Pharmacy, on February 4, 1966. Pangborn's Pharmacy located at 347 L4th Street, Burlington, Colorado, began as a family business and remained one. In 1975, following college graduation, their son, Thomas William (Tom), born May 15, 1951, returned to Burlington and expanded the electronic section into a full service Sound Center/Radio Shack. The business prospered and on April 1, 1987, twenty-one years after it began, Pangborn's Pharmacy, Photo and Sound Center, Inc. was sold. Their eldest child, Marcia Mae (Marcie) Smith, was born on July 14, 1949, and married John A. Smith on June 29, 1974. They own their own video production business, Media Resources, Inc., and reside in Littleton, Colorado. William Earl Pangborn was born in Thurman, Colorado, on July 23, 1919, the son of Roy Jason and Fanny (Zook) Pangborn. The family resided in Flagler, Colorado, until Bill was five years old. ln L924, they moved to Burlington, where Roy was employed as an auto mechanic. Bill was raised in Burlington and graduated with the Burlington High School Class of 1937. In school he enjoyed his studies and participated in dramatics. He also took part in the sports program and particularly enjoyed basketball. In later years, he became proficient at tennis and bowling. Prior to joining the service in 1941, Bill owned and operated a duck pin alley in Holly, Colorado. He served with the 440th Signal Battalion �attached to the 5th Air Force during his four years in the South Pacific during World War II. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1945, Bill PANKRATZ - HINTZ FAMILY attended and subsequently graduated from Capitol College of Pharmacy in Denver, Colorado. It was at this time that he met his future bride. Bill is a dedicated pharmacist, seldom completed a holiday meal without a call from someone needing medicine, but he never complained. He loves his work, and has F501 enjoyed the association with the people in the trade area. Bill's main passions are his work, his family, and sports! The entire family bowled, in the lung. and his business sponsored many teams over Dad and a few friends were in the process the years. He is a loyal fan of the Denver Bronco football team and has had season tickets for many years. Bronco season is always the highlight of every year, and the games are a fun family event. His other of building a duplex when on October 26, 1968 I was born. The three of us lived in a house on 17th Street until the duplex was finished. Three years later on May 12, 1971 Lorna was born. When I was six years old we moved a mile north into a house. I remember in the Spring of.L977 we had a terrible snow storm that left hobby, photography, was incorporated into his business, but he still is able to apply his skill on the family vacations. Eleanor Mae Pennock was born in Ft. Collins, Colorado, November 18, 1924, to us without electricity for about four days. The snow drifts were taller than some of the Arthur E. and Iola M. (Oglesby) Pennock. They had three daughters and Eleanor (Penny) was the middle child. When she was in high school the family moved to Walden, Colorado. They spent two years there, and in 1942, returned to Ft. Collins where Penny completed her senior year and graduated from Ft. Collins High School with the Class of L943. She attended college in Ft. Collins at Colorado A&M and worked parttime at Walgreens Drug Store. During summer break, Penny returned to Walden and spent the summer working in the local drug store there. In 1946, she met Bill Pangborn, married, and moved to Burlington. In her youth, Penny was an avid tennis player. She was also an accomplished pianist, Orin and Norma Pankratz, taken spring 1977. :,,.:'ai .,- having the rare distinction of possessing "perfect pitch". However, once she married and had a family, she had little time to continue these interests. When the children were growing up, she took up sewing and became proficient at it, much to the delight of her daughter. Penny worked at Weinandt and Brown Drug with Bill and later as a checker at SaveU Market on Rose Avenue. When Pangborn's the restoration of the Kit Carson County Carousel. The four of us helped with the Flea Market fund raiser held at the fair grounds. We helped sell and take tickets and sell souvenirs. As a family we also spent many hours opening and closing the carousel. Dad helped take the paintings down and he and Bob McClelland put them back in their places after they had been restored. In 1977 Ray Crouse painted original oil paintings of Lorna and I each on our favorite carousel wonderful parents and successful business people. They have much to be proud of. Their next challenge is their retirement, and we have the feeling they will work by Marcie Pangborn Smith that walking across the windbreak was not a wise idea because I fell in on top of one of the trees and we weren't sure how I was going to get out. All in all Lorna and I enjoyed the storm because that meant no school for a few days and that was definitely okay with us. Dad was a member of the Lions Club and every summer they held a fishing party out at Hale Ponds. So every summer, we looked foreward to a day of fishing with all the other families. The only things I hated was putting the worm on the hook, so I let Dad have the honor. One year, Lorna caught the largest fish, a sucker. In 1975 Mom was a member of the Kit Bill made an excellent team. They are dancing and golf, travel, work parttime, and enjoy their family and friends. trees in the windbreak next to our house. We had to put sheets over all the doorways to the livingroom so that the heat from the fireplace would keep us warm. The fireplace was used to cook and roast many, many marshmallows and served as a light in the evening. Most of the time was spent playing games and when things cleared up outside Lorna and I enjoyed playing outside in the snow drifts. We found Carson County Centennial, - Bi-Centennial Committee. Their main project was starting Pharmacy opened its doors for business in 1966 she worked side by side Bill and the kids, clerking, keeping the books, and managing the office. She was a very positive force behind the business, and together, she and together at enjoying it equally the same. They plan to remain in Burlington, resume square Extension Agent in Goodland when they met in 1964. They were manied a year later on June 12, 1965 - the year of the South Platte flood in Colorado - in Canton, Kansas at the First Baptist Church. For the first year they lived in Flagler where Dad taught Industrial Arts and Mon taught 6th grade. In 1966 they moved to Burlington. Mom had the position of Home Economics Extension Agent and Dad started to build a custom building business. That fall he started teaching Industrial Arts at the Bethune School. He was teaching there when he died November 11, 1978 from a blood clot Lorna (right) and Karla (left) Pankratz, taken spring 1977. My father, Orin Owen Pankratz, was born March 21, 1935 in a sod house south of the Smokey Hill School in Kit Carson County. The dust in the area kept everything covered for the first many months and you couldn't see the light of day. When he was about five years old his family moved to Kanarado Kansas. My mother, Norma Jean (Hintz) Pankratz, was born May 22,1939 in McPherson, Kansas. Dad was teaching Industrial Arts at the Flagler School and Mom was the animal. I was on the giraffe and Lorna was on the deer. In 1983 and 1984 Lorna and I helped out in hosting the American Carousel Association and the National Carousel Association. by Karla Pankratz �PARKE, MABEL WALTERS HUDSON F502 Mabel Walters Hudson Parke was manied to my uncle, Bert Hudson, for slightly less than a year, but she remained in the Hudson family until her death at age 90, in 1982. Bert (who "was known as one ofthe best threshers or custom harvesters, in eastern Colorado") and Mabel had a baby son who died from some kind of fever when he was only 3 weeks old and then within a month Bert also died (of "consumption") or tubercolsis) in 1921. Sixty years later when Mabel told me about this, she got tears in her eyes, saying it was such a shock to lose both of her dearest loved ones, that there were many things she couldn't remember from that period. Other- wise she had a exceedingly sharp memory up to the last. The very characteristics that made Aunt Mabel somewhat unyielding, no doubt were the same traits that made her able to survive the double deaths, and later, to get ahead financially in the man's world of ranching and farming. Mabel was practical, conservative and self-disciplined! And apparently she felt the need to amountto something, to shoulder her responsibilities and to be socially acceptable in the community. A few examples of her outstanding traits are the following: As an adult, she disciplined herself to practice the piano until finally arthritis prevented her from doing so. If a thing worked or wasn't worn out, she used it. whether or not it was old fashioned! (Thus she was able to leave quite a legacy to Burlington's Old Town.) When she was 21 and still single she had the courage to take out a homestead, having "to spend the night there six months of the year for five years in order to prove up on it," which she did by riding her pony several miles from her parents place, returning daily to help at home. "I had a telephone, the barbed wire type, so I was not completely alone . . One time after a bad storm at night the water in the creek was high and I wasn't able to cross it, so had to remain in my little shack until the water went down . . . I used to ride all over my homestead . . Whenever I would see a sunflower growing I would always get off my pony and pull it up so they would not spread so much ." When Mabel was a small girl with no nearby neighbor children, she made the best of it by playing with her dog, kitty and five dolls that she had accumulated over the years. "I would line up the family on a chair and pretend we did lots of traveling. I had quite an imagination . . . Grandma Walters gave Cornelia to me . . . Christmas 1895 . . . and cracked a chunk out of her head. Mama cemented it in some way and it is still holding 88. Mabel was born at her grandparent Shaw's home but she grew up in the "Flat-top," a large two-story house with a flat roof that her father had built. It later became a landmark in the county, used for giving directions. Mabel didn't go to a school, because there were none close by, so her mother, a school teacher, taught her at home through the first eight grades. "When I was ready for high school my parents sent me to Pennsylvania to live with my mother's parents. Here I remained until I was called home by the illness and death of my mother. I did not return to Pennsylvania to finish my schooling but went to Denver to take a business course." After nursing her mother during her final illness, Mabel lived with and cared for her widower father for many years, first at the ranch, then in Burlington at the north end of Main Street (562-14th) and finally in Wray, CO., where they had a dry goods store and where she met Cliff Parke. In 1937 Cliff and Mabel were married, living in Burlington, traveling extensively, and having a happy interesting life together until Cliff died in 1954. From then on Aunt Mabel was on her own here and there, often glancing at -herhustling watch, never wasting any time because she managed her ranch, did her own office work, was active in Garden Club, Cattleman's Association, Cowbelles, and the Methodist church. She had many friends much younger than herself, kept up with world affairs, had a good sense of humor, was generous with her friends and, last but not least, she had Brownie,- her much loved cat that lived to be more than 20 years old. "In 1975 she still has her own cattle, drives her own car. takes care of her own business and lives alone." She was 83 at the time of this quote and things were much the same, four or five years later when she entered the rest home as a "matter of practicality", since she Aunt Mabel came by her "do or die" pioneering spirit quite honestly, since she was the only child of W.A. (Albert) and Leila (Shaw) Walters. Both Albert and his neighbors, the Dana Shaws (parents of Leila) were homesteaders, south of Burlington, by 1887- 1911. slowed down by arthritis. However, she continued to conduct her own business - but she didn't enter into the home's recreation as they thought she should. They called me in to try to convince her to do so, but I told them "As long as she can conduct her own business, she has more than enough to keep her busy, keep her mind active, and to stay in touch with people. When she can no longer run her own affairs, then we'll worry about recreation. The problem never came up again, as she had a massive heart attack several months later. She died as she Iived - with decisiveness and no dilly-dallying around. And that's the way she wanted it! by Georgeanna Hudson Grusing, using excerpts from material written and gathered by Mabel's close friend, Avis Bader Schritter. . . . I got Dorothy at the OId Methodist Church when they had a Christmas tree in 1899 and Billy Boyles was Santa . . . Angelina was a rag doll. She wore out. . so Mama took pity on me and gave her a black stocking face which she still has (1968)." The happy couple is Frank Homer and Lona Fay Parmer, Woodston, Kansas, date approrimately PARMER - JOHNSON FAMILY F503 The parents of Ben F. Parmer were Frank Homer Parmer, born November 19, 1890, in Osborne County, Kansas, and Lona Fay Plumb, born February 3, 1893, in Russell, Kansas. They were married in Russell, Wedding picture of Ben F. Parmer and Mildred Helen Johnson at home on the ranch, April 1937. Kansas. Frank used his dray service to unload freight from railroad cars and haul it to the stores in Woodston, Kansas. In 1914 Frank and Fay loaded the children, Robert and Maxine, into a truck to relocate in Colorado. In 1915 they occupied a homestead 20 miles northeast of Burlington in what became the Happy Hollow School District. They lived in a two-room frame house which was moved onto the homestead. Later two more rooms were added. Sons, Ben and Don, were born in the home. Most of the food was either grown in the garden or raised on the farm. During the winter beef was kept in a cold building. [n the summer milk and butter were stored in cool water. Corn was cut off of the cob and dried. Other food was preserved by �received a teacher's life certificate from Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley. She came to eastern Colorado to begin her teaching career at Mount Pleasant, a oneroom school a few miles southeast of Hale. Her brother, older than she, drove her down in a car. She taught for five years at different schools, one in Kit Carson County. Mildred attended church at the Gospel Hall, 16 miles north of Kanorado, Kansas, where one night she accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior. Ben and Mildred met at the Gospel Hall. They were married on April 23, 1937, in the home of Ben's parents, A severe snowstorm on their wedding day nearly delayed the ceremony. Immediately after saying their vows, Ben's younger brother, Don, and Mildred's younger sister, Elsie, followed suit and also were married. This was during the Depression and in an area that was part of the Ben F. Parmer with his daughter, Tony Helen Parmer, on his paint stallion after shooting 25 rabbits in one day's hunt. The two coyote hides were caught previously, winter 1940. infamous Dust Bowl. At that time most young couples moved in with their parents. However, Ben, having determined not to do this, took his wife to his home where he had bached for six months. He followed the Biblical instruction to leave father and w&g March 31, 1930, at the age of 60 years. Alna was born Novembet 20,1877 , in Ryd Almenoryd, Sweden. There is a mystery surrounding Alma's family. Her father began a trip in 1885 to the United States on board a ship but did not anive in New York. He apparently died at sea. He had planned to bring his family to America. At the age of eleven Alma sailed from Liverpool, England, g{.,:::.::.]:ti' Evangelists Ben F. Parmer and Joseph Balsan sharing an evangelistic crusade in Hartun, Colorado. June 1954. on a Cunard Line stenmship and arrived in New York on September 6, 1889. She went by train to Bertrand, Nebraska, to stay with her uncle, S.M. Alveen and family. Alma moved to Greeley, Colorado, when she was 18 years old to work as a uniformed maid. Alma was known in the community as a practical nurse. She cared for ex-governor George curing and canning. Frank started farming with 160 acres and built up his holdings to 1600 acres before retiring in 1946. During the first few years dl of the farming was done with horses. Frank was Fmong the first in the community to get a tractor. Then both the tractor and the horses were used. Frank and Fay moved to Burlington in 1947. From 1953 until his death of a heart attack on April 22,1968, Frank held public office as either Justice of the Peace or Police Magistrate. Fay had family dinners on Easter and Christmas. She crocheted tablecloths, pillowcases, dresser scarves, and afghans for her children and grandchildren. She taught Sunday School and visited people in the community. In later years she operated a card and gift business out of her home. Much like artist Grandma Moses, she learned how to paint when older, first by number, then by taking oil painting classes. She painted at least one scenic picture for each child and grandchild. One of her paintings is hanging in the Limon Bible Chapel, Limon, Colorado, in her memory. Fay died of a heart attack on May 25, L967. Mildred Helen Johnson's parents were Charles and Alna Johnson who immigrated from Sweden. Charles Johnson was born November 21, 1869, in Kronoberg, Sweden, and came to America at the age of 18 years. Charles married Alma Peterson and they lived in Weld County working on several farms. Charles died of cancer of the spleen on Carlson's mother, who lived west of Greeley, for several years. Alma died of a heart attack on October L7,1954. Gustaf, Mildred and Elsie were the offspring of Charles and Alma. Gustaf died of spinal meningitis in December 1938. Ben F. Parmer, his full name, was born August 29, 1916 on his parent's homestead. He walked Yz mile to the Happy Hollow School which at first was a one-room school. Later another room was added. As an eleven year old boy, he also attended evangelistic services there, and one night after going to bed, he trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. When he was about 13 years old, he and his younger brother built an adobe house in which they slept. It had a door, two windows, a cement floor and plaster walls. It was about 8 ft. by 11 ft. inside, just large enough for a bed, a table and a few things. Ben hunted, trapped, and raised fowl and animals. He kept some of them in adobe houses. At the age of 17 he shucked 4,000 bushels of corn in one year, picking as much as 100 bushels in one day. He was known as one ofthe best hand corn huskers in the area. While continuing to help his father farm, he rented 240 acres ofhis own in 1935. The next year he moved to a farm 3%miles from his parents and rented 320 acres. Mildred Helen Johnson was born November 21, 1909, near Pierce, Colorado,and grew up in the area around Greeley. As a child she helped her father on the farm by hoeing beans and picking bugs off of potatoes. In 1930 she mother and cleave to his wife. The house was a very modest three-room cement basement with cold running water, furniture in two of the rooms, and was lit by kelossns Inmps. Ben built a cave with an entry-way at the bottom of the stairs in which to store canned meat, vegetables, fruit and dairy goods all produced on the farm. Hogs and cattle were butchered and the meat cured. Thus most of the food except flour and sugar was prepared on the farm. The first few years on the farm were sometimes discouraging because of poor crops, hail, dust storms. During some of the worst dust storms, so much dust filtered into the house that they swept the dust into a scoop shovel and emptied it into a pail in order to carry it out. During the first few years, the farming was done with both horses and tractors but tractors gradually replaced horse power for farming. Ben and Mildred participated in special school programs and box suppers held at the local school which also functioned as the community center. A box supper consisted of a lunch made by the girls and ladies which was put into a decorated box that was auctioned off to the men and boys. After the auction the girl or lady who prepared the lunch and the buyer ate it together. This was an exciting time when the bidding kept going up and up on some boxes and people were guessing whose box it was. The proceeds went to various projects, usually for the school. After a few discouraging years Ben and MIIdred began to prosper. Ben began buying land in 1942, eventually purchasing his father's homestead. He once owned about 10.000 acres. He ran a herd of commercialgrade Hereford cattle, as many as 500 head a year. His herd was known as one ofthe best in the area, often topping the market. Ben's brand was, and still is, -)7. Mildred did not do much field work but took care of chores such as raising chickens, milking cows, and gardening. By 1948 they wanted to devote more time to the work of the Lord so they built a house in Burlington and operated the ranch with hired help. In 1964 the farm equipment was sold and the land leased. For many years the ranch has operated under the name of Happy Hollow Ranch and is still in �the Parmer family. In February 1949, Ben founded the Burlington Gospel Church. The congregation had grown to about 100 by the time he resigned from his responsibilities. Ben then devoted more time to the Limon Bible Chapel, Limon, Colorado, a church he founded in 1967. He traveled extensively conducting evangelistic crusades from one to three weeks at a time in many states, holding several of them in a tent. For many years Ben accepted speaking engagements over a wide area; for example, during 1972 he spoke in over 50 churches in twenty-one states. Ben began a weekly Sunday radio progrnm entitled the FAMILY BIBLE HOUR on KLOE in Goodland, Kansas, in April 1965. As of January 1988, em6ng the many radio stations that carry the FAMILY BIBLE HOUR, about half are 50,000 watt stations, some of which reach foreign countries. Ben continues to speak at several $ills snmps in the summer and still accepts requests to speak in many states, as well as fulfill many other pastoral functions. Mildred was a faithful partner in these endeavors as well as providing leadership in Bible studies for women in the community. During the last 14 years of her life she remained active in helping with a church youth group, a boys and girls Bible club, daily vacation Bible school and a summer Bible gnmp. For many years she served others by Street and Frank Street which were named after Ben's parents. Ben has long been held in high esteem by all who have known him in the community for his great interest in the welfare of its residents, and for his many activities in the personal furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whom he accepted as his personal Savior early in life. Mildred was held in high esteem by many who knew her throughout a large part of the country, and several spoke of her as a model Christian lady. Children born to Ben F. and Mildred Helen Parmer are Tony Helen, Judy Ellen and Paul B. Tony lives in Kansas City, Missouri. She has a master's degree in social work, is licensed and certified, and specializes in family counseling and psychotherapy. Judy married Phillip Sandley and they have three day dinner for Ben's mother and her family which Mildred hosted each year until her mother-in-law passed away. She was a commendable homemaker, excellent cook, and willingly helped others in the community. Ben and Mildred celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 23, L987. Mildred was hospitalized in Denver but their sales and service business. Judy also does volunteer work, especially in the schools. Paul lives in Burlington, Colorado. He attended Bible College and is active in the Lord's work. This includes leading a youth group and a boys and girls Bible club weekly during the school year. In the summer he speaks at several Bible camps and daily vacation Bible schools. He is in demand as a guest speaker at churches in various states. by Tony llelen Parmer PAUTLER, ARTHUR AND SUE F504 George Pautler made his first trip to Kit Carson County in 1911. He arrived by train from Crofton, Nebraska, to Burlington. He contacted a land agent in Burlington by the name of Winegar, who had an automobile. He had for sale a Yz section, 320 acres, 5 miles northeast of Stratton. The land had very modest improvements, an adobe 4 room house, 2 sod buildings and a freme grmdy, plus a very dilapidated barn. George signed a contract for the property and deposited corner where now Kenny Pottorff has a fertilizer plant. The hotel was raised in the Pautler Farme, Inc. Headquarters, 1987 Arthur Pautler and Sue Keller were homes. Included in this development are Fay F506 George and Louisa, his wife, and four children moved to Stratton in February 1913, landing here by train a few days before March lst. They could not get possession ofthe land until March 1, so they stayed at what was then the Commercial Hotel, located on the married August 2, 1938 and located on the farm 5 miles northeast of Stratton where they still live. The great depression was going on at that time; the means for a livelihood were adjacent to the Parmer Addition of fine PAUTLER, GEORGE $1000 as earnest money. He boarded the train Happy Hollow School District. For over Rockies Bible Camp and Conference and was chairman of its board. There is a seven-acre park in Burlington for which Ben donated the land. It is nnmed the Ben F. Parmer Municipal Park. It is one of the nicest, if not the nicest, park along highway I-70 between Kansas City, Kansas, and Denver, Colorado. The park is also adjacent to the high school which was built on land the Parmer family once owned and farmed. The park and high school are by Arthur Pautler the same day for Nebraska. twenty years he actively served on the board children. He also helped found Colorado Greeley, Co. The years ofthe 1940's were good years for farmers, then in the 1950's it was dry windy and dusty, and farming again was questionable. However about that time irrigation was economy reached a much higher level. Gary and Tim operate the farm at present. Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington. The chapel in the hospital is dedicated to the memory of Mildred Helen Colorado Springs, Colorado. Most of these years he was president or treasurer. At times the Children's Home cared for fifty needy wife Janice and son Christopher live in Kansas. They own and operate an electronics 1987, in Burlington. After nearly a year of illness, Mildred died on September 12, L987 , of cancer while in the of the Christian Home for Children in grandfather) purchased in 1913, Leon Pautler, who lost his life in a tragic auto accident at the age of 35 in 1985, Timothy Pautler and his wife Elizabeth and their three daughters live in the house that Art and Sue lived in for 45 years, at present it is the Pautler Farms Inc. headquarters, and Paul Pautler with his introduced into the country and the farm children decorated her room and held a small reception for them which included staff and visitors. A public reception was given by their children and their grandchildren on May 9, Parmer and named after her. Years earlier it had been built by her husband. In the past Ben served as president of the Denver, Co., and four sons, Gary Pautler who with his wife Arlyne and two sons live on the original farm which George Pautler (his daughters, Philippa, Judith, and Rachel; and one son Phillip. They live in Mulvane, extending hospitality to ministers, mis- sionaries and many other house guests, some of whom stayed for weeks at a time. She also entertained on special family occasions. A prime exnmple of this was the annual birth- family of six children. Two daughters, Angela Pautler Beaner now of Billings, Mont., Elizabeth Pautler Meierotto now living in hard to come by. A dollar per day was about all one could earn working for neighbors in the busy season. The first two winters, Art worked for the Great Western Sugar Co. at Brush Co. during the sugar campaign. Somehow Art and Sue struggled through these times and in 1942 things took a turn for the better. Average rainfall brought a good crop ofbarley and feed. A loan was secured from Farmers Home Administration which made it possible to purchase ten milk cows and a small Model A John Deere tractor. It was from then on that times gradually got bett€r. It was here that Art and Sue raised their late 1920's. Skelly Oil had a service station on that corner until Pottorff removed se-e and put the fertilizer plant there. The four Pautler children ranged in age from 5 to 1 year. Two more were born later in the adobe house, for a total ofsix children, Louis, Arthur, Francis, Clara, Oswald, and Mary. Two years later George built a nice barn, 60'x40', which was enough to stall eight horses and stations for twelve milk cows. Milking was one of the main sources of income for many years. In 1918, the adobe house was replaced with an eight room, two story house, but still not modern. The outhouse was still the nain stay. Besides the milk cows, there were always about 100 other cattle. A car load of cattle were fattened each winter plus about 100 head of hogs. That is where the corn crop went. Corn was the main crop, some wheat, but that had second place; all dry land farming. The operation was truly family oriented. The four boys all worked on the farm. The three older boys did not go to high school, as they were needed on the farm. The entire labor was done by the family. The first dust storm hit on Thanksgiving �day, 1926. It was quite severe and we hardly knew what to make of it. It had been a summer with below normal moisture and the land was in condition to blow. However, the spring of 1927 was wet and a good crop of barley, oats, and corn were raised. Things went well until the 30's. No comment. Louisa passed away in 1937 and it is possible that the drought and low income was a big part of her problem as she was a very nervous person and could not adapt to the miserable conditions. Also because of the bad financial times the children, who were now adults, were forced to leave home and find was employed with the Rock Island Railroad, which he helped build in 1889. He had this land sowed to wheat, but he did not live to see a crop harvested. He died within a year from a kidney problem. They had the Cook Shack parked across the road from us, so they could have some water nearby. He could tell us interesting tales of life in those early times. We were in Colorado nine years at that time, and he would always mention thirty-three years ago, which went back, ofcourse, to 1889. Nice people. We worked and we kids went to school, and life went forward as always. I was 21 years old in 1929 and the future looked rosy. But by the employment elsewhere. In the 1940's when things returned to normal, George and the oldest son, Louis, lived on the home place and did very well. Louis married in 1948 and he took care of George until he passed away in 1970. Most of the land is still in the family and goes under the name of Pautler Farms. Inc. Arthur and Sue Pautler are owners and Gary and Tim, two of their sons, run the operation. headed for the severe drouth and dust storms of the mid-thirties. Our mother died on Easter Sunday of 1937, which was the worst blow of all. However, that year it began to rain again and we raised some feed for our livestock and the grass cErme back in two or three years so our economy improved. by Arthur Pautler gone from home by 1940, so my father and I end of the year the country was in an economic panic and worse yet, we were ourselves. Arthur married in August of 1938, and in early 1939, moved on the farm on which he and Sue now live and which they F506 bought a few years later. I did not become mature enough for marriage until I was 40 I was the oldest of six children. In 1913, our parents came from Nebraska and moved to years of age, which was in 1948. Catherine was 42 years of age at the time of our marriage. We were married a short 29 years when she Stratton. The house on this farm was fairly large and the walls were of adobe and about two feet wide; with walls so wide it was cool passed away. We were retired and living in a farm about seven miles northeast of in summer and warm in winter. We had two sod buildings and a Granery, also a frame barn and other sheds. all ofwhich were on the land when we came. Our father shipped a car from Nebraska, consisting of four horses, one cow, also a surry, wagon, furniture, and even some farm machinery, and a number of other items. In the fall of 1914 my brother, Arthur, and I enrolled in the district school, which was only Vz mile west of our home. There were ten students in all attending school. Our teacher was a young man by the name of Grover Tyler. In 1915, Father built a large barn with hay loft and in 1918, he built a new two-story house which pleased our mother and us kids very much. Very little land was fenced or farmed, so most of the livestock grazed on the free range. Father raised corn, feed and some small grains. We milked cows and fed hogs and sold some cattle off grass in the fall. It was not until 1918 that my father put cattle in the feed lot and fed them corn. We children were assigned the task of gathering corn cobs which were used for fuel in our home. Within 3/s mile east of our home was a hand dug well about 3% feet in diameter, and wells were dug to the 200 foot level before water could be had. There was a wagon trail from this well that made a bee line to Stratton. I have often wished I could know more about the history of this well. It was no longer in use when we came to Colorado. In 1922, a Mr. and Mrs. Ed Clother from Central City, Nebraska, very suddenly came on the scene, bringing a crew of three men who had a Coop Shack and a Rumley tractor, with a six bottom prairie breaker, and broke up some 300 acres of sod, which Mr. Clother had homesteaded and purchased while he pleasant. Paul and Janice now live in Greeley, Colorado. They have a little boy named Christopher Leon. Although they do not live in Kit Carson County anymore, they do enjoy occasional weekend visits with both sides of family who still reside in or near Stratton. One week of vacation time is spent during wheat harvest in Kit Carson Countv. by Paul Pautler My younger brothers and sisters had all operated the farm as well as we could by PAUTLER, LOUIS She attended a trade school in Denver and received a certificate in medical assisting. Janice then went to Lamar Community College in Lamar, Colorado and graduated in 1985 with an AAS degree. Paul and Janice met shortly after Paul got out of the Navy, but did not date until a few years later. They were married November 30, 1985, one ofthe coldest days ofthe year. The temperature recorded five below zero. The next Monday they flew to Jamaica where the temperature was 85 degrees, much more PAUTLER, TIM AND ELIZABETH F508 Stratton for 4Vz years at the time of her death. My father lived with us for 23 years until his death in 1970. I have my gardens on the old farm and in the sand land my brother and boys have north of Stratton. by Louis Pautler PAUTLER, PAUL AND JANICE F507 Paul John Pautler was born March 21. 1958, in the hospital at Burlington, Colorado. He is the sixth child of Art and Sue Pautler. He grew up five miles northeast of Stratton on the family farm. Paul attended St. Charles Catholic School until it closed, and then went to the Stratton Public Schools. He graduated in 1976. Paul joined the Navy in October, 1976. He was an electronics technician. He earned the rank of 1st Class Petty Officer, submarine qualified. Three and half years were spent aboard the USS Drum (SSN 677), where he was attached to the reactor controls division. Paul's job was to maintain and run the nuclear power plant. He was discharged September 1982. He then went home and helped his parents build their new home on the farm. Janice Christine Simon was born August 22, L963, at Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. She is the sixth of nine children born to Con and Serena Simon. She grew up on the family farm 16 % miles northwest of Cheyenne Wells. She attended the public schools in Cheyenne Wells through her sophomore year. On her 16th birthday, her family moved to the family farm, one mile north of Stratton. She graduated from Stratton High in 1981. Tim Pautler Family: Tim, Liz, Jesica, Kylee, and Nichole Tim Pautler. son of Art and Sue Keller Pautler and Elizabeth Stegman, daughter of Jerome and Dorothy Katz Stegman, were married August 2, 1975. We made our first home 5 miles northeast of Stratton in a mobile home on the Art Pautler farm. Tim worked with his father until December, 1975, when he went into partnership with his brother Gary forming Pautler Brothers. Art, semi-retired, and the two brothers took over the operating of the farm. Tim and Liz began their family in March of L977. They have three daughters, Jessica, Kylee and Nichole. The girls stay busy with chores, school activities.4-H. Girl Scouts and swimming during the summer. They all enjoy helping their dad with tasks around the farm. �In January of 1980 Liz went into a partnership with her sister-in-law. They purchased the local clothing store. For the first two years He is a sub-contractor building houses. Ralph has a son Brad who will graduate on May 17, 1987 from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kan- they did very well, then due to the failing sas. He also has a daughter Theresa who will farm prices the business began to decline. So in the fall of 1984 the business was liquidated. Liz once again was a full time housewife. On March 9, 1983 we moved into the house that Art and Sue had lived in for 45 years. What a change! This is where the Pautler Brothers headquarters are. Tim serves on the District Soil Conservation board, is a member of the Knights of Columbus. and serves on the Church Council. Liz is active in 4-H as a leader, is a member of M.S.A., helps the local Girl Scouts, and is on the Home Ec Advisory Council. by Elizabeth Stegrran Pautler PEARCE, CARMIN A. F509 Carmen Pearce was born in Scotland county, Missouri, Jan. 20, 1856. In the year 18?9, he was married to Alice Valentine, and to this union was born a son Arthur J. Pearce. Mr. Pearce was married a second time on the 20th day of Jan. 1886, and to this union four children were born; Grace Pricilla, Edna Blanche, Tina, and Carl W. Two of the children Grace and Tina died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce came to Colorado in 1886 and located on a farm, four miles south of Burlington. Mr. Pearce was of the sturdy pioneer stock that won and transformed the wild west into a land of homes. He was a lifeIong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a charter member of the Burlington church, and for many years a member of the official board. He helped to build the old parsonage and church, and was active in all affairs of the church. Having made his home in this community, he was known to all. by Janice Sahnans PEERY - WATSON FAMILY FSlO turn twenty-one on April 12, 1987. She is employed at a down town Denver bank. In the spring of 1945, Joe was helping one of our neighbors Kenneth Leighty and family moved from Johnson, Kansas to Flagler. Kenneth and family had purchased the house where Bob and Linda Perry and boys recently moved. While Joe was here with a load he decided he liked the country and purchased the farm from C.M. Smith, realtor. C.M. Smith was Jerry Smith's grandfather and had his business where Jerry is now located. In Sept of 1945 Joe moved his family to Flagler. Minnie about had a heart attack when she saw the place he'd bought. There was not a building you could call a house. Joe promised he would rent a house in town. There was not a house to rent. Anyway we lived in a granary that winter. We also spent the winter trying to drill a well one mile west of the old improvements. We spent the whole winter putting casing in the hole. There was no water as Joe had thought. (The casing is still in the hole as far as I know.) In Kansas if Joe and his brothers decided they needed a new well, they started drilling and had water by evening or at least by the next day. We were told there was probably no water to be found on the place except where the line across where the old well was. Joe wouldn't hire a well driller. Anyway several years after Joe had passed away the old well just had to be replaced. I hired a driller; he drilled one test hole and was satisfied he had water. He bored the home bigger and there is a good well about % mile from the old well on top of a hill where my renter wanted it. It is good water also at about 180 feet. Joe passed away suddenly May 18, 1965 of a massive heart attack. After Joe's death Minnie was very fortunate to get a job in Burlington at the Social Services Dept. The late Elmer Kueker, county commissioner, saw to it that someone from this end of the county got the job. Minnie moved to Burlington in August of 1968 and was employed there for nearly 16 years. After retiring in March of 1984 on account of health reasons, she moved back to Flagler in January of 1985. by Minnie E. Peery Joseph H. Peery born at Franklin, Nebras- ka and Minnie E. (Watson) Peery born at Jetmore, Kansas were married October 5, 1935 by the Methodist minister Roxie T. Powell at Ulysses, Kansas. They lived the first 10 years of their married life at Johnson and Syracuse, Kansas. Joe was engaged in farming with his brothers Howard and Vincent and their father Ernest A. Peery. Joe and Minnie became the parents ofthree sons. Lloyd, born Sept.6, 1936, is a Senior Electrical Engineer for AT&T. He and his wife Marilyn live in Middlesex, New Jersey. They have a son and three daughters. Warren, born May 2L, L942 is a diesel mechanic and also has his own semi-truck. He occasionally drives it but usually has a driver. He and his wife Judy live in Burlington, Colo. They have a son Joe, twenty-one, in the army in Calif. They also have a daughter Melody a junior at the high school in Burlington. Ralph, born October 7, 1944 lives with his wife Debra at Kiowa. Colo. Orin Penny Estella Penny PENNY - NESMITH FAMILY F51 1 Orin Painter Penny, was born Oct. 30, 1893, at Richmond, Mo. His life story is that of a young man, who by his own efforts, rose to a position of influence and trust among his associates and friends. He came to Burlington in 1916 and was employed in the hardware store of the late N.R. Brown. He enlisted in the Navy in World War I in 1917 and served until the close of the war. After his discharge he returned to Burlington, where his former employment awaited him. In 1920, he and C.H. Parke bought out the Tipton and Upton Hardware store which they conducted under the name of Parke and Penny until 1922, when Mr. Penny purchased Mr. Parke's interest. In 1934, he took his brother, Parvin, into the business and the firm was known as Penny Brothers. It was located on the N.E. corner of Main and Lowell St. Besides the hardware, implement, furniture, and undertaking business, Mr. Penny had successfully conducted a farm 6% miles south of town. He sold the undertaking business to Bill Hendricks in 1940. During his years of residence here he had contributed liberally to every venture that would help the Burlington community. He served as major ofBurlington in 1932 to 1934, and was a member of the local Masonic Lodge, Odd Fellow Lodge, and of Arthur H. Evans Post No. 60 of the American Legion. His business ability was unquestioned, and his deep devotion to his family and friends was perhaps his outstanding characteristic. On October 20, L920, he married Estella Nesmith. She had come to Colorado from �Atwood, Kansas, where she was born on September 11, 1889. She moved to Burlington in 1910 with her grandfather John Ratcliff, with whom ehe lived after her mother died. She attended Businese College and State Normal College. Three children were born to this union, John Curtis, Gene Willard, and Estella Eileen. Estella belonged to the Methodist Church, was a member of Eaet€rn Star, Inter Sese and was a member of the Library Board. She was a charter member of P.E.O. Orin passed away August 7, 1946, and Est€lla passed away January 23, 1972. Their home in Burlington was used for 11 years as the Burlington Museum. by Gene Penny PENNY. NIDER FAMILY Gene Willard Penny was born in Burlington, Colo., Feb. 7, L925, to Orin and Estelle Nesmith Penny. He had an older brother John, and younger sister Eileen. Gene received his early schooling in the Burlington Public Schools and finished at St. John's Military School in Salina, Kansas. After finishing high school, he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was sent to school at Colorado College, and St. Mary's College in Calif. He was discharged in May 1946. After his father's death in August 1946, Gene took over management of the farm operation, and cattle business, located.6l/z miles southwest of Burlington. Gene has served on the Burlington School Board, town council, and the fire district. He is a past president of Rotary, past commander of the American Legion post, and past Master of the Masonic Lodge. He served as chairman of the F5l2 Burlington Country Club for 5 years, a director of Plaine Development Co., and member of Colo. Cattle Feeders, and Cattlemen's Assn. Gene's first love has been his farming and ranching business, building and teaching his family the same love. He was the first farmer to plant sugar beets in the area. He had given much time to the development of the sugar beet industry and irrigation in the county, putting in one of the first irrigation systems in this area. The Penny Ranch includes dry land, irrigated land, and a cattle feeding operation. On May 28, 1950, Gene married Dorothy Nider, daughter of Claude C. and Mathilde Wolters Nider. Dorothy was one of eight children. Born at Dille, Neb., on May 24, 1926. She attended school, and graduated in thie community. The family moved to Raymond, Calif., because of her father's health, two years later moving to Burlington, Colo. Dorothy's work at this time was in banking, At this writing, their son Kevin married Jeana Waters, from St. Frances, Kansas, on August 2, 1980. Jeana graduated from Hays State University in 1981, the same year as Kevin. They have two daughters, Noelle Page born May 3, 1983, and Abbey Lee born June 11, 1986. Gary married Teresa Errington from Goodland, Kansas on Feb. 18, 1984. She graduated from Manhattan, Kansas in 1983, with a Business degree. Norman was manied to Susanne Kreis of Kent, Wash., in 1987. Susanne graduated from Kent Meridian High School in 1975 and is now employed by The Wall Street Journal in Los Angeles, Ca. In 1968, our family started keeping exchange students from foreign countries, which through the years has brought learning, communication, and hopefully a better understanding of our country and we of theirs. We started with a Rotary exchange fellow from Switzerland, which in turn led to five others from that country, another from France, Australia, and one from Guymas, Mexico. As a family, we enjoyed trips to the mountains, fishing, skiing, hiking. Other trips were to Disneyland, and trips to visit relatives in Fresno, Houston, Seattle, Chicago. We enjoyed picnicing, boating, and water skiing at Bonny Dnm. 1ry" have spent many hours watching our children in their activitiee; football, baseball, basketball, twirling, and band . . . This is our life. by Dorothy Penny PETEFISII BRADSIIAW FAMILY F513 working in Burlington for the Bank of Burlington, which ended when their children Dorothy and Gene Penny at their wedding in 1950. were born. Five children were born to Gene and Dorothy. Norman, Gary, Gregory, Kevin, and Julie; all receiving their schooling in Burlington. Norman received his degree at CU in Businese and currently is working for Investors Daily in Los Angeles. Gary attended CSU, studying Agri-Bus, Greg received his AA at Sterling in Agri-Bus, Kevin attended Samuel Edward Petefish was born June 4, 1876 in Clyde Polk County, Iowa. From his obituary we learned that San went to Colorado with his widowed mother in 1887, at the age of eleven years. His mother died three vears later. He CSU, transferring and graduated with a degree in Agri-Bus, from Ft. Hays State University at Hays, Kansas. These three boys are agsociated with their father in the family ranching and farming businees. Julie attended Ft. Hays University in Hays for 2 years, then attended and graduated from the Hays Coemetology School in 1985, and is currently working in Denver. Dorothy's life has been taking care of her family and their interests, which took so much of her time in earlier years. Dorothy is Gene and Dorothy Penny in their backyard, 1983. amember of PEO, holding all offices, therein. She has a love for sewing, baking, painting, bridge, creating for a senee of accomplishment and sharing. Everyone in this community knows her love for golf and its association, and shares this interest with her husband. Gene and Dorothy have loved their community of Burlington; a very fine place to raise a family where their friends care and share for each other. They are members of the United Methodist Church, both working actively in this area. So-uel Petefrsh �returned to Iowa for one year, but again went to Colorado, naking his home with Charlie, his oldest brother and guardian. He remained in Colorado until sixteen and again returned to lowa to work. After one year he went back to Kit Carson Co. where he spent the remainder of his life except for the year 1912 which was spent in Denver becauee of his wife'e health. Sam wrote a letter to his sister tclling about a ranch job he had one half north of Claremont. The lettcr was dated December 12, 1898. After he returned to Colorado he worked at the old Bar T. Ranch and later at theJohn Pugh Ranch where he methis future wife Minnie. She was teaching school at the Tuttle School. Sn- married Minnie Est€lla Bradshaw, daughter of Charles Albert and Rebecca Ellen Bradehaw. To this union four children, Amy, Grace, Roy and Guy were born. After marriage they located on a homeetead 10 miles west of Burlington. The home is still standing and is located one mile west of Bethune, Colo. The Richard Guy family reside there. In 1912 she became ill and he took his family by wagon to Englewood, Colorado where she passed away in 1914. After his wife's death he along, with his four small children, Amy 13, Grace 12, Roy 10, Guy 8, cnme back to the family homestead. Here the children attended school and MiIIard and Sylvia Petersen on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, September 25, 1968. Millard and Sylvia Petersen on their wedding day, September 25, 1918. about a year and then moved to Haxtun, Colorado in the spring of 1920. Alma, mom's sister, had lost her husband and they moved to Haxtun and rented her place and farmed there for a year. They enjoyed a bountiful harvest and in the fall of 1921, they moved to Flagler. There they bought a quarter of land from Jack Molste and started up their farming once again. They planted both grain and feed crops and in the middle of the summer, a flash flood ca-e and washed out all the grain and feed and they lost a lot of their livestock at the snme time. They were quite disheartened by this experience, but they salvaged what they could, traded their quarter of land for 3 houses in Flagler which they fixed up for sale family to Littleton, Colorado where they spent the remainder of their lives. Son Roy had a dreem of a better life and he left the Minnesota where he married and went into the dime store business where he owned two stores for many years. Son Guy married Cora Armstrong and they moved to Englewood, Colorado. He was killed at an early age in a construction accident. Sam still has one grandson Jim McConnell, who was born in Kit Carson County and he and his family reeide south of Stratton, Colorado. by Florence McConnell PETERSEN FAMILY F6l4 Millard Petersen Millard and Sylvia Carie became husband and wife Sept. 25, 1918 at Hardy, Nebraska. Mom and Dad, following their marriage in 1918, lived on a farm in the Ruskin area for helped their father. He was a Methodist and a twenty-five year member of Knights of Pythias Lodge. In the years before his death he was road overseer in the county for some years. His children married and started homes of their own. He enjoyed his grandchildren. He passed away suddenly while on the job, in June of 1929 at the age of 53 years. Both Snm and Minnie are buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Burlington, Colorado. A long time friend and co-worker, Floyd Swogger, who resides in Stratton, Colorado still talks about the time he worked on the road with Snm. His oldest daughter Amy, married and resided in Kit Carson County, all of her 84 years. Grace married Peck Evans and lived here until hard times forced Peck to move hie county to seek work. He got a job working in a dime store. He later went to Minneapolis, a lasting maniage of over 50 years. Mr. and Mrs. Millard Petersen, wedding portrait. Millard had immigrated to America from Hjoring, Denmark in 1907 at the age of 10. The Petersen family of nine settled in Ruskin, Nuckols County, Nebraska. Millard adapted quickly to the new customs and the way of Americans and soon learned the English language quite well. His father had much more difficulty in learning English so he depended quite heavily on dad to be his spokesman. Dad had to translate the Danish into proper English expression in order to get many of the business transactions set out as they were supposed to be. Sylvia was born in Unionville, Missouri on August 19, 1895, the youngest of the family. Her mother died 3 years later so she and her older sister, Alma, went to live with an aunt in Malvern, Iowa. In 1917 Dad was invited to a party at mom's brother's place in Superior, Nebraska and itwas there that Mom and Dad first met. The courtship soon c rlminated into and traded them off, one at a time. They traded one of them for a cafe which they operated for some time and then traded the going business for another house, which they again remodeled and fixed up to sell. It took many jobs to get back on their feet following the flood. Dad undertook speculating in livestock and worked at the Mosier Elevator for some time, taking whatever job he could get. He then went intocustom sod breaking and custom farming. A little bit later, his brother, Arthur, moved out from Nebraska and joined him, helping him farm for about 3 years and then Arthur moved back to Nebraska. In November 1923. their first child was born. Dr. Neff, assisted by Mrs. Agnes Page, brought a son, Lowell Eugene, into the world. Mom and Dad were quite happy with this but their joy was short lived, for the baby died soon after. Dad continued in custom farming and whenever he had a little money to set aside, he would buy up option on different land around that was available for sale and speculated considerable in land. He broke out several hundred acres south of town in the immediate areas just north of Wild Horse. Norman Millard Petersen, a second child, �Millard Petersen was born to them on February LL, t925. Again, Mrs. Agnes Page assisted Dr. Neff in this birth. In 1928, Millard became a citizen by earning his naturalization papers, as did Sylvia. Because ghe had married an alien, she had been a citizen of Denmark for 8 years without actually realizing it. This procedure of naturalization began when he filed a declaration of intention called "The First Paper." Then he had the normal process that he had to go through to prove his lawful residence in the country and within the state. He had to prove that he was able to read and write and speak English. This was quite an experience for Mom to go through the same process, even though she was born in America to U.S. citizens. It was just one of those quirks of the law. On January 18,t929, another son, Richard Owen, was born to Mom and Dad. Again, Mrs. Page was called to help. A heavy snow storm was in progress at that time and many anxious moments were spent while waiting for Dr. Neff and Mrs. Page to come. by Richard Petersen Then in October 1929 with the news of the stock market crash, hundreds of banks folded. Among them was the Farmers State Bank, here in Flagler. Many people went broke and Mom and Dad were among the many who ended up with that problem. Some went bankrupt, some moved away, and others stuck it out and faced a bleak, debt ridden future. The assets of the Farmers State Bank were sold. One of the buyers hired Dad to make whatever settlement that he could make in a reasonable manner of the various notes and receivables that he had purchased at the sale. This was a great opportunity for Dad because jobs were scarce. This job took Dad to many different states and he spent much time away from home. But this was a means by which he could earn that much needed money to pay off his debts and feed his family. Mom and Dad were living in the Bernard house at this time, and to help fill in as far as income and to break the loneliness of Dad being gone so much, Mom took in lady school teachers and they had room and board there with Mom while Dad was off on this job. On December 30, 1930, Dr. Williams, PETERSEN FAMILY F515 assist€d by Jenny Beaman, delivered Lawrence Grant Petersen into the world. It was a joyous occasion and Dad ceme home very excited about the birth of his new son. It tore at his heart, having to be away from his family for so long, so in the fall of 1931, Dad gave up his job of collecting and working out settlements in order to be home with his family. New road work had begun on both North and South 40. Dad had an opportunity to place 2 trucks on, so he bought 2 fl u mp trucks The Petereen Tlucking business. and began hauling dirt, gravel, and rock for the road beds and fills for the bridges. This construction work was a Godsend for the people of this area and various communities adjacent to it. Jobs were terribly scarce but this did provide many needed jobs for a lot of people in the area. A new dentist, Dr. William O'Brian, was coming to town. He was moving into the Bernard house so the folks moved up to the Sherman property in the east part of town. Dad bought several cows, so we milked cows and tried to raise a few calves. But with the drought that was prevailing at the time, there was no feed and it was terribly erpensive to buy feed. The government came out with a program at which they would pay for the cattle if they were destroyed, but in doing so, you could not utilize the meat. I know of one morning when I came downstairs for breakfast and saw Mom and Dad sitting at the table, holding hands as they were crying. I really didn't understand a great lot about it and I wondered why the tears. They spoke very little about it but I did gather what was going to take place. They had decided they would have to go into the prograrn because they couldn't buy feed for the cattle. They were going to have them destroyed and the government had people designated throughout the different areas to come around to destroy the livestock and to be sure that they were destroyed. This was sure disheartening for Mom and Dad as well as many others in the area who went into the program. It seemed like one plague after another first the drought that we were in at that time and then an infestation of grasshoppers throughout a tremendously wide area. Many states were affected by it, especially here in eastern Colorado and western Kansas it was quite evident ofthe devastation ofthis. They had thought out ways to control them and had elected on a mixture of arsenic, bran, banana oil, and saw dust. Dad was given the job of hauling many, many loads of saw dust from the mills at Sedalia to Burlington, Cheyenne Wells and Kanorado and Goodland, Kansas and even as far east as Colby, Kansas. This program was instituted and was quite successful for several months. This was a pretty steady job for Dad. Dad saw the potential of a trucking business so he applied for the necessary permits and began a truck line here in Flagler. The folks moved from the Sherman property to the Madole house which they had just purchased. This house, being no different than the others, seemed to require some changing and some remodeling which was done in the spare time that they had from their trucking business. Mom helped Dad a lot, driving a truck on many occasions. The long, hard hours took their toll. Mom and Dad both required major surgery and due to the failing health of Dad, they sold the truck line to Van Goodwin in 1940. by Richard Petersen PETERSEN FAMILY F516 Millard Petersen As Dad recovered from his operation and gained his health back, he operated a sale barn for a short time and later bought the Epperson place just southwest oftown. There he kept his kids busy milking 25 cows, feeding out several bucket calves and utilizing the separated milk to fatten out a bunch of hogs. It too had long hours but it was of a different nature and not so binding. The family was all together and it was a good life. Norman graduated from high school in Norman Millard, Millard, Richard, Sylvia and Lawrence Petersen, 1939. 1943 and soon thereafter enlisted into the armed services. A week before he was to have �brick and stone mason. They thoroughly enjoyed this mountain home. by Richard Petersen PETERSEN FAMILY F617 The flooding of Buffalo Creek, 1922. The Petergen family. Standing L. to R.: Dovi Lynn, Virginia Mae and Lawrence, Richard and JoAnn, Mike Petersen. Seated: Roy Lee, Gayle Laureen, Millard, Sylvia, Janice Jo and Kris Delynn Petersen. been inducted, Norman and Cleveland Heid were both killed in a tragic auto accident near Rexford, Kangas. Disheartened by this loss, Mom and Dad sold the farm to Steve Leighty of Canon City and a short time later, they purchased Pearl's Garage in 1944. They changed the name to M&S Motor and obtained a Chrysler-Plymouth franchise to go along with the service station, cafe and garage operation. We move into the back of the garage where there were sleeping rooms and it was quite a comfortable place, cool in the summer and warm in the winter due to the adobe construction of the building. It was while we were there that a head-on train crash occurred in Flagler right in front of the depot during a also took his soh away from home. This too left its mark on Dad's hedth. Mom and Dad welcomed their first grandchild, Michael Lawrence Petersen. born to Richard and JoAnn on January 9, 1953. And then another welcomed time was Lawrence's discharge from the Army on July 1, 1953. On July 5, 1953, Lawrence was married to his fiance, Virginia Mae Dragoo. They lived at Flagler on the farm until moving on to Cheyenne, Wyomong. Dad's health had deteriorated to the point that it was necessary to get out of the garage, if at all possible. So he sold the garage to Rhynold Fager and William Bresser who operated it for the next 9 years. As Dad's health began to recover, they heavy snow storm. We slept through all of the noir,e and the commotion and didn't learn of it until early morning when many people cane in to drink coffee and discuss and talk traveled some. In their travels, they came about the incident. build a summer mountain cabin. They went back to purchase the land and then made plans of their new cabin. Before very much was done in the line of Richard graduated from high school in 1946 and then went to work for Dad in the garage and in the construction of a new cafe and motel units. Dad was needing a new show room for his new cars and a better shop for his mechanics. He converted the cafe portion into a showroom and then tore out the walls of the sleeping rooms in the rear, making that area into an enclosed shop and then continued on, building a new cafe across the street and an ll-unit motel. Lawrence graduated in 1948. It was a little different now for the folks having no one in school anymore. It was at this time that Richard took notice of a young lady, JoAnn Moody. After 2 years of courtship, Mom and Dad inherited a new daughter-in-law on June 30, 1950. Dad's dedication to the garage and car business involved many long, tiring hours and his health again was deteriorating. Lawrence's induction into the U.S. Army in 1951 took not only one of his help away but upon an attractive location near Grant, Colorado. After talking about it for some time, they decided it wold be a nice place to construction, there were two additions to the Petersen family. Dovi Lynn was born to Lawrence and Virginia on April 11, 1955 and Kris Delynn was born to Richard and JoAnn on May 28, 1955. This was a very exciting time for the parents as well as for the grandparents. They talked considerably as to what it would be like to have grandchildren up there to share with them when they got the mountain cabin built. They started their construction and completed a 7 room mountain cabin, completed with a guest house 3 years later. There was an interruption to its construction when Dad fell off my truck, breaking his leg. Mom and Dad built this cabin completely by themselves with the exception of a large fireplace that was put up by a professional Buffalo Creek leaves evidence of flood in L922 northeast of Flagler. Millard Petersen On June 27, L956, Roy Lee was born to the family of Lawrence and Virginia, this making grandchild number 4 for Mom and Dad. It was an exciting time for them as they witnessed the growth of the families of their kids and, of course, increasing numbers of grandkids. Grandchild number 5, Janice Jo, arrived July 12, 1959, also making child number 3 for Richard and JoAnn. Mom and Dad couldn't remain idle and in 1961, completed the purchase of the George Simon property here in Flagler and proceeded with the plans for remodeling it into their new Flagler home. They remodeled it entirely by themselves and made several changes to their liking and ended up with a beautiful home which they lived in until they left this world. September 1, 1961 was the first day in he life of Gayle Laureen Petersen, born to Lawrence and Virginia. She was the folks'6th grandchild and 3rd child for Lawrence and Virginia. In 1963, Dad went back into the garage which he operated with Lawrence and me and it was quite a time for him as business trends had changed and it was quite a thing after 9 years away from it to step right in where he had remembered thing leaving off. Dad's health continued to deteriorate and in 1965, he and I reached an agreement of purchase of the garage from Dad and Mom with me taking possession on January 1, 1966. As Dad recuperated, they would take short trips here and there but it was difficult for them to be gone any length of time. His health had deteriorated to the point that he just could not exert himself very much at a �time and continued to deteriorate until February 1971 when Dad passed away, just a few days short of his 74th birthday. Mom continued living in the house, taking care of the yard, the flowers and the garden. She enjoyed her many hours spent there, keeping the place beautiful both inside and out. She belonged to different card clubs and enjoyed these times. She enjoyed her many friends who co-e to visit and then as Mom's strength weakened, she was not able to get out as she had before and her eyesight began to fail. It was hard for her to go anywhere but she really enjoyed her visits from her many friends that she had gotten to know over the many years that she lived in Flagler. On January 1, 1981, Mom passed away. It was a sad time for the entire family but it was a joyous time in a way for we knew that Mom knew her Lord and Savior and we knew that peace now would abound. We continued on in our lives, holding many, many fond memories of Mom and Dad, of our childhood years, and of the years following up when Mom and Dad nurtured us in giving us counsel, giving us wisdom, giving us help and, above all, giving us love at all times. by Richard Petersen PETERSEN, LAWRENCE F6r8 The Lawrence Petersen family. hospital. In 1955 Lawrence and Virginia moved to Virginia's home place, the old Schwinn place, and began farm life there. The drought prevailed and it was fruitless in trying to farm when there was no rain. The dust storms co-e and it seemed impossible to get a dollar ahead. Lawrence and Virginia left the farm moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming where Lawrence took a job driving for Western Auto Transport. The name was changed a little later to Commercial Carriers. He joined up with Deb Coryell, hauling new cars all over the western United States. Business was good and because of this, Lawrence purchased 2 trucks of his own, hiring a driver to run one while he drove the other. A short time later there was a slow down in the automotive business and hauling came to a near etandstill in many areas. They returned to Flagler doing some trucking and farming. He bought a bulldozer and began working on soil conservation prograrns. He worked at this for 2 years and then learned to fly and became a spray pilot. He flew for Nelson Stake and Fred Hilt in their spraying operations. Virginia completed her nurses training at the University of Southern Colo- him to retire. Virginia accepted the offering of a job €rs m{rnager of The Pioneer Valley Housing Development as well as managing the housing program at Arriba. Lawrence took an interest in locksmithing and worked and studied to become a certified locksmith. It is probably as much a hobby as it is a business for he is quite intrigued by the many styles and makes of locks, especially the older ones. Lawrence and Virginia will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary July 5, 1988. Dovi Lynn, their oldest daugher, married Robert Beal and live in Flagler with their 2 children, Jini Theresa and Robert Lee Beal. Bob drives an over the road truck for a transport company out of Cheyenne, Wyoming and is gone much of the time. Their son, Roy Lee and his wife Paula live in Durango, Colorado. Roy is the manager of the John Deere Industrial Store. Roy has 1 son, Randall Lawrence. Lawrence and Virginia's youngest daughter Gayle Laureen and her husband, Steve Pease also live in Durango where they are both employed. by Richard Petersen rado. Lawrence was also working for the U.S. Postal Service but resigned this position to go into business for himself in aerial crop spraying. He purchased 2 airplanes and began his spraying business. One of his pilots crashed one of his planes and a short time Lawrence and Virginia Mae Petersen Lawrence Petersen was born and raised in Flagler. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army July 3, 1953 was joined together in marriage to Virginia Mae Dragoo on July 5, 1953. Virginia had moved here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Dragoo, from Springfield, Colorado in March of 1946. They first lived on the Fred Page farm 2 miles east after, the other one was destroyed by a small twister that hit where the plane was parked west of town. Discouragement didn't seem quite the term to use since "mother nature" had pounded them so heavy. Virginia had finished her nurses training and had begun working at the Burlington Hospital. Later, an opening came at the Lincoln Community Hospital. With less miles to travel, she took the job opportunity. Ruthie Jenkins came to their family as a foster child, living with them and 3 miles north of Flagler. They were until her graduation from high school 2 years engaged in a hog farm operation. 1954 was a dry year and the beginning ofa 3 year drought later. for this area. Like many others they had to turn to other sources of livelihood to make ends meet. Virginia worked at the local Virginia continued on with her nursing practice. In 1977 Lawrence purchased the Flagler Pool Hall which he operated for the next 2 years. Lawrence's health failed, forcing PETERSEN, RICHARD F5t9 In reviewing my maried life of 38 years to my good wife, JoAnn, our first source of livelihood was in trucking and salvage business and working part time for my dad at the M&S Motor Co. We moved to Grangeville, Idaho in July of 1951 for a short time working for my father-in-law, Bert Moody, in housing construction and remodeling. We returned to Flagler in January of 1952. I went to work for dad at the M&S until late summer of 1953 when we purchased the old LeRoy Cuckoo building on Main Street. We opened a glass and sporting good shop with a small auto repair shop and parts store. A drought had just begun and for 3 years there was little or no crops and likewise little or no business. In 1956 I accepted the J.I. Case dealership. Wow. what a time to take that on. I learned AEA �thought about building a new station across the interstate. We owned the property on the Denmark and his Mother was born in Wisconsin and was German and English seeking the necessary arrangements, we built a new gervice station with 2 service bays and descent. Charley was oldest son of Rudolph & Mary Peterson. Charley, his brother Edgar, and his parents moved to Kanorado, Kansas, where they homesteaded on 160 acres. They southwest corner of the interchange so fuel islands set up to serve both farm and truck diesel and 3 grades of gasoline. We left the old M&S building and moved to our new one celebrating open house July 23, L979. We were affiliated with the A.{A and Allstate Motor Clubs as their towing and service agent. Our good friends and Canadian family, Ken and Made Foss, from Pierceland, j ).,: ...'a:,.:a:: :l ,r', *.1 x , ::$ Richard and JoAnn Petersen a lot about the facts of business and lack of business in a short time. Had it not been for Saskatchewan, Canada drove down from Pierceland and blessed us with their presence at our open house. We leased out the old M&S Motor building to Mark Amos who operated a welding and machine shop until it was destroyed by fire in August 1985. My wife and I operate the station and between that, our 3 kids and 7 grandchildren and church, our time is pretty well taken up. The Lord and life has been good to us and we have been blessed. Mike, the oldest of our 3 kids, lives in Flagler. He has 2 boys, David Michael and Lance Allen. Mike owns and operates the Flagler Auto Salvage and is employed by the town of Flagler as town marshall. Kris, the second in line, lives in my friendly banker, I shudder to think of what could have happened at this crucial Flagler with her 3 children, Patrick Owen, Meggan Justine and Jonathan Dane. Kris, a registered nurse, has been employed by the time. Drought still in effect and sales almost nil. We put the truck to work hauling scrap iron, years. Our youngest daughter, Janice, and her ued on with trucking and some farming until May of 1963 when I went into business again with dad in the M&S Motor Co. Two and a half years later we purchased the business taking possession on January 1, 1966. We had ance Agency. coal and fruit. We closed out the Case dealership in the spring of 1960. We contin- Lincoln Community Hospital for several husband Dan Lackey, live in Elkhart, Kansas where they are both employed. Dan is the service manager for the John Deere and Ford dealership and Janice is the office manager of the Morton County Farm Bureau Insur- by Richard Petersen the Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge dealerships along with the Massey Ferguson farm equipment line. The Massey Ferguson business wan housed in my building uptown. In early 1969 we moved Massey Ferguson down PETERSON FAMILY F520 to the M&S Motor building. In October of 1969 Continental Oil approached me to buy the M&S. They were looking for a location on which to put up a large service station along Interstate 70. They bought an option on the property which Charley E. Peterson was born in Mt. Etna, Iowa, on April 30, 1884. His Dad was from covered wagon set in the ground on the side of a hill. Years later there was a lovely home built on this site. In the year of 1909 (when Charley was about 25 years of age), he went by himself to where he homesteaded about 20 miles south of Burlington. He lived there as a bachelor for about thirty years. He had several hired hands helping him during that time. He married my mother, Mary Neus- chwanger Hicks, on April 25, 1933. She lost her husband, Russell Hicks, in March 1928, from measles that turned into pneumonia. I was only 4 at that time and I remember my Mother telling me how sick I was with the measles at the same time. Charley's sister was married to my Mother's brother, Dave Neus- chwanger so that was the way they got acquainted. Archie was 21 so he wasn't home long and went to work for the Matthies family that lived just 1 % miles north of my stepdad's place. Since Charley was a bachelor for a number of years, he was capable of doing his own cooking. I was the youngest girl in a family of nine and was 8 when my Mother married Charley, so I did not know much about cooking or how to clean a chicken so Charley taught me how to cut up a chicken and get it ready to cook. There were four of us girls and all of us learned how to milk cows and do all the chores there are on a farm. There were also five brothers, but it wasn't long before the two oldest ones left home to work for other people. My brother, Wayne, was a joy for all of us but at age of 12 he was working about 3 lz miles from home and when he was bringing the horse home, he wrapped the rope around his wrist and the horse got spooked and he was dragged. He died a few hours later in Burlington Hospital. Charley was known for training ofdogs and for raising horses and trading them. He was known as "horse trader" in Kit Carson County. I remember Charley telling about the dog he had trained before we were living at his place that could go after either the horse or cow that he would pick out by name, or he would just bring in the milk cows and would become due upon the completion of the overpass at the interchange. Everything looked so promising that they would exercise their option that I began phasing down leave rest of the cows in the pasture. I remember one dog he trained so well that he could holler out of the bedroom window to bring in the milk cows and when Charley got up, the cows were there ready to be milked. During the 30'g when we had the dust storms so bad, the jack rabbits were so thick, and were taking most of the farmer's crops so Charley formed several rabbit drives. I remember one drive he had, a dust storm came up so fast and in the middle of the afternoon it got as dark as night, so all the people at the hunt had to stay at Charley's place until the storm was over. During a few of these storms we were caught at school so our teacher (Mrs. Wigton) kept us at school and we played dominoes. The stove door had to be open so we would be able to see. Charley everything in preparation to vacate the premises so they could put up the new station. Shortly before the option matured, the Colorado State Highway Department traded the property between the M&S and the highway to another party and in so doing, moved my property from first to second access and Continental Oil didn't want it then and declined and surrendered their option. This was a great disappointment to us for we had looked forward so much to have and operate a new station. Since we had resigned our dealerships for Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge and Massey Ferguson in preparation for the new station, we had to drop back and see whether to pass or punt. We operated the garage and station as best we could. Our son, Mike, graduated from high school in 1971 and Kris graduated in 1973. Janice was soon to have her graduation in 1977. We first live in a dugout which consisted of a Charley and Mary Peterson taken with their dog Tippy in front of schoolhouse that Charley bought and remodeled. They lived in it until they moved to Brulington. and my Mother lived on the place that Charley homesteaded until Charley was not able to keep up with farm work and my Mother had ill health. It forced them to move to town, where they bought a house just west of the park in Burlington. They were living �business in the care of some of his eight children and came and stayed with one of his two boys. One day, he borrowed a team and buggy from one of the boys and startpd out south of Bethune looking for a suitable homestead site. He always claimed that he found some blue grass growing right north of the Smokey River, 19 miles southwest of Bethune, and with this great find, he said this is it, and claimed this land as his homestead. Sometime during the snme year of 1909, another of Bill's sons, Martin, homestead a half section just northwest of his father's homestead. They both put up sod houses and sheds at first and drilled their own wells with a homemade drill. In 1910 or 1911, Bill's mother, Elizabeth Pfaffly and her daughter, Amelia, cane to Colorado and each homest€aded one mile north of Bill's. They each had their own ,._,:: "-*;_ -i This was taken close to chicken house on the place where Charley homesteaded. Front row; Nellie Carroll, Mabel Hawkins, Charley and Mary Peterson, Pearl Matthies, Archie Hicks. Back row; Viola Sullivan, Albert. Harold and Kenneth Hicks. there when my Mother had a heart attack and passed away at home on October 17, 1964. Charley lived there until 1968, when he entered Grace Manor Nursing Home. During that time he fell and broke his hip and spent a few weeks at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver. He passed away from pneumonia in hospital at Burlington on March L4,L977, at age of 94 years. There were seven of us children left. My oldest sister, Nellie, died from cancer on May 3, 1951, at age of 37. She had two girls and one boy. Viola married Robert Sullivan and live in Montrose. They have one girl and two boys. Mabel who married George Hawkins and live in Le-ar. They have two boys. Archie married Clara Matthies and live in Colorado Springs. They have one daughter and their son Roy and family live in Burlington. Harold manied a girl from Oregon and they live on a farm near McMinnville, Oregon and they have one son. Kenneth married a girl from Cheyenne Wells and they are living in Sterling. They have one girl and two boys. My youngest brother, Albert, went to high school in Meeker and married a girl from there. They had three sons but youngest one drowned after they moved to Canada' He has recently retired in 1984 and is living at Nakusp which is about 200 miles from Kamloops, BC. I married Charles Matthies in April 1945, and have lived in several places but have been in Colorado Springs for about 30 years. We have one daughter and two sons. by Pearl llicks Matthies PFAFFLY FAMILY F62r Jnmes Buchanan Pfaffly, born December 27, 1856, of Swiss parents near Columbus, Ohio, was the first Pfaffly to come out west to Colorado. When he was two years old, his parents, Elizabeth and John Pfaffly, moved with Jim and older brother, William Dexter, from Ohio to Wathena, Kansas, where they, and three more brothers grew to manhood. In 1879, when Jim was 22 years old, it's said that his mother sent him after a pound of coffee and she never saw him again for over a decade. He thought Wathena was too crowded and should be thinned out,so he came to Colorado looking for work, and the first place he went was Leadville. When he got off the train, the first thing he saw was a man get shot down in the street, and he had a notion to leave, but he decided to stick around for awhile, and maybe see if some of that gold couldn't find him. For the next ten years, Jim and his adventuresome spirit roamed the northwestern Unitcd States and Canada. On Christmas day in 1890, he married Maria Field in Omaha, Nebraska, and four years later, he moved his wife and two young daughters, Erma and Gladys, back to Colorado. They located in Seibert, where Jim beca-e the foreman of the track work on the Rock Island Railroad. In 1901, after seven years on the railroad, he decided he wanted to homestead, so the family moved to about 1% miles southwest of Bethune. where Jim remained until his retirement in 1916. His daughter, Erma, met and married Frank Cordonnier in Wathena, Kansas,and after moving back to Bethune, she was the postmistress there for a good many years. The other daughter, Gladys, married Jess McFarland, of Stratton, and after mostly raising their large family here, they moved to Washington state. The next Pfafflys to come to Colorado were the sons of Jim's older brother, William Dexter Pfaffly. Julius Ceasar Pfaffly (Jude) and James Edward Pfaffly (Ed) came out from Wathena around 1907. Jude homesteaded about three miles southwest of Bethune on what is now the Doyle and Harry Roberson place. Ed homesteaded about two miles southwest of Bethune on what is now called the "old" Dvorak place. He got married in Stratton and they had three children in Colorado. In 1909, the boys'father, William Dexter Pfaffly (Bill) came to Colorado. Having lost his wife in 1890, he left his blacksmith "soddy" not far from a common dividing line, and there they lived for the next five years until they had "proved-up" on the land. They always told about the vastness of this Great American Desert known as eastern Colorado, and Ed Pfaffly proved it at least once. He set out one day from his homestead near Bethune with his trusty dog and teoto go to his father Bill's homestead to get some straw. A blizzard came up when he was nearing Bill's and before he knew it, he could not see where he was or where he was going. Although he had been able to see his father's place earlier, he lost it in the blinding snow and missed his mark. He must have been about, Yz mile east of Bill's when his teem of horses fell into the Smokey and were highcentered. Struggling to loosen the horses, he took one horse and leading it, followed the dog, who he figured knew where he was going. Unknown to Ed, at the time, the dog was going east, farther and farther away from Bill's. After walking for what seemed an eternity, Ed found a fence and followed it looking for a place to shelter. He found a place, and although their nnrnes are unknown, the people took him in and then he found he was three or four miles east of Bill Pfaffly's homestead. Around 1912, when Ed had proved-up on his homestead and gotten title to it, he used his land as collateral to buy a steam engine and a plow, and he went to breaking up sod for other people. Business wasn't very good for very long, and he lost the tractor, the plow, and the land. He said to heck with eastern Colorado and moved his family back to eastern Kansas. His brother, Jude, stayed long enough to prove-up on his homestead and also ended up going back to the Wathena area. By 1914, Bill Pfaffly and his son Mart, had proved-up on their land down by the Smokey. Mart moved in with his father and together, they built a good little barn, mixing all the concrete by hand. Bill went back to Wathena, to see if his daughter, Ida, and another son, Alfred Joseph (A.J.) wanted to come out to Colorado to live. Ida and Alfred had been living on the Pfaffly home place in Wathena. Ida said she wasn't going anywhere unless there was a decent house to live in. She said she wasn't going to live in any "soddy" with the bed bugs, so the idea of one of the fust pre-fab houses was formed. They started to cut lumber for a house and a very large barn. When the boards were all cut for the exact size of the house and barn, the lumber was loaded on a train and shipped to Stratton, �where it was then hauled by wagon and tea-s out to the Bill Pfaffly homestead. The Pfafflys sold their 40-acre farm near Wathe- na, and Ida and Alfred cnme to Colorado with their father. They built a cement mixer and started to build the house in 1917. It was finished in 1918, and construction of the big barn was gtarted. Around this time, Alfred bought his first car, a 1916 Model-T Ford, which was used for many purposes; later on, he used it to haul kids to the First Central School. In 1918. A.J. parked his Model-T in the barn and took the train back to Wathena. In December of that year, he married Sarah Elizabeth Beutler at her parents'he6s irr flrrm[olt, Nebraska. His mother loaned them some money so they could buy the west half of Bill's homestead section. In 1919, A.J. brought his bride and their belongings by train back to Colorado. One of their wedding gifts was a Washburn upright piano, which has survived and is still in good working order in 1987. Sarah, who came from the forested lands of eastern Nebraska said she had never seen such a desolatc place. There were no trees, only grassland and rolling hills as far as the eye could see. They bought the half section just west of Bill's, which had a house on it, but before they could move into the little house, brother Martin got sick and decided to go back to Kansas so he could be close to a doctor. Ida decided to go with him, so A.J. and Sarah moved into the big new house with Bill. It was quite a house for it's day, and lots of people talked about it being a mansion on the plains. Construction on the big new barn was completed in this year of 1919. In 1920, Sarah and A.J. had a son, LaMonte Alfred Pfaffly, and a year later, their daughter, Mary Elizabeth was born. In the early twenties, A.J. bought a threshing machine and a 2-cylinder tractor and did a lot ofcustom threshing around the country. Things were starting to look up and then World War II came along and farmers started getting better prices for their products, but then, some of our boys had to go into the service. La Monte had to stay with his father, who was crippled, to help him farm, so he never got to go, although he was in the National Guard for awhile. In 1947 A.J. and Sarah moved to Burlington. A.J. passed away in 1958. In 1948, LaMonte married Mary Jo West, of Hale, Colorado, at the "big" house on the Pfaffly farm. They had three children, Laurence Wayne, Glenda Jo, and Terance LaMonte. In 1982 "Monte" and Mary Jo moved to Burlington so they could be near Monte's mother, Sarah, and help care for her. Sarah passed away in Burlington on Oct. 2, 1986 at the age of 91 years old. Larry has two boys, Darell Wayne and Allan Dale and lives with his wife, Brenda, in Hannibal, Missouri. Daughter Glenda Jo, is married to Martin Bauman of Stratton, and has step-children Denise Newman, and Devin Bauman, and daughter, Erin Michelle. Terry, after going to college, moved back to the farm with his wife, Carol Moore, of Manasquan, New Jersey, in 1975. They had two children: Jason Joseph and Brianne Emily. In 1978, Terry went into partnership with his father. Times are also trying for farmers in this day and age, and Terry decided, as some of his ancestors did before him, that eastern Colorado may not hold the key to his future. He is currently using his college education at a nursery in Palisade, Colorado. The farm is still a Pfaffly farm, and even though there is no longer a Pfaffly living on {rny farm in eastern Colorado, one of LaMonte's grandchildren may one day decide to carry on the challenge and move back to Grandpa William Dexter Pfaffly's homestead. He also broke up some prairie. They had by Mary Jo Pfaffly cows, hogs, horses and a Jack and they raised a lot of mules to sell. They milked cows and had some chickens and a large garden which they used for fresh and canned food, as did most of the farmers around this area. Times started to get hard. Just trying to gurvive was uppermost in the mind. Most people say the worst times were in the 30's, but Uncle Jim, who was now living in Bethune with his daughter, Erma Cordonnier, said the droughts started in 1923, and that was the worst. For recreation in the twenties and thirties, they had picnics and ice creq- socials with neighbors. Prices were low for cattle and hogs and then the drought and the dirt storms were fierce. Pfafflys had to send their livestock up north on the river to be boarded where some food was available; or else there wan no hope for an animal. Father Bill got sick and they took him to Colorado General Hospital in Denver where he passed away in September of 1934. When LaMonte was 17 years old, he went to work for John Sedman on what was called the old Bridegroom place, or it was also Birdie Kellog's place until the dirty 30's ran him out. He got 75 cents a day which was good wages for then, and he worked from sun-up to sun-down as a farm hand, Around 1938, when people started growing PIERSON, LESTER F522 Lester Pierson and his wife, Buelah Mae (Weston) Pierson, came to Burlington, Co. by immigrant train from Fremont County, Iowa. The farm wasn't big enough to support their family and there was no land available around them. They arrived in March, 1921. Six children came with them, Eva, 10; Lester, 8; Paul,6; Mary,4; Alice, 2; and baby Helen. Grant and Gene were born in Colorado. They moved Southwest of Burlington for 1 year and then moved to a place they purchased 15 miles south of Burlington. Lester traded his place of80 acres in Iowa and $7,000 difference for 320 acres here. They lived on this place till they moved to Burlington in 1948. Their daughter, Mary and husband Ernest McArthur, own the home place so it has been in the family for these years. Mary started to school at District #20 "Fairview" School and went there for her first 8 grades, then she completed her education at "Smokey Hill" School. It was a 10 grade school. Alice died from a ruptured appendix, Paul something again, or were able to grow died in 1934 in a runaway team accident. something again, La Monte came back home Gene, age 9, died of blood poisoning from a wood splinter in his foot from jumping into the wagon. Lester died at the age of 67. Mary and started farming with his dad,A.J. They bought a 1929 - 3236 International tractor. married her neighbor, Ernest McArthur. Mary's parents, Beulah Pierson died on January g, L974 at the age of 82 and Lester Pierson died on July 1, 1985 at the age of 101. by Ernest and Mary McArthur PISCHKE FAMILY F623 Gustave Adolf Pischke was born June g, 1874, in Mecan, Wisconsin, to Daniel and Wilhelmina Laper Pischke. Daniel and Wilhelmina had come to America from Germany in 1845. Daniel was a bridge builder and contractor in northern Germany, and bought a farm after coming to America. Ida Johanna Strube was born May 31, 1881, in Chicago to Williem and Augusta Gomoll Strube. Her father was a mail carrier, delivering at first with a horse and cart. Augusta helped support the family by working in a factory making button holes in men's suits. In the early 1900s, Gustave Pischke had a painting business in Princeton, Wis. Ted Pischke, Gustave's brother, had a livery stable and jitney business. He met the trains and took people to their hotels. A pretty young lady from Chicago (Ida) wanted to go to the Shade family, who had a boarding house. Ted told her he knew of no people by that name. She showed him a letter with the name on it. The name was pronounced Shoddy, the German way. After all this discussion about the name, Ted asked her for a date, and through him Ida met Gustave. Gustave and Ida were married March 1?. 1904, at the home of her parents in Chicago. They went immediately to Princeton, where he continued his job and profession asr a painter. He farmed a little also. Their first two children were born in Princeton, Ruth on Jan. 9, 1905, and Lewis on April 25, 1906. They moved to Chicago for three years where Gustave became ill. Their second son, George, was born there on Sept. 28, 1909. They moved to Auburndale, Flor- ida, for eight years, hoping to cure what Gustave thought was asthma. Another daughter, Evelyn, was born there on Oct. 18, 1914. They moved again, this time to South Dakota for several months. Ida helped out by cooking for threshers in that state. The family next moved to Stratton, Colorado, where their last child, Alice, was born on Feb. 18, 1921. After living here for two years and with no improvement in his health, Gustave with his sister, Ottelia, took a trip to Raton, New Mexico, where he died shortly, May 23, 1922, at age 47. His death was the result of tuberculosis. The family remained on the farm at Stratton until 1928, when they moved to Burlington, Colo. Lewis died in Burlington on May 21, 1932, of tuberculosis. Ida lived in Burlington until her death on Aptil21, L972. Ruth was married to Albert Wells on Sept. 25, L927; George was married to Aldine Farnsworth on Dec. 1, 1935; Evelyn was married to C.H. Bollwinkel on May 4, 1938; Alice was married to Charles C. Bovles on July 1, 1945. by Marilyn Wells Zimmerman �POOLE, JIM AND NORA F624 summer school. We went four summers back home in Oklahoma and attended Southeast- ern Oklahoma Statp University where Jim received his Master of Teaching graduate degree in 1964. The next summer was spent at Southern lllinois University and the summer of 1966 was spent at Oklahoma University. The children were good travelers and liked people. Therefore summer school was an enjoyable experience. Occasionally Nora would become weary of trying to keep the children quiet so Jim could study. She must have succeeded since the grades were always good. (Can't resist bragging a little so everyone would know I did a good job!) The summer at Southern Illinois was very hot but very beautiful. We stayed in a new dormitory along with many other families. It but the studies were was a good summer daughter Jessica who is 4 and Mick who is 2. Kristy and her husband Robin Liming from Kirk have no children. An interesting story about the two babies Sadie and Dex is that they were born on the Friday the 13th, February 1987. same day - David is in the Air Force, Presently stationed in Homestead, Florida, where he is training to be a fighter pilot in F-4 Phantoms. Janet and Bill farm and ranch near Bethune. Jan taught kindergarten in Burlington for four years. Sharon and Mike live in Simla where Mike is co-owner of their supermarket. Kristy and Robin farm near Kirk and in Kit Carson County. They raise horses and hogs. Jim has been superintendent of Schools in Bethune for 24 years - since 1964. It has been a good life here and we look forward to many more good years. very tough! At the Knowles school Jim had the privi- by Nora Poole lege of setting up their Industrial Arts department from scratch. It was fun getting all new equipment and designing the shop. He also enjoyed drawing plans for the school teacherages. I think he considered it more fun Nora and Jim Poole 198?. POTTORFF, CALVIN D. (C. D.) F625 than work. Our move to Bethune was not much of a change as far as climate was concerned. However, the challenge of being school superintendent was exciting and still is! We had to become used to the winter weather, if that is possible. As of this writing we are spending our 24th winter here and have mixed feelings about snow. Blizzards were new to the family. The good memories we have of them were when Mrs. Esther Daum would come to our house. Her house was not heated very well when the electricity went off so we would persuade her to come to our house. She would enjoy our warm fireplace and entertain us with stories of her early teaching days in Kit Carson Christmas 1966, Nora, Jim and children, Kristy, David. Janet and Sharon' Jim and Nora Poole with three small David, Janet, and Sharon children moved to -Bethune in August 1964. Jim had accepted the position as superintendent of schools in Bethune. Kristy was born March 25, 1965. Both Jim and Nora were raised at Cumberland, Oklahoma and graduated from Madill High School. Nora'g mother Berniece liveg in Madill and Jim's mother Nina livee in Cumberland. Both fathers died in 1982. Jim received his undergraduate degree in 1960 from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma. Nora and Jim then moved to several construction jobs in Oklahoma and Kansas where he worked for Dresser Engineering Company. They then moved to Knowles, Oklahoma where Jim started his career in education. That area was our home for 3 years. During this time Jim taught, became principal and acting superin- tendent. Every summer from 1961 through 1966 we would pack up the kids and dog and go to County and East€rn Kansas. The unpleasant memories of blizzards are well known to anyone who has had to decide whether or not to have echool, shoveled snow or pushed it around with a tractor. Jim and David have dug out the school with shovels and a small tractor many times. It was "a great day" when the school bought a scoop tractor and snow blowers. Nora has been very involved in raising the children, church work, Young Mothers and school activities. She enjoyed sewing for herself and the girls and always had a vegetable garden. Since the kids have gone she spends lots of time working in the yard and flowers. When David, Janet and Sharon were teenagers they farmed for Dale Hanna in the summer. Perhaps driving huge four-wheel drive tractors was not the usual job for teenage girls but Janet and Sharon enjoyed it very much. Kristy farmed only briefly for Dale when one of the other girls was off on vacation or some church triP. all 1983 was a very busy year for Nora three girls were married. A family friend suggested it made Jim a good friend of the local bankers (and others)! Presently we have Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Pottorff Calvin Pottorff is one of the leading farmers in Stratton, Kit Carson County, Colorado, where he and his sons own and operate an 8,960 acre farm under the "C.D. Pottorff and Sons". Main crops are wheat and milo. His brands include Bar X, his Kansas brand, and X Upside down F, his Colorado brand. Mr. Pottorff was reared on his parents farm. His first place on his own was a farm near Dodge City, Kansas. In 1933, he bought a cattle ranch near Healy, Kan., where he ran a herd of about five hundred head of cattle. In 1944, he bought several large wheat farms near Stratton, which he and his sons now operate. Calvin D. Pottorff was born July 16, 1890' in Ford County, Kansas, to William H. and Rosie Recknor Pottorff. His birth place was a sod dugout on his parents homestead. His parents, who were married in Iowa in 1877, came to Kansas via covered wagon and six adorable grandchildren. David and his wife Janet Miller from Seibert have two homesteaded fifteen miles southwest of Dodge City. Calvin attended the "Third daughters, Sara who is 5 years old and Sadie is one year old. Janet and her husband Bill Cure from Stratton have two sons, Luke who is 3 and Dexter who is 1. Sharon and her husband Mike Green from Simla have one site of the Boot Hill Cemetery. Calvin spent his boyhood days herding cattle, his father herded the town cows. In those early days every family owned a cow. Calvin recalls large Ward" school there, which was built on the �herds of cattle coming into Dodge from Texas for shipment and remembers that train robberies were not all that all uncommon. Mr. Pottorff owned one of the few large steam STRATTON, COLORADO. FRIDA\" ALCUST 19, I92I COLLINS HOTEL threshing machines and stenm plows in the area and with it helped to put in many of the town'g streets. Calvin maried Miss Emily Belle Anderson CAFE In October 1966 we sold the farm and purchased the old Collins Hotel. What a AN D surprise when we moved into the hotel! There LUNCH ROOM the daughter of Thomas F. and EllaRobineon Anderson, on Sept. 25, 19L2, in Dodge City. Mrs. Pottorffs parents were married in Now Open Wayndotte County, Kansas, in 1891, and she, herself, was born in what is now Kansas City. Mrs. Pottorff attended Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia, and taught school in FRANK A. THALER, MCR. former Mable Murray; Helen who is married former Darlene Taylor; Earnest, whose wife is the former Vanetta Langston; Doris who is now Mrs. Gene Thyne; Harley, who married the former June Kountz; Lela, who is married to Ed Wilkinson; Kenneth whose first wife is the former Marlyn Corwin, and now is married to Nancy Schwindt and Robert who married the former June Wittig. Mr. Pottorff served on the board of the livestock commissioners in Kansas City for sixteen years. He is a member of the Farmers Union, the Seibert Odd Fellows, and the Colorado Wheat Growers Association. Mr. happened in its early years came with the stayed one summer for his health. Others who certificates for long and distinguished service in Home Demonstration Club work. She has been a member since 1924 and was organizer and charter member of the Stratton Homemakers Club. She has also been a 4-H Club leader for many years, and all of the Pottorff children have been 4-H Club members. Mr. and Mrs. Pottorff are the parents of eleven children, and they have thirty-eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Their children are Neva. who is married to Albert Wasson; Bill, who is a member of the to Joe Mclean; Loren, who married the many memories and lots of stories that llig Dinner 50 Cents A S5.25 Meal Ticket for $4.50 Winnie Cook; Homer, who married the were 80 small roons, each with a sink and there were 20 more doors with small closetsized rooms behind them. Little of the original furnishings were left, but there were hotel. One story said that Jack Dempsey stayed at the hotel at one time, as well as Paul in the Stat€ of Colorado to be awarded eight-man Wheat Administrative Board of Colorado, and who married the former engineer. Prices Reasonable Better Food and Service Wayndotte and Ford Countieg. Her parents brought their family to Dodge City in 1910. In 1959, Mrs. Pottorff was one of two women graduated from Colorado School of Mines in the fall of 1987 and resides in Ogden, Utah where he is employed as a mechanical The newspaper carried the Collins Hotel Cafe ads for many years. January 8th 1947 was the scene of the wedding of June Kountz, Flagler and Harley Pottorff, Stratton. After a short hone5rmoon we were at home on a little farm one-half mile south of Stratton, where we remained until 1966. In addition to farming, we had a dairy and raised four children: Connie (1949), Sherri (1952), Ed (1958), and Todd (1964). Connie married Will Volskis in 1973. She works for a Denver area airline and Will is employed as a chemist. They have one son Brandon. In 1971 Sherri married Van Lupher. Van's parents were living in Stratton at the time, after residing in Grand Junction for many years. Sherri and Van now live in Aurora where Sherri works as a beautician and Van is a general manager of a large vending machine company. They have three children: Brad, Travis, and Eric. Ed graduated from CSU in 1980 and finished his graduate degree in Hydro Geology in 1987. He currently lives in Reno, Nevada where he works as a geologist. Todd Harris, founder of Rotary of Chicago. He registered: Babe Ruth, Paul Whiteman, Marion Davies and Colorado Governor Johnson. This hotel was considered the best one between Kansas City and Denver. It had hot and cold water and electricity which were real luxuries at that time. One unique and interesting fact was that wires were strung in the attic so cowboys who came there could hang their blankets and sleep there. These wires still remain today. A beautiful sunken garden made it a favorite honeymoon hotel, also. The first month after we bought the hotel we worked extremely hard getting it cleaned up and ready for pheasant season which was almost right upon us. Harley painted all the rooms upstairs, the lobby, and the hallway down stairs. This took 80 gallons of paint and a truck load of carpet. We filled all those rooms that year at pheasant season at $3.00 per room. Around 1969 we remodeled for the first time. The south half was converted into motel units. In L977 we renovated the north end and made those units into 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Some of these apartments were rented as offices and now house the Senior Citizens Center, The East Central Council of Governments and the Colorado East Community Action Agency. Harley and I converted what had been the Pottorff is well verged in all phases of farming. Ernest Pottorff POTTORFF, HARLEY AND JUNE F626 Cleaning up and remodeling on the old Colling Hotel . . now the Tbin Oaks. TVin Oaks Motel, Stratton, in 1988. Note the beautiful oak trees on the right, trademark for its present name. �Indiana. John B. Scotton was of English Old Hotel Kitchen into our personal living quarters. As this is written in 1988, we are excited that the Stratton Centennial observence will commemorate this building we chose to put so much into as one of the features on its commemorative belt buckle. descent whose father, Judge John J. Scotton (mill and land owner in Indiana) was second cousin to Queen Victoria. Katie Scotton was five years old when her mother died of small pox. Their father, Dr. Charles Greiss, a wounded veteran of the Civil War, was unable to care for the five children, and they were placed in an orphanage in Cincinnati, Ohio. Katie Greiss Scotton, whose name in German was Kathe, corres- by June Pottorff PRATT FAMILY During the 1880's, settlers from the eastern states began to arrive in eastern Colorado. In the year 1887, Rueben and Martha Kline came to Colorado from Marion county, Iowa. They came to what is now Yuma County and the little town of Kirk. They thought it to be the prettiest country they had ever seen; as they were emong the first settlers, the virgin prairie had never seen a plow and the knee deep prairie grass waved in the gentle breeze. Rueben Kline became the postmaster in 1890. The mail came from Claremont (which is now Stratton), to old Tuttle where it was picked up and brought to Kirk for local distribution. The first Kirk post office at its present location was far from fancy. It was literally run out of the bottom drawer of a chest of drawers brought from Iowa by Mrs. Kline in the covered wagon that was pulled by the oxen teams. During this period, many began carrying buffalo bones found in the area to Haigler, Nebraska, trading them for flour and staples. Haigler, Nebraska and Bird City, Kansas were the trading centers for the people of this region, as the Republican River was hard to get across with the wagons to get to Stratton or Burlington. James A. Pratt and Lina came to Colorado with her parents Rueben and Martha Kline in the year of 1887 and took up a homestead which part of the town now sets on. As the area began to fill up with more settlers, Mrs. Pratt taught school and they ran a store in Kirk. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt had three children: Rueben, Harlan, and Muriel. Harlan moved to Kit Carson County in the 1920's, where he married Nora Bolin. Nora's folk, Charlie and Bertie Bolin, came from Missouri in the early 1900's. Harlan and Nora had two children: Harold and Glen, who were born and raised up in Kit Carson Cunty, NW of Stratton where Harlan farmed. Harold Pratt was mauied to Wilda Paintin whose parents were George and Agnes Paintin. cane to Colorado from Kansas in the early years of the nineteen hundreds. Harold and Wilda farmed and ranched in Kit Carson County. They raised three boys; Randy, Ricky and Larry. At this time in the year of 1987, Harold and Wilda are both retired and living in Lamar, Colorado. by Harold and Wilda Pratt PRATT - SCOTTON FAMILY ponded with her relatives in Germany. A r527 F528 Early-Time Stories of Maynard and Katheryn Scotton Pratt As of 1988, Maynard Pratt and Katheryn Scotton Pratt together represent 140 years in Children having fun, Edgar on tractor seat holding Lois and Ellen on fender. 1930. letter from Uncle Johann Hauck in Permasans, Germany dated June 8, 1896, tells ofher grandmother's death and Katie's inheritance of 72 Marks, or 917.14 (a dollar was 4 Marks, 20 Pfennig in 1896). Katie met and married John B. Scotton in Indiana where she worked after leaving the orphanage. by Lois Havens Kit Carson County. They came with their parents, brothers, and sisters to the county in the early part of this century, and as the other members of their families left one by one, Kate and Maynard stayed behind to make a home and to provide for their five children. This says alot about their character. They held on through all the hardships and hard times - through the dirty 30s dustbowl, the grasshopper plagues, the devastating hail storms, and the hard, cold winters. I cannot recall my parents ever complaining about the dirt stacked high between window and screen after a dirt storm, the fences being covered by dirt, or having to start over year after year when the rains didn't come. As the other PRATT - SCOTTON FAMILY F529 neighbors moved away and others came to try their luck in farming, our parents stayed and saw it through. When it finally began to rain in the late 1930s, it also brought the hail storms. One particularly heavy hail storm came through one year that nearly wiped out all the wheat fields in a mile-wide strip northeast of town. We drove by the fields to see how bad the dn-age was to our parents'crops. The wheat fields, which were full of flowing, waving grain that looked to be the best of the crops since it had begun to rain, were bare stalks. The leaves and heads of grain had been pounded into the ground. The destruction, which took less than an hour, represented months of cultivating and planting - wheat that once was beautiful waving grain, was now bare stubs. I can remember wondering how my father still had the faith in the land and the will to plant again. But plant they did, again and again. They saw the county change from a grassland to a dust bowl, and then to an oasis. During the 1950s, the farmers around Burlington began irrigating quarter (or more) sections of ground by pumping the water from the Ogallala aquifer. And another era in Kit Carson County began. But that is only 35 years ago. We prefer to document the earlier history of our family by recording some of the events of the first half of the 20th century. Kit Carson County became the lifelong home of Maynard Pratt and Katheryn Scotton Pratt, each coming to the county when they were young - Maynard was seventeen years of age and Katheryn was eight. Our mother's parents were John Brecken- ridge Scotton and Katie (Kathe) Greiss Scotton, who were married in 1891 in Marion, Loading corn on trailer on farm northeast of Burlington. Maynard Pratt and children, Edgar and Ellen. Nine children were born to John and Katie, but only five came to Kit Carson County with their parents. Two babies died in infancy, Elmer died at the age of seven, and Charles was killed at the age of 23 in a farming accident in Gem, Kansas, while he was working his way to Colorado to join the family. Rachel, Glenn, Dorothy, Katheryn, and Geneva cnme with their parents from Bentonville, Arkansas in 1915 in a covered wagon pulled by 2 mules. The mules'n4mes were Kate and Maude. John Scotton swapped a 320-acre wooded farm with a 2-story house in Arkansas for 160 acres of grassland on the Smokey Hill River. Our mother remembers the beautiful waving prairie grasses and the abundant wildflowers as far as the eye could see when they carne across the prairies to Colorado. The family spent the first night in the Prairie School house. They then moved to the "Jones place" which had a cement house where they lived until John could build a sod house on the 160 acres. It took about a month for Henry Fanslau and John to build the "soddie." John plowed up forty acres of the grassland to grow feed and corn. Since the prairies had no trees, the only means that the Scottons had of heating the two-room soddie was with dry cow chips. �Kate and the family gathered them by the wagonfull. The chips furnished a hot fire but er, Flora, had died. His father, Ernest Pratt, was already living in Burlington, but Virgil also burned fast, so a large supply was always remained with Pleasant and Ellen, and they raised him as though he were one oftheir own. Pleasant brought a tenm of horses, two cows, and four sows, and all their household belongings on an "immigrant car" on the Rock Island Railroad. Ellen and the children needed. When the children found cow chips bhat were not quite dry enough, they turned bhem over so the sun would dry them faster. Kate and her brother and sisters walked 3 7z miles to attend grade school in a sod house donated by Nellie Burk'e grandfather, H.D. Holton. They then attended the Prairie View lchool before the Smokey Hill echool wag built. The teachers at Prairie View were Jessie Clark and Clarence Kennedy. The children later went to the new Smokey Hill School where there were clasges for the first bhrough the tenth grades. The teachers for Smokey Hill were Mr. and Mrs. Elvis Berry Rhoades (Mary) and Taylor K. McKane. McKane's brother-in-law was superintendent. Kate quit high school at Smokey Hill in 1923 to herd cattle on the free range, riding l saddle horse named "Min," Rachel moved Katie moved to Santa Ana, California, taking Glenn and Geneva with them. Dorothy married Harry Pettibone of Kanarado, Kanras, later moving to California with their two :hildren, Clarice and Jerald. Our father's parents were Pleasant Green Pratt born in Johnson County, Nebraska, rnd Ellen Johnson Pratt, both born in Otoe County, Nebraska. Pleasant Pratt's fanily were of lrish and English descent, according bo Kenneth Pratt, family genealogy expert, rho has researched records from a church in 0ngland and found ancestors back to the t2th century. Ellen Johnson Pratt's parents immigrated from Sweden in 1881 with two :hildren and settled in Nebraska. Ellen was lhe second of four more born here in America. Many of her mother's parents'relatives ceme irom Sweden to Nebraska. Many settled rround Syracuse in an area that was known rs the Swede Section. The Jacobsons of Burlington are also of the same descendants rs Ellen Johnson Pratt. by Lois Havens came on a passenger train, and Pleasant rode in the immigrant car to take care of the FAMILY F530 When hard times hit Nebragka in 1921, ;hey came to Kit Carson County with their lour children: Maynard, Victor, Esther, Doris, and their nephew Virgil, whoee moth- by the Citizen State Bank of Waterville, Kansas. Foster Farms of Rexford, Kansas bought the farm in 1939 and Maynard purchased the farm from the Foster Farm Estate in 1962. Pleagant rented the Bushart place, a grassland farm east of Burlington which is now known as the Rosser B. Davis family farm. Pleasant also rented the Reed section east of Burlington for farming. A third son, Kenneth, was born on the farm east of by Lois llavens PRATT - SCOTTON FAMILY Burlington. In August of 1922, our father Maynard, and Victor, his brother, were plowing a field one F53t mile west of their home. Both boys were riding on the tractor. When Maynard got off to open the gate, lightning struck the tractor killing Victor. In 1923, the family moved to a farm southeast of Smokey Hill. In 1925, they moved to Arapahoe to the Bill Howard farm where they lived until Pleasant died in 1933. After losing her husband, Ellen moved back to Syracuse, Nebraska, with her chil- dren, Doris and Kenneth, where they lived with her aging father, John Johnson. Esther married John Owens and moved to Oklahoma City, and Virgil married Ruth Murphy of Cheyenne Wells and later moved to the Colorado Springs area. When her father passed away in 1936 in Nebraska, Ellen moved to Colorado Springs area with Kenneth and Doris. She passed away in 1966 in Colorado Springs and is buried with Pleasant and Victor in Burlington. Kenneth attended Denver University after five years in the service during World War II, graduated with an engineering degree, and worked for Mountain Bell, and retired in Denver where he and his wife Jewel (nee Jones from Idaho) still live. Doris married Robert Higgins and they raised their family for the most part in Albuquerque. After Bob's death, Doris reMaynard Chesley Pratt and Katheryn May Scotton were married in L924 and lived at Smokey Hill school where Maynard was the bus driver and janitor at the school. From there they moved to Arapahoe and rented the Tom Howard place. First child, Edgar arrived while our parents were living northeast of Arapahoe and Kate made the long trek on dirt roads to Burlington in a Model T Ford where Edgar was born at the home of Mrs. Boyles. Ellen was born at the 2-room farmhouse near Arapahoe. In this vast grassland which was gradually becoming farm land, rattlesnakes were very common. Our mother recalls a time when on wash-day she had gone outside the house and left baby Edgar inside. When she returned, she found a rattlesnake in the home on a pile of clothes near Edgar. Maynard worked at Ordway picking cantaloupe and at an alfalfa mill. He also worked for Lloyd Jacobson (a relative of Ellen Johnson Pratt's mother) and Jack Chalfant Vlaynard Pratt, 19, worked as bus driver and anitor at Smokey Hill School, 1923. Maynard, Kate and their two children moved to the Adna Chapman farm in 1928 and rented from him until it was purchased animals. tired in Durango where she now lives. PRATT - SCOTTON Chapman farm. Henry's wife, Frances, is also a relative of Ellen Johnson Pratt's mother. in Burlington. It was there that he met Henry Genthe who lived on the Chapman farm northeast of Burlington. Henry was moving, and he suggested to Maynard that he rent the Maynard Pratt and son, Edgar, at Arapahoe farm, 3 horses and a mule pulling a disc, 1926. After moving to the farm in 1928, Maynard continued to work for Jack Chalfant on his farm and at his repair shop in Burlington - the Victory Garage, for 50 cents a day. When the rains were scarce and the county had become part of the vast dust bowl of central America, our parents moved in the fall of 1934 to Santa Ana, California and later to Sanger, California. Kate's parents were in Santa Ana and they had hopes of a better living in California. But the farming fever never left our father, and they came back to Colorado the following spring, to the same farm northeast of Burlington. The house wag just as they had left it, and they simply moved back in as though they had never been gone. Maynard worked for Foster Farms on the Republican River and Blondie Bollwinkel was the boss of the crew As children, we can remember the big flood of 1935 when the banks of the Republican River overflowed, causing severe demage along the river. Later we had a cloudburst in our neighborhood that washed out all the lister rows in the fields. Our house looked as though it were sitting in the middle of a huge lagoon; the roof leaked and we placed buckets and pans under the leaks to catch the rain. Water ceme in the kitchen door. Our mother swept it back out with a broom. After the storm passed, we children had great fun wading and playing in the cow lot. Maynard and Blondie Bollwinkel were partners in farming for several years before Blondie and Evelyn Pischke were married and moved to a farm of their own, also northeast of Burlington. Besides working together, Maynard, Blondie, and other neighbor farmers went deer hunting in the Rockies during the 1940s. Lois was born on the Chapman farm and �Well, needless to say, the fire was soon discovered and extinguished with the help of the neighbors before too much da-age was Ruby was born in Burlington at the Farnsworth home. The fifth and last child, Orville (Pete), was born on the farm in 1935. A German farnily nn-ed Shultz lived east of us before the Abe Ratzlaff family moved there. The Arnsmeiers lived on farther east and Mr. Arnsmeier died of a heart attack one day trying to push a car from a snowbank. Other neighbors were Howard and Raymond Kite northeast of us; John and Anna Buol with sons Kermit, Martin, and Russell, to the west of u8; the Hansens with two song Russell and Charles across the road from the Ratzlaffs; and two Winslow families southeast of us by the railroad tracks. The principal crop for Kit Carson County during the 30s and 40s was wheat. This was done. by Lois Havens PRATT - SCOTTON FAMILY F533 also before the days of the combine' The farmers would get together with one threshing machine, hire as many men as they could find, and help each other thresh their grain. The grain was cut in the fields and hauled to the threshing machine. This operation \ilas hard work and it took a large crew of men to keep the process moving from field to thresher. And. of course, all these men had to be fed. Our mother was a great cook, and she cooked and served the most bountiful, sumptuous meals which included fried chicken or roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade bread and pies, with the rich farm creom and butter that we all enjoyed in those days. We girls helped with the meals, but when it came time for the men to come in for dinner, we had to retire to the bedroom - especially if we were wearing shorts, because this was unbecoming for your girls. One day when the threshing crew wan in our home eating, one ofthe hired men spat on the floor. Needless to say, we were short one man from the harvest crew from that day on. by Lois Havens PRATT - SCOTTON FAMILY F532 We stayed in contact with the people in the Smokey Hill area since our parents had both lived there at one time. The Smokey Hill area was well populated, with many families that are now gone. Among those living there in the 1930s were the families of Lester Beveridge; the Bartles with a son and daughter, Loyd and Cleo; Henry Fanslau; M.S. McCrarys with children, Will and Nellie; the Henry Dragers with Evelyn, June, and Kenneth; the Arnold Elders: the Carlsons with Beth, Doris, Bud, Inez, and Bonita; John and Mary Murphy ar.rd family; the Frank Murphy family; the Bassetts with son Earl; and the Bill Kelleys with Anna and Doris. Tillie Gord Maynard Pratt and Blondie Bollwinkel, partners in farming and good hunting buddids. Taken near Williams Creek, Colorado, 1940. In addition to the dances, there were neighborhood get-togethers on Sundays and holidays with pot-luck dinners at someone'g home in the Smokey Hill area. There were always huge amounts of luscious food, all kinds of desserts, and homemade ice cream. In our childhood, it was very unusual for children to stay overnight with other children. My mother relinquished her rule this one time and allowed me to stay at the home of Nellie McCrary Burk and Earl Burk (a "newcomer" from Nebraska) with their daughter, Helen. When we were napping, we heard a loud wind that became a roar at times. There had been a tornado that passed quite closely to the Burk home and had demolished several farms as well as the Smokey Hill school house. One farm had lost all their livestock and buildings. The house was in shambles with walls and windows gone, but there was a bowl of fruit sitting on the windowsill that was completely untouched. The mattress on the bed had been lifted and an accordion deposited beneath it. There were stories of people having seen straw sticking out of telephone poles and machinery that was carried aloft by the tornado and deposited several miles away, completely intact and undo-aged. We attended rocky mountain oyster fries in the Burlington area at different farmhomes. There were always lots of people there; the men would fry the "oysters" and the camaraderie would go on long into the night. Childhood pranks were not lacking in the also lived there and later moved to Kanarado Pratt family or with our friends in Burlington. One time when we Pratt children Evelyn. We attended many Saturday night dances at the Smokey Hill School and we all learned at a very early age to square dance as well as were still quite young, we were playing in the with her children, Leland, Jerald, and to waltz, schottische, and two-st€p. The music was a piano and violin, and someone would call the square dances. The long drive there and home again never seemed far because of the good times that were shared by all. haymow with some neighbor children. We were experimenting with that mystical little stick, the match. We caught some gtraw on fire and ran to the house, vowing to each other that we wouldn't tell anyone that there was a fire (that way our parents wouldn't think we did it!). We weren't concerned with the barn burning down, just about the licking we were going to get if our parents found out. Katheryn Pratt on the farm northeast of Burlington. The elevated road that runs by our farm northeast of Burlington was Highway 40 (becoming Highway 24 when it was later moved south of the tracks) during the 1930s and because of the hard times, there were many bums that walked past on this road. Some would stop and ask for a handout, and some would ask for something to do in exchange for a handout. Although we never had any trouble, our mother always cautioned us to come into the house when we saw a bum walking along the road. Hallowe'en was usually a time when the teenagers pulled more pranks than should have been allowed. But in those days, the members of the community felt that kids were kids and that they would eventually grow up to be responsible law-abiding citizens. But a couple of times during World War II, the teenagers pulled more pranks than the townspeople cared to absorb. Mr. Shook, who owned a store in northeast Burlington, shot at some boys who attempted to push over his outdoor toilet and they had to have the buckshot removed from their behinds at the local hospital. One activity that was a major achievement for the Hallowe'en regulars was the pushing over ofthe 3-holer that belonged to the Catholic Church. But that almost ended in disaster as well when several of the kids almost fell in. Another year some boys got a goat in the town marshall's car. The goat promptly proceeded to eat up all the upholstery, and by the time the marshall returned to his car, the seats were nearly gone. And by �some strange circumstance, a piece of farm machinery from a farm implement dealership mysteriously appeared on the school grounds. And, of course, Mr. Beezley's Midway Theatre was always peppered with eggs, rotten, if possible. Shivarees (a derivative of charivari, mean- ing headache) reflected the unwritten rule that newlyweds must have on hand enough refreshments for the participants of their shivaree or suffer grievous circumgtances, Shivarees were special affairs that took place geveral weeks after the married couple had settled into wedding bliss. All who wanted to join into the festivitieg met at home of the newlyweds where they were quickly roust€d out of bed and made to perform certain feats. The groom always had to push his bride down Main Street in a wheelbarrow. While this and other mischief was going on to keep the bride and groom occupied, more mischief was being performed in the living quarters of the newly married couple: The bed was "short-sheeted," clothes were tied in knots, salt shackers were emptied and filled with sugar, and sugar bowls were filled with galt, toilet paper was strewn all about, and the labels were removed from the cans of food. But it all ended in good spirits with the groom handing out cigars to all the men and candy bars to the women and children. The 1940s brought World War II and the war brought good prices for the farmer. It was also raining more and the farmers were able to make a good living. With the war, we also had rationing of tires, gasoline, and eugar. Since the farmers were rationed more tires and gasoline than the town folk, suddenly the farm kids were looked upon in a different light by the town kids. The farm kids were now the ones who had the cars and the gasoline to drive to a dance in neighboring towns when there wasn't one in Burlington. by Lois Havens PRATT - SCOTTON FAMILY F534 But along with the good fortune and better living standards the war brought, we also had the tough times, for our brothers and friends were going off to war. This left the farmers without their help to keep the fields cultivated and the crops planted and harvest€d. Our mother and we three girls helped in the fields as much as we could while our brother Edgar went to fight the Japanese in the Pacific. It was the saddest day ofour lives when we said good-bye to him before he was shipped overseas, not knowing whether we would ever see him again. Because our young men were all overseag fighting for our freedom and democracy, we were more than willing to help in the fields, grow Victory gardens, save and roll tinfoil into balls, and stamp the tin cans flat for the war effort. The story that materialized later was that all the tinfoil and tin cans were never recycled, it was just a way to get the nation involved in patriotism and to help keep the morale high. The entire Burlington area celebrated the end of the war with great elation and joy. A bonfire thirty feet in dinmeter was built at the Children of Maynard and Katheryn Pratt, L. to R.: Lois holding OrviIIe, Edgar holding Ruby and Ellen, 1936. intersection of Main Street and Senter. All manner of things were thrown into the fire. The men were throwing their shirts into the fire and when Mr. Beezley, owner of the Midway Theatre, refused to take his off and throw it in, several people "helped" him remove it and throw it into the fire. Jerry Penny, with the help of his buddies, pushed his car into the fire and let it burn. The celebration lasted until the wee hours of the morning. Our soldier brothers and friends came home one by one - Kermit Buol from a prisoner-of-way semp in Germany, and Edgar from Japan after serving as supply sergeant for the U.S. Air Force. World War II marked the end of the first fifty years of the twentieth century. This was also the beginning of a long period of prosperity for the farmer. By 1950, farm homes for the most part had running water, indoor pl rmfint, electricity, telephones, and central heating that didn't burn coal or cow chips. The farmers had cars, tractors instead of horses, and farm machinery that made farming a breeze compared to the "old days." Now in 1988, times have changed again and the farmers are meeting new difficulties, experiencing hard times but for different reasons: low commodity prices, extremely high production costs, and federal government regulations which stifle the farming industry. The supply of irrigation water from the Ogallala aquifer may be gone in twenty years and the supply of oil in the world will be depleted in twenty-five years. But the farmers of today who have perseverance and faith in the land will survive. But just as Maynard and Kate Pratt and the other early settlers of Kit Carson County did, these farmers will also find ways to overcome the difficulties that will face them in the future. by Lois Havens PRICE, WILLIS F635 Willis L. Price was born at Liverpool, New York, June 28th, L874. He spent his childhood in that vicinity and graduated from high school at Syracuse, New York. He then entered the Syracuse Medical College, having a great desire to become a physician, but in his second year of college life, his health began to fail and he was compelled to give up his educational career. In the spring of 1900, he came to Flagler, Co., where his cousins, W.H. Lavington and W.E. Weller, were Iocated. He spent the first summer on the Lavington ranch north of Vona, and after partly regaining his health, he took the position of teacher in the school in District 19, the school house then being located just east of Flagler, after which, he held the position of principal of the Flagler school for 2 years. The next two years Mr. Price spent as manager of the lumber yard owned by Mrs. Cornwell, later Mrs. S.A. Johnson. In the fall of 1906, he was elected county treasurer, serving one term. During this term of office the court house burned at Burlington, and Mr. Price broke in the window of his office and saved all the treasurer's books except one. But in doing so he becn-e so excited, and inhaled so much smoke that on his arrival home a physician was called. He rallied and was in pretty fair health until the following May, when he broke down again. He went back to New York and on Oct. 7, 1907, he was married to Florence Reese. They returned to Burlington where they resided until May, 1909, when they returned to Flagler. During the summer of 1909, he and his cousin, W.H. Lavington, built the Flagler Hotel, and a little later they erected an elevator here, which Mr. Price managed during the fall and winter. In the fall of 1910, he became associated with the Flagler State Bank, and was chosen as cashier. He served in this capacity until �June, 1918, when his tuberculosis had so impaired him, that he gave up active management of the bank. He was then elected vice president of the bank, a position he held until his death. The bank had been converted into the First National Bank of Flagler. Wiilis and Florence were the parents of two children; Jeanette and Willis. Mr. Price was a conscientious christian man, and devoted a great deal of his time in religious work, and work for the uplift of humanity. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. and Masonic lodges of Flagler. Friday morning, Nov. 3, 1922, Mr. Price was making his daily trip to the bank, but stopped at the Lemon blacksmith shop to visit with friends. It was presumed he felt uneasy and was taken with a fit of coughing. He start€d for home (a short distance away) and when reaching the yard called for his wife. She rushed to his side, medical aid was summoned to no avail and Mr. Price passed away. by Janice Salmane PROAPS, SIIEPARD L. F636 homestead with her husband. Edward Proaps, son of S.L. Proaps, was in World War I in the Army where he met Miss Carolyn Wittner, an American Red Cross nurse in France, who became his bride September 10, 1919, at Hugo, Colorado. He was an American soldier boy wounded by shrapnel. He cn-e home in the spring of 1918 with an honorable discharge. They raised two sons, Jackie and Lloyd. Both served in World War II; Jackie lost his life over Japan. Roy Proaps, son of Shepard and Mary Jane Proaps, was born August 31, 1888, at Logan, Kansas. In the spring of 1906 he came to Colorado with his parents to a homestead north of Flagler. He was married to Catherine Ruby at Wray, Colorado, January 15, 1914. There were 5 children born to this couple: Edna, Esther, Elma, Harold, and Sherman. The earlier part of his life was spent in the vicinity of Flagler and Thurman farming. In the fall of 1936, he and his family moved to the valley where they made their home Grandpa and Uncle Bob Proaps drilling a weII He lost his wife April26, 1913. On the 19th ofFebruary, 1918, he was united in a second marriage to Rose Ann Smith of Flagler. He and his son Robert drilled manv water wells with a team of horses. around Ordway and Rocky Ford. Robert H. Proaps, a son of S.L. Proaps, was born March 22, L893, at Logan, Kansas. He married Caroline A. Martin, October 18, 1916, in Genoa, Colorado. He farmed in the Genoa area for a short while and was in the well drilling business with his father for many years. He was a talented rhusician. He played many a night at the Flagler Hotel in years by Dorothy Ilarwood PROCTOR, SIGEL AND LULU gone by and all around the country. He moved to California in 1934 with his family and passed away on February 24, L984, at F538 Napa, California. by Dorothy Harwood PROAPS, SIIEPARD L. F637 ?,r:.i;.,- -. The Proctor twins first year at Smelker School: Front row: (l tn r) Ivan Smelker, Faye and Fern Proctor, ? Austin. Back row: Theodore and Westley Smelker, teacher Miss Anioner, and Jess Hardin. My parents, Sigel and Lulu Proctor, came west from Norton, Kansas in 1916. They traveled in an immigrant wagon to homestead 16 miles south-west of Stratton. My twin sister, Faye Byrne, and I, Fern Penick, were born on that homestead claim in a sod Edward Proaps in service, 191?, lower right. house. Mother said they built the barn first, Children Frank Proaps, when a young man, lived in and around Flagler for many years. He was the mail carrier on the star route to Thurman, Colorado. He was born near Centerville, Washington, on August 30, 1877. He moved partitioned it off with the horses on one half and they lived in the other half while they put up a two room sod house; later they added another room. This house was very cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and the Shepard L. Proaps to Flagler, Colorado, when his dad moved there. He was married to Bertha Cross, July 11, 1900. Three children blessed their home. Ella Proaps Dowd was born July 4, 1881, in Jewell County, Kangas to Shepard L. and Mary Jane Proaps. When but a gmall child, she moved with her parents to Phillips County, Kansas where she attended public school and was married to John Dowd, August 21, 1900. She was well known around Flagler, having lived north of town on a Shepard L. Proaps was born April 6, 1853, near Granville, Ohio. He was married December 18, 1871, to Mary Jane Judd who was kidnapped in Illinois in childhood and then raised in Montana. They moved to Colorado in 1906 and took up a homestead north of Flagler. There were twelve children born to this couple John, William, Charles, Frank, Albert, Ella, Mae, June, Sherman, Edward, Roy and Robert. windows were deep which served as a wonderful desk for the children's school work. Later a frame house was built with a full basement, running water and other super-great conveniences! Father drilled his own well with the help of neighbors and later helped with several others in the county. He worked hard in the field and chores; he had no sons to help him. However he always took time for my sister and I, to answer our questions, tell funny stories, and play games. We attended a one room small school �house, thru the 8th grade and went to High School in Stratton. When we first started to school in the first grade, we walked the 2Vz miles when the weather permitted. Our mother always sent our faithful dog along with us to school because she worried about the rattlesnakes. He would run along ahead of our path and sniff out the snakes, grab them and shake them to death. In the early spring he was kept busy. In those days we had what was called'free range'or'open range'. My father had several head of cattle; they could travel miles in the summer of 'fly time' as it was called. Sometimes it was my job to keep track of them and bring in the milk cows at night. That meant riding the range several hours a day and I enjoyed this assignment on my fast and gentle cutting horse. Sometimes all the milk cows were not found by dark and I would return without them. This meant my father had to get a fresh horse and go back for them; he was always understanding even tho it was sometimes late in the night before he got home again. My parents' days started early and they were long; Mother made her own soap, helped with the chores, churned butter and sold eggs. was She raised chickens and turkeys. always planned to have our first fried chicken on the 4th of July; what a treat! She planted It a huge garden and worked long hours in the summer in it. She always canned fruit and vegetables, made sausage and cured hnms from the butchered beef and pork. My father usually had help to butcher the animals and the helper always took meat home for his pay. Mother cooked on a coal-stove, sometimes it was with cow-chips; she made all our bread try his luck once again. He bought wheat land and enjoyed seeing Kit Carson County develop into the wheat area it is today. After suffering several strokes, he was a big care for Mother, who was by now making all the decisions and working long hours again. Our father passed away in 1968, at 78 years of age. Mother remained active and alert, living alone and keeping her yard and flowers. She loved working in the yard and driving her car for her pleasure and taking others to Burlington to the doctor's office orjust shopping and lunch. Her sense of humor was always there except for her last year when her arthritis made some of her days painful and kept her inside. She was 91 years when she passed away in 1981. There were struggles and hard times on the farm but she always referred to those times as her happiest years. My twin sister and husband now reside in Englewood, Co. I live in Cheyenne Wy. which has been home to me for forty years. I'm retired from Civil Service here. We continue to have our interest in wheat. tho I'm sure our parents never dreamed how depressed the market would be and how the property tax would double and triple. With time all that will change, too. by Mrs. Fern Penick returned to Stratton by team and wagon in April of 1910. Frank brought his family back to his homestead by immigrant train in April of 1910. Fred stayed on the J.W. Borders homestead northwest of Stratton while he to. The tin sided shack still stands on the F639 homestead. Our mother, Alta M. Miles, daughter of Louis Edward and Cora Ann (Scott) Miles, born October 17, 1904 in Tonganoxie, Kan- and ironing with 'flat' irons; she worked constantly! In the early days everyone more or less sas, was 1 of 9 children. Alta's mother passed away December 14, 1911 when Alta was 7 made their own amusement; Bocial life centered around church and the school house years old. Alta came to Colorado from with card playing, picnics and dinners; and barn dances which lasted until almost sunup at times. There were programs and box suppers and fun get togethers at the school Lawtence, Kansas with her father and younger sister, Ruth, in 1913 by covered wagon drawn by a tee'n of mules. Alta and her family lived on the Hell Creek River northeast of Stratton near Kirk. Alta attended school at the Hell Creek School. U.S.D. #53. Fred & Alta met at a "Barn Dance" and were maried November 13, 1919 at Stratton, Co. The evening they were married Fred picked Alta up in a sled as there had been a big snow and they could not use a car. They got stranded in town and had to spend the house and at church. Some days in the winter we were very much snowed in and isolated with no telephone in the earlier times. [t was necessaq/ for my father to drive a wagon and team of horsee to town for supplies. In deep snow it took 3 night at the "Collins Hotel". Walter, the oldest child of Fred and Alta was born in the little tin-sided shack. Ap- However, they managed to stay on the farm L to R: Clyde Pugh (Fred's brother) and Fred and Alta Pugh standing in front of tin sided shack on homestead in the summer of 1978. home place and moved to Stratton; my father's health was failing and taking life easier seemed the thing to do at that place and time. He soon realized he missed the Our father, Freddie Harrison Pugh, son of Jameg Kay and Zilpha Eliza (Craft) Pugh, born January 28, 1889 in Dighton, Kansas, was 1 of 13 children. Fred came to Stratton fields and needed to be in touch with his past. He had so much faith in the land, he had to from Grinnell, Grove County, Kansas with several years after the dust quit. It was sometime in the early forties they sold the Fred's sister, Daisy. Fred returned to Kansas to pick up his personal possessions and sided with tin cans. Later he built on a lean- and all our meals, not to mention the washing or 4 days. He was always glad to arrive home cold and hungry and we were glad to see him and have some goodies to eat again. The depression in the early thirties, grasshoppers and the drought were all difficulties, but the dust bowl days, as I recall, were my parents most trying times. It was at this time they discussed, for the first time, having a sale and leaving the farm. Forever highlighted in my memory was a day when a big black cloud of dust came rolling in just as Mother finished two long days of work cleaning our house. She sat down and cried. too tired and depressed to hang all those wet sheets to the windows and doors again. their homesteads northeast of Stratton in November of 1909. Frank was married to built a house on his homestead, Section 9 Township 7 South, Range 46 West of the 6th Principal Meridian. Fred's first house on the homestead was a little fra-e shack which he PUGH - MILES FAMILY Fred and Alta Pugh in front of convertible owned by son Louis, home visiting from California. Taken at 412 Iowa after building their home here. Frank Louis Beattie and thev filed claims on proximatcly late 1920 or early 1921 Fred built a big two story house on the homestead. This house had now been moved and added onto and is on the Gerald Lempp farm. Fred was a farmer, also having a threshing machine and corn sheller which he traveled from place to place with before his marriage to Alta. Fred had an unfortunate accident in 1915 when the steam engine blew up and he was thought dead for sometime. Fred and Alta had good crops and good luck until the beginning of the depression in 1929 when everything seemed to go wrong as it had with many others. Their crops failed on account of no rain, no snow, dust storms and etc. They lost most of their corn crop in 1934. Fred always did Blacksmith work for all the neighbors. In the spring of 1940 Fred started working in the W.O. Pickerill Welding Shop �for a few years. Later Fred opened a Blacksmith and Welding Shop of his own which was located Vz block west of Colorado St. on 2nd St. Later he moved his shop to their residence at 412 Iowa St. where he worked until his retirement. Fred also spend many years in different fields sharpening one-ways. In Fred's earlier years he did the calling at the Square Dances and enjoyed playing his harmonica. Alta always helped on the farm, raised big gardens and canned their fruits and vegetables. Alta sewed nearly all the clothes for herselfand the children and pieced quilts and had quilted them. She took in ironing and did wallpapering to help out and worked as a cook at the "Stratton Cafe" and for several years was a Stanley Home Products dealer. Alta was a sewing and cooking 4-H leader for several years and she belonged to the Helping Hand Club, Home Demonstration Club and Ladies Aide. Fred & Alta had 12 children - (7 sons & 5 daughters) - as follows: Walter Freddie born September 8, 1920, married Aileen McCorkle August 19, 1941 and have 9 children - (5 sons & 4 daughters), 26 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Walter now divorced resides in Goodland, Kansas. Ernest Ja-es born February 13, L922 and served in the Marines from 1944-45. From his lst marriage he has 2 children - (1 son & 1 daughter), 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. From his 2nd marriage he has 1 daughter and 3 grandchildren. From his 3rd marriage he has 2 daughtcrs and 4 grandchildren. From his 4th marriage he has 1 son and 2 grandchildren. His 5th marriage gives him 3 sons and 3 grandchildren. Ernest and Linda reside in Byers, Colorado. Louis Joseph born September 20, 1922 served in the Navy from 1941-1946. He maried Martha Fishley November 24, L945 and they have 1 daughter. Louis now divorced resides in Stratton. Colorado. Rosalie Pickerill born Api122,1925, married William (Bill) Wayne Pickerill October 25, L94L. They had 1 daughter who lived only a few hours and have 2 sons and 4 grandchildren. Rosalie & Bill reside in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Orville Albert born September 21, 1927. Orville died in a house fire April L9, L947 at the age of 19 in Limon, Colorado. Evelyn Margie born December 2, L929 being stillborn. Virgil Harrison born February 23, L932 served in the Navy from 1951-1955. He married Canell Stull September 2, 1953. They have 2 sons and 1 grandchild. Virgil married Janice (Vanderloop) Davlin November 4, L967. They had 1 son who was killed in a car accident August 11, 1983 at the age of 14 in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. Virgil & Jan reside in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. LavinaAltaborn October 27, L933, married Ervin Carl Decker June 30, 1950 and they have 3 children (1 son & 2 daughters) and 8 grandchildren, 2 of these died in infancy. Lavina married Earl Rankin in 1969 and they have 2 children (1 son & l daughter). She married Duane Hall, September 29, 1976. Lavina & Duane reside in Anchorage, Alaska. Orilla Marie born April 27,L93l,married Don Doyle Harless October 21, 1956. They had 1 son who was killed in a car accident April 4, L976 at the age of 18 in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado and they have 5 daughters and 7 grandchildren. Orilla married Floyd Jestes July 17, 1982. Floyd adopted the 2 youngest girls in 1983. Orilla & Floyd reside in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Hazel Greeta Viola born June 24, 1936 passed away November 3, 1936 of double pneumonia. Grace Maxine born January 22, 1940 married Terry Kiefer July 20, 1958. They have 4 children (2 boys & 2 girls) and 7 grandchildren. Grace married Frank Mahaffey September27,L982. Grace & Frank reside in Goodland, Kansas. Jodell Elaine born January 9, L944 maried John Westen Fox June 3, 1962. They have 2 children (1 son & 1 daughter). Jodell married Robert LeRoy Musgrove May 8, 1974 and they have 1 daughter. Jodell now divorced resides in Wichita, Kansas. Fred & Alta's total number of grandchildten - 44; great grandchildren - 74; great great grandchildren - 5. All the children except Jodell spent part of their childhood days on the homestead. Fred moved his family into Stratton during the winter months starting in 1939 so the children could go to school then back to the homestead during the summer months. the winter of 1943-44 the family moved into town permanently living in two different apart- ments on Colorado St. then moving to a house on New York Avenue across from the old Foster Lumber Company Fred built their last home at 412 lowa St. in 1947 where they resided until February 5, 1983 when they both entered the Cheyenne Manor Nursing Home in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado and remained there until the time of their deaths. All 9 children returned home in 1969 to help celebrate Fred & Alta's 50th wedding anniversary and again in 1974 to help celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary and once again in 1979 to help celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Fred & Alta spent 63 loving years together. Fred & Alta were members of the Stratton United Methodist Church. Fred passed away May 23, 1983 at the age of 94. Alta passed away December 31, 1984 at the age of 80. Grace & Jodell hope to keep the home at 4L2lovta, Stratton, Colorado in the family by purchasing the shares of the other 7 brothers and sisters. This story was written by 3 of the girls Rosalie, Grace & Jodell with the help of their dear cousin, Blanche (Beattie) Dove. by Jodel Musgrove PUGH, JOHN John and Jane Pugh. his apprenticeship in the coal mines, but decided this was not to be his life. He went to Liverpool, planning to book passage to Canada or Australia; however, there was no steamer leaving for weeks and there was one leaving for New York the next day. John arrived in America in September of 1878. (It would be 33 years before he returned to Wales, with his oldest daughter, Leona, to visit his mother.) In America, he first went to a Welsh settlement in Pennsylvania, only to find that this was a coal mining community, so he went on to Iowa, where he found work on Jane's father's farm. John worked here as a farmhand for five years before he went to work on the Springer ranch in New Mexico. It was here that he learned the cattle business that was to be his way of life. He had not forgotten the little girl in the cornfield; he returned to marry Jane Richards in the Bethel Church, Columbus City, Iowa on February 22, L886. After their marriage, Jane and John went to Springer, New Mexico, where John had been working. Homestead land in eastern Colorado was available that year; and, on October of 1886, the Pughs decided to come to Colorado. Travelling with Mr. and Mrs. Jones, they came by railroad to Wray, where they bought F640 Jane E. Richards, born in Columbus City, Iowa, August 13, 1864, was one of seven children of John and Ann (Arthur) Richards. Her father, a Welch immigrant, had returned to his farm in lowa after serving in the Civil War. One autumn day in 1879 Jane and a group of schoolgirls went to her father's cornfield to meet the young immigrant from Wales - John J. Pugh. Many years later, Jane recalled that she "would never forget his shoes, for they had such thick soles. They made him even taller and his native trousers were so thick .-.-. his mother must have thought America a very cold country to have spun them so thick." John Pugh was born in Llanidloes, Powys County, Wales on Dec. 25, 1857. His father had been killed in a coal mine accident and his mother had remarried. John completed a horse and wagon. An early "northeaster" forced them to stop in Friend (near ldalia) where there were a few soddies. The first night, the horses broke loose from their tether. After three days walking to find the horses, it was decided to leave the women in Friend while the men went on to stake the claims. Here on the Colorado prairie, just before Christmas (Dec. 22, 1886) Leona Alice Pugh, the first white child in Kit Carson County was born. John staked his claim on the "divide" nean the Republican River. At this time it was as bleak on the river as on the upland; however, the grass was taller and water was available. He made a dugout about 10 by 14 feet, added a roof, and a window, a door, and went back to Friend to get Jane and his new baby. Jane Pugh later wrote (1911); We placed our all in 320 acres of land. We built a barn, chicken house, pig pen, and hand dug a well. We broke �land for corn fodder, and for several years, we had hopes, sometimes high and sometimes low. Again, was the vast wilderness of land, sky, Bun, wind, and mirage, our nearest neighbor was seven miles. After the railroad cnme through in 1900, settlers began coming and life was not so lonely. Then a wave of financial adversity struck and a great many left the best way they could. Many more would if they could (myself, for one), but we stayed put. We had considered ourselves good farmers in the east (Iowa), but dry land farming was different. We concluded we must have something besides hope to live on and turned in the direction of stock raising. We had gathered a few cows and could see the possibility of a living, as grass was plenty and good quality. It was a great deal of hard work, but we were young, well, and strong. Sometimes we thought it all a mistake. No church, no school, few neighbors, but quite congenial. Yet we couldn't see beyond. We, like many others, were obliged to go with out coal for years, and had only the bare necessities of life. Looking back, I find it has been worth the while. It has the means to bring out the best all that is in one, had fascination, independence, sorrows, and joy. John bought his first cow for thirty dollars; the second was a gift from Jane's father and a third was traded for plowing ten acres for a neighbor the Pugh Ranch was on its way. In 1891, the- Pughs bought the Tuttle Ranch on the Republican River, later adding the Six Mile and the Cox ranches to their holdings. house was built and just in time - Laura Helen was born in November of 1905 in the "big house". Twelve children, four died as babies, what a heartbreak pioneers endured! The Pughs were a h"ppy, close family. The children roamed the hills, looking for Indian beads, trinkets and arrow heads. They played in the "willows" and in the meadows. They played and they worked, the girls helped in the fields and in the house and the boys did a man's job. On April 13, 1913, tragedy struck. John Pugh had a stroke. He died April 23. Jane was left with six children under eighteen and a ranch to run. This she did, with the help of her family untilLg24.In 1937 Leona, who had been living in Iowa, lost her husband and returned to Colorado. Leona and Jane made their home together for the next twenty-five years. This was the "Grandma and Aunt Onie" I knew as a child. Grandma had long white hair held up by combs. She spent her time reading and writing and she loved the old hymns. In her bedroom was a big high feather bed that no one ever sat on. A quilting frame often took up most of the front room. There was always peppermint candy in the cupboard. Jane Pugh died October 18, 1961, at the age of 97. Her legacy was love. by Betty Roehr LLEWELLYN AND Landholdings included Six Mile (sold to Harry Cox in 1890) and Tuttle Ranches). By TRESSIE REBECCA 1913 the Pugh Ranch consisted of 2,000 acres; the herds numbered some 1400 head of cattle, (R.EZZEIr-) 80 to 100 horses, and a large number ofhogs, F541 (from obituary ofJ. Pugh, 1913). The brand The Pughs were active in the community. They were involved in the organization of the Tuttle school in 1890, a district about fifteen miles long. The first school was an old sod riding, shooting and roping in the best traditions of eastern Colorado boys. When World War I came along, he enlisted in the Air Force, with his mother's permission since he was under 18, and served until the armistice. Tressie Rebecca Rezzer was born in Beaver County, Oklahoma in 1905 to Will and Laura Rezzer. Will Rezzer,afarmer of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction, had migrated to Oklahoma with his mother, and Laura E. Reid of Scots and Irish descent, met and married in mines at Minden Mines, Kansas, and had followed her family when they had moved on however, he lost his herd with roving buffalo. raised. Ranch was located 18 miles northeast of Stratton in the valley ofthe South Fork ofthe Republican and Spring Creek. Lloyd grew up Oklahoma. Laura had "worked out" from the PUGH, LLOYD was P/9. John farmed, but it was an adjunct to the stock business; he fed most of what he parents, John J. and Jane E. Pugh. The P/9 age of twelve in the boarding houses near the (Tuttle first saw land while with U.S. Cal- vary. He returned in 1870 with cattle; Loyd and Tressie Pugh Lloyd Llewellyn Pugh, one of 12 children, was born October 4, 1898 in the sod house that was the predecessor of the proud Victorian home built in 1902 by Lloyd's to Oklahoma. Two children, Tressie Rebecca and Orville Winfield, were aged two and seven when the family moved by covered wagon to a quitclaim south and east of Kirk where Will built a soddy that still stands today. Tressie attended Clark school through eight grades and, there being no high school available, found a job working in the Joes store. She also farmed along with her brother and drove wheat trucks (Model A variety) to the elevator in Stratton. Her father, Will, contracted diabetes prior to the wide spread house with no window. William Arthur Richards (Jane Pugh's brother) taught the first three month term for $25.00 per month. Later, both Gladys and Mabel Pugh taught in the Tuttle School. Both Jane and John were active in the establishment of the Congregational Church in the Tuttle Community. John had a good voice and loved to lead group singing. The first Sunday School was in the home of Mr. E.G. Davis. Jane taught Sunday School. As the Pugh Ranch grew, so did the family, twelve children were born to John and Jane. Leona was not yet two when Arthur Lewis was born in July, 1888. In 1890 Evan Albert was born, but he lived only six weeks. In 1891 the family moved to the Tuttle Ranch. The house had been an army fort and the walls were three feet thick with an outside door in every room. It was here that John Jay (189f) was born. In 1893 the Pughs had another ilaughter, Mabel Ann. Two years later, Mary Gladys was born. The next year, John Jay who was five, died of cholera infantile. The little fort must have been filled to overflowing rs Lloyd Llewllyn and Richard Luther joined t'he family. Three years later, in 1903, Clara Amy was born. The next year a new large ' .+: 4 P:.ia Old original Pugh ranch; Lloyd the babe in arms . . before 1902 �use of insulin and died in 1932. Lloyd and Tressie were married March 7, L927. at Grant Methodist Church in Denver. Lloyd and Tressie set up housekeeping on the old Colonel Osborn place on the Kirk High- Lodge and Eastern Star, Boy Scouts, and the Kit Carson County Fair where Lloyd had charge of the horse barns during the 1940's all benefited from their labors. Tressie was -a committeewoman for the Republican Party way and, after a year there, moved to the location of the old Pugh Ranch, and established the XT Cross. A son, Robert Lloyd, was born in 1928. The Dirty Thirtiee began a little later for the valley, but by 1932 the grass was exhausted and Cressie Seal and Lloyd rented pasturage around the Limon Breaks to run for many years. In 1948, Swede Hornung and Lloyd built and operated the brick sale barn about 500 head of cattle through the summer. served as mayor of Stratton during the early Fall's arrival marked sale time for the cattle and they were loaded out on the railroad in Limon at 4 a.m. for Kansas City. Lloyd and Tressie's second son, William John was born the next day, September 8, 1932. Conditions improved through some leased grasslands closer to home but the drought really didn't break until Memorial Day, 1935, when 24 inches ofrain fell in less than t hours. Lloyd and Tressie awoke to find the house entirely surrounded with water lapping at the front doorstep. The Flood of 1935 deciminated the ranch including 40 head of cattle, all the corrals and fences, the hogs and pens, all the machinery and ruined the meadow hayfields. The snakes were particularly bad that summer, having washed down river to be caught in the willows and cottonwoods that lined Spring Creek. Lloyd and Tressie weathered the depression by trading eggs and cream for staples, marketing cattle during intolerable markets and butchering beef for the local butcher shop when prices were down. Laura Marie, born in 1938, completed the family. The late Thirties and early Forties brought better days. To quote Tressie's words, "We didn't have any money but we could get credit!" They used that privilege wisely and expanded the operation to nearly double the size of their holdings. About 500-700 cattle were wintered over in an average year. Late winter through spring was calving season and fence repair time. The fences crossing the creeks were particularly vulner- able and had to be restrung and weighted after almost every flood. Weaning the calves one slept during the fall was a sad time - nocalves were much that first night as the little penned in the corral separated from their mothers. Branding, beginning with the roun- dup and marking all the yearlings, was a community effort, shared by representatives the Woods, of most of the nearby families Corliss, Daffer, Whipple, Lucas,- Belt. Haying time brought large crews who boarded and slept at the ranch until the job was completed - usually about two weeks. The stacker, mower, bucks, rakes and wagons were powthe pitchered by horses - unfortunately, forks weren't! One of the fond memories of childhood was riding the stacker and being thrown onto the top ofthe stack. Second best was riding on top of the hay wagon as the horses, Beauty and Bette, plodded down the lane to the barn. Fall roundup for market meant either the long cattle drive to town to the railroad or trucking out the livestock to the various sale barns in the area. Despite the isolation of living on the ranch, Tressie and Lloyd were active members of the community and involved in all facets of its development. The Colorado Cattlemen's Association and its auxiliary, the Cowbelles, the American Legion and Auxiliary, Masonic north of the railroad tracks in Stratton. In 1951 Lloyd and Tressie built and moved into the first modern brick home in Stratton and "livin' in town". Lloyd served on the Board of Directors for the First National Bank and began a life of civic service. He 50's when a modern sewer system was installed and later as police magistrate. They both have been very active in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, now the United Methodist. Travelling has always been a "Pugh" characteristic and Lloyd and Tressie upheld that fine old tradition. Europe, Africa, Alaska, and every state in the nation as well as lots of Canada and Mexico beca-e places of fond remembrance. They owned one of the first sampers on the nation's highways and spent most of the winters in sunny climes nineteen of them in Port Isabel, Texas. They celebrated their fiftieth anniversary with their friends in Port Isabel in March of 1977 and again in June with their Colorado friends and relatives. Lloyd passed away on October 8, 1983, four days after his 85th birthday and is buried in Claremont Cemetery near Stratton. Tressie continues to live in their home in Stratton. by Marie Pugh Idler received a Golden Award (50 years) for animation from the Motion Picture Cartoonists Guild in 1987. He is retired and lives in New York City. He has also been doing fine art for many years and some of his paintings are being shown in some of the Madison Avenue galleries. Lorraine moved to California in 1939 where she first worked for an advertising agency, and then, first radio, and then television production in both Hollywood and New York City until 1978 when she retired. Ben Pyle died in 1970 at the age of 82. Maude Pyle Campbell lives in Leisure World at Long Beach, California. She is 95 years of age and still very active in bridge tournaments and other activities. Denver Pyle, the youngest of the three children, attended grade school in Bethune, and junior and senior high school in Boulder, later studying at the University of Colorado for two years. He supported himself and his education by playing the drums in the college band. After leaving the university, Denver became restless and decided to give Gene Krupa some competition in the drumming world. The gigs were few and money was tight. He soon hocked his drums and hit the road, hitchhiking. He worked as a roust-about in the oil fields of Oklahoma, a shrimp fisherman out of Galveston, and followed the wheat harvest from North Texas to Canada. After working for Mid-Continent Petroleum in Tulsa as a still cleaner, he hit the road again and hitchhiked to Hollywood to see his brother and sister in 1940. Soon after he arrived he worked for NBC as a page boy and tour guide. He tried to enlist but was rejected by the PYLE, DENVER F642 Ben H. Pyle, his wife Maude, and two children Lorraine age 4 and Willis age 3, moved to Bethune in 1917. They came by train from Smith Center, Kansas, and settled on a homestead located 9 miles south of Bethune, which they farmed until 1919, when they moved into Bethune. They built a house and Ben went into the real estate business. Denver was born in 1920. Until the new school was built, all three children attended school in the first white one-room schoolhouse and then the second one built later on. The whole family remembers those days in Bethune as very happy ones, and will always remember this as "home." They survived the great depression, always managing to have enough food and clothing as well as a home. Ben also managed a grain elevator in Bethune at this time. In 1933 the family moved to Boulder so the children could attend the University of Colorado. Maude Pyle had a boarding house for students and Ben worked with a grain company. Lorraine returned to this area in 1935 when she taught at the one-room school north of Burlington. She remembers staying with the William and Martha (Stutz) Schlichenmayers when their twin sons Roland and Raymond were born. The babies were so small they were put in shoe boxes and kept warm on the oven door. Wilis Pyle went to Hollywood, California in 1938, where he became an animator for the Walt Disney Studios for many years. He Army. He signed up as a Cadet Midshipman for the Maritime Commission and carried his 4F card throughout the South Pacific on his tour of duty. Following World War II he became inter- ested in acting. His first part in the play, "Out of the Frying Pan," was in a girls drama school in need of some boys for the play. The director encouraged him to study acting whereupon Denver took her advice and signed to study with Josephine Dillion, the teacher that launched Clark Gable. Following parts in several theater productions his first big part came in "The Man From Colorado" with Glenn Ford and Bill Holden, which was released in 1946. He made 4 motion pictures with John Wayne as well as many others. The advent of television helped his career immeasurably. "Tammy," "The Doris Day Show," "Grizzly Adams," and "The Dukes of Hazzard" were among the more popular roles he became known for. Following "The Dukes of Hazzard" series he no longer accepted personal appearance contracts. Instead, he and his wife, Tippi, whom he married in 1983, have travelled back and forth across the United States using 'Uncle Jesse' to raise millions of dollars for childrens'charities. His fee? A clean room, an airline ticket, or sometimes at his own expense. As he says, "A hug from a Special Olympic contender is a lot more rewarding than an envelope full of money." He feels as though he has accomplished what he set out to do. He has worked with most of the great actors of his time, and has �collect the eggs. Since I was the fastest runner, I always gathered more eggs than anyone elee and it made my brothers and sisters angry". Gladys met George in Flagler the year the Stratton School Dietrict shut down. Both were avid hunters and loved to dance. "Those were the only real types of entertainment in those days, and we used to dance until the wee hours of the morning. George always made sure they played the song, "My wild Irish Rose". It was his favorite song and he would always sing along with it. I also remember th6f, nlmsst, eysrybody rode horseback because automobiles were etill scarce in our atea." They were united 3 years after George returned from the service and Tony Dischner Kr:ti. was a witness at their wedding. The very next 1 day, Gladys took over duties as Postmaster and George as clerk and mail carrier of the Stratton Post Office, a position they held from 1922-1935. "In those days, the postmaster had to be of the snme political party as the President. We were lucky to have 3 Republican Presidents in a row before Roosevelt became president and we were replaced. I also remember the Post Office being constantly harassed by the Ku Klux Klan", Gladys says. After the Post Office, George held various jobs at the Lumber Yard, Snell Grain Elevator and the Rock Island Railroad, while Gladys began teaching. She taught in the Country Schools for 10 years and another 17 years in Stratton as an Elementary Teacher. She often jokes, "It took me 13 years to get out of the 1st grade". Many of the long-time residents ofStratton were once pupils ofhers, as a walk down the street attests to by the warm greetings she receives. The love and support of friendship is a very treasured gift ,:1.:' s .:' , f'j! t,{.1 j : to her. From this union 3 children were born; The popular character actor, Denver Pyle, spent his early years in Bethune. become one of the top character men in the businees. by Bonnie Witzel Lynn, Sheila, Cheryl Roehr; Brenda, hus- QUINN - PUGH FAMILY Betty Jo, Patrick George and Mary Margaret. In 1963 tragedy struck the Quinn's when their son, Patrick, was lost in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains near Westcliffe. Search efforts were unsuccessful and his fate was uncertain until 14 years later when his remains were found. Upon retirement, George and Gladys continued to live in Stratton, cherishing God, their Church, Family and Friends. George and Glady's family now includes: 2 daughters, Betty Jo and husband Paul Roehr of Fort Collins, Colo.; Mary Margaret and husband Norman Sandy of Granby, Colo.; 6 grand-daughters, Laura, husband Jim Pool, band Al Courtney; Lisa Sandy; one grandson, Brian Sandy and three great grandchildren. George passed away on March 13, 1984, at the age of 88 after a lingering illness, while F643 George Edward Quinn and Mary Gladys Pugh were maried in Cheyenne Wells, Colo., on January 2,1922. They lived all of their 62 married years in Stratton, Colorado. George and Gladys (right) at Eads, CO with good friende Jim and Ruby Hollowas (left) display their results of a successful day of their favorite sport, goose hunting. Back in those days, there was no limit to the "mount taken. George Edward Quinn was born on June 1, 1895, the llth of 13 children born to Michael First Lieutenant. and Anna Boyd Quinn, early pioneers from lreland who came to Eastern Colorado with bhe Rock Island Railroad. George lived in Flagler all of his childhood years and attended echool there. He joined the Army in May of 1917, and was commissioned as 2nd Lt. before serving in the 157th Regiment Infanbry Division in France in World War I. He was honorably discharged on October 3, 1919, as Mary Gladys Pugh Quinn was born October 14, 1895, the 6th of 12 children born to John and Jane Pugh, both of Welsh origin. Gladys was raised on the Republican River and attended school at Tuttle, 18 miles north of Stratton. Gladys recalls many fond memories of her childhood days; "Mother used to pay us I penny for every egg we gathered; so all of us kids would run home after school to Gladys continues to live in good health at her home in Stratton. by Mary Quinn Sandy �prairie while she did her washing. Of course, she had to keep a sharp lookout for snakes; there were many of them on the prairies. And there were thousands ofwild range cattle that would flock around our little sod shack at night and dig their horns into the walls and bellow. Then we would open the door and yell at them and when they were running away @.{ the noise oftheir hoofs sounded like thunder. Hundreds of antelope furnished meat for the settlers who were then coming in. There were plenty of coyotes, too. After proving up on this claim, they took T I a pre-emption one quarter of a mile south of Flagler and nearer to town. Anna's husband lived at home with them and helped more with the work, still doing his work as section foreman on the railroad. They went into the cattle business; the older children and Anna were running the ranch until the oldest son got old enough to help. Often times they would hear the wind blowing ahead of a blizzard and would go out at night and get the cattle rounded up and home before the blizzard struck and the cattle started to drift. Anna remembered one time an awful blizzatd, came and snowed them in their hundred men. Anna's husband, Michael dugout south of town. Her husband shoveled the snow back into the house and burrowed his way out. When the snow melted there was about a foot of water on the floor, and the children had to stay on the bed and chairs until we got the floor dried up. As time went on they were able to improve their place and when the children got older Quiirn, was Walking Boss, Bo they stayed in qnmp until our contract was finished. some years. After her husband's death she George and Gladys at their window in the Stratton Post Office, and later of Denver; Mary Green (Mrs. Charlies) Denver; Jim Quinn, Stratton; Jo Quinn, Lincoln, Nebr. There were two other women with small children and over one Anna's husband then became Section Foreman with headquarters in Flagler, so we then located on a claim two miles north of where the town now stands. We built a one room and house and as the walls were Gladys Pugh homestead houae "Quovadis" on the Arickaree River north of Stratton. QUINN, ANNA F644 Anna Quinn was born in Ohio on September 7, 1858, and cnme to Iowa with her parents when six years of age. She lived in Iowa twenty-two years, then came to Kansas in 1885. On March 28, 1888, they arrived in Kit Carson County and made eernp at the place where Flagler is now located. They had come west with the P.J. Murphy Grading Outfit to build the grade for the Rock Island Railroad from Goodland, Kansas to Colorado Springs. They unloaded the mules, horses and grading outfit at Kit Carson (Cheyenne County), Colorado, having shipped to that point via the Union Pacific Railroad. They then went overland to our location, Flagler, Colorado. Nothing before them on the stretch of lonesome prairie but one home where Grandma Doughty's girls later taught school after the settlement start€d and taught throughout the county for some years. They had no idea of the hardships they would meet, so were unprepared for blizzards or storms and had but one ton of coal with the outfit and were thirty milee from where they could get more. The men pitched camp, eetting up the tents, and feed racks, etc. Anna had five emall children, Margaret Epperson (Mrs. George), Flagler; Bess Miller, Stratton unplastered we were bothered terribly with the prairie fleas; they were so plentiful here they moved into town and lived there for stayed with her children for awhile, but she enjoyes her own little apartment now, and still gets a lot out of life. There were other children born to Anna and her husband; Bill Quinn, Sterling, Co.; Agnes Quinn, Cheyenne Wells, Co.; Hugh Quinn, also of Cheyenne Wells; George Anna, on the claim while her husband bached Quinn, Stratton, Co.; Grace Heid (Mrs. George), Burlington, Co. Mary Korbelik is the daughter of Grace Heid. All the other in town. On Saturday night he would walk children are deceased. in early days. Anna's five children lived, along with two miles to claim carrying the weeks supplies on his shoulder. We had no horse nor vehicle at that time and had but two milk cows. They were lariated out on the prairie and often times they would break loose and I would need to walk miles over the prairie looking for them, leaving the children alone in the sod shack. The town of Flagler began to be built by this time; a few shacks, a sod school house and a tent grocery store. Anna's two older girls, then being of school age, walked to town to school. Many a day of worry she put in, for the terrible blizzards would come up so suddenly and she would fear the girls would get confused in direction and become lost on the prairie; So she would leave the three small children in the shack alone and go out to meet the girls. She never stopped to think that she, too, could easily become confuged and lost as well as the girls. Anna caried water one-quarter of a mile from a well on the creek, always using buckets as we had no other means of hauling it. When washday crme, she would take her washing and wash boiler to the well, dig a hole in the ground, and make a fire with buffalo chips, set the wash boiler over the fire and do her washing. Often times she took her baby along and set the little fellow on a quilt on the by Mary Korbelik QUINN, MICIIAEL AND ANNA ISABEL BOYD F545 Michael Quinn was born April 13, 1842 in Tipperary, Ireland. There were ten children in his family. In the 1850's Michael's father decided to come to America. He and the two oldest boys went to Toronto, Canada. Later, his mother followed, bringing with her the other children. She had become ill on the long voyage from Ireland and died of pneumonia soon after they arrived in Toronto. Michael's father brought his large fanily to Wash- ington County, Iowa, where he worked on the railroad. He later filed a homestead claim and, with the help of the older children, he raised his family. Michael, one of the younger children, enlisted for service in the Civil War in Muscatine, Iowa in 1861. After the war, Michael (Mike) was not ready to settled �some stretch of prairie where Grandma Doughty lived with her son and his children. The railroaders had no idea of the hardships they would meet and were not prepared for the harsh Colorado climate. The grading contract was completed that fall and the Quinn family was still moving, one winter in Goodland, Kansas, and then to Limon where William Frances was born in 1889. Mike was made Section Foreman for the Rock Island and the Quinns finally settled down on a a little woman all spunk and gumption and rawhide and sharp tongue, who would have gone out and butchered a range steer, any one's steer, and dragged it home by the tail before she would have fed her family coyote meat. But when he talked about how they built the railroad, Mike Quinn was listened to with attention and respect. Mike died April 29, L929, at the age of 87. After his death, Anna lived in Flagler in an apartment, later moving to Denver. She died December the children lived on the claim while Mike by Betty Roehr homestead two miles north of Flagler where they built a one room sod house. Anna and batched in town, walking home each week with the week'g provisions on his shoulder. They had no horse, but they did have two cows. (Later, the children delivered milk to the people of Flagler). By 1890, the 165 miles of track had been completed. The town of Flagler was beginning to build as few houses, a sod school and a tent grocery store. Anna wrote in 1943: My two older girls walked to school. Many a day of worry I put in, for the blizzards would come Mike Quinn and Anna Boyd. down; and, for the next decade, he was a maverick. It was during this time that his love of railroads began. Mike traveled the United States and Mexico and was in Ogden, Utah when the golden spike was driven in 1869. Anna's parents, James Boyd (June 9, 1827) and Mary Jane Reid (htg. 27, 1837) were both born in County Down, Ireland. James had come to New York with his three brothers. Mary Jane, who had been his sweetheart in Ireland, came to New Jersey with her aunt. She and Michael were married in Urban, Ohio on August 5, 1855. It was here that Anna Boyd was born Sept. 7, 1858. The Boyds moved to Illinois then to Iowa in 1864, when Anna was six years old. The Boyds had nine children. On May 6, 1878, Anna Boyd and Michael Quinn were maried in Washington, Iowa. Mike farmed for seven years; and, it was here that Joanna Margaret (Maggie) was born in 1879. The next year, Stephen Andrew was born, but he lived only one year. Two more little girls were born in Iowa: Ellen Elizabeth (Bess) in 1882 and Mary Anastasia in 1883. Two years later, James Michael was born. At this time Mike decided that farmingwas not to be his life. The Quinns had a sale and Mike left his family in Iowa while he went to find a new home. Anna and the four children joined him in Kansas and the next two years were spent in construction camps int he summer and near Hanington, Kansas in the winter, where Mike worked in the railroad yards. PhiUip Joseph was born in a covered wagon in a construction camp. In the spring of 1888, the Quinns came to Colorado with the J.P. Murphy grading outfit. Mike was to be the grade foreman of the outfit that would build grade for laying track for the railroad through eastern Colorado. They ceme by Union Pacific to Kit Carson, unloading the mules and the grading equipment and went to the camp at Bowerville (1 7z miles east of Flagler). the c'mp consisted ofover one hundred men, Anna and her five children. and two other women. The women cooked for the men and the children played around the camp, sometimes riding the mules. There was no town then, not even the beginning of one, nothing but the lone- up so suddenly and I would fear the girls would become lost. I would leave the three small children in the shack alone and go out to meet the girls. I carried water one quarter mile from a well on the creek, always using buckets. I would take my washing and wash boiler over to the well, dig a hole in the ground and fire with buffalo chips, set the boiler over the fire to do my washing, drying the clothes on the grass. Often times I took my baby along and set the little fellow on a quilt. Between 1891 and 1900, six more children were born: John Samuel, Grace Ruth, George Edward, Agnes Annabel, John Paul, and Hugh Robert. Two babies, John Samuel and John Paul, died as infants. Thirteen children had been born to Michael and Anna, three died in infancy and ten would live out their lives in Colorado. After proving up on the homestead claim, the Quinns took up a pre-emption on quarter mile south of Flagler. This was nearer town and Mike lived at home. They bought some cattle and Anna and the children ran the ranch while Mike was working. In the time span between 1899 and 1920, the older children married. The Quinns moved to town where they lived in the railroad section house. The children had all attended school, and George and Hugh played on the high school basketball teams. George enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917. Hugh, the youngest, was seventeen years old. Mike was now 78 and spent much of his time in the blacksmith shop. Hal Borland, in "Country Editor's Boy" wrote about the Flagler Blacksmith shop in the 1920s: Among them were old-timers who had been in that country when it was young, before the railroad was built. Mike Quinn qualified because he helped build the railroad. And 15, 1943 at the age of 95. RADCLIFF FAI\IILY F546 Earl Radcliff was born near Hale, Colorado, in Arapahoe County, on Nov. 15, 1893. He was a farmer and rancher by location and avocation. One of his early teachers was Nellie Grabb who lived north of Burlington, Colo. During the 1930's, he was feeding Hereford cattle on the Pugh Ranch north of Stratton, Kit Carson County, Colorado, when the awful flood of May 1935 hit, and took many of his Herefords downstream and ruined the hay land for many yeEus. He stayed here through the winter and beceme better acquainted with Maxine Messinger, the teacher at Tuttle School. By spring he had decided to move back to the Radcliff homestead near Hale, Colorado. During the summer of 1936, Earl worked in Denver in the building trade while Maxine was on leave from teaching. He asked Maxine to marry him and a Christmas wedding was planned. Maxine was then teaching at the Newton School on Highway 51 about 25 miles north of Burlington. On Dec. 23, 1936, Earl and she were married in the rectory of St. Charles Church at Stratton, Colo., Kit Carson County, with Jesse Messinger, Bonny Gaunt, and Mrs. Gaunt as witnesses. Earl continued to farm and raise cattle near Hale. Some of these years were poor for farming following the "dust bowl years". When the plans were made for the building of Bonny Dam, Earl and Maxine decided to sell everything on the Radcliff farm-including the buildings-and move to Denver in November, 1943. By this time four of their daughters (Earline, Helen, Sue, and Bonny) had been born in Burlington Hospital with Dr. Robinson in attendance. Four more daughters (Carmine, Kathy, Mary, and Jane) were born in St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver. Earl worked for Eaton Metal Products Company for fifteen years then he retired. He passed away in Denver on June 15, 1965. Mike was a veteran of the Civil War. He was full of stories about the old days, at least half of them true and all of them rich with Irish wit and Irish brogue. When he told a whopper, most of his listeners knew what it was. As the one he told about how he used to be a great foot racer, how he kept in trim by running down coyotes, which he butchered to keep his family in meat. That was a wheeze, first because nobody could picture Mike, a big, brawny, white-mustached and with a geme leg that needed a cane, as a foot racer; and second because everyone knew his wife, by Mrs. Earl Radcliff � 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- P&Q Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of founding families of Kit Carson County with names starting with "P" and "Q." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:506 2020-03-23T10:12:43Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/506/Families-R.pdf 3f7a7c086e720bfd6d5aec4c65f4190a PDF Text Text some stretch of prairie where Grandma Doughty lived with her son and his children. The railroaders had no idea of the hardships they would meet and were not prepared for the harsh Colorado climate. The grading contract was completed that fall and the Quinn family was still moving, one winter in Goodland, Kansas, and then to Limon where William Frances was born in 1889. Mike was made Section Foreman for the Rock Island and the Quinns finally settled down on a a little woman all spunk and gumption and rawhide and sharp tongue, who would have gone out and butchered a range steer, any one's steer, and dragged it home by the tail before she would have fed her family coyote meat. But when he talked about how they built the railroad, Mike Quinn was listened to with attention and respect. Mike died April 29, L929, at the age of 87. After his death, Anna lived in Flagler in an apartment, later moving to Denver. She died December the children lived on the claim while Mike by Betty Roehr homestead two miles north of Flagler where they built a one room sod house. Anna and batched in town, walking home each week with the week'g provisions on his shoulder. They had no horse, but they did have two cows. (Later, the children delivered milk to the people of Flagler). By 1890, the 165 miles of track had been completed. The town of Flagler was beginning to build as few houses, a sod school and a tent grocery store. Anna wrote in 1943: My two older girls walked to school. Many a day of worry I put in, for the blizzards would come Mike Quinn and Anna Boyd. down; and, for the next decade, he was a maverick. It was during this time that his love of railroads began. Mike traveled the United States and Mexico and was in Ogden, Utah when the golden spike was driven in 1869. Anna's parents, James Boyd (June 9, 1827) and Mary Jane Reid (htg. 27, 1837) were both born in County Down, Ireland. James had come to New York with his three brothers. Mary Jane, who had been his sweetheart in Ireland, came to New Jersey with her aunt. She and Michael were married in Urban, Ohio on August 5, 1855. It was here that Anna Boyd was born Sept. 7, 1858. The Boyds moved to Illinois then to Iowa in 1864, when Anna was six years old. The Boyds had nine children. On May 6, 1878, Anna Boyd and Michael Quinn were maried in Washington, Iowa. Mike farmed for seven years; and, it was here that Joanna Margaret (Maggie) was born in 1879. The next year, Stephen Andrew was born, but he lived only one year. Two more little girls were born in Iowa: Ellen Elizabeth (Bess) in 1882 and Mary Anastasia in 1883. Two years later, James Michael was born. At this time Mike decided that farmingwas not to be his life. The Quinns had a sale and Mike left his family in Iowa while he went to find a new home. Anna and the four children joined him in Kansas and the next two years were spent in construction camps int he summer and near Hanington, Kansas in the winter, where Mike worked in the railroad yards. PhiUip Joseph was born in a covered wagon in a construction camp. In the spring of 1888, the Quinns came to Colorado with the J.P. Murphy grading outfit. Mike was to be the grade foreman of the outfit that would build grade for laying track for the railroad through eastern Colorado. They ceme by Union Pacific to Kit Carson, unloading the mules and the grading equipment and went to the camp at Bowerville (1 7z miles east of Flagler). the c'mp consisted ofover one hundred men, Anna and her five children. and two other women. The women cooked for the men and the children played around the camp, sometimes riding the mules. There was no town then, not even the beginning of one, nothing but the lone- up so suddenly and I would fear the girls would become lost. I would leave the three small children in the shack alone and go out to meet the girls. I carried water one quarter mile from a well on the creek, always using buckets. I would take my washing and wash boiler over to the well, dig a hole in the ground and fire with buffalo chips, set the boiler over the fire to do my washing, drying the clothes on the grass. Often times I took my baby along and set the little fellow on a quilt. Between 1891 and 1900, six more children were born: John Samuel, Grace Ruth, George Edward, Agnes Annabel, John Paul, and Hugh Robert. Two babies, John Samuel and John Paul, died as infants. Thirteen children had been born to Michael and Anna, three died in infancy and ten would live out their lives in Colorado. After proving up on the homestead claim, the Quinns took up a pre-emption on quarter mile south of Flagler. This was nearer town and Mike lived at home. They bought some cattle and Anna and the children ran the ranch while Mike was working. In the time span between 1899 and 1920, the older children married. The Quinns moved to town where they lived in the railroad section house. The children had all attended school, and George and Hugh played on the high school basketball teams. George enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917. Hugh, the youngest, was seventeen years old. Mike was now 78 and spent much of his time in the blacksmith shop. Hal Borland, in "Country Editor's Boy" wrote about the Flagler Blacksmith shop in the 1920s: Among them were old-timers who had been in that country when it was young, before the railroad was built. Mike Quinn qualified because he helped build the railroad. And 15, 1943 at the age of 95. RADCLIFF FAI\IILY F546 Earl Radcliff was born near Hale, Colorado, in Arapahoe County, on Nov. 15, 1893. He was a farmer and rancher by location and avocation. One of his early teachers was Nellie Grabb who lived north of Burlington, Colo. During the 1930's, he was feeding Hereford cattle on the Pugh Ranch north of Stratton, Kit Carson County, Colorado, when the awful flood of May 1935 hit, and took many of his Herefords downstream and ruined the hay land for many yeEus. He stayed here through the winter and beceme better acquainted with Maxine Messinger, the teacher at Tuttle School. By spring he had decided to move back to the Radcliff homestead near Hale, Colorado. During the summer of 1936, Earl worked in Denver in the building trade while Maxine was on leave from teaching. He asked Maxine to marry him and a Christmas wedding was planned. Maxine was then teaching at the Newton School on Highway 51 about 25 miles north of Burlington. On Dec. 23, 1936, Earl and she were married in the rectory of St. Charles Church at Stratton, Colo., Kit Carson County, with Jesse Messinger, Bonny Gaunt, and Mrs. Gaunt as witnesses. Earl continued to farm and raise cattle near Hale. Some of these years were poor for farming following the "dust bowl years". When the plans were made for the building of Bonny Dam, Earl and Maxine decided to sell everything on the Radcliff farm-including the buildings-and move to Denver in November, 1943. By this time four of their daughters (Earline, Helen, Sue, and Bonny) had been born in Burlington Hospital with Dr. Robinson in attendance. Four more daughters (Carmine, Kathy, Mary, and Jane) were born in St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver. Earl worked for Eaton Metal Products Company for fifteen years then he retired. He passed away in Denver on June 15, 1965. Mike was a veteran of the Civil War. He was full of stories about the old days, at least half of them true and all of them rich with Irish wit and Irish brogue. When he told a whopper, most of his listeners knew what it was. As the one he told about how he used to be a great foot racer, how he kept in trim by running down coyotes, which he butchered to keep his family in meat. That was a wheeze, first because nobody could picture Mike, a big, brawny, white-mustached and with a geme leg that needed a cane, as a foot racer; and second because everyone knew his wife, by Mrs. Earl Radcliff �were laid to rest in Claremont Cemeterv in Stratton, Colorado. by Clara Argabright RAGAN, BURT F548 Burt Ragan taken about 1888 or 1889 soon after coming to Colorado. Earl and Maxine Radcliff and eight daughters at Eaton Metal Christmas party in 1952. RADSPINNER, ARTHUR AND LUCY Burt Ragan was the son of Collin and Katherine Ragan, who resided in Lancaster, Iowa. He was born March 31, 1868. Because of the death of his mother when he was four years old, he made his home with his F547 I was born in So. Dakota on Feb. 12, L907 and the folks moved to Colorado in March 1910. Doctors advised my Dad to move to a higher climate because of his asthma, so he decided to homestead in Eastern Colorado on 160 acres about 15 miles south of Stratton where, with help of neighbors, he built a sod house, then in later years built a nice frame house. Must have been about 1918 but I can't say for sure. The family cnme by train on the Rock Island railroad and lived in the sod house until the new house was built. We even had Carbide lights, such an improvement over the old kerosene lamps. Their five children were: Nina Henrietta - married Howard Hightower, Laurence - married Arthur Lowe, Lillian Agatha - married William Underwood, Clara Louise - married Gilbert Argabright. After the children were all married and in homes of their own and because of Dad's health, they sold the farm in 1937. They bought a house in Stratton where they resided until 1960 when it became necessary for them to move to the Rest Home in Burlington. Dad died in Oct. 1960 and Mother passed away Nov. 21, 1964. They Grandma and Grandad Radspinner. Taken August 16. 1950 in front of their Stratton home. Vivian Ragan holding dolls and wearing fur muff and scarf, fall of 1920. PQO �Lila and Homer Ragan about 1916. Part of the Ragan family taken in 1947. Back row, L. to R.; Helen Nelson, Fred and Vivian Kiefer, Mary Ragan, John Rule, Burt Ragan, Dorothy Jones, Lila Rule, Walt Jones, Ferrell Jones. Front Row; Kiefer children, Virginia holding Bill, Terry, Kathie, and Sheryl. Seated, Gary Kiefer and Kerwin Jones. grandparents, W.A.H. and Catherine Ragan. The Ragans were of Irish heritage. When sixteen years of age, he cnme by horseback to Oberlin, Kansas. The next year, at seventeen years of age, he walked into Colorado, traveling with a wagon train. At Burlington, then a small village, he learned that a large ranch to the north, on the Burt Ragan, left, taken while associated with the Stock Grower State Bank - around 1920. i,,.t:ta:i:lt:. r..i:.:. I, t:r!&iltl:r: f,rttili: Burt Ragan and daughter Cora riding their horses. Taken about 1906 or 1908. Burt Ragan, County Clerk about 1916. Notice the safe and ledgers to the right. Left to Right: Burt Ragan, Sr. and Burt Ragan Jr., Ethel, Adella Ragan, Burt Jr., Ethel, Burt Jr. and Cora. Burt Ragan - while serving in the Colorado State Senate. 1932-1940. �Republican River, needed cowboys' The next grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. The next day he was hired by the Republican Cattle Company, owned by a group from England. In later years, this ranch was known as the Bar T Ranch. In time, Mr. Ragan beca-e the foreman of the ranch, which was at that time the largest made her home with her grandparents until she reached adulthood. Also raised in the Ragan home was Dorothea Nees Jones, daughter of Mary Ragan. Now, in January of 1987, Lila Rule and Vivian Kiefer, the two remaining children are happy to contribute this brief history of their father, Burt Ragan. A Postscript to Burt Ragan: night he camped on land that later became part of his home place and ranch. ranch in eastern Colorado. His ambition prompted him to attend Franklin Academy, in Franklin, Nebraska, for two winter terms of four months each. Burt, as he beca-e known in the community, rode in the last big round up in eastern Colorado, which extended from the Arkansas River on the south to the Republican River on the north: these are over a hundred miles apart. There were no fences and very few settlers. He also did freighting from Haigler, Nebraska to the ranches along the Republican River the first winter he was in Colorado. Burt was married to Adella Austin on March 18, 1892 in Friend, Colorado. At that time Adella's parents owned and operated the general store in Friend, which was located a little way south and west of the present town of ldalia. Nine children were born to this union, three dying in infancy. Mrs. Adella Ragan passed away February 2, L920, during the flu epidemic. In the fall of 1899, Mr. Ragan was elected to the office of County Clerk and Recorder of Kit Carson County. He resigned his position with the Republican Cattle Company to take over this new work. He served one term in this office. In 1903 he was selected as Assistant Postmaster of Burlington, and served one year in this capacity. He then returned to his home ranch to pursue his life as a cattleman. Burt moved back to Burlington in the fall of 1912, where he became identified with the Stock Growers State Bank for the next 16 years. He sold his interest in the bank in the spring of 1929 to devote his time to land brokerage and selling insurance. The many friends who were associated with Mr. Ragan, knowing of his unusual ability of understanding the many needs of this section of the state, decided he was needed in the State Senate. He was elected to that office in 1934 and re-elected in 1938, serving two four year terms. Because of his age and farming interests, he refused to run for a third term. Mr. Ragan was initiated into the Masonic Lodge No. 77, A.F. and A.M. of Burlington in 1904. He advanced to the 32nd degree. He had been present€d with his 50 year pin in the spring of 1954. During his long years of public service, Burt was always mindful of individuals needs, and in the depression years often gave a helping hand. On March 17, L926, he was united in marriage to Mary L. Nees at Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. When health permitted, Mr. Ragan worshipped in the First Christian Church. The six children of Burt and Adella Ragan who reached maturity were Cora Ragan Abbott, Ethel Ragan Stokes, Burt M. Ragan, Lila Ragan Rule, Homer E. Ragan, and Vivian Ragan Kiefer. At the time of his death on November 19, 1954, he was the grandfather of twelve One granddaughter, Helen Stokes Nelson, In reviewing the story of our Dad, a few more incidents came to mind which we thought should be included. As there was no school facility in the area, neighbors united and built their own on lots donated by Mr. Ragan, using native rock, adobe, cement and lumber. They built a one room school building and a small pony shed. J.T. Conger, a stone mason by trade, was a great help. Until this was ready, classes were held in a room of the Ragan home. Jenny Jones of Kirk was hired to teach the neighborhood children, including the Ragan, Evans, Conger, Milhoan, Mace, Grnmm and Richards families. Later JennyJones manied Ed Davis. They built the Davis Garage in Stratton. In the early 1900's Mr. Ragan was chosen as Justice of the Peace for the District where he lived. During this time he performed several marriage ceremonies. Both of the Ragan sons served in the service of our country, Burt Jr. in World War I, and Homer in World War II. This addition to our fathers story is submitted March 31, 1987, the anniversary of Dad's birthday. by Vivian Kiefer RAINBOLT, EDWIN F549 In the fall of 1945 Frank Rainbolt came to Burlington to visit some friends, the Glen Robbins, and to look for some land. He had sold his cattle and was looking for some land to invest in. He found that he could buy more land for his money in this area and bought a section northwest of Burlington. At this time Edwin and Ben were still in the service. The following spring of 1946 Richard Burd and Edwin got a couple of combines and cut their way from Protection, Kansas to Burlington, harvesting the first crop on the section Frank had purchased the year before. After harvest Edwin returned to Protection and in October married Norma Brown from Burdette, Kansas. Little did Norma know what she was getting into when they set out with all of their possessions loaded in a truck to live on the farm north of Burlington. By the time Norma arrived in Burlington it had been snowing for about two days and snow was piled everywhere. It was almost dark and they got about a mile north of the airport and buried the truck in a snowbank. Edwin and Norma walked back to town and got the last room at the hotel. They were stranded there for three days with it snowing most of the time. When the snow finally ended there was 28 inches on the level. Hap Rainbolt finally cnme acrogs country on a tractor to take Edwin and Norma out to the farm. The next day, with the help of Harold McArthur and a scoop tractor they pulled the truck out of the snow bank and back to town. It remained there for a couple of weeks, For the next two months the only transportation they had was a tractor. That left Norma pretty much housebound, which was pretty difficult for a former city girl. In March of 1947 they bought the old Bogart Ranch southeast of town, there to set up housekeeping and begin farming. In 1948 they began their family with the birth of Steve. Patricia followed in 1949 and Tom was born in 1955. Bogarts had homesteaded the place in the early 19(X)'s building the adobe house that is still on the place. It was built in 1910 along the Smoky River. Several changes have been made on that sturdy house and they are still making it their home for Steve, Judy and daughters Amy and Darla. The purchase down payment was $2000, and Edwin and Norma settled down to make it their home. When Steve and Patricia reached school age, they attended the Smoky Hill School. Among their teachers was Hazel Fromong, who still lives in Burlington. Raymond Woods was one of the janitors and lived at the school apartments. When the school was consolidated in 1958 the kids began attending the Burlington School. The Smoky Hill School was the center of many other community events, such as a Sunday School, parties, square dances, gun shoots and last but not least, the Smoky Hill 4H Club. In May of 1966 the family was saddened by the death of Norma. This brought many changes, but Edwin took on the added responsibilities of raising the kids by himself, and farming at the same time. Following high school graduation in 1967 Steve and Patricia went on to school. Patricia attended a business college in Denver and while there met and married Bill Shipman in December of 1967. They moved to Ohio where they live with their two children, Christopher and Stephanie. Steve went to NJC for a year and then transferred to Aims Jr. College in Greeley. In 1970 he joined the National Guard, then in 1971 he married Judi Hammer and moved back to the farm. Tom graduated from NJC then went to CSU where he graduated with a degree in farm and ranch management. From there he went to work for the Federal Land Bank. He has been in several different offices, including Burlington. In 1986 he married Carolyn Gasparovic and was transferred to the GreeIey Office. In 1976 Edwin was married to Neva Price, a friend he had known since the early years in Protection, Kansas where they both grew up. Edwin has turned the farm over to Steve and Judi and they continue to carry on with the family farm. Their two daughters, Amy and Darla are both in school in Burlington. by Bernice Eberhart "s\3:iills �RAMOS - KLOTZBACH FAMILY F560 My Great Grandparents, Leonard Klotzbach and Eva Holden Klotzbach, came from Washington. They csme to Kit Carson in 1910 with four kids (Louise, Ann, Leo, and John) and homesteaded north of Stratton for ten years. They then bought a farm three and a half miles southwest of Stratton. In 1920 Ann married Jesse Pugh and they moved to Oregon. Five years later, after having five kids, she died. In 1940 John and Louise also moved to Oregon. a year later Leonard and Eva moved into Stratton. In 1945, they too moved to Corvallis, Oregon. Eva died four years later and Leonard died in 1951. Leo stayed at the farm southwest of Stratton and was married to Leola Isom in 1938. A year later Leola's mother moved to Kit Carson from Arkansas by herself and lived with Leo and Leola. Leo and Leola had five kids between 1938 and 1942. Four had died in infancy and one, Lolita, survived. They sold stead. While proving up on his homestead, he built a three room sod house, a barn and dug a well. In 1910, he returned to Norborne, Missouri Burlington at age 64. Richard and Lelita moved from the farm in 1961 to Limon. Then in 1964 they moved back to Stratton where Richard opened up a Chiropractic Office at the north end of Main Street. They then had six kids (Dick, Mike, Jim, Tom, Ron, and Dan) between 1964 and 1973; Tommy died in infancy. Dad's office is now further south on Main Street, Dick and Mike are going to school and living in Denver, and Jim, Ron, and Dan are going to school in Stratton. by Jim Ramos READE FAMILY F66r James H. Reade was born at Hagerstown, Maryland on June 19, 1859. Emma Swatts was born at Kingston, Missouri on January 24, 1868. James H. and Emma were married on September L7,1882. To this union were born three children, Cledith, Zola and Beatress. Jemes and his parents, trying to escape the Civil War, came by covered wagon west to Missouri and settled near the town of Norborne, Missouri. In the early 1900's, the Homestead Act was passed. The Federal Government was giving away free land in the West. James and his nephew Emmitt Reade heeded the call to "come West, young man, come West." They left Missouri to homestead in Eastern Colorado. How they finally wound up in the FlaglerSeibert Area is very vague. We have in our possession a post card dated January 10th, 1913, from the Department of Interior, Hugo, Colorado for the patent of his Homestead. He filed on a quarter section in the year of 1909. From the little information that we have, it took three years "to prove" on the Home- F563 where he made arrangements to have his personal property shipped west by immigrant car on the Rock Island Railroad. This consisted of one team of horses, four cows, one wagon, several pieces of farm machinery, a wife and two children. The second house and barn still exists on the place. James and his family lived in the FlaglerSeibert area the rest of their lives. James and Emma were charter members of the First Baptist Church in Flagler. He was a member of the IOOF Lodge. James H. died in 1927. Emma made her home with her daughter, Zola Bryan. At the time of her death, she was 98 years young. All are buried in the Flagler cemetery. by Pauline F. Radebaugh READY FAMILY the farm in 1961. Leo and Leola were divorced in 1964, which is the same year that Lolita was married to Dr. Richard Ramos. Leola and her mother then moved to Burlington and Leo moved into Stratton. Leo then died in 1978 and Leola's mother, known as "Gram", died in 1983. Leola still lives in REAVIS, CLIFFORD E. F552 Born 1854 in Jackson County Ohio, parents -emigrated into Illinois when Mr. Ready was about a year old, and he was raised there. "I came to Colorado on July 4, 1886, with Bruno F. Kaiser, Wm. VanOsdal, Wm. Stout and Ed Hoskin (father of H.G. Hoskin, former State Representative from this District) on a "land excursion" which was put on by the Burlington railroad. We came from Illinois to Holdrege, Nebr. and then overland by covered wagon and a team of mules which belonged to me. We were located on tree claims by L.R. Baker (later lynched for murder) and then took out pre-emptions. We then returned to Illinois, and in the fall of 1886 came out and lived on our pre-emptions, which in each case joined the tree claims. At that time, a person could hold three quarters of land and prove up on it. I held my tree claim then homesteaded it. Mr. Kaiser's claim was about three miles south and west of Burlington, so we built a dugout soddy, then we lived with him for the winter. We hauled water from the Republican River, twenty-three miles north of us. When it was too stormy to go that far, we used water in the lagoons, and once in awhile we were fortunate enough to find a spring, and then we would have good water until someone else claimed it. We saw some buffalo, plenty of antelope and wild horses, coyotes and rattlesnakes. I was the only one in the bunch that had a team, so I did the breaking and plowing for those who wanted the tree claims plowed or crops started. Kaiser was a blacksmith, Stout a carpenter; VanOsdal did not stay long, he soon sold out and went east. We had plenty of discouragements; I went hungry and thirsty too lots of times, but everyone had a good time, and we were contented. We had a very severe winter in 1886, and our only fuel was "buffalo chips". But we were comfortable in our little dugout. by Winfield Scott Ready Clifford E. Reavis in front of the Second Central School bus, a Dodge Brothers Dodge which he drove in 1924 and 1925. The George Cook and Clifford E. Reavis families moved from Smith Center County, Kansas, to Flagler, Colorado, the 16th of April, 1916. The Cook family numbered twelve, George and Nora Cook with ten children. The children were Vernon, Lois, Vinnetta, Ruby, Christine, Howard, Marvin, Forest, and Arroll. The oldest daughter, Estella, was married to Clifford Reavis. It was a long journey for the two fanilies. The Reavis family consisted of Clifford and "Stella" with three small children, Verland, Bernadine, and 6-month old Maxine. One mode of travel was a Model T Ford touring car. The Reavis family, plus Arroll Cook, who was the same age as Bernadine, rode in the car. The rest of the Cook family drove a covered wagon, except Vernon, the oldest boy, who rode a train with the livestock. The Reavis family went into the restaurant business located on the Main Street of Flagler. Vinnetta Cook worked for them in the restaurant. The Reavis family moved to the Smith farm north of Flagler (a two-room house) after about 3 years in the restaurant. Clifford farmed and drove a school bus into Flagler. While here, Eugene Reavis was born in July 1919. The next residence for the Reavis family was on the Ranny Place southeast of town on the Republican River. The next move was to a farm two and one-half miles south of Kipling Railroad Crossing. While living there, the Reavis children attended Second Central County School until Verland and Bernadine went through the eighth grade. It is recalled that one winter the snow was so bad the bus could not get through. Clifford Reavis was driving the school bus at this time. The 6th, ?th, and 8th grade children stayed at the school with the teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Mathews. until the �bus could run again, which was about a month. It was necessary for them to stay with their studiers because county exerns were given in the spring. The school bus was not like the buses we think oftoday, but an openair Dodge-like panel truck. The only protection from the elements were curtains made of heavy canvas that dropped down on the sides and tied. To keep children warm were many comforters to cover them and soap stones which were heated in the oven and wrapped up for their feet. For entertainment we went to the school and had a school progrem and a box social followed. The girls and ladies all brought box lunches for two people. The boxes were gayly decorated with anything available to make them attractive. The men would bid on them and the purchaser would eat with the person that brought the box. When the Reavis's lived in the Second Central area, they went to barn dances held at the Wheeler Barn. Cliff Reavis would play the fiddle, someone played the piano, and sometimes there would be a banjo or mandolin. Square dancing, round dancing, and polka and other country dances were enjoyed. At midnight, the ladies served homemade cakes and coffee, and the kids (many who had been asleep on benches or floor) were bundled up and all went home. The mode of travel might be horseback, a wagon, maybe a car, and sometimes even a sled drawn by horses. On Sundays the men would get together and have a rabbit hunt, since the rabbits were so abundant. They could get 10 cents for a pair of rabbit ears. The women would have a quilting bee while the men were hunting the rabbits. Verland and Bernadine stayed in town for their first year of high school. The rest of the Reavis family moved into town in 1927. While residing in Flagler, the Reavis's had a grocery store just north of the Lavington Ford Garage. Verland, Bernadine, and Maxine all graduated from Flagler High School, and Eugene went through grade school. Bernadine and Maxine played on the basketball tenm that won State Qfuampionship in 1930 under the guidance and coaching of Mr. Bill McKinley. Upon Maxine's graduation in 1933, she was awarded a scholarship to Colorado State Teachers College, and the Reavis family moved to Greeley, and Bernadine attended college at Colorado University in Boulder. All three older children were teachers and Gene worked and retired from American Airlines in San Diego, California. Verland taught in Pueblo, Colorado, and Coos Bay, Oregon; Bernadine taught at Tesarado School, south of Flagler, and in Adams REED FAMILY F554 C.D. Reed, the first president of Burlington Rotary Club, was born in Montezuma, Iowa, on May 17, 1893. At the age of eight, Cece moved to Colorado and located at Fountain, Colorado, where his dad opened a general merchandise store which he operated until his death in February of 1906. In the fall of that year Cece with his mother and sister moved to Colorado Springs where he entered the 5th grade. He attended grade school and high school graduating in the class of 1912. After high school, Cece went to New York for a year and worked for the New York Telephone Co. In September of 1913 he returned to Colorado Springs and enrolled in Colorado College where he received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree in 1917. He graduated just in time to get in the Army for the conflict overseas and put in two years in World War I. He attended the third Officers Training Camp and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Field Artillery. He went overseas in 1918 and back to the United States in 1919 and was discharged that year. Soon after discharge he went to La Junta to work for the Intermountain Railway Light and Power Co. but soon decided he wanted to get into business for himself and picked the Ford business as a place to start and worked Ada Rehn (Kalb) at age 2 in 1886 for the Ford dealer in La Junta. He was married to Marie Moore on December 23, 1920 and in April of 1921 they moved to Burlington where he took on the Ford agency. To this marriage two children were born, Cecil David Reed, Jr. and Mary Janice. During the years in Burlington, Cece was quite active in civic affairs and other business ventures. He served as Mayor, president of the Chamber of Commerce, president of the hospital board during the time of its construction, commander of the American Le- gion, master of the Burlington Masonic Lodge and the usual honors and duties that befall the average businessman in a small community. There were 13 other Ford agencies that he either helped start or helped train the personnel that operated the agencies. He also was active in the formation and operation of other businesses in town and in agriculture. Emma Rehn. Ada Kalb's mother REHN - KALB FAMILY F555 County; Maxine taught in Las Animas and for 25 years in Englewood, Colorado. Clifford Reavis died August 5, 1965, and Estella Reavis died January 19, 1984. All four children are among the living, retired citizens. by Bernadine Reavis Kreiling Ada Rehn was born in Stanford, Nebraska, March 4, 1884. She homesteaded 6 miles south and 2 miles east of Stratton. Colorado in 1906. Her mother, Emma Rehn, lived on the homestead while Ada worked in Denver part time and then ran the Stratton Hotel in Stratton, Colorado. There she met Ed Kalb. They were married in Canton, Kansas, on January 18, 1913. Ada returned to the homestead in the summers and spent the winters in Canton. In the spring of 1917 she returned to her homestead and made her home there until her death in 1970. Ada and Ed had two sons: Kenneth, born December 31, 1913 and Walter born in 1916. Kenneth and his wife Dora were married 1920: Kenneth and Walter KaIb with their cousins, Ruth and Alton l4aricle. in a cart built in 1918 �moon thru New Mexico, Teras and just over the border into Mexico, we returned and made our home in the frnms house David grew up in. We lived there the next 24 years. The gang came to chivaree us. Someone took Betty in ajeep to the pasture to hide her. To compensate for not getting the treats right away, they ate everything they could. David {} had hung deer meat to dry on the windmill. We had cooked it for 3 days and still couldn't eat the tough stuff - but they did! We had the last laugh!! We had two children, Vickey Lynn, June 26,1951 and Ray Deon April 11, 1954. In the 1950's, when our children were a baby and 3 yr. old, we were having dirt storms day after day. It would sometimes blow all day then lay at night. We had to hang wet blankets at the #,'r'1* ffil ,I windows and sometimes over the babies basket for health reasons. It was literally hazy with dust in the rooms. After one such day, when the wind had quit, our little one was over by the east door with a toy truck playing in the mound of dirt that had sifted into the 'll:,14t t..,:,1;.;-" ::$': 3l e':i:1: ,.,,,1'll- .. :'l?;4&{. room past the rags, that had been stuck in the cracks. Ada Kalb's rock house built in the 1950's January 18, 1946 and Walter and his wife Faye were married on May L7, L942. Walter and Faye have two children, Ronni Sue and Cary. Ed Kalb died November 29, 1945. Kenny and Walt attended school at West Bethel. In the late 1950's, at the age of 70, Ada built a rock house. She used her Ford tractor and a trailer to gather native white rock which she used for the house. It has four rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs. She did the work herself with some help from Dora, who handed rocks up to her. Ada lived on this sit€ until her death on December 2L,1970 at the age of86. She was truly a "pioneer woman". by Dleanor Herndon David lived in this home with a small addition to the north and west sides, until he was 45. He had 4 brothers and 1 sister. As he was growing up, he loved to work with horses, breaking many over the years. He and his brothers Orlen and Floyd drove a horse, pulling a homemade box type wagon to Prairie Gem school. When he later went to High School in Seibert, he rode a horse cross country 3 mi. to a point 4 mi. N of Seibert to catch a bus. 1 or 2 years he boarded part time with Paul Bramletts, who ran the Grocery Store and Locker. David worked in the store and also helped with the slaughtering and processing. The first half of his senior year, he was out of school a lot picking corn. He managed to get the needed grades to graduate, but was unable to attend the graduation due to the measles. While a senior, David met Betty Lou Hughes, a freshman who had moved to Seibert with her family in May of REID - HUGHES FAMILY 1945. Betty was born to Thelma Theadora F566 David Vinton Reid was born July 1, 1928, to Lewis and Lillian (Schermerhorn) Reid, 7 mi. N. and 2 mi. W of Seibert. He was born, assisted by "Doc" McBride, in the frnme home Reids had made from shipping crates that ceme in on the railroad. Sod had been put in all the outside walls for insulation. (Hobbs) and George Sylvester Hughes, at their home near Kismet, Ks., Mar. 22, L93L. She, her three sisters, 1 brother and parents moved to Masters, then to Greeley. Betty attended 2 years of school there. Her family moved back to Sublette, Ks. area where they were employed on a farm and ranch by Edwin Silas Gleason. Betty went to Banner country school, where she completed the 8th grade. Several of those years she would be taken to school in the morning, clean the school room after school for $.25, then walk the 3 mi. home, going to the pasture to take the cows or sheep home. When the menfolk were busy it was her job to milk the 7 cows. Later she had a horse nrmed "Patsy", that made the 3 mi. more pleasant. In May 1945, due to Mr. Gleasons purchase of land 5 mi. S. of Seibert, Betty, her parents and brother Clifford, moved to Colo. Betty completed 4 years ofhigh school and graduated Valedictorian of her class. We, David and Betty were married Dec24, 1949, in Colorado Springs, at the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Checking cattle on horses raised by David Reid on right of picture. Son-in-law Norman Eagleton is on the left. Elder J.D. Curtis performed the ceremony. David's brother Orlen and Dorthy Akers, a friend, stood up with us. After the honey- At this writing, Vickey, her husband Norman Eagleton and family, (Dawn, Carma and Jason) have joined in the family owned farming and ranching operation. Ray, his wife Julie (Nau) and two sons, Christopher Deon and Michael Ray are living in Glendora, Calif. Ray is employed in his Omni Chrome business owned with other partners. They build and merchandise Lasers in Chino, Calif. David and Betty have been active in 4-H, Church, Cattlemen's and Cowbelle's, ColoWyo. Polled Herford Assn., Western Polled Herford Assn., David served on the school board for 12 years, Arickaree Ground Water Board, Romoca Management Board, and the Kirk Cooperative Store Board. David holds the priesthood office of Elder in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, of which Betty, their two children and 3 of the grandchildren are baptized members. We have served many years as District Youth leaders, and Local Youth leaders, both have taught Church school (Betty for 35 yrs.) and Skylark leader for 25 yrs. We were presented the World Church Distinguished Youth Service Award, denoting 20 or more years of serving youth. We will be the 1989 National Western Polled Herford Standard of Perfection Show Honorees. We have farmed, raised and shown cattle throughout our married life. Our goal, once we decided to stay in Co., was to try to acquire a quarter of land a year, establish tree belts to improve the landscape of the area and to raise the best cattle we possibly could. In Aug of 1973, we moved to the house on land we purchased 4 mi. N of Seibert, on Hwy. 59, (the location of the Old town of Ho5rt, so we're told). In August 1986, we moved into the sawed Cedar Log home that David's parents built in 1950, in Seibert. We continue farming and ranching and enjoying friends and relatives coming for visits. by Betty L. Reid �REID SCIIERMERHORN FAMILY and turkeys a year for about 10 years. They remember going out as a family to hunt rattlesnakes around prairie dog holes, just to kill them, they used sticks, hoes, or whatever was available. Lewis and Lillian would go to the Eads F557 David and Betty Reid's 25th wedding anniversar5r on December 24, L974. L. to R.: LiIIian Reid (David's mother), David and Betty, Thelma Gleason (Betty's mother). Lake once or twice a year and bring home as many "carp" as the back of the car would hold without a seat in it. They would sell a few and salt the rest down to eat later. Sometimes the Reid family was joined by their neighbors, the Ernest Akers fanily and together they would go to the Republican River to play in the water. They would catch bullfrogs. Fried frog legs would be added to their picnic. If a leg happened to jump out of the pan, they would grab it, wash it, and back in the pan it would go. Before electricity came in, Lewis would spend time in the winter whittlin' wooden propellers to mount on poles on the house and barn. He used generators out of old cars to go with the propellers. When the wind blew he had good lighls. For years they butchered beefand hogs and supplied many of the Seibert residents until Bramletts Locker Business was established. We always had ice to cool the meat and for Lewis McKinley Reid, son of Alexander Campbell and Sadie Ann (Mote) Reid was born June 29, 1896, at Altamont, Missouri. Alexander came by wagon to Colorado, in 1905. Lewis, his three sisters and mother, cnyne by train in 1907. They homesteaded on a farm 8 miles north and 2 miles west of Seibert. In 1919, the Reid family moved 1 mile south of their first home, where Lewis continued to farm with his mother, after the death of his father, in 1920. Lillian Eleanor Schermerhorn was born Oct.24,1903, in Phillipsburg, Ks. to Phillip Gordon and Mary Ella (Tree) Schermerhorn. In 1921, she moved with her parents and family to a two-room "soddy", 5 mi. north and 3 mi. west of Seibert. She and her family lived in several different places in that area during the next few years. Lillian graduated from Seibert High School in1923. She taught school at Shiloh, Je-es, and West Haven Schools from 1923-1926. While teaching at West Fair Haven, she boarded with the Sadie Reid family. One of Lillian's contracts was signed by J.A. Boren, President and Lewis Reid, Sec. Her contract was for District #8 in Kit Carson County, to teach from Aug. 31, 1925 thru May 1926, at a salary of $100.00 per month. While boarding with the Reid family she met Lewis and they were united in marriage June 27, 1926. This union was blessed with seven children; five sons and two daughters. One daughter preceded them in death. Their children were: Orlen Wayne, 1927, David Vinton. 1928, Floyd Elvin, 1933, Roger Landon, 1936, LaVada Ilene, 1938, and Raymond Rex, 1946. Their sons and daughter were later married, Orlen to Irene Fuller, David to Betty Lou Hughes, Floyd to Margaret Williamg, Roger to Barbara Hoakenson, LaVada to Muirl Robinson, Rex to Peggy Hanson, Lewis' sisters married: Mae to Dan Sears, Suzi to Roy Cruickshank, and Opal to Ed Woods. Lewis and Lillian lived in a freme house that was built partially with shipping crates that cqme in on the railroad. For insulation they put sod in the outside walls. Some memories in the life of the Reid's are of hatching, herding and raising a couple thous- homemade ice cream, as we had a large ice pit. Ice was taken from the pond, or made from snow, and put in this pit. We surrounded it with straw. It would keep until late summer. Lewis and Lillian were active and really enjoyed the community country club. The group took turns once a month, getting together at a different home for the noon meal. They would spend the day playing horseshoes, other games or just visiting. Leland L. Reinecker, He served as Erecutive Officer of the Bank of Burlington for 38 years. October. Housing was scarce. They rented the furnished house belonging to Ervin and Ruby Hoyt at 489 Eighth Street, now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Guy McArthur. In the spring of 1944 they bought a little house across the street which they remodeled and modernized (it did not have a bathroom). They lived there for two years, at which time Lewis, Lillian, their 6 children, their they purchased from Thornton and Hazel spouses, and most of their grandchildren are Thomas the house at 509 Tenth Street. This would be their home for thirty years. Their son Norman was born in September, 1946, two months after they moved in. Leland was born May 18, 1913 in Quinter, Kansas. His parents were Leslie and Ellen (Brubaker) Reinecker. He has three brothers and two sisters. His father died when he was seven years old. The family lived on a farm baptized members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Lewis held the office ofteacher. then later priest. He was serving in this office at the time of his death in 1958. Four of their sons and their son-in-law are in the priesthood of the church, all of the immediate family are actively working in the church. In 1949, they moved into Seibert due to Lewis' failing health. Even then they established a good sized fruit orchard, owned and operated a Dairy Delite and maintained a large chicken business. They built a cedar log home in Seibert, near the school and water tower. They resided there until their deaths Lewis in 1958 and Lillian in 1986. They gave meaning to the phrase "As a day well lived gives joyful sleep so a life well lived gives joyful death." by Mrs. David Reid and the children attended country schools. After graduating from Quinter High School in 1931, Leland began working at the first National Bank in Quinter. On May 29, 1936, Leland married Dorothy Flora, daughter of Norman and Lizzie (Delp) Flora. Dorothy was born August 7, 1916 on a farm southwest of Quinter. She has four brothers and five sisters. She graduated at Quinter High School in 1934. They came to Colorado in 1937, living in Colorado Springs until January 1938 when Leland went to work for Charlie and Don Collins and Frank Jelinek at the Kit Carson REINECKER FAMILY F558 Leland Reinecker anived in Burlington in September of 1943, having accepted a job as Cashier at the Bank of Burlington. It was war time and John Ellis and Bob Montgomery were leaving soon to enter military service, at which time Leland took over the responsibilities of managing the bank. George D. Tubbs Sr. of Denver was president of the bank, and E.L. Weinandt, P.L. Bruner, and John Boggs were directors. Leland's wife Dorothy and daughters LeEtta and Mary Sue came to join him in State Bank in Kit Carson. During the five years they lived there, their two daughters were born at Eads, LeEtta in 1938 and Mary Sue in 1941. They lived in Lomar one year prior to coming to Burlington. During the years of World War II, Mr. Reinecker and the bank helped with the war effort by the handling of ration banking, the selling of bonds and providing financing of war production. Mr. Reinecker served as U.S. Savings Bond Chairman for Kit Carson County for 38 years. Following the war there were good times and years of drought, with rapid changes in agriculture and the economy of the area. There were many farm sales when families left the area. Then came the development of �deep well irrigation and the growing of sugar beets in Kit Carson County as well as improved production of corn, wheat, and beans. There was the development of commercial feed lots and the growth of the livestock industry. Mr. Reinecker and the bank tried to provide the financial backing necessary for his customers to remain in business. The family enjoyed the Rock Island passenger service of the 1940's, 50's and 60's. The last Rocket went through Burlington on October 16, 1966. One year there was a derailment of several cars loaded with new automobiles just west of the Co-Op Elevator. Leland helped organize and conduct an auction to sell the more than eighty damaged automobiles. Mr. Reinecker served on the Burlington School Board during the years when the Elementary and High School buildings were built. The Reinecker's three children graduated from Burlington High School. LeEtta graduated from Denver University, earning a degree in business. She lives in Denver with her husband Carl and four children, Charles, Michael, Mark, and Kristen. Mary Sue graduated from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley with a degree in Home Economics. She lives in also one of Grandmother and Grandfather George Reinemer. by Mrs. Cliff Suffield RHOADES, HARLEY AND ESTHER F560 From covered wagon to jet planes is a far cry so far as modes of travel are concerned, yet Harley Rhoades, has experienced this marvelous advance in transportation. He was only 4 months old when his parents traveled by covered wagons from their farm in Rush County, Kansas to their homestead, the S.W. Vt, L9-6-42, in Kit Carson County, Colorado, northeast of Burlington. The fam- ily consisted of: father, mother, a daughter, Clara, (two years old), and Harley. Harley traveled through 7 European countries by jet air plane. In 1903, it took seven days with team and wagon to make the 210 mile trip, from Kansas to Colorado, and in 1961, it required 5 hours and 45 min. to fly from New York City to Glascow, Scotland, by jet. the home place until September, 1952, when they bought a home in town. Harley became a well known wheat farmer and was successful in the cattle business. The ranch is now in the 4th generation of management. Harley is best known for his happy disposition and his generosity, and willingness to accommodate his friends, in every possible way as well as his public spirit. He served 12 years as a county commissioner, and two terms as president of the Fifth District County Commissioner's Association. He also served about 12 years as the Sec-Treas. ofthe County Commissioner's Alumni Assn. He has been a prominent and active member of the Republican party, a member of the Bur- lington Rotary Club, President of the Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association, which office he held for twenty-five years. He served five years as a member of the Colorado Fish and Gamg g.nrmission, and is the only member of the history of the commission that didn't miss a single meeting in the entire five years. The project of which he is most proud is his part in opening the Federal International Parks Highway No. 385, that reaches from Regina, Canada to Old Mexico. He was a board member of the C.P. school board. This school is in Denver, for the Cerebral Palsy and handicapped children. Harley's father was primarily a cattleman and when Kansas became so thickly settled, fencing and farming left little free range, so They have from 80 to 100 children in attendance. Kit Carson County Hospital was also built during the time he was a county Norman graduated from Western State he pushed further west, where there was College in Gunnison and served four years in the Navy. He is a banker, having worked six plenty of free range and grassland. The native buffalo grass was very nutritious and made especially fine feed for the cattle. The elder Rhoades usually ran between 80 to 100 head of cattle. Kanarado, Kansas was the family Market and trading place, it being nearer to commissioner and he deserves much credit for the building of this fine institution. He donated $4,000, which was his salary for four Burlington with her husband Phil Woodrick and sons Steve and David. years at the Bank of Burlington and seven years at the Saratoga State Bank in Saratoga, Wyoming. He, with his wife Beverly and daughters Kelly and Jill moved to Denver in 1986 where he is employed at Gates Rubber Company in the Credit Union. For recreation Leland spent much time playing golf. He helped with the organization of the golf club and the building of the new grass greens course. Mr. Reinecker served as Executive Officer of the Bank of Burlington for 38 years. In 1981 he received an Award from the Colorado Bankers Association for 50 years ofoutstand- ing service to banking. He and Dorothy are enjoying their retirement years in their home overlooking the ninth green ofthe golfcourse. by Dorothy Reinecker REINEMER FAMILY F559 My grandfather, George Reinemer, and his son George homesteaded in 1894 in Kit Carson County. George, the son, went back to Missouri, married and moved to Califor- nia. My grandparents are buried in the Flagler Cemetery. My father, Chris Reinemer, also took out a homestead. His brother Gus also homesteaded and remained in the area, farming. He is also buried in Flagler Cemetery. About 1918 my parents sold their homestead and moved away. My brother, Alvin, sister Lenora, and I were born on Dad's homestead. We moved around in Oregon and Idaho until around 1920 when we stayed at Nampa, Idaho, on an irrigated farm. My dad had a large oval landscape picture of his homest€ad which he kept. I now have that picture and them than Burlington. More land was acquired until they owned seven quarters, and in due time they "proved up" on their homestead. Harley says they burned some coal, but one oftheir chores was to gather cow chips for fuel. In the fall they would rake up the chips into piles, then with team and wagon they would haul them home. Harley went to Beaver Valley school and walked 2Vz miles there and back every day. The children would cut across the prairie years as commissioner. Through the years Harley's inspiration was his wife, Esther, who was a true helpmate. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary December L4, L977 and 60th wedding anniversary on Dec. 14, 1987. They have thoroughly enjoyed their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Son, Ray and wife Sara Lee; daughter, Helen; grandchildren, Gary and wife Kendra, daughters, Karah and Kolby; Judy and husband Larry, Larae and Logan; and Bobby and Jay Rhoades. by Ray Rhoades since there were few fences and roads in those days. They seemed to develop a keen sense of direction and in spite of the storms, there were no records of anyone becoming lost. But Harley remembers many of the children in the cold winter weather would arrive at the school crying because their hands and feet were so cold. Today's mothers would be stricken with the thought of their children walking2l/z miles to school. Even a few blocks here in town seem too much and the parents usually take them by auto. When Harley was 9 years old, the family rented the farm and moved to Nampa, Idaho, where they lived for three years then moved back to their home here. The father died when Harley was 15 years old, leaving him to take over the management of the farm and care for the mother and the rest of the children. He was in the eighth grade at the time, and his teacher consented to tutor him in the evenings so he could finish the grade with his class. He not only completed the grade but graduated with the highest honors. On Dec. 14, L927, he married Miss Esther Barnhart. They have one son, Ray, and one daughter, Helen. They continued to live on RHOADES, JAMES AND MYRTLE F56r James Edward "Jim Ed" Rhoades was born Feb. 14, L875, the first child of David and Hannah Rhoades of Alexander, Kansas. His father fought in the Civil War. On November 23, 1898 at LaCrosse, Kansas he was married to Myrtle Irvin who was born on March 16, 1882. Eight children were born to this union; Clara who married Jesse B. Jemes; Harley who married Esther Barnhart; Lester who married Hazel Baker Esther Hender- - Lola Winfrey; son; Reuben who married Walter who married Velma Rice; and Fern who married Lowell Cowan. One daughter, Florence, died in 1909 at the age of 12 of pneumonia. A baby son, Ernest, died in 1916 of whooping cough at 3 months of age. It was in the spring of 1903 when James Rhoades and his brother-in-law. Frank Irvin came to Colorado to look the country over, and they apparently liked what they saw, as �October 8, 1903 Mr. Adams sold his property storms. there. The squlue part of the present home was then in eristance as well as a stone well house, sod barn, sod chicken house and a 48 ft. well which is still at the original site. After moving to the Adams place, Lester and every Sunday morning the men of the neighborhood would meet at a knoll r/z mile northeast of the Rhoades homestead to look for their cattle. In times past, the Indians had met at the same knoll to scan the prairie for buffalo and then go down into the sand creek and creep up on them. After people started fencing their land with barbed wire, Jim Ed and his neighbors got together and fixed a telephone line on the barbed wire fences. To help pass the time on long winter evenings, Jim Ed, Jim Barnett, and Charles Neeley, who was the father of Mrs. Lyle (Blanche) Jo-es and Mrs. Haidee to Jim Ed, and the Rhoades moved over and Reuben were born. There were no schools in the area but one soon built about 3 miles to the east of them, the Beaver Valley School. Clara and Harley attended school there for 4 months of the year, during the summer. Later the Happy Hollow School district was organized and a school house was built 3 miles to the west, so the children attended both schools alternately. Wedding pictures of James Edward and Myrtle Eva (Irvin) Rhoades, 1898. in the fall of that same year, Jim Ed, his wife Myrtle and 2little children left Rush County Kansas in a covered wagon, traveling the 210 miles in 7 days which was something of a record at that time. Clara was about 2 years old and Harley was just a baby about 4 months old. He was placed in a hammock under the wagon with the hammock hung on coupling poles so he'd be in the shade. Travel had to be carefully planned to allow time for the horses to rest and find grazing and water. There were no highways, and adequate provisions had to be carried not only for the trip but to meet any unexpected emergencies along the way. The present site of the Harley Rhoades farm was then occupied by another homesteader, Link and Mary Adams. Mary was a sister to Henry and Charley Teman. Jim Ed homesteaded a few hundred feet across the road south of the Adans on SW % L9-6-42. He bought an old school house and moved it onto his homestead. They carried water from the Adams homestead. The Adams family lived there a shorttime and on It was all open range country in those days Because of a severe drought, sometime around 1909 to 1910. Jim Ed and brother-inlaw, Charles Shryack, who was married to Myrtle's sister Minnie, went to Idaho by train to look over the irrigation land they had heard about. Jim bought 40 acres, 6 miles south of Nampa, Idaho. He then rented his homestead in Colorado to Mr. and Mrs. James Barnett, parents of George Barnett and Mabel Teman, for three years and moved his family to Idaho by train. Walter was born while in Idaho. Before three years had gone by, Jim Ed had decided he did not like the irrigation and the big mosquitos that went with it, so he sold out to Charles Shryack and the family returned to Colorado. The homestead is located 22 miles northeast of Burlington and 17 miles from Kanorado, Kansas and is still in the Rhoades family now owned by Harley and his son Ray. Gary Rhoades and his wife Kendra Weeden, would play a game of checkers over and family are now living there. Gary is a great Grandson of Jim Ed and a grandson of Walter 9. They took wagon loads of hogs to Burlington. It was cold when they left home Harley. The sand creek running through the property originates in Bethune and goes to the Republican River about 10 miles to the northeast of the homestead. Jim Ed and Myrtle raised barley, corn and feed for the livestock. They had Holstein milk cows and horses. They battled drought and dust the telephone. At those times the children had to be very quiet so they could concentrate on the plays. There was no radios or phonographs, so the highlight of many evenings would be Charles Neeley playing his violin over the telephone lines and everyone would take their turn at the receiver listening. Tunes of the day included "Red Wing", "Casey Jones", and "Turkey in the Straw". They only went to town once or twice a year. Food items and staples were in barrels or sacks or "cut offa chunk", and ofcourse, stick candy. Jim Ed passed away in February of 1918 at the age of 42 years. He came down with the measles and it went into pneumania. When he died, the homestead consisted of 1,120 acres. It now encompasses 8,000 acres. Harley remembers one particular trip to town when he wae about 18, Reuben, 14, and early that morning, and the ground was frozen. After unloading the hogs, they loaded the 3 wagons with coal and started the long trip home. In the meantime the ground had thawed, the horses were tired from the already long trip, and the heavily loaded wagons kept miring down in the mud. Part way home a snow storm set in and it was getting dark. The two older boys had some anxious moments and thoughts before they got home. They were never happier to see home and never hungrier. No doubt there was a very relieved mother waiting up for them. Myrtle stayed on the homestead till October 1927 when she manied Rell Morrow and moved to a farm a few miles southeast of the Rhoades place. They lived there till 1949 when they rented their farm to Clarence and Sarita Chandler and moved to Englewood, Colorado. She passed away August 19, 1960. Both James and Myrtle Rhoades are buried in the Beaver Valley Cemetery. by Lola Rhoades RHOADES, REUBEN AND LOLA F662 Reuben Edward Rhoades, the 4th child of James and Myrtle Rhoades was born on his father's homestead 23 miles northeast of Reuben and Harley Rhoades with their hounds and some of the coyotes hides, 1927. Burlington, Colorado on Dec. 22, 1907 and has lived in Kit Carson County all his life except for about 3 years when they lived in Idaho. He started his first year of school in Idaho and in Colorado he attended the �all helped out by milking cows or any other odd jobs they could do. Reuben quit school when he was 15 to shuck corn. Wages were 3 cents a bushel and 50 bu. a day was a good days work. For enjoyment he and his brothers played baseball in the summer and their sport for the winter was hunting coyotes with hounds in their spare time. They would skin them and sell the hides. When Reuben was 16 he went back to Idaho with his Uncle Charley and Aunt Minnie Shryack, and they thought he would stay with them and finish his schooling but before time for school in the fall, he had gotten homesick for family and Colorado so he boarded a train and came home. He stayed on the farm helping his mother and the other boys. Their mother remarried in the fall of L927 to Rell Morrow. In December of that same year Harley married Esther Barnhart and Reuben and Walter stayed on the farm with them for several years. In 1932 Reuben bought a farm consisting of 480 acres from Ralph Graybil for $5,500. It was located about 3 miles east of his fathers homestead. Sec. 26-642. Wedding picture of Reuben and Lola Winfrey Rhoades, April, 1936. Beaver Valley and Happy Hollow schools. Tressie Lola Winfrey, the 6th of 9 children born to James W. and Jessie Winfrey was born on her father's homestead about 25 miles north of Burlington on Jan. 9, 1920. She has lived her entire life in Kit Carson County. She attended school for 8 years at the Cook School - Dist. 86 in Yuma County, 2 years of high school at Happy Hollow and 1 year at Idalia. Reuben's father passed away in Feb. 1918 at the age of 42 following a bout with the measles and pneumonia. Reuben was only 10 at the time, Clara was 17, Harley 15, Lester 12, Walter 6 and baby Fern just 11 months, but with their mother's help and coaching, they were able to stay on the farm and they On April 12, 1936 Reuben and Lola Winfrey were married at the Christian Parsonage in Burlington by the Rev. J.T. Burlington where they still attend. Reuben loved good cattle and in 1932 he bought his first Registered Polled Hereford cow from Frank Brannon at Rozelle, Kansas. Over the years he built up a nice herd of registered Polled Herefords and was the second Polled Hereford Breeder in the state of Colorado. He helped otganize the Western Polled Hereford Association in 1947 and served as both secretary and sales manager for several years, Reuben and Lola were both 4-H leaders of Plainview 4-H. In 1955 Lola had the honor of being chosen as Top Homemaker of Kit Carson County in the top Homemaker pro- gram sponsored by the Western Farm Life Magazine's home department. They put their first irrigation well down in 1955 and another in 1963. Their five children attended school at Beaver Valley, Plainview and Burlington. Two sons Joe and Doyle served time in the U.S. Armed Forces, Joe in Germany in 1965 and '66 and Doyle in VietNam in 1966 and '67. Doyle later enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1973 and spent 2 Yz yearc aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. The oldest son Paul was manied to Karon Deines in 1958. so Reuben and Lola Coulter and immediately moved to his farm. had a house built at 259 Cherry St. in Burlington and moved into it in May of 1959, turning the house on the farm over to Paul We refer to the 30's as the "dirty thirties" and the dust bowl days, so money was scarce and and Karon. They have 1 daughter, Lori, who is a legal secretary at Pryor, Carney and like most farmers they milked cows and depended on the cream check for grocery money. Things started getting a little better in 1937 and that year they raised a fairly good wheat crop. When the softball league was organized in Burlington, which was probably about 1937 or 38, "Happy Hollow" was one of the teams and Reuben played on that team for several years and later on he played on Ted Backlunds team called "Teds'Trojans". In 1938 or '39 a Sunday School was organized at Beaver Valley and Reuben and his family attended regularly till about 1954 when they quit having services there. They then started going to the Gospel Chapel in Johnson law firm in Aurora, CO. Joe is married to Valerie Rainbolt and lives in Burlington and has 2 children, Evonne and Coy. Doyle is married to Wendy Heyen and lives in Seward, Nebraska and has 4 children, Kimberley and Dustin; and 2 daughters from a former marriage, Lori and Shawna who live in California. Thelma is married to Dennis Clark and lives in Highland, Maryland and has 6 children; Jason, Joanna, Julia, Justin, Jonathan and Joy. Jean is married to Ron Weisshaar and they live in Burlington and have 4 children; Willie, Jeron, Tressie and Tyson. Reuben is still engaged in farming and drives out to the farm during farming season. Lola keeps busy making quilts for her children and grandchildren. by Lola Rhoades RICHARDS FAMILY F663 William Arthur and Wife Sara Richards The Reuben Rhoades Family, Standing: Joe, Reuben, Paul and Doyle. Seated: Thelma, Lola and Jean Rhoades, Dec. 1972. William Arthur Richards, also known as W.A. or Bill, was born in Coal Valley, Illinois, May 28, 1862. When a small child, his parents moved to Columbus City, Iowa where they farmed. During his growing years, Williem helped with the farming and went to school. Sara Daniels, who lived on a neighboring farm, became his wife. She was born December 11, 1866. They were married December 23, 1885. They were Welsh; both of their families cn'ne from Wales in the mid 1880's. In the late summer of 1886 William, Sara's father Henry Daniels, and four friends came to the great western country which was being opened to homesteaders. They came to explore with the possibility of locating in the new country. They came to Wray, Colorado �Davis, one of the pioneer families. There were no ministers, so there were not any church services on Sunday until a few years later. Rev. Petcr Rasmusgen and Mrs. Mary Bevier were two of the early preachers. The early settlers had to go to Wray for supplies, two or three neighbors going together for the sake of safety. The trip took four days. They bought supplies to last several months. Mail was brought to the Tuttle Post Office, by horseback or team and buggy, from St. Frances at first and later from Stratton and Bethune. The settlers had trouble with wild horses that would come and take away their horses. Mr. Richards followed the thieves one time, but was able to retrieve his two horses, after about three days. Sometime after 1895 Mr. Richards bought out a homesteader on the South Fork of the Republican River, which is now known as the Homm Hereford Ranch. Cattle, haying and farming were the means of making a living. Three more children were born to the family; Esther Lois, January 13, 1897. Esther William A. Richards and wife Sara. Their wedding picture taken December 1885. by train. Jim Dugeon, a Locator, met the men and the drove them in two covered wagons across the Plains some sixty miles or so south and some west. After looking things over, William decided on a place to stake his claim. It was on Spring Creek, which is now a part of the Tom Price Ranch. On September 16, 1886 he filed on a pre-emption and timber claim in Section 9 Twp. 6 Rge. 45S. After staking his claim, Mr. Daniels and William went to Iowa to get their families and bring them to their new home. Soon after their arrival back in Iowa, Williem snd $ars'. first child was born, a little girl, Edna Mae, November 28, 1886. In February 1887, both the Daniels and Richards families co-e by train to Wray. In an emigrant car they brought a span of mules, died of whooping cough in March 1898. Henry (Harry) Samuel, June 15, 1898; Sara Ann, December 7, 1900. William's wife Sara and the mother of his children passed away December 18, eleven days after little Sara was born. A wooden casket was made at the home in which the body was placed and then taken to Stratton for burial. After Edna and Ruth married, Mr. Ri- chards sent his little five year old daughter, Sara Ann, to Iowa to be cared for by her grandparents, John and Ann Richards. by Elva Richards Powell RICHARDS FAMILY F664 John and Mayne Richards On July 5, 1889, John Arthur Richards was born while the family still lived in the dugout in the Tuttle community. When John was seven or eight years old, the family moved to the South Fork of the Republican River. John attended school in the new rock school house which was built on an acre of land donated by Burt Ragan. The school district becane known as the Ritizus School District No. 48J. The district served pupils in both Kit Carson and Yuma counties. Mayme Ann Anderson was born at Husted, Colorado, August 28, 1891. Husted was a labor camp, which was located where the Air Force Academy is now near Colorado Springs. In her early childhood, the family moved to Iowa, but when she was about ten years old the family cq-e back to Colorado and settled in the Idalia area. She attended school in Idalia. Mayme and John were married December 21, 1910, at Wray, Colorado, When John was fourteen, he was exnmining an "unloaded gun", however, the car- tridge went off and the bullet lodged in the left leg below the knee. He was taken to the doctor in Burlington. The doctor did not remove the bullet and said it would not cause any trouble because it was lead. John always limped because one leg was shorter than the other. In the early 1900's the ranchers would take their cows with the little calves after they were branded, to summer pasture, open range. The cowboys and chuckwagon would follow the herd. It was very slow, taking most of a week. The chuckwagon and one or two cowboys would stay with the herds during the summer. The herds were brought back in the fall. The calves were bigger so the herds moved faster in the fall. During the early years of the Kit Carson Fair, John would bring three or four of his saddle horses to the Fair to enter them in the Relay Races. They were a fine string of horses in which he took a great deal of pride. John had some mighty nice buggy tenms as well. a mare, two cows and some household furniture. Upon arriving in Wray, they John and Mayme got their first car, a model T Ford, in 1917. John tried to drive his car as he did his horses, but it wouldn't stop when he hollered "Whoa!" John finally proved-up on his homestead which was about two miles west of the ranch purchased a covered wagon which was to become their home for several weeks. Aft€r traveling three or four days, they reached the place where they would make their home. They continued to live in the covered wagon until a dugout was finished (so called because it was dug out from a gide of a hill). When finished it was eleven by fifteen feet, plastered with native lime and it had a good wooden floor. Two children were born while living in the dugout; Ruth, January 23, 1888 and John, July 5, 1889. In 1890 a two-room and a mile north of the river. He built a two room sod house and a lean to, as well as a barn and a chicken house. He sold the homestead when the ranch was sold and it has become part of the ranch pasture. After the ranch was sold, John and Mayme lived on Bill Andrews's place for seven years. Burdine was born there August 25, 1926. The three older children were born on the ranch. sod house was built. Harry in 1920, David in 1912 and Elva in The first Election was held in the fall of 1888. William was one of the clerks who took 1,911. the Election returns by train from Bethune to Kiowa, the county seat of Elbert County. The voting Precinct was No. 88. The school district was organized in 1890. The first school was held in an old vacant dugout with one window. Mr. Richards wag In1927 John and Mayme moved from the Andrews place to the Burt Ragan place which is on the River. They lived there seventeen years. Robert, the last of the five children was born May 9, 1929. It was during this time that a very severe drought started. In the early 30's John did not have enough feed for his cattle. The Unitcd the teacher. He taught the first t€rm ofthree months for $25.00 a month. In 1892 a echool house was built. The desks and benches were all homemade. Mr. Richards taught a total of six terms in Kit Carson county, two of which were in Vona. Sunday School was in the home of E.G. States Government destroyed cattle because the farmers did not have feed for them. John and Mayme Richards, wedding picture December 21, 1910. Twenty six of John's cows were killed. He was paid thirteen dollars a head for them. It was during this time that he gave twenty-five �little weaning pigs for five bushels of apples. It seemed outlandish but there was no feed for the pigs. In the 1930's, depression years, Dad took an appointment with the Agricultural Adjustment Administration helping to administ€r the corn-hog progr4m. This was the forerunner of the present A.S.C. It was during the 1930's that John traded a truck load of horses, probably ten or more, for a new John Deere tractor. Times were changing, horses were being replaced for farming and transportation. After the drought cnme the dust storms. Black clouds of dirt cnme billowing over the hills and across the land. It was hard to breathe and many animals died of dust pneumonia. Wet sheets were hung over the windows to keep out some of the dust. to the weary A blessed re11ef, When upward lre pass To the kingdom of peace. hThen comes I^lhen free from the woes, That on earth we must bear, We'll say Good Night here And Good Morning there. --Wm. Richards Then came the flood after the dust storms. It was the last of May 1935, when twenty six inches of rain fell during the night, up and down the river it seemed to rain the hardest. The next morning the river was a mile from the south bank at the Ragan place to the north side. You could see cows, calves and horses floating down the river. The water was rolling which made it impossible for any of the animals to get out of the water. John lost fifteen cows and one horse in the flood. Not only was livestock washed down the river, huge chunks of fields and large trees were washed away. Trees would go into the water and not be seen for a quarter mile or so. The rain had stopped by morning. When the water receded sandbars had replaced the fields, all bridges across the river were gone for miles and miles and many roads washed out or gone. It was devastating. Grasshoppers were another menace. John fashioned a tin tank twelve feet long, eighteen inches wide and eighteen inches high in front. The back side ofthe tank was probably three ONCE A FRIEM - ALWAYS A FRTEND Frlends, what are they for? They do so much, and then some nore. Not only just for now' But they will always be somehow There; for always and forever, Cause a friend will not sav never' Because lf that friend is true, always be right there for you. There is so much ln a friendLy snlle, Even if it only lasts for awhile. Friends and dreams go hand in hand. For friends are dreams across the land. He will You will alvays have a place in my heart; l,le will never, ever grou apart. And behind the sefting sun, After all ls said and done, A friend to ne You wlLl aluavs be. --Kristi Raeann Homm Great-Creat Crandaughter of lJilliam A. Richards Hermes soon after it was established in 1908 until 1916, when she went to Grand Island to take a Business Course. Her first employment was with Carpenter and Schaffer Mercantile in Colby, Kansas. Ruth married Walter Andrews in December, 1905. They made their home on a farm and raised ten children. Harry, Arthur, Otto, Mabel, Albert and Melvin are all deceased. The living are Marvin, Dale, Elmer and Evelyn. John married Mayme Anderson in December, 1910. John remained a farmer all of his life. Their children are: Elva, David, Harry, Burdine and Robert. Harry married Ethel Reynolds in May, 1926. Harry attended school in Ft. Collins and St. Joseph, Missouri. He became a Veterinarian, primarily for small animals. Their children are John and Jane. Sara married Paul Smith. Two children were born to this union: Harry and Helen. Sara was a Bookkeeper for many years from which she retired a few years ago. Mr. Richards loved poetry and he has many short writings, which he left. by Elva Richards Powell Once a friend Always a friend. feet high to serve as a backboard. The grasshoppers would hit the backboard and fall into the tank which had several gallons of water and a gallon or so of kerosene. This tank was put on the front of a haybuck, and John would go out early in the morning and Mr. Richards sold the ranch to Elmer Scherrer in 1919. He made his home primarily with his son, John. The last few years he lived in Burlington. As long as his health permitted, he did volunteer work at the Kit Carson Memorial Hospital. Mr. Richards was 85 when he passed away in 1947. Bdna married William Andrews in February, 1904; however, the marriage did not last Iong. She then became Postmistress of Visibility was zero during these dust storms. The storm usually "rolled in" in mid-afternoon and lasted for a couple of hours, quite frequently it seemed. was used as a dance hall for several years. Music for dancing was usually provided by local fiddlers with Mr. Richards chording on a pump organ as accompaniment. Mr. Art Hill and his wife Daisy played for the dances many times, and there were others. RICHARDS FAMILY F566 "harvest" the grasshoppers. The yield was Iowa, at Burlington, as does her daughter, Helen Gerdner. Her son H€ury Smith makes good. his home in Arizona. John and Mayme Richards Much has been written about whatmen did In 1938, after going through the experience In June 1964 a meeting was held in of the flood, John and Mayrne purchased the Wise or also known as the Chase place. It was in the early days, but little has been said in later years) to organize a Telephone about the women's role in the settling of the West. I remember the days when the men on higher, flat ground. They stayed on the Ragan place until 1944 when they moved to the Wise place. Having lived on the river all of his life, John never got used to the flat lands, but the river had changed so much, it wasn't the same. John and Mayme lived on the Wise place until his death, January 2, 1959. Mayme continued living on the place a few years, then went to the Burlington Rest Home. Mayme passed away May 18, 1966. by Burdine Homm and Elva Powell RICHARDS FAMILY F565 William and Sara Richards Sara grew up in Iowa, married and had two children; Helen and Harry. Sara still lives in Claremont (which became known as Stratton Company. This new line was to be known as the Claremont and South Fork Telephone Company. W.A. Richards was elected as one of the directors. A line would operate from the C.S. Wellman Ranch south to Claremont and then to correct all the river ranches north of town as far as the W.A. Richards Ranch near Landsman. About 1905 Mr. Richards opened a general store as The Ranch Supply Company, which operated for several years. Along with the store the Hermes Post Office was established September 11, 1908. Mail was brought to the Post Office from Burlington by horse and buggy three times a week. Mr. H.O. Brown was one of the carriers from Burlington. Mail was distributed from Hermes until it closed November 15, 1919. A two-story rock and frame building housed the Post Office and Store. The Store and Post Office were in the lower part which was rock. The second story, which was frame, were stacking hay on the lower end ofthe Bar T, several miles from home. They didn'tcome home for dinner because of the distance and the time it would take them. A neighbor lady, Ginny Burrious who lived quite close, would come and go with my mother and us kids to take dinner in the old Model T to the hay field. Some of these deeds have been long forgotten, but were very important. Another important task of the pioneer woman was the role of mid-wife. Doctors were few and were not always available. It was left to the women in the neighborhood to perform the task. Mom went and did all she could at times like these. Mrs. Charlie With, a neighbor a few miles south, would also come and help. I remember one time when they cnms home very discouraged. The baby had died and the husband was very unhappy, thinking that more should have been done. It was all very sad. The husband made a homemade coffin and the baby was buried on the �RICIIARDS - LEGEL FAMILY F567 Harry was born February 6, 1920 at Hermes, Colo. Was the third child of John and Mayme Richards. He grew to manhood in the area, with his folks two brothers and two sisters. The teacher usually boarded at our folk place. Family intertainment was mostly literary, box and pie suppers all held at the school house. He loved horses, broke many horses for people around the country, picked corn and milo with team and wagon. His Dad bought a John Deere D tractor in 1932. That helped farming, but they still farmed with horses too. He remembers going through the Depression and Dust Bowl days. They would have big rabbit hunts starting at the Republican River, everyone would walk with clubs and John and Mayme Richards. farmstead. The pioneer woman was called upon many times to act as nurse. Mom told many times about the times she stayed with a neighbor lady, named Mrs. Wilson, who lived a couple of miles north. Mrs. Wilson eventually died of cancer. Mom and other neighbors stayed and helped doctor her, often staying for three or four days at a time before her death. Another thing that happened at our house that is well remembered was the time when one of our neighbors, Alvin Bardwell, came to visit. Bardwell was a bachelor who lived with his brother and sister, Earl and Helen a couple of miles up the river. It was in the spring and had rained for about three days. The roads were very muddy; Alvin came sticks working about 500 rabbits into a large pen. They would put kids in the pen to kill the rabbits. The coyotes were all killed off, that's why there were so many jack rabbits and they were destroying the crops for the farmers. Living through the terrible flood of 1935, seeing cattle, horses, bridges and debris going by, they were thankful they were on high ground. His folks lived just south of the Republican River one half miles on the Bert Ragan place and the water came up to their house. On April 1942, Harry was called to serve his country in World War II. He saw lots of combat action, 33 months overseas in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany with the 439th AAA, BN. and was discharged October 1945. He is a life time member of V.F.W. post 6491 in Burlington. August 3, 1947, Harry married Ruth Lengel who lived west of the Bonny Dam, one mile west of Highway 385. They were married on her folk place, Joe and Mary Lengel. Ruth attended school Dist. 93J "Newbon School" for her first eight grades and graduated from Burlington High School in 1945. After graduation Ruth taught first four grades of school in Smoky Hill one year and two years at Ritzius School 48J. After we were married we lived on his folks place and farmed with his Dad for three years. Our oldest son Ray Louis born June 8' 1948, our second son Roger William born February 21, 1951. When he was two we bought a section, 640 acres. It was the Bill Andrews homestead place, 21 miles North of Burlington. Katherine Alene born June 2, 1953, Charlotte May born July 23, 1954 and Donald Gene born March 26, 1956. The three oldest children went to Ritzius school til 1960. They then moved our district t,o Burlington. The children helped on the farm finishing their elementary and high school in Burlington. April 1954 we put in an irrigation well, flooding 250 acres, raised corn, feed, alfalfa and wheat. We milked cows, sold cream and eggs for many years. We are still raising cattle and hogs. ln t976-77 we put two sprinkler systems which made it a lot easier, raised soybeans and sunflowers one year. We have survived droughts, grasshoppers, and hail storms. In the blizzard of February 1982, we lost eight cows from snow getting into their lungs and hogs smothered in hog sheds. On Friday December 13, 1962 our Ford tractor tools and garaLge were destroyed by fire. Katherine married Wes Adolf November 6, 1971. They now live in Joes, Colo. where he works for Y.W. Electric. She works part time at the Joes Post Office. They have two daughters Jamie and Kimberly. Roger married Suzy Gartrell September 28, L974. They now live four miles west and south of Idalia, Colo. Ranches and farms 1,800 acres of irrigation and grassland runs about 300 head cows. They have four children Chad, Brad, Duane and Darla Kay. Roger has always liked horses and rodeos. he built an arena so they could have rodeos, the neigh- riding in on his horse just before dinner time. He was invited in and stayed and ate dinner. After that he complained he didn't feel well and asked if he might lie down for a little while. When he didn't get up, Mom went into the bedroom to check on him and found him dead. Dad sent Hubert Powell to take his saddle horge home and to notify his brother Earl. From there Hubert went on to the Art Pugh Ranch (the Kenneth McArthur place) to a telephone where he called the Coroner (at that time Orin Penny). The roads were so bad that Dad had to take a team ofhorees and pull the a-bulance in to get the body. In 1936, Dad traded for his first tractor. It was a Model D John Deere on steel. He traded a truck load of horses for it. Our school in District 48-J (Ritizius) (Rock School) was never more than a mile from where we lived. Dad got most of his education here, as well as most of his children. My Dad was always a gteat promoter and believer in education and served on the school board of 48-J for many years. by Elva Powell The Harry Richards family; Standing L. to R.; Katherine, Roger, Donald, Ray and Charlotte. Seated; Ruth and Harry. August, 1969. �bors and friends all enjoy it on Sunday afternoons and evenings. Donald married satisfaction gained in meeting challenges and hardships. Susan Weyerman July 30, 1977. They now live in Idalia, Colo. where he hauls water off gas wells around Idalia. He bought 480 acres west of ldalia, farms and irrigates that. They have three boys Andy, Jeffery and Kyle. Ray married Sue Boren June 3, 1978, and now live 2 miles North of Burlington on Highway 385. They own and operate their own business by by Editors ROBB - HUNTLEY FAMILY selling Lockwood Sprinklers and under ground pipe. Ray bought 320 acres of his grandfather John Richard's place. He farms and operates that. They have four children Gianina, Jim, Landon, and Tyler, Charlotte married Tom Myer February 13, 1982. They now live in Wray Colo. She owns and operates the Charlotte's Beauty Salon, Tom works for a farmer and rancher North of Eckley, Colo. They have two daughters Shanon and Starla. Ruth worked at Grace Manor Nursing Home for three years in 1969-1972. Her family and now their 15 grandchildren keep her busy, She enjoys outside work, chickens, gardening, yard and flowers. On August 1, 1987, our children and grandchildren gave us a real nice 40th Anniversary Party with 200 relatives and friends attending to help us celebrate. by llarry & Ruth Richards F569 Arthur Delmar Robb was born near Emden, Shelby County, Missouri, on February 22,L892, the eldest son of James and Maggie Robb. In 1901, the Robb family moved to Colorado and took up farming near Flagler. Mr. Robb attended elementary schools in the Flagler area and received his secondary schooling at Fort Collins. Freda M. Huntley was born on July 21, 1889, in a dugout on the homestead of her parents located eight miles north of Flagler. She was the first child born in the Flagler community. As a young woman, Freda filed her own homestead claim about 15 miles northwest of Flagler. On August 29, 1917, Freda and Arthur were married. They farmed Freda's homestead for the next six years during which time their three sons, Lester, Dale and Delmar, were born. ROBB - HIGHTOWER FAMILY F568 Ja-es Thomas Robb was born on December 22, 1865. Maggie Hightower was born seven years later on February 2, L872. Both grew up in Shelby County, Missouri, where they net, courted and wed on February 19, 1890. They established their first home on a farm near Emden, Missouri, where they resided for eleven years. Believing that the new country of the West In 1923, the Robb family moved to Bethune where Arthur taught school for two years. Returning to Flagler, the Robbs engaged in business briefly before Arthur resumed teaching in the Flagler School and in the country schools of Shiloh, Mount Pleasant and White Plains, all north of Flagler. In 1935, Arthur became the Flagler postmaster, a position he held until his retirement in 1962. The Robbs were loyal and active members of the First Congregational Church members of the Flagler Congregational where Arthur sang in the choir and Freda participated in the Ladies Aid. In addition, Arthur belonged to the American Legion and the IOOF while Freda was active in the Rebekahs and the American Legion Auxiliary. Arthur Robb passed away on September 2L, 1973. Freda continued to reside in the family home until her advanced age required her to enter the Hugo Community Nursing Home where she lived until her death on May 10,1983. In keeping with the best tradition of their families'pioneer heritage, Arthur and Freda devoted their lives to public service and the betterment of their communitv. Church. Additionally, Maggie was one of the founding members of the Flagler "Country by Editors offered better opportunities for a young family, they purchased a farm near Bovina in the fall of 1901 and in 1904 homesteaded adjoining land five miles northeast of Flagler. The Robbs were one of the oldest families in the Flagler area. Both were active in community school activities. Perhaps as a consequence, their three oldest sons devoted all or a part of their lives to the teaching profession. Both were faithful and active Club." In their later years they were unable to meet the demands of farming and moved to Flagler, where they made their home in 1941. James and Maggie lived in perfect companionship for almost 65 years, leading productive lives, raising a family, and enjoying the respect and friendship of the entire community. Ja*es passed away quietly on February 9, 1954, at the age of 89. Maggie died a year later, on July 29, 1955. They left behind five sons and a daughter: Arthur, Gilbert, Pearl, Shelby, Chester and Ella (Huntzinger). The life of a pioneering fa-mily offered little in the way of material comfort. Life was enriched by family and friends and by the impetus and growth. Mr. Roberts was unquestionably its leading citizen. Because of his reasoning powers and his common sense, people far and neat came to him for that advice and help, which he gave so willingly and gladly to his fellow man. In 1889, the second daughter, Inez was born, in Beloit. She was a good, bright, and dutiful child. As she grew older, she beca-e quite proficient in music. She lived with her family near Stratton. Mr. Rogers was instru- mental in the upbuilding of Stratton, Co. where he located in the spring of 1893. Inez attended the State Prepartory School at Boulder, from which institution, she was compelled to leave because of heart trouble. Thinking a lower altitude would be beneficial to her, Mr. Roberts moved the family to Rogers, Ark. Inez attempted to pursue her studies in the Academy there at Rogers. Again, her heart trouble checked her ambition, and she stopped. Finally, on March 31, 1908, she realized the end w{u} near and she died with a smile on her face. Father, mother, and three sisters were left to mourn their great loss. On May 19, 1915, Jr. J.T. Rogers, himself passed into the great beyond, at the age of 63 years, ? months, and 26 days. His was a remarkable, helpful life. A life long friend paid him this tribute: "He was the truest friend I ever had. I loved him as a brother. He was kind, generous, and faithful. He never refused a favor that he could possibly grant. He was the central figure in politics in Kit Carson County. He was not a hide-bound politician, but always stood for the man most capable to fill the office for which he was candidate. He believed in clean politics and would not countenance for one moment, fraud of any kind. He would work always for the best interests of the community in which he lived, and no saloon could be established where he had controlling vote." "He did everything possible to advance the educational interest of town and county, and was loved and respected by old and young alike." by Janice Salmans ROCKWELL, STEVE AND THELMA LOPER F57r Elizabeth, Grampa's mother, was born June 27,1879 and died February L9,1927 (from an enlarged heart, the doctors said). She married George Edwin Rockwell on October 20, 1903 when he got out ofthe Army, ROBERTS FAMILY F570 J.T. Roberts was born at London Mills, Ill., Sept. 23, 1851. Here, he spent his happy childhood days, and in the spring of 1866, he moved with his parents and family to Seward County, Nebr. He was married at Seward, Nebr. to Miss Letitia Murphy, Jan. 13, 1885. As time passed they welcomed to their home four daughters; Hazel, Inez, Suzanne, and Roberta. He and his relatives took claims near Beloit, Colorado, in the spring of 1887. He founded the town of Beloit, and gave it it's having served in the Spanish American War in the Philippines. They were married in Great Bend, Kansas and immediately moved to South Bend, Washington where they lived next door to Ed's (everyone called him Ed instead of George at that time) oldest sister Flora Turner. Ed and Betty had 8 children, 4 died at birth: Edwin, born 1905, one born on June 28,19L2 and one on April 12,19L5. These are the three that are buried in the cemetery in South Bend. There was a girl born in Great Bend on January 1917. She is buried in the cemetery at Great Bend. Mildred, Scott, Steven and Al are the living children. John Steven was born in South Bend. �ROSE, CLAUS F673 Claus and Gertrude Rose came to Stratton early in 1919 with their three children, Justus, June and Maye. I was four at this time and remember little of the move from Nebraska. My father, a real estate broker, had joined the Collins firm, at that time located on the west side of Colorado Avenue in the Linford Building. A short time later the office was moved to a location on First Street. Later Charles S. Wall and Claus Rose established their own real estate business at the corner of Colorado Avenue and Main Street. This office was maintained until my father left Stratton in 1947. Mr. Wall had died in the meantime. My father was on city council, school board, was a charter member of Rotary Club, County Treasurer of Kit Carson County for eight years, and a member of what is now the United Methodist Church in Stratton. Our Family photo taken at Steve and Thebna's 45th Wedding Anniverscry. L. to R back row: Ray Rockwell, Jay Rociwell. Second row: Carol Rockwell, Thelma, Steve, and Jan Rockwell. Third Row: DeEtt, Joe, and Jim Rockwell. Washington on June 27,1910,57 minutes to midnight, his mother's birthday (he was probably born in the hospital). He, too, attended the country schools he and his brothers and sisters had attended in Kangas, and at District 14 north of Great Bend, he made 1st and 2nd grades in the same year and could spell down in spelling bees and beat in arithmetic matches; the 8th grade girls would cry. He graduated in L927, the same year Scott did as Scott was sick and missed one grade. He lived on the farm south ofStratton, and on March 18, 1939 married Thelma Loper, born on October 2,LgL7, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Loper. Thelmawas the oldest of six children. Mary, Joann, Oliver, Gladys and Marie. Thelma's father and mother were married in 1915. They lived near Saint Francis and then moved to Stratton. After several years on the farm south of Stratton, Steve, as he is known, moved to Burlington, Colorado in 1939 and worked in the County Treasurers office, latcr being elected to that office, which he left to become Administrator of the new Kit Carson Hospital in 1948. Thelma worked at the hospital also. They lived in an apartment in the hospital basement. They retired on May 23, 1980, and bought a home at 391 Cherry Street in Burlington. Steve and Thelma had two boys, Jay Steven was born on May 23, L940. Jay married Janet Kay Bules on June 11,, 1966. They had two sons, Joe Steven was born on December 9, 1967, and James Dead was born on July 29, 1969. Steve and Thelma's son, Ray Allen was born on December 28, 1943. Ray manied Carol Lee Vallier on August 23, 1965. They had two daughters, Shannon Rae was born on December 14, 1968 and DeEtt Tara was born on July 17' 1971. Thelma Rockwell passed away. by Shannon Rockwell ROGERS, ORVILLE F672 Orville Rogers homesteaded at Bird City, Kansas. He traded his homestead for a printing press and started lhe Hearld of Independence at Bird City. Later he moved his printing press to Colorado and printed the Carlisle Reporter, Carlisle was on the SE Section 29-8-42. When the railroad came through it missed that town a mile. In April, 1889, he was publishing the Claremont Journal and when the county officials were appointed, they gave J.F. Murray's paper the Boomerang all the county news. At some early date he published the Kit Carson News at Vona, and went from there to Denver and started a suburban paper called The Brooklyn Blade. In May 1890, he was publishing the "Rain BeltFarmer" on the homestead of W.D. Bean on the SE of Sec. 20-10-43 in a soddy. This publication was the local voice of a new movement, the "Farmers Alliance". We saw two issues of the Rain Belt Farmer. Instruction to farmers were given and even instructions were given to the house wives in their cooking. "The Farmers Alliance would take no advertising from townsmen", was their declaration. The Ad.uocate was quoted in his paper and thanked for their greeting. Orville was a Spanish American War veteran and was with the army of occupation at Havana until the Cuban Republic was established. Orville also published the first newspaper at Claremont: the Clarernont Journal. He died at his brother's home in Lamar, Mo., on Jan. 15, 1936, of a paralytic stroke. by Della Hendricks father was never too busy to serve in anyway to assist people in time of trouble or heartache. He always knew what to say to ease the suffering. I remember a time when I had been severely burned, hearing his foot steps in the hospital corridor. I knew then I could prevail. He was that kind, loving, strong man. We could always tell when he was on his way home. He whistled as he walked along. At one time as a youth he sang in his church quartet as first tenor. He had a beautiful voice. Any successful man has a special helpmate, his wife. This was our mother. Always fust and foremost her husband, children and grandchildren. She had an enchanting smile and ready sense of humor, a heart full of love and understanding. In those early times our mother often went to sit with a family of a departed loved one. There were no mortuaries in the area at this time. She administered to any needs of the deceased after the undertaker had gone. She and Mrs. Williams were often asked to sit the late night shift. She also often satwith a comatose individual. When the family first came to Stratton, Mother did her laundry when a movie was in progress upstairs in the Linford Building. Someone had strung an electrical line from the movie house to our house. Mother had the only electric washing machine in town. Later our house became the telephone office. Mother was very busy with her house, her family, Ladies Aid, and she was one of the founding members of MSA Club. She was a member of the now Methodist Church in Stratton. I remember her stripping her flower garden so that there might be some kind of flowers at someone's funeral. In 1921 our family was blessed with the birth of a cherished little boy John Boyd. He was a loving little one who charmed and dominated all our lives for six short years. He died ofan accidental gunshot wound on April 29, L927. Our family has grown. I hope Claus and Gertrude could be proud of all their grandchildren: Justus Rose's children: Claus Raymond, F B M, Dallas, Texas; and daughters Joan, Trudy, Frances, and Delores; June's children: Marci Levi and Jerry Scofield; Maye's children: Claus James Hume, Judge of the State Court of Appeals of Colorado; Ralph Edward, Dean of Graduate School, Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma; June Guy, teacher at HiPlains School, Seib- �ert, Colorado; and Larry Joe, machinist, living in Loveland, Colorado. by Maye Blodgett ROWLEY FAMILY F674 He joined the C.C.C. When he left there, he and Marian Rivers were married. They moved to Camas, Washington where they were both drowned in a boating accident on the Columbia River in 1940. They have a daughter, Catherine, still living in Canon City, Colorado. I (Ralph) was born in Allen, Kansas, on June22,1913. After leaving school, I worked for various ranchers and farmers in Kit Carson County. Alta Sesler of Seibert and I were married in 1936, and we farmed until the war broke out. We then moved to California and I worked in the Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, California. We then moved back to Seibert and farmed for a few years before moving to Denver, where we opened and ran service stations and auto repair shops until we both retired. Our children are Mary of Eastlake, CO; Charles of Lakewood, CO; and Beverly of Denver. Eva (Rowley) Walker was born in Allen, Kansas June 3, 1915. In her senior year of high school, 1933, she married Murray Walker of Seibert. She graduated from Seibert High School through a correspondence course with Professor Brown. Murray worked at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver for many years. Murray passed away December 9, 1975. Of this union 2 children were born: Michael of Awada, CO; and Linda, of This picture was taken about 1944. Back row: Pearl (Johnson) Rowley, Delberts wife, Lillian (Redwing) Rowley, Hollis wife, Alta (Sesler) Rowley Ralphs wife. Front row: Delbert Rowley, Hollis Rowley, and Ralph Rowley. Our father, Ernest E. Rowley, spent his life as a dryland farmer in Kansas and Colorado. He passed away December 18, 1939. Our mother, Mae (Castle) Rowley, moved to Denver before WWII and worked in sewing factories that had contracts with the govern- ment to make items used by the various Armed Forces. After the war she retired to take life easier. She passed away September 9, 1976, at age 90 years. Galena (Rowley) Dimmitt was born July 6, 1903, in Allen, Kansas. She married Dillman Dimmitt in 1924. They moved to Seibert from Stratton in 1929. Dillman had the White Eagle bulk plant for a time before moving to Limon and running Camp Pershing Restau- rant, Service Station and Cabins. They moved to Denver and Dillman worked for truck lines. Of this union, 3 children were born: Dillman, Jr., who resides in San Diego, CA; Dorman, who lives in Glendora, CA; and Darlene who lives in San Diego, CA. Galena is still very active and lives in San Diego, Ca. Edward was born March 31, 1905, in Allen, Kansas. As a young man he worked at various places in Kit Carson County. He went to the State of Washington and worked in a paper mill until he returned to Denver and went to work for a trucking company until he retired. Edward passed away November 2, 1984. James was born November 27,1911, in Allen, Kansas. He also worked for various farmers and ranchers in Kit Carson Countv. Westminster, CO. Glenn Rowley was born in Allen, Kansas, August 19, 1917. Glenn worked at various jobs in Seibert and Denver and he and Cecil Gates were married in July 1935. During World War II, Glenn went to Alaska to work for the U.S. Government. Upon returning, he went to work for a truck line in Denver, where he worked for 25 years. Glenn, Cecil and their daughter, Marlys, and family now live in Gulf Bteeze, Florida. Delbert was born after the family came to Kit Carson County, on February 16, I92L, north ofStratton, Colorado. After graduating from Seibert High School, Delbert joined the CCC Camp at Hugo and joined the Navy in January of 1940. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor and was there on the day of "Infamy". He mauied Pearl Johnson of Denver in 1943. After the war, he returned to Denver and like his brothers before him. went to work for a truck line and is still employed by one. Delbert and Pearl have 4 children: Glenn of Boulder, CO; Randy of Santa Rosa, CA; Carol of Golden, CO; and Nancy of Denver, CO. Hollis was born north of Stratton. CO. on May 21, 1922. He worked at various jobs prior to WW II. He joined the Army paratroops in L942 and was there for the duration of the war. Hollis maried Lillian Redwing of Vancouver, WA and they had 2 daughters: sharon of Vancouver, WA; and Kathy of San Diego. Hollis now lives in Conroe, Texas. by Ralph L. Rowley The Rowley family taken about 1962. Back row: Glen Rowley, Ralph Rowley, Edward Rowley. Front row: Eva Walker, Mae Rowley, Galena Dimmitt, and Delbert Rowley. Promised Land) Colorado. They arrived in Stratton on November 19, 1919. Their high hopes were to get Homestead Land. Dad had been convinced by his brother-in-law, Jim Edmunds, that there was still Homestead Land available; but by November 1919, there was none left in this area. The Rowley Caravan consisted of 3 wagons, t horses, 1 milk cow, household belongings, some farm equipment and the 6 children: Galena, born in 1903; Edward, born in 1905; James, born in 1911; Ralph, born in 1913; Eva, born in 1915; and Glenn, born in 1917. After a time in Stratton looking and trying to get Homestead Land, they rented the farm 9 miles north of Stratton, known as the Henry Slagle place. Their neighbors were the Lee Dimmitts, Ben Hemlins, Ben Degerings, Jim Edmunds, Milo Mitchems, Frank Beatties, B.K. Mosses and Russell Oldsons. It was on the Slagle place I was born, February 16, 1921. Our brother Hollis was born May 2L, L922. The children of school age went to the 1room Spring Creek School. That is, the ones who were not needed for the work on the farm. The summer of 1922 we moved to a place 8 miles S.E. of Stratton where our neighbors were the Harry Robinsons, Charlie Bloom and his sister Mable Bloom, Elmer Hulls, Frank Yellick, Bertha King and Henry Roush. South Pius Point was the 1-room school which Ralph, Eva and Glenn attended. The ROWLEY FAMILY F575 11 Year Trek To Seibert, Colorado Our father and mother, Ernest E. and Mae (Castle) Rowley, left Allen, Kansas in late October 1919, with 6 children for (The teacher was Goldie lverson, and later Queenie Ferris was their teacher. They later were moved to the North Pius Point School where Edith Powers was the teacher. In the Summer of 1927, we rented a place 6 miles south of Bethune known as the Brennan Place. Our new school was North Star and the teachers were Ruth Pishke and Alta Wolf. Our neighbols were the Jake Wolfs, Wayne Glazes, Ralph H rmricks, Charlie Perkins, and Andy Perkins. �When Ralph and Eva graduated from the 8th grade, they attended lst Central School, 12 miles south of Bethune. Mrs. Wolf became a teacher at lst Central and they rode to school with Mrs. Wolf. We then moved to the town of Stratton in RUDY, BENJAMIN AND AGNES r.677 1929 for 1 year, and in 1930 we moved to what I call "My Home Town" - Seibert. We made, our home in one of Jess Miller's Cabins, on the west side of town, for some time. We lived in various places in Seibert during the dust bowl years of Kit Carson County. by Delbert T. RowleY RUDNIK, EVERETT AND BERNICE In the back row are Ben Rudy and Wayne Barber along with their beet workers from Mexico. F676 F,i Bernice Emelea Hansen was born to John and Rosie Hansen of Seibert, Co. on Nov. 27, 1937. At an early age, the family moved to Vona where I, Bernice, attended school. I $ Ben and Agnes raised these vegetables from their garden in 1953. married Eldon Clark Misner December 8, 1951. After our marriage, Eldon spent 18 months in Korea and I worked at the Kit Carson County Hospital in Burlington, Colo- rado as an aid, and I particularly enjoyed working the OB Ward. To this union three daughters were born: Darlene Bernice December L4, L954; Star Lynn December 19, 1956; and Eldona Valerie Jo November 14, 1958. Eldon worked for the Colorado State Highway. He was operating a snow plow on Loveland Pass when he went over an embankment and was killed Dec. 11, 1958. On December 9, 1959, Bernice married Everett Rudnik of Cope, Colorado. A son was of Burlington in 1983. Steve farms and Darlene works with office computers. Star graduated in 1975 and maried Larry Burgess of Texas in 1980. They live in Grand Junction. Star owns and operates a beauty shop, "A Cut Above," and Larry is a real estate agent. Jo graduated in 1977 and married Jay Satterwhite of Illinois in 1979. They have two daughters and live in Rochester, New York where they are assistant pastors at Rochester. by Bernice Rudnik to North and South America. This migration continued until 1914. Among these emigrants was John Phillip Rudy, father of Benjamin. John Phillip was born September 27, 1881, Saratov Province, Volga Region, Russia. In the spring of 1891 at age nine, John Phillip sailed to America with his parents, John Peter and Katherine Daubert, and two younger brothers, John Peter and Jacob C. Upon arrival in the United States, they settled at Otis, Kansas, near the Conrad Moore family whom the Rudys had known in Russia. John, Katherine, and their sons farmed at Otis, Kansas, until 1894 when they purchased and moved to an established homestead at Ashley, Oklahoma (near Alva, Oklahoma). Phillip continued farming the "homeplace" with his father and on December 29,L902, at age 2O married 16 year old Mary Moore, born to us on October 11, 1960, Flint Eugene. In 1963, we moved to Northglenn and lived there for four years. While there I took a correspondence course and in 1964, graduated from American School in Chicago, Ill. We then moved to Burlington October 15' 1967. Bernice worked in the office of the hospital and Everett, in May 1968, became the owner of B&B Electric. Then he owned Donut King for two years. In 1979, Everett built his own business, Everett's Paint and Repair. Everett has restored two special cars: a 1923 Star and a 1929 Pontiac. Burlington High School became a big part of all of our lives. Darlene graduated in 1973 and married Steve Scott had protected the Germans from being drafted. As a consequence, hundreds of German families, mainly from the Volga Region, left Russia in the 1870's to migrate daughter of Conrad Moore. Born to this union at Ashley, Oklahoma, were Benjamin William, Albertha, and John Wesley. Ben started farming with his father in Oklahoma. On February 14, 1925, Ben married Agnes Laurel Kellnms, who was originally from Newton Stewart, Indiana. Four children were born to Ben and Agnes; Charles Phillip Rudy now living in BurA sample of beets gtown on the Ben Rudy farm. Mr. Rudy is one of 11 farmers in Kit Carson County who pioneered the sugar beet industry in the county with the advent of deep well irrigation. The immigration manifesto issued by Catherine the Great on July 22, L763, promised many things to the Germans who migrated. Some of the promises were: free exercise of their religion, freedom from taxation, and for the whole time of the immigrants'stay in Russia, they were not to be drafted into military service against their will. The manifesto added the very important statement that all the promises made to the immigrants applied also to their children and descendants, even those born in Russia. By 1871 a series of reforms by Alexander II abolished the special colonists status that the Germans had enjoyed up to thattime and put them on the seme legal status as the Russian peasants. When the new military service law was proclaimed on January I, L874, it eliminated the military draft exemption that lington, Colorado; Loyd Eugene Rudy living in Ojai, California passed away on September 28, 1984; Marjorie Lou Chambers passed away on March 13, 1960; and Karen Kay Baber living in Steilacoon, Washington. Ben and Agnes continued farming the homeplace until January, L952, when they moved to Colorado. In the spring of 1947, Ben and Agnes started farming in Colorado on two quarters of land purchased from Lester Basher and located SE1/4, Sec 32 and SW 1/4, Sec. 33. R45W, T9S south of Bethune. From 1947 to 1952, Ben and Agnes were involved in dual in Oklahoma and in Colorado. farming - hauling farm equipment such This involved as tractors, combines, plows, etc. by truck approximately 400 miles between the two states. At first Ben's family lived in rentals in Burlington, Colorado, during the working season. Then Ben and Agnes bought property at 142 12th Street and built a small onebedroom house adjacent to an existing garage. In 1951, they bought a half section farm �located, N1/2, Sec 3, R44W, T9S, west of Burlington in a three-way trade/purchase finally, Agnes became the landowner leasing her farmland to a new generation of farmers. that roamed the country. They were taken to by Agnes L. Rudy The corrals being built high to keep the horses from jumping out. The horses were branded and turned out on the range, and between J.N. Smith, Roy Sprague, and Ben and Agnes Rudy. The little house in Burlington and the two quarters south of Be- thune were a part of this trade/purchase. Ben and Agnes continued farming the land south of Bethune for five years, leasing it from Roy Sprague. As well as the Bethune land, Ben and Agnes also leased five quarters near the Correction Line, owned by Earl Geis, and four quarters just across the county line in Cheyenne County, owred by Milton Rudy. During this time Agnes supported Ben's farming endeavors by cooking three large meals each day during the summer work season for the hired crews. The noon meal was prepared, taken to the field and served there. This involved considerable planning and organizing by Agnes and required round trip drives up to 70 miles on unpaved county roads. Ben was always a conscientious farmer and was always eager to try new products and new procedures. The high yield of irrigated crops fascinated Ben and he was one ofthe pioneers of deep well inigation in the Burlington area. He had his well drilled January 22, 1955, at a depth of 310 feet and had the foresight to file his water rights in Kit Carson County. This filing proved to be wise because the water table did drop and some other wells could not be used to capacity. The method of irrigation used was ditch with aluminum siphon tubes. At one time he used a portion of his farmland to plant test plots of DeKalb seed corn. Sugar beets arived on the scene in 1956 and again Ben was nmong the first area farmers to plant sugar beets. To help the farmers cultivate the young beets, men from Mexico were bused to Colorado. Most of these Mexican workers spoke no English. They worked ten hours a day, five days a week, weeding and thinning the young beet plants with both short- and long-handled hoes. Each farmer was allotted three workers and had to provide accommodations for them. Ben and Wayne Barber shared their workers so the fields could be worked faster. An unused chicken house on the Rudy farm was cleaned and converted to housing for the six Mexican workers. The workers were very pleased with the accommodations because there was electricity and running water. Every Saturday during the hoeing season, Ben took the Mexicans in the back of his pickup to town to shop for their groceries, gifts for families, etc. On Sunday he drove the Mexicans to the local Catholic Chwch to attend mass. Ben was a member of the Methodist Church, a member of the Burlington Equity Co-op, and an active resident of the community for seven years before his death in 1959. Agnes has continued to manage the halfsection farm since Ben's death raising such crops ns wheat, corn, pinto beans, milo, and sugar beets; as well as upgrading the ditch irrigation to gated pipe and then to the present circle irrigation system. She has also purchased, improved and sold other property in the area. Time has completed a cycle Ben and Agnes started farming by leasing- land, they purchased land and did their own farming; RUEB FAMILY F578 Justin Rueb and Evangeline Schawe were married in 1944 at Speawille, Kansas. They lived on a farm 8 miles north of Dodge City, Kansas for 5 years. In August, 1949, Mr. & Mrs. Justin Rueb (Sam and Vangie) and their three young sons, John, Bill, and Pat moved to Colorado to a farm that they purchased from Lee Batterson, located 5 miles west of Stratton, Colorado. This is in the Vona School District with mailing address Vona, Colorado. The Ruebs rented farm land in the area owned by Fred Doll of Wright, Kansas. They were looking forward to living near Highway 24 and attending the Catholic Church and school in Stratton. A barn was built shortly after their arrival and the house remodeled in 1952. During this period many of our acquaintances from Kansas had already moved here, including an aunt of Vangie, Mrs. J.C. Kleisen (Loetta) and Francis Rueb (Tick), Sa-'s brother. Tick and Dorothy and family later moved to Nebraska. Children born in Colorado were, Elaine, Stan, Robert, Mark, and Justin Jr. All attended the Stratton schools and graduated from the Stratton High School. Sam and Vangie are still living on the farm. Four children are married. John to Arlene Weingardt, Bill to Paula Moser, Pat to Rita Pickard, and Mark to Kathy Jesson. There are seven grandchildren. the large corral built at Crystal Springs. There were cabins and corrals at this place. when needed were broken to ride. Crystal Springs, named by Ezra M. Lyon, my father-in-law, one of the early settlers of the community, is located on Sec. 4-9-50. It is an ideal place for a stock ranch, as there is an abundance of water and good grazing. There were no towns, no railroad, and mail was brought from Hugo by anyone going that way. Supplies also came from Hugo. Our amusements were horseback riding and dancing. The first settler to file on a homestead was J.R. Miskelly, who filed on the land known as Crystal Springs. The place is now owned by a company who are converting it into a pleasure resort. The second settler was Wm. Matthias; the third, Dick Moore, and I, Simon Rumming, was the fourth. I filed on a pre-emption in the fall of 1884. After quitting the cattle business, I settled down on our homestead, a short distance from the Crystal Springs property, built a reservoir and do-, and had plenty of water for all purposes. We organized a school district in Nov. 1887, and in order to hold the district we had to hold school at least three months. Miss Lyons taught for five years and Mr. Barney Killian of Kiowa, Elbert co., was the Co. Supt. of Schools at this time. Addie and Mollie Doughty, daughters of Ben Doughty, were just small girls, when they came here. Their mother had died and they assumed the duties of caring for the younger children, but that didn't deter them from fitting themselves for teaching and enduring the hardships of pioneer schooling in this county. Among the early settlers who found homes by Vangie Rueb RUMMING, SIMON H. F579 Born in 1854, in Hampshire, England. Came to Colo. in 1873. I, Simon H. Rumming started from Chicago early in 1873, with a group of people who were westward bound. When the covered wagon train reached Iowa, we began gathering a herd of cattle, buying up as we went along, so by the time we reached our destination we had quite a herd. Of course we could not move very fast so we did not reach Colo. Springs until the latter part of the summer of 1873. We came up the Platte River to Fort Morgan and then across the country to Colo. Springs. I saw my first buffalo on the Platte River in Neb., so we lived on buffalo meat while crossing the plains. We encountered a few Indians, but none that were not friendly. I hired out to the Stanley Bros. while in Chicago and helped them drive their cattle across the plains. Later on I went to work for the Pugsley Bros. called the KP outfit, and who had herds of cattle from the Republican River to the Arkansas River. They also had a large herd of horses. The outfit consisted of 20 cowboys, cooks, and chuck wagons. I worked for them from 1884 to 1887. I had charge of the horse herd, and it was my work to gather horses from the wild herds in the community were Jim Howell, B.F. Houtz, J.W. Hunt, Stephen Strode, F.H. and C.H. Lyon, and "Grandma" Eliza Doughty. We organized a Sunday school and church meetings in the school house. J.W. Hunt was our Sunday School Superintendent for some years and C.W. Smith, a "Holiness" missionary was our first preacher. Later he taught school in our district. Taken from early day writings. by Janice Salmane RUTTER, JACK AND MARY F680 Jack Rutter and Mary DeGraffenreid manied in Kansas City, Kansas April 11, 1947, Jack being the second son of the late D.B. Rutter and Myrtle of Plains, Kansas. Jack grew up on the farm and upon graduating from Plains High School was inducted in the U.S. Army in 1943, serving his country in the States and the Pacific and was discharged in April 1946. Soon after his discharge, Jack enrolled in the National Trade School in Kansas City, after two years, he completed his schooling in Architectural Drafting. At this time, he married Mary DeGraffenreid of Ulman, Mo., a small rural town 165 mi. S.E. of Kansas City, located in the resort area of Begnell Dam and Lake of the Ozarks. Mary �belongings, cattle, and horses to a farm 4 mi. W. lN. of Plains, Ks., which later they bought. In 1925, a son, Jack David was born. Clark and Jack attended school at Plains, Ks. Clark moved to Bethune, Co. and farmed for many years. After being in service during World War 2, Jack attended school in Kansas City, married and moved to Burlington, where he was in the Auto Parts and farming business. David "Bat" Rutter passed away in 1949 and Myrtle moved to Burlington the s'me year. She has enjoyed living in Bur- lington, always having her familyclose by and a host of friends. Her life has been centered around the church and is a charter member of the Burlington Christian Church. She enjoys the Senior Citizens Center and the fellowship with those that attend. Burlington has been good to us and she saYs, "I appreciate you all". by Jack Rutter Susan Rutter. Gottfried Weiss Farm north of Bethune, where we made our home. Dust and dry years were upon us. For the next three years Jack attended Infantry School in Ft. Benning, Ga. and Artillery School in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Another baby girl, Amber Kay was born Sept. L2,7952. In 1958 Jack went to work for King Motor Co. and was salesman for 15 years, so we moved to Burlington and built our present home where we now live. Jack was under sheriff for 9 mo. She is presently self-employed as a Building Contractor. Our children were born in Burlington and attended school in Bethune and both graduated from Burlington High School. Susan lives in Liberty, Mo' and has thee children, Chris, Hannah and Asher. Amber lives in Colo. Spgs., and has three children, Tabitha, Deidra, and Tarah. Living and being a part of Burlington has been a real blessing to us through the years. We are charter members of the Burlington Christian Church. Presently both teach and work in the music department, Jack having been a part of the Harmonaires, a male quartet, since being in Burlington. Singing for funerals for Amber Rutter. Hendricks Mortuary and other clubs and churches throughout the states and others, has probably been the highlight of his life. by Mary Rutter is the first daughter and third child of four' of Louie and Cora DeGraffenreid of Ulman, Mo. My father was a farmer and owned real estate in Lake Ozark. My grandfather, Geo. Riley DeGraffenreid was a road construction foreman on the Bagnell Dam. He also owned the White House Hotel built in 1932, which was the first business in Lake Ozark after the building of the Dnm. From Kansas City we moved to Sedan, Kansas where Jack was employed at the Fesler Implement Co. Later we moved to Burlington, Co. where Jack was employed at Sim Hudson Motor Co. Then Jack went into businees with Asa Calvin, which was known as Calvin and Rutter Auto Supply. At this time Jack was in the Army Reserve and was attached to Co. I. Colorado National Guard and served with the unit in Burlington as Company Commander. At this time our first daughter, Susan Carol was born June 18, 1949. She purchased land south of Burlington and in 1952 we bought the RUTTER, MYRTLE V. F581 Myrtle V. Rutter born Dec. 30, 1889 at Brumley, Mo. to Tom and Rosa Bond. One of 10 children they experienced good times and bad times, with many mouths to feed and send to school. Her father was a freighter, that hauled freight by team and wagons from Brumley, to Bagnell, Mo., which was a shipping point on the Osage River. She grew to womanhood in Brumley and operated the telephone office at the time. In 1910 she married David "Bat" Rutter and immediately moved to Pretty Prairie, Ks., where he was employed by Collingwood Grain Co. In 1912' a son was born to them. This young man was no-ed Champ Clark. In 1915, they gathered their family together, and moving their SAILER, CHARLES LESTER F682 Charles Lester Sailer was born April 20, 1898, in Whitewater, Kansas, to Charles L' and Sarah Brooks Sailer. He attended public schools in Kansas. He married Miss Mertie Lattimore, the daughter of James and Leona Logan Lattimore on April 7, 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Sailer were the parents of four children: Wayne, Dean, Marjorie and Vivian. Wayne married the former Shirley Schlickenmayer, and they are the parents of three children: Gary, Gail, and General Dean who served in the U.S. Marines Corps 1951-52. He married the former Ione Lynn, and they are the parents of a son, Bryan. Marjorie is married to Dean Stewart, and they have a daughter, Maridean. Vivian is married to Elmer Jacober, and they are the parents oftwo children: Dale and Beverly Sue. Charles Lester has farmed near Burlington since 1948, when he came here from Kansas and bought his present farm eight miles north. He farms eight hundred acres with wheat his main crop. Mr. Sailer built all the main buildings on his farm and has a comfortable home surrounded by trees. He has engaged in farming all his life, starting on his own in Pratt County, Kansas, in 1.909. In Kansas, he raised wheat, corn, and feed and also had cattle and hogs. His brand is Arrow X. Mr. Sailer has farmed during two dust eras, one in Kansas and one in Colorado. Mr. Sailer is a member of the Farm Bureau, of the Eastern Colorado Wheat Growers Association. and the First Methodist Church. He has known many hardships in his years of farming but has overcome them all with courage and hard work. Mr. Sailer is a creditable addition to the farming industry of Kit Carson County. by Janice Salmans � 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- R Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "R." As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:507 2020-03-23T10:01:26Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/507/Families-S1.pdf 39153db5a87895bc8fd144a359c2297a PDF Text Text belongings, cattle, and horses to a farm 4 mi. W. lN. of Plains, Ks., which later they bought. In 1925, a son, Jack David was born. Clark and Jack attended school at Plains, Ks. Clark moved to Bethune, Co. and farmed for many years. After being in service during World War 2, Jack attended school in Kansas City, married and moved to Burlington, where he was in the Auto Parts and farming business. David "Bat" Rutter passed away in 1949 and Myrtle moved to Burlington the s'me year. She has enjoyed living in Bur- lington, always having her familyclose by and a host of friends. Her life has been centered around the church and is a charter member of the Burlington Christian Church. She enjoys the Senior Citizens Center and the fellowship with those that attend. Burlington has been good to us and she saYs, "I appreciate you all". by Jack Rutter Susan Rutter. Gottfried Weiss Farm north of Bethune, where we made our home. Dust and dry years were upon us. For the next three years Jack attended Infantry School in Ft. Benning, Ga. and Artillery School in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Another baby girl, Amber Kay was born Sept. L2,7952. In 1958 Jack went to work for King Motor Co. and was salesman for 15 years, so we moved to Burlington and built our present home where we now live. Jack was under sheriff for 9 mo. She is presently self-employed as a Building Contractor. Our children were born in Burlington and attended school in Bethune and both graduated from Burlington High School. Susan lives in Liberty, Mo' and has thee children, Chris, Hannah and Asher. Amber lives in Colo. Spgs., and has three children, Tabitha, Deidra, and Tarah. Living and being a part of Burlington has been a real blessing to us through the years. We are charter members of the Burlington Christian Church. Presently both teach and work in the music department, Jack having been a part of the Harmonaires, a male quartet, since being in Burlington. Singing for funerals for Amber Rutter. Hendricks Mortuary and other clubs and churches throughout the states and others, has probably been the highlight of his life. by Mary Rutter is the first daughter and third child of four' of Louie and Cora DeGraffenreid of Ulman, Mo. My father was a farmer and owned real estate in Lake Ozark. My grandfather, Geo. Riley DeGraffenreid was a road construction foreman on the Bagnell Dam. He also owned the White House Hotel built in 1932, which was the first business in Lake Ozark after the building of the Dnm. From Kansas City we moved to Sedan, Kansas where Jack was employed at the Fesler Implement Co. Later we moved to Burlington, Co. where Jack was employed at Sim Hudson Motor Co. Then Jack went into businees with Asa Calvin, which was known as Calvin and Rutter Auto Supply. At this time Jack was in the Army Reserve and was attached to Co. I. Colorado National Guard and served with the unit in Burlington as Company Commander. At this time our first daughter, Susan Carol was born June 18, 1949. She purchased land south of Burlington and in 1952 we bought the RUTTER, MYRTLE V. F581 Myrtle V. Rutter born Dec. 30, 1889 at Brumley, Mo. to Tom and Rosa Bond. One of 10 children they experienced good times and bad times, with many mouths to feed and send to school. Her father was a freighter, that hauled freight by team and wagons from Brumley, to Bagnell, Mo., which was a shipping point on the Osage River. She grew to womanhood in Brumley and operated the telephone office at the time. In 1910 she married David "Bat" Rutter and immediately moved to Pretty Prairie, Ks., where he was employed by Collingwood Grain Co. In 1912' a son was born to them. This young man was no-ed Champ Clark. In 1915, they gathered their family together, and moving their SAILER, CHARLES LESTER F682 Charles Lester Sailer was born April 20, 1898, in Whitewater, Kansas, to Charles L' and Sarah Brooks Sailer. He attended public schools in Kansas. He married Miss Mertie Lattimore, the daughter of James and Leona Logan Lattimore on April 7, 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Sailer were the parents of four children: Wayne, Dean, Marjorie and Vivian. Wayne married the former Shirley Schlickenmayer, and they are the parents of three children: Gary, Gail, and General Dean who served in the U.S. Marines Corps 1951-52. He married the former Ione Lynn, and they are the parents of a son, Bryan. Marjorie is married to Dean Stewart, and they have a daughter, Maridean. Vivian is married to Elmer Jacober, and they are the parents oftwo children: Dale and Beverly Sue. Charles Lester has farmed near Burlington since 1948, when he came here from Kansas and bought his present farm eight miles north. He farms eight hundred acres with wheat his main crop. Mr. Sailer built all the main buildings on his farm and has a comfortable home surrounded by trees. He has engaged in farming all his life, starting on his own in Pratt County, Kansas, in 1.909. In Kansas, he raised wheat, corn, and feed and also had cattle and hogs. His brand is Arrow X. Mr. Sailer has farmed during two dust eras, one in Kansas and one in Colorado. Mr. Sailer is a member of the Farm Bureau, of the Eastern Colorado Wheat Growers Association. and the First Methodist Church. He has known many hardships in his years of farming but has overcome them all with courage and hard work. Mr. Sailer is a creditable addition to the farming industry of Kit Carson County. by Janice Salmans �SALMANS FAMILY F583 Herschel ran the farm and Gene Elsev worked here part-time until 194?. Life on this farm meant happy times as well as hard work. Week-ends were times of social gatherings and meals with neighbors and friends. Some of them were: the Harris', the Clappers, the Pickards, the Brownings, the Burds, the Briggs, the Davises and the Kvestads. They shared meals, attended dances, and played cards. Bert and Roxie Kvestad drove in the yard one day and Bert said "Let's go for a "ride". Herschel inquired if a suitcase was needed but Bert didn't "tink so", they would just buy what they needed along the way! They ended up in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. They had many such times together until 1956 when Roxie becarne very ill. Gwen sat with her in the hospital until her death. Bert acted like and was treated like a grandfather in this family and therefore the mention of him in our story. Many people even thought him to be a family member when in fact he was not. Herschel and Gwen joined the St. Charles Catholic Church in 1964 where Herschel belonged to the Knights of Columbus. He also belonged to the Vona Lions Club and served on the Vona School board for about 12 vears. Gwendolyn belonged to the Vona Worthwhile Homemakers Club and cooked at the it{,.';:r..,.:. Herschel and Gwendolyn Salqrans and sons Gary and Lyndell. March ZO, rg49. Herschel Harold Salmans was born April 10, 1911 in Burdett, Ks. to his parents Walter Wm. and Hattie Sarah Salmans. He was the youngest of 5 children: LoRee Dorthy, 1901, Harry LeRoy, 1905, Irene Leona, 1907, and Lucille Sarah Henrietta, 1909. Herschell grew up in Kansas and was very active in sports at Bazine High School where he graduated in 1930. On Aug. 9, 1939 Herschel married Gwendolyn Laree Riley of Gove, Ks. They lived at Dighton, Ks. and moved on to Jetmore and lived there until 1943 when they bought the C.A. Monroe farm, 5 mi north of Vona, Colo. The house was built around 1919 or later by Mr. Monroe and some of his sons out of sod and was later stuccoed on the outside. When Gwen and Herschel moved into the house you could see the rooffrom the inside and down thru the floor boards to the basement. They made aceiling, and putdown a linoleum on the floor. A neighbor, Mr. Lester Yonts, helped Herschel cut an archway in between the kitchen and a living room, There were only four rooms in the house and they had to carry in all the water they used. On Mar. 20, 1945 their first son, Gary Gail was born weighing 10 lbs. and was delivered by Dr. V.M. Hewitt. Two years Iater on Sept. 9, another son Lyndell Lee, was born, weighing in at 13 lbs. They were both born at home. On the sa-e day Lyndell was born, Herschel and some neighbors, Billy and Roy Hanis and Bert Kvestad were putting up feed when Herschel was bitten by a rattlesnake and taken into Vona to see the doctor. After some cutting and pouring on of kerosene, it was decided to take him to the hospital in Burlington. Wilma Wilkerson (Woller) came out to help Gwen with the children. Gwen's mother Anna Riley was called and told "Herschel is in the hospital and we have a new baby boy!" Vona School. On April 9, 1969 Herschel died of a heart attack. Gwen moved to Stratton and on Mar. 20, 1971 she married Mr. O. C. Malone, in the home of Gary Salmans. In 1964 Gary Salmans had married Diane Werner and they made thier home in Stratton, Co. They had two sons David Dean, 1965 and Michael Marc, 1971. Gary worked at the Foster Lumber Yard, drove a bus for the Stratton School, worked in his own Shamrock Station, and later purchased his garage called Gary's Wrecker Service. In 19?8 Gary was killed in an auto accident, just 3 miles from the farm North of Vona. Diane remarried Al Kloeckner in 1980 and later moved to Mosca, Colorado. In 1966, Lyndell Salmans married Janice Wolkensdorfer and they made their home in Canon City, Colo. where they lived until Herschell Salmans death in 1969, when they moved to the farm North of Vona, and are now living and raising three children. James Jay 1969, Tronette Lee 1972, and Herschell Harold 1975. Lyndell farms and raises wheat and cattle. by Janice Salmans SALMANS WOLKENSDORFER FAMILY F584 Lyndell Lee Salmans was born Sept. 9, L947 at Vona, Colo., to Herschel and Gwendolyn Salmans. Lyndell attended the Vona School for 12 years and graduated in 1965. He was active in all sports and later attended the National Electronics Institute in Denver, Colo. On Nov. 5, 1966, Lyndell was united in marriage to Janice Wolkensdorfer. We moved to Canon City to a farm. This farm belonged to Lyndell's grandfather, Walter Salmans. Lyndell worked those 12 acres parttime and also worked for Canon Con- crete. I worked in a Beauty Salon and in lg6? I purchased in partnership a shop we called "Cut'N'Curl", on Main Street. When Lyndell's father passed away in 1969, we decided to move back to the farm North of Vona, and help his mother. At this time we adopted a son, James Jay born Nov. 1, 1969. Two years later we had a baby girl, Tronette Lee, May L4, L972, born on Mother's Day. On March 5, 19i15, we had our last son, Herschell Harold Salmans, (nnmsd aftet his grandfather). Raising children on the farm can be both very trying and rewarding. It takes a lot of beef, hemburgers, and pizzas to feed them. It's getting harder to accomplish this when a box of cereal at the store is $3.29 and a bushel of wheat is only worth $2.76. Our children attend the Hi Plains Schools, which are consolidated schools. Lyndell belongs to the Vona Lions Club and has served as President of this organization. We are active in the St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton. From 19?1 to lg?b I owned the Beauty Bonnet Salon in Stratton, and belonged to the National Hairdressers Assn. Lyndell served on the Hi Plains School Board for 5 years. ln1977, Karen Smith of Burlington, wrote a letter to newspapers about the plight of farmers. It stemmed a growing ebb of concern and developed into the organization of the "P.A.A." (Partners in Action for Agriculture). Some of the people involved in the beginning were: Karen & Larry Smith, Sandee & Roland Strobel, Shirley & Vern Bauer, all of Burlington, Florine & Elvin Bauer, Seibert Patsy & Mike Eisenbart, Stratton, Janice & Lyndell Salmans, Vona, Carolyn & Darreld Dizmang, Mary & Phil Schlnmal, Ben Duell, all of Goodland, Ks. At one meeting we held in Goodland, over 1,200 people attended, including Newspeople from Radio and Television J. Evans Goulding, Colo. Commissioner of Agriculture, Kansas State Senator, Richard Gannon, Mrs. Frances Carper, a representative ofSenator Floyd Haskell, were among the guest speakers. "Farmers Seek Immediate Relief'was in the headlines, and our theme was "We farmers as business people, have a right to fair prices and fair terms." At least for a time we were given some respect for our profession. We even participated in a "Tractor Cade" and drove our tractor (a 560 IH), right up to the steps of the State Capitol Building in Denver. We turned a few heads at this unusual sight: chickens, goats, etc. and all kinds of farm equipment on the Capitol grounds. We were proud to be a part of it all. In 1983, Lyndell and I decided to remodel this old sod house of ours, and put in a bathroom. We had done without one in the house all these years. A neighbor, Joe Gurley, did the carpentry work. Every day Joe would build something, and everynightLyndell, the kids, and I would tear out another wall. We hauled several truckloads of dirt out of the house. We thought about how hard C.A. Monroe and his sons must have worked to haul all this sod in to build this house. But when we had finished, it was well worth the effort. We are still living here in 1982, and pray to continue to do so in the years ahead. by Janice Salnans �mother came from before she moved north of Burlington. During his life my dad was a farmer, blacksmith, school board member, road boss and worker, raised and sold purebred shorthorn bulls, and was a painter. During his later years when he couldn't do much else, he ...,. aa)):.:. ::):'- t*i, l',i" r',!r.; ;;,, ..; '4. repaired furniture. He is 88 years old now and still plans to "paint the roof of his house one trr t:ltt more time", We lived through dust storms, droughts, grasshoppers and crop failures. We ate wild duck, wild rabbits, lambs quarters, cooked wheat, and other things too, of course, including lots of "home-grown" food. But I don't look back on life as unhappy or deprived. If we were poor we didn't know it. Our parents made little things fun for us. Like taking us to a pond in the pasture to play in water after a rain, or my dad drowning out baby prairie dogs for us. They made cute pets, and nobody worried about rabies then. I remember once three other families, Mr. and Mrs. Gerdes, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Schaal and Mr. and Mrs. Roy McCarl were visiting. Each family had two girls the ages of my sister and me. My dad put 4 boards across a large wooden roller he had so we could all 8 teetertot at once. Simple, but oh, what fun. My mother had a big garden every year. In The Salmans fanily home when it was first bought in 1943. 5 miles north and 7z miles east of Vona, Co. SANDSTEDT. DILLON FAMILY jewelry. He is married to Zelka Herencic, whom he met while a manager of a McDonald's in Chicago. ln L977, they left Chicago F585 Carlos K. Dillon and Pauline Sandstedt were married at Burlington, Colorado, on April 9, 1939. Carlos was working at Reed Motor Company, and Pauline at King's Variety Store. In 1943, they moved to a farm near Carlos' parents, two and one half miles west of Bethune and one forth mile north of Hwy 24. During 1944 their daughter LoRayne was born, and they left the farm to live in Stratton to open their own restaurant in North Platte, Nebraska. The sold the Eagle Inn in 1981. LoRayne lives in Rockford, Illinois, where she manages a temporary help service which provides employees for both the office and the plant. She nor Jack have children. Carlos and Pauline live in an earth home outside Grant, Nebraska. They are active in the community there, and Carlos keeps his business interest alive through selling gold and silver coins. by Carlos Dillon and operated the hardware business they had bought from Barney Johnson. Their partners in the business were Phyllis and Bob Eb- erhart. On May 7, L947, a new building on Main Street housed the fullline hardware and furniture business. In 1949, Massy Harris implements and parts were added. In 1950' they purchased five GMC buses to operate the Stratton School District R4 routes. Bill Wolf, Leo Gagnon, Charles Rhea and Alvin Menke worked in the shop and were the bus drivers. The hardware was sold on February 15, 1953, to Ralph and Dean Grubbs. They retained ownership of the buses. Carlos and Pauline built a home two blocks south of Highway 24in 1949. They lived there until their move to Denver in 1960. Their second child, Jack, was born in 1954. In Denver, Carlos owned and operated his own businesses. LoRayne was graduated from Littleton High School in 1962. She attended one ye{u of college in Mexico City and one year at Mills college in Oakland, California. Carlos, Pauline and Jack moved to Oakley, Kansas, in 1967 and ultimately to North Platte, Nebraska, where Carlos sold machinery for Lepp and Osterloh. Jack was graduated form North Platte High School. Jack currently lives in Madrid, Nebraska, where he designs and builds fine silver SCHAAL FAMILY F586 San Schaal Jr. I have been asked to write something about my parents, Sam and Ruth Schaal. They lived 8 miles north and west of Burlington. My dad, Sam S. Schaal Jr., was born in 1899 and was raised north of Bethune. My mother, Ruth Church was born in Nebraska, but soon moved to Colo. and was raised south of Stratton where she graduated from First Central School. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Church had a country store by First Central for awhile. My parents met in 1925, while she was teaching school in his neighborhood, and they were married in 1926, and Lila beca-e the parents of 6 children Taylor, Opal Beeson (died in 1969), Leonard Schaal, Bob Schaal (died in 1979), Garry Marvin Schaal, and Glenn Schaal (died in 1968). Strangely enough, Opal married Clark Beeson in June of 1947,and I married Duane Taylor in October of 1947, both young men who lived in the same neighborhood our the garden there was a "vine-hougs" g frame covered with screen. Vines were plantgrew and covered it, and they around ed all the sides and top of it. Some things in the garden were off limits, but we could pick wonder-berries, ground-berries, holly hock seeds, and sometimes carrots and tomatoes and have a "picnic" in the vine house. I don't have much actual history as far as dates, but during the years my dad told lots of stories about the younger days of him and his brothers and sisters. Some were pretty ornery, but perhaps less harmful than the drugs and alcohol of today. One story he told me was of a party a group of young people had. There were more people than chairs so the parents sent some one to the chicken house to bring in some orange crates to use for chairs. Soon the people sitting on the orange crates were scratching and itching from chicken mites on the boxes. Soon everyone else was itching and scratching, too. Another time he told of a widow neighbor lady asking him and his brother John, when they were about 12 and 14, to come to her house and "tramp" sauerkraut for her. They did, and she gave them sauer-kraut to take home in appreciation for their help. They took it home, but wouldn't eat it. When he was about 13 and his brothers John and Jake 15 and 16, they decided to go swimming in a pond that was covered with ice. They had to chop a hole in the ice, and just chopped it big enough to dip in. His brothers didn't want him to go as they were afraid they would all get into trouble with their parents if they found out, but he insisted so they let him. Each jumped in the hole, but a 30 second dip was long enough, and he never begged to go again. by Lila Taylor �raised about 180 turkeys and sold them to Norbest each fall. Until the mid-40s we used horses to haul feed into stacks and out to cattle, to cultivate small plots and to handpick corn. Frank and Dash were Dad's favorite team of grays; Molly and Queen were mother and daughter; Queen's foal Tom and SCHAAL FAMILY F687 Sam Schaal, Jr. One time he and 3 other young men were playing cards at the home of Ed Knodel, a friend and neighbor, who later became his brother-in-law. They decided that the two who lost would go to the nearby home of a neighbor who was hard to get along with, and take and butcher a chicken and they would cook and eat it. The two who lost went out to Ed's chicken house and killed one of his chickens and went out to a field to pick the feathers, before taking it to the house. Later, Ed discovered one of his chickens wag missing, and worse yet, it was his only laying hen. Wedding receptions were very informal, and everyone went. At one, two young men, Fred Schaal and Fred Schlichenmayer slipped into the kitchen and took all the cakes. I never did hear what happened when there were no cakes for the reception. That evening when they got home, several young bachelors found a cake in their car. A bunch ofguys would get together for hair cuts. They would save the hair and put it in a cloth sugar sack. They would sew the sack shut and drop in on the road. Someone coming along would see it and stop, thinking they had found a full sack of sugar. When he was batching on his farm north of Burlington he went to the Frank Chandler home one butchering day. Some of the Chandler children put the pig tail in a sack in his wagon for him to find when he got home. He took it to town and since it was near Christmas had Ned Brown, a store owner gift wrap and address it to the Chandler family, and mailed it. When it came, the Chandler children argued as to who could open it, but when they did it was their pig tail, come back home! A few days after my parents got married, my dad went to Burlington and parked his car in front of Ned Brown's hardware store. While he was doing his other shopping, Ned Brown, a friend and a guy who liked jokes, and his hired man tied a baby bed to the top of my dad's car. When my dad came back he warl very embarrassed and tried to get it off, but it was wired on very securely, and he couldn't get it off in a hurry. So he jumped into his car and went home. Later on, when I ce-e along they were glad they had it. by Lila Taylor The Rev. Herbert and Doris Schaal's 30th Wedding Anniversary. (June 1894). Covenant of Holy Baptism, administered Apr. 7, 1929 by Rev. Chris Maedche in Hope Congregational Church with Dorothea Schaal (Schlichenmayer) and Albert Strobel as my godparents. For more details about our distinctive Germans from Russian heritage and our Swabian ancestors, see my history about our parents, Jake and Emma Schaal. My early memorieg include our family and home, our life and work on the farm and with livestock; our enthusiastic involvement in the life and fellowship of our Church; our frequent contacts with grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and extended family; and of course the Great Depression! Terms like crash on Wall Street, national economy, GNP, and balance of trade meant nothing to us children. Our realities included low or no prices for corn, wheat, hogs and cattle; the silent tears of weathered farmers and ranchers when Govt. agents condemned and shot a portion of their livestock; the recurring years of drought and crop failures; the fierce duststorms that blotted out gun and sky and made us gxope our way home from school with wet rags tied over mouths and noses; and endless, relentless dusf encroaching everywhere; the weary despair of failed farmers and helpless anger offoreclosed ranchers; the weathered boards, sagging gates and creaking hinges of abandoned farmsteads - these were the starck tangibles of our Depression childhood! We had many happy experiences, too inspiring worship, good music and singing, and warm fellowship in our Church; enjoyable visits to and from relatives and neighbors; the good smell of fresh - turned earth when we plowed our melon and squash Baschtan and vegetable garden each Spring; busy windmills pumping fresh, cool water for our household, livestock and gardens; a wide variety of homegrown vegetables to go with our eggs, milk and butter; getting to stay home from school to help butcher (killing and dressing two hogs and a beef, quartering them and cutting the meat, making Bratwurst, SCHALL - KIEL FAMILY blackJerry became ournextlgam; and finally we had Dick and Dan, big gentle grays that pulled hugh barge-loads offeed with ease and Leberwurst and Pressmagen, enjoying hearty F588 Schaal - Strobel and Kiel - Ilunt I am a native of Kit Carson County and a second generation descendant of Germans from Russia. Born Nov. 2, 1928 in a sod house north of Burlington, I was the second and youngest child of Jake and Emma (Strobel) Schaal. My parents named me Herbert Raymond and dedicated me through the Metzelsupp' with Eienuhr in it, trimming hams and bacons, putting them in cure and later smoking them); watching calves and occasional colts frisk around their mothers; riding horses and working cattle; hunting jackrabbits and trapping coyotes, plucking, cleaning and cooking wild ducks that got in the way of our Iver Johnson 12 gauge. Routine chores and work weren't always fun, but knowing they were essential to our survival and progress, we did them with a sense of accomplishment. We milked up to 21 cows by hand and sold the crearn, feeding the skim-milk to calves, pigs and chickens. We kept the shucker wagon alongside when we picked corn. Whitey was oul cow pony, hard riding but tireless when working cattle. We sold her colt Benny to Uncle Albert Strobels. Brother Ted and I attended Emerson School 4 mi. NW of our home. On cold mornings our parents took us; after school we walked home. Sometimes we rode Whitey, but when Emerson School burned down, its horse-barn hosted our classes until a new school was built. We tried bicycling but the roads were so rutted and frozen that walking was easier. Teachers were the Rombergs, the Lightseys and my favorite, Luella O'Hare. Our recess play included pump-p,'-p-pullaway, prairie softball, kick-the-can, and in the event of snow, fox and goose. Our Mother's tragic death on Oct. 13, 1936 (caused by a household fuel explosion) was a hard blow to our family in this period. Bro. Ted finished 10th grade at Emerson, then stayed home to help Dad. In 1940 I won the county spelling contest. In May I competed in the State contest and got to meet Governor Ed C. Johnson in the Brown Palace Hotel. At age 11 I entered Burlington High School. My classmates were considerably older, so I had stiff competition. When I graduated in 1944, I received the first Bausch & Lomb Science Award in BHS history for my research in physics and chemistry. (Forty years later our son Jim won the snme B & L Science Award upon his graduation from Billings Sr. High in Montana!) I was offered an engineering scholarship to the University of Colorado, but WW2 and essential food production kept me from taking advantage of it. My brother was inducted into the Army, and our already - ailing Dad couldn't do the farming and ranching alone. On Aug. 27, L944 Elnora Knodel, Donald Schaal, Leo Schaal and I were confirmed in Hope Church by Rev. Daniel G. Schurr. Ours was the last class required to memorize many Scripture passages and the entire catechism in the German language. Personal Bible study and prayer, intense involvement in Christian fellowship, and United Youth Camp at La Foret led to my awareness of God's call to full-time Christian ministry. In Sept. 1951 Arnold & Viola Strobel and I began our studies at Yankton College in S. Dakota. New intellectual and spiritual challenges awaited us, and we made many new friends. Among these friends was Doris Ruth Kiel, a fellow theology student. Her paternal great- great-grandparents had come from Hamburg, Germany to Illinois in 1856. Wm. (the father) fought with the Union Army in the Civil War; his son Adolph (Doris' greatgrandfather), too young to bear arms, worked as a Govt. harness and saddle maker. Adolph brought his family to Lake Preston, S. Dak. in 1902 and ran the area's leading harness shop. His son Wm. with wife Magdalena (Hupfer) homesteaded near Cottonwood, SD in 1908. Doris' father, Raynond William �Kiel. was the second of their eight children. Doris' maternal great-great-grandparents were all Quakers who came from England to the U.S. 1828-1836. Succeeding generations moved westward from Pennsylvania to Indiana to Illinois & Iowa and then to S. Dakota. by The Rev. Ilerbert Schaal SCIIAAL - KIEL FAMILY salvage, then as pa5rmaster over 440 men. We continued to serve Zion Church in Norfolk, often making extra 150-mile trips for Christmas and Easter cantata rehearsals and to prepare the confirmation class. Herb completed his graduate courses that fall and winter, in Spring 1956 receiving his B.Th. degree with special honors and recognition for bilingual ministry. That June we were called to the pastorate of First Cong'l Church in Crook, CO.; there I was ordained into the Christian ministry on Nov. 23, 1956. Our second son, Dwight Timothy, was born Mother's Day, May 12, 1957 at Logan County F689 (Schaal - Strobel and Kiel - Ilunt Doris' mother, Ruth Lillian, was the seventh of Jesse L. and Sallie L. (Stanley) Hunt's nine children. Grandpa Jesse and his father Reuben built the first Quaker meeting houses in South Dakota. Doris was born Jan. 7,t932 in Highmore, SD, the second child of Raymond and Ruth (Hunt) Kiel. When she was ?, they moved to Custer in the Black Hills. Doris finished elementary and high school there, gladuating in the Spring of 1950. Their family was very active in Custer Community Church. Moving up through other responsibilities, Doris was then elected to lead S. Dakota's Pilgrim Fellowship as state president. Her family suffered several tragedies through fire. Her infant sister died in a fire that destroyed the Grandparents Kiels'home in 1935; in L942 the family home in Custer was struck by lightning and burned to the ground; in 1948 the fanily's elevator and feed store was nearly destroyed by fire; in 1950, after a busy Easter Sunday, the Kiels' beloved Community Church burned to the ground during the night. Doris entered Yankton College that fall; in Spring 1951 her family moved to San Leandro, CA. Doris worked in a Bay area cannery that summer, expecting to continue college out there. But she decided to return to and one of the new Yankton after all students that fall -was Herb Schaal! They were no more than casual friends at first, but mutual participation in some classes, in college choir and two of its tours awakened their appreciation and deeper friendship for one another. We (Doris & Herb) were married June 3, 1954 in First Congregational Church at Yankton, the ssme week that Doris graduated with her B.A. cum laude. We spent our honeymoon summer serving Immanuel Cong'l Church in Rocky Ford, CO. and Hospital in Sterling, CO. We had served our dear people at Crook for only 2 Yz years when our Mission Board petitioned and sent us to take over the work in Argentina. We went by train to New Orleans where we boarded the freighter DEL ALBA on Dec. 19,1958. The 51-day voyage was trying because we were in cramped quarters with our two little boys and there was no lounging area. We steamed up the Amazon to Belem, then back out around the NE tip of Brazil to Sao Salvador. Then for three precarious days and nights our ship lunged and wallowed in a raging storm off Cap Frio. Monstrous, foaming waves thundered across our decks and drove salty brine through gasketed portholes. We grew so used to compensating that we staggered when we stepped onto terra firma in Rio de Janeiro. Our ship unloaded 4,000 tons of wheat in Santos, then ran into a port strike in Monte- video where Uruguayan marines occupied our ship for 7 days. Finally arriving in Buenos Aires, we experienced yet another rude introduction to South American bureaucracy, corruption and rapacious customs officials. I was superintendent of our Mission and the Evangelical Congregational Church in Argentina and president and head professor of its Instituto de Teologia for 13 years' Our seminary and headquarters were in Concordia, Entre Rios, 500 km. N of Bs. Aires. It would take volumes to tell even a part of our work and the vast area we served. In brief, however, we fulfilled five major areas of responsibility: 1. Supervision & development of mission (18 new churches & chapels, 12 parsonages, large conference hall, acquisition of property for new HQ and seminary during our years there). 2. Education & training of pastors for Argentina & Brazil (in seminary, conferences, retreats). Pastoral ministry to 21 native pastors & parishes and to "seminary parish" of 15 congtegations (the latter with the help of our attending the World Council Assembly in senior students. 4. Six major regional conferences & evan- Theology. September brought us back to Yankton; we lived in a college duplex and Doris worked as assistant program director at Station WNAX. Herb worked at sale barns gelizations per year, plus, many local evangel- Evanston, Ill. as delegates from our School of and a lumber yard and did his senior studies. On weekends (from Sept. '54 thru May'56) we served Zion Cong'l Church in Norfolk, NE 75 mi. away. For Herb's graduation Doris presented him with their first child, Mark Edward, born Pentecost Sunday, May 29, 1955. Herb received his B.A. magna cum laude with major in theology. He worked that summer and fall for the Army Corps of Engineers on the construction of Gavin's Point Da-, first as foreman of lumber izations. 5. Denominational liaison with UCBWM in New York and ecumenical liaison with many denominations and confessions within Latin America and around the world. We used mostly German and Spanish in our work, with an occasional English service for the Anglicans and for Britishers'funerals. We read and understand Portuguese, but our occasional work in Brazil was better served in German. For 4 years we were also the houseparents in Concordia seminary; Doris planned and prepared meals for 18-19 people in an antiquated kitchen with the help of a maid. Foods were basic, shopping was complicated and our life was Spartan and time- intensive. Without any vehicle the first 2 years, we got around the city on foot and bicycle, traveling the country congregations and other provinces by train, horse-drawn wagons, with primitive colectivos (buses) where they existed and when roads were passable, and crossing the large rivers by canoe, motor-launch and ferry. Our daughter Patricia Ruth was born Sept. 29, 1959 in Sanatorio Concordia with a midwife attending. When she was 17 days old, we carried her in a willow basket by train and then wagon to a large evangelization in the country. Doris trained our seminary choir and directed its German, Spanish, Portuguese and English anthems and spirituals at such events. It often rained in torrents and we walked ankle-deep in mud. There was little privacy and no indoor toilets. We "roughed it" and people appreciated our family coming to the remotest areas to share God's love and our lives with them. After a 6-yr. term we came home for deputation and furlough. Dad-Grandpa Jake welcomed us to his new home on the farm' Doris was the homemaker; Mark, Dwight & Patty attended school in Burlington; Herb preached and gave mission presentations in Colo., Wyo., Nebr., Iowa, Ohio, Calif., Ore. & Washington. Our third son, James Andrew, was born Dec.27,1965 at Memorial Hospital in Burlington (the only Kit Carson Co. native of our children!) When he was 4 mos. old, we returned to Argentina for another term. This time we flew, stopping in Panama to visit cousins Florence, Scotty and children. Spa"tan living, rigorous travel, lampant inflation, political turmoil & 5 revolutions, and too much work made our life difficult and oft times dangerous. Nevertheless, we look back on those years when we served 20,000 people in over 100 congregations in 7 provinces of Argentina as the most significant period of our ministry and mission work thus far. We returned to the U.S. in July 1971; Herb did 6 more mos. of deputation for the Mission; the family stayed with Grandpa Jake and the children attended Burlington schools. In Jan. L972 we moved to Lodi, California to serve Ebenezer Cong'l UCC. The children experienced culture shock, but adjusted successfully and were fully involved in schools and our Church. During our happy years in Lodi, Mark, Dwight & Patty all graduated from high school with honors (Patty the valedictorian of her class of 450) and Jim from 8th grade with honors. Dad Herb joined son Mark with Tanya Lokteff in marriage on July 15, 1978 in Sacrnmento. A year later he joined son Dwight with Karen Seifert in marriage on July 28, 1979 in Lodi. Patty and her fiance Steve Browning are planning their wedding for Nov. 14, 1987, probably in Lodi. Doris, Herb & Jim moved to Billings, Montana in Aug. 1980 to sewe Pilgrim Cong'l UCC. Our whole family cnme to help Jim celebrate his graduation (with honors) from Billings Sr. High in June 1984. Jim was accepted by Deep Springs in California, and we also felt drawn back to the West Coast. In June 1985 we moved to Sacramento where we enjoy being near our families here and in the Bay area. Mark was with Soil Conservation Service for some years and is now working toward his M.B.A. degree. Sanya, Adam & Sophia are our only grandchildren thus far. �Dwight is a flight systems engineer with Sperry Corp. in Phoenix and his wife Karen the accounting supervisor for a development bank. Patty was Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship's area secretar5r for 5 yrs., then moved to Seattle in Sept. 1986. Her fiance is with Gooddeeds Mission to Unreached People. They recently sent a contingent of teachers to the People's Republic of China to help that country with its education and to provide a Christian "presence" (no overt evangelization is allowed). After Deep Springs Jim plans to continue his studies with the tentative goal of teaching higher math and physics at university level. He's been teaching calculus to the newest "Deep Springers" this year. Herb, elected a nonpaid Corporate Member of our United Church Board for World Ministries in 1983, helps assess mission needs and challenges around the world. The Board meets periodi- cally to analyze and plan global mission strategy. Doris and Herb hope to continue working as partners in full-time Christian mission and ministry wherever the Lord leads them. To God be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done! by The Rev. Herbert Schaal SCHAAL - KNODEL FAMILY twenty-five head of cattle twenty-one miles, the first day, riding on horseback. Dan was eleven years old at the time. They corralled the cattle at the old railroad Stockyard that night in Stratton. The following day, they arrived at their destination. They made their living by farming wheat and raising cattle, they also had some chickens. The house that they lived in had five rooms, it had no electricity or plumbing. They remodeled this house later on. To this day, the house still stands, and it is being lived in at the present time. Dan's grandfather, Matthew Schaal, lived with the family, south of Stratton for four years until he died on December 1, 1948. On December 10, of that snme year, the last child was born to this family, Leon James. The family had many hard times, in the 1950's; they had several bad dust storms; they were about as bad as the 1930's! They didn't raise any wheat for four years because of these dust storms. After these terrible dust storms, the years got better; they eventually got electricity and wat€r. All of the children have remained in Stratton, except for Ivan, who now lives in Denver. Dan married Alberta Lang on May 22, L965, and they have remained here in Stratton. They have two children, Alice and Gary. by Alice Schaal F590 My grandparents, Matthew Jacob Schaal, born north of Bethune, Colorado, on May 2, 1903, and Lydia Christine Knodel, also born north ofBethune, Colorado, on July 18, 1908, were united in marriage on April 15, 1931. Both were of German descent, their parents migrating to America from Russia. SCHAAL - STROBEL FAMILY F59r Matt and Lydia lived northwest of Burlington, Colorado on a small farm near the Landsman Creek, in 1931. They had two children while living here. Ruby Darlene, born November 30, 1932 and Daniel Lee, born February 4, 1934. They raised wheat and cattle while living there. They lived at a place called Prosser, trailer hitch. When they returned, they moved ten miles north and one mile east of Bethune, Colorado on Dan's grandmother's farm, where his brother Ivan Lloyd was born, October 1, 1940. They farmed with horses and tractors on their farm. They raised wheat and corn, and milked about eight cows. They lived here until May 1945, and then moved eight miles south of Stratton, Colorado on a small farm. Dan Schaal and Paul Knodel moved about forests. They were often pillaged, plundered and ravaged by invading French armies, especially during the time of Napolean. Catherine the Great, a German princess manied to Czar Peter III. beceme the Czarina of All The Russias after her husband's death. Of strong will and character, she developed her huge empire with political wisdom and economic genius. In July 1763 she issued an edict of invitation to immigrants from west-, ern Europe, offering them an array of inducements to settle and develop the regions along the Volga River and the vast, untnmed steppes of southern Russia. Thousands of Germans responded and in only four years established 104 pioneer colonies along the Volga. Catherine died in 1796 and was succeeded by Czar Alexander I. A few German colonies had sprung up near the Black Sea as early as 1781, but when Alexander issued a new invitation in 1801, thousands of new immigrants from southern Germany trekked overland with carts and wagons or floated their families and meager possessions down the Danube in "Schachteln" (box-boats), establishing new colonies around the Black Sea and in Bessarabia between the rivers Dnjestr and Pruth. The Schaals and Doblers were among the founders of Teplitz, the Strobels and others of Beresina. Many of the Russian Empire's promises to these immigrants were never fulfilled, and in time their civil liberties (administration of their own schools, freedom from conscription Our Granddad Snmuel Schaal, 17, and his Washington on a small piece of land in the country. Matt worked in an orchard and Lydia helped pick and pack strawberries and brought home in a wooden apple box on the and princes who controlled the lands and next older brother Matthias, 30, emigrated from Gnadental in Bessarabia to South Dakota in 1888. "Right after the New Year in 1891" they came to Burlington via Denver by train. (See Granddad's historic account, eolicited and published by the Burlington Record in July 1951). Granddad worked all 1929 Model A, with a two-wheel trailer she layed an egg every other day! They were people chafed under the increasing restrictions and heavy taxation of the feudal dukes World War I. behind, carrying their possessions. They returned to Colorado in May 1939. Dan brought back with him a banty rooster and hen from his aunt. He was five years old at the time. The hen took the trip very well; culture. These creative, freedom-loving etc.) and religious freedoms began to be taken from them. The colossal magnets of civil and religious freedom, of new land to be homesteaded, and of other opportunities awaiting them in America drew hundreds of thousands of Germans from Russia to the United States from the early 1870s until the outbreak of In late March, 1938, they moved to the state of Washington. They arrived at Washington the first of April. They travelled in a also thinned beets. and eastern Germany, the Swabians and their Bavarian neighbors were independent and "laid back" in character, not easily regimented, sure of their own identity and values but also appreciative of other people and their Jake and Emma Magdalena Schaal sometime after their wedding. (Schaal - Schmidke and Strobel Dobler Our parents, Jake Schaal and Emma (nee Strobel), were both natives of Kit Carson County, the children of Germans from Russia who emigrated from South Russia to South Dakota in the 1880s, then came to eastern Colorado to homestead NW of Burlington in what is still known as "the Settlement". Their ancestors were Swabians (descendants ofthe ancient Celts and cousins ofthe lrish) who lived for centuries in the forests and highlands of southern Germany. In contrast to the Hessians and Prussians of northern over this area and in the Denver ore smelters for several years, in 1892 taking a homestead I lz m| WNW of the present-day Hope Congregational United Church of Christ. Samuel Schaal and Rosina Schmidke were married on Nov. 24, 1895, their wedding solemnized by Pastor Gerhard Janssen in the original rock and adobe Immanuel Lutheran Church. Our Dad, Jake Schaal (born Jan. 4, 1897 and baptized Feb. 28, 1897), was their first child and our Uncle John (born Feb. 2?, 1898) their second. Rosina helped some neighbors who were ill with typhoid or typhus, contracted the fever herselfand died July 30, 1898, leaving her 1,8 and 5 month old boys motherless. Little Jakob and Johann were loved and cared for by their grandparents Samuel and Anna Schmidke until their father Samuel married again. �Grandpa's second union was with Dorothea Bauder, their marriage solemnized Jan. 15, 1899 by Pastor Janssen in Immanuel Church. Their union was blessed with eight children: Sam Jr., Fred, Helen (Knodel), Carl, Rudolph (died in infancy), Dorothea (Schlichenmayer), George, and Louise (Holmes). Life on our High Plains has always been rigorous and most early settlers were poor. Yet by reaaon of their strong personal relationship with God, their hard work and frugality, and their real sense of community (neighbors helping neighbors), the people of Friedensfeld (Field of Peace as the Settlement was first nemed) developed an oasis of diligent agriculture, growing numbers of diverse livestock, modest homes and tidy homesteads, good rural schools and a strong Christian community centered around the Immanuel Lutheran and Hope Congregational churches. Most of them spoke English, Swabian and High German until WW2. Our forebears had not accepted "Russification" in the Old Country, yet they incorporated many Russian words and terms into their Swabian dialect, and this linguistic mix made their oft-repeated legends and stories absolutely fascinating. They knew the Scriptures, the classic German hymns and American gospel songs, studying and singing them in their homes as well as in their churches. They farmers' ranchers, were many-talented mechanics. builders, craftsmen, blacksmiths, In time some of them and their descendants became professionals in education, business, Christian ministry and mission, engineering, architecture, journalism, music, government and service industries. When our Dad was 15, he and his classmates were confirmed in Immanuel Church by Pastor M.P. Jensen on Apr. 5, 1912. In that same year Grandpa Samuel bought the Wm. Yale place and had sons Jake and John live and work there. In 1915 Grandpa bought the Sherman Yale place from whence the longtime Yale, Colo. postoffice had served its patrons over a large area. In 191? he sold his homestead to Frank Kra-er and moved the rest of his family to the Sherman Yale place where they now built a large barn with haymow and a spacious two-story house. Grandpa, our Dad Jake, John S. and Sam Jr. also bought three half-sections of land on Mozeman Creek 7 mi. north of Burlington as the future farms of the three boys. Dad Jake operated huge "one-lunger" (10 inch piston, 12 inch stroke) Advance-Rumely "Oil Pull" tractors with matching multi- bottom plows for his father and for Harry Degering. He broke out many level tracts of prairie on their own and neighboring ranches. On his, John's and Sa- Jr.'s respective halfsections he broke out 200 acres for cultivation and left 120 acres (including the draws and dry creek-holes) for pasture. The U.S. became involved in WWI and many of Kit Carson County's young men were drafted or enlisted. Jake enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 27, 1918, trained at CanP Lewis, Washington and served as a medic with Field Hospital Company 252 of the 13th Sanitary Train Regiment. The war ended before his outfit was shipped to Europe, and Jake was honorably discharged on Apr. 5, 1919 at Ft. D.A. Russell (near Cheyenne), Wyoming. He returned home and began to a frame barn with build up his farmland haymow in 1919, then a-sod and adobe house, a garage attached to the original shack and giranary, and other buildings. by The Rev. llerbert Schaal SCHAAL - STROBEL FAMILY F692 Schaal - Sehmidke and Strobel Dobler Our maternal great-grandparents and grandparents emigrated from southern Russia to South Dakota in 1885 (Jacob Strobel Sr. and family from Neu-Beresina and Christian Dobler Sr. and family from Teplitz). In 1890 they came to Kit Carson County and helped establish the new Friedensfeld settlement. Our grandfather Jacob Strobel married Katharina Dobler in 1893; in time their union Theodore, was blessed with five children Emma, John, Albert and Emil.-Our mother, Emma Magdalena Strobel, was born Aug. 10, 1896 in the family home 1 % mi. ESE of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was baptized Sept. 13, 1896 by Pastor G. Janssen. When she was 13 72, Emma and her classmates were confirmed in Immanuel Church by Pastor M.P. Jensen on March 28, 1910. Jake Schaal and Emma Strobel were married June 26, 1921 in the original frame edifice of Hope Congregational Church, their wedding solemnized by Pastor Karl Haem- melnann. The happy couple established their home on Jake's farm, and their first son, Theodore B., was born the next year (March 21, Lg22). They were hard-working and progressive, sharing every task and fully involved in the fellowship of their Church and of their extended families. Emma's brother John, a skilled carpenter, found good work in California and Jake, Emma and little Teddy joined him there from Fall 1924 until Summer 1925. Jake helped John and his crew build Union Ice Co. plants in Woodland, Watsonville and Stockton. Emma was the housekeeper, cook and senmstress. They enjoyed the climate, exotic foliage and flow- ers, abundant fruit, magnificent scenery (including ocean beaches and giant redwoods) and the relatives who lived in northern California. When they returned home, a good harvest awaited them. Dad bought a new Fordson tractor and various implements to accelerate the mechanization of their farming operations. Then they bought a new 1926 Chevrolet truck which served faithfully for over 25 years, never incurring a ticket with its top speed of a little over 30 mph! In 1928 it and the similar trucks of Jacob Strobel and John Dobler Sr. hauled the brick and other building material from the railroad out into the Settlement for the beautiful new Hope Church building. Jake and Emma's second son, Herbert R., was born Nov. 2, 1928. The stock market crash of 1929 did not immediately affect our farm economy, and various families (including our parents) upgraded their transportation with Model A Fords or newfangled 6cylinder Chevys. Then began those seven terrible years of unrelenting drought and crop failures. Fierce winds tore the precious topsoil from under the dwindling vegetation and turned many days into choking duststorms that blotted out sun and sky. The dark dirt raged down from the Dakotas and Nebraska; the yellow dust whistled up from and our own soil Oklahoma and Texas - back and forth, the accompanied the torment mixture settling in weeds and thistles, filling road ditches and burying endless miles of fences to the top wire! Dad fought back; he forged heavy chisel points out of Army truck springs, tempered and bolted them to the beams of our Case lister. Pulling them with a John Deere "D" tractor, be ripped out huge clods and left deep furrows on the contour and acrosswinds, greatly reducing soil erosion and capturing some of the sudden rains that fell even in those dry years. We cut and and stacked russian thistles and the few stalks of cane and corn that grew. In our own shop and without power tools, Dad desigrred and built a large hammermill with long, wide throat and cylinder. We ground the thistles and stover together, sometimes adding a little alfalfa, and our cows produced good milk from this depression feed. Farms were being foreclosed, people were in despair and many moved away to the irrigated valleys and orchard regions of Colorado, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Many of us stayed, hoarded our little cream checks to pay our land taxes, and rejoiced when we had a small barley crop in 1939 (still cut with our Massey-Harris header). In 1940 we had a fair crop of wheat and some rye which we harvested with our first Minneapolis-Moline 12 ft. pull - type combine. That same summer we bought a new M-M Model "[J" tractor and an 8 ft. M-M oneway to work our stubble. This equipment, plus a new J. Deere 12 ft. rod weeder for cleaning summer- fallow, gave us a fresh start in farming. Increasing rainfall and better crops enabled us to pay off our land and machinery and to purchase some adjoining land. The hardest blow to our family came Oct. 13, 1936 when our mother suffered fatal burns in a fuel explosion and passed away eight hours later. She had been a full partner with Dad in their mutual endeavors, a diligent, loving wife and mother, a real friend to her neighbors and an untiring worker in our Church. It was a terrible loss to us all, but Dad carried the heaviest burden of grief and loneliness, of parenting us boys and continuing our family's contribution to Church and community. Our loving and ever-present Lord, our Church and many wonderful relatives and friends helped us survive our loss and forge ahead in Christian faith. World War II came and people began to prosper with good crops and prices, with better machinery and larger operations. Herb graduated from high school and Ted was inducted into the armed forces. Jake and Herb continued their beef and grain production and bought an adjoining half-section from Grace M. and Margaret Camp. When Ted returned from service and married Ebna Gramm, they began their life and work together on that former Camp place. Our family continued to work and worship together. Both Dad and Ted served on Hope Church's board and diaconate, at times conducting services and giving the messages when there was no resident pastor. They were (are) dedicated stewards in God's Kingdom and Christ's Church, giving generously of �their time, talents and resources. One of SCHAAL, SAM Dad's special gifts to Hope Church was a new Baldwin organ in 1966 as a memorial to his beloved Emma (our mother) on the 30th anniversary of her passing. Herb felt a strong call to Christian ministry and left for Yankton College and its School of Theology in South Dakota. That decision was difficult for him, for he knew that Dad would be alone FAMILY F694 with all the livestock and farming, with housekeeping and all the ranch maintenance. But Dad and Teds' did much of their work together, and when Dad's health failed he liquidated his cattle and leased his ground to Teds'. Dad had a new home built on his farmstead in the early 1960s and enjoyed it for about ten years. He flew to Argentina in 1970 and spent six months with Herbs', visiting their various mission fields, seeing many different peoples and cultures, experiencing a revolution and even more excitement when his New Yorkbound airliner turned back to Buenos Aires because of a bomb threat! Jake's health declined further until his lower body became paralyzed in 1975. Teds' near Burlington and Herbs'in Lodi, California alternated in giving their Dad total care for three years. Jake was then in Grace Manor from Aug. 15, 1978 until his passing on Sept. 8, 1986 at the age of 89 years, 8 months and Four generations of Schaal's. Standing; Sam Linda, Ruben, Aaron and Warren Schaal, June 7, 1986 4 days. We celebrate all that God has given us a goodly cultural and spiritual heritage, honest, loving Christian parents, good times lington with her husband, Wayne Parrish, along with the hard, many opportunities to share God's love with others, and the privilege of leaving a good sxnmple to those who will follow in our steps! Joel and Jonathan. Diane and Edward are by The Rev. Herbert Schaal SCHAAL, RUBEN, JR. AND LINDA F593 In the late 1880's Matt Schaal immigrated to the U.S. from Russia with his two brothers, John and Snm, settling first in South Dakota and later making their homesteads N.W. of Burlington. Matt was married to Eva Bletzer and to this union came Ed, John, Bill, Mary, Matt, Dora, and Gottlieb. Ed married Regina Frank and had two children before Regina was tragically killed in a fire on their farm. The children were Ruben and Mabel. Ed eventually remarried and had four more children, Luella, Ray- mond, Melvin, and Rolland. After farming for a few years Ed moved the family to Idaho during the Colorado dust bowl ofthe 1930's, ultimately settling in Washington State. Ruben served in the army during WWII and married Erna Christina Weisshaar, daughter of John and Lydia Weisshaar who were from Bethune but had moved their family to Oregon in 1935. Ruben and Erna lived in Oregon during their first years together, having three children, Ruben Jr., Kathleen, and Shirley. In 1953 Ruben moved the family to Colorado, after having purchased a farm N.W. of Burlington once owned by his uncle John Schaal. Ruben and Erna were later divorced and Ruben even- tually had a second family, Diane and Edward. Kathleen now lives N.W. of Bur- and their two children, Tandi and Brandon. Shirley lives in Burlington with her husband, Stanley Shumate, and their two children, also now living in Burlington with their Mother. Lettie. Ruben Jr. was raised on the farm with Kathleen and Shirley, attending the Emmerson School House located one half mile West of their farm under the direction of Virginia E. Felch until they began going to Burlington's schools when Ruben was in the 9th grade. After graduation in 1967, hejoined the U.S. Navy and was Honorably discharged following two years of service. He married Linda McKinney, a California native, in 1971 and in 1972 they obtained the financing to purchase the necessary equipment to pioneer what is now known as Schaal Drilling Com- pany. They have since constructed and equipped over 1000 water wells for farmers and businesses in the Colorado and Kansas area, in addition to servicing domestic, irrigation, and municipal wells. They have two sons, Warren, born in 1975, and Aaron, born in 1976. Today Ruben and Linda continue operating Schaal Drilling with the active participation of Warren and Aaron. Perhaps the following poem written by Linda commemorating the company's 10th anniversary in 1982 best expresses what living in Burlington, Colorado has meant to the Ruben Schaal Jr. family; There are many fine professions that a man might chose to seek, but none of them could offer him a challenge so unique - for it has been a pleasure serving this community, providing top notch service through the drilling industry - growing with you farmers, our neighbors and our friends, has shown us more than anything where life really begins - We're proud to live in Burlington, we're proud of what we do! We say in all sincerity, we're proud to work for you! by Linda Schaal Schaal Sr., Herbert Schaal. Jake Schaal holding Herbert's son Mark. Ilomestead Days on the Plains Burlington was a little town of about 180 or 200 people, a quarter of a mile from the railroad depot when we came down from Denver. We could not see the town. as we arrived about 2:00 a.m. and we stayed in the depot until morning. There was not one building from the Montezuma Hotel up to the depot on the east side of main street, and not a building north ofthe two story structure on the corner on the west side up to the depot. The cowboys staked their saddle horses out there. South of the Montezuma Hotel were the following buildings: Frank Mann's Butcher shop, Henry Stoll Hardware, Maynard Cooke Drug store, J.W. Penfold Grocery store, Charlie Lamb Grocery store, John Hiller saloon. East of that was a livery barn and Kaiser's blacksmith shop. On the west side of main street (14), north of the location of Mrs. Wilson's dress shop was the Odd Fellow Hall, the Post Office, a bank and some other buildings. That was the whole townsite. One block west of main street, in the half block where the Hendricks mortuary is now located, was T.G. Price's cow corral. I bought a horse from him while he was located there. Mr. Price was clerk of the district court for many years, and county judge one term. The courthouse set out there all alone. The Burlington Lumber Yard was located where the Foster yard is now. Burlington had a nice brick schoolhouse, considering the size ofthe town. In 1893 Robert Campbell and J.W. Penfold built a flour mill, located just east of the depot. Mr. Canpbell was one of our early county clerks. They hired a miller from Kansas City, Mr. Edshes. He made four grades of flour - High Patent, Victor, Baker and Cowboy. There was the poor families' flour, 75 cents for a 48 pound sack. The bread looked like whole wheat, but it was good bread and many mothers taught their daughters how to bake, for you could not buy a loaf of bread in the store. All thev had was soda �crackers in wooden boxes as big as an egg case. They weighed them out to you in paper sacks. We never thought we would have as many stores in Burlington as they have today. So much for Burlington. In the spring of 1892, I took a homestead, and built a shanty on a claim. I bought a team of oxen, one cow and four heifers and started a little farm on my own. We felt happy when we could call a piece of land our own. The boys had a little song: "I got some land from Uncle Sam, And I em, happy as a clnm. When I cnme here to get my start, My neighbors they were miles apart. But now there is one on every claim, And sometimes they want all the same. O Sweet Colorado land On my dug out roof I stand And look away across the plains And wonder if it ever rains, And turn around and weed my corn And think I'll never sell my farm. Settlement to the Dartnell place, and to the Stetler and Burt Ragan places, and then across the railroad at the Equity elevator (the old one at the north end ofmain street or 14th street). From the church in the Settlement we made a road across to Claremont, now Stratton. There was not one farm until we got within two miles of town. Claremont had one store on main street. Jim Roberts operated the store. He had the post office, drugs, dry goods, grocerier and a little hardware, all in one building. He sat in a wheelchair as he could not walk, but his head was all business SCHAAL, SAM F696 Ilomestead Days on the Plains homesteaders. One was Rev. Hackenberger from the Missouri Synod. He lived northeast of Burlington. The other lived over near Kanorado. They called him Preacher Willis. I never met him, but I knew Rev. Hackenberger. We met in Burlington quite often. We had five ox teams in the Settlement Mr. Stutz, Mr. Knodel, Mr. Hefner, my brother Matt, and myself owning teams. The reason we used oxen was because they were easy to feed when you worked them, needing no grain. We fed them cane or corn fodder. That's all they needed. They are tame and don't stray like horses, and nobody had money to build a fence for pasture. Horses sold high and you had to feed them grain when you worked them. After I had some land broke out on the homestead, I took my little stock down to the river for feed. E.G. Davis, father of the Davis brothers, Louis, Ed, Rosser and Morton, would keep them with their cattle for so much a month until fall. Mr. Davis was one of our first county commissioners and was re-elected in 1893. In the spring of 1894, after I had put in some cotn and feed on my homestead and took my stock to Mr. Davis, I went to Denver in the hope of finding work, but conditions had not changed. 1894 was a very dry year in eastern Colorado. I looked for work in western Kansas and Nebraska. I would work on ranches and do anything I could get. In the fall I went home to the brother's and my homestead to spend the winter in peace and rest. The fall of 1894 several of the homesteaders left that I knew. They moved to other stakes but we had no place to go, and worked hard for what we had, so we stayed, knowing that God feeds the sparrow and would take care of ug if we trusted Him. He did take care ofus or I wouldn't be here today. antelope would run around in bunches, from 15 to 30 head in a bunch. Yes, folks, we had quite a few of them in the early years. People would go out at lambing time and catch little ones and raise them on cow's milk and tame them. E.G. Davis had a pair, a billy and nanny, for two years or more. I saw them myself. There was also a pair in Burlington. The nanny was a little shy, but the billy At noon his wife would come after him and pushhim home fordinner and bring him back to the store. I suppose she did the same thing in the morning and evening. He must have had a good wife. He had one man clerk to help him in the store and as he was the only dealer in town he could order farm implements - a plow, wagon, or anything you wanted. Give him your order and in two weeks you would have it, and you paid for the article when you Selder as cashier. That was the first good bank in Burlington. Later Winegar and Weare organized the Kit Carson Land Com- and to get trade from the Settlement he would pay 1 or 2 cents more for a dozen eggs and sell a sack of flour 5 cents cheaper than Burlington, and that would do it. You may ask how he got around if he could not walk. Well, he could wheel that chair around pretty got it. I got John Deere gang plows and a Moline wagon from him and saved $10.00 each. We had two ministers here who were and Claremont, and he told me how the would come right up to you. I saw them a few times, walking up and down the sidewalk, when I came to town. I can't remember any more who owned them or how long they had them. The country didn't settle up much during the nineties. In 1901 Gottlob Amman and family (Albert Amman's folks) cane. Grandfather Amman brought a little sled with him that a blacksmith in Nebraska made to clean small corn down in the lister furrows. The runners were four feet long, made out of 2 x 8's with four knives, two long ones in front and two short ones behind. That was the best thing made to clean corn and cane before the weeder cane out. The Ammans later went back to Nebraska. good. by Lila Taylor FAMILY In those days there were only three farms on the road from the Settlement to Burlington. We cut across country from the Five farmers lived around Claremont Wellman and Kern east along the railroad; Fuller on the north, and Hobert and Chalmers on the northeast. by Lila Taylor SCIIAAL, SAM FAMILY F596 Homestead Days on the Plains In the spring of 1895, the county commissioners shipped in spring wheat and gave every homesteader six bushels to sow. No one had a drill, sowe sowed itbyhand and plowed it under and harrowed the ground. It came up, looked like it might make wheat, then the first of June we got a rain and hailstorm that cut it to the ground and that was the end of that. Then we started to raise cattle and corn and cane for feed. It didn't take much machinery - a walking lister, a walking cultivator and a little seed was all you needed. You could plant 10 or 1.1 acres with one bushel of corn and you had two or three months to shuck it. The cobs made good fuel for the stove and in the fall the stalks made good pasture when the ground was covered with snow. By this time we all had horses and let the ox go for beef. In the spring of 1899, the John Ziegler familycame down from Tripp, South Dakota, and gettled 7 Yz miles southwest of our church. His father bought land for him and he later took a homestead. He was for many years the only farmer between the Settlement Also in 1901, A.W. Winegar and Henry G. Weare came out and organized the Stock Growers State Bank in Burlington, with W.S. pany and tried to get people from Iowa and Nebraska out here to buy land. The year 1908 was a dry one again. Corn got about three feet high and dried up and did not make good feed. We had a hard winter. It started to snow the day before Thanksgiving and kept it up until we had 18 inches ofsnow on the ground on the level and three to four feet in the yard. Our cattle didn't get out of the yard for a month. We cut all the corn and put up thistles but that feed went fast and the snow stayed on. That was the first time we had to make a sled to go to town. By January 1909, we saw that we had to eell part of our cattle to get the rest through. We could not buy feed for money. Buyers came from eastern Kansas and offered us three cents a pound for steers and two cents a pound for cows and they weighed light. Big cows brought $18.00 a head, but the buyers knew we had to sell or let them die. so we had to take it. by Lila Taylor SCHAAL, SAM FAMILY F697 Homestead Days on the Plains 1909 and 1910 were fairly good, but 1911 was like last year and this spring. Had to feed until May. We had two small elevators, Band and Abbott, but they didn't get much in, and the railroad was awful slow. Corn was 90 centg and a $1.00 bushel, and we would gladly pay it if we could get it. When they got a car, they sold it out five bushels at a man so that everbody got a little. But finally spring got around the corner and stock could get out and �help themselves. I think if we had had machinery 50 years ago like we have today, we would have done a lot better. Farming has improved a lot in the last 50 years. I would like to mention something about and sold the cream and eggs to buy groceries. The skim milk was fed to the baby calves and pigs. Geneva had turkeys in 4-H. She won several State trophys with them. We dressed them and sold them at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She also took sewing and beef fattening. Clyde's 4-H projects were breeding beef, beef fattening and a catch it calf. In 1968 Geneva married Dan Hudson. They have two children, Babette and Justin and live in Aurora, Co. On 1979 Clyde the mail. They had mail service in Burlington, but I think it was in 1891 that Yale Post Office was established. Sherman Yale was our first mail carrier and Mrs. Yale was the post master. The Post Office was in their house. They were good people. Mrs. Yale was kind of a family doctor and had some medicine. If anyone had trouble they would go to her for advice. We had a cow which was bitten on the front leg by a rattlesnake and the leg swelled up badly. The cow couldn't walk, so I went to Mrs. Yale and she said to take lard and turpentine, half of each, and rub it on the cow's leg several times a day. In a few days the cow was all right again. Mrs. Yale had the Post Office from 1891 to 1908 and Mr. Yale carried the mail for about 12 years, three times a week from Burlington to Goff Post Office, then to Landsman Post Office, then to Yale. That was a long route for horse and buggy days and the roads that we had. Latcr the Yales put in a little store and it would help in busy times, for you wouldn't have to go to town. Mr. Yale was a county commissioner after he quit carrying the mail. In 1909 we got our first daily mail route out of Bethune. Jesse McFarland was our first mail canier with horse and buggy. He had two teams, one at the Ed Stahlecker place where he would change teems every day to make the round trip. That made it better for us. We didn't have to go so far to get the mail. In 1912, I bought the William Yale place and in the spring of 1915, I bought the Sherman Yale place. Our first children were boys and the homestead was too small, and there was no land around us to buy. In 1917 I sold the homestead to our neighbors, Frank Kramer. and moved to the Sherman Yale place where we are still living with our son Carl and family in our own house, if God willing, the rest of our lives. I forgot to mention that we had five cattle ranches of good size - the John Pugh ranch, the Harry Cox ranch, the Bar T, and the Jim Cook ranch, all on the Republican River, and the Ed McCrillis ranch on the Landsman, now the Spring Valley ranch. From 1910 to 1921 this part ofthe country was well settled up and the land plowed up with big and little tractors. A.W. Winegar and F.E. Winegar did their share in bringing people in from the east. This covers the firet 30 years of my life around Burlington, as nearly as I can remember it, and I will come to a close now. Taken from the Burlington Record, July 19, 1951. Mr. Schaal passed away January 19, 1959. by Lila Taylor SCHAAL, TED AND ELMA F598 I was born Mar. 21 L922 in a sod house 77z miles north of Burlington, Colo. was the first child of Jake and Emma (Strobel) Schaal. I have one brother Herbert born Nov. married Teresa (daughter of Harvey and Taken on Ted and Atna's 40th wedding anniversary, Clyde, Teresa, Brian Craig, Braden Schaal, EIma, Ted Schaal; Geneva Babette, and Justin Hudson. 3, 1928. I went to Emerson school 4 miles northwest of our home. Two teachers taught 10 grades in the two rooms. The most kids attending were about 32, some came from quite a distance. Most of the time I rode horseback till my brother started school and there were more kids in this area, then in bad weather about 4 families car pooled. Some- times I had a trapline and caught a few coyotes, badgers and skunks, also shot jackrabbits, skinned these animals and sold the fur. That was the only spending money farm kids could earn. On Sat. I would help my Dad pick corn by hand with a team of horses and wagon. Farming was done altogether with horses until 1926 when my Dad bought a new Fordson tractor with steel wheels. They also bought a new Chev. I ton truck. Then the dry thirties came with dust storms. We still used horses to cultivate corn and pull the header barges beside the header in the wheat harvest. I remember driving the header barges when I was so small they put a box in the wagon for me to stand on. The teams of horses had more knowledge of where they were suppose to go then I did or I couldn't have handled them. I was 14 when my mother died, Oct. 13, 1936. I completed the 10th grade at Emerson the following spring. After that I stayed at home and helped my Dad full time on the farm. By 1939 we got our first combine, a M&M pull type. All the grain was unloaded by hand with scoop shovel, into grain bins on the farm. In 1945 I was inducted into the Army, first in the infantry, then transferred to MP duty. I received my Honorable Discharge and was glad to get home. On March 2,L947 I married Elma Grnmm, at her parents home, by Rev. Macon. We moved to the Camp place 3/+ miles from my home. We lived in a little white frame house. Had no running water, no phone, or electricity. We got R.E.A. in 1952. In 1959 we built a brick house and had electricity and running water. Geneva Louise was born Feb. 10, 1949. Clyde Joseph on Nov. 1, 1951. They went to Emerson school till 1959. Then the country schools consolidated with the Burlington school and the school bus picked up the children. ln 1954 Ted's Dad had surgery, then we did all the farming with two tractors. No baby sitters, so we made the pickup into a covered wagon for the two children to play in and be in the field where we worked. We also had a good dog that stayed with them. The fifties were dry years, also dust storms. We bought baby holstine calves and fed them on a bottle. We milked about 13 cows by hand, separated Jean Brenner). They have three sons, Brian, Craig, and Braden. They live on the place where Ted was born but in the new house Grandpa Jake built in 1959. Elma was born May 16, 1923 in a four room adobe house. where her brother Lawrence lives now. Her parents are the late Gottlieb and Lydia (Stutz) Gramm. I have three brothers; Loyd, Lawrence and Edmund, one sister Esther Corliss. I went to Prairie View School twelve miles north of Bethune. I remember some of the dark dust storm clouds coming up and the teacher would dismiss school. We would run the 1-% miles home trying to beat the dust storm. This was during the dirty thirties. Many farmers lost their farms, then had farm sales and moved to the western states to try to make a better living for their families. For fuel and heat in the homes it was wood stoves but wood is scarce in this country so people bought coal and burned corn cobs. I remember the family going to the pasture with a team ofhorses and wagon pick up cow chips to heat our home. For entertainment we sang around the piano and played g'mes around the big kitchen table. On Sunday the family went to the Congregational Church 11 miles north l miles east of Bethune. That is where we still go, now known as Hope United Church of Christ. In Dec 1946 I was working at the Montezuma Hotel in Burlington, Co. During the night it burned. I saw the roof go down. All our belongings burned, but everyone got out. It was rebuilt into apartments and stores. We have continued farming and cattle ranching, upgrading our cow-calf herd that we and our son Clyde have. We have stayed with dry land farming and have had to get newer and bigger machinery and tractors to raise feed for our cattle and wheat for grain. We thank God for the good health we have. We'll enjoy doing things on the farm as long as our health permits. by Ted and Elma Schaal SCHAAL, WILLIAM AND LEONA F599 As the New Year dawned in 1899, William Fredrick was born to Matthew and Eva (Baltzer) Schaal. At a very young age Bill, "batched" and herded cattle on the open range. As a young man, he worked for many of the cattle ranches. In 1920, he married Leona Sharp. Leona was born at Jasper, Missouri and was raised near Kansas City, Kansas. After attending two years of college, she cnme to Colorado to teach school. One year, she taught school north of Bethune. After Bill and Leona were married, they ] �and August, rode in the cars. The cars were parked on the siding at Muskogee and unloaded there. The parents with daughter, Clara, and son, Kenneth came in a Model T. Ford. It took two days to make the trip and they were plagued with flat tires on the trip. The house they moved into was a small house with no modern conveniences. The house was not far from the siding where the cars were parked. Clara and Kenneth were very disappointed in their new home. In Nebraska they had a nice house which was a modern home with inside plumbing. The morning after they arrival they woke up to a raging blizzard. Henry and Anna Scheierman moved to the First Central Community in 1926. Henry lost the land he had purchased in the economic crash of 1929 and the drouth of the 1930's. He Bill and family members branding cattle. The branding irons were heated in the topsy stove in the background. lived on a farm north of Bethune until the summer of 1926, when they bought a farm 10 miles south and one mile east of Bethune, where they lived and raised their children. Seven children were born to William and Leona Schaat Wilma, Gladys, Jeanne, Donald, Betty, Shirley and Virgil. Donald passed away at the age of nine months. Bill and Leo raised sheep for many years and always had a herd of cattle and many horses. In the early years of their farming, it was necessary to have several horses for farming. To do the wheat harvest, it would take 6 horses to pull the header and two horses for the header barge. Later, the wheat would have to be threshed. 'The threshers are coming' meant the women folks hurried always managed to make a living by milking cows, keeping hogs, and by churning butter to sell and selling cream. In 1940 they moved near to Stratton, and in L942 they purchased a home in Stratton. Henry passed away at Longmont, Colorado on October 25, L943. Anna continued living in Stratton until she broke her hip in the mid 1960's. After a stay in the hospital at Burlington, she moved to Grace Manor Jack and Lois Schafer Oct. 25, 1986. SCHEIERMAN FAMILY F60l Nursing Home where she spent the last years of her life. She passed away in late August 1971. In October ofthat year she would have been 100, but she never wanted to be 100. by Mabel Scheierman around baking pies in the wood burning stove on a hot summer day. This was before the time when every home had a deep freeze so this meant catching a fat hen to bake or some young frying chickens. William and Leona Schaal retired and moved into Burlington in 1972. SCHEIERMAN GARNER FAMILY F602 Kenneth Scheierman came to Kit Carson County at the age of 6 years with his parents by Shirley Matthies in the spring of 1922. He enrolled in North Pious Point with Leonard Calvin as the SCHAFER, JACK AND LOIS F600 Jack has been a life time resident of Yuma County, with farming and community work as his main interest. After his wife's death he married Lois Henry. Jack enjoys his large flock of peacocks and their fascinating ways. Lois likes to cook and give of her time to family and friends. Lois compiled a family cookbook for the Corliss family which she really enjoyed. Jack and Lois like to divide their time between their family and traveling. Their children are Douglas Schafer, Jaklin Schafer, Clifford, Gay and Kendyl Henry. Leroy, Cindy, Nicholas and Daniel Henry, Melvin, Peggy and Amber Henry, Robert and Martha Henry Maxey, Jamie and Jeffrey Kroll. Jack Arnold was born to Clyde and Stella Mae Allen Schafer on July 19, 1928 at Wray, Colorado. Lois Marie Corliss Henry was born to Sherman Henry and Grace Messing Corliss on August 9, 1935 at Burlington, Colorado. Jack and Lois were married at Burlington, Colorado on October 25, 1986. They make their home North East of Kirk, Colorado. by Lois Schafer teacher. The school was located a quarter of a mile from their first home. Five years later Henry and Anna Scheierman. Henry and Anna Scheierman were German Russian immigrants. They were both born in Russia. Henry's family came to America first settling in south central Nebraska. Mr. Scheierman helped the Thaut family come to America. Henry was engaged to be married but was jilted a few days before the wedding was to be. Mr. Scheierman and Mr. Thaut decided their children Henry and Anna should marry. They were married September 19, 1892 at Hastings, Nebraska. They had ten children. but two of the ten died as infants' The Scheiermans came to Kit Carson County because their five sons all wanted to farm. They Iived on a small farm near Sutton, Nebraska, and there was not much available farm land in that locality. Land was much cheaper in Kit Carson County, Colorado. Henry started buying land in Kit Carson County in 1919 from Joseph A. Collins, a realtor. Henry was a horse and mule buyer in Nebraska, and he shipped several car loads of horses to Colorado as payments on land. In 1922 they moved to Colorado by immigrant cars. They loaded one car with household items and another car was loaded with 8 mules and some milk cows. Sons, Herbert Kenneth and Mabel Scheierman. �the family moved to the First Central School District where he finished grade school and high school graduating in 1933. Kenneth had perfect attendance which meant he was not absent or tardy for seven years. Kenneth recalls that in 1936 money was short. In September he and Vaughn Taylor decided to catch skunks and keep them alive until the furs would be at their prime, about the middle of November. They sold them at that time to Clarence Collins for $.45 each. They tried to get $.50, but he wouldn't give them any more. Both mothers were glad to see the project go. Spending money was also received by picking up bleached bones offthe prairies and selling them. Times have really changed in values of land. Kenneth started to farm on his own in 1936. The first land he purchased was the George Hodge place which he purchased for $2.50 an acre in 1940. He has continued farming in the area south of Stratton. Ken's first marriage ended in divorce in 1951. He was awarded custody of his small daughters, Beverley and Betsy. In 1952 he married Mabel Garner who was a native of this county. She was born on her parent's ranch north of Stratton, attended grade school at Solid Center 7 years. She rode a horse to school which delighted in dumping operation for about 35 years. Checking baby calves has been one ofthe highlights for them each spring. Kenneth also says there is nothing prettier than a nice green field of wheat in the fall and early spring. Kenneth has had a goal to leave the land in as good or better shape than he found it. by Mabel Scheierman SCHEIERMAN, HERBERT FAMILY F603 {_ 1 -e ffi- \ 1936. After graduation she attended Business College in Colorado Springs for six months, and then began working in The First National Bank in Stratton. One of Mabel's earliest recollections was the time she was lost and the neighbors gathered to help search for her. Her Grand- home and put them in a pen, and they needed to do the evening chores so told Mebel to go look at the chickens while they milked. Evidently she had not remembered them bringing them home as her uncle found her late at night on the prairie Iying down with her dog. She remembers going home to a 1':r. a Herb and Vena Scheierman, 1937; Eleanor and Shirley in 193?; Herbie and Lynn, 1944. .'. --.,; tlii;',r, house full of people and being made over by everyone in their relief to have her safe at home. The Scheierman's lived in Stratton for 7 years, but in 1959 built a new ranch style house at the farm and moved to the country. Even though they lived in the country, they continued to be community minded. KenL neth served his church as a member of its i? Board of Trustees for forty years. He served i the Stratton Equity Coop Ln its Board of ,/ Directors for 24 years. He even tried politics ) and was elected County Commissioner on the I Republican ticket in IE6 and served five consecutive terms making a total of 20 years. Mabel has served her church as treasurer for 45 years and has been active in many other roles in the church. She enjoyed a number of years serving on the state level the Women ofthe Church ofGod. She served as secretary, president and missionary education director. She also served on the National Board of the Women of the Church of God and served on the Executive Committee so she flew to Indiana three times each year for these meetings. She to served the Republican party as Vice Chairman and then Chairman. Kenneth and Mabel have really enjoyed the cattle and have operated a cow/calf Vena as she cared for the two girls and often suffered from gallbladder attacks. In the fall of 1937 there was no grass or feed for the cattle so Herb and Vena and the girls moved to Denver. They lived in an upstairs apartment on Kalamath Street. Herb went to drycleaning school and later rented a drycleaning shop on East Jewel. They lived in an attached apartment. Herb did the pressing and Vena the hand finishing. Each year as spring came around Herb would dream of the farm. In the spring of 1939 they moved to a place 2 miles east of Stratton on Highway 24. (Vena didn't want to move away from electric lights and running water.) They lived there 3 days place livable and 3 tramps came - thefirst day.wasn't the They moved into Stratton to Herb custom farmed. A son Herbert Lee was born Sept. 11, 1939 in Stratton. In November 1939, Herb and Vena bought her parents' high school in Stratton and graduated in er's home. Her parents had brought them take out to Vena. He had a rubber tired wagon. These were long lonely weeks for what is now the Pansy Thomason house. her many times but no broken bones. When she didn't ride, she walked. She attended mother Hampton had given her some bantam chickens which had been at her Grandmoth- milkhouse. He had his own milk cows and would take the cream to Cheyenne Wells or First View and sell it and buy groceries to In 1947 Herbie and Lynn were walking under the eaves in the rain, needed another rain hat, so Herbie made hers by tying a washpan on her head. Herbert Scheierman and Vena Hughes were married October 12, 1931 at McCook, Nebraska. The remainder of that winter they made their home with Vena's parents, Harve and Rosa Hughes, 11 miles S.E. of Stratton, Colorado. The next spring they rented and moved to the Charlie Geist place 23 miles So. of Stratton in Cheyenne County. Herb farmed and ran cattle. The cattle roamed over a wide area it was all open range. - asLou A daughter, Shirley was born there on Sept. 11, 1932 and another daughter, Eleanor Sue on Nov. 2, 1936. During the "dirty thirty's" Herb took the cattle to pasture 12 miles south of First View, Colo. where there was better grass. He rented pasture from Bob Geary and lived in their homestead and moved onto it. It had a large two story frame house with running water (cold only) and a "path". In later years they remodeled the house, including hot water, electricity, a bathroom and finishing the upstairs. They also built a two car garage with a milk house, a new barn and cattle shed. They also added 11 more quarters of land to the 2 they bought from Hughes. Shirley attended Kindergarten in Denver and first grade in Stratton. Then she went to East Bethel for second grade. She and Eleanor then walked 1-3l miles to West Bethel until 1945 when the family lived in Stratton that winter to care for Vena's father. From then until the fall of 1950 when the school buses began picking up the country kids, Herb and Vena took the children into Stratton everyday to school 22 miles roundtrip, morning and evening. The years that followed their move to the Hughe's homestead were good years in most ways, with the usual number of joys and sorrows hailstorms and good crops - good and bad-cattle prices and too - dirt storms much rain. Another daughter, Ruth Lynn was born on August 5, 1943. In thinking back over those years many incidents come to mind. Some of these follow. (From here on the elder Herbert will be referred to as Herb and the younger as Herbie) One day each week Vena took the children to Louis and Helen (Deakin) Adkins. Vena did kitchen work for Helen in exchange for Shirley's piano lesson. Herbie was about 2 years old, being very good, standing by a low window watching the cattle. No one saw him take a wick from a "Daisy" fly killer which was behind the curtain. Soon he became violently ill. Vena took the children home and laid him on a blanket under a shade tree where it was cool. Eleanor was sent to the chicken house for eggs and Shirley to the house for milk Vena felt that he had been poisoned. She wrapped a towel around him and began forcing eggs and milk down him in a few minutes Helen's car came -speeding up the hill. She had found that the "Daisy" fly killer had been disturbed and the wick was gone. Immediately Herbie was rushed into Stratton to Dr. Keen where he and his nurse, Mrs. Borders, gave him weak �on her name was Cannibal. Every gate and barn door had to be tied or a snap put on it eggs had diluted the poison and saved his life. After going back home, Herbie was laid on the or Cannibal would open it and get out and let the cattle out. When Aunt Wilsie was teaching the girls to knit, Herbie knit a scarf for Herb said, "There's no sense waving goodbye to them; they're going along". So John just let them crawl on himself. (Guess he didn't appreciate Herb's humor). Later, when they were in a field shocking feed (miles from anyone) John asked, "Mr. Scheierman, where cows. Cannibal. Lynn about age 8 and Herbie age 12 were riding the horses in the pasture, making them jump the creek. Lynn's horse tired of the warm while he went to the house for help. The doctor put the arm in an airplane cast. One day Herb said to Vena, "Don't look now, but perfect record; you've been late every morning". Vena was thankful for the good, Iocal help that Herb hired. Clarence Brown mustard water and kept him for observation for several hours. Dr. Keen said the milk and straw in the barn, Shirley and Eleanor watching him, while Vena helped milk the Another time, Vena, the kids and the dog started up thru the field in the car to get the mail. About % mile away from home the car died and couldn't be started. It refused to run. They all got out, walked the remaining 3/a mile, got the mail and walked back home. When Herb came home, Vena told him the car had quit and he said, "Are you out of gas?" Right away Herbie, age about 5, spoke up, "Oh, no, I filled it." Herb asked how he he got the filled it. Herbie showed him - the faucet. garden hose and turned on Needless to say, it took a while to drain the water from the gas tank. When Shirley was in second grade she attended East Bethel school which was 4-Vz miles from home. One day it was so muddy that Herb couldn't go get her in the car and the mud was so deep that the horse became exhausted and wouldn't go anymore. So there was no way to go get Shirley. Herb was sure the teacher would take her home with him but Vena worried that he would leave her at Herb would alone, thinking the schoolhouse be there soon to get her. Mr. Patterson, the teacher, lived at the George Hodge place two miles from the school. He did take Shirlev she remembers how hard home with him it was for her to- keep up with his fast pace in the mud. It was a long night for Vena, wondering where Shirley was' Shirley's and Eleanor's experiences riding a horse to school usually met with disaster Iike the time (mentioned in the West Bethel Story) when Marion Maricle waved his lunch sack and scared Clarabell, she dumped them off. Eleanor told Shirley, "I'm crippled for life". So Shirley ran as fast as she could to get help. The only thing crippled was Eleanor's pride. Shirley and Eleanor spent much time playing dolls and paperdolls. They had some bought paperdolls but most were cut from Sears and Wards catalogues. Vena made beautiful dresses for the dolls. As they got older, Shirley preferred to read and embroider. She made beautiful pillowcases, etc. She also helped Vena in the house, while Eleanor, Herbie and Lynn seized every opportunity to escape to the outdoors. Shirley had two parakeets. One of them nibbled on a picture frame and died of lead poisoning - theallother the mourned for its mate by pulling feathers out of its breast. The summers (for Eleanor, Herbie and Lynn) were spent playing with the "Brown Kids". They were the children of Clarence and Catherine Brown. Clarence worked for Herb. Their children were Paul, Vivian, Bruce and Loren. They played "cowboys and Indians", "cops and robbers", rode horses and bicycles and made a playhouse called "Lardy's Cafe". The robbers rode horses while the "bankers" and "sheriff' were on one time Lynn (who was the youngest foot - hence she had to be the sherifO said, as she -ran around the corner of the barn waving a toy pistol "They wobbed another bank." One summer Herbie got a horse (Part Shetland). The first time he tried to get on her she turned around and bit him on the shoulder, leaving a terrible welt. From then game and threw her off. She received a broken shoulder and was suffering from shock. Herbie laid her down on the grass and covered her with a saddle blanket to keep her may one urinate?" Herb replied, "Any ole place you want to." John told Vena, "Mr. Scheierman is sure enthusiastic about this feed hauling". John wasn't so enthusiastic and soon moved on. There were numerous other strange temporary workers. As Herb fired one hired man he said, "You have a Lynn is walking the corral fence". She was walking on top of the 2" corral boards; the worked for them for many years, so did Norma Zogg and in later years, Alfred cast hadn't slowed her down. One of the family pets was a small white dog part Pekinese and part terrier - named FuzzWuzz He lived many years. Another pet was a crow named "Blackie". They snipped Einspahr. his tongue hoping to teach him to talk. He didn't talk, but he did learn to sit on the side of the hammock and ride in the breeze. When the kids played hide and seek, he would fly over the place where each one was hiding' He became fond of eggs, so had to be done away with because he raided the chicken house. When Eleanor and Lynn would get out their miniature doll furniture to play house, Herbie always set up a Second Hand store where they could buy and sell furniture. He always dreamed of having a shop like the one it was a shoe Hubert Hubel had in Stratton - much to and harness repair shop with fascinate a little boy. One of Herb's favorite slang expressions was "Holy Mackerel". After being to a baptismal service at church, Lynn was baptising her doll. She said, "Holy the Father, Holy the Son, and Holy the Mackerel." Another time she and Loren Brown were playing cowboys on a hot day and pretending to "die". Soon Lynn lay down under a tree and said, "Let's die in the shade." As Shirley became high school age she informed Vena that there was no way she (Shirley) could euer get a boyfriend as long as Vena had paper drapes in the living room (they were a fad) and a coal stove in the kitchen. It didn't seem to bother the boyfriends, just Shirley. Eleanor was the accident prone one. It was she who always spilled dinner on her new Easter dress or tore her new jeans crawling thru the fence to get the milk cow. How does a milk cow know when you want to go somewhere and are in a hurry? They always went to the far end of the pasture and leaned on the fence to get as far away from home as possible. Another aspect of the farm life was the various temporary hired men that showed up. The family often wondered where Herb could find such "odd" creatures. One shaved his head and took whole pieces of chicken off the platter to feed his dog. Vena put a stop to that, fast. He also ate gravy on his chocolate meringue pie. Another was an Indian named John. He was direct off the reservation and evidently didn't know much about a farm. His hair was jet black and very oiled down. The kids and Vena were afraid of him. He ate lots of salt on his pickles. One day as Herb and John were going to the field, there were many flies inthe pickup cab, John was waving his hand trying to keep the flies off of himself. During the early years, Herb and Vena milked as many as 19 cows. Often Venawould have them all milked by the time Herb came in from the field. One particular morning when Herb went to the barn, a stray Tom cat had killed the baby kittens. Herb killed the Tom cat and lined all the dead cats up in a row just inside the barn door. When Vena opened the door to help milk, there lay the dead cats. Needless to say, she wasn't very happy with Herb. After milking, Herb and the kids loaded the dead cats into "Bobby", the pickup, and headed up thru the pasture to dispose of them. On the way a rabbit jumped up and the dog gave chase and ran in front of the pickup and Herb ran over him. So they just threw the dog in with the cats and hauled them all away. A special family tradition is spending Christmas day with the Whitmore family. Vic Whitmore is Vena's sister. Their family consisted of Floyd, Vic and twin sons, Loren and Doren. In the years since Herb and Vena moved from Denver, they have never missed spending Christmas together. There have been years when sickness or distance kept various members of the families from coming but Vena and Vic have always been there. In 1987 all of Vena's and Vic's families were there including the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren a total of 35 people. The absence of Herb and Floyd who have passed away is especially felt at this time of year. Herb and Vena planned for each of the children to have a college education. Shirley attended York College, York, Nebraska; Eleanor went to Colorado A&M College in Fort Collins, Colo. and received a Secretarial Training Certificate; Herbie went to Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. and has a bachelors and masters degree; Lynn attended Westmar College, LeMars, Iowa, where she received her bachelors degree; she has a masters from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado. Tragedy struck the family when on September 1, 1963, Herb and his sister-in-law, Mabel Scheierman were involved in a headon automobile accident. Mabel was seriously injured and Herb died later that day. For the next \-t/z years Vena remained on the farm, while renting out the ground. In April 1967 she moved into a new home she designed and had built in Burlington, Co. She is still living there at 1538 Senter, Burlington, Colorado. Vena's family consists of daughter Shirley and husband, Norman Zogg, Goodland, Kansas, and their two daughters, Janet Beth (Zogc), born Dec. 29,1952, and husband Bob �Churchwell, and three children, Clinton Michael, born Sept. 20, L976, Matthew Ryan, born August 11, 1978, and Raelyn Alaine, born July 31, 1981, and Patricia Lynn (Zogg) born Nov. 19, 1957 and husband Jim Dorsch and children Cassandra Ann, born Dec. 11, 1980 and Jared Keith, born Nov. 13, 1982; daughter Eleanor and husband, LeRoy Hern- don, Stratton, Colorado, their son Edwin Dean, born Sept. 6, 1959, and wife Trudy and children Jesse Edwin, born August 21, 1982 and Amanda Lynn, born Sept. 7, 1984, daughter Carol Lou, born April 6, 1963, and daughter Kathryn Sue, born Dec. 4, 1971; son Herbert Lee and wife Verna Lee (Edwards), Fountain, Colorado; and daughter Ruth Lynn Johnson, Castle Rock, Colorado and son Jay James, born Sept. 15, 1975. by Eleanor Scheierman Herndon SCHERR, JOE F604 Married on April 21, 1931 in Collyer, Kansas, Joseph M. and Marcelline M. Scherr headed west to settle south of Seibert, Colorado. Joe was a farmer and rancher by heart and blood but never found suitable work at this time in the area, so the couple decided to try their luck in sunny, hot Arizona. After six months trial period on a large working cattle ranch, the couple decided their hearts lay in Colorado, farming and ranching on their own. In April 1935 with the help of their dear friends, George and Irene Bancroft, a small two-wheeled trailer with all their worldly possessions, thirty-six dollars in their pocket and a precious three year old daughter, Joe and Marcelline Scherr settled thirteen miles north of Seibert and started the Scherr Farm-Ranch. Joe borrowed $640.00 to invest in eight milk cows, a used 10-20 McCormick tractor, and a second hand six foot Sanders one-way. The Scherr farm was on its way to becoming the successful operation it is today in 1987. Joe and Marcelline reared four lovelv children: Patricia Scherr Brock, Madefinl Scherr Mills, Eileen Scherr Woods, and Stanley Joseph Scherr. Sixteen beautiful selling meat to the Denver and surrounding markets. In the early days of the cattle industry in the West, the rancher who had the bottom land along a creek of live water had access to in California, Florida and Indiana. Their Jacob felt the need for better grazing for his cattle and since Denver was growing and the lands extending out from the foothills had grandchildren followed. Today the girls are spread throughout the United States living children, many married with families of their own, also live throughout the States. Stan Scherr, his wife Cindy, and their children, Eric, Tiffany, and Steven, live on the Scherr Farm and continue raising the cattle and wheat that were the love of Joe's life. by Cindy Scherr SCHERRER, JACOB the surrounding hills of lush buffalo grass. already been settled, he looked farther eastward. He and his brother, Alexander, a cattle rancher near Agate, made several trips horseback into this area and found the hills and draws of buffalo grass as high as their horses' bellies. It was a good place to establish a ranch headquarters. To market their livestock they had to be driven a distance to a railroad stockyards and shipped east since the railroad was not built into Kit Carson F605 County until 1887. The Bar-T was a landmark ranch for manv years. It served as a start for many settlers One of the earliest cattle ranches in what walled barn built by T.J. Conger, a stone mason, for hay storage and protection from winter storms. The wooden part of the barn burned in the 1930s but the rock wall still Bar-T is now known as Kit Carson County was located in the northern end of the county along the Republican River and Landsman Creek. It was the Bar-T known for the brand Often the bar went over the back of the -T. critter with the T below on the right flank. A 5000 acre ranch, it was established in the early 1880s by Jacob Scherrer. It was a busy working ranch and source of employment for many pioneers and early settlers to this area. Born in Alsace-Lorraine in 1838, Jacob came to America with his parents when he was nine years old. They first settled in Iowa and started farming. In the late 1850s he started out on his own and made his way to the west and settled in Boulder, CO. He started his own freight company which provided meat and provisions to the mining camps in Colorado and Utah. He was also engaged in cattle ranching in Montana, and before Colorado became a state he was living in Denver and raising cattle, butchering and who could work there. Jacob had a large rock stood for many years serving as a wind break. Jacob planned for his sons to eventually take over the ranch and other homesites were built. One built a large rock house with, of all things, large picture windows that gave a pretty view of the river bottom lands, a cellar under the house, which could be reached from the kitchen, and electric lights provided by its own light plant. He also had built a large rock silo for forage storage. The silo is still standing. The Bar-T was sold by Jacob to his son, Jacob G. Sherrer, in 1911. He kept it until 1925 when he sold it and moved closer to Denver. They wanted to have access to schools for better education of their ten children. Jacob Garfield had maried Annette Milhoan in Burlington in 1908. Annette also ran the Hermes post office until it was abandoned. The Hermes post office and store and cream station was located across the river from the Bar-T headquarters. It handled mail for the ranchers in that area and mail being brought by wagon or horseback from Benkleman, Nebraska. The Hermes ranch was purchased by Dr. Elmer Scherrer, Jacob's son, for his son Henry. However, Henry died quite young and so the ranch was sold to William and Helen Scherrer in 1928. The house and barns were actually in Yuma County but much of the ranch land and pasture laid in Kit Carson County. Dr. Scherrer was the son ofJacob Sherrer Sr. and William was the son of Alexander Scherrer. brother to Jacob. There is little trace of the original Bar-T now except for the faint outlines ofthe adobe house, some remains of the rock wall of the barn and, of course, the rock house and silo in the pasture to the east. The rich bottom hay lands were turned into sand bars by the 1935 flood. The channel of the river was changed, cutting into the original hay fields. Most of that has been since covered with growth of cottonwood trees and may in long years to come be reclaimed as farm ground again. The Scherrers had obtained water and ditch rights for irrigation and the Holland Sherr Ranch. 1987. �ditch still has priority over the later irrigators and ranchers above and below the Bar-T. bY Regina WhiPPle SCHICK - ADOLF FAMILY F606 Ernest Frederick Schick and Leah Barbara Adolf were united in marriage on January 7, 1938 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, north of Bethune, Colorado. Ernest was born to Frederick and Irene LeFevere Schick on August 6, 1914 at Newberg, Oregon. He was baptized in the First Christian Church in Newberg, attended grade school at Fernwood District and high school at Newberg, Oregon. Ernie was active playing football and baseball besides helping his father on the farm and with the prune and walnut drying. I was born to Gottlieb and Barbara Stahlecker Adolf on January 24, t917 and was raised on a farm in the so-called "Settlement", north of Bethune. I attended the first eight grades in a one-room adobe schoolhouse known as "Schaal School' District #22" which was located by the Sam Schaal farm house. During the Dust Bowl Days of the '30's, I moved with my parents, along with mY brothers Gottlieb, Herman, and George and Leona (who were newly married) to Newberg, Oregon in the spring of 1935. My parents had a sale and kept some furniture, etc. which we Ioaded onto a 1929 model Chevrolet truck and our 1932 Chevrolet four-door car. George and Leona took their 1928 two-door Chevy, pulling a trailer with their belongings. So away we went: "Oregon or bust!" My Dad rented a small acreage at Springbrook, Oregon near Newberg. We all found jobs picking berries, walnuts, filberts, and prunes, or whatever jobs were available. I did some housework for $15.00 a month, and later got a raise to$20.00 a month with every other Sunday off. I also worked in the cannery. While I was picking walnuts one day, a young fellow came strolling through the orchard. He stopped and chatted awhile. That stroll led to dating and later to our marriage. In October of 1937, my parents, brothers Gottlieb and Herman, and I moved back to the farm in Colorado. George and Leona stayed in Oregon a year longer, and then moved back to their farm north of Burlington, Colorado. George and Leona, her parents Henry and Lilly Fanslau, and Ernie came back for a visit the following Christmas. Ernie then decided that he wanted to marry and take me back to Oregon with him. We hustled around to get ready for a wedding in less than two weeks. In the meantime, Ernie decided to go into farming with Gottlieb' They rented a farm known as the old Lou Bramier place southwest of Burlington. I went back to Oregon with George and Leona, her folks, and Ernie, to bring back Ernie's belongings and his 1931 black Graham Coupe. On our way back to Oregon, we stopped at Wamsutter, Wyoming for the night. It was a small place with a gas station, grocery store, and a few cabins. We rented two cabins. It was a bitter cold January evening. The water pipes were frozen up and we had to melt snow in order to clean up. We had a few groceries with us so that we could do our own cooking. Leona decided that we would have pancakes for breakfast, but we had no milk. George then melted some snow and Leona made the pancakes with snow water. Our Honeymoon? After a month's stay with Ernie's family, we came back to our newly rented farm for a year. Gottlieb got married to Mabel Gramm in July of that summer. The four of us Iived together on that farm for the rest of the year. My Dad bought a 160-acre farm for us for $800.00, which at one time belonged to my great grandparents, Christian and Fredericka Adolf. It was located across the road from the congregational Church, north of Bethune, Colorado. We had some very tough times during our first few years of marriage. Ernie, not being used to the cold Colorado climate, came down with rheumatic fever and was laid up for part of the first winter. Barbara was born at the home of her Ernest and Leah Schick with children Barbara, Marilyn and Dean on Christmas day 1948 J Errries parents at Newberg, Oregon. it was a very cold, windy day' at the home grandparents, Gottlieb and Barbara Adolf, north of Bethune, Colorado on November 14, 1938. She was delivered by her Great Grandmother Margarette Adolf. She came down with smallpox at three months and lost all of her black hair. The second winter Ernie had an accident while hunting jack rabbits with Gottlieb and Herman one evening after dark. He was hospitalized for two weeks with cgt up knees �and legs, due to running through a barbed wire fence while riding on the fender of a car. Then again, we had lots of cold and snow. No one could travel with the car until the roads were opened up. Besides, we had lost all of our hogs from cholera and calves from blackleg, along with crop failures from dust and hail storms. We managed to hold on with the help of a neighbor, who let us have cows milk for the use of pasture and others who let us use their horses to do our farming. The boys had to break these horses for farming which resulted in some pretty exciting rodeos at times. We had many runaways. At one time, the horses ran through the garden fence and ruined our garden. We also picked cow chips to use as fuel in our potbellied stoves to keep us warm during the cold winter months. Fortunately, we always had plenty to eat for our family. Living on the farm, we had our own meat, eggs, milk, cream, and produce from our gardens. Marilyn was born on March 20, L942 at Burlington, Colorado. Times were beginning to get a little better by then. We later bought another farm, known as the Frank Kramer farm, also located in the Settlement. Dean was born at Burlington, Colorado on June L9, L947. We moved onto the Kremer farm shortly thereafter. In 1960 we started to build a house on 377 Pomeroy Street in Burlington. We moved into it in the fall of 1962, still live in it and "Settlement", north of Bethune. Colorado in May of 1908. My mother, Barbara Stahlecker, was born December 24, L885 in Tripp, South Dakota to Martin and Katherina Stahlecker. She moved with her family to north of Bethune, Colorado at the age of eight. Ernie's father, Frederick Schick. was born November 14, 1886 at Baudle, South Dakota. He moved to Newberg, Oregon at eighteen years. Ernie's mother, Irene Lefaiwe Schick, was born September 5, 1896 in New York to Ernest and Louise Lefaivre. She moved with her parents to Newberg, Oregon in the year 1900. Ernest and Louise were both born in Paris, France. by Leah Schick SCHLICHENMAYER BREITLING FAMILY F607 Comfort stove and make a whole oven full of popcorn. Christina died 31 August 1984. Cooking was done with "stokamich". This was the manure and straw mix that accumulated in corrals during the winter. In the spring it was cut into squares and allowed to minister at Church, Jacob and other elders of the church read from the "Bredight Buch". This contains sermons that were simply read to the congregation. Jacob died on B0 September 1937. Their 12 children were: Emma. Jacob (Jake), William (Bill), Reinhardt (Sport), Bertha, John (Johnny), Alvina, Sechart (Stub), Tafield (Shorty), Garfield (Dick), Harold, and Leona (Sis). by Robert and Linda Coles Jacob Schlichenmayer and Christina Breitling. Jacob Schlichenmayer born 28 November 1873 in Birsula, Bessarabia, S. Russia was the son of Jacob and Margarete Schlichenmayer. In 1889 his family decided to migrate to the United States. Unfortunately for Jacob he was of military age and therefore couldn't obtain an official passport to leave Russia. In order to escape Russia and avoid a military Parents and Grandparents service, Jacob and Gottlieb Bauder obtained forged passports from a Jewish forger. The passport was good enough to get them out of Russia but not into Germany where they were supposed to rejoin their families and continue on to America together. They were held at the border for several days because of the passports and because they lacked the money to pay for their passage to America. The German officials didn't want any penniless immigrants coming into Germany that would be wards of the state. Finally a telegram to My father, Gottlieb Adolf, was born November 3, 1891 at Anaba, Michaelsfeld, South Russia to Wilhelm and Margarette Adolf. He arrived in this community, the money. Unfortunately the money came too late and they were unable to accompany their parents to America. They finally managed to depart on a later ship and joined their parents Barbara and Richard Briggs and - Angela Jennifer Atlanta, Georgia; Marilyn and Fred Tafoya and Fred III Denver, Colo- Lesa rado; Dean and Eulalah Schick - Lori, Lindi, and Lacy Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. remember nights when Christina would put a rag on a broom handle, clean out the a large family. During the absence of a After moving to Burlington, Ernie still Our Family Christina was apparently a very tough lady. She rarely wore shoes, even in winter she usually did her chores barefoot in the snow. She was also a very popular midwife throughout the settlement. Many of the parents and grandparents of today's residents got their first whack on their fannvs wasn't tolerated was egg fights. Jacob always had a large garden that was necessary to raise farmed for a few years. We then rented the farm out, and Ernie drove a school bus for four years and also worked for a couple of Above all, the good Lord has blessed us daughter, Madelyne Anderson. lerated with good humor. One thing that relatives and friends at our new home. We must admit not all our days were tough luck. There were many more good and happy days then bad ones, especially with the children. We enjoyed attending their school activities and taking them on trips. both with good health and a wonderful and loving family. These were the "Days of our Lives," thus far as of July 1, 1986. their llth child, Harold, and the death of their first child, Emma Anderson, in a trolley car accident, Christina began nursing and raising both her own child and her grand- cooking and/or heat. Jacob continued raising their children and was apparently an easy going parent. When the cousins and family would all gather on weekends, fights and roughhousing was to- bitter cold day, with an open house for visit Ernie's mother, brother Harry, and received the patent on his homestead in 1902. Jacob and Christina had 12 children over a period of 28 years. In 1918 with the birth of dry for 6 months before it was used for Our children honored us on our 25th wedding anniversary on January 7, 1963, a sisters Louise, Helen and Rose, and their families along with many old friends. On 30 December 1897, Jacob was married to Christina Breitling, daughter of Phillip Breitling and Karolina Strobel. Jacob became a citizen of the United States and from Christina. Her children will alwavs also still own our farm. farmers. He later got his own truck and hauled beets and grain. After Dean graduated from high school, I worked at the Ben Franklin Store for 13 years. Since our retirement, we have traveled through most of the good old USA, a trip into Canada, and into the Baja of California. We enjoy camping and fishing in the mountains, and also travel to Oregon more often now to in Colorado. SCHLICHENMAYER. WEISS FAMILY F608 R.O., the fourth child of Jacob Schlichenmayer and Christina Breitling, grew up on the Schlichenmeyer home place in 1903. "Sport" was frequently involved in the usual Bremmen contacted their parents to send Robert and Anna Schlichenmaver. �boy games including his favorite baseball. They played on several different diamonds; one was near the present Ruben Meyer place, another was on his brother Bill's place, a third was at the Daffer place north of Stratton. As he grew older another summer occupation was helping his Uncle Fred Schlichenmayer on a threshing crew that traveled throughout the settlement area. Anna the second child of Martin and Lydia (Schmidke) Weiss also grew up on the family SCHLICIIENMAYER, JACOB AND MARGARETE KIENZLE F609 farm and went to schooljust "down over" the hill. School included the usual "3 R's" that was made more enjoyable when they had "cyphering" contests. During recess and dinner time the girls played baseball, basketball and a winter sport called "Fox and Goose". Another pastime included playing Margarete continued to live on their homestead raising their children until 1928 when she had a stroke and was bedfast until her death in 1931. Jacob and Margarete had 9 children, all of who survived to adulthood. They were: Jacob, Christina (Gilruth), Gottlieb, Margreta (Adolf), John, David, Carolina (Boll), Fredrick, and Elizabeth (Metcalf). by Robert and Linda Coles SCHLICHENMAYER, LENA WEISSHAAR F6rO "Jacks" but they used stones instead of rubber balls. A favorite family or school outing was to go to the dunes and arrowhead hunt. Another good place to arrowhead hunt was the "blowouts" that grew rapidly during the 1920's and again in the 1950's. After leaving school Anna had her first job away from home working and living at Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Woods. Sport and Anna met at a "crowd"; these were gatherings held on Sunday nights at different homes where singing, guitar playing, and the like was enjoyed. Sport was the proud owner of a blue Chevy Roadster at the time and he still had the same car on their wedding day of 29 June 1935. Sport and Anna first lived on the "Bill Stutz" place north of Bethune for one and one half years. Their first daughter, Geraldine was born there in 1936. Moving to the "Johnny Weisshaar" place (the old Phillip Breitling homestead of Sport's grandparents" about 1937, three more children were born Phyliss, Lee and Ray. Finally they purchased and moved to the Bill Weisshaar place. Two more children were born there, Dale in 1947, and Linda in 1950. Ray's death in a car accident in 1962 left their family at five children. Sport began farming with horses and later added an Oliver tractor which he bought from his brother-in-law Herman Adolf. He later purchased Internationals owning both an "M" and an "H", Sport quit farming with the help of "horse power" when Page of a team called Dick and Page died. Page's death was a very difficult time for two small boys Lee and Ray. The next years were spent raising children through both good and bad times including the "dirty 50's" and the bad grasshopper years in the early 60's. Sport took special pride in his fine Hereford cattle for many years. He also enjoyed his dairy herd, of which he could say that, there wasn't one of them that he couldn't sit down and milk without benefit of stanchion or hobbles. The children began to leave home to marry and raise their own families in 1956 when "Gerry" was married followed by the rest of the children. Sport continued farming and enjoyed his grandchildren until his death on the 20th of May 1977. Anna continues to live in her home where she does many crafts but takes special pride in her quilts. She has made special quilts for all her children and is presently making one for each of her grandchildren as they graduate. by Robert and Linda Coles -&, Margarete Schlichenmayer nee Kienzle in 1921. Jacob Schlichenmayer was born 3 May, 1848 in Hoffnungstal Cherson, Russia to Jacob and Barbara (Erlunbuch) Schlichenmayer. He was married to Margarete Kienzle on 1? October 1872 in Hoffnungstal. Margarete was born in Hoffnungstal on 16 December, 1852 to Gottlieb and Christine (Hohn) Kienzle. After having grown up and married in the German enclaves of S. Russia, Jacob and Margarete began to consider Immigration to the United States. During the 1870's to 1890's conditions were changing in the German areas of Russia. Many of the families had originally come to Russia as members of religious groups lured by free land, religious freedom and freedom from military service. By 1890 all this was changing and Jacob's sons were becoming old enough to serve in the military. Faced with the imminent draft of their oldest son, Jacob, the family decided to join the migration of German Lutheran families to the plains of the Midwest and Western United States. Choosing the area north ofpresent day Bethune, Colorado, they departed Russia in 1889, because of delays only eight family members traveled together sailing from Bremmen, Germany. Their oldest son. Jacob (born 1873) was unable to accompany the family because he had already reached military age in Russia. After many difficulties and adventures young Jacob eventually rejoined his family in Colorado. Upon arriving in the United States they traveled to the settlement by train in time for the birth ofan 8th child. Fredrick on the 4th of May, 1890. Soon after arriving in the United States, the family applied for a homestead and Jacob applied for citizenship. Jacob lived long enough to "prove up" on his homestead and died in 1900 after the birth of their 9th child. Elizabeth in 1895. Lena Schlichenmayer, celebrating her 100th birthday on June 1, 1986. Magdalena (Lena) Weisshaar Schlichenmayer was born at Talmage, Nebraska, on June 1, 1886. Her parents, John Frederick Weisshaar and Christena Margareta Wilhelm Weisshaar migrated from Germany to the southern tip of Russia. From there they left the village Lichtentaal through the Port of Odessa on the Black Sea in 1885 bound for the United States and settled in Talmage, Nebraska. In 1887 Lena at the age of nine months moved to a farm near Idalia. Colorado with her parents. In 1901 the family moved south to a farm 13 miles northeast of Bethune. The farm had a house on it with two rooms. One room was made ofsod and the other room was made of stone - both being very large. The sod room had the kitchen and dining area in it and also some of the children slept there. It was partitioned off with curtains. The rock room was partitioned off into sleeping rooms with curtains also. The floors were all of sand and dirt wet down to compact them and then swept. Later as the family increased another rock addition was added to the first rock room to be used as another bedroom. Years later an adobe house was built. They also built a barn and granary of stone and a frame �water running through it, milk and butter '.' :, ' llt, ,,f , l .,i1, :*,,, ; ,111' ::if . ri'l,'r$' were stored there. Butchering was done in the winter and hung in a safe place to stay frozen. In order to preserve it for use in the summer it had to be cured by smoking, drying or frying down and then stored in the lard in a large stone jar. No glass jars were available, therefore canning was out of the question. Cabbage was shredded and pressed into stone fr jars to make sauerkraut. Cucumbers and several other vegetables were pickled and stored in stonejars. Corn was dried and stores in sacks then hung on nails in a dry location. The Settlement was nearly all German nationality. Immanuel Lutheran Church was the center oftheir life and was attended every Schlichenmayer family, 1986. Standing L. to R.: Lawrence, Rudolph (Rudy), Vernon, George. Seated: Pete, Lena, and Freda Schaal. granary. Adobe was used for mortar to build the stone buildings. Life was extremely difficult for the family. They had one horse and a neighbor had one. They would work together so they had a "team". They used this team to break the prairie with a plow in order to plant crops and a garden. The women would hitch the team to a wagon to go to the river to wash clothes. They would take barrels along to bring back water for drinking, cooking, some washing, and also for the livestock. Besides the horse, a few cows, some hogs and chickens were added to their possessions. After the crops were harvested the men would leave the women and children on the farm and would go to Denver to seek employment to earn needed cash. As soon as the weather started clearing in the spring they would return home to tend to their farming. There were no trees available, therefore mainly cow chips and corn cobs were burned for heat and cooking. For light, lamps were used that burned coal oil or kerosene which cost about ten cents per gallon. Water was carried in from outside. All water had to be heated on the stove to wash dishes, clothes, and for bathing. For beds, ticking was purchased in town and was sewn into a mattress cover which was then filled with soft corn husks. All sewing was done by hand. Shoes weren't well fitted or particularly well made and not many stockings were owned so the children went barefoot as soon as the weather permitted even to school. Stockings were black or brown and didn't wear well nor Iast long. To make soap, the tallow, cracklings and the lard would be warmed and mixed with lye. This mixture was then cooked until done, then poured into a square pan and allowed to set and dry. After it was dry, it was then cut into squares and used for all types of washing. Fresh foods were available from the garden during the summer but preserving for winter use presented a different side. After the well house was built with a tank inside and fresh Sunday and all religious holidays except for illness or bad weather. Lena married Gottlieb Schlichenmayer on January 20, L907 in the Immanuel Lutheran church and began their married life about three miles northwest of where she grew up. This was on a homestead that was secured on December 9, 1913 under President Woodrow Wilson. Life afforded them many of the same problems as had been met by Lena's parents. They lived in a small two room adobe house until 1915 when they then built a four room adobe house. Both houses still stand although the later one has had rooms added on and is the home of her son, Lawrence. In 1919 a drive-through granary was built and in 1920 a big red barn. In 1916 they purchased their first motor driven vehicle - a Model T Touring car with kerosene lamps in front and rear plus magneta head lights. The rear lamps had red glass. In 1924 a Model T truck was purchased. On Decembet L4, 1929 they purchased their first power washer which was a Maytag. The Guarantee Bond states that the motor or magneta were warranted for one year but the spark plugs were not covered. Up until that time the washing was done in a tub on a washboard and later by a hand-powered washing machine. Lena and Gottlieb became the parents of ten children - Freda (Schaal), Frederick, Hulda (Bauder), Pete, Bernard, Elmer, Lawrence, Rudolf, and Vernon. Gottlieb passed away on September 10, 1946, and as of January 1988, four of her children are still living Lawrence, Rudy, and Vernon. - Pete, She has 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Pete has been employed as an auctioneer for 54 years. He and his wife, Jean (Messen- ger), reside in Bethune. Rudy lives in Burlington and has been employed by the Yersin's at the Red Front Market for 34 years, besides being a piano and guitar music teacher. Lawrence remains on the familv farm and Vernon is in Nebraska. In 1986 Lena celebrated her 100th birthdav with a reception at Immanuel Lutheran Church. At that time she had been a member of the church for 85 years. In April of 198? following the death of her son, George, she moved to Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington where she celebrated her 101st birthday. by Jean Schlichenmayer Lena's sisters and brothers at her 100th birthday celebration. Seated L. to R.: Mary Weisshaar Adolf, Lena Weisshaar Schlichenmayer, Margaret Weisshaar Stahlecker, Freida Weisshaar Fisher; Anna Weisshaar Adolf, Standing: Freida and William (Bill) Weisshaar, Jake and Carrie Weisshaar, Karl Weisshaar. �SCHMIDKE, SAM AND ANNA HAUSER F6ll Sam Schmidke was born in the Black Sea area of S. Russia in 1848. He married Anna Magdalena Hauser (b. Borodina, S. Russia) whose parents were Christian Hauser and Anna Magdelina Kubler. He and his family were part of a great migration that swept through Europe in the 19th Century. Following the precedent set by Catherine the Great of Russia in the 1760's, Czar Alexander I again invited Germans to settle about the Black Sea on land recently taken from the Turks. He promised the Germans land, religious liberty and exemp- tion from military service, in return for settling this unused land. His recruiting agents were especially successful in Southwestern Germany. Many poor German peasants in Baden, Bavaria, and Wurttemberg, suffering from the ravages of French armies during the Napoleonic Wars, were ready to move. Taking a pair of beasts, a few farm tools, and what little cash they had, they traveled more than a thousand miles to the Black Sea. Having seen armies destroy all other property, they sought land. Land hunger took them to Russia and latter brought them to the Hi-Plains of Colorado, Kansas, the Dakota's and Nebraska. In Russia, the German colonists were determined to remain German, to keep their religion and the German language. They succeeded in their goal but the years in Russia had a major influence on them. Desiring land they became and largely remained farmers, living in one or two street villages and going out each day to farm their land. They suffered considerable hardship in Russia. Their early homes were not much more than huts with windows and they faced many epidemics including cholera, smallpox, measles and typhoid. The "German Russians" didn't become a part of Russian life, keeping contact with their neighbors to a minimum. The father was almost a dictator in their own households; everyone worked hard and education was neglected. By the 1870's and 1880's things were changing in Russia. The Russians were beginning a program of forced as similation beginning by introducing Russian schools taught by Russian teachers. They also began taking away many of the Germans special privilages including their exemption from military service. When faced with these problems plus the lack of land for their children to begin new farms on, the Germans in Russia began to look towards the Great Plains of the United States for new opportunities. In American the Homestead Act and large blocks of land given to railroads made land cheap and inviting. By 1893 Sam and his family had decided to leave Russia and begin the long journey to the United States. The trip began with an overland journey to Bremmen, Germany, followed by crossing the Atlantic ocean on the ship Traster departing April 11, 1893 and arriving in N.Y., N.Y. at Ellis Island on 25 April 1893. After successfully completing the inspections at the "Island of Tears", they began traveling again. This time the destination was North Dakota. Arriving there they again decided to move, this time to Colorado in 1894 where they made their permanent home. In many ways this was not an easy life for contented to stay at home, and when we did go visiting we enjoyed real visits, something which people now-a-days know nothing the new immigrants. About the only thing that didn't change from their Russian homes At first, the wagon was our only means of transportation, Iater we got a two-wheeled road cart and then a spring wagon. I lived with my parents on the homestead until 1914, when I was married to Charles F. was the climate and their religion. While they still tended to congregate in groups of coreligionist in Colorado, just as they had in Russia they could no longer maintain the tight knit exclusive groups they once had. The Homestead Act which required each family to live five years on its own 160 acres effectively destroyed their village culture. In addition, since the land was free to all, they might have an Irishman, Dane or native-born American for a neighbor and this brought change. Compulsory education taught in English and the predominately English- speaking towns forced them to learn English and again introduced new ideas to the young. Almost immediately what was unthinkable in about. Schneider, who came to Colorado in the year 1908. He took a homestead, built a soddy, and lived there with a brother until he made proof and got title to his claim. We went to Kansas and were married and lived there five years. Then we moved back to Colorado, and I kept house for my mother and brother. I am still using some of the pieces of furniture that we used in Illinois, and shipped out here in 1890. We are now living on a homestead taken by one of my brothers in later years. Russia began to happen in America: the settler's children began to marry outside the German community. Dealing with all these changes the death of six of their children in infancy and bad crop years led to the early death of Sam in 1900. Anna continued to live in her home with her younger children until her death on August 3, 1923. Sam and Anna had six children who survived past infancy. Lydia Weiss, Samual, John, Emma Dabbler, Rosina Schaal, and Margaretta Stahlicker. by Della llendricks SCHNEIDEWIND, FREDRICK FAMILY F613 by Robert and Linda Coles SCHNEIDER, MARGARET HAWTHORNE F612 I was born in Durham, England, July 23, 1875, and came to the United States with my parents when five years of age, (1880). We lived fifteen years in Illinois, then decided to come west. Father and my elder brother came out in 1889, and father took a pre-emption, built a sod house, dug a well, and prepared the home for the rest of the family, who came in June, 1890. Seibert was little more than a few shacks, a store or two, a post office, and a depot, but it was where we got our mail and supplies that we did not bring with us. School was held in a little sod school house, that was built on a claim of one of my brothers. We had regulation desks and used books that we brought with us. Our amusements were few. Once in awhile, we would have a church services, which was usually held in the waiting room of the depot. There was no regular preacher, but when a missionary minister or evangelist happened to stop for a day or two, we would enjoy church services. Sometimes, we would have dances in the depot waiting room, or at a home that was large enough to accomrnodate Earl Schneidewind Fredrick John Schneidewind, son of Adolph and Fredrica Schneidewind, was born June 1, 1895 at Feuersville, Missouri. He was baptized and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith April 4, 1909 in the Feuersville Lutheran Church. Mr. Schneidewind lived on a farm near a small crowd. After the school house was Feuersville until 1915 at which time he built, we sometimes had dances there. We moved to Basine. Kansas. Here he met and married Dora Lena Koch worked hard all week to be permitted to ride the work horses on Sunday. Of course, there was plenty of open prairie on which to ride. We did not go out much; folks seemed to be October 22, 1925 in St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Basine. They lived on a farm southeast of Basine until 1934 when thev �moved to a farm near Bethune, Colorado. Later they moved to a farm near Stratton, Colorado, where they remained until they retired and sold the farm, bought a home in Stratton and moved there in Oct. 1967. In August J.971 they sold their home in Stratton and moved into the Burlington Rest Home. Mrs. Schneidewind passed away on January 24.1973. This couple was blessed with one son, Earl Eugene. He attended school at the Nutbrook School. He rode a horse to school. He became very ill, and died in October 1944 of a ruptured appendix. Fred lived to the age of87 years and passed away September 18, 1982. The family are buried in Claremont Cemetery, Stratton, Colorado. by Florence McConnell SCHULTE, JOSEPH AND CLARA suffered pain much of the time. Joe sustained an extremely severe broken leg while riding Peggy and her daughter Shirley and son on the draw-bar of the tractor. The tractor struck a hole in the road causing Joe's leg to slip off the draw-bar and breaking it. Joe was many months getting well. The twins were 15 years old at the time and worked in their father's place. Another time Joe lost his voice when a fire broke out and he yelled and yelled for help causing him to loose his voice for Patricia and husband Dan Witzel reside on a farm east of Stratton and have 4 sons: James, Kelly, Ryan and Scott. Barbara and husband Dave Hornung reside on a farm northwest of Stratton and have 7 children: Danny Fox reside at Haysville, Kansas. Andy, Chris, Brian, Darren, Marci, Greg, and Joni. Chris passed away on June 1, 1986. Yvonne has continued to stay on the farm. several days. Joe keeps busy selling corn, alfalfa, feed and grass seed. He has sold Pop-Up Campers for pickup trucks. Clara keeps busy croche- ting and looking after the family. All the children are married except Larry and Danny. They still make their home on the farm. In the Schulte family there are an excep- tional number of twins. Brother Henry had twin girls, sister Margaret had twin boys, Joseph had twin boys and his son Jerry had twins 1 boy and 1 girl, brother Raymond had twin girls, brother John had twin girls and his son had twins 1 boy and I girl. Brothers by Yvonne Schwieger SCOTT - JANZEN FAMILIES F616 Bernard and Clarence didn't have twins and Joe's sister Sylvana is a nun. F614 by Joe Schulte Joseph Herman Schulte was born on June 11, 1919, one of eight children in Spearville, Kansas. He grew up on the family farm near Spearville. On February 2,1932 Joe enlisted in the Army and was discharged on December 10, 1945. While Joe was stationed in Holstein, Texas he met Clara Richter of Hostyn, Texas. Clara was born on January 5, t921. On June 13, 1945, Joe and Clara were married. Joe was transferred to Cheyenne, Wyoming where they lived until he was discharged. This was the first time Clara had been away from home and she got along fine by keeping busy and finding work. After being discharged, Joe and Clara went to live in Dodge City, Kansas. In April Joe and his bride moved to Kit Carson County to a farm that was known as the W.T. Schaal place. Joe's father had purchased this land prior to Joe's discharge from the service. It consisted ofthree quarters (480 acres) offarm ground 8 miles north and 3 miles west of Bethune, Colorado. Twin boys, Larry and Jerry, were born on August 28,L946. A daughter, Josephene, was born on November 28. 1949 and died in infancy. Another son, Anthony (Tony) was born on December 29, 1950 while they lived on this farm. During January of 1954 the family moved to the Cates or the Leo Dishner farm, located 8 miles north and 3 miles east of Stratton, Colorado. This ground had also been purchased by Joe's father in 1944 for around $80 an acre. Two more children were born to Clara and Joe, Daniel on November 6, 1954 and at last a little girl, Linda, born on November 1, 1956. Joe kept busy fixing up the farm by mending and erecting new buildings and the house on this place making it a nice farmstead. He farmed inigated and dry land crops and feed for his cattle. Livestock was a part of this family's labors. Clara always had chickens and had eggs to sell for years. They also milked and sold cream during those early years. Joe was forced to retire due to emphysema, aggravated by the dust from the farm. Clara has had many health problems and has SCHWIEGER, CHRIS AND YVONNE F615 RusseII and Marilyn Scott wedding 8/16/1949 Chris William Schwieger was born in a sod house 9 miles north and 1 west of Arriba. Colorado in Lincoln County to John Schwieger and Pauline (Geisick) Schwieger. Chris was an only child. His father was born in Cook County, Illinois and later the family moved to Martin County, Minn. He came to Colorado in the early 1920's. His mother Pauline (Geisick) Schwieger was born in Frunk, Russia (a German settlement) and came to the United States in the early 1900's. They settled around Fort Collins, Colorado. When Chris was 2% months old his mother died and he then made his home with an Uncle William Schwieger and Aunt Gertrude (Bolick) Schwieger. William Schwieger came to Arriba in 1904 and homesteaded 4 miles north of Arriba. There Chris grew to man- hqod attending country schools north of Arriba and last years were in Arriba. Yvonne (Quinn) Schwieger was born in Limon. Colorado. She has 3 brothers and 1 sister. Yvonne's father was J.D. Quinn who was born in College Mound, Mo. and came to Colorado in 1919. Her mother was Eva (Cox) Quinn who was born in LaTour, Mo. She moved with her parents around 1914 to Chester, Montana where she finished school and was a school teacher for two years. Then the family came to Limon, Colorado around 1920. Yvonne Iived around the Limon area till 1940 when her family moved to a farm south ofArriba. In 1943 she graduated from Arriba High School. A few years later she was married to Chris and they resided on farms north of Arriba. Chris and Yvonne became the parents of 3 daughters Peggy, Patricia and Barbara. They were all born in the Flagler Hospital in Flagler, Colorado. In 1962 we moved 2 miles northeast of Stratton. Colorado in Kit Carson County and continued wheat farming. Our girls graduated from Stratton High School. Scott farnily Christmas 1972 Steve, Doug and Tim - Marilyn, Russell, Levi T. Scott was born in Oakley, Kansas February 12, 1889 and Ruby Vail was born in Hume, Missouri October 7, 1896. They married in Hume on March 29, 1915. They Iived on a farm there for 2 years, before moving on to Hartford, Ottowa, Michigan Valley, and finally Plains, Kansas, in 1930. Two children were born. Wanda Mae in Hartford, Kansas and Russell in Michigan Valley, Kansas. They both attended schools in Plains, Kansas. Following World War II and Russell's discharge from the Navy Air Corp. late in 1945, Ruby, Tommy (as L.T. was called) and Russell decided to look for some new farm ground. They traveled around several areas, particularly in Colorado. On an overnight stay in Burlington, they made an acquaintance with Walter Hammond, a real estate agent, who showed them around. They were looking for level land and found a farm to their liking called "The Biddle Place" 13 miles southeast of town. They moved early in 1946; Tommy and Russell farming together for several years raising wheat, feed and cattle. Russell used to drive by the Janzen's, �until his death in March of 1983 at the age little Cinderella girl who was always busy with the meals and mending and commanding Edna and Waneta to help out with cleaning the house. Our mother went to live with the Lord when Ruth was only 9 years old. This left a great responsibility of taking care of her two Nebraska. They had 4 children all born on the of 94. Russell and Marilyn still reside in Burlington as do their sons, Steve and Tim. Steve married a Burlington girl, Darlene Misner. Tim also married a Burlington girl, Debbie Beechley. They live on Tommy's farm with their two sons Nicholas and Michael. Russell also farms 3 miles South of Smoky Hill School house. Another son, Doug, and family younger sisters. She learned to cook real well and did a commendable job taking care of the home for about three years. Then Dave farm, Marilyn, Vernon, Francis, and Gracie. Iives in Houma, Louisiana. married Goldie Binkly. Dave often said he also new to Burlington and neighbors 2 miles west, in his new'46 maroon Chevy on his way to town. Marilyn was in college in California at the time and home in the summers. Marilyn's parents were Nicolie P. Janzen born June 9, 1905 at Henderson, Nebraska and Amanda Flaming born January 23, 1911 at Jansen, Nebraska. They were married January 26, 1928 near Elsie and Madrid, They lived and farmed there until 1941 when they moved to Reedley, California and later to Fresno, California. Nick was also an ordained minister. In 1945, on a trip back to Nebraska, Nick and Bobby (as Amanda was called) stopped in Burlington, where they heard about Albert Kirschmer, who was building a huge elevator in town and was looking for someone to manage a large farm southeast of town. In February of 1946 the Janzen family moved, except for Marilyn who was finishing high school in California that spring. She attended college in California. She and neighbor Russell Scott dated in the summers and were married on August 16, 1949. They began farming on their own soon after, renting land southwest of town and buying their first farm, known as "The Heinz Place" 8 miles east of Burlington in 1952. Three sons were born in Burlington, Stephen, Douglas, and Timothy. Steve married Darlene Misner, a local girl. Doug married Mary Chauvin from Houma, Louisiana where they reside. Tim married Debbie Beechley, a local girl. Steve and Tim farm south and east of Burlington. Tim and Debbie have 2 sons, Nicolas and Michael. Mary and Doug have 2 children, Amy and Timmie. Ruby Scott passed away in 1951, Tommy Scott in 1983, and Nick Janzen in 1951. Bobby and the rest of the family moved back to California in 1950 where they still reside. by Russ and Marilyn Scott SCOTT, LEVI F617 Levi or "Tommy", as he was usually called, and Ruby Scott, with their son Russell came from Plains, Kansas in late 1945 in search of farm land. Russell had just been discharged from the Navy Air Corp following World War II. They bought a farm in the Smoky Hill Area known at that time as the Buettel Place. They moved to the place in the early part of 1946. Ruby became involved in a Home Demonstration Club with ladies of the community. Russell enjoyed the Smoky Hill Gun Club. They often attended functions at the school house. Ruby died in Feb. 1951 of a heart attack. Russell married a neighbor's daughter Marilyn Janzen. Marilyn's parents came from California about the same time as the Scotts came from Kansas. Russell and Marilyn were married in August 1949. They rented a farm and moved southwest of Burlington. Some years later Tommy married Hulda Koenig from Hutchinson, Ks, and they continued to live on the Scott farm. They later moved I mile east on to the Elmer Rose Farm, which they later purchased. In the mid 60's they moved into Burlington and Russell farmed for his father. Huldah passed away in 1974 and Tommy remained in Burlington by Mrs. Ted Eberhart raised 6 children and a young wife, since they had three children within the next ten years. The first was LaVilla Fern. Four years later a son was born, and named Glenn David. SEALOCK, DAVID B. F618 Dave B. Sealock came from Jennings County, Indiana, near a little town called Scipio. He had four sisters and two brothers. He came to Denver in 1908 and worked on a dairy farm for two years. Then he and his older brother, Bill, decided to file a claim on a homestead. They started out early one nice day in March or April, across country, with a team and wagon. They headed for Stratton, which included a store, a post office, and a few other places of business. The nice day didn't last long before they ran into a howling blizzard. so bad they couldn't see where they were going. They had to keep going to keep from freezing to death. Finally they came to a small town which looked like heaven to them, and they were warmly accepted by the town of Bennett. Dave and Bill waited out the blizzard and were on their way again in a couple of days, still trying to pick their way across country and deep drifts of snow. They arrived at Bill's homestead site, and started building a little house of adobe blocks. When spring came they plowed a spot of ground and planted their first crop of potatoes. The newly plowed virgin soil was rich. Next came time for turning and plowing the sod and preparing it to plant corn. It was a long and hard task, but at the end of the day Dave walked across the grass Iand for two miles north to his homestead on the Republican River, just 12 miles north and 2 west of LaVern Janane was the last to join the family. Dave and family moved to Stratton after surviving the great flood on the Republican in 1935. There we lived until 1952, when we moved to Colorado Springs. Dave was a wonderful Christian man and he went to meet his Maker, the Lord Jesus, September 30, 1977, and is greatly missed by his entire family, but we can't be sorry for his great promotion to a Heavenly Land he had looked forward to for many years. Ruth married Harold McFatridge and they had three children: Alvin, Eileen, and Jack. Edna married Roland Hernbloom, and they had one son, David. LaVilla married Wayne Clark. They had five children: Danny, Bonnie, Lonnie, Shelly, and Randy. Glenn married Sarah Kellough. They had three girls: Cindy, Sarah Beth, and Kathleen. LaVern married Dan Lawrence and they had 3 children: Ronnie, Jannett, and Dean. by Edna Hernbloom SEAMAN - HENRY FAMILY F6l9 Stratton. There he built a small shack, started farming, and looked for a suitable gal to become his wife and helpmate. The country was very sparsely populated, and he had to look far and wide for entertainment to go to. Seven years later Dave met and fell in love with a beautiful neighbor girl who lived about 6 miles away. Her name was Ethel Thomas. In the meantime, another family had built a two story house across the road from Dave's little humble abode. He purchased this and there he took his beautiful wife and set up real housekeeping. About a year later a pretty blue-eyed blonde baby girl, whom they named Ruth May, came into their lives. Then the next year they were all blessed with another blue-eyed baby girl with auburn hair and they named her Edna Martha. Last but not least, here came a redhead with big blue eyes named Waneta Elaina. One Sunday morning their mother dressed the 3 girls up as they were going to church as usual. As Waneta came out of the house we saw she was all black from her chin to her toes because she had layed flat across a black boiler bottom that had been heated over an open flame of the kitchen stove. Ruth was the Avirene and Earl Henry's house homesteaded by William Seaman. William Seaman and Emma Florence McHenry, both natives of Missouri were united in marriage on August 5, 1890. Eight children were born to them in Missouri. They were Pearl, Chester, Dave Emmett, Orval, Florence, Avirene and Bertha. In 1906 the family moved to Oklahoma. They did not stay but a few years there. It seemed the children were sick much of the time. Emmett. the fourth son died with diptheria in Oklahoma. Father heard of homestead land that could be taken in Colorado. He left immediately to see about it. He filed on land 16 % miles north and 1 mile east of Vona in the summer of 1909. It was not long until father and mother began to prepare to move. They decided to ship some of the necessary things by railroad car. Among the things they �pulled by two horses and a boy at the back to guide the plow. Rattlesnakes were also plowed up. No church was near home. We went to Sunday school at schoolhouses. The vehicle we went in was a two-seated spring wagon drawn by two horses. Our school was two miles west of home. On nice days we walked. For lunch we took bacon and jelly sandwiches. Some days we took a little fruit. If a storm came up, some of the older brothers would come after us in a wagon. In 1916, a school was built near the Seaman home. It was made of cement. The neighbors did most of the work. The first teacher was Helen Klassen. I finished the eighth grade there. Our neighbors in the early 1900's were these families: Alva Crist, Elmer Finley, Ira Crist, and Ernest Elsey. These families visited each other quite often as there weren't places to go except for a few school programs. My grandmother Permelia McHenry also homesteaded land joining my fathers. A little one room house was built there. My sisters, Florence, Bertha and I took turns staying with her at night. Water was hauled to her in a barrel. After she proved up, the little house was moved next to our home. It is still there. Grandma died October 20. L520. Now just a little about my life. I taught school 5 years. The first one was West Bethel, south of Stratton. The year was 1920. There were 16 pupils ranging from first grade to eighth grade. I married Earl Eugene Henry who originated from St. John, Kansas, on December 22, 1925. We spent most of our married life in my old house which we bought in 1939. There were 640 acres of land at $5.00 an acre. All together I lived there 60 years. Earl and I lived together for 49 years. He died suddenly of an heart attack, January 10, L974. Our children are Lois Ione Grauerholz, who lives in New York State, and Ralph Orin who died with leukemia on May 17, 1977. Roy Robert lives near Joes. Colorado. Alma Jean Hutton lives near Kirk, Colorado, and a niece, Norma Ellen Pickerill, Iives in Littleton, Colorado. I raised her from when she was Earl and Avirene Henry and children, l. to r. Ralph' Roy, Lois, baby AIma and Norma. brought were two horses, some machinery, furniture, which wasn't much, beds and ber 4, 1984, looks about like it did 60 years ago. bedding, dishes, and cooking utensils, twelve hens and one rooster and a black and white dog which we called Lee. Two boys went with the railroad car to look after the things. The rest came on the train. Sometime in the near future a well was drilled by Charley Packer. Horses were used for power. A windmill was soon put up. The drinking water was caught in a barrel. Then 1909, my seventh birthday. We stayed in a hotel a night or two. Some one told father, a widow by the name of Mrs. Winn, had a sod one room house we could use. We stayed there several months. It was 20 miles north erected, a few buildings were built, including an adobe barn and chicken house which were used several years. A large barn was built in 1925 and several other buildings, which are Walter Devores. boys found work to do. That helped some. We We arrived in Seibert on November 26, of Seibert, close by the Frank Maag's and In the spring of 1910, a two room house was built. It was made of lumber and covered with black tar paper. The lumber was hauled from Seibert. In a few years two rooms were added to it on the east. The house is 30 feet by 30 feet with a four way roof and weather boarding put all around. Father had carpenter Mr. Charley George and Bud Johnson to oversee the work. This house today Decem- the water was carried to the house in buckets. After the house was built and windmill still there. It was hard going for a time. Two of the ate jackrabbits some. But it wasn't too long until we had meat, milk and vegetables. We burned cow chips for heat. Finally we could get coal. It had to be hauled from Vona with team and wagon. For years our light was from kerosene lamps. The chimneys had to be cleaned every day. Some of the ground was plowed up to be planted. It was done with a one furrow plow, three weeks old. This old house has many memories to me. There were three deaths in it, four funerals, four weddings and seven births. Four of my children were born in it with Dr. Hewitt attending. I said good bye to it August 22, 1977. by Avirene Seaman llenry (See photo next page.) �Winter of 1889, a total of 130 dozen eggs and 138 pounds of butter were sold. One winter in the Nineties, corn was so cheap that is was used for fuel instead of coal. which was "high". The old diary also mentions some gay social gatherings in those pioneer days, among them were spelling schools, visiting at the Sigafoos home, dinner at Johnny Fleming's and later there was Bible School and "preaching" by Reverend Lead at the Wallet school. Very often there was square dancing on Saturday evenings, at which the whole !t *I ? countryside was represented. At these gay dances the music consisted of mouth harps, a fiddle and perhaps an organ. by Wm. A. Davis SHAW FAMILY The Bethel School south and east of Stratton, 1920. SELENKE FAMILY housekeeping. On his claim, he proceeded to F620 build a large one-room sod house, which boasted of a floor, a ceiling of wood and Andrew Selenke married Frances Zieglet June 18, 1929 in Park, Kansas. They resided in Grainfield, Kansas until they moved to a farm northeast of Flagler in April 1946. They retired in 1952 and moved to a 5 acre place on the north side of Stratton. Andy was born in Odessa, Russia on Oct. L4,1904, and moved to the USA when he was 4 years old. He died in Sept. 1980. Frances was born April 11, 1906 in Collyer, Kansas and died in Dec. 19?5. Both of them died at plastered, whitewashed walls, unusual features for a sod house in those days. There, with his team of mules and the plow, he broke the virgin sod and planted a crop. That fall it was harvested and sold, providing enough their home in Stratton. F622 There followed a succession of good and poor years during which the herd of cattle grew little by little. About 1897, the Shaw's wished to be farther from the Kansas line in order to take advantage ofthe free range laws; so the family of four, including Minta and Ruby, moved seven miles farther into Colo- rado, Sec. 6-8-42. Here on the windswept prairies they built a home. They worked and live in the home previously built by Mr. toiled through drouth as well as prosperous years, rearing a family of four children: Minta, Ruby, Fred, and Jessie. In 1907, Ruby and Freddie died ofscarlet fever leaving their surviving family to carry on. Some good years following and prices increased. Mr. Shaw's major operations Shaw. This house, under her capable hands, was soon converted into a real home. tion of cattle and mules. In 1917, he sold money to enable him to return to his old home in Illinois about a year later. There he married Cora Jane Lyman on February 23, 1888. Together they returned to Colorado to included diversified farming and the produc- Frances was a homemaker and loved to The first summer they were married, "Sommy", as Mr. Shaw was called, and a neighbor drove his mule team to Denver (a in the Kit Carson County area. He kept 4 or 5 day trip) to work on the state capitol gradually grown to several thousand acres, the family resided until 1918, when they moved to Burlington and built a new home Both ofthem worked hard to raise their 12 children - Edmund Selenke, Sister Regina Selenke, Pius Selenke, Serena Simon Best, mules was overworked and too heavily loaded with rock, so he quit the job and went to Erie. There he worked on a farm until the early fall of 1889. when he returned home. The follow- Selenke, Rita O'Hayre, William Selenke, Pauline Pesek, Rose Selenke, and Mary ing Spring when the Rock Island Railroad was under construction, he worked on the grade for that, as well as doing his own farming. Like a true pioneer woman, Mrs. on Senter Avenue. Mr. Shaw became the President of the Stock Growers State Bank, a stockholder in the Esch Lumber Company, and also increased his land holding in Kansas as well in Colorado. In 1930 he passed away. Mrs. Shaw followed only three years later. There's was a life full of joys, hardships, sorrows and later prosperity. The left a rich heritage of memories to friends and to their surviving daughters, Minta Coleman of BurIington, Colorado and Jessie M. Davis of Goodland, Kansas sew. Andy was a farmer/rancher. After he "retired", he liked to trade and went to sales livestock on his place in Stratton until his death. Frances Torline, Albert Selenke, Caroline Sheldon. Serena owns the home in Stratton and Pius and his wife Lillian live on the farm in Flagler. All of their other children live elsewhere except Caroline who died in 1951. Andy and Frances had 30 grandchildren and some of them live in Kit Carson County. by Patty Borego SHAW FAMILY building, then under construction. After working a few weeks he felt that his team of Shaw's role was to stay at home during these absences, and care for the few head of stock and the garden. These were lonely days for her, since she had been accustomed to a large busy family preceeding her marriage, yet she was happy and always busy. An old diary which was kept by her, gives the following interesting information: chickens, pigs, and cows were the sources of revenue when crops failed to grow. Some years they provided enough income to pay F621 taxes on the land as well as enough for On March 20, 1987, Solomon Presley Shaw filed a claim for a homestead about five miles northwest of Lamborn, Kansas, the name of this town was later changed to Kanorado. He shipped his goods from Donovan, Illinois, to sold for 6 cents per pound. In December, 1889, 18% pounds of butter were sold for L2Yz cents per pound. Four chickens were sold for 22t/z cents each, also on the day the Fort Wallace, Kansas, the nearest railroad station at that time. From there he drove his team of mules across country to his homestead, hauling his few possessions, such as a plow, tools and a few bare necessities for provisions. In 1888, 12 pounds ofbutter were last of the corn crop was shucked, and a load was hauled to Lamborn and sold for 15 cents per bushel. A year later the price of butter was increased to 15 cents, while eggs went from 10 cents to 15 cents per dozen. Corn increased to 25 cents per bushel. During the several hundred mules to the American and French Governments for use in the armies of World War I. On this farmstead, which had Written by Minta Coleman. The above story was written several years ago and was published in "Kit Carson County and its Cattlemen" Jessie (Shaw) Davis died in 1977 and Minta (Shaw) Coleman died in 1978. Surviving decendents are Jessie's sons and their families. Jack Presley Shaw married to WilmaDaise. Theylive in Goodland, Kansas, and their daughter, Cheryl Ann Schremmer lives in Hoisington, Kansas with her husband, Eugene, and their three daughters, Kristi, Danah and Jackie Sue. William Shaw Davis, his wife Evelyn Domingo Davis with their daughter, Jessica live in Goodland, Kansas. Eugene Griffith Davis and his wife Evelyn Lohr Davis live near Burlington, Colorado. Donald Griffith Davis, their son, �married Deborah Downen. They live on the old Shaw farm with their three children, Jason, Summer and Tyler. Judy Davis, drawn tight around the head, as the bats would swoop from the rafters ofthe stage on their nightly prowl. SHERMAN FAMILY F625 daughter of Gene and Evelyn married Melvin Wagoner. They live, with their daughters by Evelyn Sherman Heather and Nicole, in Colorado Springs. Gene and Evelyn's third child, Jane married David Eves they have two sons, Joshua and Jesse, and live in Denver. SHERMAN FAMILY F624 by William A. Davis Lester and Evelyn Sherman SHERMAN FAMILY F623 Lester and Evelyn Sherman Lester Bryan Sherman, born November 10, 1896 and Helen Evelyn Sutton, born May 4, 1915 at Flagler, Colorado, ventured into their May-September marriage in L942. "Sherm and Evelyn" settled in Stratton, Colorado the first year of their marriage, and for the greater number of their thirty years together until Sherm died in May of 1972 they lived in eastern Colorado. Sherm had been born in Windom, Kansas and grew up a "trader." His father, Fred, taught him well. Sherm cut his teeth trading with the Gypsies who traveled the country in the early 1900s. Sherm's dad related that a neighbor asked if it was alright to trade horses with Sherm, not wanting to "take advantage" because he was so young. And Fred would reply: "Sure, trade with that boy, and the quicker you send him home with only the halter, the better I'd like it." It was the neighbor that went home with the halter, and trading set in Sherm's blood! Throughout the early 20s, Sherm traded in cattle. He had an eye for judging weights and would travel the country each week buying cattle, trucking them to a rail yard nearby, and shipping to the open market in Kansas City, Omaha, Nebraska, or to Iowa feeders. When Sherm weighed cattle in, he would set the weights on the scale, and most always LaBoe, who had lived at the tower since Greager had built it on the highest point of the eastern Colorado plains met her match in Sherm. It was always believed she had traveled with a circus, but Sherm could outballyhoo her. Ripley's Belieue It or Not had featured that six states could be seen from the top of The Tower, and Sherm, "on the bally," would tell people that if they looked hard they could see a man waving a red flag at the Wyoming border, a blue flag at the Nebraska border, a white flag at the Kansas border, etc. None believed this tall tale, but they did love the "telling." Sherm and Evelyn secured the lunch stop of the Greyhound bus line and each day the buses (always full with many service men going home or back to camp) stopped and had to be fed within thirty minutes. Sherm developed the original He worked "Colonel Saunders" method with Edna Smithburg, the -waitress, and Audrey Kenney, the cook, to perfect a complete hot chicken and barbequed beef menu ninety people could be served a - dinner complete in less than thirty minutes sit down at 75 cents a plate! It was a circus - Sherm would "cry" the menu as the people -alighted, LaBoe would be selling tower miniatures from her stand. Sherm and ofworking along side ofthe gandy dErncers on Evelyn seating the diners, tending the register, and in between selling Mother of Pearl jewelry with MOTHER, initials, and names written in gold wire on the face. Sherm and LaBoe always vied to see who could outsell the other. Lester I. (Jerry) Sherman recalls the last cattle drive he went on with Sherm. Jerry joined the men on his pony, Sonny Boy, and they herded from northwest of Flagler crosscountry east to the north of Bethune a three day drive. The cattle were bedded -near taught Mary and Jerry (Evelyn's children - water at night and driven during the day. Lunch and supper was carried to the riders, they were accurate. Sherm's tales were born in the many experiences of his trading, traveling and working with people. From his stint in the 20s the railroads, he had a little dittie that he adopted upon their marriage): tic-a-tum-tic-a-tum-te. "Hi-tic-a-tum Hi-tic-a-tum - tic-a-tum tie-de-ay. - embellished - his love of Sherm's tales talking. His mother claimed she named him appropriately, using the Bryan thinking of the orator and statesman, William J. Bryan. His sisters claimed he should have been an evangelist, and many friends teased that you h,new his name when you heard his "first beller" (referring to a disparaging interpretation of his initials, L.B.S.) In 1943, during World War II Sherm and Evelyn leased The Tower at Genoa. Tires and gas needed to travel and trade were rationed, and this was a unique alternative for the family's livelihood. What an experience! They opened the restaurant, manned the gas pumps, and set up living quarters in the old dance hall. They strung spreads as room partitions, and lowered the stage's curtain to cut off the draft. At night, the covers were Lester and Evelyn Sherman "I remember when we moved to Burlington in the mid-40s and lived in the old Montezuma Hotel." "The night it burned, Dad and Mom woke us up and the room was full of choking misty smoke." "We were carried down the stairs, and my great concern was that we were leaving the Christmas presents under the tree." "Out in the cold street later, we watched the pheasant hunters in the bright red underwear jump from the balcony porch." Pete and Laurice Kamla opened their restaurant so we could get in from the cold,' and we spent the night in the jail house, sleeping in borrowed clothes because we had lost everything in the fire." "It took our mother a long time to get over the loss of all our belongings." We had just sold our home in Burlington and our furniture, clothes and keepsakes were stored in our rooms or the basement of the hotel." Sherm and Evelyn loved to dance to the old favorites Dust", "Josephine", "Dark - "StarBall", Town Strutters "South" they - in fact had met in the 1930s at a dance. The big bands often played the Tracadero at Elitch's Gardens in Denver, and they frequently loaded a car full of friends to go. When Sherm was buried from The Church of God in Stratton in 1972, Merna Carlin played "Stardust" as Albert Goss, Jim Hasart, Tom Price, Tom Conarty, Bill Fehrenbach, and Albert Gwyn carried his coffin from the church. When Sherm purchased his first thoroughbred horse, Lady Silver, from R.M. Eskow in Greeley in the late 40s, he was "hooked" on thoroughbreds. Evelyn was initiated into the racing circuit, she said: "from the back end". Training started at 4:30 a.m. out to the barns, feeding and watering, -grab a quick He recalled, "Dad made me foreman and the governor's overcoat wouldn't have made me a vest pocket, I felt as big a man as any on breakfast at the track kitchen while discussing the day's races, past performances, and then back to the barns. Eve says she became "a stall expert!" Sherm went on to train and race his horses for many years. Evelyn retired to manage a bed and board motel and rooms in Stratton, going on the circuit occasionally as an observer only. Carrying the trading spirit to his last days, it is said that Sherm made a trade with Billy Bob Hendricks not long before he died. If Billy Bob would throw in certain extras on the burial, Dad would buy one of the best coffins Henricks Mortuary had. That sounds that drive." so possible! but breakfast was prepared on an open fire. Jerry and Mary attended various schools in eastern Colorado. Wherever the pasture was good, the family moved to the nearest town so the stock could be tended. The Collins Hotel in Stratton was called home when Mary entered the first grade in Stratton. Mary remembers: "It was fun living in a hotel." We had the big halls and stairways to play in." "The dining room and coffee shop was very nice at the Collins back then, tables covered with white clothes, big pitchers of ice tea and water on them, and flowers in vases." by Evelyn Sherman Evelyn Sutton Sherman lives in Flagler, Colorado at the time of this writing. She usually can be found in Tombstone, Arizona with her sister, Betty Austring, during the winter months. Lester Ivan (Jerry) Sherman has lived for many years with his family wife, Lois, and children Kathie, Scott and Brett in Durango, Colorado, and Mary Evelyn Sherman Carter with her family husband, Everette L. (Joe), and daughters, Leslie and Darlene, in Fort Collins, Colorado. by Evelyn Sherman �SHIELDS, GEORGE F626 We paid no attention nor thought until too late. I might have helped ship out some prehistoric bones, but it's too late now. by Dessie Cassity I do not write of George with any contempt or meaning to ridicule. To me George Shields was an interesting character, even if he was eccentric. The Indians are said to have a proverb, "Do not criticize any one until you have worn his moccasins." And this saying is credited to the Quakers, whether true or not, the Mr. saying, "Mary everyone is a little bit queer except you and I, and sometimes I think you are a little queer." Be that as it may, we do not wish to leave George out of Stratton history. We give Mr. Guy Brown credit for some of these incidents related here, as he lived in the hotel and George lived SHOLES, CHARLES AND TESSA F627 Tessa Sholes feeding her flock of chickens in Esbon, Jewell County, Kansas, 1880. Our mother's family came from Canada, Ohio, Indiana, and then Kansas. She was born in Lebanon, Smith County, Kansas, just across the street. 1887. The two towns are about eight miles apart. They were married in Mankato, Kansas, 1907, coming to Colorado in 1909. Moving to Colorado was the result of the Homestead Act by the Federal Government which gave a person 160 acres of land. Our father was granted a patent April 5, 1913 to SW1/4, Sec.13, Twp.10, Rng.47, signed by President Woodrow Wilson. The Homestead Act granted an individual the deed of trust to 160 acres of land if the person improved the land by living on it for five years. The government provided another way for the Mr. Collins had purchased a new hot water heater and, having plenty of hot water, invited George to come over and take a good hot bath, which he did. George dressed and went out in the cold. He took a severe cold and blamed it on the bath. Said his mother Iived to be eighty-four years old and never took a bath. Mr. Brown spoke up and said, "Maybe if she had taken baths, she would have lived to be one hundred." It was reported he went to the junk yard every day, picking up such articles as he thought might be worth something or as suited his fancy. His home soon became clogged with such things, but he hated to part with anything. One man came to buy a part of a mowing machine, but George wouldn't sell. Mr. Brown tried to buy a laundry stove, but no, George didn't want to sell. Taking over seven silver dollars, Mr. Brown again tried to buy the stove. George said, "Well, I'll Iet you have it, if you'll sell it back to me sometime." One time they went over there at dinner time. George wasn't in the kitchen or dining room, but had a plate with some grub and was seated in one of his most cluttered rooms enjoying his dinner. One thing about him, he always took the part ofwhat he thought was the underdog. If he thought anyone, poor, old or neglected, was being abused, he was never afraid to voice his opinion. He often wrote articles for the newspaper. At one time, it was said, people subscribed for these articles and never read the rest of the paper. At least they were read first. I never heard of his being dishonest. His dress was just as eccentric as the rest of his way of living. Where he got such clothes and styles we never knew, but it all was a part of George. We wondered what period of time he was living in or who his style adviser was. He would wear a red vest, a frock tail coat, both in about two sizes too small. It was like Mr. Brown said, "George gave flavor to our living and no one else has ever taken his place." individual to obtain land at this time. A Wedding picture of Charles E. and Tessa Sholes. 1907. of Stratton. Charles Eugene Sholes is the eighth generation of John Sholes I, born in England, 1676, coming to America as a sea captain and locating at Groton, Connecticut. In the fourth generation they gradually started moving west through New York, South Dakota, Iowa, and then into Kansas. Our father was born lr -::*--; I I 3 t He bought junk from the farmers and old out-moded machinery, thus helping the farmer. Also, in 1936, after the drought and dust bowl era, George paid out twelve hundred and fifty dollars for bones to people of eastern Colorado buying five carloads, one at Stratton, two at Burlington, two at Cheyenne Wells, one at Flagler, also one at Eads. He reported he shipped twelve carloads or two hundred and fifty tons. So George was a help in ways. The bones we picked and sold from our farm were much earlier, probably 1920. After that we had no bones. I have often wondered if they were buffalo bones or what. person could pay the government a certain amount of money and live on the land a fewer number of years. Our parents built a home, broke the ground, raised crops, and planted trees according to the requirements. Our grandfather, DeMott Sholes, on June 16, 1910, filed a claim in Colorado, to homestead and was granted a patent to SEI/4, Sec.14, Twp.10, Rng.47. The County road divided the two places and they were located one mile west and nine miles south Sunday School at Nutbrook School Our parents came to Stratton from Kansas by Rock Island Railroad and not by covered wagon. They sold most of their belongings before coming to Colorado, except what they were able to bring on the train. After coming to Stratton, they lived in town until a home and other buildings could be constructed on the land. The house was a frame. four-room �building with tar paper on the outside. The inside walls were wooden boards and wallpapered by our mother. Carpets and rugs covered portions of the wooden floors. The sod roof was cut from the native prairie, buffalo grass, cut into squares and placed on the roof of the house. The sod would require removing because of erosion and needed to be replaced each fall. Before a well was dug on our farm, water had to be hauled by horse and wagon in wooden barrels from our grandfather's home a mile away. It took a number of years to complete construction of all the buildings on the farm. After the house, came a chicken house. then the barn which was a large building with a hay loft, stalls for the horses on one side and milking stalls for the cows on the opposite side. Next were built metal grain bins for seed for the next year's planting and feed for the animals during the winter. The smoke house was a smaller building where meat was cured by means of dense smoke from a fire of hickory or other types of wood. The milk separator and work bench were also in this building. A cellar was dug as a storage place for potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, canned vegetables and fruits for winter meals. Next a cistern was dug and lined with cement to hold rain water and used to keep food cool by putting the food into containers and hanging by ropes over the water. Longhorn cheese was one of the favorite treats that was made at home. To make this cheese, rennet was put into sweet milk to form curds and a yellow color. After the whey was poured off, it was placed in cheese cloth and hung to drain. When this was completed, the cheese was put into a gallon can with both ends cut out and two boards cut to fit inside of the gallon can with clamps on the outside that could be tightened some each day until all the moisture was gone and then it was left to cure. Building was a continuing activity. Schools needed to be built for the children to attend during the week and church on Sunday. Sunday School and church were held when a pastor was able to get there. The pastor's transportation was by horse and he would stay with one of the families in the surroun- ding area overnight. Sundays were picnic days when neighbors could go to each other's home for dinner and friendship. Ball games for the boys and men in the afternoon were enjoyed. In the winter it was more difficult to get together because of transportation and cold weather, but neighbors and families gathered for the holidays. Mrs. Herb Griffith (Adah) was our mother's sister and her family had homesteaded a few miles from our home. We remember how Mother and Aunt Adah would send messages to each other by tying tea towels high on the windmills. The wind could be depended on to blow so they could see how many were tied to the windmill. A dark- colored towel indicated help needed. Other messages were "going to town" and "baby born." Telephones had not come to the country yet. Another experience firmly embedded in the minds of my sisters, Wava and Sarah, is while they were attending Nutbrook School. Our land was2-l/4 miles from the school and they had to walk to school when it was nice. Father had walked with them a few times to make sure they knew the way he expected always go. However, one day they :::- " decided the way was too far, so they started to cut across a field of cane and after they were into the deep part of the field they lost their sense of direction. After wandering around in the cane not knowing which way to go they finally came out of the field at the same place they started. Frightened, tired, and dusty they went the way our father told them to go and arrived at school at recess. Enough for shortcuts! To supplement the income our father years, but we have reconstructed these years to the best of our knowledge and according to the dates that we do have and the records we have been able to acquire. by Stella Sholes Arends SHORT - BUELL FAMILY worked for the railroad at the coal chutes. The engineer would stop the train so the engine was next to the water tank and coal F628 chutes so the men could refill the engine with water and the bin with coal - their source of energy in those days. No Amtrak at that time! Because of this railroad work our family lived in Limon, Colorado, for a few years before moving back to Stratton to continue working at the coal chutes. Moving into Stratton permanently in 1922, our first home and lots were on Kansas Avenue, later bought by the county for the location of the County Garage to store road equipment. The house was moved to its present location on Wyoming Avenue on the west edge of Stratton. While still living on the farm Father was foreman of the Poll Tax or Head Tax. This was a tax imposed by the County or State on each person. The assessment was $2.50 per person. At this time the men could pay the tax by working a certain amount of time on the roads in exchange for payment, usually done over weekends. This is how the roads were maintained in good condition and new roads built as they were needed. Father spent many years working for the County Commis- sioners. Some of the Commissioners he worked for were Ira Dunn, I.D. Messenger, and Ray Bowers. He operated tractor-pulled maintainers (like large graders) to build new roads, to repair and keep in good condition, and remove snow until his death. We have been told the James May family now lives on the home place and have a beautiful brick home. Electricity, telephone, and paved roads are enjoyed. Charles E. died 15 January 1935, and Tessa L. died 17 September 1956. A son, Charles D., died, 22 April 1973. He was a paratrooper in World War II and served in Japan. When he returned to Stratton, he was a contractor and builder. He built the Stratton Post Office, Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington and many homes in the area. A daughter, Athalia I. died 15 May 1987. She married Ade Brachtenbach, they farmed north of Stratton, raised three daughters, and retired in Stratton. All are buried in Stratton cemet- Mr. and Mrs. Jim Short on the homestead. Texarado School was built on the northeast corner of their farm. eries. The living children are: Wava who married Roy Clifton and they moved to Oregon about 1940, where they worked and raised their family. Wava resides at Hebo, Oregon. Sarah married Cecil Campbell. They lived in the Stratton area, raised their family and farmed. Sarah worked in the school lunch program and in the manufacture of Stratton Mobile Homes. She now lives in Julesburg, Colorado. Stella married John Arends. They moved to the Denver area to raise their family and John was a farmer and livestock dealer. Stella lives in Brighton, Colorado. Our parents did not leave us a written history or dates of their pioneering West Marion C. Short, taken in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1942. My parents, Martha Ann Buell of Harlin, Kentucky, and James Samuel Short of Cumberlin Gap, Virignia were married at Ewing, Virginia, in 1887. My sisters were Laura, Minnie and Pearl. Brothers were Oscar, Marion, Millard and Samuel. Sister Laura married Jim Fields and remained in Detroit, Kansas. The rest of the family moved to Colby, Kansas. I (Lena) was born there in 1909. Dad, Oscar and Marion came on to Colorado and each "proved up" on a homestead. They had to go to Kit Carson County �mother went to help out. She delivered many babies. Brother Sam bought us three girls a saddle horse. We all loved to ride. Each year we acquired more livestock. We began milking more cows and selling cream. Our brand was diamond reversed S. The men farmed their land, but kept pasture land too. The land was covered with buffalo grass, which was very good pasture. Mother made soap. The pork was cured with salt. The sausage was fried, put in three gallon stone jars and covered with hot lard. We put cucumbers down in salt brine. When we wanted to eat them, just soaked the salt out. Green beans we strung on needle and thread, and hung them up to dry. We had a potato patch, garden, dairy products and meat, so bought few groceries. We bought flour and sugar in 100 pound sacks. They were of printed material and plain. Mother made us girls dresses and sunbonnets from them. We picked up cow chips for fuel. Dad cleaned out sheepsheds and brought the large chunks home, this kept a longer fire than the cow chips. worked for the D&RG Railroad until he retired. My parents moved to F lagler in L924 so I could attend Hi-school. In 1927 Mother and I joined the Baptist church. Most of the family joined, later my husband Parker became a member, also our five sons. I married Parker Weatherly in 1929. He sold his fried pie shop in Arkansas City, Kansas. We moved to Ft. Collins for a year then back near Flagler. We farmed there until 1948, moved into Flagler, managed the M&S Cafe, then bought the Flagler Dray. We have 5 sons. Duane, Floyd and Lloyd (twins), James and Douglas. I am proud ofmy pioneer background. Dad taught us the value of being truthful, keeping promises and doing for others. Mother taught us about the love of God and the need of prayer. We led a happy life. Worked hard but always had time to visit a neighbor or go for a horseback ride. Now (1985) Sam and I are the only ones Iiving on the Shorts'that once Iived on the old homestead. by Lena (Short) Weatherly We had many neighbors, mostly from Texas. They moved on, except the Burris Lena, Marion and Pearle Short in the city park at Ft. Collins, Colorado, Sept. 2, 1929. office and file on which land they wanted, and Iive on it for a certain period of time. Then go back and they were given the title to the homestead. Dad's land was fourteen miles south of Flagler, Oscat's a mile east and Vz south of there. Marion's land was 18 miles south of Flagler and one east. They came back to Colby and in January 1910 they, accompanied by Millard and Sam, drove two covered wagons, loaded with household goods, a plow and other machinery, some pigs, chickens and a dog. They led the milk cow behind one wagon. When they got to the homestead there were no buildings or fences. Mack Newsom lived about a mile north. There were empty sheepsheds and an old house he no longer used. Dad and the boys lived there until they got some buildings done. There was a dry sand creek near by, only had to dig about four feet to water. First thing they dug a well. Then dad plowed sod and they built a sod house. They put several small windows together on the south side with a wide ledge underneath, where later mother kept her flowers. They dug a small cellar. This house was cool in summer and only needed a cookstove for heat in winter. Mother, Minnie, Pearle and I came out on the train in May. I was seven months old. Marion and Oscar each built a house on their land. A while later Marion built on to his house and started a country store. He named it "Loco" after the loco weed that was so prevalent there. About 1915, Marion became postmaster of the Loco post office, he took it over from Charles Davis and moved it into one corner of his store. He married Susan Laws. They had one son, Howard. Dad bought a well drilling rig. Sam missed a lot of school in winter to drive the horses on the rig. The saddest time for my family was when brother Millard got rattlesnake bit and died. This was in July 1910; he was fourteen. We had a lovely corn crop that fall, but the hail ruined that. Then Dad, Oscar and Marion went to Kansas to work to get money to continue farming. When a neighbor was ill family. They had two sons, Dick and Bill. They lived about a mile north and % west of us. There was a spring on their land. John Stranger's lived over the hill west of us. They had four younger children same age as my brother, two sisters and myself. Bill, Minnie, SHORT, BEN AND BESS F629 Carl and Clara. Laurents' had children our age also. Julia, Lewis, Elizabeth and Evalena' Birchfields had two girls, Leola and Lorena. Other neighbors were Newbys, Alexanders, Mack Newsoms, Vinzs and later Bill Vassios, Jim Kountz and Pete Vassios. Dad donated the north east corner of his land for the Texerado school to be built on. This was the center of activities for the community. There were programs, dances, box suppers, "Literaries" and sometimes church. Oscar. Marion and Sam were all in the Army in World War I. Sam also served in the Marines. About our families: Laura became postmistress at Detroit, Kansas: This position she held until she retired. They had five children. Oscar married Frances Beauchamp. They have two living children. They moved into Flagler. Later they moved to Washington, D.C. Oscar was a government guard there until he retired. Then they moved back to their home in Flagler. After Marion returned from the Army he, Sue and Howard moved to Ft. Collins. He went to college there one year, was on the Police force six years. Then moved to Albuquerque New Mexico where he was a Prohibition Officer and later an investigator. He worked there until he retired. Sam married Lucille Mahoney (her parents managed the Flagler Hotel). They lived in Ft. Collins 15 years. In winter he worked in the sugar factory and farmed in summer. They moved to Utah in 1944. Sam worked at the Navy Base during World War II. Then he started farming. He raised tomatoes for the canning factory and ran a dairy. They have 5 children. Sams' moved back to Flagler in 1962. Minnie married Enos Reynolds in Ft. Collins. They moved to a farm near Holly. They had two children. They were divorced. Minnie and children moved to Abilene, Kansas. Later she married Harry Davis. They had one son, Harry was an interior painter. Pearl married Carl Foust. He had two sons, age four and two. They have one daughter. They lived in Denver. Carl Bessie Coonrod and Bennie Short on their wedding day, January 5, 1911. My husband, Ben H. Short, and I both lived at Mahaska, Kansas when we were young. We were married January 5, 1911. He had come to Colorado the fall before where he and his brother, Joe, had filed on homesteads, Joe taking the east half of the section and Ben the west half. They and Joe's wife, Ruth, and small son, Kermit, rented a small house a few miles north of their homesteads where the four of them lived while Ben and Joe built a sod house on Joe's land, where he and his family took up their abode. Then Ben went back to Mahaska for the winter. Quoting from my diary: "Following a two months honeymoon spent in the old homes at Mahaska, Ks., we arrived at Seibert, Colo., �was predicted, I nearly froze my fingers picking strawberries so as not to have them {a& th freeze. Now I buy frozen strawberries! All the rest of the Short family later moved to Colorado. Ben's parents were Thomas J. and Clara Short. Their oldest son was Earl M. His wife was Inez and their sons were Robert '& *'. :ll:r,e and Leigh. Earl worked at the elevator in Seibert for many years, and later became Kit Carson County Judge. The other members of the family were Harry, Schuyler, Maude, Verna and Alice. Harry and his wife, Bessie, had one daughter, Marguerite. Schuyler married Zola Wrenn Cruickshank. Maude's husband, Ross Lowe, worked at the elevator in Seibert when they lived here, from 191b17. Verna's husband was Earl Livingston. Alice married Odbert Martin in the spring and died 5 months later, at the age of 22. Some of our neighbors in those early days were Rob and Mollie Barss, Harley and Suda Kimball, Glen and Ruby Bright, Conleys, i. .:i,,.,,:lt:"q*;],r --*'# - .dlci Our family on our farm. On the horse, Shirley, Harley, Peg, Alice, Paul and Art. Bessie holding Larry and Bennie holding Bunnie. Monday, March 13, 1911, at 8:30 a.m. Took a livery rig for our new home, arrived at 5:00. for the first time entered a sod house. We slept in board shack, 8 x 10 ft., on our claim-our future home." Our homestead was 12 miles south and 4 miles west of Seibert. We slept in the shack on our claim, and ate our meals with Joe and Ruth until the men could build a small one room house on our place. Ruth and I had a garden between us where we raised and canned all kinds of -:.,, t,f ..,... :: The homestead of Tom and Clara Short in 1913. vegetables. We so seldom got to town to buy groceries, and didn't even know about frozen vegetables. One autumn day when a storm Bakers, Hendricks, Stones, Westovers, Helveys, Dowse's, Conartys, Tilburys, Karkers and Lowrie's. A little later we had Frank and Hazel Van Waning, Floyd "Chub" and Ruby Evans, Percy and Goldie Norton, and Ellis and Ethel McConnell, and many more as the years went by. Quotes from the pages of my diary: 1911. March 29 - Bennie went to Seibert for lumber for our new house. April 16 - Began housekeeping on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1911. April 22 - Auto passed our prairie home. Aug. 18 - I went to town to meet Grandma and Aunt Nell. Drove 16 miles alone. (In bugg:y.) Sept. 11 - Dowse's barn burned. Oct. 38 - We left Seibert at 4:40 p.m. to go back to Kans. 1912: January 10 - Our sweet little baby girl was born. We named her Shirley Ruth. April 8 - Arrived at Seibert at 9 o'clock. Rob there to meet us. July 14 - Bennie & I went to the first meeting of the new Sunday School in the Manafee house, 4 miles away. 24 present. Dec. 25 - Our first Christmas away from our parents & brothers & sisters, our first one in our own home. Had such a merry time. Rob, Earl & Inez & T.R., Harry, Joe, Ruth, Kermit & Virgil and Kimball's here. Had good dinner. Bennie and I spent our evening writing letters home, also eating ice cream and cake and reading our Christmas letters and cards. 1913: Feb. 15 - Bennie and Kermit slept with Grandpa in his soddie on a bed of straw. March 14 - A terrible blizzard. a terrific wind and driving snow, but thermometer didn't go very low. Part of the roof of Joe's house blew off leaving large cracks for dirt and snow to blow in. They had to come to our house and stayed all day and night and all next day. Everything in their house got into terrible shape. We had to make bed on floor. It was simply terrible. I stepped out and it almost blew me away. Tore off our windmill wheel. Blew over all the feed stacks and scattered feed far and wide. March 22 - Bennie got home at noon. Had exciting news about a murder in Flagler. Hotel landlord shot by cook's husband. Jealousy the motive. May L2 - We went to Hendricks and saw big gas tractor plowing, turns 8 14-inch furrows. May 21 - Had big accident-our cupboard The short Family, taken on Tom and clara's Golden wedding Day, March 13, 1928. Earl, Ben, Tom, Maude, Verna, Joe, Schuyler and Harry. Seated, Clara. (dry goods box nailed to wall) fell to the floor, breaking some of my choice pieces, wedding gifts. May 26 - Cattle branding day. Our brand H 4. June 24 - Bennie and I went tc town with Father in car. Certainly enjoyed the trip. First time I had been to Seibert for 14 months. July 17 - A little boy met with sad �accident, getting arm shot off. They brot him to Father Short to take to town in auto, made SIMON FAMILY nant.) A day when everything went wrong for every one ofus. Bennie took the car and took Joe to hunt a hired girl. He didn't get any. The car broke down and Joe walked home, arrived at 5 p.m. Beenie had to get a team to haul the car to Flagler and leave it for repairs. Didn't get home until noon next day. Earl's came up and brought their Uncle Jim Harris for Bennie to take to Seibert to the train, then had to take him back home again. Rob borrowed our buggy and we had no way to go My father, Eligius (Al) Joseph Simon was born in Ast, Kansas near Andale, August 27, 1897. About 1917 his father moved the entire trip in 30 minutes. Sept. 7 - (At this time, both Ruth and I were eight months preg- after Mother until Mollie came along at nearly dark (with the buggy). I rode home with her, taking Kermit and Shirley, and then went for mother. Was rather frightened riding around on the prairie after dark, afraid I would lose the trail. We all felt so blue and worried. The damage to the car is expensive. Sept. 28 - Baby boy was born at 6:30 a.m. Named our boy Harley Harrison. Oct. 2 Bennie went after cows in the evening and I got Shirley to sleep, then lay her in the dark counting my blessings. My future looks bright and I think I shall now be perfectly happy. 1913: Oct, 21 - Mr. Short and Bennie to Burlington with Rob to get his naturalization papers. Now. 27 - Thanksgiving Day. We and Joe's all took dinner at Earls'. We have so much to be thankful for, our home, our health and our babies, and our friends and our prosperity. Dec. 31 - This is the last day of the year. Such a full year it has been. When we look back and reflect, we have been blessed with health and content and love, lifes greatest blessings. Our prayer is that the coming year may be no less kind to us, and may we be deserving of the kindness our heavenly Father bestows upon us. We raised our family on our homestead, living through horse and buggy days, Dust Bowl days, and the Big Depression of the early thirties. We had four boys and four girls. We always took them to Sunday School and Church. They went to Second Central to School. Part ofthem went to college. They all married real nice mates and raised nice F630 family to Stratton by train and car. They bought land Vz mile north and' lVz mile east of Stratton. My father and grandfather helped a construction company build a house, barn, and planted trees. His family left Kansas because of tornadoes. My mother, Rose M. Gilligan was born in San Francisco May 17, 1900. Her mother, Catherine Meagher, a widow, was interested in real estate and bought land Vz mile north of Stratton about 1918. They also came by train. Grandmother Meagher moved because of the earthquakes. My parents were married in Cleveland, Ohio on August 18, 1920. Grandfather Simon moved to Idaho but my parents returned to Stratton. They had six children - Catherine, Joe, Margaret Anne, Con, Don, and Jerry. Jerry the youngest was born in 1929. My folks went to Chicago with Jerry. The rest of us were cared for by Grandmother Meagher. Dad and Mom worked in Chicago to pay bills, buy cattle, etc. Jerry stayed in Chicago with Aunt Ann, Mom's sister, for 3 months and then came back to Stratton to be with us. The folks went through the droughts, grasshoppers, and dust storms. My Mom and Dad continued to work. The folks built a filling station in Stratton which Mom operated a good part of the time. My dad worked at anything for a wage - W.P.A., railroad section, town marshall, and at the light plant. Grandmother Meager died in 1926. We lost the farm around 1940. Grandmother Simon helped the family keep 2 quarters of land. My medicine shows, card parties, and dances. As a family we always loved picnics. All the neighbors would congregate in the early years and play baseball west of the house. We always had papers, magazines, and books to read. My parents enjoyed traveling mostly the Southern and Western states. Dad died of a heart attack in 1965 and Mom died of cancer in 1983. Catherine was Chief Pharmacist at the V.A. Hospital in Philadelphia when she died in 1973 of cancer. Don had died in 1942 as a result of an automobile accident. I, Margaret Anne, retired after 33 years of working as a nurse. I am living in Lakewood, Colo. Joe, Con, and Jerry helped my Dad on the farm, always. They were able to buy land of their own eventually. Joe lived on the home- place and farmed until he died of leukemia in 1979. He also worked parttime at the postoffice. Con always worked on the farm. He married Serena Selenke in 1956 and moved to Cheyenne County 6 miles north of Firstview. They had nine children - Ellen, Patty, David, Louise, Barbara, Janice, Ted, Ann, and Karen. Some of them continue to live in Cheyenne and Kit Carson County. Con died ofa heart attack in 1977. Serena is remarried to Bob Best and lives in Stratton. Jerry married Joan Craig and lives in Lakewood, Colo. He taught exceptional children for 30 years and is retired. They have five children - Tim, Theresa, Kimberly, Kevin, and Brigid. At present, my nephew, Ted Simon lives on the Meagher-Simon fatm Vz mile north of Stratton. The picture is the farm in the early 1920's. parents were eventually able to buy the remainder of land from their families. We always had plenty of good food. Mom canned a lot of fruits, vegetables, and beef. My Dad loved to hunt and trap and so did my brothers. We were active in Stratton functions - Stratton Day, school functions, families. Shirley married John F. Matthews. Harley married Eleanor McGriff. Viola (Peggy) married Earl Pursley, and Alice married Burr Keller. Paul's wife is Katherine Jackson, and Lloyd (Art) mamied Jane Allen. Bernice (Bunnie) married J.C. Elliot and Larry's wife is Juanita Towner. one son, Art, passed away of heart attack, same as his father did. We moved to Seibert in 1948 to the Boyd Roller house where I still live. My husband and I were the oldest members of the Seibert CO-OP, going in when it first staded in 1931. He was also on the Second Central school board for many years, member of Farm Bureau, IOOF, Town Council and the Cemetery Board. He supervised the planting of evergreen trees surrounding the cemetery. He was the Mayor of Seibert and at the time of his death on July 8, 1957. If I live until my birthday, September 10, 1986, I will be 100 years old. by Bessie Short Simon Home in 1920's, % mile north and' lVz east of Stratton. by Margaret Anne Simon �SIMON, CON AND SERENA F631 My Dad, Con, was born in the original Simon Homestead. 3 miles northeast of Stratton an June 2,1926. He attended school through the 8th grade at St. Charles, and then attended high school in Stratton. He helped his parents with the farming, until he went to work on the oil rigs to make money to pay off his farm. In the early 50's, he and his brothers, Joe and Jerry, purchased the land and home which is still ours in Cheyenne County. Together they farmed and ranched in Kit Carson and Cheyenne County. My Mom, Serena Selenke, moved with her family to Flagler, Colorado from Grainfield, Kansas in 1946. After graduating from high school in Flagler, she attended nurses training at Mercy Hospital in Denver. She then worked at Kit Carson County Hospital in Burlington. During a dirt storm on January 14, 1956, my parents, Con and Serena, were married at St. Charles Church in Stratton. Dad brought Mom to Cheyenne County in May of that same year and lived the rest of his life in Cheyenne County. Our home was 6 miles north of Firstview, Colorado. They had nine children: Ellen in'56, Patty in'57, David in '59, Louise in '60, Barbara in '61, Janice in '63, Ted in '65, Ann in '67, and Karen (myself) in'68. Through the years, my Dad and his brother Joe were able to purchase more land in Kit Carson and Cheyenne County. My Mom continued to work part-time as a registered nurse at St. Joseph Hospital of the Plains in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. On September 13, L977 my dad died while working on the farm. My two brothers, David and Ted, were able to continue farming with the help of their sisters and mother. In August of 1979, we moved to Stratton where my Grandparents, Rose and Al Simon used to live, about 1/z mile north of Stratton. My Mom then went to work at the Kit Carson County Hospital in Burlington until 1983. On May 28,of the same year, she was remanied to Robert Best of Stratton. She and Bob reside in Stratton. Currently, Ellen lives in Denver and works for an oil company. Patty and her daughter Andrea live in Stratton. Patty works at the Kit Carson County Hospital as a registered nurse. David lives north of Firstview where my entire family grew up with his wife Coleen Witt of Cleveland. Ohio. He farms the land in Cheyenne and Kit Carson County. Louise is married to Dan Mills of Stratton and lives on a Dairy farm south of Vona. They have two sons, Andy and Brad. Barbara is living in Stratton and does various jobs including farm work. Janice lives in Greeley, Colorado and is married to Paul Pautler originally from Stratton. Ted lives in Stratton in my Dad's parent's home, about Vz mile north of Stratton. He farms with David. Ann in attending college and in majoring in Agriculture Business. Karen (myself) is attending Stratton High School and helps on the farm when needed. by Karen L. Simon SIMPSON FAMILY F632 I hear from V.S. Fitzpatrick that a history of Kit Carson County is being compiled, and Fitz (as I have called him most of my life) suggested I write to you. I was born in Kit Carson County north of Seibert on a farm in 1918. My sister Marian was born there in 1916; our brother V.L. in 1923; and little sister Lela Mae in 1929. Our parents were V.L. (Verson) and Louise Simpson. My dad went to that country to homestead a place for his mother. Marian and I graduated from Seibert High School in 1935. by Jane A. Gearhart SLISE FAMILY F633 Sod busters were intruders in the West 60 or 70 years ago but even the ranchers copied them after awhile. Some 75 years ago the Wild West had been tamed. Cattle and sheep outfits had their snug ranch buildings on rivers and creeks but usually ranged their cattle on the vast public domain. Few people foresaw any change in this way of life. Then, throughout the first two decades of this country, came a new wave of immigration. The open land erupted with sod shacks and houses, barbed wire fences crisscrossed the vast plains, old roads and trails were blocked off, and channeled onto section lines. The dry land farmer had anived. Whether these were for the better or worse depended upon the point of view. If you were an old timer, you agreed with the Indian, who grunted to the plowman, "Ugh, grass wrong side up." The first step in the new life was to find a suitable place of unclaimed land, or to buy a relinquishment from a former claimant. The claim had to be filed and a fee paid at the land office. Government requirements were fairly simple. First, one had to build a fairly habitable house. Then he had to live on the land for a period of three to five years. The land had to be improved to the sum of 91.25 an acre. But on farming homesteads 20 acres had to be plowed and planted. The old timers termed the new comers "Wrinkle Bellies" as they predicted the homesteaders would soon starve out. But their world was changing. Now prophet could predict that between 1910 and 1920, new methods of dry land farming and an increase in rainfall would usher in the "age of wheat." I, Margaret Slise, am the granddaughter of a pioneer Kansas family. My Berry grandparents immigrated from southeastern Iowa in 1866 by oxen team and covered wagon, and located in Doniphan County, Kansas. My father, John Harvey Berry, was born at Hiawatha, Kansas, in 1871, and farmed in Nemaha County when a young man. He married Marie Rose Probst on March 2, 1906, oflndianapolis, Indiana, in that city. She had immigrated to this country from Germany with her parents at the age of three in 1881 along with two brothers and two sisters. I was born on the farm of my Berry grandparents near Goff, Kansas, April 18, 1907. In August of that year, my father filed on 160 acres ofland to homestead in Eastern Colorado, in northwestern Kit Carson County, 20 miles northwest of Flagler, on the southwest quarter of section seven, township six, range 51, just south of the Washington County line and just east of the Lincoln County line. Our adjoining 160 acres was the northwest quarter of section 18, in township six of range 51, which my father filed on in about 1911, by contesting first before he could file a claim to homestead. There was an old dugout on this 160 acres. In March of 1908 my father loaded an immigrant car out of Goff, Kansas, with farm machinery, wagon, buggy, harness, household goods, one runty pig and a few chickens, and shipped the freight car to Flagler, Colorado. Dad had a big team of draft mares ready to bring out to Colorado too, when advised the horses would not do well in this high altitude. Thus, he sold the team for 9300 and bought another team, a smooth mouth grey mare and a five year old bay mare, at a farm sale at Colby, Kansas. We could drive these horses to our buggy. The grey mare died in the winter of 1912 so we did not have her too long. by Margaret Clistie Berry Slise SLISE FAMILY F634 Upon arrival in Colorado, Dad moved our belongings to a close neighbor's, Henry Guhr, a bachelor, and stayed with him while putting up the house and barn. He borrowed a sod cutter from another neighbor and put up a sod house of two rooms, 14x32 feet. A well was dug by Sam Proaps, to a depth of 144 feet to good water. Dad also put up a sod barn of 16x32 feet and later a granary, also of sod. During this time, Mom and I had gone back to Indianapolis to spend the time with her parents until the house was finished and ready to move into. We arrived in Flagler on the morning passenger train on May 1, 1908. Thus, I have been a resident of Eastern Colorado for nearly 68 years.r I can remember a lot of incidents and have forgotten a good deal too. My two sisters and a brother were born in the homestead soddy. Later in 1916 an addition was added to the house making a nice three room house which was quite comfortable even through severe winters. Other later farm buildings included a small chicken house 8x12 feet, and an outhouse. The sod blocks were cut in a low grassy place on the land and hauled by a team and wagon to the building site. By then Dad made a sod cutter, a sort of sled pulled by a teaof horses. Dad, being a blacksmith, fashioned the cutter. The sod was cut l4-inches wide and four-inches thick in long strips, and then a sharp spade was used to cut it into l8-inch lengths, which were then turned out and upside down to cure. The blocks were laid up brick style with a twelve-inch board through the walls for support, and window and door openings allowed for. A plate was put on top of the walls for the roof rafters. twelve-inch �boards nailed on, covered with tar paper and sod put on the roofgrass side up. The inside walls could be plastered to keep out mice and sparrows, or even snakes which were numerous around the place. The floors were of twelve-inch boards. About 1914 Dad dug a cellar under the kitchen and bailed the dirt out with a box sled with one horse hitched on a chain. It was my job to lead and attend to the horse. In 1914 a school district was formed and a sod building built 1% miles west of us. I started to school in 1915 as a second grader and completed the eighth grade at this Twin Lakes School. The school got its name as two big lagoons full of water from snow melt in the spring were close by on each side of the road. This school was located just over the line inside Lincoln County. Dad bought a black mare, a three year old, named Nell, from August Kalisch in about 1911. She was a mean one of Mustang ancestry, a good work horse, but a kicker. One time Dad drove a team and wagon to Bird City, Kansas, to work in the grain harvest, driving Nell and Sadie. On the way coming home. Nell took a notion to kick. So she splintered both end gates out of the wagon box. One summer she was bitten by a rattlesnake and was as docile as a kitten to doctor. Being a blacksmith, Dad shod a lot of horses in homestead days and also sharpened plow shares. He hauled flour to the Thurman store one winter from Flagler and kept his own horses shod. Mom generally drove the buggy and horse, either Maud or Sadie, to Thurman, seven miles northwest, about every week for groceries and the mail, to get a letter from home folks back East. The postoffice was a soddy too, which stood just north of the Thurman store. A Mrs. Campbell was the postmaster at the time. Once the old gray mare, Maud, stumbled and fell down, so I sailed right over the dash board of the buggy behind her. This old mare was so slow and gentle that nothing frightened her. by Margaret Clistie Berry Slise SLISE FAMILY F635 A few people were driving automobiles by this time and expected to have the right-ofway on the roads. One car drove up behind our buggy and hooted and tooted for the buggy to move out of the wagon track, but Mom kept right on and finally the car had to pull out around. Boy, was that fellow mad! Another time I was at school and Mom came driving by. I was up on top of the outhouse removing a board to get inside as the door got accidentally braced shut. I thought for sure I would be punished when I got home from school, but Mom either did not see me or recognize me. I used to have a dog sled team and had a lot of fun driving Niger and Rover. We had a lot of snow in those days and one time when I was probably nine or ten years old, the dogs took aftcr a rabbit going straight for a barbed wire fence. I laid back so I cleared the fence safely; however, Dad was watching and was scared I would get my head cut off. a farm northeast of Genoa, in the Union I also drove those dogs to a coaster wagon and it was fun to go for the mail a quarter or a mile away every day. We had a rural route delivery in 1916 out of Flagler with Ray Thompson being the first carrier; however, he left for France not long after to fight in World neighborhood, thus ending our homesteading days. This is December of 1975 and I now live by myself on 160 acres two miles northwest of War I. farming and caring for a few head of live- We used to have some severe blizzards often lasting from one to three days. About March 20,t9t2, my father nearly perished in a bad one that caught him on the way home so he unhitched the horses and led them, supposedly going in a northwesterly direction. He thought it was odd the wind kept changing directions. As he was getting tired and weary, he laid down and began to feel warm and knew he was freezing to death. He thought of Mom and we three small girls - the youngest was six weeks old, so he struggled on again. A lull in the storm revealed the house light was just up on the hill so he made it home. Too weary to remember until later that he had just tied the horses to the windmill tower, he went back out to put them in the barn. The next day he went to get the load ofhay and found where he had travelled in a circle when he became lost in the swirling snow. In about 1910 Dad bought a Jersey cow, 18 years old, for $50. She gave a lot ofgood rich milk. I took a notion to milk her one day but all the milk went on the ground. Dad sold the cow later for $51. We had milked her for two years and got two calves, besides all the nice milk, cream and butter. We had a lot of dry, Iean years and not much crop raised some times; only feed for the horses. We generally raised a garden, potatoes, corn, beans and plenty of pumpkins. By careful management, we got through the winters with some coal and several tons of cow chips to burn for fuel. We had a few hogs and a cow once in a while. We had a lot of good neighbors, and men exchanged work in harvest and threshing. When we had grain to sell, Dad borrowed a wagon and I drove one team and he the other, to Flagler several times, a 40-mile round trip for a 12-year old girl. We brought back coal, groceries and other supplies from trips to town. I once rode a wiry, young mare about 25 miles to gather a threshing crew as the Genoa in Lincoln County and I am still stock.2 I was married in February of 1940 at Goodland, Kansas, to John Elmer Slise of Genoa, a man of homestead pioneers, who came to Colorado from Minnesota and Iowa. We established our home northeast of Genoa in the Arickaree community where we farmed and ranched and started our family. We became the parents of two daughters, one of whom is Mrs. Philip (Lois) Scott, who with her husband, reside south of Lindon, Colorado.3 The younger daughter, Velma, and husband, Rodney Eccleston, with their son and daughter, reside now in Leon, Iowa. My husband and parents are now deceased, with Dad being 94 at the time of his death in March of 1966. and Mom was 85 when she passed away in August of 1963. Both Mom and Dad are buried in Loveland, Colorado, where my sister, Pauline (Polly), who is Mrs. K.S. Gurwell, lives. My youngest sister, Norma, Mrs. Verlie Holmes, lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and brother Wesley, is in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he pursues his vocation of mechanics.a lThis was written in December of 1975. zShe gave up farming the land in 1986; however. she continues to live on the farm (1987) and continues to care for livestock. sAfter this was written, the Scotts became the parents of two daughters, one of whom was stillborn. aWesley died in January 1986 in Augusta, Maine, where he had gone a few weeks earlier to be with his only child. He is buried at Winthrop, Maine. by Margaret Clistie Berry Slise sLoAN, E. H. F637 threshers would be at our place the next day. It took about 14 men to do bundle threshing. I recall that in about 1919 during spring rains that our sod roof leaked and to keep the beds dry, the binder canvasses were stretched over the beds, possibly the result of the roof leaking when we kids played on the house top in the summer. by Margaret Clistie Berry Slise SLISE FAMILY F636 Those were the good old days and I have a lot of happy memories of those days along with the memories of such things as the Ethel Sloan pictured at right, at the dedication of the new Burlington Library in 1959. Everett Hurst Sloan was the oldest son of Matthew H. Sloan and Ethel Grier Sloan. He prairie fires, including the horrendous one was born on November 18, 1907 near Andov- near Thurman in about 1915 or 1916. and the er, Kansas. He had one brother. Harold Sloan, and two sisters, Dorothy Wolf and devastating tornado which took the lives of friends, also near Thurman in August of 1924. My parents, sisters and brother and I moved from the homestead to 13 miles northeast of Limon in Lincoln County in March of 1925, and then three years later, to Edna Hudson both of Wichita. Kansas. Everett learned at an early age what work and responsibility was all about. He grew up on the farm and worked with horses in his early days. At 8 years his dad put him on a �Wesley School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas. She graduated and was a Reg. Nurse. She met Everett while a student working in the hospital. She was a member of The United Methodist Church in Burlington, active in circle work. She was a volunteer and helped the Burlington Library during the time of its building program. Ethel belonged to Zonta, International and Burlington Garden Club serving as President of these organizations and being a charter member of Zonta. At one time she was a member of Inter Sese. She loved to bowl and enjoyed playing cards. Ethel passed away July 5, 1978 after a long illness. On February 24, L979 Everett married Stella E. Ciboski. They enjoyed these years by traveling and sharing activities and friends. Everett passed away on January 16, 1986 following a short illness. by Everett Sloan Sloans Motel, Burlington, Colorado built by Everett and Ethel Sloan. also filled these pits in after the oil well was finished. He farmed during the dry years and finally started a cow herd near Eldorado, Kansas. Everett Sloan married Ethel W. Miller on February 2L, 1932 at her home in Winfield, Kansas. To this union were born three children: Robert L. Sloan and twin daughters, Virginia and Carolyn. In the Early'30's Everett and Ethel bought a farm with the The office of the Sloan Trailer Court with Ethel Sloan about 1948. corn binder which was pulled by three horses and had to cut 40 rows before coming home for lunch. Later he and his brother ran a steam engine threshing crew. Everett enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping, but had to do this on his own time as his father didn't approve of these activities as he always had things for Everett to do. He and his friends trapped to earn money by selling the furs to buy books and school clothes. Everett went to a one room school near the farm and graduated from Andover High School in 1926. He bought his first car, a Model-T-Ford with fur money for $20.00, which he used to run his trap line. Times were hard when he used his horse team in the oil fields near Wichita to dig slush pits for salt water. He WILMA MILLER F638 This was a time in Burlington, when completion of Bonny Dam brought a lively business to the trailer court and laundry. Everett built Sloan's Motel on the NW 7+ of help of his mother. This place was 2 miles east of the Cessna Air Craft plant. He also leased some land. As the years went by they built a complete farm near Wichita. Everett had 135 head of herefords and sent them to the flint hills for grazing in the summers and in 1944 the acreage. Ethel became the manager and operator of the motel while Everett continued to expand the farm operation. Three farms were acquired over a period of time. One SE of Burl., one NE of Stratton, and 10 quarters SW ofBethune. Dry land wheat was raised until irrigation became popular. Water wells were drilled on all three properties and corn was planted. The Stratton farm also supported a cow-calf operation expanding combine that came to Wichita, Kansas. In the war years he customed combined wheat from Oklahoma to the Dakotas. In 1948 he leased into a pig farrowing operation. Ethel watched all this develop into more than Everett could handle. Two farms were sold until all that remained was the 10 quarters SW of Bethune. Everett unloaded the first self propelled "Good fishing" Everette Sloan, in middle with two fishing buddies, Dallas Stevens and son on the left and Bill Flatt on the right taken in 1960. SLOAN, ETHEL land in Colorado and bought a trailer court in Burlington, Colorado and this became home. They built a motel on this property. Along with his farming wheat and later irrigated corn and sugar beets Everett and Ethel were busy working and raising their family. In 1963 they sold the motel, which carries the family name "Sloans Motel" to the Knapps and purchased two sections of land. At this time they built a home on 165 South Cherry in Burlington, Colorado. They subdivided and sold the Kansas Farm known as Sloans Addition of Wichita, Kansas. Everett and Ethel continued to farm and were able to travel now that they had sold the motel. Their son Robert married Cleta Marie Speicher and now live in Wray, Colorado. They have two sons and one daughter and two grandsons. Their daughter, Virginia married Wayne Hecht and they reside in Denver, Colorado, and have three children, two boys and one girl. Daughter Carolyn married John Hansen Jr. and live west of Bethune, Colorado. They have two daughters and one grandson. Ethel was born on September 26, 1908 at Grenola, Kansas. Her parents later moved to Winfield, Kansas where she graduated from High School. She entered nurses training at In 1963, the Motel and Trailer park was sold and a fine residence was built on the SW corner of the property, behind the motel, opposite the machine shed located there. This home contained every convenience that Ethel had done without until now. She enjoyed a real home at last and the pride of her yard and flowers. Ethel was always interested in getting involved when her time would allow. She sang duets with her close friend Fern Pray, was a member of the Home Extension Club there. After moving to Colorado, she joined the First Methodist Church and was an active member. As club president of the Zonta International, in1958, she led the ceremonies to provide and place a time capsule in the corner stone of the newly constructed Public Library, an honor that gave her much pride and pleasure. The Garden Club was greatly enjoyed by Ethel with roses being her favorite flower to raise. Ethel donated time to the hospital and made tray favors for the patients. She belonged to a bowling league and a Pinochle Club. At the Methodist Church she helped to cook and serve many funeral and wedding dinners and made items for the annual bazaar. Ethel passed away after suffering a stroke �two years before, of heart failure and other complications on July 7, 1978. After seven brothers, Ethel was the only girl born to Daniel P. and Clara Belle Wise Miller, on Sept. 26, 1908 at Grenola, Ks. The Miller's were a hard working, close knit, family with strong religious background who later moved to Winfield, Kansas. It was here that Ethel attended grammar and high school where she graduated inL927. She enrolled in Wesley Hospital School of Nursing at Wichita, where she graduated as a registered nurse after 4 years in 1931. Ethel met Everett Hurst Sloan during nurses training years and they were married at her home on Feb. 21,L932 after which she moved to Kechi, Kansas to live on his farm there. To this union a son was born, Robert Lee on Mar. 4, 1933 and twin daughters, Virginia Lou and Carolyn Sue on May 20, 1936. The years were spent at Everett's side working hard to build a farm and ranch operation. Ethel lived a life of abiding faith in God that was enriched weekly as she attended Selzer Methodist Church' Ethel raised a garden and canned vegetables for winter food. With Robert's help, she milked the cows and separated the cream to churn into butter to sell in town. Beef was raised for fteezer meat and canned and was a major source of income. Chickens were raised for meat and eggs with the excess being sold to bring in necessary income. Good times were shared with family and neighbors on all special occasions and sometimes just for fun and to laugh was therapy for the soul. Later years found Everett was gone to work his leased land in western Kansas and Colorado. Ethel was left in charge of the farm and three children. In 1945, she joined Everett on the custom combining trail as a chief cook for the family and 5 hired men. They lived in a trailer home and traveled from Texas to North Dakota on an acreage in Burlington, Co. in 1948. It was here that her family moved their home and settled first car, a Model-T Ford, with tur money tbr $20.00, which he used to run his trap lines. Times were hard when he used his horse team in the oil fields near Wichita to dig slush pits for salt water. He also filled these pits in after the oil well was finished. He then farmed during the dry years and finally started a cow herd near Eldorado, Kansas. Everett married Ethel Wilma Miller on Feb. 21, t932, at her home in Winfield, Kansas. As the years went by they leased and bought land, where they farmed and raised cattle and pigs. In the war years he took his custom combining crews from Oklahoma to the Dakotas. He leased land in Colorado in 1948, and bought a trailer court. They built a Motel on this property, and also farmed raising wheat and later irrigated corn and beets. The motel still carried the family name, which was sold in 1963. After thirty one years of marriage Everett finally built his bride her dream home. They both enjoyed their home and took pride in keeping it looking nice. He continued to farm through custom helpers and leased out the rest. On February 24,1979, he married Stella E. Ciboski and they enjoyed each others company until his death on January 16, 1986. He passed away at the High Plains Health Center in Burlington, with internment in Fairview Cemetery along side of his wife, Ethel Wilma Miller Sloan, who had preceded him in death July 7,1978, by Carolyn Sloan Hansen SLOAN, SAM AND GERTRUDE F640 down. by Carolyn Hansen Gertrude Mae (Kious) and Samuel Wesly Sloan. Taken at the home of Bill and Lorris Wickham at a birthday party about 1946. homesteaded 9 mi. SE of Stratton. 1912 to West Plains, Mo. Two years trying to eke out a living amidst rocks, he dashed into the house demanding, "Gertie, you see any moss growin'on my back? Get ready; we're going back to Colorado!" To Flagler on the train with 'a suitcase under each arm' to a farm 9 mi. SE on Sand Creek. Lived a mile east of town at one time, and delivered milk, butter, and dressed chickens. The train killed 3 milk cows. Their home south of Flagler was an old sod house. Farmed oats, barley, spring wheat, corn, feed crops, and alfalfa. Killed a 6 ft. diamondback rattlesnake. Had cattle, horses, mules, hogs. Soil and early farming techniques poor so grain crops considered good at 12 bu. per acre. Sam built and maintained most of the first graded roads in west end of county under George Huntley, county commissioner. Most young fellows of community worked for him. Son Orris, with U.E. McBride in 1915 built the road from county line west of town, to river bridge east. It became Golden Belt Road, Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean, then highway 24. $5.00 a day working 4 of McBride's mules, and 4 of his own. Orris and Winona went to school at Sunnyside - cart and burro. Later with Dorris and Christina Galer to Second Central brggy, enclosed with isinglass, and horses. Neighbor Sol Stone built cement barn for Sloans, and later the house 150 yards west across the school district line, so children SLOAN, EVERETT HURST F639 Everett was born November 18, 1907, the eldest son of Matthew Hurst Sloan and Ethel Grier Sloan. An older sister Dorothy married Floyd Wolf of Andover, Kansas. His next younger brother was Harold Leroy Sloan of Mesa, Arizona and youngest sister was Edna May who married Vernon Hudson of Wichita, Kansas. Everett grew up on the family farm, near Andover, Kansas, worked with horses in the early days. Later he and his brother ran a steam engine threshing machine crew. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapping. He and his friends trapped for fur to buy books and clothes for school and spending money. He learned at an early age what work was all about. He attended school in a one-room school house near the farm and graduated from Andover High School in 1926. He bought his This photo was taken at the home of Orris and Margaret Sloan at Selden KS. Orris'86th birthday and Lorris' 71st Birthday July 13, 1986. Samuel Wesley Sloan 2-15-1874 - 2-121950. son of John Fletcher and Samantha Ellen (Nebergall) Sloan. Gertrude Mae (Kious) Sloan 8-7-1880, first female White child born in Sheradan Co., Ks., daughter of George Lewis and Ida (Bayles) Kious. Sam, with parents, came from lll. to Nebr., then to Sheridan Co., Ks. by prairie schooner. Sam and Gertrude were married 8-11-1898. Children: Orris Benjamin 1900, adopted Winona Manuel 1903 - 1977, Dorris Christie Beatrice 1911, Lorris Ida Agnes 1915, Clarice Margaret Rosa 1917. Lost 2 infant sons. Traded their farm at Selden, Ks. in 1907 for horses, and cows, and in the spirit of adventure could go to Flagler school. Bad winters Will Lana, bus driver, used a sled and Sloan's mules. Heated soap stones and heavy comforters and 5 gal. cream cans of soup for the bus children's lunch, heated in the home ec room. Many young people lived with Sloans to attend Flagler High School. Hired men summer and winter for the farming, stack, and general chores. Orris had a header and neighbors helped each other harvest. Chilson, and Schifferns from Arriba irad threshing machines and made the rounds. Neighbors helped each other butcher, and the women canned vegetables, fruits, and meats. Gertrude was an excellent cook and an efficient practical nurse. She cared for the ill and delivered most of the neighborhood babies alone, or assisting Dr. H.L. Williams. The 1917-18 flu epidemic she, and Sam both went from home to home caring for the sick. Close friends, Mrs. Plopper, and daughter Glayds, �were among those who died. Sloans supported community and school never missed a basketball game when Dorris played (State champions in 1930). Good times for families: Literary, Box suppers, Pie socials, Sunday School, and Church at Second Central (Aunt Rose Stone taught children, Joe Short adults, and Rev. Adna Moore preached). Sloans helped establish the Fla- gler Baptist Church - company for Sunday dinner, and holidays, Farmers' Grange with County Agent and Home Demonstration Agents bringing new ideas, County Fair at Burlington, Medicine Shows (Chautauqua), rodeos with young fellows of communities participating. Sam and Orris got their calls for WWI in 1918. but the Armistice was signed prior to their date to report. 'Suitcase farmers' from Ks. and Nebr.. plowed up acres and acres of grass land. Dust bowl days ofthe 1930s brought a real "Grapes of Wrath' - air so full of red Okl. dust, a kerosene lamp was used at mid-day. Farmers took out loans, banks closed. Russian thistles were used to feed stock. Some hay was trucked in. Stock so ravenously hungry they ingested baling wire and died. Government bought cattle for almost nothing - shot and Arlene P. Ciboski Colburn. buried them. Stronghold farmers were forced to leave their homes. Sam and Gertrude went to Flagler - took a cow, and team ofhorses. He plowed gardens Kenneth N. Ciboski. - all the kids in town rode on his wagon. He bought land south of the railroad and built their home, and some small houses. He was always ready for a trade - horses, cows, land - often got'stuck'with locoed critters, and once got 2 settin'hens, and a goat to come out even. he, and his brother Tom from Selden, Ks., started to the Stock Show in Jan. 1950 - he became ill, had surgery, and blood clot took his life. Buried in the Flagler Cemetery on his 76th birthday. Gertrude became a resident at Good Samaritan Home, Simla, and died 9-4-1961, laid to rest beside her husband. Sam never met a stranger; his usual greeting to all he met on the street, "Hello, Kiddio!" Stella E. Sloan by Lorris Wickham SLOAN, STELLA E. F64l Wanda F. Ciboski Dalton. Phillip Ciboski and Stella E. Esslinger were married on May 4, 1933 in Norton, Kansas. Phillip and Stella went on a short honeymoon to Denver, Colorado and then on May 8, they made their home near Goodland, Kansas. They lived on the farm 20 miles north west of Goodland and struggled on this farm for 9 years during the dust bowl days and depression years from 1933 to the fall of 1942. President Hoover was President at the time and in 1934 President Roosevelt took over. A lot of banks had closed and hard times had taken over. President Roosevelt took over Steila E. and Phillip Ciboski, taken in Goodland, Kansas about 1948. and he closed the banks and got things rolling. In order for us to survive and have monev Everett H. Sloan to buy shoes for the children I milked 10 cows and separated the milk for the cream. I dressed 25 pound turkeys and sold them for $2.50 each, and sold eggs for 30 a dozen. We raised a bumper crop of corn in the fall of 1933 and sold it for 110 a bushel and we �Wanda F. Dalton and Arlene P. Colburn. In the fall of L942 we sold all our machinery. We had 2 cows left and a few chickens, and several pigs. We were forced out or else buy the farm so we moved to Denver, Colorado and purchased a home on 2630 South St. Paul. We bought a Chewolet car for $?50.00 the fall of L942. We could have sold it several times on account they couldn't get too many cars at that time because of the war. We could have gotten $1200 to $1500 for it but we could not sell it as we would not have had a vehicle to drive. Stella worked as a waitress in Bauer's uptown Denver and Shaners Bros. In 1946 we sold the home on South St. Paul and bought a business at Canon City, Colorado. Then in 1948 we sold the business, Fawn Hollow, in Canon City and bought a package store called Kenneth was a freshman in high school, Wanda was a seventh grader and Arlene was outstanding ability and salesmanship. These awards were received in 1952, 1955 and 1957. Stella also received a Max Factor cosmetics citation. Stella waited tables for another 8 hours after putting 8 hours in at the drug store. She started selling Compact Sweepers in 1958 and sold them until 1978. Phillip Ciboski passed away and she worked for a living. She was a widow for 10 years before she remarried. Stella began working for the Everett H. Sloan family in Burlington where she cared for Ethel Sloan until she passed away. On February 24, 1979 Stella E. married Everett H. Sloan. They made their home at 165 South Cherry in Burlington, Colorado. Stella and Everett enjoyed trips to the Flying X Ranch in Wheatland, Wyoming and also went south to Brownville, Texas and Port Isabell, Texas. On January 16 Everett H. Sloan passed away sary cake in 1937. It was an angel food consisting of five layers. I started with a dish pan and ended with any angel food cake pan. It took 30 dozen cases of egg whites. The cook stoves in those days were great and I used some cobs from the corn crop we raised in 1933 and the fall of 1934. My mother used a bouquet of soap weeds from the pasture which were beautiful for the family picture of their 25th wedding anniversary. Phil and Stella were blessed with three healthy children. Kenneth N. Ciboski, married. Arlene does volunteer work besides caring for her family. Dr. Colburn has received the MRI Scan. The images produced are of such amazing clarity that physicians abdomen and other organs and tissue masses. for 10 years. She received 3 citations for cheaper and we could not afford to buy coal any longer. We burned two grates out of the cook range that winter of 1933 and early 1934. We got hailed out 8 years out of the 9 years that we farmed. We sold the cows that were ready to calve for $5.00 each. There was no grass, no rain and no feed. The land right along the highway by Goodland sold for 250 and 500 an acre for the tax deed. I baked my parents'25th wedding anniver- Arlene Ciboski (Colburn) is married to Dr. Ralph M. Colburn Jr., twirler of Manhattan College in Manhattan, Kansas and was supervisor Hostess for TWA before she are able to pin point brain lesions and Stella also worked at Higdon's Drug Store finally decided to burn it for coal as it was Wichita. They have two girls, Kendra Lynn and Marla Nicole. After one year in Springfield we moved back to Goodland, Kansas. My husband and Ken farmed the Brinkmeier place and I waited in the first grade. Arlene and Dr.Colburn and girls. she is employed in the City building of City Liquor Store in Springfield, Colorado. tables. Wanda Dalton language. It is a very difficult language to know. His oldest daughter has studied Russian and had had 2Yz years of law at K.W. University where she graduated. Dr. Kenneth Ciboski is a Professor of Political Science in Wichita where he also teaches Russian and takes 30 college students to Russia every Christmas. He is married to Barbara Bell and after a short illness. Stella Sloan has 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. They are: Brian Dalton of Columbus, Ohio; Geri Dalton Bester of Frankfort, Germany; Kent, Sheila and Craig Dalton of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Kendra and Marla Ciboski of Wichita, Kansas; Rebecca, Sara and Catherine Colburn of Oregon, Wisconsin. The great grandchildren are; Michael and Brent Bester of Frankfort, Germany where their father, Tim Bester, is a surveyor in the Armed Service; Ryan Michael Dalton, son of Brian Dalton who is employed at Seafood Co.; and two step-great grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Sloan. Wanda Ciboski is married to L.R. Dalton and reside in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. L.R. worked for Fiedestia Co. and is now employed by Unlimited Co. and Wanda is employed by a large loan company. They have five children, Brian and Geri Kay are married and have children. The twins, Kent and Sheila Jo are working and attending college, and Graig Francis is in high school. Kenneth Ciboski earned two degrees, one at Washington State and one at the University of Kansas at Lawrence. Kenneth earned straight A's in the study of Russian Languages. He feels that if you want to get along with the Russians you have to speak their identify problems of the spinal column, heart, Dr. Colburn is a neuro radiologist specially trained in magnetic resonance imaging. He is the medical director of Turville Bay Center and one of the staff physicians who design monitors and interpret MRI Scans. Dr. Colburn is a graduate of Northwestern University Medical School. He was a medical resident at Boston City Hospital and Harvard Medical unit, the Edwards Mallenckrost Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine of St. Louis, Missouri, and at Anchorage, Alaska. He was a former Director of Medical Imaging at St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center of Madison. Currently he is also Chief of Medical Staff at Stoughton Hospital, Stoughton, Wisconsin. Dr. and Mrs. Colburn have three girls, Rebecca Arlene, sophomore in college; Sara Noelle, sophomore in high school; and Catherine Demours, 8th grade. by Stella Sloan SMELKER - BUNCH FAMILY F642 Myrtle Violet Smelker, the oldest child of Charles and Luella Smelker, was born January 23, 1900. Myrtle had eight younger brothers so she always had to help her mother with the household and other chores. One Christmas she remembered finding presents ofhair ribbons, pencils, and tablets. She and brother Victor went to Sunday school south of the Smelker homestead, which was the first school they attended. Myrtle taught school in some of her early years. Myrtle married Cage Bunch on October 18, 1920. To this union seven children were born; Lyle 1921, Charles 1922, Oris l924,Roy 1926, Erma 1928. Arlene 1930 and Duane 1931. They moved to Boulder in 1947 and to Longmont in 1960. Myrtle and Cage were old time square dancers and belonged to several clubs and enjoyed dancing their remaining days. Myrtle died on December 8, 1986. Cage died in August 1987. by Mary Ann Smelker � https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/507/Families-S2.pdf 3d3afced18134822d12da16990cb0982 PDF Text Text SMELKER - HAZEN FAMILY F643 brother-in-laws - n O'Holloran and Tru- man Hazen, we-,c l^rst in March 1907. They carne on an emigrant car which required an attendant with a car when stobk was shipped. Charlie started preparing for his family by building a frame building on their homestead thirteen miles south and two west of Stratton. The building was fourteen by sixteen and is still part ofthe house. This part ofthe house is now the kitchen which was built in 1918 and added on to again in 1976. It is now the home of Ivan and Wilma Smelker. The women and children came later by train. They were Luella and her four children, Myrtle, Victor, George and Leon who was the baby; Luella's Mother Eliza Hazen and her three children, Irene O'Holloran, Ina, and 15 year old son Leonel; and Irene O'Hollorans' two children John and Florence. Victor remembers seeing his grandfather T.W. Smelker for the last time, as he came to Yankton to see them off on the train. Luella, George, Charles, Leonel and Ina and their mother Eliza. Truman home- steaded 10 miles south and r/z mile west of Stratton. George, Charlie, Leonel and their mother Eliza homesteaded close by. The Hazen family were vivid horseshoe players. At many family gatherings they would play all day long. Children also had their own peg and horseshoes and would play amongst themselves. Truman married Ethel Jones in 1916 and lived there til moving to town in 1945. They had no children. Truman was a great baseball fan and played for Beaverton, which was 12 miles south and 3 miles east of Stratton. They are both buried in the Stratton cemeterv. Mother Eliza Hazen is buried in Colorado Springs. George and Leonel moved back to Minnesota and Charles to Idaho. by Mary Ann Smelker Victor remembers very well aniving in Omaha, Nebraska, as he and John were told to keep hold of hands. They got caught around a lamp post and wouldn't let go. Eliza Haze, the grandmother, had to come back and rescue them. SMELKER MAGNUSON FAMILY F644 Upon arriving in Stratton, Colorado, in April 1907, Luella and her small brood, her Charles V. Smelker and Luella Hazen Smelker with daughter Myrtle in 1901. Charles Virgil Smelker and Sadie Luella Hazen were married in South Dakota. They lived in Worthing and Wagner, South Dakota. where their four oldest children were born. They were Myrtle 1900, Victor 1901, George 1904, and Leon 1906. the five youngest children were born in Stratton, Colorado. They were Wesley 1909, Delmar 1911 (died as a baby), Theodore 1914, Ivan 1918, and Dean 1921. While living in South Dakota, they rented the farmed land which was part of the Sioux Indian Reservation. As more and more families were going to areas where one could homestead, they decided to go also. With a flip of a coin they decided to go to Colorado. Charlie and his mother and sisters were much welcomed by all waiting their arrival. Charlie had been busy helping others build their houses on their own homesteads, as he was at his best doing carpenter work. He, in years to come, helped build wood and sod houses and dig @-*n*nc.o .e," . wells to supplement their income. They did not have a well on the Smelker homestead until 1914. They hauled water with an old horse called "Fritz" and 2 barrels for all those years. Before 1914, they hauled from the Minor Warren Homestead, r/t amile north. Before that well was dug, they hauled from the old Wagner ranch which was 4 miles north of the Smelker homestead and % mile east. A.V. Harden was a well driller in early days. He was a cousin to Luella Smelker and cnme to the Stratton area in 1907. Wes Bryant, Charlie Smelker and his son Victor hunted coyotes as a past time and extra income. They used a model T car to chase them down over the open prairies. They used a 22 rifle to shoot them. The Charles V. Smelker children: Myrtle, Victor, George, Leon, Wasley, Theodore, Ivan and Dean. Theodore J. Smelker family around 1957: Helen, Sharon, Ted holding Teddy and Loren Helen Marie Magnuson Smekler about 1920 �Shannon. Some of Helen's schoolmates at Lone Star included: Ethel Kasten, a classmate; Esther Kasten, Zella Wilson, Maxine Coe, Earl Coe, Edna Chinburg, Bernice Nelson, George McNeill, William McNeill' Fred Krei, Glade Larsen, Delmer Calloway, Floyd Calloway, and Dorothy Calloway. In 1931, at 12 yrs. of age, Helen moved with her family to a farm L6r/z mi. southwest of Bethune, CO. The farm was located on the NW% of 36-11-46 at the south edge of K.C. County; this is now State Land. Helen grew up on the farm along with her other sisters, Violet (Bunch), Ila (Hobgood), Vivian (Stjernhotm), and Dolores Magnuson. Helen was a great help to her mother during these years with her younger sisters and the farm, as her father had become ill and was hospitalized, at Ft. Lyons beginning in 1935. She attended school and graduated from First Central in 1936. While a high school student, Helen had been a newspaper correspondent for "The Call", a Burlington newspaper at that time. Some of Helen's schoolmates at First Central included: Lylah Ayres, Dale Lesher, Ivan Smelker, Inez Perkins, Edgar Geist, Sarah Mitchell, Estelyn Whitmore, June McArthur, and Lunette S. among Wedding picture of Elmer O. Magnuson and Mary Thomann Magnuson, October 24, l9l7 purchased some ground on his own. This included the EVz of LO-I2-47, which he purchased in the late 1940's from the Homesteader Nellie P. Flanery. This is Ted's family farm today, and is centrally located between Stratton and Kit Carson, in Cheyenne County. There was nothing, except for a windmill, on this piece of ground when Ted bought it. In 1948, along with his brothers and other friends, they built a big wooden grainery building on the place. After completion they threw a big celebration and dance, where Ted helped with the music by playing the fiddle. Around 1951, Ted purchased and moved the old Oriska School House in, and set it by the grainery. Oriska School had been just north of here 3 mi. in Kit Carson County. While still living at Cheyenne Wells, Ted and Helen had a second child, a boy, Loren Dee, born Feb. 15, 1952. In 1953 Ted moved his family from Cheyenne Wells out to the farm. The old Oriska School House became their new home for a year, while plans were underway to build a new house on the place. Again, with the special carpentry skills of brother Victor, who inherited his skills from his father, Charles, and with the help of a man by the name of Ralph Carrell. others. Among some of Helen's teachers were: by Terri Smelker Griffeth, Jennie Tressel, Campbell, Thelma Armstrong, and Otis O. Ross. Ted Smelker and Helen dated and loved to Theodore J. Smelker was born Dec. 13th, 1914, to Charles Virgil Smelker and Luella Sadie (Hazen) Smelker at their homestead 12 mi. south, 2 mi. west and again 1 mi. south of Stratton, CO, which is now the Ivan Smelker Place. Ted's given name at birth was John Theodore Smelker, but disliking his name, he later changed it to Theodore John. He was 1 of 9 children, who included, the eldest and only sister, Myrtle (Bunch), and 7 brothers, in order of birth and including Ted are: Victor, George, Leon, Wes, Delmer (who died in infancy), Ted, Ivan and Dean. They all grew up on the Smelker Homestead and attended the Smelker School by their home. Ted was said to have been babied a lot by his Mother and by his older sister, Myrtle, whogave him most everything he wanted. For many years he was known to family and friends as "Mama's Pet" which was later shorteneC to "Pet". He quit school after the 8th Grade and for a while helped out on his parents' farm, but being independent, as he was, he set out on his own and worked many odd jobs around, including some time spent on a ranch up by Canon City. His younger brother, Ivan, was also able to get work on the ranch, and when he arrived, Ivan was informed by Ted, that he was not to call him "Pet", on the ranch he was known aB "Ted, NOT PET!" In the 30's, Ted also worked at the CCC Camp out north of Cheyenne Wells for a time. He began dating Helen Marie Magnuson in 1936; she was a Senior at First Central High School at that time. Helen was originally from the Burlington area, and was the first of 5 girls born, Sept. 28, 1918, to Elmer Otto Magnuson and Mary (Thomann) Magnuson. Her baby book showed she was a big baby, weighing 10 lbs. at birth. Helen attended the Lone Star School, in Burlington's District 25, up until March 1931. County Superintendent during some of this time was Della Hendricks, also her teachers included Mona Danforth, Leonard Ziemann and Geneviene attend the many dances held in the area at that time. Dances were held at Smokey Hill' Perry Taylor's Place, Thomas Taylor's Place and Peter's Barn. In June 193?, Helen moved to Colo. Springs, where she stayed with her Uncle Arnold and Aunt Vera Thomann, where she attended and graduated from Flowers Beauty College. Ted put on many miles between the Springs and the First Central area courting Helen, and in July got himself a Model A Coach, which he was very proud of. On Sept. 3rd, Ted and Helen became engaged. Helen began her beauty career working for Mildred Wynne at a Beauty Shop in the Springs, and Ted, after working many odd jobs around, moved to Victor, CO., to be closer to Helen and to work in the gold mines there. It was a surprise to most everyone, except their parents, when the news of Ted and Helen's marriage leaked out about 3 weeks after the fact, and was printed in the newspaper. They had been married on Dec. 18, 1938, at Fountain' CO., witnessed by Ted's cousin, Orie Hightower, and Alma (Stone at that time) Hightower, both of Colo. Springs. In their newspaper write up of the secret marriage, "The Call", extended their good wishes for Ted and Helen's future success and happiness, but felt that they had somehow "slipped" in their training of the bride, (during her high school yrs). As they quipped in the paper, "She was always a good reporter and well knowing a newspaper loves a SCOOP, we wonder why she didn't let us in on the secret. Good Luck, Helen!" Ted and Helen lived, and both worked in Victor, CO., for a short time, then moved to Cheyenne Wells, CO., where Ted helped manage the Shamrock Filling Station and farmed in partnership with Art Milheim. They had their first child on Aug.22,L94L, a girl, Sharon Lee (Rhoades), born at the hospital in Burlington. During this time Ted was always looking into land purchases and deals. He wanted to farm! He traded his share of the filling station to Art for some land and SMELKER MAGNUSON FAMILY F645 who lived southeast of Stratton, and with the help of some of Ted's other brothers, and some good neighbors, like Ed Peters, Harry Pike. and Oris and Willard Blankenbaker, Ted and Helen's brand new home was built in 1953. The family lived in the basement of the house for a time, while doing the finishing touches to the upstairs. There were many a good time had by family and friends from all around the area, as Ted and Helen had lots of get-togethers in their basement. A story is still being told about a neighbor, Hary Pike, who hung by his heels from the basement rafters at a party. On Aug. 28, 1956, Ted and Helen's family was complete with the birth of another beautiful baby boy, Theodore Ray (Teddy), who was born at K.C. County Memorial Hospital in Burlington. Ted and Helen, now with their familY, Sharon, Loren, and young Ted, worked side by side during those years building up their farm and cattle operation, and supported many community affairs. In 1963 the family was struck with tragedy, when Helen's health began to fail. She knew something was wrong and within a few months, doctors discovered that she had cancer. Helen died at the early age of 45 yrs, on Feb. 29th, Leap Year, 1964, at the Burlington Hospital. Sharon, age 22, and husband, Bob Rhoades, who were attending college at Ft. Collins, CO., moved back home during that summer to help her dad with the family farm and to help with her 2 younger brothers, Loren now 12, and Teddy only 7Yz yrs. old. During Ted's bereavement he depended a great deal on his buddies and neighbors for support. Harry and Ethel Pike helped for many years in the raising of Loren and �SMELKER - VICTOR FAMILY F646 Coyote hunting,1923: Victor and Charles Smelker and their friend, Wes Bryant Victor Delos Smelker was born in Worthing, South Dakota, on December 26, 1901. He moved with parents, Charles Smelker and Luella Hazen Smelker, to Stratton, Colorado, in 1907. He has many memories of living his Mother Luella smelker with her 8 children: wes, Leon, George, victor, Dean, Myrtle, Ivan, and red in the late 1960's hospital in Denver. Ted and Helen's children are all married now with families of their own. Sharon and Bob Rhoades, live at Benkelman, NE., where Bob has built up a Veterinarian business and Sharon works at the Benkelman State Bank. They have 3 children, Keri, now married to Rich Ham, with 2 children of their own. Adrienne and Jonathan. Sharon and Bob's Theodore J. Smelker in the earlv 1930's at his parents homestead Teddy. Even after they moved to Kit Carson, their home was a special place for Loren and Teddy to visit and stay during their school years at Kit Carson, CO. On Nov. 23, L964, Ted married A. Larie (Beecham) Bauman, whose children were: Martin, Cordella (Pickerill), Rollan, and Sylvan. In the 1970's, Ted developed heart trouble and underwent 2 open heart bypass surgeries. He returned to his home after these operations and continued to work along with his sons, not as physically strong as before, but determined to stay active and be involved. Upon semi-retirement in 1978, Ted and Larie moved to Stratton, CO. Ted was in the process of turning over the farm to his boys, but since farming and ranching were always an important and rewarding part of his life, he drove out the 22 mi. most every day from Stratton, where he would spend long hours driving tractor. In the later half ofthe year, 1981, Ted was not feeling good and spent most of the month of December in the hospital. After Christmas, he was sent to St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver for tests. Ted suffered from a combination of ailments besides his heart trouble. which included diabetes. And on Jan. 14th, 1982, Ted had a fatal heart attack and died at the other children are Dana, who is a senior in College, and Brett a senior at Benkelman High School. Loren and Terri (George) reside at the home that Ted and Helen built in 1953. It has changed face since then, and is a wonderful home for our family. We have 2 boys, Ryan and Kyle who both attend grade school at Stratton Elementary. Ryan is in the 3rd grade and his teacher is Mrs. Karen Topp; Kyle is in kindergarten and Mrs. Betty Smith is his teacher. We also have a little girl, Amber, who is 3/z yrs. old and will go to Preschool next year. Young Ted and Trina (Bussen) live just south of the Home Place about a Vz mile. They have 3 little girls: Kylie, who is in 2nd grade at Stratton and has Ms. Barry for a teacher; Cassie who is 2 yrs. old; and Chelsea who is a baby at 8 months of age. Loren and Ted run the family farm that was passed on to them and worked so hard for, by their parents. The boys work together, sometimes still, with a well known "Smelker Argument". They are implementing new ideas and working toward the growth of our family farm together! by Terri Smelker early years on the eastern Colorado plains. One of his early recollections when he was about eight, was of getting up early and looking for the horses, walking r/z mile one way then the other and didn't ever know where they might be. Vic said some days he bet he walked 30 miles. His father couldn't go and would always send Vic. Their four horses they farmed out. Sometimes folks would keep them a few days which helped, but other days would always have to look for them. Vic ran his legs off some days as those horses would go four and five miles. Once as he was walking out in the open prairie, a coyote was coming straight at him, it didn't even see him and came right on. It scared Vic to death, but the coyote later saw him and turned off. Vic went to school no more than 3 or 4 months a year. The first school was a mile south of the homestead and he would alwavs walk. School was a one room soddie. Later the Smelker School was built close to the Smelker home. Vic always wanted to go to school more, but it seemed there was always feed to pick and the like. He usually went from Christmas time until spring work started. Myrtle went to school fulltime, until she got to the 8th grade. Vic caught up with her. Both of them took the 8th grade Supt. test to pass. He passed . . she didn't and he said his mother was mad. Their teacher was a Mrs. Austin. Vic was always gifted in Math. Around his fifth year he could put all down he took on. Other kids complained he didn't study, so the teacher took him on and he beat her. He got in a year of high school Algebra while in school, which was easy for him. His father wasn't near the farmer as he was a carpenter and builder. Vic worked with his father building and doing carpenter work, from whom he learned very much. In 1918, when he was 17 years old, he went to Victoria, Kansas, and worked for some Germans named Brungardt. He said they had very good meals all the time and good lunches in between. He went with his Uncle George and Leonel Hazen, who also worked in Kansas one summer at harvest time. Before this he would work for neighbors during the summers, usually for 750 a day. In 1923, Victor started working for the Denver & Rio �Grande Railroad from Salida to Colorado Springs, along the Arkansas River. Victor married Joyce Melton in 1929 while living in Pueblo, where he had worked for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. In 1930 they moved to the Nutbrook place, 10% miles south and 1 mile west of Stratton. In 1932 they moved to the Horstine place 9% miles south and 1 mile west of Stratton. In 1938, they moved 9 miles south and % miles west, where they still own farm ground. Vic and house on the Warren homestead was of sod, being replaced with a two story house made of lumber in 1919. Both houses were built by Minor with relatives and friends helping. Minor also being a trapper sold furs of badgers, skunks and rabbits. Means oftransportation was by a team of horses and wagon or buggy. The travel to and from Stratton took all day. When traveling in the winter, bricks were heated to take along for extra warmth. Cow chips were burned for heat. In the early years of our parents, George and Wilma, recreation was horse back riding, Joyce moved into Stratton in 1964. The sons and daughters of this family are Dorothy, Ralph, Carl and Elsie. They attend- ed Grandview, Nutbrook and Stratton schools. The family lived, farmed and grew up at the above mentioned places. These were not always easy times with drought and depression times, but there were always good times with family and friends. Vic worked as a carpenter while farming most of his working years. Then later building homes in the Stratton area. In Pueblo, he was a bridge foreman on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. House built on Minor and Emma Warren's farm in 1919; 1952 picture. other children Verla, Velma, Lela (died in infancy), Lola, Myrna, Franklin, Twila, Una and Arva were born. All the children wire born at home with Mrs. Deere, a midwife, being present for five of the children and Dr. Cavey for the remaining four. Minor and a very good cook and known for her hard work and tidy habits, she enjoyed working. Not just the enjoyment it brought but being able Emma Warren continued to live at the homestead also until their death, Minor in to give her children and grandchildren special 1955 and Emma in 1962. Besides farming during the 1930's, George, with his team of horses and wagon worked for WPA, helping things. Dorothy married Walter Clark and lives in Limon. Ralph lives in Stratton. Carl married Mary Ann Stegman and lives in Colorado Springs. Elsie married Richard May and lives in Stratton. Vic and Joyce live in Stratton at present and will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in 1989. They have 12 grandchildren build roads and bridges in Kit Carson County. He also participated with other farmers on rabbit roundups to reduce the and L3 great grandchildren. by Mary Ann Smelker SMELKER - WARREN F647 the first year farming on the Cohorn farm where Vivian was born. In 1925 they moved to the original Warren homestead where the Joyce worked at several restaurants in Stratton after her children were grown. Being FAMILY swimming in creeks because of a big rain and Saturday night dances held in homes, school houses or haylofts, the latter being a family affair. In 1923 George and Wilma hiked up Pikes Peak, facing rain, sleet and hail. It took six hours to go up and three hours to come down. They were married in 1923 and spent Minor and Emma Warren's 50th wedding anniversarv in 1950. overpopulation of rabbits. Highlights of the years were family's gathering at Christmas time at Charles and Luella Smelker's home. The day was filled with aromas from a Pot Luck Dinner, elders playing cards and laughter of children playing games. This tradition was carried on for many years. In 1949 water was piped into the house and in 1951 much to everyone's delight electricity became a reality. An addition was added in 1952 making it possible to have a bathroom inside. Oh, how nice not having to go outside to the "priwy" on a cold winter night. In 1969 an irrigation well was dug. George and Wilma continued to farm until George's death in 1971. Wilma remained on the homestead until 1974. She moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where she made her home with her daughter Twila until her death in 1986. The eldest daughter, Vivian, passed away in 1987. by Verla Martinez and Twila Smelker SMELKER, MR. AND MRS. CHARLEY Sod house on Minor and Emma Waren's homestead in 1908. F648 Mr. and Mrs. Charley Smelker came out here from Yankton. South Dakota. When they were in South Dakota they lived on a rented part of the Sioux Indian Reservation. Mr. Smelker came with an emigrant car. They required an attendant with a car where Our grandparents, Charles and Luella Smelker, with children, Myrtle, Victor, George, (our Dad) and Leon moved from South Dakota to a homestead 16% miles southwest of Stratton, Colorado in 1907. Our other grandparents, Minor and Emma Warren and children, Myrtle, Wilma, (our Mother) and Loring (Bud) moved from stock was shipped. Mrs. Smelker cnme on the train in April, 1907. They built a frame building on their Bonesteel, South Dakota, to a homestead 16 miles southwest of Stratton, Colorado in 1908, arriving by immigrant train. The first George and Wilma Smelker about 1963. homestead thirteen miles south and two miles west of Stratton. The building was �fourteen by sixteen. Mr. Smelker learned to build sod houses, and helped Tom Kelly, who built a sod house on what we knew as the John Fisher or later as the Albert Peters place. He also helped Mrs. Woods and her two sons who were east of Tom Kelly, and Mike Bell, who built a soddy on what was later the Parks place. Mrs. Woods was a mother-in-law of the two men, Kelly and Bell. While they were living there, the Kelly's had two babies die, and Mike Bell lost one baby. Mrs. Smelker helped to made a casket. Charley made the frame and box and Mrs. Smelker lined them first with cotton batting and then white silk, lid and all. I asked where they bought white silk, it it was a wedding dress or what? She said she didn't know. but thought he bought it. If he did, it was real silk in that day. The kind of thread spun by worms, not synthetic as we have now-a-days. She said Mrs. Lowe. the mother of Art Lowe of Burlington helped her with one casket and she couldn't remember who the other one was who helped. One she blind stitched around the top, keeping the stitches hidden, and the other they got brass tacks and used them to hold the silk in folds. They looked very pretty when done. The graves were dug a mile south of Smelkers' on a hillside southeast of the sod school which was just a mile south of them. Prayer was held at the graves. While Mike Bell lived here, there was a Sunday School at this sod school south of Smelkers. Mr. Bell was the superintendent, and gave Vick Smelker and his sister, Myrtle, a Bible for coming regularly to Sunday School. Smelkers, Kellys, Bells and Woods all walked, so the horses could eat on Sunday, as they had nothing to feed them but the prairie grass. And these same horses had to put in the crops. They would turn them out an hour or so at noon for their feed. There was a sod school eleven miles south and on west of Stratton, south of what was then Nutbrook. Harry Greenwood and one of these Woods boys went to school together there. One of the Woods boys, Uhl, worked for Carl Harrison's father. The Smeklers later built a lovely, commodious farm home. The lvan Smelkers live on the farm now, and have raised their family the Cheyenne Wells cemetery. Anna Belle still lives in Cheyenne Wells. by Mary Ann Smelker SMELKER, IVAN F650 Ivan Smelker, eighth child of Charles and Luella Smelker, grew up on a farm south of Stratton. He attended first through eighth grades at the Smelker School, and ninth through twelfth grades at First Central graduating in 1936. Ivan married Wilma Schaal in 1938. A family of five children were born, Gerald, Gladys, Charles, Doyle and Dolores. Ivan and Wilma first lived on a farm south of Bethune for four years. Then they moved to the Harry Greenwood farm south of Stratton and in 1948 moved to the Smelker homestead where they still live. Ivan and Wilma both grew up on a farm, having farmed all their married life which is going on 50 years. Wilma as a mother, helped on the farm doing every extra job from milking cows to driving a truck. Ivan, always a farmer, has served many years for public service. He has served as a School Board member, FHA Committee, and ASCS Committee. Gerald graduated from high school in 1957. He served in the Marines for three years. He married Lela Synder in 1961 and they have four children. At present, he is an auctioneer and they have their own sale at Wellington, CO. They live in Fort Collins, CO. Gladys graduated from high school in 1959. She married Harry Norman and they have four children. At present, they have their own construction company and live at North Platte, Nebraska. Charles graduated from high school in 1962. He attended college at Fort Collins and Pueblo graduating in 1967. He married Gloria Hoffman in 1967 and thev have three children. After college, he joined the Army Air Force and served two years in Viet Nam as a helicopter pilot. At present he is farming at Columbus, New Mexico. Doyle graduated from high school in 1963. He went to college at Sterling, graduating in 1968, and then finished college at Fort Collins. He joined the National Guard and had his basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas. He married Christine Lacey in 1971 and they have five children. They live on a farm south of Stratton. CO. Dolores graduated from high school in 1963. She attended Beauty School in Denver graduating in 1964. She worked at B & B Drug and First National Bank in Stratton. She married LeeRoy Rehor and they have three children. At present they live on a farm south of Joes, CO. by Ivan Smelker SMELKER, LEON F651 Leon Smelker grew up at his family homestead south of Stratton and attended school at the Smelker School. He was born in South Dakota in 1906. In the 1930's he worked for the Zurchers for 91.00 a day and dinner. Leon married Alice G. Milheim in July 1931, at Burlington, Colorado. They Iived on the Nutbrook place lUYz miles south and 1 mile west of Stratton when their first child Carol was born. There were 2 more daughters in the family, Joan and Elaine. Joan died in 1945. Elaine lives in Denver and Carol lives in Florida. In 1940, Leon being very industrious and needing to make a living for his family, bought a binder and later a corn picker. For some years he custom bound feed and picked corn for many farmers in the area. In 1942, Leon and Alice bought the Gilmore place 16 miles south and 2 miles west of Stratton, where they worked side by side until retire- there. Mr. and Mrs. Smelker are both deceased. by Dessie Cassity SMELKER, DEAN F649 Dean Smekler, ninth child of Charles and Luella Smelker, grew to manhood at the Smelker homestead, south of Stratton. In 1941, he married Anna Belle Winters of Cheyenne Wells. To this union four children were born; Lercy 1942, Delmar 1944, Cheryl 1947, and Ruth 1953. Dean and Anna Belle lived with Luella Smelker for sometime, then Dean went to the Army in 1944. After getting out of the service, he worked in Cheyenne Wells for his brothers Wesley and Ted. He later went to work at the Cheyenne Wells Lumber Company. He worked there until he retired. Dean died March 16, 1984, and is buried in The Ivan Smelker family October 1987. Standing; Charles, Gladys, Delores, Doyle, Gary.Seated; Ivan and Eilma Smelker. �two-story, brick schoolhouse that was where the elementary school is today. After graduating from Colorado Woman's College, I was the fashion writer in the advertising department of the Neusteter's store in Denver until my marriage in Aug. of 1945 to Lt. Kermit J. Buol in the chapel of the Plymouth Congregational Church in Denver, and Burlington again became my home. Here, we have raised our family; John, Denise Nettleton, and Diana Wiggins. They too received 12 years of education in the Burlington schools, and went on to Colorado State University. The 5th generation is now sharing the legacy of those early homesteaders. The tune of the old-time fiddler and the sing-song call of the square dance rise from :@ %b** Charles and Luella Smelker and sons Ivan and Theodore in 1922 ment. In November 1941, while Leon was who were of legal age, all filed for homesteads pi"f.i"g corn, he got his arm caught in the on land they "proved-up on" north of the then young town of Burlington. cor.t picker. Vail Derby helped him get it out Returning from 18 months of service with fv tuii"g the braces oif tnu snap rollers. His getting the U.S. Army in World War I, Edmond After roller. second the was-into aim hi- to the house, his wife Alice, pu1 on a Osgood Smith, the youngest of the family, resumed his farming interests. It was several tourniquet and his brother Ted took him to Burlington to the hospital. He was there 11 years later that he was to meet a young "schoolmarm" from Arkansas. It was a long J"y, *il"h cost $87.0b. trip to town by horse and wagon. Other times iJpon retiring Leon and Alice moved to he was able to borrow his brother Myron's 19?3. in Alice died where Color"ado, Littieton, R-orn and Sn" i* l,rri"a in the Stratton cemetery. Leon Ford Model-T to go "sparking"' later moved back to the farm, where he still lives. by Mary Ann Smelker SMELKER, WESLEY F652 Wesley Virgil Smelker, 5th child of Charles V. and Sadie Luella Smelker, was born May 9, 1909, on his parents homestead near Stratton, Colorado. He married Dorothy Grace Freeman, of Kit Carson, Colorado, on July 30, 1929. To this union was born one son, Gaylord Wesley. Wesley and Dorothy farmed near Kit Carson until 1935 at which time they moved with son Gaylord to Cheyenne Wells. He was in business at the Shamrock Garage and Farm Supply for 21 years. Wesley died September 20, 1968. Gaylord married Mary Ethel Byers, of Cheyenne Wells. They live in Canon City. by MarY Ann Smelker FAMILY F653 Born June 29, 1853 at Friendship, N.Y., my grandfather, Moses T. Smith, "came West" from Wyoming, Iowa in 1906 to settle on land in eastern Colorado, where he "broke sod" to farm, and raised livestock. Grandmother, Ella Collins Smith, joined him in 1910, and those of the family of six sisters and brothers, on a Saturday night. Time and the winds have taken their toll, but my birthplace still stands, a silent reminder of those Iong ago days. When the yucca sends forth its blossoming spires in June, and summer carpets the pastures with tenacious wildflowers, echoes of the past speak softly to this daughter of the prairie. by Dorene Smith Buol SMITH - GANGWISH FAMILY F664 educated near Gurdon, Arkansas, Grace L. Smith was encouraged to come to Colorado by her sister, Emma Dickey, who lived in Burlington, so she declined an offer of a chair in mathematics to bring "readin','riting and 'rithmetic" to frontier children, teaching one term at the Ritzius school before taking a school in the German settlement. On May 8, 1923, Smith and Smith were wed at the Methodist parsonage in Burlington by the Rev. Gatley. On a wintery, snowy March day in 1924, in the bedroom of an adobe house on the homestead. I was ushered into the world by Dr. E.J. Remington. A short time later, my dad was appointed by the U.S. Postal Service to be the first rural carrier north out of Burlington, and he became the proud owner of his first car. We moved into town, where we shared "Grandma" Boyles'house until we would move into our newly-built home on 9th St., where my brother, Leland, and I grew up in a neighborhood where there were vacant lots for digging caves or a game of "work-up", and kids to join in playing "kick the can" and other games on a summer evening. There were family get-togethers and vacation trips to visit relatives, and sometimes I was allowed to go to "the farm" for a week or so, where I would help with "the chores". SMITH - BUOL the ashes of the big barn built in the 30's, once a countryside gathering place for good times Cousins went to country schools where we often attended programs and box socials, and they lived with us at various times to go to High School. At the age of 6, death left Jeanette Smith Stahlecker motherless, and she was raised in our home. After 33 years carrying the mail, my dad retired in Nov. 1958. and he died in 1961. My mother died in March 1982, a few days before her ninety- Leonard and Geraldine Smith sitting in their front yard with Leonard's sheep dog Rex. Aren't many a. shade here. You should see their home lr;T: Leonard O. Smith was born March 17, 1923, four miles from his present home south of Flagler, Colorado. He is the only child of N.A. and Etta C. Farmer Smith. His parents came to the Flagler area from Jetmore, Kansas, in 1918. Until 1925 they lived four miles southeast of the present ranch. After World War I, they moved to Ordway, Colorado, and then to Sugar City, Colorado, where they farmed and ran a hardware store and creamery. In 1938 they moved back to Flagler to what is now the south ranch. At first they ran sheep, then changed to yearling cattle. Leonard was educated in the public schools of Sugar City and Flagler, graduating from Flagler High School in 1941. After graduation, he went into partnership with his father on the ranch. Geraldine Margaret Gangwish was born October L7,1922,in Roseland, Nebraska. She moved to the Arriba community at the age of second birthday. Later that year, my brother six months. Here she grew to womanhood and graduated from Arriba High School in 1940. was killed in an accident. For all 12 years, I went to school in the old, Colorado Springs and later worked in the She then attended Blair Business College in �ordinance depot at Camp Carson. Leonard and Geraldine were married on Sunday, September 17, L944, at the country home of the bride's uncle and aunt. Camping and fishing were a favorite of theirs, so naturally they took a long honeymoon trip to the mountains around Glenwood Springs, Colorado. In 1946 they ordered a boat from the Speigel catalog and it came to the depot in town. People thought they were nuts to have a row boat ties on top of their car! Especially in eastern Colorado! Boating and fishing are still a favorite pastime, and their children Robert and Renee sure like to water ski. Leonard is known for his work in soil conservation and water development. Thru the years, he has steadily developed grass and water resources on his land. From 1960 to 1965 he built 45 dams, 122 miles of terraces, and developed six springs. During the 70's and 80's Leonard has completed two great plains contracts and continued his management of range and cropland by building more dams, adding more terraces, and completing a stockwater pipeline of more than five miles to five different tanks. he has altered the management of his rangeland to achieve maximum grass production with minimum erosion and believes in and practices stripcropping and stubble mulching methods of farming. Leonard has received the Outstanding Cooperator of the year award in the Flagler District twice, in 1961 and 1979. Leonard and Geraldine love trees. Seems like they plant a few trees every year somewhere on their ranch. (I should say a bunch of trees!) Geraldine's dream is to have the Republican River that runs by their house lined with trees. Her dream is coming true. There are a few starting, thanks to tender loving care and a fence to keep the cows out. When they moved to their home in 1944 there weren't any trees. They have planted thousands of trees over the last 40 years. Their home now is an ggOasis On The Plains". After a brief illness in 1981. Leonard is taking things a little easier. With the help of at Vona, Colorado. Their children were George Richard Payne born 1933, William Albert Payne born 1935, and Donald Gordon Payne born 1940. George died May 1G, 1966. Laura married second Merle N. Jones on March 13, 1971, at Ustich, Idaho. Laura now lives at Bosie, Idaho. 2. Gordon Alfred Smith was born March 12, 1919, at Loveland, Colorado. Gordon married Donna Doris Clark in 1946 at Kuna, Ada co., Idaho. Donna was born Lg26 at Weber, Kansas. Their children were Leila Christine Smith born 1945, Jerry Lee Smith born 1947, Danny LeRoy Smith born 1952, and Mickey Leon Smith born 1953. They now live at Meridian, Idaho. 3. Bert Jr. Smith was born March 24, L922, at Stratton, Colorado. His nickname is June. He is single and now lives at Meridian, Idaho. 4. Bobby Lee Smith was born September 20,1925, at Vona, Colorado. On Feb. 14, 1950 he married Charlene Mary Hudson, daughter of Charlie and Mary Hudson. Their children are Cherie Bobbeth Smith born 19b1 and Calvin Neal Smith born 1953. 5. Goldie Laverne Smith was born April 1, 1940, at Boise, Ada County, Idaho. Goldie married Lawrence Eldon Gray on May 27, 1956, at Meridian, Idaho. Lawrence was born Jan.20,1936, at Boise, Idaho. Their children were Tammy Jo Gray born 1958 and Robin Michille Gray born 1960. by Linda L. Ljunggren Brandt SMITH, ASBURY F656 Asbury Smith was born in Ohio. Moving through Wisconsin and Illinois to settle northeast of Tobias, Atlanta Precinct, Saline County, Nebraska, in June 1884. Asburv Smith died Sept. 30, 1899, at the age of ?b years, 9 months, and 15 days and is buried at the Atlanta Cemetery, N.E. of Tobias, Nebraska. On the 1850 U.S. Census Asberrv Smith is living in Benton township, Hocking County, Ohio. Descendants say Asbury was a farmer and preacher. On his gravestone we find "Rev. A. Smith". Asbury Smith was converted at 18 years of age and was a member of the United Brethren church when he died. Asbury Smith's first wife was Rosanna Thompson (Rose Ann) who was born in Ohio. Their children were Nathaniel. William. Joseph, Mary, and Margaret. Asbury Smith's second wife was Hannah Jerussa Truesdale who was born Mav L834. in Pennsylvania. Their children were Salmon Peter Chase Smith, James Attaberry Smith, Albert M. Smith and maybe a daughter Aburn Smith. After Asbury's death Hannah lived with her son, Salmon Smith, moving to near Stratton, Colorado, with her son's familv between 1907 and 1910. Hannah J. (Trues- dale) Smith's parents were born in New Jersey according to the 188b Nebraska State Census. Hannah died January 2g, Lgt2, at Vona, Colorado, and is buried at Stratton. Kit Carson Co., Colorado. 1. Nathaniel H. Smith born about 1845 in Ohio is listed on the 1850 U.S. Census with Asberry Smith at the age of 5 years. I assume he died at an early age. 2. William R. P. Smith born Januarv 22. 1848, in Ohio. 3. Joseph A. Smith "Joe" born July 20, 1850, in Ohio. 4. Mary E. Smith "Molly" born about 1854 probably in Ohio. 5. Margaret Flora Smith "Flora" was born August 28, 1856, in Hocking county, Ohio. Margaret died April 10, 1926, at Friend, Nebraska, and is buried at Exeter. Saline County, Nebraska. Margaret married Samuel Trimmer October 9, 18g5, near Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska, by Rev. John Thornburg. Samuel was born about 1853 in Illinois and died about 1918. In 1885 Margaret was living with her brothers William and Joseph. In 1899 she was living at Seneca, Kansas, moving back to Western and Friend, Saline County, Nebraska. Her obituary lists her his son-in-law, the work gets done and there's still time for fishing. At the writing of this paper, Mom and Dad are headed for Alaska to fish for a couple of months. Catch a big one for me! Love you Mom and Dad! by Renee Loutzenhiser SMITH, ALBERT JOSEPH F656 Albert Joseph Smith, son of Salmon Peter Chase Smith and Laura Alice Cook, was born Oct.24, 1894, at Tobias, Nebraska. He came with his parents to Stratton, Colorado between 1907 and 1910. Only July L5, 1914, at Burlington, Colorado he married Gladys Delight Underwood, daughter of William and Mary Underwood. Gladys was born Oct. lb, 1896, at Norcater, Kansas. Gladys now lives at Medirian, Idaho. Albert died June 7, lgb6, and is buried at Meridian, Ada Co., Idaho. They had five children: 1. Laura Mary Smith was born May 14, 1915, in Stratton, Colorado. Laura first married George Richard Payne Jan. 1, 1932, Left to right: Samuel P.C. Smith, Ernest F. Smith, Laura A. (Cook) Smith, Eugene H. Smith, Albert J. Smith, Len Smith, Grace B. (Smith) Underwood, and Hannah J. (Truesdale) Smith. �children as Ira Trimmer of Friend, Nebraska; Enos Trimmer of Regina, Sask, Canada; and Mrs. Harvery Mather of Imperial, Nebraska. 6. James Attaberry Smith born March 10, 18?0, at Illinois and died July 31, 1941. James is buried at Luther, Oklahoma. On Nov. 22, 1892, James married Anna Kassebaum' daughter of William Kassebaum and Katie Crowl. Anna was born 1869 in Illinois and died 1935. Their children were Rev. William Asbury Smith, Mrs. Harold (Mildred M. Smith) Beleele, Charles A. Smith, Clarence A. Smith, Verne L. Smith, Glen Smith, Daisy Smith, Rollie Raymond Smith, and Mrs. Shadrick William (Lucy Lorene Smith) Vails. 7. Albert M. Smith born about L872 in Illinois. Albert married Anna Clark, daughter of William J. Clark, May 29, 1898, near Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska. They lived in DeWitt, Nebraska for a number of years. In 1926 Albert was living in California. In 1941 Albert was living at Lakeside, California. 8. Salmon Peter Chase Smith "Samuel" born Feb. 15, 1865, in Wisconsin. Salmon married Laura Alice Cook. 9. Aburn Smith is listed on the 1885 Saline County, Nebraska School Census as the daughter of Asbury Smith. She is six years of age. Next to Asbury Smith's gravestone is a small stone marked A.S. This may be Aburn's gravestone? by Linda L. Ljunggren fought in WW I in France and was wounded on Sept. 1, 1918. On Feb. 25, 1925, at Mankato, Jewell County, Kansas, Len married Viola Almeda Brown, daughter of Nelson Houston Brown and Clara Hannah Hoyt. Viola was born Nov. 13, 1902, in Clay Center, Clay Co., Nebraska, and is now living at Fullerton, Nebraska. After their marriage they lived a short time near Vona, Colorado where their first child was born. Moving back to Clay County, Nebraska where they lived for several years. Len was a farmer. They F657 Asbury Lindley Smith, son of Salmon Peter Chase Smith and Laura Alice Cook, was born August22,1896, near Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska. He was named after his two grandfathers. His nickname was Barry. He changed his nnme to Len Smith. Len Nebr. Their children were Tracy Ray Holmstedt, Gena Lee Holmstedt, and Edwin Lee Holmstedt. They live on a farm north of Genoa, Nebraska. 8. Orville Leroy Smith born April 23,L946, at Aurora, Hamilton Co., Nebraska. Orville was in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam where he was wounded. Orville married Kathleen Kay Hopkins on July 5, 1969, at Grand Island, Nebr. Their children were Jimmy LaVern Smith and SherryAnn Smith. by Linda L. Ljunggren Brandt lived a few years in Hamilton County, Nebraska before moving to a farm north of Genoa, Nebraska. Upon retiring Len built a house for them in Fullerton, Nebraska. Len died April 4, 1978, at Fullerton and is buried at Fullerton cemetery. Their children are: SMITH, MR. AND MRS. E. R. F658 1. Bertha Mae Smith born January 25, 1926, at Vona, Colorado. Bertha graduated in 1944 from the Edgar H.S. in Clay County, Nebraska. Bertha married Lloyd Dean lJunggren, son of Rudolf Emil Ljunggren and Ida Marie Bieck, on January 15, L92L, at Mankoto, Kansas. Lloyd was born Jan. 15, L921, at rural Harvard, Hamilton Co., Nebraska. They live about 9 miles south of Aurora, Hamilton County, Nebraska. Their children are Louise Kay Ljunggren, Linda Lee Ljunggren, Rogene Mae Ljunggren, Roger Gene Ljunggren, Dale Lavern Ljunggren, Carol Ann Ljunggren, Connie U.S. Navy. He married first Ava May Woodward on Aug. 9, 1946, at Mankato, Kansas. Their children were Joann Marie Smith and Melvin Earl Smith, Jr. Melvin married second Mrs. Fern James on May 15, L97L, at Fremont, Nebraska. 3. Claire Lavern Smith born May 29,7929, at Fairfield, Nebr. Claire was in the U.S. Army. He married Sheryle Lee McCoig on June 19, 1955, at Fullerton, Nebraska. Sheryle was born Nov. 7, 1935, at Silver Creek, Nebraska. They had one child Wayne Lavern Smith. They live at Fullerton, Nebraska. 4. Shirley Louise Smith born October 31, 1931, at Fairfield, Nebraska. She married Donald Iven Ljunggren, son of Rudolf Emil Ljunggren and Ida Marie Bieck, on May 20, L947, at Mankato, Kansas. Donald was born June 23, \924, at rural Harvard, Hamilton Co., Nebraska. Their children are Gary LeRoy Ljunggren, Danny Rae Ljunggren, Alan Dale Ljunggren, Gale Lynn Ljunggren, Shirlette Yvonne Ljunggren, and Sherrie Christeen Ljunggren. They live at Dell Smith joined the Asbury Lindley Smith - Len He was wounded in U.S. Army during W.W.I. France in 1918. 1958, at Central Oity, Merrick Uo., Nebraska. William was born Nov. 17, 1930, at Fullerton, Jean Ljunggren, Larry Dean Ljunggren, and Joyce Ann Ljunggren. 2. Melvin Earl Smith born Feb. 15, L927, at Fairfield, Clay Co., Nebr. Melvin was in the SMITH, ASBURY LINDLEY Smith came to live near Stratton, Colorado between 1907 and 1910 with his parents. His mother died when he was 17 years ofage. Len Smith joined the U.S. Army in 1917. He Rapids, South Dakota. 5. Irvin Lee Smith born January 14, 1933, at Fairfield, Clay County, Nebraska. Irvin was in the U.S. Air Force. 6. Ivan Dean Smith born Sept. 25,L934, at Clay Center, Clay County, Nebraska. Ivan was in the U.S. Army. Ivan married Norma Arlene Sharman on August 31, 1957, at North Star, Nebraska. Their children are Lonnie Len Smith, Lynette Jo Smith, Rhonda Rae Smith, and Wanda Kay Smith. 7. Norene Marie Smith born Sept. 4, 1936, at CIay Center, Nebraska. She married William Alexander Holmstedt on Feb. 19, E. Rowland and Myrtle D. Smith on their Golden Wedding Day, Nov. 12, 1952. E. Rowland Smith & Myrtle J. Schlegel were married 12 Nov. 1902 in Omaha, NE. They immediately took the train to the Sand Hills of Cherry Co, NE where he was to settle the estate of his brother Clarence. Later they returned to Omaha where he was a contractor and home builder. Here 4 children were born to them: Theodore, Harold, Esther and Ida. Esther passed away in Nov. 1909 from whooping cough and pneumonia. In May 1910 they went back to a cattle & horse ranch in the Sand Hills 12 miles northeast of Whitman where they built and lived in a sod house for 10 years. Here Glenn, the last child was born. There were no schools or churches for many miles so with a growing family it was necessary to have a school. In the meantime Sunday School was held in their home to which some neighbors occasionally came. My father was instrumental in getting a sod school house built about a mile from our house and we kids walked to school in all kinds of weather, always watching out for rattlesnakes. My brother Harold had a great imagination and kept us entertained with his stories as we walked. Mv father also succee- �ded in persuading business people to help in getting school books and desks, also coal for the heater in the middle of the room. The teachers boarded at our house and walked to school as we did. My mother was a gentle, soft spoken lady but was brave and a hard worker. She was born and raised in the city so country living was entirely new to her. Her blind father lived with us most of the time. He always turned the old wooden wash machine and churned the butter to help Mamma. She had to cook and wash for all of us besides the teacher and one or more hired men, so was a busy person. We didn't have corncobs so we burned cow chips which Grandpa picked up, tied by a long rope with one end fastened to him and the other to a yard fence post, pulling an old wash tub along to hold the chips. Grandpa Smith stayed with us part of the time. He was crippled from having tangled with an angry cow in his younger days. We lived about 12 miles east of a group of lakes where my father put up hay every summer. He had a complete haying outfit and raised lots of horses so with a haying crew he made a good living during summers. We had many meals of delicious roast wild duck shot around these lakes. We also caught frogs in the creek near the house and enjoyed the fried frog legs. Mamma's mother came to visit us one summer and while there suffered a stroke. Her right side was paralized and she couldn't talk. She remained in this condition the rest of her life. During 1919 my father sold his land and cattle and moved the family to Colorado for Less Collins had built around 1918. and lived there until my father passed away in July 1961 and Mamma in May 1962. He lost his eyesight in Nov. 1953. They had no electricity or water in the house until they moved to town. My parents were always devoted Christians and took great pleasure in starting Sunday Schools in various school houses, also supporting the preachers who came from town to preach on occasions. After moving to town they faithfully attended the E.U.B. Church which is now the United Methodist Church. My father taught Sunday School class many years, even after he was blind, sang in the choir, was Lay Leader and Annual Conference Delegate several times. Mamma was a worker in Missionary Society and Ladies Aid, holding offices in both. She was also Financial Secretary for the Church several years. My brother Theodore passed away in 1975 leaving his wife Laura, five children, nine grandchildren and two great grandsons. Glenn and wife, Lylas live in South Dakota and Texas, have 2 children, 7 grandchildren and one great grandson. I married Edmund Boecker and we have one son Dale and wife Vicky. He is in the Air Force, stationed now in Abilene, Texas. We still live in Stratton. by Ida Boecker SMITH, J. OSCAR high school facilities. We had 2 covered wagons, the old Buick car, and 100 head of horses in our cavalcade. My brother, Theodore, a cousin, and the last school teacher F659 drove the horses, and my father would drive ahead every day in the car to find a place to Grandma and my brother Harold. During Ellen Smith, from Yale, Oklahoma. Proving up on a homestead about 15 miles north of Bovina occupied the Smith family through the years with education for the four children a major goal despite sacrifices entailed. Very active in 4-H, Oscar received many honors and several trips to state fair and Chicago's International culminating in receiving a Union Pacific Railroad scholarship, making college realistic. When he chose Colorado A. and M. after graduation from Arriba High in 1926, he fully intended to become a "county agent". Dorothy, born near Union, Nebraska, at the historic family home of her father's parents 6 miles from the Missouri's banks, moved at age 7 with her parents, Carl and Blanche Cross, to a large farm 13 miles north ofArriba where she attended country schools, completing high school at Arriba in 1929. Determined to use a joint honor scholarship received at graduation to study home economics because it seemed those offering would always be useful, she enrolled at Colorado A and M, too. Destiny permitted only one year in college together. Awareness of one another stemmed from local church activities and led to a five year courtship, culminating in marriage in October, 1932, just as the country was entering the FDR era. Oscar was teaching a country school in northern Lincoln County, picking up pupils on the way at the magnificent salary of $125 per month. Oscar's teaching, living on a farm, gathering a herd of cattle, some hogs, much poultry and gardening, plus being very involved in community life made for a busy lifestyle. Under the aegis of Dr. John Unger, Oscar, with 1500 acres under his farming direction, four children, and a full time teaching job, was regarded as more essential at home. In July, 1944, at a time when farming was a dubiously fragile endeavor due to rust and hail, men teachers were almost non-existent and family needs were escalating rapidly, Oscar and Dorothy were asked to assume positions in Arribas school system. Looming was the prospect of years of high school at a distance of 20 plus miles. For the next six years, mathematics and shop and the The next years were busy with some farming, raising cattle, and accumulating more land. We lived through the dust storms and the Depression when some of the cattle sold for $12 a head. All 3 ofus graduated from High School at First Central and went to college. They bought a house in Stratton which In 1910 at age one Oscar ca-e to Colorado with his parents, Robert Bevly and Minnie experiences with sickness and school days. Suddenly the United States was plunged into war and rationing of every type! Each night the kitchen became a tire shop to keep Oscar on the road to school. Men began to leave to serve the various armed forces: but, these years, my father would butcher cattle and sell the beef to Dack's Meat Market in Stratton for 9 cents a pound and take out half of it in groceries. largest real estate transaction consumated in recent years was completed when E.R. Smith sold his entire holdings comprising 6,880 A. of deeded land and 3000 A. of leased land to a syndicate of eastern investors." time. superintendent of Hugo Public Schools, Oscar's teaching skills were honed. The four blessed children arrived in 1933, '36, '38 and '40, respectively, adding the usual family spend the night where there was feed and corrals to accommodate the horses. It took 24 days for the trip, approximately 270 miles, including a 10 day stop-over near Wray, CO, during and after ablizzard.. He bought a half section of land 18 miles south of Stratton on the county line and built a sod house there which we moved into in March 1922. Both Grandpas came to Colorado to live with us and both passed away in the 20's, as did During the late 30's my father went into the sheep business so needed lots ofpasture land. He bought many acres and leased other land and ran a herd of 1000 sheep. During World War I[ it became too hard to find men to work on the ranch so he sold sheep, cattle, and land and moved to Stratton in 1944. According to The Burlington Record of Jan. 6, 1944: "The school, and the younger boys in upper elementary, making that decision established the family in the Stratton community to this Dorothy and J. Oscar Smith, 1973. John Oscar and Dorothy Smith and four children, Gordon Cross, Margaret Jean, John Robert, and Richard Carl, came to Kit Carson County from Arriba in Lincoln County in June, 1950, because Stratton Public School, then involved in consolidation processes, insisted that Oscar and Dorothy establish two new school programs: shop and home economics. Emotional because Gordon was a senior at Arriba High, Jean entering high English programs were the couple's "jobs". This choice led to a lifetime of championing the interests of young people and promoting their educations. Then came the Stratton move! With cooperation and help from the four children, Oscar and Dorothy met the demands of organizing and teaching in their respective departments and kept up with the children's activities. In addition to shop, Oscar taught math and Dorothy handled an added subject, usually advanced English or Spanish. During the ensuing years Oscar became principal and later superintendent of Stratton Public �Schools, a position he held for 17 years. Under his direction the initial portion of the current high school facility was conceived and built. He was highly instrumental in establishing the BOCES cooperative throughout the area schools. Because his master's studies were in guidance and counseling as well as school administration, he became alert to the educational needs of those having developmental disabilities. His caring and insistence brought about establishment of the East Central Colorado Regional Board for Developmental Disabilities, lnc. and the organization of the school in Burlington which serves a four county area. He was also an original officer of the mental health organization and the Centennial Mental Health Center. When the high school was designed, the help of home economics professionals was used in designing that department which became a model within small schools of Colorado. Dorothy rose to meet the challenge of having this facility and was successful in motivating her students in ways that led them to many honors and outstanding accomplishments. Stratton Chapter of Future Homemakers of America had four state officers during those years. She sponsored the classes of'54,'58,'62 and'71, and now enjoys homecoming reunions greatly. Supervising home economics student teacher sent by CSU. Fort Collins, and UNC, Greeley, became annual experiences. In addition to her classroom duties, Dorothy was school librarian many years. With assistance from able student volunteers, she organized the original elementary school library. These varied activities for both Oscar and Dorothy led to a constant process of continuing education. Summer school was an almost every year occurrence for one or both. Usually the choice was CSU in Fort Collins, but on occasion it was University of Denver for drivers education under auspices of AAA for Oscar and library science for Dorothy, or University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, for some other concentration. Seeing both parents receive simultaneous masters degrees in August, 1959. ceremonies at CSU remains a family highlight. Each Smith young person chose college. Gordon graduated in 1955 from CSU with a general science background and later re- ceived his masters from the University of West Virginia, Morgantown. A viral disease biologist with the U.S. Department of Public Health with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and Fort Collins, he and wife Elly live in Loveland. They have two grown sons. Jean completed her home economics education at CSU after her marriage to Max Mason. They have three sons and three daughters. Jean is a home economics teacher at Hi-Plains High, Seibert, and Max was a custom farmer. Max's death in 1981 brought much sadness following his long bout with cancer. Robert chose Colorado School of Mines, Golden with petroleum engineering as his emphases, joining Shell Oil Company upon graduation in 1960. Now in upper echelons of drilling management, he and wife Judy, daughter of Tom and Gladys Conarty, Stratton, live in Spring, Texas, a Houston suburb. They have a son and two daughters. Richard also chose Colorado School of Mines and petroleum engineering. Following her graduation from St. Lukes School of Nursing, in Denver, Richard and Margene, daughter of Marge and Ugene Brown, Stratton, married; they have four daughters and a son. Currently, they live in Hobbs, N.M. where Richard SMITH, L. D. (BUNT) F661 manages drilling operations for Chevron Oil Company. When they retired from guiding young people, Oscar in 1974 and Dorothy in 1975, the Smiths had accumulated 73 years in careers they sincerely loved, with most of those years spent in Kit Carson County. Retirement gave Oscar opportunity to become a farmer once again, to play more golf, become more active in Masonic Lodge, to carpenter by remodeling the Stratton home and the Lincoln County farmhouse, to travel, to attend church, mental health and East Central school meetings, and to garden, one of his favorite hobbies. The sixteen grandchildren have had to rise to the challenges of having parents whose professions demanded their cooperation and involved frequent moves about the USA and in Richard's instance to Kuwait on the Persian Gulf and Singapore. Attending baptisms, birthday celebrations, high school and college graduations, weddings, and holiday celebrations as well as greeting the arrival of great-grandchildren have made a family network that all enjoy and treasure. The October, 1982, golden wedding observance for Oscar and Dorothy found the total family hosting the affair at home base in Stratton. Involvement in Stratton civic and United Methodist Church activities, being a committee member of Kit Carson County Carousel Association since the 1975 restoration beginnings, directing with others the relocation and restoration of Stratton Public Library are a few ofthe activities Dorothy has chosen to engage her energies since Oscar's sudden death April 4, 1983. As co-chairman, she found evolvement of this book, the Kit Carson County Centennial History, the 198588 focus of many, many hours on countless days. by Dorothy C. Smith SMITII, JOSEPH A.F660 Joseph A. Smith "Joe", son of Asbury Smith and Rose Ann Thompson, was born July 20, 1850, in Ohio. On the 1850 U.S. Census Joseph was one month old and was living with his parents in Benton twp., Hocking county, Ohio. In 1885 Joseph was living with his brother, William R.P. Smith and sister, Margaret F. Smith, in Saline county, Nebraska, and in 1899 Joseph was Iiving at Claremont, Colorado. About 1910 Joseph married Mary Murray. Mary was born about 1870 in Illinois. On the 1910 U.S. Census Joseph and Mary are living in Kit Carson County, and Joseph is a Post Master. Joseph lived his last eight years in Chicago, Illinois. Joseph died March 31, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, and is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. by Linda Lee Ljunggren Brandt L.D. (Bunt) Smith, taken at his home north east of Vona in the late '60's. L.D. (Bunt) Smith was born in Hutton Valley, Missouri in 1887. He was five years old when his father married for a second time and the kids were placed in other homes. He went to live with a cousin's family and lived with the Marion Hines family until he came to Colorado with N.O. Gulley and Oscar Paine in 1909. His homestead was in the sandhills north of Stratton and he lived there into the 1970's. Oscar Paine and his mother, Mary, were Bunt's closest neighbors and friends. Bunt always said that Mary Paine was the only mother he ever had. Bunt loved to tell stories and one of his favorites was about Oscar Paine. One evening Bunt was visiting at the Paine home and he and Oscar were sitting by the stove discussing a fight that Oscar was having with a neighbor over their land that was to be resurveyed. The neighbor had threatened to shoot Oscar. Oscar's mother had set a bucket of honey that had sugared on the stove to dissolve. She had left the lid on and it got too hot, so the lid blew off with a bang. Oscar was sure that he had been shot and jumped back, upset his chair and fell to the floor. Bunt loved to tease him and never let him forget it. After a few years in Colorado, Bunt married a widow lady, Ada Glen. They enlarged Bunt's little house by adding a little room on the south. With it's south windows, it made a nice living and dining room. Ada kept the little house very neat and clean with white curtains and tablecloth. In this very tiny bedroom, I remember a huge feather bed, with a white bedspread, that filled up most of the room. Ada always wore a white apron covered with embroidery. They milked a large herd of cows and the yard was covered with poultry: chicken, ducks, geese and turkeys. Bunt had seldom gone out in crowds �Delore, but Ada loved to dance and Bunt found himself going to dances and other Co., Nebr. Their children were Mrs. Samuel Alexander (Cora Madge Cook) Lofquist, events. I first remember Bunt and Ada together at a Christmas dinner at my Grandma Paine's house. He ceme ahead of Ada saying that she had sent him over to help with dinner until she got there. In 1939, Ada passed away of a heart attack and after three years Buntwas married again. Bunt's second wife, Bettie Taylor, was born in Holden, Missouri in 1895 and received her education in Missouri. She taught school for four years at Kirk and also for four years at the Kechter school and also taught at the Boger School. Bettie was an outdoor person who loved horses, ice skating and swimming. She also enjoyed collecting dolls and making clothes for them and the dolls of the little girls she knew. Although they had no children of their own, Bettie and Bunt enjoyed kids and liked having them visit. Bettie liked to show them how to do things like crocheting and playing music. One of the outbuildings contained many books, games, and musical Havila Vide Cook, Mrs. Salmon Peter Chase (Laura Alice cook) Smith, Mrs. Robert Davidson (Minnie Bell) Renie. and Jesse Willis Cook. by Linda L. Ljunggren Brandt SMITH, M.T. FAMILY F663 "1.."::..r rtndf ._ .* toys. Bettie and Bunt worked hard all of their lives and were always ready to help anyone that needed it. They lived a simple life on the farm without electricity or an indoor bathroom and Bettie cooked delicious meals on her wood-burning cook stove. Bunt continued to do much of his work with his team of Buckskins, Judy and Star. In later years, we kept his horses during the winters and enjoyed watching him come with his team and wagon with the others, Silver and Flicka following behind. In 1959, they bought a home in Yuma and spent their winters there, but Bunt was always eager to get back to the farm in the spring. Over the years we shared many holidays and visits with them and always enjoyed their friendship. Bettie passed away in May of L974 and Bunt in September of the same year. by Opal Boger SMITH, LAURA ALICE COOK F662 Laura Alice Cook, daughter of Lindley N. Cook and Mary James, was born Feb. 8, 18?6, in Missouri. Laura married Salomon Peter Chase Smith in 1893, in Saline County, Nebraska. They came to live near Stratton, Colorado, between 190? and 1910. Lauta died on June 2,tgL}, at the age of37 and is buried at Stratton, Colorado. Laura's grandfather, Daniel Janres, was born 1806 in North Carolina. Daniel married Eve Fifer on March L5, L832, in Jennings County, Indiana. At the time of their marriage they were both living in Geneva Twp. About 1850 they moved to Folker Twp., Clark Co., Missouri. Daniel died in 1862 and Eve in L872, and. they are both buried at Bethleham Baptist Church Cemetery, rural Luray, Mo. Their children were Samuel James, Mrs. William Lewis (Maranda M. James) Spencer, Amos James, Allen James. Solomon James, John James, Mrs. Lindley N. (Mary James) Cook, Willis James, and Mrs. Franklin S. (Eliza Jane James) Cook. The Cook ancestors were Quakers, starting \ Laura Alice (Cook) Smith. with Peter Cook and Elinor Norman who came to the U.S. in 1713 from England. Peter Cook died enroute to the U.S. and his familv settled in Pennsylvania. Isaac Cook, son of Peter Cook and Elinor Norman, was born L702 in England. Isaac married Mary Houghton, daughter of John Houghton and Ann Gregg. Isaac moved his family to Craven County, S.C. Eli Cook, son of Isaac Cook and Elinor Norman, was born L74l in Pennsylvania. Eli married Martha Hawkins, daughter of James Hawkins and Martha Hollowell. t772 in S.C. Eli moved his family to Preble County, Ohio where he died. Eli Cook, son of Eli Cook and Martha Hawkins, was born L794 in S.C. Eli married Elizabeth Denney, daughter of Lazarus and Susanna Denney, in 1881, in Ohio. In 1836, Eli moved his family to Salem Twp., Henry County, Iowa, where Eli and Elizabeth both died in 1874. Joel Cook, son of Eli Cook and Elizabeth Denney, was born L822 in Preble County, Ohio. Joel married Charlotte Thornburg, daughter of Jacob Thornburg and Rachel Hammer, t842, in Henry County, Iowa. In 1864, Joel Cook moved to Folker Twp., Clark County, Missouri, where Joel died in 1878, and is buried at the Bethlehem Baptist Church cemetery, near Luray, Mo. Charlotte died 1908 in Lee Co., Iowa, and is buried at Keokuk, Iowa. Their children were Mrs. Hugh (Martha C. Cook) McClellan, Lindley N. Cook, Mary Jane Cook, Franklin S. Cook, Mrs. John Perry (Aldora Cook) Clifford, and Mrs. George (Adda Cook) Banghart. Lindley N. Cook, son of Jel Cook and Charlotte Thornburg, was born 1845 in Salem, Henry Co., Iowa. In 1870, Lindley married Mary James. Mary was born Jan. 31, 1849, in Indiana. They moved to Kansas sometime before 1882. Mary died in 188? at Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas. After Mary's death, Lindley moved the family to Western, Saline Co., Nebr. in the Fall of 1892. In 1895, Lindley moved to Spring Ranch Twp., Clay County, Nebraska, where he died in 1924. Lindley is buried at Fairfield, Clay Moses Thomas Smith came to Colorado from Wyoming, Iowa to homestead. He "proved up" on his homestead and then wrote for other members of his family to come as they became of age. His wife EIla Collins Smith had remained in Iowa with the children who were still in school and came later after they had graduated from high school. His daughters, Maye and Elva came first, taking homesteads. Later, Amy, Myron, and Ed came, also "proving up" on homesteads. One daughter, Dora remained in Iowa and married there. Elva's homestead wasn't far from her father's. She carried her water from his place and also from Walter Clarks, a close neighbor. She also carried the mail by horseback and sometimes with horse and buggy from one small post office to another. I remember her telling that one morning she had been to get water and then went to carry the mail. When she returned, her water pail was empty. Later she heard that some Indians had been seen going through the country and they evidently had stopped at her little house and helped themselves to her provisions. Elva also taught school in Kit Carson County. At that time qualifications for teaching weren't very high as at one time there were only three teachers in the Burlington community with high school educations. They were Nellie Grabb, Nellie Miser, and Elva Smith. The other teachers had not graduated from high school. Elva went beyond high school having attended a Teach- ers' Normal Institute in Davenport, Iowa. She also attended Teachers' College in Greeley, CO. when the campus consisted of one building. One of the schools Elva taught was the Bauder School northwest of Burlington and boarded at the Spring Valley Ranch with the Henry Goebel family. Another school she taught was the Cook School. She also taught in District 38 before the school was named "Happy Hollow". (The name Happy Hollow was started by a teacher named Edna Swanson). Elva married Ed Bartman in 1913, who also had a homestead a short distance away. The story of their live has been submitted by their oldest daughter, Louise Wagner. Maye Smith was a seamstress and did sewing for other homesteaders. She married H.B. Morgan, who was a carpenter and later became a rural mail carrier on a route south of Burlington for a good many years. He was the first mail carrier out of Burlington. Amy Smith married Ellis Clark who had a homestead near by. Together they started the country store and post office at Morris which was located about 16 miles north of BurIington, one east and two back north. Myron Smith homesteaded about 11 miles north of Burlington. Myron answered the call to serve his country in the army during World �War I. He was stationed in France. When he heard that he had a new niece born into the Bartman family, he wrote requesting the baby be named Jeanette after a girl he had met over there. That baby was already named Edna by the time his letter arrived. He later married Ruth Bowman of Goodland, KS. They had two children - a son, Kenneth, and finally a baby daughter who they named Jeanette - now Jeanette Smith Stahlecker. Ed O.K. Smith homesteaded about 15 miles north of Burlington. He married Grace Smith a school teacher. They later moved to Burlington where he carried mail on route 3 northwest of Burlington. His slogan was "the mail must got through." Sometimes when stuck in impassible roads, he'd take the mail sack and walk to the next farm to deliver the mail. The mother, Mrs. Smith passed away at the homestead in t922. Here is a little ditty I can remember Grandpa Smith singing about homestead days. (I thing the tune was "Irish Washer Woman") How happy I feel when I crawl into bed, The rattlesnakes rattle all over my head. The dear little centipede, point of all fear, Crawls over my pillow and into my ear. Hurrah for Kit Carson (county), the home of the free The home- of the coyote, the bed bug, and flea. moved to Colorado with them. Samuel was a farmer. Samuel died Dec. 16, 1928, in Colorado and is buried at Stratton, Colorado. Samuel and Laura had six children: 1. Albert Joseph Smith born Oct.24, t894, at Tobias, Nebraska. 2. Asbury Lindley Smith (changed his name to Len Smith) born Aug. 22, L896, at Tobias, Saline Co., Nebraska. 3. Grace Bell Smith born May 28, 1898, at Tobias. Nebraska. 4. Ernest Theodore Smith born Dec. 18, 1900, at Tobias, Nebraska. Ernest married Mrs. Opal (Endicott) Hailey, daughter of Andy Endicott, on April 29, 1953. Ernest died Nov. 2, 1964, and is buried at Meridian, Ada co., Idaho. They had no children. 5. Un-named baby daughter born July 1, 1905, at Glenville, Clay County, Nebraska. 6. Eugene Harris Smith born March 1, 1907, at Glenville, Clay County, Nebraska. Eugene married Nettie Carpinter onDec.24, 1942, at Vancover, Washington. Nettie was born Oct. 11, 1910, at Gooding, Idaho. No children. Eugene now lives at Ontario, Oregon. by Linda L. Ljunggren SMITH, WILLIAM R. P. F665 We'll sing of its praises, we'll sing of its fame As we work together on our "Government claim." by Edna Bartman Stahlecker SMITH, SALMON PETER CHASE F664 William R.P. Smith, son of Asbury Smith and Rose Ann Thompson, was born January 27, 1848, in Ohio. On the 1850 U.S. Census William is 2 years old living in Benton twp., Hocking County, Ohio with his parents. In 1885 William is listed on the Nebraska State Census in Saline County, Nebraska. At the time of his father's death, Sept. 1899, William was living at Claremont, Colorado. William never married. He was a farmer. William died November 7. 1909 and is buried at Claremont cemetery, Stratton, Colorado. by Linda Lee Ljunggren Brandt SNYDER, LYLE AND PEARL F666 The Oasis Cafe and Service Station in Vona. Photo courtesy of Myrtle Anderson. The two men are Tom Burian and Maynard Edmunds. I, Pearl Marie (Hoffner) Snyder, was born in Pratt, Kansas, and my husband, John Lyle Snyder, was also born in Pratt. I graduated from Pratt high school in t924, and Lyle graduated from the same high school in the class of 1928. We were married in Pratt at the First Baptist Church, on the 12th day of November, 1934. The Reverend B.E. Mills performed the ceremony. From here, we moved to Kirk, Colorado and Iived on a farm until around 1955, when we moved into Vona. Here we took over the Oasis Cafe. The Oasis Cafe sat by the side of the road at Vona, and was a place for friends to meet and visit and make friends. It was a stopping place for people that got stuck in snow storms and floods. On one occasion we had a very bad snow storm, and had 17 trucks stranded all night, each truck had 2 men,34 men in all, and some people in cars. We called our help in, but they couldn't get there even by tractor. One of our help came in though she had to walk, that was Wanda Miller. We had several snow storms that stopped the traffic. The Oasis stayed open when needed to be. I recall one evening, when it rained so long and hard the road was closed west of Vona. Cars could not get through. One car washed over in a ditch. The cafe was crowded with people going to ball games. About 9:00 P.M. the roads were opened to go south of Vona, to another road going east and west. We had a lot of enjoyment by having banquets and special dinners for the school and community. We had several times when people would come in hungry and have no money to pay, but they got food and were thankful for it. One time, a man came in hungry, but had no money. He was a stranger going to Flagler to get work, so we gave him his meal, and a farmer came in and understood his condition. and said he would take him to Flagler and give him a job. The stranger took the job and worked all summer for the farmer. The farmer was Frances McCaffery. Frances S"muel P.C. Smith had been rabbit hunting. Salmon Peter Chase Smith, son of Asbury Smith and Hannah Jerussa Truesdale, was born Feb. 15, 1865, in Wisconsin. (Nickname would work late and on his way home would stop and eat at the Oasis. He would help several men get on their way by giving them Samuel). Moving through Illinois Samuel came to Atlanta precinct, N.E. of Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska, in June 1884 with money and paying for their lodging in Stratton. his parents. Near Tobias, Nebraska, on June 18, 1893, Samuel married Laura Alice Cook. daughter of Lindsey N. Cook and Mary James. In 1905 and 1907 Samuel was living near Glenville, Clay County, Nebraska. On the 1910 U.S. census Samuel was living in Precinct Six, Stratton, Kit Carson County, Colorado. After the death of Samuel's father his mother lived with Samuel's family and Pearl and Lyle Snyder's 52nd Wedding Anniversa- ry, Nov. 12, 1986 at Grace Manor Care Center. One very cold night four dark men came in hungry and cold. The cafe was full but they came in and asked if they could eat and move the table over to the furnace so their feet would get warm. We tried to accommodate all our customers by making them as comfortable as possible regardless of whether they were local or from a visiting town or their �creed or color. Another time a young man came in without a coat and his shoes weren't very good, there was a window broke out ofhis car, and he was cold. He was going to Kansas after his wife. He had no money and only wanted coffee. Maynard Edmunds gave him some money to eat with and we wrapped his feet in an old plastic table cloth and gave him a sweater. Harvest was always a very busy time and it usually lasted 2 to 3 weeks. Joe Doughty, the manager ofthe grain elevator entertained 29 Elevator mErnagers to a T-bone steak dinner once. We had several bus loads of school students from other states, who would call ahead and make reservations for hamburgers and ice cream. The train crews always tried to make their dinner stop at the Oasis if possible. We made doughnuts and long Johns, for which truck drivers would give us orders a week in advance for a dozen to take home. We had customers from neighboring towns come to order our doughnuts and Long Johns. Then, coffee was 100, pie 15 0, we served 2 piece chicken lunch for $1.00, 4 pieces for $2.00, and a childs plate for 250, and hamburgers for 250. That was back in the good old days. Our waitress' did their part in making the business a success by giving good service, and their friendliness made customers welcome. The sign on our door read "Through Our Doors, Walk The Finest People on Earth, Our Customers". Lyle ran the Oasis Service Station and also drove a school bus for years. We celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary at the Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington, on November 12, 1986, where Lyle is staying. I still reside in our home in Vona, Colorado. often for sing fests. The Doblers came to America in 1885. They had 16 children. Eight of their children died in infancy and the other eight survived to come to America. Grandpa was a carpenter by trade and built mostly wagons. They also farmed in Russia. In Russia they lived in villages. Their farm ground was further away and referred to as "on the stepp." They had to bring their machinery home every evening or it would be stolen by the Russians. They probablyonly had a plow and a harrow. There were no pastures close by so the villagers hired a herder for each type of livestock. Mother told us they would start out for the pasture and they would call out that the sheep herder or goose herder was leaving. The other villagers would turn out their stock and the herders would take them out to pasture for the day. Again in the evening as the herders would arrive back at the village with their herds, they would call out that they were back. The other villagers would take their own stock and lock it up for the night. If they did not lock everything up it would all be stolen through the night. The villagers hired Russian women to hoe their fields and gardens. When these women came to work they had their hoes over their shoulders and would come singing all the way. Grandma would cook a big pot of borsht or vegetable soup for them to eat. She would take the pot out in the yard and set it on the ground, give each woman a spoon and they would sit around the kettle and eat out of the pot. Mother was 11 years old when they ceme to America. She was the second youngest of the surviving 8 children. They were on the ship 14 days with several other families. Her mother was sick all the way and also most of the children. It must have been a chore to care for them all. by Janice Salmans When they came to America they could not speak English. They were hungry, very homesick and cried a lot. Their father was out STAHLECKER DOBLER FAMILY F667 of money. Another German farmer came along and gave them bread, cheese and sausage. He helped them to a hotel and helped them to the train. They moved to Scotland, So. Dakota. They moved into a small house. Everyone had to work except the Our forefathers immigrated from Germany to Russia in the late 1700's or the early 1800's. The Stahlecker grandparents came in 1873 when their oldest son was only 2 or 3 years old. They had 11 children. Great Grandma accompanied them. Great Grandpa had passed away already. Great Grandma lived to be 92 years old. She was blind, crippled, and bed fast. When she needed more care than Grandma would give her, they came to live with our family. We had more girls to help with her care. Great Grandma passed away at our house. After she died, Grandma went back to her own house again. Our father was born in Columbus, Nebraska in 1876. He was the fourth oldest child in their family. They moved to Scotland, So. Dakota. Most of the children were born in Trip, So. Dakota. They moved to Bethune, Colorado in 1893 and boughtthe farm 3/ mile north of the Lutheran Church from A.W. Adolfs father. There were two houses on the farm they bought. When other new settlers came to Colorado, they would move in the little house until they had their own homes established. This little house was occupied most of the time. Our Grandpa loved to sing and people would meet at their house quite youngest son. Grandpa and Mother worked 3 or 4 miles from the house and had to walk. One of Mother's chores was to twist straw in tight bundles to fire the Russian oven built of adobe. This oven was used to cook. bake and heat the house. It was fired up once a day and stayed warm through the day. Mother would get very homesick and would go to the straw stack, twist straw, cry for home and fteeze. She got Sunday off after chores until evening chores. She would run home and back so she could be home longer. Then she started working for another family who had 3 children. She did housework and babysat. She was confirmed there. Her mother passed away in 1889. She was sickly but it was mostly from being homesick for her family who were scattered all over and homesick for Russia. In 1890, they came to Colorado on the train to St. Francis, Kansas. From there they loaded everything in the wagon and came to the "settlement" north of Bethune, Co. Grandpa Dobler homesteaded the 7+ of land where Hope United Church is now. They built a dugout that had a dirt floor, very small windows and little else in it. Mother planted geraniums and said they bloomed nicer here than anvwhere else. They wanted to worship. so they gathered in Grandpa's house and he would read the sermon for the services there. Once in awhile, a minister would come and hold services for them. He would do the baptizing, marriages and any other services he could for them. In 1892 they built the rock church. Each member had a certain amount of rock to haul for the building of it for a donation. They got their own minister and named it Immanuel Lutheran Church. Here in America they had to work. Several of the men worked for some of the large ranches along the Republican River. Some of the girls went to Denver to work for the rich Jewish families. Mother worked for an elderly couple. To keep her busy she had to beat eggs for an hour with the fork (the only egg beater they had then). She used these well beaten eggs for cakes or noodles and other dishes also. Thursday afternoon was their time off. Some of the German girls would go shopping, mostly window shopping together. They enjoyed one certain streetcar. It went up a hill, a while mule was hitched to the streetcar to pull it up the hill. At the top of the hill, the mule was unhitched and put on the back of the streetcar to coast down the hill. At the bottom of the hill the mule was hitched up and the process repeated again. My folks were married on September 11, 1898. They had 11 children. They started their married life in Grandpa's little house. Dad was sick before their wedding day. That morning they had a blizzard. The minister came to the house and performed the marriage there. Dad's illness was typhoid fever. They were quarantined for 6 weeks. What a honeymoon! Dad worked for different places. He tried to farm. He quit this and started to work for the railroad. They lived in Burlington at this time. Here one sister, age 2Yz years old died of diphtheria. Dad also had this illness but he recovered. Mary was born here. Next they moved to the "Norman Meyer place." This is % mile south and 1 mile west of Immanual Lutheran Church. While they lived here, 5 of us children were born. I barely remember the sod house we lived in. The house, the buggy shed and the barn were all under one roof. It had a sod roof. When it rained the roof would leak. Pots and pans were all put out to catch the water. Mother would sprinkle the floor with water before she would sweep to help settle the dust. Saturday was the day to "mop" the floor. We kids had to go to the pasture and get the yellow lime dirt from the prairie dog holes. We would pick some grass bushes, tie them tightly together and use them to brush the lime mixed with water over the floor. When it dried, it would help seal the floor and lighten the house. I was 4 or 5 years old when they built a "modern" house. It was made of adobe. had no clothes closets, a shingle roofand a wooden floor. The kitchen was papered with an oil cloth so it could be washed off. The bedrooms were white washed with lime. Lime was bought in chunks. Mother would put a few chunks in a tub and pour water over it. It would boil up like lye. When it was dissolved, she put it in an airtight container. It would keep for a long time this way. If it got hard it could not be used again. They could get blueing, the lime would not eat it up, and use it to tint the lime. This was used to paint the walls and ceiling. Then the blueing was mixed with water and applied with a corn cob in what ever width vou wanted for the borders. �The cob was rolled in the blueing and then lightly on the wall below the ceiling. It made a nice design border. Mary loved to do this so much that at times she had borders around the doors, windows, and above the moP boards too. The lime was also used to kill mites in the chicken house and the milk house. We girls had to help with farming because we only had one older brother and us 5 girls until the next brother was born' We walked to school in the spring and the fall when Dad needed the horses for farming. In the winter we had one horse hitched to a buggy and could ride to school. There was a barn at the school and all the horses were unhitched and stayed in the barn until it was time to go home. We had to go 2Vz miles to school then. Later we moved 4 miles north of Bethune and had to go SVz miles to school by walking, riding in the buggy. When I was in ?th grade we moved to Mosca, Colorado. A bus took us to school in town. It was a four room school with more children in one room than we had in the whole school in the country' It was an 8 grade school. It was a big adjustment for me to make. The first school here had five or six big boys in it besides all the other children. But the teachers were strict and made them behave even if it meant punishment. Our parents would back up the teachers on the discipline. If we got a spanking at school, we'd for sure get another one at home too. Dad would buy material in bolts to make our clothing. All of our dresses were made from the same pattern but had different trim so we could tell them apart. If one of us grew out of the pattern, Mother would take a newspaper and cut out a larger one. The dress always had another girl to grow into it. We had two dresses for school to change once a week and one dress for Sunday. We had to change into our good dress right before we were ready to go and out of it as soon as we got home so it wouldn't get dirty so fast. Our underwear was all home sewn too. A bolt or two of flannel for winter was bought and flower sacks provided the material for summer underwear. Wash water had to be carried in and out again. We heated it on the range in a wash boiler. We had a tub, wash board and home made soap to work with. The clothes were rubbed on the board to clean them. The white clothes were boiled to get them clean. The dark clothes were rubbed twice then rinsed and hung out on the line to dry. If we ran out of clothes line we would use the barbed wire fence. If we smaller kids would get them in, we would sometimes have small holes in them from the barbs. In the winter it froze the clothes and it was hard to get all the washing over with in one day. Then came the washing machine! It had a handle to push back and forth and up and down to agitate the clothes. The lid had an attachment with four knobs that moved back and forth also. It had a wringer to turn by a handle, no more hand wringing. After the hand crank machine came the gas motor and then the electric motor on the washer. Now, we even have an electric clothes dryer. Mother had a wangle iron. It had a roller like a rolling pin only longer and no handles. Then a 2x4 board with one handle and curves on the underside. She would roll this over the roller back and forth until it was straight. We had a set of irons, usually three and one handle. These were heated on the range. When one was cold, it went back on the range and got another hot one again. Next came the gas iron and then the electric iron and now no iron material. In Russia they had feather beds. Here they had strawsacks. This was a sack made as large as the bed with a slit in the middle and a couple of ties. It was filled after harvest with nice straw every year. It was laid on boards in the bed to keep it up. The ties were untied to fluff up the straw and then tied back up again. We used a small quilt to cover the slit and then a sheet or a blanket next and the rest of the bed covers. After more corn was being raised, the soft corn husks were used in place of the straw. We small kids had to go a long way to pick up the soft husks when corn was harvested. We would put them in a gunney sack and gather enough for three or four beds. Sometimes they would snap corn, pile it up at home and shuck it there. Then came bed springs with the mattress, innerspring mattresses and now waterbeds. Stoves-Russian ovens. Grandpa Adolf was the only one here to have one of these. Next came the black cast iron stove. You could buy polish to make it shine. Then came the granite range. It was an improvement because it could be washed off after use. When the coal oil stoves came to cook and heat with, we had no more fuel to carry in and ashes to carry out. Then came the gas ranges, propane ranges, electric ranges and now the microwaves. At first when little corn was raised we had few corn cobs to use for fuel. We would feed the hogs ear corn. When they had eaten it off we would pick up the cobs out of the pig pen. Some of them were very messy and we would throw them outside to dry out and burn later. These would burn longer than the clean cobs but smelled much worse. We all burned cow chips then too. We would put a double box on the wagon and take along a lunch to eat and head out to pick up cow chips wherever we would find them. If no one was ahead of you, it didn't take long to fill the wagon, but sometimes we would have to go as far as to the river. We had few sheds then and the cow chips needed to be kept dry to burn. So we would build a shed with them. We used the bigger ones for the outside walls and fill the middle with the smaller ones and heap them up to make a rounded top. Then we would take fresh cow manure and plaster it over this. It would stay dry all winter. When we needed to use some of these cow chips, we would dig a hole in the side, take what we needed and cover the hole with a blanket to keep out the snow. We would also go along the railroad tracks and pick up coal that was scattered when they fired the steam engines. If a train would come along and a good hearted fireman was on he would throw a few shovels full out so we had more to pick up. Coal could be bought if we could afford it' As more corn was raised less cow chips were burned. Everyone raised a garden. They had big 50 gallon vinegar barrels to store some food in. supplres. A rol or mears v and milk was drunk a lot. We also had corn mush to eat. AII the bread was baked at home. We butchered beef in the winter when it would keep longer. Pork was also butchered and the hams and bacon were cured and sausage was made. Mother would also fry it up and put it in a crock, cover it with lard and use it later. We also ate a lot of jackrabbits, young pigeons and sometimes we had frying chickens in the summer. We had to butcher these in the morning to serve at the noon meal so the meat would not spoil. Later we canned meats and vegetables. Then came the deep freeze for longer storage and now food is available as you need it over the counter. by Theresia Kramer STAHLECKER KRAMER FAMILY F668 William "Bill" Stahlecker was born February L7,1907 north of Bethune, Colorado to Gottlieb and Minnie Stahlecker. He was one of eight children; Clara, Otto, Gottlief, William, Emma, Bertha, John, and Anna. They attended a one-room rural school. The means of transportation was walking even though the distance to school was 3% miles. At certain times of the year, they stayed home to help with the farm work. At an early age, Bill stayed home from school and worked for an uncle and later for a close neighbor. In 1929, Bill and his father and brothers built an adobe house and other farm build- ings 7 miles north and 2 miles west of Bethune. Bill and Amelia Kramer were married in October 1929 and lived there several years until they moved 8 miles south where there was more farm ground and pasture. The dust storms of the 1930's came and farming became next to impossible. The only thing that grew were the thistles and even they were picked up and blown away. I remember helping my mother sweep up pans full of the fine dust that had sifted into the house during a storm. Some families stayed and struggled through those years while other moved to Loveland and other cities and found work there. Bill and other men worked for the W.P.A. and helped build roads and bridges. These men would have to milk their cows mornings and evenings to have cream to sell in town so they would have enough cash for groceries and other essentials. The summer of 1942 brought about more changes. Gottlieb and Minnie left the farm they had homesteaded and moved to the Paul Stoltz place for a few years before they finally moved to Loveland in 1945. Bill and Amelia, bought the homestead from Gottlieb and his three brothers and moved there with their family; Clarina, George, Willard, Margie, and Iva. (Ivan and Jean were born in 1943 and 1948.) There were usually two barrels, one filled Gottlieb still had some sheep at the farm and he would come and shear them with a Dad used a stomper to stomp the kraut down in the banel. but Bill remembers that he had to wash his feet clean and go in and stomp it down by foot. Beans and potatoes were raised. We also milked a bunch of cows. We drank separated milk and sold the cream and some eggs to buy flour and sugar or other hand clipper. It was fascinating to watch the wool clipped off all in one piece from one sheep. It would be rolled into a tight ball, fastened with twine and then it would be sold. This was an annual event that occurred each May. The first few years on grandpas' farm, we with dill pickles and one with sauerkraut. �carried buckets of water into the house for cooking, bathing, and laundering. R.E.A. brought electricity to the area in the late 1940's. Before then, we had a windcharger which made electricity and the excess was stored in batteries and used when needed. There were some good wheat crops. I remember helping serve noon meals to the thrashing crews. Neighbors always helped each other. Later on, combines did the work more efficiently. The fall crops of coes and grain were cut by a binder. It cut the stalk and tied it into bundles. The kids would go out the next day and pick up these bundles and set them into shocks. (They look like Indian teepees.) They would be hauled into the yard later and the corn was picked by hand. This was before many farmers were able to buy cornpickers and combines. Chores for the children included helping with milking, feeding pigs, baby calves and chickens and the gathering of the eggs. We brought in cut up fire wood and corn cobs to burn in the coal stove for cooking and heating. When there was extra money, we would get some coal to burn. There was no furnace to heat the place, only the stove in the kitchen. The other rooms in the house were cold in the winter. A few years alter, propane heat was purchased for the Iiving room. I also remember the two and three day blizzards we had. January 1, 1949, Uncle Chris Kramer and dad left to take Lorena Kramer to school in Colorado Springs, they got as far as Genoa and had to stay there for the duration of the storm. George, Willard and I managed to milk the cows and the other chores while mom worried and prayed. I am sure she did plenty of both and were we relieved when dad got home safe on the third day. The Stahlecker homestead is still being lived in by the third generation. George and his wife Janie along with their two boys, Jerry and Tim have done some remodeling to the inside as well as the outside. The original barn is still standing but has been patched up some. Some of the other buildings have crumbled and have been replaced, but the homestead still gives me a nostalgic calm and joy when I am there. by Clarine Stahlecker Fergus STAHLECKER WEISS FAMILY close was advantgeous as they helped each other build their homes and farm buildings. Some of the buildings and houses were built of adobe bricks which consisted of straw mixed with mud, dried into bricks and then built up into walls. The outside walls were then stuccoed. The original houses are still standing and still being lived in. Gottlieb & Minnie had 8 children, they were Otto, Clara, Gottlief, William, Emma, Bertha, John, and Anna. Fred & Jakobine had 5 children. The children grew up together very closely. They went to school and played and worked together. All of the children, even the girls had to stay home from school and help with the farm work. Some ofthem obtained 8 years of schooling, while others did not. Cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens were raised on the farm plus several kinds of crops and many garden crops were grown. The Stahleckers were self-sustaining farmers with very little bought from town. Fruit and Vegetables were canned. Watermelons were pickled in salt brine and then eaten in the fall and winter. It was a treat to eat grandmas' home-made bread spread with thick, rich cream and sprinkled with sugar. Lambs and beef were butchered and canned in jars. Ham and bacon were preserved in barrels of salt brine and the sausages were smoked in the smoke house. The families first car was a Ford probably bought in 1913 or 1914. Before then, they traveled everywhere in horse drawn wagons. They were faithful in attending the Ger- man Lutheran Church 11 miles north of Bethune. I remember a dust storm darkening the sky one Sunday before church was over. We drove with the car lights on and got as far as my grandparents where grandma cooked dinner and we ate using the light of the kerosene lamps. Grandpa and grandma retired from farming in 1945 and moved to Loveland Colorado where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. All 8 children were present along with 35 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. by Clarine Stahlecker Fergus STAHLECKER, ROBERT AND MILDRED F669 My grandfather, Gottlieb Stahlecker, was born in 1878 to Martin & Catherine (Juengling) Stahlecker. They lived for a time in South Dakota before moving to the area north of Bethune, Colorado known as the German Settlement. The parents had come from Russia in the 1800's but Gottlieb and his brothers and sisters were born in Nebraska and South Dakota. Sisters Minnie & Jakobine Weiss arrived as young ladies from Russia and immediately they were admired and courted by two of the Stahlecker brothers, Gottlieb and Fred. The couples were married on August 24, 1902 in a double ceremony. They then home steaded t/q mile apart; 6 miles north and 1% miles west of Bethune. The purpose of living so together, We picked up prunes from the ground after the trees had been shaken. Then there was filberts and walnuts to pick (crawling on west ground now). Later we both worked in the cannery. I peeled twenty two bushel of pears per day but the supervision said it was not enough and unless I could do better would lose my job so I did not return. We got a job in a dairy. Robert milked 15 cows by hand and did field work and cared for sheep and angora goats. The pay was $50 per month. In October of 1936 we decided to return home to our little 160 acre farm north of Bethune. We were lucky to get most of our furniture right away as we attended a community sale where a family who were leaving were selling all of theirs. Later we needed horses with which to farm so Robert went to a horse sale and bought a bunch of wild horses. Two of them were beautifully matched bay horses which we hoped would make a team to be proud of. But this was not to be. What we did not know but found out later was that they were rodeo horses aged four and six years old, they never tamed down. As soon as the harness was on the they thought it was time to perform! Our good friend who delt in livestock bought them and probably returned to the rodeo circuit. We had paid 9100. for them which was a lot of money in those days. One horse was so mean that whenever someone came into the barn he laid back his ears and began kicking. We finally got a good four horse team broke out of the herd and sold the rest. Using this team and a one row lister Robert planted the corn. We raised some very good corn crops. They were good years! We built several adobe buildings. Using loose soil, straw and water having the horses trample it into an even mixture, and using a six tined fork it was laid up in layers. One layer upon another. Each layer was allowed to dry some before another was added. These buildings were durble and cheap but hard work to build. In 1943 we adopted a nine year old boy John Dennis. He remained with us until he was sixteen when he purchased a car and went out on his own. One year a tornado came thru it went around the buildings but when it came to the hay rack it lifted it neatly over the fence and dropped it several times (gouging a large hole in the ground each time) and finally landed F670 Mildred (Fanselau) and Robert Stahlecker were married December 11. 1934. We moved into our two room adobe house, which Robert had built the year before. It was the year of the horrible electric storms which brought dust like walls of dirt which even got into our homes and we sometimes breathed thru dampened wash cloths. It had not rained all summer nor snowed that winter and deciding the grass may have died we left in March of 1935 for Newberg, Az. smashed in the field. We enjoyed the radio programs and listened to the various plays ect. each day. A far cry from our modern T.V. pictures. We shucked the corn by hand with a team of horses and wagon with high boards on one side that would stop the ears of corn when we threw them. We usually had about twenty four head of cattle. The cows kept their calves and when they were fat in the fall we sold them. They were mostly Herefords and I always thought Colo., Ok., and Dakotas we were glad to find their pretty white faced calves were so cute. We also raised broiler chicks in a "batterv" (a brooder with shelves) They also *ete s.t"h cute fluffy little things. When they first cnme berries (crawled all day on hands and knees) next picked cherries from trees as high as telephone poles (shakey business!) picked hops, our field had 1,000 pickers working from the hatcheries in Missouri. We also had hogs and turkeys. We bought another 160 acres of grass land in about 1940 so we broke the rest ofthe other and had more to farm, (about 140 acres of There were so many people there from any kind of work. First we picked straw- �farm land). We always raised feed for the cattle and stacked it to use the next year in case of a crop failure. Later we got a little John Deere tractor (G.P.) which made the work easier and still later a small John Deere combine. We were brought up to fear debts so never went into debt and never regretted it. It was a good life - lots of laughs and a few tears. In 195? we decided to move into town. I worked as a baby sitter and was very happy doing that. I met many fine people and shared a lot of love with lots of kids. Robert worked for Great Western Sugar Company for seven seasons, helping to establish the receiving depot here in Burlington. He also did carpenter work and a Iot of painting both interior and exterior. We have lived here in Burlington now for nearly thirty years and think it's the best place in the whole wide world! Our parents were Henry and Lily Fanselau and Fred and Jacobine Stahlecker. by Mildred Stahlecker STALGREN, CHARLES AUGUST AND IDA MARIE F671 Wyo. on account of Mathilda's health. She had tuberculosis. Mathilda passed away 5 Feb., in 1892. Claus farmed the boys out in the country at Pine Bluffs, Wyo. Emil and Herman to widow and son, Johnson and Gus to an old couple, C.L. Johnson. He went to visit them often. One time he rode horseback from Cheyenne to Pine Bluffs to give Gus a horse, saddle and a22 caliber rifle. Hannah had tuberculosis in her hip and Claus sent her to a hospital in Chicago for about a year. They cured her hip, but her leg never grew. Claus married Ida Marie Jonsdotter Lett, 5 Sept. 1892. She was born 8 Dec. 1860 in Stenbrohult Parish, Sweden, and came to the U.S. 18 July 1883. Her parents were Jon Germundsson and Cathrina Pehrsdotter. She married Charles Lett and had two daughters, Hilda Irene, born 11 Dec. 1886 and Julia Wilmona, born 3 Feb. 1890. Mr. Lett died about the same time as Mathilda. The new family lived in Cheyenne, Wyo. They brought Emil and Herman to their home in Cheyenne and Gus still stayed with C.L. Johnson. Claus quit the tailor bench in man and Gus would drive the ole horse and buggy 3 miles to school. Claus took out his final papers to become a citizen of the U.S., 24 Nov. 1893, in Cheyenne, Wyo. Maude Olive was born on this place, 18 May 1893 and Ann Margaret was born 10 Oct. 1894. The family lived there about 3 years. Then Claus took a homestead 4 miles north of Salem, Wyo., about 18 miles north and west of Pine Bluffs. The improvements on this place were: three sons, Wm. Jr., Richard and Robert. Ida Lorraine married Raymond Wright and had thirty acres under cultivation. Also, Iots of married Mathilda Sophia Nilsdotter, who was born, 28 Oct. 1859. While they lived in Sweden, they had three children; Gus, born 1 Jan. 1881, Emil, born 29 Sept. 1882 and Hanna Sophia, born 26-27 Aug. 1884. When Claus lived in Sweden, he was a professional tailor and had his own shop. The family left Sweden, Mar. 23, 1888 and anived in Bradshaw, Nebr., 8 Apr. 1888, to stay with Mathilda's uncle and family. They soon moved to York, Nebr., where Claus worked as a tailor. He took out intention of becoming a citizen of the U.S. in York, Co., Nebr., the 17th of Sept. 1888, and changed his name to Claus A. Stolgren. Herman was born 9-10 Apr. 1890 in York, Nebr. In 1890, they moved to Cheyenne, World War I and II. He married Ruth Fithian, 28 May 1925. She had one son, Mark and they had a daughter, Darlene. Ruth passed away in 1927. Roy died 14 Apr. 1884, in Burlington, Colo. Darlene and Mark preceded him in death. Jo married Wm. Frailey and lives in Toole, Utah. They had he had bought near Tracy, Wyo. (just a U.P.R.R. siding). They raised cattle and milked cows, sold butter and eggs. Cattle prices raised about that time, so they were doing O.K. Emil, Hilda, Julia, Hanna, Her- building, 4 rooms, stable, 150' Iong, sheds, windmill and 160 acres, fenced. There were Claus August (Charles August) Stahl was born in Appelhuit, Hjalmeryd, Jonkoping, Sweden,30 Apr. 1858. His father was Gabriel Magnusson Stahl, who was a soldier, and his mother was Maria Christina Jonasdotter. He and had two daughters, Alice and Lois. He was a tailor and lived in Denver, Colo. He died 7 June 1972. Irene married Earl Moore Harding and lived in Seattle, Wash. Theyhad two daughters, Helen and Betty. Irene died 4 Apr. 1976. Julia never married, lived at home and died 10 Apr. 1920. Maude was a teacher and married Elbert Nider. He passed away in 1915. She married Tom Burke and they were later divorced. She came home to care for her mother in 1943. After her death. she stayed there with her two brothers, Emil and Roy. She died 5 Apr. 1950, in Denver, Colo. Anna married Charles Pratt and lived in Omaha, Nebr. They had four children, Dorothy, Clayton, Bonnie and Emil Donald. She died 9 Apr. 1951. Roy served in both Cheyenne, about 1893, and moved to a place a frame house, two rooms, 16'x24', out The Charles August Stalgren Family taken in 1904. Back row: Emil, Julia, Irene, Gus, Herman and Maude. Front row: Ida Lorraine, Charles A., Roy, Ida Marie, Pearl, Hanna and Josephine shops. He had one son, Harold. Gus died 3 July, 1975. Emil served in World War I and after the death of his father was both brother and father to his brothers and sisters. Emil spent most of his life working with horses and cattle. He died quietly at home, 21 June 1958. Hanna never married and stayed at home, doing most of the family's sewing. She passed away, 6 Dec. L922, at home. Herman married open county and good grass for cattle raising. Three children were born on this place, Roy Robert Benjamin, 3 Aug. 1897, Josephine Marie, g Sept. 1898 and Ida Lorraine, 15 Aug. 1899. Claus built that place up to a regular ranch and was doing real well, till the bad five children, Marjorie Marie, born 24 Nov. 1921; Katheryn Joan, born 31 Aug. 1925, died 30 Sept. 1926; Joyce Elaine, born 12 Jan. 1928; Bill Ray Frank, born 26 Oct. 1929; and Jacky Leigh,24 July 1938. Both Ida and Raymond were killed in an accident,4 Jan. 1948. Pearly married Clifford Chittem and lived in Denver, Colo. They had one son, Boyd. She died 8 Sept. 1969. Charles August Stalgren passed away, 9 Sept. 1907 and Ida Marie, 27 Jan.1944. They are both buried in the Beaver Valley Cemetery in Kit Carson Co., Colo. Julia, Maude, Emil, Hanna and Roy are also buried in the Beaver Valley Cemetery. bv Bill R. Wright winter killed off all the southern cows he had bought the fall before. In 1900, the family moved to Sterling, Colo. and then to Weskan, Kans. They didn't stay there very long. They moved 4 miles north of Goodland, Kans., in a covered wagon. They rented the old Russell Ranch and raised cattle. Pearl Ethel was born there, 5 July 1903. Then they moved to eastern Colo., north and little west of Kanorado. Hanna filed for a homestead there. They established residence, 15 Dec. 1905. She had to file in Hugo, Colo. They were spelling Stolgren with an a now, Stalgren. They built a sod house on this place. It had six rooms and was well furnished. They also built a frame barn, L6'x24',shed 10'x60', chicken house, granary 26' and,40', adobe milkhouse, well windmill and pump, two tanks and frame coal house. There were 2th miles of fencing and 70 acres broken out. They raised barley, corn, cane and wheat. Some good years, some bad. The children that were school age, went to the Plainview School in Kit Carson County, Colo. Gus married and lived in Denver, Colo. working for a railroad in the maintenance STALGREN, EMIL F672 "When you ask me to recall the bygone days when I was a young cowpoke, the one thing that comes to my mind are the short nights. I know that I'll never forget them. They stand out in my mind so vividly and were so much a part of my youth, that it has always been a wonder to me that in all the western stories I have read that no one ever spoke of the short time that a cowboy could spend in that wonderful bed roll. Yes, the ground was hard and sometimes it was cold and sometimes it was wet and raining or snowing, but it was always the same - I rolled up and that was the last thing I knew until it was morning." These words were spoken by Emil Stalgren. Emil Stalgren was born Sept. 29, 1882, in Sweden. He arrived in this country with his parents, Charles August and Mathilda Sophia Stalgren in 1888, along with his brother Gus and sister Hanna. They stopped first in �York, Neb., but in a short time went on to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Here Emil's father opened a tailor shop. Matilda passed away 2L Jan., 1892. Later his father remarried and they lived different places in Wyoming until Emil was Roy enlisted Oct. 23, 1918, at Burlington, Colo. to serve in World War I. He was a private in Co. D, 2nd Army Artillery Park Co., in the United States Army. He served at Ft. McArthur, Calif. He got the flu, while in the army and they thought he was going to about 17 years old, when they moved to Sterling, Colo. and shortly thereafter to die, so they put him in the tent with the critically ill. Not knowing he was that sick, Wallace, Kans. Here he learned much about how to care for himself and how to mix with the outfits and cowpunchers. He learned a Iot about horses and decided he liked them. He Roy thought they put him there to take care was roping, branding, herding and doing many other things when he should have been going to school. He did not like the pay and so he decided to go back to Wyoming. He came to a settlement called Pine Bluffs and was soon working for a man by the name of Parker. He got $30.00 per month, meals included. The Old Texas Trail went through Emil's stomping ground and he thought he was on the last drive. This was a drove of 5,000 that were being taken to Montana and they were moving and grazing slowly along. This trail meandered over a trail that was about 20 miles wide so there would be a little grass to eat on the way. He left Wyoming in 1906 and came to Kit Carson County, Colo., where the rest of the family had homesteaded. Emil was both brother and father to his brothers and sisters after the death of his father in 1907. He was a good neighbor and loved his fellow men, especially little children. Emil was inducted into the army in the spring of 1918 and served with the calvary. He received his discharge, March 14, 1919. There was a period when there was a rodeo at the Stalgren's every Sunday afternoon. The cowpunchers were always welcome at the Stalgrens and they liked to stop in. Everyone behaved. It seemed no one ever doubted Emil's ability to keep order. Just a little remark from him and everything was right again. He had a way with people of any caliber of mentality or character. On June 21, 1958, Emil's brother Roy, with whom he lived, went to town to get groceries and returned home, and not finding Emil in the kitchen as usual. looked in the bedroom. He was lying on the bed. Emil Stalgren was dead. He was buried in the Beaver Valley Cemetery, the cemetery he had helped start and had helped care for since he was a young man. Many of his relatives lay there waiting for him. by Bill R. Wright STALGREN, ROY of the others. Instead of dying, he got well. He was honorably discharged Dec. 16th, 1918. ln L922, to fill the need and make some money, while doing it, Roy, Frank Anderson and Fred Teman and his wife, bought horses locally and drove them to Utah. The Mormons, in Utah, were in need of horses, both riding & draft. A wagon was equipped with a canvas top, similar to the pioneer covered wagons, to carry the supplies and a stove for Mrs. Teman to cook on. Archie Anderson went along as far as Flagler where, by then, the horses were "trail broke". Archie then returned home and the herd moved on. Little details are known ofthe difficulties ofthe trip but one can imagine there were many. Upon arriving in Utah, the horses were sold, including the ones they were riding. Frank stayed in Utah several years and the others came home on the train. Roy & Ruth Fithian were married, Mar. 28, 1925, at Goodland, Kans. She had a son, Mark. They lived on a farm in NE Kit Carson, Co., Colo. & Sterling, Colo. A daughter, Darlene, was born, in 1925. Ruth died in 1929 and Darlene went to Iive with Ruth's aunt, Charlotte Cromwell in Lincoln, Nebr., who owned & lived in the Cornhusker Hotel. On Oct. 24, L942, he was again drafted to serve in the army, during World War II. He was inducted at Denver, Colo., and was a private with the Detachment Medical Department SCU #1758 at Camp Hale, Colo. He was discharged the 19th of Feb. 1943. He came back to Kit Carson, Co., Colo. to farm and live with his mother, brother Emil and sister Maude. Roy was generous to a fault with everything he owned. In his concern with his neighbor's welfare, it always came before his own. Roy's stock of groceries was unsurpassed by any home in the neighborhood. Canned goods of every size, shape and description were included in his horde. One of his theories behind this was that, in case of a three day blizzard, the neighbors could get groceries from him, when they couldn't get all the way into town. Uncle Roy fell and broke his hip on the 17th of March, 1981. He spent the next three years in hospitals and the Grace Manor Nursing Home in Burlington, Colo. He passed away, Saturday, Apr. 14, 1984 and is buried in the Beaver Valley Cemetery in Kit Carson, Co., Colo. F673 "On the deal," Whenever you heard these words, you knew Uncle Roy was around. His favorite comment to just about anything. No one was ever sure just what it meant, Roy Robert Benjamin Stalgren was born in Salem, Wyo. on Aug. 3, 1897. He came to Kit Carson, Co., Colo., with his parents, brothers & sisters in 1906. He was the youngest son of Charles August & Ida Marie Stalgren. The family was originally from Sweden. Before going to Colo., the family had lived in Nebr., Wyo. and Kans. Roy went to school at the Plainview School in Kit Carson Co.. Colo. Roy loved to drink coffee. Many, many cups were consumed everyday. If the coffee was not hot, then cold would do fine. A Karo syrup bucket, filled with water and coffee, in the morning and hung on the exhaust of his tractor, took care of his needs during the day in the field. The last words Roy spoke, before his death were, "I would like a cup of coffee, please." by Bill R. Wright STAPP, LEONA PUGH F674 I really nm proud ofthe distinction ofbeing the first white child born in Kit Carson County. My.parents, John and Jane Pugh, held the torch high as they answered the challenge to make for themselves a home on the vast expanse of prairie land. On coming to Wray, Colorado, November 16, 1886, from Springer, New Mexico where my father worked as a foreman on a large cattle ranch, they took advantage with many others of the privilege of filing on Pre-Emption and Homestead claims. The ones they chose are about 12 miles north of Stratton. On their arrival in Wray, my parents and friends, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, joined purses and bought a team of horses and wagons to haul the lumber for the necessary finishing touches for a sod house and started out on the 75 mile trek. A terrific storm (snow) forced them to stop in Friend, a post office between Wray and Stratton. There were two or three houses there. (Later when Idalia was organized it was abandoned.) One family living there would give shelter to weary travelers. So here we stopped. The first night the horses broke loose from their tether and it took three days of walking before they were found. By this time mother and Mrs. Jones felt it best for them to stay in Friend, so the men went on. In the meantime I opened my eyes to the beautiful Colorado sunshine on December 22. 1886. I have always listened many times to my mother telling of the three long days when father would have to go to Wray for provisions. And one time they had to put the little colt right between the mares to save him from the gray wolves. As time went on the water situation became so acute they were forced to leave the little old Soddy on the Homestead, and were fortunate in finding an opportunity to buy the famous old Tuttle Ranch. our home for many years. It is still in the family as my brother Lloyd owns it now. My brother Arthur and I roamed the hills for many a treasure find in Indian beads, trinkets and arrow heads. I loved the excitement of the fall round up, and the breaking of the young horses, both to the saddle and harness. The days in early fall when I went with the folks to pick up buffalo chips for our winter fuel wasn't one bit interesting, but I do remember what a hot fire they made with gobs of ashes to carry out. The first Christmas that I remember was such a thrill. We youngsters climbed out of bed way early and found in the stockings we had hung up the night before, a big shiny apple, an orange, popcorn ball and a big stick of striped red and white candy. Another thing that's so vivid was the fear of prairie fire when the grass dried up in the fall. One time a big one came rolling in from the south. It burned two ofour big haystacks in the big meadow. Several of the men came in at noon completely exhausted. Mother fed them all. When they left to meet the force farther north, father hated so to leave us all alone. There was danger ofhidden tongues of fire that would revive and creep down through the south hills. He told us to have wet sacks or anything we could use to beat the flames if they did come. Those dreadful things did come. We fought like demons and �Lester married Dixie Eachus; they raised blocked their path. The men returned about midnight and we were rated real heroes too in helping mother save the Place. four boys: Clifford, Gerald, Robert and David. They lived in Denver where he worked When I became eligible I took uP a homestead claim right close to my father's land, proved upon it. Then, when I tnarried the young man in Iowa, they bought it' And we used the money to build our own home there. where I lived until his death. at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal for a long time. Then in 1954 they moved to St. Louis, and I spent in Llanidloes, Wales, in 1911. It was his first visit home since leaving as a young man to come to America. My father's death in 1913 was indeed a greai shock, as mother was left with the iesponsibility of a big ranch with only young ones to help her, but a valued helper and friend, Bill Lucas, stood by and she weathered the storm. while in Butte, Montana. Then they moved Missouri, where he was a maintenzlnce man at different plants. Lawrence was most always a truck driver. He married Martha Stallsworth in 1950. They worked as managers of a hotel for a Another highlight was the six weeks father The last item in my story is full of good things as mother and I live so comfortable herJin Stratton close by my brother Lloyd and sisters, Mabet Guy and Gladys Quinn. I enjoy to the fullest every activity in our E.U.B. Church and have a wealth unsurpassed in wonderful friends. by Leona Alice Pugh StaPP wagon). the Navy for a while. bY DorothY Harwood 191?; Mildred M. 1921; Lester I. 1924; and Lawrence W. 1928. AII but Vernon got most of their education at Sunny Slope School north of Arriba. Dad was a small farmer who farmed with horses, raised wheat, barley, oats, corn and STEGMAN FAMILY F676 . . also hogs and some some beans and cane cattle. So we had our meat, milk, cream and butter. One evening as we were out pulling and picking beans after school, Mother ran onto a rattlesnake all coiled under a vine. That put a stop to our evening work. Mother raised a garden and chickens so we had some fresh vegetables to eat. Also she canned quite a lot and had plenty of eggs and fryers. She baked most of our bread; a loaf of boughten bread then was a treat. STEDMAN - PROAPS FAMILY William A. Stedman at work on drayline (middle to Marion, Oregon. They have 4 children, Letha, Diana, Cherry and Billy who was in F675 : We butchered a hog once in a while to have meat and lard. They'd make a brine of brown sugar, salt and smoke flavoring for curing the meat, using a big wooden barrel to put it in. We made our own sausage and Mom canned this in jars in the oven. We would pick up cowchips for firewood but would take out more ashes than the fuel put in the stove. They were a real quick hot fire. Also one winter I remember burning corn on the cob; corn wasn't worth too much. We used kerosene lamps to read, study and sew by at nights and a kerosene lantern to chore by if we didn't get the chores done before dark. Times were hard but we always had plenty to eat and were clean and had a roof over our head. Wayne and I began our schooling in a little sod school house 14 miles north and 2 miles west of Arriba in 1923. Then Wayne, Mildred, Lester and I finished our schooling at Sunny Slope. In 1937 the folks moved to Hugo, Colorado, where Dad had work on W.P.A. After that they moved to Ordway in 1942 where Dad *oiked as drayman and with the railroad until his passing from a sunstroke in 1946. Coal schutt where Dad worked 1943 (Bill Stedman). William (BiIl) Stedman was born at Ionia, Kansas, October 2, L884, and Miss Jennie June Proaps was born near Logan, Kansas, June 15, 1886. They were united in marriage at Bogue, Kansas the 21st day of April 1907. He was working as a citY draYman in Stockton, Kansas, at the time of their marriage, moving to Colorado and taking up a homestead north of Flagler in 1907. Here their family began. Vernon L. was born in 1910; Wayne A. 1914; Dorothy M. Mother passed awaY in 1951. Wayne, our oldest brother, worked out a lot. In his later years he worked as a miner at the big open pit at Butte, Montana, until he contacted black lung and could work no more. Then it was me, Dorothy, finishing my schooling and ready to try my wings. I met Frank Harwood at Sunday School one Sunday in 1933. We went together for quite some time and in August of 1934 we began our home together and have been together for almost 53 years, raising 4 children. Mildred, our sister, graduated in Hugo in 1938. She married a serviceman, Harland Meade, from Kentucky. They lived at Fowler and Ordway where he did a lot of trapping beside holding down a job. In 1954 they and their two children moved to Albany, Oregon. Jerome Stegman at Homecoming in 1975 Jerome Stephen Stegman was born in Kansas, May 22,1913. He was the ninth child of George and Elizabeth Stegman of Offerle. His grandparents migrated from Pfiefer, Russia. His grandparents were German-Russian. He grew up in this same area. Jerome helped his father on the farm working with horses. He helped raise broom corn and make brooms. He also helped in a nursery. In 1934 he married Josephine Katz. They farmed near Offerle. In 1946 they moved south of Stratton on a farm near the Cheyenne County line. The children attended First Central School. The home they moved into was made of sod. Electricity and telephones were not available in the area until several years later. The children felt they lived so far from civilization that they would never get to meet anyone. Farmers and neighbors formed baseball teems. These teams played in pastures where ball diamonds were set up. Some years were very good, as far as crops, but there were also very bleak years with dust storms and drought. Wheat was the major crop. Later when the irrigation wells were installed, corn became important for ensi- �lage. For quite a few years they raised turkeys and chickens. One of the fun times was when neighbors would get together to butcher chickens, another was driving cattle to the dipping vats. Jerome always had a large herd of cattle. Milking cows and selling cream helped provide for food and groceries. Large gardens were planted and much canning was done for winter foods. One of the sad times was when the two story barn burnt during the night in the fall of 1949. The light of the fire was seen for miles. Many neighbors came to help. In 1950 Jerome and Josephine built a home in Colorado Springs. Later they sold it and moved back to the farm. In 1951 Josephine was killed in an auto accident and was buried at Calvary Cemetery at Stratton. They had seven children. In November, 1952, Jerome married Dorothy Katz. They lived on the farm south of Stratton. Jerome was the first person to have an irrigation well in that area, which is pumping at the present. Mail was delivered three times a week from Bethune. One winter the children stayed in town for two weeks so they could attend school, as the roads were impassable due to the blowing snow. In 1963 Jerome felt the pressures of many problems. He decided to retire from farming and built a home in Stratton. They moved into their home in February, 1964. Jerome started driving the school bus and worked as a janitor at the Catholic Church and School. Dorothy and the children helped him in his work. He also worked for area farmers. never losing his love for cattle and the good earth. In 1976 Jerome underwent a triple by-pass. After his surgery, Jerome regained his strength and gradually went back working fulltime. Three family reunions were held, with the last being held July 18, 1982, being the greatest. It was held in Colorado Springs. All of the children were there. Thev came from California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and Canada. On Saturday, July 18, 1982, the reunion started with a dedication and service. A dance followed in the evening. Sunday morning was started with everyone going to Mass, followed by a pancake breakfast. The afternoon was spent taking pictures and saying goodbyes. Mary and Carl Smelker were the host for this reunion. In October 1981, Jerome lost the tips of two fingers on his right hand and again in 1982 lost the tips of two fingers on his left hand. It was during a routine checkup that the doctors discovered that he was again to have major surgery. This operation was extremely taxing on his physical strength, and he never fully recovered. Jerome and Dorothy traveled to many sports events in which their children participated. Jerome was always a sports enthusiast. he played baseball in his early days and later umpired for many games at Stratton. Jerome passed away on March 26, 1989, after a two week illness. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery. Dorothy still lives in Stratton. She is a teacher's aide and a bus driver for the Stratton School. Children of the Stegman family are as follows . . . Mary Ann Smelker married Carl Smelker on October 18, 1950. They live in Colorado Springs and have five children and six grandchildren. They own Smelker Concrete Pumping, Inc. Kenneth Jerome married Patricia J. Lillv August 30, 1975. Kenneth has three children and two grandchildren. Pat and Kenneth are both working in insurance. They own Surety Life. Their hobby is raising Paint horses. They are both involved in community functions. Andrea Geraldine married Claude Maxon in 1966. They have operated several businesses and owned several. At the present, they are taking life easy and enjoying their home in Fullerton. California. Constance Josephine married David Baker in 1961. They live in Indian Hills, Colorado. They have three children. Connie and David both love the outdoors. Elizabeth Kathleen, better known as Kathy, married Glen Leavitt in 1966 in Las Vegas where they have lived all their married Iife. They have both worked in various clubs. Kathy and Glen love to hunt and going out in the hills camping. Virginia Lee married Allan Dobler in 1g64. They have five children. At present they live in Seneca, Missouri where they are managing a chicken farm. They follow their children in sports. They also like to rodeo. Patricia Kay is living in Oklahoma City at present. Pat has 2 sons. Joe Howe, whom she married in 1979, passed away May 18th, 1982. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery. Pat plans to return to Colorado in the spring of '88. At present she is attending college. Colleen Marie married Ray Stutzman in 1966. They lived in Denver and later moved to Oregon. They have two daughters. Colleen loves to garden, can foods, and grow flowers. Both Ray and Colleen love to fish. Robert Morris married Lynette Allen in 1967. Bob and Lynette have four children. At the present, they live in Washington. Bob is in the construction business. Linda Dianne married Johnny Johnson in 1969. Linda attended Pikes Peak Institute of Medical Technology in Colorado Springs. Linda is employed as an office manager for a transport company. They have two children. The family is active in outdoor sports. George Steven married Michele Bilak on September 12, 1981, in Genessee Park in Colorado. George worked as respiratory therapist in many Denver hospitals before moving to East Rochester, New York. He works in Highland Hospital as a therapist. Michele works at Delco Products Division of General Motors. They have three little girls. Delmar Eugene married Linda Borden in 1976. Del has kept busy even with his disability. He spent long months in body cast and braces. He also underwent extensive surgery on his back and hip. Del and Linda live in Colorado Springs. Linda works in a rest home and Del runs an advertising paper. They have three children, one girl and two boys. high school days. They also played softball for summer recreation. They have four daughters. They live south of Stratton where {grome lived. They have cattle and sheep. Their joys are horses and dogs. Elizabeth Ann married Tim Pautler in L975 at Stratton, Colorado. Tim is engaged in farming. They live north of Stratton. Thev are active in many community projects. They are parents ofthree daughters. Both Tim and El?abeth graduated from Stratton High. Cynthia Josephine married Jay Robinson in 1985. They live in Fountain, Colorado. Jav works for a landscaping company. Cindy graduated from NJC, Sterling, Colorado. Cindy works as a secretary. They are blessed with two children. Rita Fracyne married John Kadaw in 1983. Rita and John both graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. Rita now works in the Weld Library District. They have a darling boy and are expecting anothei. They both enjoy hunting and fishing. Jeanine Marie married Billy Hornung in 1985. Both of them graduated from Stratton and attended UNC in Greeley. Jeanine attended and graduated from Colby Community College in June, 1984, with an associate degree in practical nursing. She graduated with Phy Theta Capa honors. Billy and Jeanine live north of Stratton. Thev are involved in ranching and farming. They have a son, Louden. Jacqueline Elaine was born on Februarv 29, 1964. She was born on her Uncle Bills' birthday, which is quite unique. She was an outstanding basketball and volleyball player. Jackie attended Adams State in Alamosa. Colorado. She played college basketball for four years. In 1983 her team went to Nationals. Jackie is teaching in Elizabeth, Colorado, in the high school. She enjoys cooking and sports. Bernard Jerome was born in 196b. He attended Stratton Schools where he was active in wrestling. His greatest challenge was to go to state competition. He was district champion all four years. In his junior year he placed third at state. His senior year, he placed fifth. Bernie attended Colby Community College his freshman year. He graduated from Sterling NJC in the spring of 1986. That fall entered the army. He is stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He plans to enter college when he returns home. Juleen Reanee was born October 6. 1966. She graduated from Stratton High. She was active in sports and many school activities. She was FHA president for two years, and chosen to National Honor Society her sophomore year. She attended McCook Community College, where she played basketball for two years. Juleen studied child care. She graduated in 1987. Juleen is working as a nanny in Colorado Springs. Though many of Jerome's children are living throughout the country, they will Theresa Marie was married to Mark Amos always have many happy memories of their lives in Stratton. Nineteen of the children have graduated from the Stratton school district. They have always felt proud to call Stratton their home town. Washington County. They have two children. Theresa loves being a mother and housekeeper. She also likes to garden and grow flowers. Stephen Jerome married Connie Livingston in 1974. Steve and Connie alwavs loved sports and participated in many during their by Dorothy Stegman in 1973. Mark was in the army at that time. They lived in Buffalo, Wyoming for a while, later moving to Flagler, where he had a welding shop. In 1985 the welding shop burned. Mark is now a state patrol officer in �STETLER, GRANT F677 I was born in Carey County, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1863, and spent my boyhood days there with my parents on a farm. Hearing the stories of the wonderful West and the opportunity of owning your own home, I decided to take my chance with the others who had immigrated into the new country. So I left my home in Ohio, and came by train to Benkleman, Nebr., then to Bird City, Ks., where an older brother was living. I came with the intention of taking a homestead in western Kansas, but soon learned that all desirable land had been taken up there. So I left my trunk with my brother and took a few supplies with me. A man bythe name of Mack Criger and I walked into Colorado, arriving on March 8, 1887. We enjoyed the trip across the plains eager to get to our destination and learn what the new land looked like, and where we would be located. It took us two days to walk from Bird City to a home owned by Bevelheimer. He was then living on the original townsite platted for Burlington, but from which the town later moved to a site 2 miles east. The night we reached the Colorado line, we were footsore and very weary. We stayed overnight with a Mr. Van Horn and family. There were blisters on our toes and the kind old lady let us bathe our feet and rub them with coaloil. I have never forgotten her kindness to us and how cheered we were to continue our journey. We both took pre-emptions joining and filed our papers at Kiowa, then decided to return to Bird City for supplies. Having no conveyance, we again set out on foot. We walked all day and came to a farm house that night, and asked for a bed. But evidently they didn't like our looks, for they told us they had no place for us to stay. So we just kept walking and walked all night. We followed the angling trail across the prairie to a place where the road forked. One trail leading east and the other angling northeast. We got started on the wrong trail and had walked some miles when we discovered our error. So, as there was no other mark by which we could find our bearings, we looked at Polaris to guide straight north to the angling road, or trail and finally arrived at Bird City. In Bird City, we bought some lumber for our house, a breaking plow, a team of mules, and a wagon. Then we put in some food supplies; consisting of flour, lard, salt side meat, and beans; and bedding, and dishes. We then drove back to our locations in Colo., and build a sod house on the line between the two claims. Criger located on the NE % of 178-44, and I on the SE % of 8-8-44. This was a substitutional little shack with a good roof and a wood floor. We lived here until we could prove on our claims. We had a home made bedstead, and used boxes for cupboards and chairs. Our mail was brought from Ft. Wallace, to Eustis, Kansas, then brought to Colo. by farmers or the stage. The mail sack was left at the home of Jim Anderson, a homesteader near us. We would take the mail sack in the back room of his home, dump the mail on the floor, and get ours out. Then return the mail to the sack, and whenever we met a man whom we knew had received mail. we told him, then he'd go to Andersons to get it. Water was hauled from Lost Man Creek until I dug a well 140 ft. deep. We then had water as long as we stayed there. While I was in Bird City, I met a James Knapp, who at that time was digging the well in the public square, in the town. Later he came to Colo. and dug a number of wells on the ranches around Burlington and for a number of years after procuring a well drilling outfit, he drilled wells and erected windmills for the STEVENS - CALL AND STEVENS - SPURLIN FAMILIES F678 settlers. When buying supplies for our new home, we made an error by purchasing a gasoline cook stove instead of a little "topsy" or cook stove, for when we got to Colo., we discovered we couldn't get gasoline here. So we dug a hole in the ground outdoors and built a fire with buffalo chips, the only available fuel. We were obliged to cook in this manner until we could purchase a cook stove some weeks later. My team of mules and a breaking plow made my living for me, for I got work among the early settlers breaking the ground for tree-culture claims and planting young trees. A number of people came from Skidmore, Mo. and took tree claims, and we got the job of breaking the ground and planting the trees. When I first came here, I brought some of fathers tools. that he used in his blacksmith shops in Flat Rock, and in Carey, Ohio. Among them a brace and bit, a square, and some other pieces. I have used them since and they are pretty well worn now. I also have a stove poker my father made for me when I was a lad. We were thrilled when we learned the Rock Island was coming through here, in Oct. and the grading begun the following April, in 1888. I helped dig the railroad well at Flagler. Fay and Alberta Stevens in the late 1920's in Benkleman, Nebr. My dad, Virgil Fay Stevens Sr., moved to western Kansas with my grandparents. The I watched the little towns grow from tents to their present size. I have seen people come, homestead was just north of Bird City, Kansas. In those days, it was not unusual to stay a short time, and go on, too discouraged see Indians pass by. My mother, Alberta Call, to stand the battle a bit longer. But there was born and raised in Geneva, Kansas. She were always a few who stayed on, endured the was 18 years old when she graduated from hardships, and have been foremost in the progress and development ofthis area. They were the real pioneers and only a few are left. By working at different jobs, I saved enough to return to Ohio, and in Jan. 1889, I was married to Etta M. Slaymaker. We returned to Burl by the new Rock Island and at once got a relinquishment, on which was a small dugout, having a floor made mostly of knotholes. What a home for a bride! We lived here until the next summer when we built a two-room house with a commodious cellar underneath. I dare say that of all the nice homes we've had since, none thrilled us as much as when we moved form the dugout, to the soddy. We got a man by the name of John Trout, to dig a well for us and gave him a cow in payment. Water was brought up by a windlass. Later we put up a windmill, built a stone milk house, and made butter, for which we always got 25 cents per lb. We lived here for about 20 years, and sold out in 1907. We came to Burl, where we bought a hardware store and retired after some years in this business. We are now living in our own home in Burlington, Colo. In May, 1937, Grant Stetler passed away. by Janice Salmans school, and moved to western Kansas to teach at a small country school. This is where she met my dad and they were married. They farmed and raised cattle until the drought of the 30's and the depression forced them off the farm. While living on the farm they had four sons, Virgil Jr., Norman, Dean and Dallas. After leaving the farm they moved to Benkelman, Nebraska, where my two sisters Sharon and Connie were born. I started school in Benkelman and went through the seventh grade. Dad had a garage where he made farm equipment. In 1947 we moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where some of dad's brothers were. None of us liked it there so we came back and settled in Burlington where dad helped his brother, Henry, build the Steven's Motel, the first large modern motel and 24 hour restaurant which was located on Rose Avenue. Dad also contracted other buildings, such as the old Save-U market, and built houses until he became ill. He passed away in 1960. My mother still lives in Burlington and celebrated her 80th birth- day in April, 1987. When I moved to Burlington in 1947 I was in the 8th grade. Tony Consbruck was the new principal. The whole school was in one building. When I was a sophomore we used to go to Stratton, usually in an old Model A Ford, or anything that would run. I met a Stratton girl, Doris Spurlin. Her folks ran a dairy and the Hollywood Creamery. We were married in September of 1953, after Doris graduated from high school. I graduated in 1952 and was working for "Jack the Cleaner". �I ran his delivery route to Stratton, Vona and Seibert. Doris had moved to Burlington with two girl friends and worked as a telephone operator. In January 1954, Doris and I, my brother Dean and his wife Freda, went to Fort Benning, Georgia. Dean and I were in the first NCO (Non-Commissioned Officers) school, class #1 at the Fort and trained with regular army and officer candidates. In 1958 Dean, Freda and their two children, Doris, and our two daughters Dana and Debbie and I moved back to Burlington from Brush. We purchased "Jack the Cleaners" and became partners in business at the D&D Cleaners located at 470 14th Street. Dean later moved to Flagler and operated an additional cleaning plant. After settling in Burlington we had three daughters, Diane, Devona, and Dee, and a son Derek. In 1975 we purchased the business from Felzien Cleaners and moved to a new location at 260 14th Street. In February, 1987, we have been in business 28 years. We have always liked Burlington and Kit Carson County. We know many people all over the county and are very glad we stopped times we had to buy hay and grain that the government had purchased and shipped in. A great deal of it was unfit for the stock to STILL, R. A. AND FREDA eat. Quite a few of the farmers sold their cattle to the government to be killed, rather than buy expensive and oftentimes spoiled F680 feed. When we came to Colorado, there was a great amount of open range, where you could graze your cattle and horses, which helped out considerably during those dry years. However, not everything was on the dark side; there were also good times to be had. These were neighborhood gatherings, visit- ing, card parties and house dances. Almost every weekend there would be a dance at someone's home, Some danced and others that didn't care to dance, played cards. The music was furnished by some of the neighbors. This usually consisted of a piano, violin, and guitar. Each family brought along some food and around midnight, refreshments of sandwiches, cake and coffee were served. A collection was taken to pay for the music. here years ago and decided to raise our family Along in the 40s, things started changing here. All our children graduated from Burlington High School. Two of our children now reside in Burlington. We have six grandchild- for the better. The crops were better and also the prices for the crops. In March 1936, Ethel Kreoger and I were united in marriage. I had a 1929 Essex car and about $40.00 in cash. I had the promise of a job on a farm northeast of Holyoke, about fifteen miles north of Wray; a rod went out the side ofthe engine. But as luck would have it, a couple of men who knew my cousin at Holyoke, came along and picked us up and took us the rest of the way to my cousin's place. I worked on this place for a few months; we then rented a farm north of Burlington. In t942. we left the farm and moved to Denver, where I worked for Remington Arms, making ammunition. We also spent a year in New Jersey, where I had a part in the making of the atom bomb. R.A., Frieda, and Andrew Still during the 1920's. After the war we moved to Hale, Colo., But faithfulness and honesty showed all where I ran the Hale Store and was Postmast- your love was true, and who would ever dream er from the Spring of L947 until August 1948. what all would come. From a horse and buggy courtship to airplane's awesome flight, you've traveled through your life in many ways. ren. Our granddaughter will be the third generation attending Burlington Schools. by Dallas Stevens STEWART FAMILY F679 We moved to a farm southwest of Stratton and lived there until February 1984. After moving there, Ethel taught school for several years. Two years were at the Nutbrook School, located 10 miles south and one mile west of Stratton. Three years were spent Calvin and Ethel Stewart on March 1970 on their 35th wedding anniversary. On March 10, 1932, from Gage Co., Nebraska, came the Stewarts H.R. and Hattie, with their three sons: Calvin, Lamar and Dean to a place 9% miles north of Burlington to what was known as the Tyler place. We arrived at the time the banks were going broke and the drought and dust storms were starting. The fall of '31 Dad came to Colorado and leased the place where we were to live, across the road from land he had purchased previously. The land owners were to do some building, including a house and some work on the barn. However, on arriving at the place, Sixty years is a long time for two to live as one "Surely, this won't last," was said by some. one miles south and one mile west of You've seen such endless changes throughout your married life together, faced it all so unafraid. You both pulled out of Stockton that cold day long ago, one by rail, the other by Model Stratton. T. I were married 38 years; we had 3 daughters: Sandra Lincoln, Marianna, Fla., Patricia You set out in your new life determined and with love to make your life as good as it could be. You've seen a lot of good times Contrasted to the bad; The dirty thirties'darkened skies of dust. at the Smoky Angle School, which was twenty I also spent several years working for the railroad and Kit Carson County. Ethel and Webb, Bethune, Colo., and Sharon Harper, Cedar Hill, Texas. In 1974 Ethel passed away; in 1976, I married Jewell Tatkenhorst. Jewell passed away in 1983. I rm now married to the former When chickens roosted early and night came at midday. The strength that pulled you Betty Miller. through was love and trust. For those whose faith together gets them My brother, Lamar, is living in Denver and brother, Dean, still resides on the home place, through those bad times, rewards are bound to come, and yours came, too. north of Burlington. we found nothing had been done. So we There have been quite a few rough times moved into a sod house that was on the place, until such time as Dad could get a house built and a great many good times. I guess you need the bad times to really appreciate the good for us. ones. The first few years were tough going, as the crops were short and prices low. We were farming with horses at that time, as were quite a few others, and at times it was touch and go as to whether we were going to get feed enough for the horses and cattle. Several Over Sixty Years and "Still' Going Strong by Calvin YY. Stewart Those fields of golden harvest seemed magical at times. The magic, though, was hard work, Mother Nature and you. And speaking of hard work, we can't forget the cows, the milking and to town you hauled the cream. Kanorado was then booming, a busy little town; a hotel, movie house, a growing dream. We want to thank you Grandma. and Grandad, thank you, too. You made us each feel special and always a part. �finishing high school in Flagler, Colorado. And memories you gave us. Too manY, here, to count. Because you have always been Second Central provided grades through ten, all attended junior and senior years in Flagler High School; Donna attended Flagler school a few years longer, Lyle graduated from Flagler High School in 1944. This time in history was an unusual young at heart. Good cooking, Christmas stockings, whistles and bubble gum, sleighrides, laughter, teats, memories we all share. With our congratulations for your shared sixty years, we give our love to you both 'cause we care. And this is so little in comparison to all you have given us. Your grandchildren and great-grandchild- time for many, upsetting many of life's ambitions and plans. After a summer at home, he entered the Army. After training, his outfit was put aboard a Liberty ship, headed for the Pacific area. Japan surrendered and these troops were among the first ren, This poem was written in honor of R.A. and Freda Still's sixtieth Wedding Anniversary, in 1983. Freda passed away in September, 1984. This poem is being placed in this book in fond memory of Grandma, by her Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, and R.A. who still lives in their home (north of Kanorado) over 60 years and "STILL" going strong. troops arriving there. After sailing into Nagasaki Harbor, the journey was extended to Nagoya where troops were put ashore. The first permanent outfit was at Koyoto. After a few months, all were shipped to Kochene Stadium at Osaka where men transferred to various parts of Japan. Lyle was transferred to a Signal Corps outfit in Kobe. In 1946, he was shipped back to the states and discharged in November, 1946. On January 24, L948, Lyle married Laura by Susan Corliss Elizabeth Howe of the Bovina area. She STONE, LYLE W. AND LAURA F68l Solomon W. and Rose A. Stone, Lyle Stone's grandparents Lyle W. was born September 22, L926 in a sod house built for his parents, Conrad L. & Minerva (Sloan) Stone, when they were married. His father, Conrad "Connie" was a son of Solomon W. & Rose A. Stone. In this same house, Joyce Elizabeth was born February 10, 1929. The Connie Stone family then moved to the old Moss homestead to live for a time. Here, Dorothy A. was born on the fourth of July, 1930. Connie bought some land south in the range area and built there Conrad and Minerva Stone Family sist€rs Joyce, Dorothy and Donna - LyIe and his a three room adobe house, barns, and necessary buildings to raise livestock. At this place, Donna M. was born on March 7, 1936. Lyle and his sisters, Joyce, Dorothy and Donna attcnded school at Second Central, attended school in Lincoln County, graduating in Genoa in 1945. After a try at farming on the family homestead, their last $50.00 went for seed wheat. The crop was lost that winter in blowing dust. They then moved to Denver where Lyle attended Western Television and Radio Institute. A little over two years later they returned to a home they had built in the Town of Flagler; a shop was established in July, 1951. Plans were to continue in school at Chicago, but comfort of living again in Flagler was too great. By driving school buses, combines and other odd jobs, the business was able to succeed. Laura and Lyle were proud parents of Marvin Lyle, Connie Lee, Peggy Joyce, Lenny Ray, Kelvin Eugene and Laura Beth. AII children attended Flagler Schools. Marvin attended Otero Junior College, Colorado State University, Washington State University and received a doctorate. He now is a professor at Oklahoma State University. Connie Lee attended Mesa College at Rangely one year and two years at Otero College at La Junta. He is now serving as a technician at the family shop. Lenny Ray attended college at Otero Junior College, served a time with the United States Air Force in the "cripto" area and now serves as a communi- cations technician in the family shop. Peggy Joyce lives on the Island of Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands. She attended Colorado * State Teachers College at Greeley, where she received a B.S. degree and a Masters at the University of Hawaii. She is now employed by Social Services on Moloki. Kelvin Eugene attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs and Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley where he received a B.S. degree in Chemistry. He is now chief chemist for the City of Colorado Springs. In 1956, Lyle was elected to the Board of Directors for the Town of Flagler, serving there until 1968. He then was elected mayor and served until 1972. Of this time, a most remembered problem would have been with man's best friends, the dogs. Laura, among all other duties of raising a family has served the business as bookkeeper and general manager through many years, a momentous task. In 1987, the family business has been in operation for 36 years. In conclusion, Flagler Lyle and Laura Stone and family �has been a good place to do business and especially to raise a family. by Lyle TV. Stone STONE, SOLOMON WESLEY F682 Stone, Solomon Wesley, arrived in Kit Carson County in 1914 after a grueling trip from Beverly, Kansas. He was accompanied by his son, Conrad Lyle Stone, known to most as "Connie". Other members of the family, along with household and other equipment, arrived later in Seibert by train. The family first located on the "Cardwell Place", south of Seibert where the family lived until moving to a tract of land Solomon had purchased, some 12 miles southeast of Flagler. A great amount of effort to improve this plot of ground was seen in the next few years when a row oflocust trees was planted, a large area of garden, shrubbery and trees near the homesite. Most who knew them, will recall the row of trees reaching over a half mile, the steep magnesia cliffs and winding incline of the road from the east approach. This location was a welcome change from the at Time, Pike County, Illinois and died July 4, L94L, at Flagler. Rose (Anderson) Stone was born November 12, 1863, at Newton, Iowa and died September 13, 1944, Flagler. Children of Marice Briand and Laura Lenore Briand (Stone) were Joyce Evelyn, Virginia Lenore, Maurice, Hal Burdette, Sol Lewis (Peterson) and William A. Stone were Raymond (died young), Bruck William, Rose Evelyn and Frances June. Children of Minerva Anna (Sloan) and Conrad Lyle Stone were Lyle Wesley, Joyce Elizabeth, Dorothy Anna and Donna Mae. Children of Marjory (Taylor) and Solomon W. Stone were Judeth Roann, and of second marriage to Ida B. (Reynolds), Conrad who died at birth. Conrad Lyle b. Aug. 31, 1898 (Beverly, Ks), Farmer and Stockman, lived most of his life in Flagler area, Colo. Owned ranches and farms south of Flagler, trained as a barber, practiced in Flagler a time. Died at Hoxie, Ks, Jan26,1965, married by Rev. Adna W Moore at Flagler on March 11, 1925. Minerva Anna Sloan b. July 26, 1900 (Selden, Ks), died March 24, 1978 at Hugo, Colo. Loved home and family above all else, played basketball as a youth, enjoyed School Sports and Community affairs. Children: a. Lyle Wesley b. Sept. 22,1926, Telecommunications. Lifetime in Flagler area. Married Jan.24,1948 (Limon). Laura Elizabeth Howe b. March 4, L927 (Genoa, Co), Accountant, Bus Mgr & Homemaker. Children: (1) Marvin Lyle b. June 22, L950 (Denver, Co). Doctorate in Engineering Sciences, Prof at man to Illinois where he engaged in farming. At the onset of the Civil War, joined the 99th Ill. Infantry and after many encounters, became ill at the Battle of Vicksburg from ting. No Children. unsanitary conditions at the front and later died in St. Louis, Mo., when his son, Solomon was only one year old. Solomon, his Mother and three brothers moved then to near Ft. Scott, Kansas, where his mother homesteaded, later marrying a minister who had also homesteaded there named Cardwell. The family then moved to Lecompton, Kansas, where Solomon grew to manhood. On April 20, 1887, Solomon married Rose A. Anderson at Ellsworth, Kansas. The couple spent some time at Topeka where Solomon was engaged as a stonemason in the building of the State Capitol building there. He later bought a farm at Beverly, Kansas, where his children, Alma Elizabeth (died young), Laura Lenore, William Anderson, Conrad Lyle and Solomon Wesley was born. (The youngest son of the youngest son was called Solomon for four generations!) Other members of the Stone family had homesteaded south of Seibert and reported good country, accounting for Solomon's move to Kit Carson County. Here he engaged in farming, construction and road building. He plastered many local homes, ran the concrete for the Flagler water tower, built a few rock buildings, ran sidewalks and curbs in Flagler. He operated a road-building crew when Kit Carson County improved the rural roads in this area. He was known as "Uncle Sol" and she as "Aunt Rose" to all who knew them in the area. They were active in the First Congregational Church in Flagler and the Second Central Sunday School. Solomon Stone was born August L4, L862, F683 and Maryn Kay. Children of Nettie Jo general flat rolling country about it, an oasis of greenery in a normally dry and sometimes dusty land. Solomon Stone was the son of Solomon of Bloomfield, Indiana whose father, also Solomon, had moved there from North Carolina. Solomon of Indiana moved when a young STONER, EMMA AND GALEN Oklahoma State University, Married Dec. 31, 1970, to: Bonnie Jean Flowers b. Feb. 19, 1950, Computer Op, Archaeologist, Accoun- (2) Connie Lee b. May 30, 1951 (Denver), Radio and Electronics Tech. Married Aug. 21,1976. Debra Jean Hobbie b. June 15, 1958, Homemaker, active in comm affairs. Children: (a) Robyn Kelly b. June 7, 1979 (b) Collin Lee b. November 29, 1980 (c) Apryl Denise b. June 7, 1982. (3) Lenny Ray b. May 25, 1952 (Denver), Radio and Electronics Tech. Served USAF- SAC Cryptology, Comm Married Aug 27, L972 to: Nola May Parker b. July 8, 1952, Degree in Education, teaching, active in sports. Children: (a) Randal Dean b. May 26, 1972 (b) Christopher Lee b. Nov. 23, 1973 (c) Laurie Ranae b. May 12, 1981. (4) Peggy Joyce b. Aug 13, 1953 (Flagler). Masters Deg in Voc and Rehabilitation. Lives in Hawaii (Moloki and Oahu) Works Soc. Services. Married Aug 15, 1975 to: Arthur Patrick Saguid b. Jan 4, 1951 (Oahu, Hi), Masters Deg in Spec Ed Children: (a) Tiani Elena Christina Saguid b. Oct 15, 1982. (5) Kelvin Eugune b. May 23, 1956 (Flagler), Degree in Chemistry, wks & lives in Co. Springs, Co, Chief Chemist, city laboratory. Married on Dec 27, 1980 to: Lucy Alene Shawcroft b. July 8, 1955, Col Grad. Children: (a) Daniel Kelly b. Aug 19, 1983. (b) Thomas Earl b. Nov 4. 1984. (6) Laura Beth b. June 5, 1962 (Flagler), Accounting, Homemaker, Sports Inst. Married Sept 20, 1981 to: Rick Ray Pelton b. Sept 24, 1961, Col Grad, Farming, Mechanic. Children: (a) Tyler Anthony b. Aug 25,L984. by Lyle Stone Emma and Galen Stoner. My parents, Emma and Galen Stoner, moved to Colorado in the spring of 1942 from Morton Co., Kansas, where the Stoners and Milburns were early settlers. The "dirty thirties" had already driven the rest of the Stoners to leave. When Gerald "Jiggs" Halrvard went to the Army, my folks moved to his ranch in Cheyenne County. After my school year was finished in Houghton, Kansas, my father brought me and another load ofthings up that long road north ofFirst View (from which you are supposed to get your first view of Pikes Peak if the atmosphere is just right). I thought that he had brought me to the end of the world when I saw all those miles of green pastures, which have now nearly all been plowed for farming. My parents ran steers on this ranch. Even yet then in the 40's, Dad, with the help of neighbors, drove the steers to First View to load on the train to take to the Kansas Citv market. Dad would ride along in the caboose. I had some contact with Stratton that first summer through one of our neighbors, the Gerald Clines. I came along with the Cline boys, Phillip, Lyle, and Dewaine, to C.E., a youth group at the Evangelical Church which is now the United Methodist. Sometimes we picked up Bernadean Rose and Elsie Leiber on the way. Rev. Kayton was the minister, usually called "preachers" then. As the previous year had been the last year for high school at First Central, we high school students in the Smoky Angel district were given our choice of going to Stratton, Cheyenne Wells, or Kit Carson. Attending Stratton or Cheyenne Wells would have meant living away from home during the week, so we (perhaps we thought we did the choosing) chose Kit Carson. A car load ofus, Faye and Rex Piper, the Clines, Mary Anne Blankenbaker, and John Fleming, would meet a bus on Highway 59 which had picked �up kids north of Mt. Pearl School. Mr. Floyd Mills drove the bus and would drop off the grade school kids at Mt. Pearl and end up with a load of high school students to go into Kit Carson. Since we lived at the end of the line, my sister Carolyn and I spent nearly four hours a day on the bus. Claudine attended grade school at Smoky Angle. These were the rationing times of World War II. School activities of boys' basketball games, band concerts, bond rallies and school plays went on. Sometimes Dad could spare enough gas for us to go to a "picture show", as movies were called then, in Cheyenne Wells. There was a grocery store in First View where Mother got things sometimes, but "trading" was done in Cheyenne Wells or Stratton. It was not unusual for kids to get excused at noon to go buy groceries to bring home on the bus. I worked in a grocery store in Kit Carson for a time after I graduated. People would gather at the store in anticipa- for the Gibson Store chain has kept my brother, Ronald, on the move; at present he and his wife Evelyn and their family Iive in Dodge City, Kansas. He tells of making business calls to the East and having some people think he is playing a joke on them when he tells them to send it to Dodge City. They say, "Oh, there isn't really such a place." I married Leo Kindred, son of Cora and Earl Kindred of south of Stratton. We bought a farm 5% miles south of Bethune from John Robinson twenty-seven years ago and it is still our home. We have a daughter, Carol, who lives at Sterling, Colorado. by Maxine Kindred STORRER, FRED AND HARRIET tion ofthe produce truck's arrival. It doesn't seem that there was ever enough meat or cheese for the ration coupons, people had. It was not an enjoyable time to be a store clerk behind the counter, writing down what F684 neighbors, Dudley Swan and his mother, had fuel but no food. So they moved together that winter. As often stated, no problem came of them living together. It was survival for both. Harriet Storrer's daughter Ella, can remember seeing her shed many tears long after Grandma Swan passed on. In 1917, Mrs. Storrer was taken seriously ill. Her doctor, neighbor, Mr. Storrer and two younger babies took the train to Kansas City. from Topeka to Kansas City, thinking she was dead, but they took her to St. Joseph's customers knowing. When the war was over and Jiggs Hayward returned to the ranch, myparents moved into Stratton and Dad worked at the Coop station for awhile before buying the Tom Kennedy Hospital and after six weeks stay, she came home. After many, many illnesses during her lifetime, they lacked going on three days of celebrating sixty years of marriage together before Harriet Storrer passed away. Fred and Chester have also passed away, Chester before Harriet, and Fred after her. The picture shows Mr. and Mrs. Storrer in front oftheir adobe house in 1944. The other one is Mr. Storrer with the horses that he farm north of Stratton. Even though history books do not make record of the "dirty fifties" as they do the "Dust Bowl thirties", the drought and blowing dirt prevailed throughout eastern Colorado and western Kansas, burying farm buildings and fence to the top wire, and denying farmers their livelihood. Dad worked some at the Stratton Coop shop with Roland Hernbloom, and later as a propane delivery man. He served on the Stratton School Board at the time of the reorganization when the small country schools were closed. As I recall it had to be workgd out with the state to allow the buses to pick up and transport students to the St. Charles Academy before the reorganization was voted in. Mother was always active, helping on the farm, teaching Sunday School, and helping in 4-H. The folks sold their farm in the late fifties and move into Stratton where Dad worked for the Coop. He retired after having a mild enjoyed so. There were many hard times. Crop failures etc., but all in all a good life that brings heart attack in 1969. They became Fred and Harriet Storrer in front of sod home in 1944. friends and loved ones closer together, known only by those who experienced pioneer days. Chester made his home in Denver along with his wife Hazel. Ella also made her home in Denver with her late husband, Henry Lebsack, where they both retired from the railroad. Bill and his family later settled in Golden and Cloyd and his wife, Ruby, and family made his home in Ft. Worth, Texas. Bill Storrer manied Venora Wertz in 1940. Venora was born to Henry Wertz and Mable Sheppard. Henry and Mable were married in 1904, lived in Leoti, Kansas, where they farmed with a team of horses and had a mile to walk to school. If the weather was too bad, they were kept home from school. Henry and Mable had seven children, Vernon, Claude, deceased, Cecil, deceased, Gladys, deceased, Lorraine, Venora, and Earl. Henry and Mable moved in 1936 to Johnstown, Co. with the three younger children. The two older boys moved to Sharon Springs and started farming. In Johnstown is where Venora met Bill Storrer and they got married. Later they moved to Lafayette, where Bill worked for the pleasure of going to Hawaii. We celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1976 at the St. Charles Hall. My father died in 1979, and since then Mother has made her home in Burlington. She enjoys good health and is very active in church and senior citizen activities. Carolyn married Ralph Tryon and they live in Fort Collins, where they own and operate Paramont Laundry and Cleaners. My sister Claudine, is married to Clifford Messenger, son of Earl and Lucy Messenger, and they are presently living in Phoenix. Being a manager to the snow storms. In 1911, it was another hard winter and because of Harriet's sister in Kansas City, they had food, but they had no fuel, and the When arriving in Topeka, Kansas, the doctor informed them Mrs. Storrer had passed on. Another doctor on the train asked to examine her and found a bit of life. Mr. Storrer went people wanted, then getting it from the shelf, and supposing to know which certain customers were to have gome "under the counter" cigarettes added to their sack without other "snowbirds", living in Parker, Arizona in the winter. They had a camper trailer in which they lived and visited relatives during the summer. Most summers they set up the trailer in our back yard on our farm south of Bethune, and Dad would help Leo withwheat harvest. They took a number of trips and had Fred Storrer and Harriet Johnson were married in Kansas City, Mo. August 22,L906. In 1909, they homesteaded south of Bethune, in the WVz of Sec. 28, Range 11, Township 45. To this union four children were born: Chester, William, Cloyd and Ella. Fred came ahead and built a one room sod house and then met Harriet and they could only make it to Billy Lang's place where they had to stay for three days, at which time the cowboys were coming there for refuge. It was a sad time as people were losing livestock due Fred Storrer with his horses in 1944. International Harvester. They moved to Denver in 1941, where their first of many daughters was born. Shirley was born in 1941, is married to Milo Mcllhargey, and they live in Nampa, Idaho, and have five children, Jim, Pam, Bill, Tracy and Scott, and three grandchildren. Bill, Venora and Shirley moved to the farm south of Bethune (the Storrer homestead) and started farming with �Fred Storrer in 1945. This was the year that their second daughter was born. Linda was born in Stratton, where she now lives with her husband Bill Swanson, and they have three children, Darla, Mitchell, and Wendi. In 1948, Bill and Venora moved to the Ayers farm where Bill still farmed with his folks until they retired and moved to Denver. In 1951, number three daughter Betty was born in Goodland, Kans. Betty lives in Golden and has a daughter Veronica and twin daughters, Tabatha, and Tonya. On the farm, Bill and Venora spent winter nights making chili and playing pinochle with the neighbors, and having branding days or getting together to clean chickens, hunting, baseball games or fishing at Bonny Dam, and Iots of fish fries. Vicki, daughter number four, was born in 1960 in Burlington. She now lives in Golden with her husband, Doug Wheeler, and son John. Bill bought the old Chapman garage in Bethune, called it the Hiway Garage, where he ran it until 1963 when he moved to Denver. In 1964, a son (finally) was born to them. Lee Fredrick Storrer lives in Golden where he is a plumber. Bill is now retired from Jefco County. Cloyd Storrer and his wife Ruby have three daughters, EIla Jean, married with two boys and one girl, Judy, married and has one boy and one girl, and Joy, married and has two children. by Linda Swanson STRICK FAMILY Furniture Store, located on the end of Main Street, for about five years. He then started working for Hinkhouse Bros. and after twenty-one years is still working for Bill. After moving to Burlington, I worked for a while as a waitress in the Montezuma Hotel Restaurant. After our son, Richard Anthony, was born in 1963, I then worked at the Grace Manor Nursing Home. Then I decided to stay home and care for children of other working mothers. It is now over nineteen years later and I still have a Licensed Day Care Home. During this time our youngest daughter, Letha Josephine, was born in November of 1968. All three of our children attended and graduated from the Burlington Schools. Now Cindy with husband Bob Peter, and children Robert and Stephanie, work and live in Greeley, Colorado. Rich, after going to the University of Northern Colorado (U.N.C.) in Greeley for three years, still lives and works there. Letha Jo works and lives in Aurora, Colorado. Pete and I plan to just enjoy ourselves, our kids, and our grandkids for the rest of our lives. by Dorothy Strick STROBEL FAMILY F686 Germans From Russia F685 I am writing this story in Burlington in April 1980, for the benefit ofour children and relatives that are interested in the history of our relatives from Russia. Ninety-five years ago this spring, my father, Jacob; his older brother, Christian; and a younger brother, John; Ieft Russia for the United States of America. They came with their Uncle Phillip Breitling, uncle by marriage, and his family. Having lived near the Black Sea area, they left Russia and settled in Scotland, South Dakota. Because of financial problems, my grandfather, Jacob Sr.; a son, Gottlob; and a daughter, Carolina; stayed behind in Russia with three married Pete and Dorothy Strick and family Peter Anthony Strick was the eighth of ten children born to Tony and Josephine Strick daughters, Christina Gramm, Gottlebina Lucas, and Kathrine Haas. After aniving at Scotland, Dad and his brother hired out to farmers. Chris, being the oldest, received $100.00 per year; Dad, being 17 years old, ofKirk, Colorado. Pete grew up and attended school in the Kirk community. Dorothy Ann Marshall was the seventh of nine children born to William (Bud) and Letha Marshall of Cope, Colorado. Dorothy attended country schools until the community consolidated and then finished grade and high school at Cope. Pete and Dorothy were married in 1959 and after several moves in the first two years, we moved to Burlington in the fall of 1961. Our first home in Burlington was a basement received $90.00 and John, the youngest, received $80.00. After one and one half years, the brothers saved enough money to help their father financially, so that in the fall of old. In 1962 we bought our present home on 356 8th Street. Of course, in all these years we have added a lot of improvements to our home. At one point we had it practically In the spring of 1890, a number of families decided to come to Colorado to file on apartment on 18th Street. At that time our oldest daughter, Cynthia Ann, was one year rebuilt. When first moving to Burlington, Pete worked a few months for Charly Sholes Construction Co. He then worked for Neils 1887, my grandfather and the two unmarried children left Russia and came to America, also settling in Scotland, South Dakota. The next three years the Strobels worked on farms and in other businesses. Chris operated a creamery that used a steam engine to furnish power to run its machinery. My father collected the cream from farmers in the vicinity of Scotland three times a week and delivered it to his brother's creilnery. homesteads. These families came as far as St. Francis, Kansas, because this was as far as the railroad had been built. (This taken from the Weekly Reuiew, March 6, 1890, St. Francis, Ks.: "A special train came in Sunday and one coach was loaded with Russians and Mon- day's freight brought in several carloads of stock and goods. They numbered about 75 persons in all, and we learn that their destination is near Landsman, Colorado. They, at present are located at Dr. Water- man's old drug store building and are preparing to move. We are sorry they are going so far from our city, for that class of citizens always makes successful farmers. They are from Scotland, South Dakota and state that the reason for leaving that area was on account of the cold weather. One of them says they have to feed their cattle and livestock from Oct. 1, to May 20. They will find quite a change in that respect, for in this country stock hardly require shelter at all.") From St. Francis they came by wagon to the vicinity of Yale, Colorado which was approximately 18 miles northwest of Burlington. When this part of Kit Carson County was settled, most of the people were of German descent. They settled in an area approximately 1 mile square. This community became known as the Settlement. These people had a deep reverence for God and had a desire to worship God. They held Sunday worship services in their homes until about 1892 when they organized and built a church out of native sandstone. The church known as Rock Church, which was the beginning of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church. My parents were members of this church. However. in 1911 a new church organization came into being, The German Congregational Church. A building was erected and called the Hope Congregational Church. My parents then became members of this church. Dad attended the Congregational Church while in Scotland, S.D., and this was one of the reasons for joining the new church. These two churches contributed much to the spiritual aspect of life in this community. Both churches are still active at this time. Here grandfather, Chris and my father, each filed homesteads. which consisted of one-fourth section ofland or 160 acres. They tried to make a living on these homesteads, but because of drought and sometimes hail, they were unable to make ends meet. Therefore my father went to Denver in the fall of 1890, and worked in a smelter until spring and then tried farming during the summer. One winter he worked on a dairy called London Dairy which was located a mile north of the present Stapleton International Airport. My father's job was to take care of the horses that were used to pull the milk wagons that delivered the milk to the residents of Denver. Because my father was a lover of horses, he would get up at 2 o'clock in the morning, feed, curry comb, harness and hitch up the horses to the milk wagons so that they were ready to go at 4 o'clock. Then the drivers of the milk wagons would take off for Denver and return at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when again my father would take care ofthe horses. Dad received 925.00 plus room and board per month on this job. One fall, dad hauled silver ore from a mine near Montezuma, Colo. to the railroad station. From there it was transported to the smelter in Denver. On Jan. 6, 1893, my father was married to Katerina Dobler. (The Doblers c'me to Colorado the same time the Strobels did.) In 1894, after Theodore, my oldest brother, was a few months old, Dad and mother went to Denver one more time. Dad worked in the �smelter again along with his brother, John. Mother and uncle John's wife kept house in the apartment they rented and picked strawberries in their spare time. In the spring of 1895, when they were ready to return to the farm north of Bethune, uncle Andrew Baltzer, who had also gone to Denver to work, offered my folks his team and wagon for their transportation home, because he could stay and work a month or two more. It took the folks three days to get home. After that farming got to be better and dad and mother had accumulated a small herd of cattle, also raising some corn and wheat. In 1913, the folks raised their first good winter wheat crop and thereafter wheat crops were usually quite good until about 1931-1932 unless it was attacked by smut. Wheat for seed had to be treated for smut, a fungus which made the kernels turn black and useless. I knew of two treatments for smut: house and the water for the tank in the corral where animals watered. We were the first family to have running water and a bath tub in the house in the settlement. The first light plant in the settlement was installed by the John Ziegler family (parents of my wife Magdalena,) in 1917. In 1918, we purchased our first light plant, a 32 volt battery set. Up to this time our only source of light was the Kerosene lamp. Our brother John, who was mechanically inclined, set up the plant, and did the electrical wiring of the house and out buildings. At that time, mother got an electric double tub washing machine. We also put an electric motor on our cream separator. Up until then they were all powered by hand. In 1925, we bought our first truck, a one was a formaldehyde and water solution Chevrolet 1 ton, complete with box and a wood cab, for $840.00. With it we could haul 65 bushels of grain, compared to 55 to 60 hauled by wagon and two horses. If a triple and the other a copper sulphate and water solution. We used the formaldehyde solution with very good results. Early seeding also bu., and pulled it by four horses. It took approximately 12 hours for a round trip to helped the problem. After we started to summer fallow, we seeded earlier and the smut treatments could be discontinued. by Albert Strobel STROBEL FAMILY F687 German Children The names of the children of Jacob and Katerina Strobel are as follows: Theodore, Nov.4, 1893; Emma, Aug. 10, 1896; John, Jan. 6, 1899; Albert, July 26, 1904, and Emil, Dec. 2, 1908. Until 1921, our sole power was horses. They did all the field work and the transporting of wheat and other commodities such as butter, cream, and eggs to market. Sometimes dad would butcher hogs and deliver the carcasges to town. In 1915 on July 4th, we bought our first car, a model T Ford, which made traveling to town much easier and faster. We would buy our gas in 55 gallon barrels for 11 cents per gallon. The cost of our first car was $545.00. The Ford Motor Company made a statement that if it would sell a half million cars in 1915, it would refund $50.00 to each customer. Ford box was used we could haul between 75 to 80 Burlington. We harvested our wheat with a header pulled or rather pushed by six horses. The header would elevate the cut wheat straw into a header box 8'x 16'mounted on awagon and pulled by two horses. After the header was full, it was unloaded by hand and the wheat stacked into stacks. About a month or two later, a threshing machine would come hauled by horses and wagon from five to eight miles away. Later in the 1920's we hauled ice with our truck. In 1928, dad bought a Willis tractor, which pulled a three row lister or a three or four bottom plow. This made the farming easier. In about 1929, the depression hit our part of the country. During the depression, the price on corn was as low as 12 cents per bushel, wheat 25 cents per bushel, two year springer heifers $12.00 to 15.00 per head,40 to 50 test cream 5 gallons for $2.00, and eggs as low as 4 cents per dozen. These are some of the things I vividly remember. The drought commonly called the dirty thirties, also started about that time and lasted until about 1938, when we started raising more corn and wheat again. At that time people started to summer fallow for wheat which made a big difference in the yields. Continuous cropping yields were from 12 to 15 bu., where summer fallow yields were from 30 to 40 bu. per acre. My brother Emil, and I bought two second hand combines, in 1943, one a 12' Baldwin and the other a 10' International Harvester. However the grain was still unloaded by hand into the granary and then again loaded by hand to be taken to market. approximately 50 to 60 bu. of corn per day if he worked from ten to twelve hours. Then later, the corn was shelled with a corn sheller. Later in about 1945, Henry Daum, an elevator man in Bethune, came up with an auger elevator, ten feet long and five inches in diameter. This elevator was driven by a one and one half horse gas engine, which moved the grain more easily. On April 25, 1931, just before the drought and dust bowl years, Lena Zeigler and I were married. We had a rough time during the 30's. We have six children: Arnold, April 26, 1932; Viola, Dec. 17, 1933; Alvin and Calvin, Jan. 21, 1936; Arthur, Jan.22,1941; and Roland, Feb. 21, 1942. We always had enough to eat as we raised our own very: potatoes, squash, and plenty of watermelon, along with cream, butter, milk and eggs. In 1923, we received over 20 inches of rainfall and therefore, had 150 acres ofcorn thatyear by Albert Strobel into the vicinity which was powered by a steam engine. It took about 12 men to make up a threshing crew. The crew consisted of one separator man, one engineer, one water- man, from four to six pitches, (who put the straw in the machine), two grain haulers, and two cooks to feed the crew. Harvesting corn was done by hand. It was husked and thrown or tossed into a wagon pulled by two horses. It was then hauled to cribs and unloaded or piled in long piles. One man could pick and the average yield was 35 bushels per acre. John, Emil, and I bought a used corn sheller from Granville Hutton. We reconditioned it and did custom shelling for three years. We charged two cents for husked corn and five cents for snapped corn per bushel. The cobs were used for fuel along with cow chips and coal. The later we could buy for $8.00 to passed the half million car mark and dad received a refund of $50.00. Dad bought his first car from Griffith Davis, the Ford dealer. In 1921, dad bought our first tractor, a $10.00 per ton. In about 1940, dad and mother, Emil and we ourselves, each bought our first propane gas ranges, which made cooking and baking much easier. comparison to the later models. However, it relieved the horses from a lot of work. Around 1916, dad and mother built a new house. The material used for the walls was adobe about 18 inches thick. The outside was covered with tongue and groove drop siding and painted. The house included the following rooms: kitchen, dining room, front room or parlor as it was called at the time, three bedrooms, another room for a pantry and a bathroom. In 1917, dad put running water to the house and corral. Water at that time was pumped by windmill into a 5'x 7'supply tank which was put into the top of a 10' x 10' hexagonal building. The supply tank was 10 feet off the ground and provided running water for the by Albert Strobel Titan 10-20. It was a clumsy machine in butter from spoiling. We also used it to make good old homemade ice cream. The ice was STROBEL - DOBLER FAMILY F689 My parents, Jacob Strobel and Katherina Dobler were born and raised in Russia in villages some 50 miles inland from Odessa, a port in the Black Sea. Their ancestors immigrated from Germany about 1810, and thus spoke German, and never Russian. They came by covered wagons by way of Poland where they had to spend the winter. My STROBEL FAMILY F688 There wasn't much leisure time. However in the winter. we would hunt rabbits and prairie chickens. Sometimes we would go ice skating at the two small dams along the Republican river. One was located by the Rosser Davis ranch and the other at the Sherman Corliss ranch. In the winter we would get ice from the above ponds or dams and store it in ice cellars or caves to be used in the summer to keep meats and milk and great-grandfather was born there that winter. In the spring they resumed their journey to the Black Sea area, which was all virgin prairie. Those that survived endured many hardships. Villages were finally established and the prairies plowed and began growing wheat and other grains. The srrrplus they hauled by wagon to Odessa and sold and exchanged for other goods they needed. Cattle, swine, poultry and sheep were also raised. The wool from the sheep was all home spun and woven into fabrics for clothing, etc. In the year 1885, when my father was 17 years old, he and an older and a younger �& there was no well at the new homestead, they had to bring water in barrels for the horses from the first farm home. Later that year my father had a well put down and a windmill erected. It was not until 1913 that Dad had his first good wheat crop. That spring his older brother Chris sold out and moved his family to N. Dak. Brother Theo went along with his uncle, but after a year or so felt called to the Christian Ministrv and enrolled in Redfield Seminary, S. Dak. From before the turn of the century and a decade into the 1900, churches and schools were built in this vicinity north west of Burlington in which my father took an active part. Before the churches were built, worship services were conducted in my Grandfather Dobler's farm home. My brother Theo and Bill Dobler were the first to go on to higher education, beyond the 8th grade. Brother Threshing grain sorgum with corrugated threshing rock on Jacob Strobel farm about 1928. Grandfather Dobler rented a farm house near Scotland to house his family of 8 children. The older children worked for farmers in the area and other businesses. Grandfather Dob- ler managed a grain elevator in Scotland. In 1890 both the Strobel and Dobler families came to Colorado after hearing that homesteads were available here in Kit Carson County, and also the climate was milder. Here again the land was all virgin prairie. My father along with others, came from the Dakotas by train to St. Francis, Kansas, where the railroad ended, and from there with horses and wagons to the Yale area some 18 miles northwest of Burlington. They worked for ranchers along the Republican River, but especially at the Cox Ranch (the now McArthur Ranch). My father helped dress native rock to build the ranch house, dated 1898;, also the barns and rock walls for corrals. My father also worked in Denver digging ditches for water lines etc; at the Globe Smelter, and then hauled ore by wagon from mines in the Montezuma area west of Denver. Street cars were then drawn by a Jacob and Katherina Strobel on their 50th Wed- ding Anniversary. January 8, 1943. brother along with an uncle and family left Russia and came to America. An eight day boat ride on a German built ship and manned by mostly German sailors, so they could at Ieast converse in their native tongue. They landed on Ellis Island, where the U.S. government maintained an emmigration station, near Liberty Island - site of Statue of Liberty. (The Statue of Liberty was unveiled the following Oct, 1886). From there they traveled by train to Scotland, S.D. where they worked for farmers in the area. It took them over a year to earn and save enough money so they could help their father and remaining family come to America also. About the same time the Christian Dobler family had come to America. My mother often related that they were on board ship over the Christmas and New Year holidays, and took 19 days from Bremerhaven to New York, as they encountered stormy seas. They settled in Scotland, S.D. area also. This is where my father and mother first met, and never in the old country. My horse and had a place where the horse could stand when the car would coast down hill. My father and mother were married Jan. 8, 1893, as were my mother's sister Christina and Pete Knodel, double wedding. That fall in November my oldest brother Theodore was born and to better support his new family, Dad again went to Denver the next spring and took along his wife and new son. This time he worked at the London Dairy, headquarters werejust north ofthe Stapleton Airport. They milked about 200 cows on an average, but my father was the hostler and cared for the horses that were used to deliver the bottled milk to Denver and bring bran, etc. for the dairy cows: also alfalfa haying along 1st creek where he was the stacker. My father finally homesteaded in the year 1906, north and west of Bethune. I am the youngest in the family and was born on the new homestead, Dec. 1908. My older three brothers, Theo, John and Albert and sister Emma (Mrs. Jake Schaal) were born where my parents lived for about 15 years, about 6 miles S.E. of the new homestead, but never obtained title to the land. The new homestead was all buffalo and gramma sod. So that spring of 1906, Dad and brother Theo plowed about 20 acres with walking plows and prepared it to plant corn and feed, and, as Theo served churches in Colorado and Dakotas and on the west coast for 50 years, the last 10 as interim pastor. Bill taught in schools around the state until he retired. I attended Prairie View School Dist #22 and graduated from the eighth grade in 1924. Brothers John and Albert also attended Prairie View School through the eighth grade; my oldest brother Theo and sister Emma, about through the sixth grade. We boys continued farming the original homestead and other land my parents had acquired before they retired; each ofus boys got 2 quarters to begin farming. Sister Emma received equivalent in cash and livestock. She married Jake Schaal in 1921. In 1986 she had a fatal accident when she attempted to kindle a fire in the cook stove with tractor fuel and the can exploded. Brother Theo married his school mate at college the same year, lg2L. Brother John married Margaret Weisshaar in 1927. In 1936 they went to Calif. where he worked at construction, concrete and carpentry. Albert and I married sisters, Lena and Anna Ziegler in 1931 and 1933 respectively. Albert and I remained through the depression and dust bowl years of the thirties. The ensuing years also had their ups and downs, but as deep well irrigation developed over the years and crops and feed for livestock became more stable, the economy was boosted consi- derably. However, the considerable drop of the water table due to the deep well irrigation poses problems as well and will require prudent management of our natural resources. Hopefully all who use and benefit from the use of these resources, directly or indirectly, will be willing to help conserve them for future generations. by Emil J. Strobel STROBEL - DOBLER FAMILY F690 In 1885 my grandparents, the Jacob Strobel Sr. and the Christian Dobler families came to America from Russia and settled in Scotland, South Dakota. Each family had 8 children and they worked mostly on farms. The Jacob Strobel Sr. family consisted of Katherine (Haas), Christina (Gramm), Gottliebena (Lukas), Christian, Jacob (my father), John, Gottlieb, and Carolina (Baltzer). The Christian Dobler family consisted of �electric lights which were run by a flywheel generator so when you came to corners or slowed down you had to race the motor to be llt.af r:l:ri lii:l i:r, ,r:,r,. .,,,1 able to see. The dash and tail-lights were kerosene which you had to light with a match when it got dark. My first ride in an auto, however, was in 1909 in an International with solid rubber tired buggy wheels and goggles had to be put on because there was no windshield and we were going the amazing speed of 15 m.p.h. Jacob Strobel plowing to plant potatoes with Prince and Jim. Spring 1928. Dora (Strobel), Christina (Knodel), Kather- ine (my mother) Strobel, John, Theresa (Leupp) Christian, Mary (Stahlecker) and Leopold. In 1890, after the Rock Island R.R. was built through Kit Carson County and homesteads were available, a number of families loaded their meager belongings, livestock and furniture in railroad cars and arrived in St. Francis, Kansas. From there they loaded wagons and came to the vicinity of Yale Post Office (later Sam Schaals farm) about 14 miles north of Burlington. It was known as the Russian-German settlement. My father, Jacob Strobel Jr. homesteaded S.E. rA L4-745 but never took out the patent or proof of it. Grandfather Strobel Sr. homesteaded just north of our Dad. Because of the drought, grasshoppers, etc. it was hard to make a living so many including Dad went to Denver to work on a dairy farm and sent his wages of $25 per month home for the others to live on. This was in 1891. Later he worked in a silver ore smelter for $2.50 per 12 hour shift. In 1893 Jacob Strobel married Katherine Dobler and built a house about 16'x 26'with sandstone. sod roof and wall to wall mud floor. My mother would go over the floor once a month or so with a thin mixture of yellow clay and wheat chaff which made the floor real hard. They put down a well but no windmill so had to draw water by windlass. (160'deep and the bucket held 7 gallons). This took a long time to water 10 or more cows and horses. Theodore. their first child was born in 1893. In 1896 Emma Strobel was born and manied Jake Schaal in 1921. I, John Strobel was born in 1899 and married Margaret Weisshaar in L92l .In 1904 Albert was born and married Lena Zeigler in 1931. In 1908, when Emil Strobel was born, there was a big snow storm with about 2 feet of snow and no help could get through so my Dad was the midwife with help from our L2 year old sister Emma. Emil married Anna Zeigler in 1933. My first recollections were in 1903 when Jacob Strobel Sr. (my grandfather) would go to Burlington with eggs and butter in exchange for groceries in a t horse-top buggy and usually brought us each a small piece of candy which we eagerly awaited. We had a large lake just south of our farm. John and Bill Wahl who lived 1 mile southwest and farmed ground north of us would haul their feed past the lake. One would get off the wagon and we would see a big black cloud of smoke because they used black powder. Then there was a big bang and thousands of ducks would rise. That was the time of Ducks Unlimited!In 1906 John Wahl was killed by lightning. Bill Wahl married Katy Adolf (A.W. Adolfs sister). In 1904 Dad added another room and wooden floors in all the house. Later that same year, we, Mother, Albert and I, went by train to Denver to visit Mother's brother Chris Dobler, wife Sophie and son Art. Enough money was had by then to buy a new 2 seater spring-buggy and a new Delavel cream separator. In 1906 because there was not enough land to farm and pasture on 160 acres, our Dad homesteaded a quarter (S.8. % 7-7-45) about 5 miles northwest of our farm with open range to the Republican River. There were problems with loco weed and the cattle and horses would eat it and become almost worthless. A week before Christmas in 1906 we moved to the new homestead and in 1907 built a new 24 x 50 adobe barn which is still used today by my nephew Leland Strobel and wife Lee. It was a dry year in 1908 and Dad cut about 35 loads of russian thistles for feed. Other feed should have been mixed with it but there was little to be had. Until 1912 we had only implements of a walking plow, Iister, harrow and cultivator. We used a threshstone which was cut out of rock and had a corrugated surface about 3'wide and 22" high. This was pulled by 2 horses over a circle of grain on the ground. All the wheat, millet and beans etc. were threshed in this manner. Dad would then winow it in the evening wind to separate the chaff from the grain. In 1912 we bought our first John Deere gang plow for 955, a McCormick 5'mower for 945 and McCormick rake for $37. Plowed about 35 acres for fall wheat and sowed about 30 acres of wheat between corn rows with a l-horse drill. So in 1913 we had our first good wheat crop getting about 1500 bushels. Ernest and Carl Fisher threshed it for us. The price of wheat was 700 a bu. but with the European War, the price later went up over $3 a bushel. Then the government pegged the price at $1.90 for a number of years. Dad bought a new Ford for $545 in 1915. It had In 1914, my brother Theodore went to Redfield College in South Dakota to study for the ministry. In the fall of L922 I bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle and went to California to visit relatives. West of the Rockies there were no roads, only ruts and old railroad beds. In Salt Lake I found that roads were still worse going west so I crated my motorcycle and shipped it ahead to Lodi and I continued on by train. I did construction work for 4 years returning home each summer except 1 for the harvest. During the fall of 1923 Christian Dobler (my grandfather) was killed by a bull while bringing home the milk cows. I returned to Colorado in 1926 and built a small house and other buildings and in December 1927 married Margaret Weisshaar (daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Schaal) Weisshaar). In 1928 my cousin Emil Strobel from Lodi and I decided to have a carload of fine Calif. grapes shipped by rail in an iced car to Colo. to sell at the county fair. However, they got delayed and didn't arrive until a week after when folks had bought most of their supply. The cost ofthis adventure was $1565. The ice got low so had to buy more and after a week only sold half. We sent the car back to Denver where a fruit dealer bought them all. Our getrich scheme got us enough to pay for the grapes, freight and an extra $100 for Emil. I got enough for the gas going back and forth. No money maker after all but a good experience. "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only more intelligently." Then followed the 1929 crash, depression years and the dust storms. In 1934 the government destroyed 12 ofour cattle because ofthe lack of feed. For this we were paid $174. In 1936 our only child Esther was born and left for Calif. again with my parents Jacob and Katherine Strobel but then returned within a week because of the death of my sister Emma Schaal who died in a fire. We returned once more to Calif. and built a house trailer and I worked for a construction co. We always had our house with us when we traveled. We built our present home in 1941. From our hillside we can see the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco. I worked 30 years in construction which took us all around California, Nevada and Hawaii. In 1969 we went to Europe for three months to visit all the relatives on both sides who did not venture to America. In 1956 our daughter Esther was married to Stanley Wethern and they have 4 children, Stephen (married to Jeannine Zukoski), James, Karen and Kathy. I have been retired about 20 years and Margaret and I come back to the old farm and community whenever possible. As I celebrate my 87th birthday today, I think of the wonderful miracles and inventions that have been developed in my lifetime from horsepower to space travel. We live in the present, we dream of the future and we �:/|l.t learn truths from the past for in youth we it learn and in age we understand. :at by John L. Strobel STRODE, WILL ff ,ri' ,:::rrt: ;. t a F69r Mr. and Mrs. Will Strode were both among the early homesteaders of eastern Colorado. Mr. Strode, who passed away Jan. 15, 1965 at the age of 89, came to Colorado with his parents in 1886, when he was 11 years old. The family lived along the Republican River, not far from the Crystal Springs Ranch. Mrs. Strode's father came to Colo. in 1887. He came from Seward, Nebr. to Cheyenne Wells. He then walked from Cheyenne Wells to Flagler seeking a location for his family. He met Will Strode's father who helped him file on a homestead about 17 mi. N. of Flagler. His wife and daughter (Mrs. Will Strode who was then 5 years old) and son Frank, 3, came by train from Seward to Akron, where he met them. Mrs. Strode recalls many early-day experiences. The family came to town only once a month, bringing a load of grain and taking back provisions. Mrs. Strode and her mother would frequently walk to Arickaree and back for the mail, the round-trip being 10 miles. When Mrs. Strode's brother was small, they would take him along in a small "express wagon." Mrs, Strode's parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.J. Neff and their family moved to Flagler in 1901 and lived for several years in the house that is now standing, just north of the library. Mr. and Mrs. Will Strode were married there in 1902. L.J. Neff was a brother of Dr. Oscar S. Neff who was one of the pioneer doctors of eastern Colorado. by Janice Salmans STUTZ, FREDERICK FAMILY F692 Great grandmother Baltzer (Dorothy Sattler) came from Grosz Liebetal. Both Grand- father Frederick Stutz and Grandmother Maria Baltzer Stutz were born at Plotsk, Bessarabia. The family resided at this village except for one short stay at Mareslienfeld, in the same province. In November of 1889, the family traveled to Odessa, having gone by horse and wagon, staying overnight at Ackerman with relatives, and ferried over the widened mouth of the river. Grandmother Stutz became very ill as the family travelled by train through Austria and Germany. After passing through Berlin, they arrived at Bremen. From here they sailed for America aboard the steamship, "Saale", landing in New York after 9 days on the ocean. This was in the latter part of November. They moved to Scotland, Dakota Territory, only remaining about a month, before moving on to Colorado along with the other group that was also headed in that direction. Crist and Jacob Strobel. Otto Winter, Frederick Stutz (our grandfather), Christ Baltzer, August Adolf, Sr., Christian Grandma and Grandpa Stutz, Martha, Nettie and William, Grandma Doblers people. Dobler (our dad's family), John schaal, and Matthew Hefner were in the group. In the spring of 1897 the Stutz family travelled back to Scotland, Dakota Territory, after being in the area for a short time. They travelled 3 weeks, using horses instead of oxen. Following a 1 year stay, they returned to Colorado, again by covered wagon, when Grandfather Stutz suffered an eye ailment which threatened blindness for him if they remained in the Dakota climate. Our mother, Magdalena and her older brother drove the cattle. They crossed the Missouri River on the ferry at "Running Water" both trips. The trip back to Colorado again took 3 weeks. The cattle were shipped via rail and Frederick Stutz, an older son, accompanied the cattle. William Stutz, born Sept. 8, 1898, was just 2 weeks old when they began the trip. They arrived at their Colorado home in the middle of October, 1898. They spent the winter with the Andrew Baltzer family, which was located just east of Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune. Grandfather Stutz worked for the ranchers along the Republican River for 25 cents per day. The family consisted of Frederick (who died at age 2t), Maria, Ida (who died in infancy), Ida, Edmma, Lydia, Wilhelmina, Magdalena, Annetta (who died at age 15), and Martha. Grandparents Stutz passed away in 1928 and 1929, respectively. by Art Dobler STUTZ, WILLIAM F693 I will try and say a few things about the early days. I was born in Scotland, South Dakota, September 8, 1898. My folks were Fredrich and Maria Stutz. Shortly after I was born my folks picked up what little they had and set out for Colorado in a covered wagon. It took three weeks to make the trip. They homesteaded eight miles north of Bethune, Colorado. We were at the south end of "the settlement;" from there to the Rock Island Railroad it was all open range. There were lots of cattle and horses that were owned by a few ranchers. My folks made their home on this open prairie. There were only a few antelope around, no buildings, houses or barns. I remember the first sod house we lived in. It had a dirt floor, but it was home. There was a dug well in the Landsman River two miles east of our place; that is where my folks hauled their water from with banels. There was no wood in that country so the only fuel was cow chips. I remember we had to go out and pick them up by the wagon loads and haul them home for the winter fuel supply. To go to Burlington or Stratton was, "as the crow flies" about 14 miles either way, no square corners. After dark or in a snow storm it was very easy to get lost. As I grew up I remember walking the wooden sidewalks in Burlington. Also, you couldn't just go to the store and buy a bottle of milk or a loaf or bread. In about 1906 my folks built an adobe house with a shingle roof and wooden floor. Going to school was not in heated cars, it was all on foot. Most kids had to walk two miles or more. The teachers did their own janitorial work and they were paid $35.00 a month for everything. In about 1908 or 1910 a lot of homesteaders settled in this country; they lived in frame shacks and hillside dug outs. I went to school with a lot of their children as long as they could stay. They didn't have enough clothes or shoes and some of them nearly froze to death but they still walked to school. There was no government help, no food stamps, you were on your own. A lot of the people had to leave or else they would starve, but a few stayed. Like I said we walked two miles to school but later on we got a school only one mile from home. I got my daily jogging in from home to school, I got to the point where I couJd run the full mile to school. My good wife and myself both graduated from adobe schools. We did our milking in the corral, there was no fancy milk barn. The cream had to be skimmed by hand and churned to butter. Some of the butter was molded in one pound �tl of the corn stalks. The weeds wouldn't even sprout. In 1933 I sent some hogs to Denver. Good hogs brought $2.25 per hundred. In 1934 I sold my cattle to the government for $12.50 per head. In 1935 there was no feed and the grass had all blown away so we had an auction and sold what was left on the farm. We went to Elizabeth, Colorado in 1935 and to Denver, Colorado in 1937, then the war started. We made our home in Denver but things were not good in the city either. If you could get a job they usually paid about 30 cents per hour. Thanks to the good Lord for providing us with food and clothes and our menu which was beans and bacon rind. I worked on government buildings doing heavy construc- tion like building hangers. Later on I went back into the livestock business which I enjoyed. I had a brokers license which meant I could buy and sell This is our farm home where the Stutz family grew up about 1916. anything in livestock. I handled thousands of head of cattle, hogs, sheep, horses and even a few goats. I stayed with that until the Denver Stockyards closed. I went to LaJunta, Pueblo and Salida every week and a lot of times to Stratton. My good wife worked in green houses for over thirty years. We have enjoyed our years in Denver after all the bad years we had. We raised a family of three boys and two girls, they all have their families and their own homes now. remember my dad went to Burlington several times for feed. He would come back with maybe one sack ofcorn and three bails ofhay. Later on our family got a buggy and that made things a little easier. Then in 1913 and 1914 a few autos and steamers showed up and I got to ride in some of them. When the Model T came along my family got their first one in 1915. From 1916 crops got better and things went along pretty good, but the slump started in 1929. If you think times are bad now stop The Stutz farnily ready to go to church in 1913. and think what our folks went through. I left the farm in 1919 and worked for the Bethune Lumber Company. I got into the grocery business for a few years after that. When I left the grocery business I became manager of the Bethune Lumber Company for several years. We had a good baseball team in Bethune. I was the second mayor of Bethune and member of the school board. We got the town water works in and a few sidewalks built. I was also on District 24's school board while I was on the farm until the time we left. After I left the Bethune Lumber Company, I started buying hogs in Bethune. There were lots of hogs in the country at that time. I bought from one to three carloads a week. Most of them were hauled in wagons and I shipped them to Pueblo and Denver. All I took my two youngest sisters and the teacher to school. The teacher, Lea Wellman of Stratton, took the photo about 1912. cubes and sold at the grocery store. I remember my folks had a wooden churn in a frame with a crank on it. Later the cream stations started up. That helped, because then we could sell the cream. As I grew up things changed a lot. We made our living by selling cream and eggs. We had our dry years when we were not able to raise any feed. In 1911 and 1912 we had a lot of snow and everyone had to use sleds. I the shipping was done by rail at that time. I bought two car loads that were driven in on foot. One load came from 1 7z miles northwest of town from Mr. Negus and one load from Mr. Ardueser I % miles south of town. I played the saxaphone with the Burlington We have been retired for several years now. We now make our home in Denver, Colorado. by William (Bill) Stutz, age 89 SUTTON FAMILY F694 I Remember, Sutton In recounting the many events, people and locations while putting together this history, I've revisited a period of my life that was most receptive and sensitive. Growing up in Flagler, the second daughter in a family of six children was a happy time. You might keep in mind that my "I remembers" in certain areas are surely shaded with the vagarities of childhood and years, but I have tried to "remember" with fact. My mother, Mary Emma Sutton, in 1983 celebrated her ninety-first birthday in Flagler, the beloved town she called home for most of her years. In 1907, my father, Willie (Bill) Sutton, homesteaded about six miles south of the Kipling Railroad Crossing. I believe the W.H. Lavington ranch bordered dad's property on the south. From Athens, Ohio, dad came west seeking better climate and adventure. As a young man, dad had worked in a flour mill in Hume, Missouri for an uncle, was an band. apprenticed barber, and for a time was a street car conductor in Kansas City, Mis- and in 1929 we moved back to the farm and everything was pretty steady. Prices on grain and livestock started up. By 1930, however, everything went lower. The prices of cattle and hogs started coming down. This was the time of the dirty thirties, the wind blew and there was no rain. 1932 and 1933 were worse and the dust bowl came in 1934. The wind was so hot and dry that even the leaves blew off souri. In Athens, Ohio he had traveled with In 1927 I married Alvina Schlichenmayer a doctor learning a great deal of country doctoring. Wanderlust caught him early in life. Grandmother Blakely said of dad: "He used to disappear regularly from home. When I wanted to find him, I'd go over the state line into Kentucky, call at a few horse ranches, and I'd find him at one of them." On one trip, grandmother recalled, "I discovered Willie �dinner cook, and Mike Conarty was the fry cook. We lived in a white house across the alley east of the cafe. Dad was a charter member of the Odd Fellow Lodge; he had joined in Ohio. He had a shaving mug made in Kansas City, Missouri in 1905 with his name and the three gold link emblem of the Lodge on it. He invited John Verhoefftojoin the Lodge, and John received his 50 year pin a few years before he died. Many of mom and dad's family eventually moved from the Flagler area and they adopted Gene and Mattie Ellsworth as family. They had homesteaded south of Seibert in the early 1900s. We children called Gene and Mattie uncle and aunt (as did manv in the community). Their sod house was buili with two foot thick walls, with an east and south window, a door in the south side awav from the elements. The floor was dirt, packei until it seemed to be cement. Aunt Mattie had rag rugs which she had braided on this floor. The soddie was as clean as a pin. To the north of the soddie they had a two room frame house. The furnishings in this little house were lovely - all the "treasures" Mattie had brought west from home. We girls were allowed to go in and look at the hand-painted china, ceramic and crystal lamps - but look only. Often we sat in the little house listening Taken at the homestead of Gene and Mattie Ellsworth south of Seibert, July 4, 1933. L. to R.: Helen Evelyn Sutton Sherman, Charles McDaniel, Ellamae Sutton McDaniel, Willie Sutton (back), Leslie Sutton (front), Mattie Ellsworth (back), William Lester Sutton (front), Gene Ellsworth (back), Mary Emma Sutton and Betty Sutton Austring (front). riding two horses, Roman-style (one foot on the back of each horse), going lickedy-split down the track." She would drag dad home, but it would be only a short time before he ran to the horse farms again. Dad was a trueborn horseman. This love and trust of horses brought him many years of enjoyment and occupation. My mother's parents, the Christopher family, came from Ames, Iowa and homesteaded near Flagler in 1910. Willie and Emma met through their family contacts, and in 1911they married. The first three girls of the Sutton family, Ellamea, Blanche, and myself, Helen Evelyn, were born at the old homestead ranch. My brothers, William Ivan (who died before he was one year old), Leslie Ivan, and William Lester were born after my parents had moved from the homestead closer to town. Our youngest sister, Betty Ruth was born in 1928. Life on the homestead was hard. demanding strengths to make a good life out of very scarce resources. Dad's health had not made the recovery he dreamed the west would bring, and he was homesick for the green fields of his home area. In the spring of 1917, he bought a 4-door Overland touring car and with reliable transportation, dad and mom headed back east to Hume, Missouri, selling the homestead and seeking some relief from the prairie life. The old adage, "you can't go home," rang brue when John Verhoeff came to visit in Hume the fall of 1917. John had shipped cattle to the Kansas City stock yards and braveled on to visit us. It was so good to see his old neighbor, and the humid climate back home had only brought back old health problems, so dad decided to give the west rnother try. The Sutton family headed back ;o Flagler and ever after Dad would remark, 'This country has water that is 99 percent pure, and air that is the cleanest in the world. I love the prairie." by llelen Evelyn Sutton Sherman SUTTON FAMILY while Mattie and mother visited. Aunt Mattie was an excellent cook. She could always have a delicious meal ready in no time at all. She joked that the chicken that met us at the gate was the one on the table for supper! by Mary Carter SUTTON FAMILY F696 F695 I Remember, Sutton Mother recalls when the Flagler town site was called Bowserville. Bowser being derived from the family who lived about one mile east of the township's present site, on the north side of the Rock Island tracks. Today, at this location, there stands one lone tree, and it was at this spot, mom recalls, "We used to walk down the tracks and have such nice picnics. The school picnics were often held at Bowserville, and then later when the Stewart family moved onto the property, we still had our picnics there; we children all over the pasture playing games." I've often wondered how our area in eastern Colorado so far removed from the locale of its namesake was so named. Henry Morrison Flagler, born in Hopewell, New York, was a stock holder of the Rock Island Railroad. Flagler was the promoter of the railroad that spanned the 100 miles of water and islands to Key West, Florida. He also built luxurious resort hotels in St. Augustine, Palm Beach, Miami, and other cities in Florida. Perhaps, when the railroad came to this part of the country, the event was so welcomed that the man responsible was honored. Shortly after my family returned to Flagler in late 1917, or early 1918, dad bought a cafe on street level in the Odd Fellows Lodge building. Cora Sweet was his pastry cook. Hetty Lipford was a waitress, Jim Quinn was I Remember, Sutton In about 1919 dad sold the cafe and bought Lavington's store. Noah Wold was the meat cutter and Hetty Lipford came to clerk in the dry good and notions section. The store, to my eyes, was quite large, stocked with bulk groceries. The barrels of potatoes, onions, pickles, and crackers seemed huge, standing above my seeking eyes, and tempted hands! There were cookies and candies to delight my heart, and oh, the huge round of cheese sitting on its own cutting block made my mouth water. Great wedges were cut from the round by a knife attached to the cutting board. Bananas came in huge bunches that hung from a ceiling hook. Kerosene was dispensed from a banel in the back store room. Jams came in half gallon buckets. One brand name was Delicious, and yes, it truly was! The store was heated by a large round heater with a big water tank on the top. In the twenties, gypsies roamed the country. They would come into the store, and from the age old tales that preceded them, every- one watched them carefully, thinking they were going to carry it all away. My dad had no such problems. Earl Brown had another store in Flagler. It was located where the present laundromat is now. Earl had a parrot in a cage kept on the sidewalk during the day in front of the store. All we children loved to hear its typical answer to our "Polly want a cracker?" �In 1925 dad sold his store and we moved that living room. After returning from Den- on Highway North 40. The windmill still ravages of cancer, he died at home in December of 1941. Saturdays were always "in town" days, and bo the Buchanan farm, two miles east of town stands there. It was here that I became a farmer. At ten years of age, I learned to milk cows, and help with the farm chores. Not long after, dad taught me to drive a team of horses to the "go-devil" (a weeder), and I was able to drive the team to the header barge during harvest, and the hay rack, tripping the lever and dumping the load even with the pattern rows my dad had made as he went first time around the field. Dr. Thomas retired about this time, and we bought his pony, Bonnie, buggy and harness-' ThJwhole family enjoyed her so much and later her colt, Betty Blossom, and then her colt, Princess. All the ponies had birthday parties, and mom would allow them to come onto the porch of the house we were living in, and have a taste oftheir birthday cakes baked special for the event. Dad taught all we children to ride at an early age. Many families in town owned milk cows in the '20s. We pastured the town cows and my brothers, Leslie and Lester, would take turns riding our ponies, driving the cows to pasture every morning, returning with them in the evening for milking time. Wilbur (Peanuts) Schumaker liked to help them because he could ride one of the ponies. My mother heard from "Peanuts" not too many years ago. He sent her a birthday card from his home in Fountain Valley, California. The main street of Flagler was a busy place in the '20s. The town offered most services that were needed and community life centered around the hub of the town. Art Watters had built a hotel in the early 1900s. It still stands, The Flagler Hotel. Art's brother' Tom, built a hotel in Goodland, Kansas around the same time. Both establishments were complete with outstanding dining rooms, and were the meeting places of the community. by Mary Carter SUTTON FAMILY ver where surgery and care failed to stop the everyone dressed in their best. We always had to visit William's Drug Store. I remember that the post office was next to the drug store. My brother, Leslie, had a pheasant dog that he loved to pull in his red wagon to main street. Leslie and Tippy would sit in the wagon and often Leslie would fall asleep' Mrs. Straub, the postmistress, would pull the wagon into the post office, and Tippy would not make a fuss as he knew Mrs. Straub. There they stayed until Leslie would awake. One day while Leslie and TiPPY were "parked" in front of the post office Art Waters stopped to visit with my brother and his dog, and dad passing by walked up to them and said, "Go ahead and talk with Leslie, Art, his dog won't bite you." "Oh," Art replied, "He already has!" Indeed, Tippy had grabbed Art's pant leg and pulled him away from Leslie. In those days when refrigeration was "powered" by a block of ice or cold water John Dyson kept an ice house. John, my dad, and several other men traveled winters to the Republican River east of town to cut ice from the river into blocks. Hauled back to town, the blocks were then packed in straw in the ice house, and during the summer months, I remember, we children would follow Dyson's wagon down the streets gathering and munching the ice chips left from delivery. The smithy, Ed Malbaff, worked winter and summer in his shop which was east of the present American Legion Hall. Ed presented quite a show of skill with his craft. With the iions red hot, he'd expertly pound the metal into shape - maybe an iron rim for a wagon' a wheel, or a horse shoe. Ed would dunk the piece into a tub of cold water where it crackled, and spewed forth clouds of steam. Paul Detlifsen's famous painting of the blacksmith could truly have been modeled from Ed Malbaffs shoP. by Mary Carter F697 I Remember' Sutton I remember our doctors tending to the medical needs of the community. The hospital that I recall was located where the West Hotel is today. First, I remember Dr. Neff. His dedication to his profession was so appreciated. Mom said Dr' Neff could cure wilh only the soothing nature of his bedside manner and the time he spent with his patients. There was Dr. Reed, and- Dr. McBride who married Mrs. Straub, and son Dr. John Chriss who followed in his footsteps. All dedicated men tending the need of our community on the prairie. I look at the little house on main street in Flagler today and wonder how our family managed to live within its small area' especially when I think back that mom frequently turned the living room into an infirmary where she nursed neighbors and townspeople that were too ill to return to the isolation of farms. The hospital-type bed would 9o uP, and most of the room partitioned with sheets. My father was the last one to be nursed in SUTTON FAMILY F698 I Remember' Sutton Arlie Wilson's Store of the '20s was a twostory brick building on the southeast corner of the main intersection of town. This building also housed the telephone office in the upper floor. Bretlingers lived in rooms connecting and operated the telephone of- fice. Mrs. Norris lived in rooms in the northeast corner ofthe building and ran a hat shop there. She designed and made the hats herself. Hats were most popular at the time. I remember Ellamae, Blanche and I had brown broad-brimmed beaver hats made by Mrs. Norris that we considered ever so I'd like you to deliver to your aunt, Ruby (Christopher - my mother's sister). You know, she and I attended grade school together at Second Central (located south of Flagler about 12 miles)." Mr. Will Borland, who went on to become a popular author, bought the Flagler News in 1910, and I remember how we children loved to watch the paper being printed in the basement work room under Arlie Wilson's Store. The stairs to the printing room came in from the sidewalk outside and there were two big windows where we could watch, lined up on the stairwell, noses pressed against the glass. Rodeos and races were held almost every weekend in the summer time. Tom Conarty usually rode one of dad's horses. Tom and I have often remembered the excitement of those races. The two Lundy brothers who Iived west of Flagler were horse trainers. George Lundy trained several of dad's horses in gaits. I remember riding those gaited horses - as easy as sitting in a rocking chair. And the dances all over the area in the'20s and early '30s; it didn't take much to talk anyone into organizing another before the last was over! I recall winter dances the whole family would go to, driving to "Nute" Smith's ranch and dancing 'til dawn in their big hay loft. Chores were done early, food was taken along, the old soap stone foot warmers were readied, and off we'd go. We'd have a covered dish supper, the children were bundled and put to bed on benches or piles of blankets; there would be dancing, and often a big breakfast before starting home. To be found at almost every dance in barn, hall or grange was Gertrude Peterson, who we called "shimmy Liz" playing the piano. She played by ear, and could make that instrument talk. We would ask her to play a tune, we'd hum a bar or two, and she'd pick up on it with the wink of an eye. I've seen her make a piano actually move on the floor. What a dynamic artist she was! Every harvest my dad and several neighbors would drive to Canon City with dad's rubber-tired trailer towed along and bring back potatoes, cabbages, turnips, parsnips, onions, apples and cider. They would stay with the Stegman family in Canon City who used to live neighbors before moving. In the fall we often drove to Rocky Ford for what we children referred to as "melon day"' One year, Governor Carr was there at the celebration. There was always a parade with floats from businesses and surrounding towns. Melons were piled high as small mountains in the streets, and anyone could take as many as they could carry away, Foods were canned or "put down" in cellars then to meet the family needs during winter time. Too bad melons couldn't be canned! Many years the gardens produced very little with no way to get water to the precious crops. by Mary Carter SUTTON FAMILY F699 elegant. In the homesteading days there were many country schools scattered around the prairies. Some years ago, I mentioned to Opal Conarty Joy that my mother and I were to attend a fiftieth Tesdahl family reunion in Ames, Iowa. Opal said, "I'll write a letter that I Remember, Sutton I remember coming home from the events of the season, and having mom build up the �fire in the old kitchen stove, fix hot cider, all of us placing our mittens, wet clothes and shoes close to the oven door. It was so homev and cozy. Dad would come in and we wouli take turns telling about the pictures we could see in 'ol Jack Frost's icey wonderland painted upon the panes of the windows. The winter of 1929 was a fright! There were snows that closed the highways for a long time; a passenger train drifted in on the tracks with the town people carrying food to feed them. Many drifts reached l0 and 15 feet high. I remember walking from the second floor porch of the West Hotel to the ground on a sloping snow bank. Mr. Stager had to tunnel into his garage across the street from the hotel. Dad loaded his largest sled with supplies and cotton seed and drove across country to his good friend Tom McCallum's ranch 15 miles southwest of town with feed for the animals. It was a hard winter for man and beast. Recalling Tom McCallum, brings to mind that years later when the McCallum familv were debating whether or not to "lay Tom away" with is white handkerchief around his neck. They decided he would go to his rest with it, folded just so with the triangle points to the front as he'd always worn it. Dad bought a Model T Ford Sedan when we girls were a bit older. One summer when cousin Joe came from Athens to visit. we "motored" to Manitou Springs and stayed several days to take in the sights. Then it was a special event to tour Helen Hunt's grave, the Cafe of the Winds, and always, end the stay with a picnic at the Garden of the Gods. We would eat salt water taffy, and Colorado Rainbow Trout. The relatives loved the trip, and so did we. That old Model T was shinv black, and I thought it very beautiful. We hai an accordion-folding luggage rack that was attached to the running board - a feat to load and unload that! Most winters neighbors would get together and butcher two or three hogs. Dad made his own mixture of either sugar-cure, or brine for the hams and bacons. I would help fry down the sausage and pack it in large stone crocks with lard for keeping. Food somehow seemed plentiful for our large family, although it did not come without the effort of growing, processing, and storing. Why did it seem to taste so good? During this period many people dried corn. After cutting the kernals from the cob, about two cups full were put in a clean salt sack, stitched up, and hung on the clothes line with clothes pins. The sacks were turned from end to end several times a day, and in about a week the corn was thoroughly dried and stored in the pantry. When ready to use, the corn was soaked overnight and cooked for about an hour. Having our own cows, we always had real cream - Yum, fresh milk, "Delicious" in jam buckets, lowering them into the water barrels at the windmill to keep. In the early '30s, mother grew weary of farm life, and she took it upon herself to retrieve all the farm equipment that dad has loaned out over the years, sell it and buy the little house on main street in Flagler. This home is where I live todav. During part of the early '30s dad was Flagler's Town Marshal for a time and at Ohristmas he usually played Santa Claus, passing out candy on the main street and at ;he Congregational Church. If there was snow, he would hitch a team of his favorite horses to a big sled and drive down Main Street, sleigh bells ringing. The children truly thought him to be Santa and wondered whv he knew so much about them. (The advantage, or did the children think disadvantage, witlr his barbering skills. He opened a shop in Seibert one time and tended the shop a couple days of each week. In all mv stowirre years, I remember him barbering on our bac[ porch. A great many friends would have no other touch their hair. by Mary Carter During the periods when we lived on farms in the area, Dad kept cattle. He favored short horns and often said that this land should not be broken out for farming to any degree as the buffalo grass, yucca, and cactus weie there to help hold the land. The dirt storms of the 'B0s that came from living and working with families in a closely knit community.) SUTTON FAMILY F700 I Remember, Sutton Dad was substitute mail carrier in later years. Winter time he often had to use his sled to haul the mail to the farms. Manv times people on his route would call in orders for groceries, coal, kerosene, feed, or medicine bore this statement out. Dad would onlv break bottom land, and he farmed iusi enough land to provide his own live stock feed. John Verhoeff was instrumental in teaching this to Dad, and in later years when many did not have water and grass for their cattle, John did. His conservation ofland and dams built for water served him well over the years. by Mary Carter and dad would gather the supplies to deliver with the mail. He often went north, spent the night at Aaron Thompsonls pl4ss and returned via the west route the next dav. During the height of the depression Dad worked on the W.P.A. He was a county road overseer. He built two cook shacks. one for cooking and eating, and the other with bunks for sleeping. These were pulled by a team of horses to a farmer's yard near wherever the crew was working. Dad and the crew would stay five days out, returning home on weekends. The road work was done with teams of horses hitched to Fresnos (large scoop-type shovels that moved and dumped the dilt ind gravel). Wagons with collapsible sides and bottoms hauled the dirt and gravel quite a distance. Near Flagler many cement slabs, bridges, and roads built during those years are still in use. Sam Potter and Buck Fisher both worked with my dad, and Mike Conarty was prized as a crew cook. During a recent visit with Zeke Kerl of Stratton he recalled he and dad worked side by side on old Highway 24 west of Vona during the winter of 1928 and 1929. Zeke said he broke in a nice team of mules belonging to my father on this job. Colt and Sons were the contractors that winter, and later in the summer Colt's crew moved on to build the road from Estes Park to Bear Lake. - On many occasions during road work my dad would have to pull a wagon loaded with sand and gravel out of the creek bed when other teams could not manage. Dad kept good horses, fed them well, and trained the.m verv well. His love of them spanned a life time. Money was almost nonexistent for manv years. W.P.A. gave "chits" as payment fo-r work and periodically commodities were "bought" when the W.P.A. truck arrived in town. Many women worked in the mattress factory set up in Flagler. These years brought lessons of patience, tolerance, and frugality to our family as f'm sure it did to others. Everything was put to a useful purpose, especially if nature had given it. Mom managed with the scarce resources of the time, and gave with selfless abundance to those she loved. I remember Aunt Kate, who worked in a garment factory in Iowa, sent barrels of clothes for mom to make over. Mother became an expert at this, and we girls always felt our clothes were quite suitable. Dad was able to supplement his income SUTTON FAMILY F70r I Remember, Sutton The prairie was then a haven for rabbits. prairie chickens, meadowlarks, and hawks. There used to be rabbit drives in an attempt to keep what little grass there was for tle cattle and horses. A bounty of five cents per pair of rabbit ears was paid by the goveinment. There were many prairie dog towns across the land, considered a nuisance as thev took over the area with holes and mounds. Many an acre became worthless to grow grass or farm. In driving in the country, I remember that "mirages" were quite common, In the distance were lakes of water, but on arriving at the spot there would be none! In crosscountry driving the wagon ruts were quite deep and when you were driving a c6u you soon learned how to stay in the tracks. Coming to a fence there were usually .,letdowns" and you lifted the barbed wires from the turned-up nails, stood on the wire. let the driver drive over the fence, and then you'd replace the let-down. So often I would get snagged doing this. In the '20s, there were cattle and horse traders from Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota who came every fall. A Mr. Hannah from Iowa bought one of our cows, a beautiful Ayershire named Goldie, and we girls cried our hearts out as she was driven to the loading yard. Some time during the mid-twettlie. orrr family moved to the Ead's farm just south and east of town. As I had done on the Buchanan farm I helped with the outside work, enjoying this much more than the housework. One especially frustrating job I did have was filling the kerosene lampi and cleaning the chimneys. It seemed thai when they were lighted, the wick was never quite right, and up the side of the chimney wenl the black soot! The cleaning and trimming were then to be done all over again. When wash day came on Mondays, I wanted to hide. The water was heated on the kitchen range in the wash boiler, the tub filled for sudsing, clear water canied in for the rinsing and the bluing tubs, and then the �clothes were hung on the line. In winter we'd often bring in clothes frozen so stiff they'd stand alone. These were thrown on Iines strung in the kitchen until they were finally dry. And ironing! With those flat "sad" irons heated on the range it seemed no time until they cooled and with the handle were repla- ced, picking up a hot one from the top of the stove which might last while ironing one part of a starched, dampened, rolled-up garment from the ironing basket. Also in washing the cream separator, the discs had to be threaded onto a rod and placed in a little trough, run through soapy and scalding water. Turning that separator was also my chore, and if I didn't get it back together just right, the-re was a mess. Feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs was another chore I usually did. When I went out it seemed no matter what size container I took I always needed a bigger one. When mom would help me, she could simply gather the corners of her apron, pla,ce those extras in her neat holder, and carefully get them back to the house. by Mary Carter SUTTON FAMILYF702 I Remember, Sutton We cooked on a Majestic coal range, and we burned wood, coal, corn cobs gathered from the pig pen, and many a time, cow chips. When we gathered those chips, we were most careful to only seek the dried ones! They did make a nice bright, hot fire' During the heat of the summer we cooked on a kerosene stove that was moved outside most of the time so the house would stay cool. The fires used to boil meats during butchering season' cook the large batches of rendered lard with lye for soap, or process the canning were also set outside in the yard. The party line telephone was considered a luxury when I was a girl. One twist called central. and the combinations of long and short rings designated the various parties. Of course, each time a phone rang everyone knew who was on the line, and the "clickclicks" reminded us that whatever was said was being heard by everyone. Entertainment at home was the norm. We had a Stereoscope to view picture post cards in three dimensions. We also had a Victrola that played records. We had parties at home now that we lived in town. At evening parties, or just when company came with children, we would scare ourselves out of our wits by all hiding around the yard but the one chosen "It," and that one had to walk about singing, "The Stars are shining; the moon is bright; I hope I don't see any ghosts tonight," and when the hidden children were passed by they jumped out and frightened thegre-ryho ' was';It." Also, we'd play Annie, Annie Over, getting lots of good exercise while we tossed i baU from one side of a pitched roof to the other. You never saw the team on the other side, but each of yours kept the score fair when you caught the ball. Fox and Geese in the winter snow was sure to keep our blood warmed up as we ran the circled course to avoid the Fox who had been tagged to chase us through the paths in the snow. We had a piano when we moved to main street and my sister, Ellamea, took lessons and entertained us at many a party. I loved to recite and under the tutorage of Mrs. Gibbs took on many of the Aunt Hett recitals of the time. Social functions revolved around the church and the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodge, hay rack rides in the summer, sleigh rides in the winter, school sport (I particularly tiked girl's basketball). I remember the first talking movies at Clarence Wright's theater - the first one I saw was Monty Montana in Montana Moon. We never lacked for something to do - after the work was done. So many of the people who I went to school with remark of the good times they had at "Ms. Sutton's house." Letters then were mailed with a 3 cent stamp, post cards for a penny. Free movies were shown on the side of the building er's wagon with the bang board on. There was straw in the bottom of the wagon' The school district furnished the school bus body only and the interested persons would bid on the four different routes, which required the successful bidder to furnish a truck chassis so the bus body could be mounted which consisted of two side benches plus a small middle bench. No heaters in those days! First Central was able to attract very competent teachers. I appreciated all ofthem and their efforts. Names that I can remember are Violet and Edith Campbell and Thelma Lowe. (She was very understanding and tried to teach us good manners along with our other studies.) Prof. Frog, whose physics lessons I was able to use all oflife, I appreciate much. Fourteen students started out in 1922. By 1934 when we graduated there were eight of us: Leonard Beeson, Loraine Iseman housing Wilson's store. In summer, Flagler (Wood), Robert Bailey, Clair Barr, Marie Kiper (Lesher), Ella Storrer, Wesley Taylor, enjoyed Junior Chautauqua in the mornings. Sometimes we could stay on for the afternoon performances, or an evening show' A huge ient was set up in the block where the Flagler Seed plant is now. We'd have competitions presenting plays. For many years the county Inez Smith and myself, Parker Swann. Cloyd Storrer and Nora Wright (Johnson) were post was on the Chautauqua circuit. We all ichools continued this event. Also, the box suppers where all would gather, bringing their favorite dishes boxed in beautifully decorated boxes. These were auctioned off to the highest bidder with the monies going to some philanthropic project for a need of the community. You can believe that the "Romeo of each Juliet" was given an explicit description of the box she brought, and heaven forbid if he did not bid high enough to win the privilege of joining her for supper! Yes, it was a good childhood growing up in Flagler, Colorado and living on the eastern graduates and assisted us on the stage graduation night. I think none of us of that era will forget the dust bowl days, but we will remember the happy times and good people that helped us along the way. by Parker Swann SWANN, GEORGE AND BERTHA F704 prairie in the early 1900s. by Mary Carter SWANN FAMILY ..,r.r::j&r t:l::S, F703 '\e*.. 14""T" Growing up in Kit Carson County, Colorado is part of my life that I am thankful for. I was fortunate to have loving and under- standing parents, D.D. Swann and Nellie. We lived on my father's homestead seventeen t..,i .i. r.ll:' , ..,ir:l:l:ti:: '"'i'*\1:::.' I i; miles south of Bethune or twenty-six miles southwest of Burlington, Colorado. We farmed about a section of land for crops, plus had some pasture land for stock, horses, milk cows that were turned out overnight. There was lots of free range land at that time. Being born in 1916, I experienced the open prairies, horse and buggy days, and Model ,f ltrlr -dr ."' ""?#4 T's. I can clearly remember when people could go from our place angling northeast to Burlington without any trouble with fences. I remember people moving in to make eastern Colorado a wheat producing country in 192829. From all the plowing of the buffalo grass, we went through the dust bowl days in the early thirties and the hard times especially after the banks went broke. I attended the First Central School starting in L922. Mr. Greenwood was the bus driver that year. All twelve years we left home at 7 a.m. after chores were completed to arrive at school by 9 a.m., arriving home in the evening to do the chores around five or so. Due to the snows that first year we rode in a cornhusk- '_li:],:.rJ George and Bertha Swann My great grandparents, George and Bertha Swann, homesteaded south ofBethune in the early 1900's. My mother, LaDene Richardson, and her brother, Russell Clark, spent many summers out there. She told me how long it would take to get to Goodland which now takes only a little over one hour. When George and Bertha moved to Goodland, their son, Dudley Swann, took over the place. Their children are Parker, and Bertha Mclean of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Elwin of Bullhead, Arizona, and Ilene Wood of � 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- S Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief family histories of founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "S." As found in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:508 2020-03-23T10:01:11Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/508/Families-T_U_V.pdf df1504bf0291779a6384745335c7f6a0 PDF Text Text Akron, Colorado. It gives one a sense of belonging to know that some of your family helped settle this land. by Phyllis Wall There were six more children born with the help of a midwife Mrs. Lowe who was Art Lowe's mother. Georgia Megel said she helped mother when I was born. The six children were named Arthur Weslev. Vaughn, Vance, Shelby, Darrell Dean, ant Darlene Joy. We all went to the First Central TAGGART, VELMER MILLER F705 As a small child, I came to Flagler, Colo., in 1908 with my parents, John and Agnes Collier. We lived on a farm north of town for School our twelve years of schooling. Some of my classmates were Lewis Borden. Wanda Baetz, and maybe a Gooch child and others. Mrs. Gooch was the first cook for our hot lunches. Shelby helped and later he was the cook and some of us girls would get out of class early to help him. When I graduated in Miller. To this union, four children were 1945, I was the only one in my class, the others had all moved away. All of us Taylor children graduated from First Central. At the time, they held church services at the school and Mr. Ness was the minister. He lived about one half mile from us and one of my best friends was their daughter Charlette. It seemed so nice to have another girl around. Six older brothers were hard on an only girl, and another girl to talk to was great. Dad helped Ness' out by giving them coal and so In 1948, Thelma married Elmer T. Havs. He passed away in 1980. They had four children: Pamela Sue born in 1949; Angela when they no longer had any, he went clear over to Vona in his 1928 Chewolet truck. The truck bed was about as big as the beds in the several years. _ In t924, I graduated from Flagler High School and that same year married Ord h. born: Agnes Jane in 1925, who passed away in 1930; Thelma Lavonne "Bonnie" was born in 1927; Lawrence W. was born in 1g31: James W. was born in 1945. We lived on farms for many years, eighteen miles north and east of Flagler. Gail, born in 1951; Ronnie Gene born in f-gSg and Mark Wade, born in 1968. Lawrence joined the Armed Forces in 19b1. He was released when his father. Ord R. Miller died in 1953. Lawrence returned to the farm. In 1959, he and Shirley Simon were married. There were three children, two adopted. After James graduated from high school in 1963, he and Ruth Ann Bower were manied. He joined the Armed Services and after serving in Kansas and Alabama, they went to Germany where he was stationed as a helicopter mechanic. In 1965, their son, James D. was born. After a divorce, Jim married Verna Dunn in 1984, who has a daughter, Tana. In 1960, I married John L. Taggert and we made our home in Strasburg for lb years. He passed away in 1973. I came back to Flagler in 1975, where I still reside. by Velma Taggart forth. Dad got the coal from Stratton but pick-up trucks of today. We were good friends with the Ness' until they moved to Stratton. Our family raised cane and corn. Some of the corn was ground for corn flour. The cane was used as feed for the cows and horses. In the dirty 30's, the family raised dry land potatoes, which Dad delivered to Chevenne Wells and all around Burlington and Strat- ton. To keep the potatoes cool, Dad dug a 100 foot long cellar to sort and store the potatoes. After the potatoes weren't grown anymore, the cellar was used for setting hens to hatch chickens. Mother would carefully put several eggs under each setting hen to hatch for her own chicks. Then the folks bought two incubators to hatch the chickens. Thev sold chickens and turkeys to the Shanks CLfe in Burlington, a cafe that my uncle Lee Taylor bought in the early b0's. One day in the early 30's, my parents and I went to Goodland and on the way back we had to stop at Kanorado because of a dirt TAYLOR, PERRY AND NETTIE F706 My parents moved from Goodland, Kansas in 1914 to their homestead. In Goodland Dad had been working for the railroad, mostly around the round house. They came west in a wagon and their only son Perry Eugene was small enough to lay in a dresser drawer. Dad walked the cattle across the unfenced prairies while Mother drove the wagon. They stayed with some people (I do not recall their name) rcuth of Burlington and they came on west ;he next day. There was a small building on ;he homestead that they stayed in while luilding a two room soddie. In later years, as ;he family grew, so did the house. Thev also ruilt a sod milk house where *" goi o.r, lrinking water. The water came from a well hat I think maybe a Mr. Hardin dug. In this ,ame building there was a square tank which vas used for keeping the milk, cream and rutter cool. storm. We just pulled over to the side of the road and sat in the car until the storm was over. I remember it because I was so frightened. Another time there was a prairie fire, which came in from the south. School was turned out early and we were told to go right home. The fire came within about a milJ of our home. I still can see those flames racing across the prairie. It was a terrible sight. Eugene had to go away from home to work in the 30's. He first worked at Boone. Colorado at a bean farm. I can renember Pugene saying that bean farming was the hardest work he had ever done. He also worked at a ranch near Yuma at the Stiners ranch. In those days, the farm hand stayed with the people they worked for. They were all very nice people. On July 4th, 1936, a rain and hail storm came through near the Herman Baetz place. Part of the Baetz family was coming back across the creek and they did not make it because a wall of water hit them. LaDonna, the oldest daughter, was swept down the creek into the Landsman. Several neighbors, including Dad, looked for her but onlv found her glasses hanging on a fence. Her body was finally found later further down the creek toward Bethune. The boys hunted rabbits and when they got them home they would skin and hang tiEm out to dry. That would make the boyi some extra money for they would take skins into Stratton to sell to the creamery. My brothers also raised watermelon. They had to haul water to the watermelon patch from the well by the house. We ate a few and sold the rest. On Saturday night, the folks would have barn dances and the boys all played instru- ments and Mother fried hamburgers for everyone to buy. Dad always kept law and order. If there was a fight or a disorder, Dad would always be there to take care of things. There were always a lot of people from miles around and all in all, I think that evervone had a good time. The barn first was a cow shed and they put in a wooden floor and a pot belly stove to keep the chill out of the ro-om in chilly weather. Cowchips were used for heat. The chips were lit first after they were soaked in kerosene. Then the large pieces of coal (chunk coal) were added and after that the fine coal (slack coal) was added. The stove stayed warm for what seemed like forever. We would all help gather the cowchips and I always made sure they were good and dry before I would even kick them. Dad had Lloyd Megel put in a 82 volt wind charger with 16 batteries. It was so nice to have lights, and electric iron and a washer. This wind charger was used until R.E.A. came. Mom would always sew all our clothes. Sometimes sJre was up until midnight sewing for her family. Dresses for me and shirts foi the six boys. Mother also made the quilts for all of us; this is something she reallyenjoyed doing. I still have some of her quiltl after all these years. Our family had horses they worked in the fields even after the tractors were used bv others. We used horses on the header, cutting barley and stacking it until fall when thi threshing crew came in. One of these crews was the Blankenbaker crew, Rodney Blankenbaker's father. Mother and I would cook special meals during threshing. We used the best dishes and had more food on the table fo_r everyone, including the threshing crews. We always had meat and potatoes and peaches and cream. We butchered our own pork and cooked up sausage, after which we would put a layer of sausage and a layer of lard until the five gallon jar was full. The jar was put in the milkhouse. As we would need the sausage it was taken out and heated, what a tieat. Mother always had a large garden and all the vegetables were canned and stored awav for the wintgr. Later, Father and the boys dug a deep hole south of the house where'ice and snow was kept for our ice box. The ice box was wooden and didn't hold much food because the ice took up a lot of room. The ice in the ice hole would usually last until late summer. When we ran out Dad would go to Stratton and buy some from Mr. Wallgamont. Wesley, Vance and Darrell all served in World War II. They all came home except Vance who was shot down and killed the dav after his 24th birthday over the oil fields in Romania. Vance's death was something that I believe that neither Mom or Dad ever got over. Mother passed on in March 11. 1966 and Father in July of 1975. I will always remem- �ber the "good old days" when we lived south of Stratton on the "homestead". by Darleen Joy Taylor Pottorff in 1987. THOMAN, LEO AND LUCY F707 He passed away in 1942, and Mary in 1979. They had five daughters, Helen Smelker, Violet Bunch, Ila Hobgood, Vivian Sternholm and Deloris Magnuson. by Ines McArthur and Irene Kennedy THOMASON FAMILY F708 After the rivers and trees of eastern Early 1920's Montgomery & Thyne Garage in Stratton, Co. Kansas, arriving on the bleak, windy and cold Colorado plains in March 1921, was a shock to the young family of John F' and Pansy B. (Hall) Thomason. They had journeyed to Stratton from Baileyville, Kansas with their two young sons, Harold, age 4, and Galen, age 2. John's parents, Frank M. and MarY (McCartin) Thomason, had moved to Stratton the previous year (1920) along with their daughters, Bessie and Ada. John and Pansy Thomason added three more sons to their family after moving to Francis (1923), LaVerne (1926), Colorado - (1933). The family always lived and Melvin in the Idlewild School District, and all the boys graduated from Stratton High School. Both families farmed and raised cattle north of Stratton. John and Pansy left the farm and moved into Stratton in 1944, because their sons were in military service and other help was not available. Pansy lives in Stratton at 230 Kansas Avenue. Pansy Thomason celebrated her 88th birthday in 1985. John Thomason died in 1958. Harold (Hal) worked for several years in the Stratton Drug Store and now is the owner/pharmacist of the drug store in Cal- Leo and Lucy Thoman han. Colorado. Galen is retired from the U.S. Air Force and lives in Buena Vista, Colorado' Francis is a CPA and lives in Mclean, Among some of the first settlers to come to Kit Carson County, were Leo and LucY Thoman. They traveled from their home in Burlington, Iowa, to claim their land, 6 miles east ofBurlington, Colorado, near Peconic, at what was then called Carlisle. Traveling in a covered wagon, they left on Sept. 11, 1886 and arrived on Oct. 23. Because it was getting late in the fall, they hurried to make suitable living quarters by digging a cellar. This provided shelter from the winter and provided a home that met their needs till a house could be built, the following year. Leo and Lucy were married in April of 1885. Their five children were born here; Arnold, Bessie and Mary and two boys who died. Later they built an adobe house (just south of the Peconic elevators.) Leo helped build the Rock Island railroad. The children would pick up coal along the tracks that was spilled and sometimes the men would throw a shovel full off for them. In 1904, when the children ere very young Leo passed away, but Lucy carried on with the help of Arnold (10) and the girls. The relation in Iowa would send barrels of fruit and nuts in the fall to help out. Lucy passed away in L922, Close neighbors were the Teils, Stampers, Johnsons, and Martins. Arnold married Vera Dillon, she passed away in 1970. Bessie married Maynard Dunham, who passed away in 1964 and she passed away in 1984. Mary married Elmer Magnuson, a son of a homesteader west of the Smokey Hill school house. Virginia. LaVerne (Vern) is a dairy products distributor in Limon, Colorado. Melvin (Mel) teaches pharmacology at Temple University and lives in a suburb of Philadelphia. Pansy Thomason is the proud mother of five sons, grandmother of twenty, and greatgrandmother of twenty-two children' by Pansy Thomason W.T. and Olive Thyne in 1940 in Elizabeth, Co. a garage and Chevrolet agency, was manager of Stratton Co-op, was a Star-Route carrier for 20 years before his retirement. Ruth Thyne graduated from Stratton High School in 1929 and worked at the grocery store there. Russell D. Spurlin (1907-1967) came to Stratton with his parents Melvin (1878-1927) and Olive Dannevik Spurlin (1880-1963), 3 THYNE - BAKER AND SPURLIN DANNEVIK AND SPURLIN - THYNE FAMILIES F709 Olive Baker, daughter of John Bloss and Iona Taylor Baker Families (1886-1974) came from Beloit, Ks. in 1907. She homesteaded north of Stratton. William T. Thyne (1885-1975) son of Daniel and Sarah Thyne came from Doon, Iowa in 1906. He homesteaded 10 miles north of Stratton. W.T. and Olive met and married in 1911. To this union 5 children were born Ruth (1911-1976), Dan (1913), Bill (1921), Gene (1924-1980) and Mary Kay (1926-1979). He engaged in ranching and farming, operated a local dairy, ran brothers Dale (1902-1979), Gray (1905-1966)' Gene (1911-1971) and 2 sisters Alpha (1909) and Dorothy (1914), from Edmund, Ks. in 1919. Melvin was a drayman. Olive's father Otto and brother Will Dannevik moved with them and together they built several homes in Stratton. Some were block and some cement brick. Russ was working as a barber when he met and married Ruth Thyne in 1930. Four children were born to this union; Bob, Doris, Duane (Shorty) were born in Stratton and Donna was born in Cheyenne Wells where Russ was working at the light plant and Ruth helped her brother Dan in his grocery store there. Pearl Harbor was bombed and so Ruth's 3 brothers had to go to the service and this left the farm unattended so we moved back to Stratton to the farm. For a few months during the winter Russ worked in Denver at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. In 1949 we moved 1/z mile west of Stratton, had a dairy and delivered raw milk, later we delivered homogenized. When it first came out on the market, we could hardly talk nFo �son Derek. Duane (Shorty) Spurlin graduated in 1956, spent 2 years in army, worked in grocery store for Uncle Bill Thyne in Cheyenne Wells, worked with a bridge construction company for 15 years. He married Jeanette Mast. They have 2 daughters Charlene & Rebecca. Charlene died after heart surgery at the age of 3 years in 1978 and Rebecca died in infancy. Shorty himself, in 1945 at 8 years old, came close to death when he and a cousin, John Spurlin, were climbing a 35 ft. tree. Shorty reached the top first and grabbed a wire which sent a short circuit of 2200 volts through his body and pinned him to the tree. It was only by one chance in a thousand that he lived. Such an accident usually means instant death. Shorty and Jeanette reside in Northglenn where they are managing a 358 unit apartment complex. R.D. and Ruth Spurlin in Cheyenne Wells, Co. in 1940. Donna Spurlin graduated in 1956, worked as a bookkeeper in Denver, Nebraska, California and back to Denver where she resides with her husband Robert J. Whalen. They have 2 daughters; Sherri and Patricia and grandson Kevin. Ruth, Dan, Bill, Gene and Mary Kay went to school at Solid Center, Vz mile north from homestead. We four kids, Bob, Doris, Shorty and Donna also attended Solid Center. Later Batt Realty Co. bought, moved and remodeled it and later W.T. Thyne (Granddad & Grandma) bought it for he and Olive to live in. We kids and our kids all had family gatherings there for years, so it was a big part of our lives. by Doris Stevens TOLAND, RAY E. AND GLADYS (ANNIE) FTlO Ray Ervin Toland was born in St. John, Kansas, on December 9, 1891. He was married to Gladys Kay in Hutchinson, Kansas, on August 4, 1915. They had two Melvin and Olive Spurlin 1924 in Stratton. customers into trying it. At the same time they managed Hollywood Creamery. He also was a Star-Route carrier. Later Ruth was a cook at school lunch room. Bob Spurlin graduated in 1951, served in Korean War for 2 years, spent time in Japan, worked for Highway Dept. as an engineer for 22 years. He has 4 sons, Lonnie, Vean, Ted and Doren and one daughter, Peggy. Bob was killed in a car accident in 1979 Vz mile from home. Doris Spurlin graduated in 1953, married Dallas Stevens. They bought D&D Cleaners in Burlington in 1958. They have 5 daughters, Dana, Debra, Diane, Devona, Dee and one children: Mary Ellen (Balanga) born July 6, 1916, and Max Kay born October 1, 1920. In 1933, the Tolands moved to Hugo, Colorado, then on to Stratton in 1940. They operated the "Stratton Cafe" on Main Street until December, 1945. At this time they purchased the Toland Cream Station. With the creamery still under their direction, they opened the Collins Hotel Cafe. Ray died February 6, 1951. After his death, Gladys spent several years managing the dining room of the Grand Pacific Hotel in Bismarck, North Dakota. She returned to Stratton in 1966, where she managed the Memorial Hospital Board. He died in Decembet 4, L974. Janet Toland presently resides in San Clemente, California, near Bonnie, her husband and Janet's only grandson, Trey. Marie and her husband live in Evergreen, Colorado. by Janet Toland TOWERS, BERT F71l Bert Towers came by emmigrant train to Kit Carson County with his parents, George and Emily Towers in 1906. Bert also raised horses Iike his father before him. He was well known around Burlington for he trucked cattle for a business. I, Georgia Megel, his niece, have this newspaper article about uncle Bertie. "Centennial Race Track will not be the same when the barns start to house thorough- breds for the 1961 meeting. Bertie Towers, Centennial's night watchman, died of a heart attack Saturday night. He was 77. He lived with his wife, Opal, in a trailer behind the racing offices. Their whole life was wrapped up in 'Yuma Wray', the only race horse quartered the year round at Centennial. (The horse was named Yuma because he was born at Yuma, Colo.) Each season Yuma Wray, wearing the Towers'colors, would win a race or two at Centennial. The mare, now retired, has a yearling by Pelouse . ." In 1910, I remember the prairie fire that was started by someone camping north of Kit Carson, Colo. The wind was blowing so hard and it got away from them. It burned so much in Kit Carson County. The fire moved so fast that a horse couldn't outrun it. Uncle Bertie had left for home but father tried to get him to stay. He wouldn't and before he got home, the fire had burned the horse's mane and the tassel off his tail. Father lost feed and Uncle Bert lost a barn and 9400. by Georgia Megel TRESSEL, MISS JENNIE L. F7t2 One of the most energetic, accomplished, and colorful Kit Carson County early-day settlers was Miss Jennie L. Tressel. Her popularity can be attested to by the many times that she has been mentioned in these restaurant at the Golden Prairie Inn until her death, June 7,1973. Mary Ellen was married to Rueben Balanga on July 26, 1942, and died on January 2, L957. Max Kay served 4 years overseas in World War II; was married to Janet Dillon on May l, L947. They had two daughters: Bonnie Jo (Swann) born July 1, 1948, and Marie Kay (Wolfley) born December 11, 1953. Max worked for Inland Utilities until it was incorporated into K.C. Electric Association where he was employed for 27 years. He served two terms as Mayor of Stratton, also as Justice of the Peace, a Red Cross Instructor, and a member of the Kit Carson Countv Miss Jennie Tressel with two of her "boys", Allen Greenwood and Kenneth Hoot, at Smelker School �histories. It is quite well-established that she was a homemaker probably around the turn of the century. Besides coping with pioneer life, she beco-e an outstanding educator and schoolteacher. From 1916 to 1922 she served as Kit Carson County Superintendent of Schools. She drove a team of horses hitched to a buggy when she visited the schools in the county. In later years when the horses became old, she sold them to Theodore Greenwood. One was a beautiful sorrel and when he died. Mr. Greenwood had his hide removed, tanned, and made into a beautiful robe with dark green felt cloth lining. It is kept as a family heirloom in memory of Miss Tressel. Besides being County Superintendent, she was Superintendent of the Vona School, taught in Stratton, and in many country schools. She had "a way" with children' and they would strive to please her. Instead of punishing for wrong-doing, she had a system of giving "merit points" for good behavior and deeds accomplished. So many "merit points" would earn a prize, something small but treasured by the children. If they completed their assignment, she would let them work on crafts, - shadow pictures, sewing cards, and woodworking like little stools and shelves. They used scrap lumber and a coping saw. and these little articles can still be found in the homes, cherished by the now grown children. One of her hobbies was a stamp collection, and she helped many children to become interested in stamps. At the end of her life she bequeathed her valuable stemp collection to one ofher "girls" who had pursued the hobby. Another diversion in which she was interested and knowledgeable was Parliamentary Law. So she helped the children organize a Club, elect officers, and gather solemnly for meetings on Friday afternoon, all conducted according to strict Parliamentary Law. Miss Tressel was a genial person to have at neighborhood parties and programs. She always had a reportoire of "fun" games. As far as we know, her lone relative was a frail and sickly sister for whom she took responsibility in later years. She built a nice home in Stratton, now owned bY FloYd Borders and she and her sister lived there for a time. Then the sister died and rumor had it that the gister's doctor bills for which Miss Tressel felt responsible, finally divested her of most of her finances. Miss Tressel's final days were spent here in Stratton in a little two-room house which Mrs. Rachael McNees built in her yard for her beloved friend. She had all arrangements made for her funeral including the request that six of her "boys", now grown, be her pallbearers. She was a grand old lady. than from where they moved in Indiana. Previously, Tom and Cherie were Vocational Agriculture teachers at two different high school in southern Indiana. They were FFA Advisors and coached several judging teems. In addition Cherie coached volleyball and as a licensed volleyball official in the state of Indiana. Tom was born in Burlington, Vermont on August 11, 1961, but moved a few years later to Holbrook, Massachusetts, where his parents still reside. Cherie Renee Pizarek was born August 3, 1958 in Michigan City, Indiana, which is 8 miles from where her parents still live on a farm near LaPorfe, Indiana. Tom has three younger brothers, and Cherie has one older brother. Cory was born through a previous marriage on July 22, 1981 in Louisville, Kentucky. Tom graduated from St. Joseph's Elemen- tary School in 1975, Norfolk County Agriculture High School in 1979, and Purdue University in 1984. Cherie graduated from St. Mary's Elementary School in L972, Marquette Catholic High School in 1976, and Purdue University in 1980. Cherie returned to Purdue in 1982 to pursue certification in TRIEB, THOMAS AND CIIERIE F7t3 Thomas William Trieb, Jr. and Cherie Pizarek Trieb moved to the Burlington area on September 1, 1985 with their son, Corydon Milo Garmon. They moved here in search of a drier climate and a more rural atmosphere mond Chindlen, born May 5, L952. They live at Long Beach, California. 2. Enid Irene Underwood born Oct. 11, 1928, at Columbine, Wy. Enid married Allen Rawden on June 25, L948, They have 3 children: Donald Bruce Rawden born April 14, 1950, Debbie Christine Rawden born March 23, 1952, and Allen Dean Rawden born Sept. 16. They live in Washington. by Linda L. Ljunggren Brandt Vocational Agriculture Education with a minor in biology. Her first degree is in General Agriculture with emphasis in Agronomy and Animal Science. It was in the fall of 1983 at Purdue University that Tom and Cherie first met, as they were two of twenty- VAN DE WEGHE, ALMA LIMING nine students preparing to be student teachers of Vocational Agriculture the following spring. Tom and Cherie were manied on July 20, 1985 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Bernadette Elizabeth Trieb was born on July 2, 1987 at Swedish Medical Center in Alma Van De Liming, had four children - and Marvin. Weghe, Robert, Melba Rehor We were raised on a farm 18 miles north and 3 miles west of Stratton. The original oneroom school house used as our home was later Englewood, Colorado. She is a welcome addition to the family. The Triebs are members of St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Burlington, where Cherie teaches CCD. Tom is an officer in the Burlington Council of Knights of Columbus. Cherie is president of Modern Homemakers, very active in the Burlington Young Mothers' Organization, and a volunteer at the Colorado Welcome Center. Tom and Cherie are 4-H leaders, too. In the past they had been active in the KCC Cattleman's association, Seibert Young Far- mers', KCC Cowbelles, and St. Catherine's Altar & Rosary. Tom is presently a feedlot assistant for Busby,Inc. by Cherie Trieb F715 My parents, William (Bill) and Hazel replaced by a house moved in from a few miles away that Dad purchased from Ray Bowers. Some of the early memories I have of my parents, I would like to share with you. We had a Majestic range that furnished the heat for the whole house, plus being used for cooking and baking. Mom its intended use - and it was so good to come baked bread often home from school to hot bread with homemade butter, jelly and jams, and frequently a big pot of beans. In the summer we would pick lambs quarter (a weed) and Mom would can it for our spinach. We also always had an abundance of homemade cottage cheese. Mom grew a big garden every summer and in the fall she made sauerkraut, hominy, pickles, and canned whatever was left that wouldn't keep in the cellar. I can remember so well Dad bringing in bushels of big white ears of corn that we shelled by hand so we UNDERWOOD, GRACE BELL SMITH by Marie E. Greenwood Grace (Smith) Underwood and Ed Underwood. F714 Grace Bell Smith, daughter of Salmon Peter Chase Smith and Laura Alice Cook, was born May 28, 1898, at Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska. Grace married Edgar Underwood, son of William and Mary Underwood, Sept. 20, 1916, at Burlington, Colorado. Edgar died Dec. 24, L956. Grace died May 19, 1961. Both are buried at Billings, Montana. They had two daughters: 1. Erma Underwood born Oct. 25, 1918, at Stratton, Colorado. Erma maried Clarance Edmund Chindlen Nov. 21. 1940, at Littleton, Colorado. They had a son, David Ed- wouldn't get any bad kernels, cooking the kernels in lye water until the hulls would slip off. then washing it over and over in cold water until all the hulls were gone and we had beautiful white hominy. Same with the kraut we took the cabbage heads, removed the -outside leaves and Mom and Dad then took turns shredding up the cabbage. Dad prepared a big vinegar barrel in the cellar where we put the shredded cabbage and salt and trarnped it down with a big club Dad had made. Then, it was weighted down with a cloth-covered lid and let set to ferment. What a treat to go down in the cellar later and bring up a big bowlful. Like all of our neighbors, we butchered our own hogs and cattle, salt cured or canned the meat, and could plan on fresh liver for supper on butchering day. Generally, the neighbors assisted each other with butch- �ering. Mom also made all our clothes. Our underwear was made from empty flour sacks that she had scrubbed on the washboard to get the label washed out. Sometimes you could still see a faint "Belle of Denver" (flour brand name) on our bloomers. Mom raised ducks and picked their feathers to make feather beds and pillows and we used fresh shucks to fill ticks to sleep on. Dad loved horses and we always had horses to ride. He was one of the last people in the community to quit farming with horses. Our cows were registered Aryshires, and milking was a joint family effort. Also, every fall we went into the pasture and picked up cow chips enough to National Bank in Denver. Now that my husband and I are semi-retired, we enjoyed traveling and being with our families. Memories are continuing to be made for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. by Alma Van De Weghe VANCE FAMILY F7l6 back, we stacked them in ricks and burned them in the daytime, saving the coal for banking our night fires. For recreation and entertainment we had house dances, barn celebration. Burlingtonites built a huge burning of his shirt. In 1948 Shorty built a two story brick building just east of the Bank of Burlington. There were four apartments upstairs and the lower floor housed a furniture store which he owned and operated. The bank purchased the building in 1975 and it was torn down for horseshoe contests too. After graduating from Kirk High School, I married Kenneth Idler and we had four children Donald, Gerald, Richard and - We farmed for seven years, then Wilma Jean. due to Kenneth's death from heart disease. the children and I moved to Joes and built a motel known as the "Alma Motel". Later we moved to Yuma and had a motel called "400 K Kort". In 1961 I married Maurice Van De Weghe and we moved to Denver. Donald their expansion. The family was members of the Methodist Church of Burlington where Wreath was and is very active in the ladies groups being a life member of United Methodist Women. and his wife, Mary, and 3 children, Mary Shorty served as trustee for many years and Yvonne played the organ during the 40s. Wreath is also a life member of Burlington Woman's Club having joined in 1944.Shorty Donna, Martha Ann and Donald Jr., live in Apache Jct., Arizona. Gerald and his wife, Jane, and daughters Holly Anne, Jennifer Lynn and Susan Marie, live in Buford, Georgia. Another daughter, Kendra Jo, is married and lives in Benton, Arkansas. was a member of Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. Weldon was very active in football, basketball and baseball and Shortv was a firm supporter of the High School Richard and his wife, Joyce, and sons William Allen and Charles Louis, live in Wheat Ridge, Melba and her husband, Rudy Rehor, presently live on Dad's homestead after having worked many interesting years in road as a mechanic and - Rudy Melba often cooking for the crew. Melba had construction one son, Bobby Bill Todd, who died in infancy. Marvin and his wife, Marjorie, live in Lakewood, Colorado. They had 5 daughters Constance Lee Briggs (deceased), Jo Ellen, -Marla, Janet and Julie. Marvin is a plumber and owns M.L. LimingPlumbing Co. JoEllen and her husband, Bill Dozier, and 3 children, Jeffery, Matthew and Emily, live in Lakewood, Colorado. Marla and her husband. Lance Shepard, and sons Aaron and Nathan, live in Morrison, Colorado. Janet and her husband, Tom Pratt, and daughter Rebecca, live in Los Angeles, California. Julie Liming lives in Lakewood, Colorado. Besides being wife and mother, I also had a brief career working for the Colorado back of their trucks or under the stars and didn't have a cook crew in a modern trailer to feed them. It was the same year at the age of 39 that Shorty received his draft call from Uncle Sam to serve in World War IL He failed to pass his physical due to a heart condition. Aug. 9, 1945 - VJ Day, victory in Japan, put an end to World War II and was a day of great bonfire at the intersection of Senter and 14th and burnt hats, shirts, and bras. As the crowd got into the spirit of things and became quite rowdy, Shorty closed up Shorty's Palace and went home. He took the back way to avoid the dances, played cards, or just gathered at someone's home and played yard games. Of course, we had the usual baseball and mother. Wilma Jean and her husband, Duane Glenn, live in Fort Collins, Colorado. They have two daughters Marie Reeger, - Jeanie who has one daughter, and Rayna Jo Hoschouer, who has 3 children. Robert (Bob) lives in Fort Collins with his wife, Gale, and daughter, Bobetta. Bob farmed several years in Eastern Colorado and Missouri, and then moved back to Colorado and was a plumber until his retirement from the Poudre Valley School system. they would have as many as "24 egg and cheese sandwiches to go". Thought they could never look at another egg sandwich. In those days custom harvest crews slept in the fill several hayracks. After bringing them Colorado. Richard's oldest son, Kenneth Richard, lives in Mesa, Arizona with his cooking and pie making; working together to make the business a success. These were the war years and it was difficult to get enough meat due to rationing. One harvest when the custom cutters were in for take-out orders, Booster Club. J.V. and Wreath Vance Family, 1944.L. to R. Yvonne, J.V.(Shorty), Weldon, and Wreath. Front, Dennis. On Dennis'es graduation from high school, May 1955, the dirt blew so terrible one couldn't drive across town to Baccolaureate. On prom night there was a choking dust storm. Jacob Vernon Vance and Evelyn Wreath Frank were married April 2L,1927. Both were natives of Jewell City, Kansas. Vernon became a baker by trade. He worked at and owned bakeries in Kansas and Colorado until eczema on his hands as well as economic reasons forced him to leave the business. After a few years of construction and truck driving, he came to Burlington in the fall of 1942 to work for Bert Meyers at the Burlington Bakery. When school was out the next May he moved his wife and three children from Goodland, Kansas to the Warren Shamburg house in Burlington at 1209 Senter St. This was the family home while the children, Yvonne 15, Weldon 13, and Dennis 6 were growing up. In Feb. 1945 Vernon and Wreath opened a short order cafe just north of the Midway Theatre. It was called "Shorty's Palace". Shorty was the nickname he had acquired since coming to Burlington. The establishment was complete with up to the minute furnishings including inlaid linoleum, elaborate soda fountain, glass pastry case, chromium gas-heated coffee urn, leather booths and table tops of a new plastic called Formica. It also sported an ever popular nickleodean. It became a meeting place for the young people whom he loved. Shorty and Wreath did the The family had lived in several towns before coming to Colorado but once they hit Burlington, they stayed. All of Shorty and Wreath's three children and seven grand- children graduated from Burlington High School and all nine great grandchildren live in or near Burlington and attend Burlington schools. Yvonne manied Ewald Hartman and lives 10 miles SE, Weldon married Donna Ormsbee and is chief maintenance of RE6J schools, Dennis married Dianne Pappan and they have a paint and gift shop in Burlington. Vernon (Shorty) died following open heart surgery Sept. 11, 1968. Wreath still lives at 239 13th, the home they built in 1962. by Yvonne Vance Hartman VASSIOS FAMILY F7t7 William Vassios arrived in Flagler, in 1g06, while employed by the Union Pacific Railroad. Born in Messinia, Greece, in 1882, he came to America in 1902. He left home at a very young age in order to take advantage of the great opportunities that America had to offer. His employment with the railroad �piano, violin and accordion. Visits with friends and neighbors were enjoyed throughout the year. Among them were the Carl Bledsoe, Ellis Huntzman and Clark Wright families living south in the Boyero area. At other times the family The home and garden in 1928 attended a club called the Busy Bees'. There was always a large noon meal. The kids played games of all sorts, often times softball. Men enjoyed horse shoes and cards. Women visited, exchanged recipes, and quilted. Some of these families included; Bill Strodes, Newt and Nels Smiths, Bourquins, Rowlands, Kountzes, and the John and Arch Verhoeffs. The Jim Kountz family lived,2Vz miles away. They were close friends, one of the ties being "Mom and Pop" and one of the first cars in 1920 brought him west to Kansas City, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada. He worked very hard and soon bec€rme a foreman, of which he was proud. In 1906. Bill decided to homestead 15 miles south ofFlagler but continued to work on the railroad for several more years while getting his homestead prepared for his future. In January of 1912 Bill Vassios and Pansy Drougas were mauied in Chicago, Illinois. Pansy was born in Sparta, Greece, in 1889. She had come to America as a young girl of 16 to live with her brother and work in a candy factory in Chicago. As a bride of 19, Pansy came to live with Bill on their homestead in a two room sod house. Existence on the sparsely populated prairie was extremely different from the city and active community life to which she was accustomed. One of the hardest experiences was the fact that they were not near a church. They lived too far from Flagler and their own Greek Orthodox Church was in Denver. This meant very little spiritual and social life, since their nearest neighbors were also miles away. The language barrier was another deterrent. The hardships were many, but they managed to rear and educate their seven children: Mrs. Alex Jamison( Anna) of Greeley, Colo., Mrs. Charles Mallo (Tressie) of Fort Collins, Colo., Mrs. Peter Tertipes (Marv) of Cheyenne, Wyo., George Vassios of Limon, Colo., Gus Vassios of Flagler, Colo., Mrs. Jack McCollum (Ansie) of Dallas, Texas, and Mrs. John Coryell (Daphne) of Flagler, Colo. Around L922 the family moved from the original homestead to the Stanger place, which was only a mile from the Texarado school. Walking and riding horseback to school was not always pleasant because ofthe snowstorms that frequented the area. One of the highlighLs for the Vassios family at this time was the fact that they were able to provide room and board for the young teachers who taught at Texarado. These were pleasant years because the lives of everyone were enriched and lifelong friendships built. children of the same or close age group. The great depression of the 1930's was a hard thing for the family to survive, as it was with practically everyone else. But the family survived because everyone helped with the chores. At one time, they were milking 30 to 40 milk cows twice a day. The cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, Iambs, and huge gardens kept food on the table. Bill made weekly trips to Flagler with a team of horses and a spring wagon to deliver and sell several cans full of cream and several cases of eggs for cash. One experience that the family will never forget took place on March 17,1923. We were fearful that Bill had perished in a fierce, untimely snowstorm which came up suddenly in the middle of the morning. It caused the whole herd of cattle to drift southward, just being taken along by the strong wind and blinding snow. Bill decided to try to find the cattle and turn them around, so he took off on his saddle horse. Several hours later, when the family had almost given up hope of Bill's return, his trusted saddle horse, Maude, came up to the front door with Bill sitting motionless, almost frozen to death. Icicles hung from his eyebrows, and he could not move nor speak, but God was with him and he soon returned to normal. The cattle all perished. One of the main goals of Bill and Pansy Vassios was to educate their family. Before his death, Bill had the promise of his grandchildren that they would get a good education and finish college if at all possible. They were very proud of the fact that all ten grandchildren accomplished that feat.This confirmed their belief that all things are possible in this great country. by Daphne Coryell VONDY - PAINTIN FAMILY F718 Dr. Powell worked for dad 2 summers during his college days, and became full time help after he graduated and later became a partner. We have been quite an active and close family, we are all members of the Methodist Church. Mom and Dad have both been Sunday school teachers and mom is secretary of the administrative board. We kids have After supper, the large round dining table enjoyed various activities through the church; camp, MYF, Sunday school, Bible was turned into a study table. When studies school, etc. were finished, the evenings entertainment usually included some type of music; singing, There are five children in our family: Diane, Curt, Gail, Terry, and Holly. Diane is a graduate of C.S.U. and is manager of a branch office for Mountain View Mortgage Co. She is married to Tim McNulty and they have a son Ryan Patrick, born Feb. 11, 1986. They make their home in Colorado Springs. Curt has had an adventuresome life. He attended C.S.U. for 21/z years, worked in oil fields in Montana and land leveling and plastics factory in Arizona. Gail attended dog grooming school and joined our clinic as groomer and operated her own business for 4 years, but felt that she was becoming allergic to the pet hair. She went to work as a horse-groom at Ted Simon/ Racing stable, and later started training for her dad. Terry is a graduate of C.S.U. with a Bachelors degree in Animal Science. Through his college years he spent 3 summers at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack as a groom for Ted Simon. Now he has several head of quarter horses and thoroughbreds that he enjoys training. My father, Milton Vondy, was born in Snyder, Colorado on March 6, L927, to Lawrence and Ollie Vondy. He attended Brush schools and later graduated from Brush High School. My Mother, Doris Paintin, was born at home on December 8, 1920, to George and Agnes Paintin. She attended country school at Solid Senter; transporta- tion was her old white mare, Daisy. She attended Stratton High School, and was active in dramatics and cheerleading. Dad came to Burlington in 1952, a graduate of Colorado A&M, Fort Collins, Co. with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. After visiting with the bankers, local farmers and the county agent, he decided to move to Burlington where he established his veterinary practice which kept him very busy and still does. My mother was employed at Standish Drug Store, when she met my dad. They were married at the Methodist Church in Burlington, in 1952. Mom has helped dad in the vet business since that time. Dad and mom's first home was the apartment above Milburn Jewelry Store. Then, they bought a home on 18th Street. Later they purchased five acres from Buols and built a house, barn and small animal shelter. In 1978 they sold our home and purchased the Vern Jones home 6 miles South of Bur- lington, where a quonset building was converted to a veterinary clinic and dad had lots of room for his horses. I, Holly the youngest and most spoiled (due to brothers and sisters) am active in 4-H. MYF, and school. I enjoy working on the annual staff, being on the flag corp, snow skiing, dating, and spending time with friends, especially my best friend Karla Pankratz. I also am interested in horse racing and have a colt at the track now. All of us kids have been in 4-H with quite a variety of projects and Mom and Dad have been leaders for many years. All of our 4-H years were spent with Sunshine 4-H club. Activities dad enjoys are golfing, horse racing, raising quarter horses, being a member of the Plains Rider Roping Club, which he helped organize, the Cattlemen's Associa- tion, Burlington Commercial Feedlot, and being Republican Precinct Committeeman. Mom has been a member of Modern Homemakers H.D. Club, for 31 years and B.P.W. for 8 years. She also enjoys Plains �shack in the North West part of Stratton. He then spent his time in the garage where the Kalb Brothers Walter and Kenneth had a mechanics shop. He enjoyed visiting with whoever had time to chat with him. They looked after him in his last years as he got to where he could hardly walk before he died. He is buried in Claremont Cemetery, Stratton, Colorado. He was 88 years old. by Dessie Cassity Book & Florence McConnell WALKER FAMILY F720 The Milton Vondy Family. Back row, L. to R.: GaiI, Diane, Curt and Terry. Front row, L. to R.: Doris, Hollv and Milton. Riders Roping Club, and horse racing. One of the biggest thrills for our family, was the running and winning streak of "Five Alive" in 1980. We had a family reunion at Ruidoso Downs. Ruidoso New Mexico. where we watched Five Alive run in the first leg of the triple crown ofquarter horses, the Kansas Futurity. As sometimes happens, saddness follows happiness. We found this to be very true when later in the fall, Five Alive was taken to Littleton Large Animal Clinic for surgery to remove bone chips from his knees; this brought about one of the saddest days of our lives, because while recovering he floun- dered and crushed his elbow and had to be taste like the smell of a sweaty horse. It was said many times in the old days that John Wagner was a real wizard in handling and breaking of wild horses. The brothers were asked to corral some wild horses for a friend in Cheyenne County. They made three attempts to corral them with no success. Finally were asked again and they showed up carrying rifles instead of ropes. Their next attempt at corraling the herd preceeded about as usual until they were nearing the corral gates. A big, beautiful l Forty-fifth Wedding Anniversary of Aubrey and Winnie Walker. Seated: Nina Lou Walker Ford. Aubrey Walker, Winnie Walker Lavon Walker Fisher Keeran. Standing: Pat Ford, Betty Walker, Art Fisher. Dale Walker. sorrel stallion broke back. Fred said he thought, as he saw the big beautiful horse breaking for safety, "I would sure hate to kill put to sleep. We are still running horses and dreaming of another Five Alive.! that horse if he was mine, but he has got to be stopped." He took aim and let him have by Holly Vondy to see if he was branded. and damned if he WAGNER FAMILY F7r9 Two brothers, Fred and John Wagner, moved into Kit Carson County from Cheyenne County, Nebraska, in 1903. They brought with them about seven hundred head of horses. John took a homestead about eight miles south of Stratton, where they made their head quarters for sometime. The government land was all open, so their horses' pasture was almost boundless. There were a good many wild horses in this area at that time and they caused the Wagner brothers considerable trouble. The Brothers at last got permission form the State Govern- ment of Colorado to shoot the wild stallions when ever they were caught stealing mares. The brothers were also given permission to catch, brand and break any of these wild it. Later Fred said I rode out to look him over wasn't my own horse. Later there is not much known about John Wagner as he left the county, but Fred remained and continued to run horses for some time. Fred was known in his day to be quite a booser. But he was a kind and neighborly man. As little girls, Denise and Barbara Wilson remember hiding behind some weeds in a fence row until he would pass so he would not see them and pick them up when they were walking home from school. In the early 40's Fred moved to a quarter of land he purchased and built himself a small rock house which still stands on the property. Boots Wilson looked after Fred in those years. He would go to town and get all boosed up and then Boots would see him stopped out across the open prairie and he would go get him and take him home. He was a good neighbor, always helping ponies that they desired. Fred Wagner told me, that they tried some when needed. In a bad blizzard in November 1946, he went out to see about a bunch of cattle Boots had at his place and got down in the storm and he had to crawl to the house. He risked his life but managed to save the horse steaks from some ofthe wild horses that cattle. they killed. They never relished horse steak, He later sold his property to Boots and moved into town where he lived in a one room as it always seemed to have a sweet, sweaty Lavington Garage, Flagler, Colorado; Early 1920's to 1960. Leon Lavington was the son of W.H. Lavington, who was one of Flaglers early settlers (prior to 1900). W.H. Lavington started Flaglers first general store and later the First National Bank. Wayne Aubrey Walker, born August 24, 1886, in Worth County Missouri, was the son of Marvin E. & Susan O. Marvin Walker was the son of Warner & Ruth Ann of North Carolina. The father of Warner was Daniel Walker who was the son of Davis Walker. who was born about 1770 in North Carolina. W. Aubrey Walker was schooled at Denver, Missouri, and went to business school at St. Joseph, Missouri. The Walker family moved to Springfield, Missouri, in 1906 where Aubrey worked in the accounting department of the Frisco Railroad. In 1908, Aubrey set out to fulfill a dream, that of securing a homestead near Steamboat Springs, Colo- � 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- T, U, & V Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "T," "U" and "V." As found in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Subject The topic of the resource History Biography Kit Carson County 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:509 2020-03-23T10:00:44Z 17

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/509/Families-W1.pdf 71b3355289d29c67d97635269f5cbd85 PDF Text Text shack in the North West part of Stratton. He then spent his time in the garage where the Kalb Brothers Walter and Kenneth had a mechanics shop. He enjoyed visiting with whoever had time to chat with him. They looked after him in his last years as he got to where he could hardly walk before he died. He is buried in Claremont Cemetery, Stratton, Colorado. He was 88 years old. by Dessie Cassity Book & Florence McConnell WALKER FAMILY F720 The Milton Vondy Family. Back row, L. to R.: GaiI, Diane, Curt and Terry. Front row, L. to R.: Doris, Hollv and Milton. Riders Roping Club, and horse racing. One of the biggest thrills for our family, was the running and winning streak of "Five Alive" in 1980. We had a family reunion at Ruidoso Downs. Ruidoso New Mexico. where we watched Five Alive run in the first leg of the triple crown ofquarter horses, the Kansas Futurity. As sometimes happens, saddness follows happiness. We found this to be very true when later in the fall, Five Alive was taken to Littleton Large Animal Clinic for surgery to remove bone chips from his knees; this brought about one of the saddest days of our lives, because while recovering he floun- dered and crushed his elbow and had to be taste like the smell of a sweaty horse. It was said many times in the old days that John Wagner was a real wizard in handling and breaking of wild horses. The brothers were asked to corral some wild horses for a friend in Cheyenne County. They made three attempts to corral them with no success. Finally were asked again and they showed up carrying rifles instead of ropes. Their next attempt at corraling the herd preceeded about as usual until they were nearing the corral gates. A big, beautiful l Forty-fifth Wedding Anniversary of Aubrey and Winnie Walker. Seated: Nina Lou Walker Ford. Aubrey Walker, Winnie Walker Lavon Walker Fisher Keeran. Standing: Pat Ford, Betty Walker, Art Fisher. Dale Walker. sorrel stallion broke back. Fred said he thought, as he saw the big beautiful horse breaking for safety, "I would sure hate to kill put to sleep. We are still running horses and dreaming of another Five Alive.! that horse if he was mine, but he has got to be stopped." He took aim and let him have by Holly Vondy to see if he was branded. and damned if he WAGNER FAMILY F7r9 Two brothers, Fred and John Wagner, moved into Kit Carson County from Cheyenne County, Nebraska, in 1903. They brought with them about seven hundred head of horses. John took a homestead about eight miles south of Stratton, where they made their head quarters for sometime. The government land was all open, so their horses' pasture was almost boundless. There were a good many wild horses in this area at that time and they caused the Wagner brothers considerable trouble. The Brothers at last got permission form the State Govern- ment of Colorado to shoot the wild stallions when ever they were caught stealing mares. The brothers were also given permission to catch, brand and break any of these wild it. Later Fred said I rode out to look him over wasn't my own horse. Later there is not much known about John Wagner as he left the county, but Fred remained and continued to run horses for some time. Fred was known in his day to be quite a booser. But he was a kind and neighborly man. As little girls, Denise and Barbara Wilson remember hiding behind some weeds in a fence row until he would pass so he would not see them and pick them up when they were walking home from school. In the early 40's Fred moved to a quarter of land he purchased and built himself a small rock house which still stands on the property. Boots Wilson looked after Fred in those years. He would go to town and get all boosed up and then Boots would see him stopped out across the open prairie and he would go get him and take him home. He was a good neighbor, always helping ponies that they desired. Fred Wagner told me, that they tried some when needed. In a bad blizzard in November 1946, he went out to see about a bunch of cattle Boots had at his place and got down in the storm and he had to crawl to the house. He risked his life but managed to save the horse steaks from some ofthe wild horses that cattle. they killed. They never relished horse steak, He later sold his property to Boots and moved into town where he lived in a one room as it always seemed to have a sweet, sweaty Lavington Garage, Flagler, Colorado; Early 1920's to 1960. Leon Lavington was the son of W.H. Lavington, who was one of Flaglers early settlers (prior to 1900). W.H. Lavington started Flaglers first general store and later the First National Bank. Wayne Aubrey Walker, born August 24, 1886, in Worth County Missouri, was the son of Marvin E. & Susan O. Marvin Walker was the son of Warner & Ruth Ann of North Carolina. The father of Warner was Daniel Walker who was the son of Davis Walker. who was born about 1770 in North Carolina. W. Aubrey Walker was schooled at Denver, Missouri, and went to business school at St. Joseph, Missouri. The Walker family moved to Springfield, Missouri, in 1906 where Aubrey worked in the accounting department of the Frisco Railroad. In 1908, Aubrey set out to fulfill a dream, that of securing a homestead near Steamboat Springs, Colo- �activities. Dale has served numerous terms as a director in the Rural Electric Program. In 1985, Dale & Betty retired, having sold the i .,: t,.1 :::taii.,.t Hrs :ti.:i,:.: business to their sons. rarjr1.r:;:rl:ir.;. Dale A. Walker, Jr. and John K. Walker thus became the seventh generation of the recorded Walker family and fourth generation Coloradoans. , by Dale A. Walker l1{{1?tii.:?ii::1i:ll,l;.r", WALL FAMILY *m.t* rigr**i.,Lird?. 'i, Flagler Hospital. Family owned and operated Hospital by Dr. W.L. and.Zeta McBride, and Dr. John and Marie Straub from 1935 to 1963. Today the building is owned by the town of Flagler, used as town Municipal Building and Town Library. gave years of service through such organiza- tions as the First Congregational Church, the Eastern Star, Flagler Women's Club, and Kit Carson County Hospital Board. Winnie passed away June 4, 196L, at Flagler, and Aubrey died October 25, 1981, in Hugo, Colorado. The Walker children grew up in the Flagler community and attended the Flagler Schools. The youngest, Nina Lou married Pat Ford. They reared four children, Tony, Kristie, Jill and Lanny. Nina Lou & Pat throughout their lives have been active in the Flagler Community. For many years they operated the Stop & Shop Super Market. Later Pat became Stop and Shop Market, Flagler, Colorado. Store began in late 1951 by owners Dale Walker and Pat Ford. In 1959 Walker and Ford bought and remodeled the former Lavington Ford Garage Building to house the present Store, now owned by Tony Ford. rado, where he hoped to ranch. Due to circumstance, he stopped off at Seibert Colorado, where he was attracted to a quarter section of land some 12 miles north of Seibert. He filed for his homestead in that location. On August 15, 1915, Aubrey was married to Winnie A. Anderson, at Flagler, Colorado. To this marriage four children were born - Dale as a Aubrey, K. Lavon, Helen O. (who died small child) and Nina Lou. In addition to farming, Aubrey served as a county road supervisor during the early 1920's. In t927, following the death of Winnie's father, the Walkers moved to the associated with the 1st National Bank of Flagler, heading up the insurance agency and acting as one ofthe directors. They have been a part of Eastern Slope Rural Telephone where Pat has acted as a director. Lavon Fisher Keeran raised her two children, Wanda Sue & Ab in the Flagler Community. Lavon was active in the activities of the school and community. For many years she was employed at the Stop & Shop Market. Lavon moved to Colorado Springs where she and her husband Wilbur were employed until their retirement in 1983. Dale Aubrey Walker, was born in 1920 at the sod house home of his maternal grandparents, the C.J. Andersons, eight miles northwest of Flagler. Dale is the sixth generation of the recorded Walker family. Following school Dale spent five years in the army during WWII. During this time he met and married Eda Betty Newland of Seattle, Washington. To this marriage two sons were born, Dale A. Jr., and John K. Dale & Betty, along with Nina Lou & Pat Ford established C.J. Anderson Homestead 8 miles northwest of Flagler where they operated the Diamond- the Stop & Shop Market at Flagler in October, 1951. Later Dale & Betty estab- Bar-A Black Angus Ranch. Later they purchased a farm-ranch joining the Anderson Ranch. In 1943, Aubrey & Winnie sold their lished two additional Flagler businesses, the Walker-Love Funeral Home and High Plains Sales, Inc. Dale & Betty were active in many Flagler activities through such organizations as the Congregational Church, youth programs, Town Board, Lions Club, County Hospital Board, and the Flagler Medical Center. In 1966, Dale & Betty purchased a food store in Limon, Colorado, and developed it into Limon Super Foods. In addition to their continued involvement in community farm holdings and moved to Flagler. Aubrey became bookkeeper for the Chewolet dealership and continued in this position past his 85th birthday. Aubrey & Winnie were active in county and community functions throughout their lives, including a lifetime of leadership by Aubrey in the Democratic Political Partv. Winnie F72l Lohnnie and Phyllis Wall were married March 27, L965, in Goodland, Kansas. We spent the first six years together farming northeast of Burlington where our two boys, Eric and Cory, were born. In 1971 we bought the Bill Schaal place south of Bethune. We farmed there until 1980 when we sold it and moved to Burlington as Johnnie had gone into the trucking business. Our third son, Tanner, was born there in 1979. We were foster parents to fifteen children for 7 years. We now live in Bethune and Lohnnie is still trucking. by Phyllis Wall WALLET AND WINTER FAMILIES F722 The Cattlemen's Association of Kit Carson County, Colorado, asked me to recall events and history of early days, and especially the Wallet Post Office, of which my father, Alfred Wallet, was the Postmaster during its entirety. The post office was opened on April 8, 1890, and discontinued on May 15, 1909. Before this date of April 8, 1890, my older brother, Fred carried mail from our community to Carlisle, south, and back twice a week on horseback. Peconic is now near where Carlisle stood; it was later absorbed by Kanorado and Burlington, after the Rock Island railroad came through. Kanorado used to be Lamborn; Kanorado, a contraction of Kansas and Colorado, is one half mile from stateline dividing these two states. Later, the mail route was formed and another office, Ashland, northeast of Wallet, was added. A Mr. Seifert carried the mail for a while, then Mr. Teaman, father of Henry and the late Charles Teaman of Burlington and Mrs. Lester Sheldon of Kanorado, carried the mail for several years with horses and buggy. All our neighbors always gathered at our home on Tuesday and Friday afternoons to visit and wait for the mail. The Ashland Post Office was later moved to the George Pratt home and I believe was discontinued at the same time as was the Wallet P.O. My father Alfred Wallet was born in Paris, France, April 25, 1840. He was eight years old when his parents arrived in America, where they first settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, in a French settlement; later, they moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where his father took out naturalization papers. Two other children were born there, Paul and Addie. My mother was born near Basco, Illinois, �on March 27, L842. Her maiden name was Margaret Ann Fleming and she was a descendant of Roger Williams of American Colonial fame. There she grew to womanhood, taught school until married to Alfred Wallet on July 2, 1869. Three children were born to this union - Fred, Maurice and Belle. My brothers were born in Illinois. The family finally moved to Schuyler, Nebraska, where I was born April 11, 1883. The altitude was low and climate damp; since mother and Fred suffered from asthma, my father came west to find a drier climate. After filing homestead rights on SW %, 9-7 -42, he returned home to Nebraska and the following April, moved the family by immigrant train as far as Haigler, Nebraska. The freight car contained household goods, 8 cows, 6 horses, chickens, geese and hogs, some farm implements and some lumber. More lumber was purchased in Haigler. We arrived at the homestead site, by following the old stagecoach route, which ran between Haigler, Nebraska and Cheyenne Wells, Colorado; said road being three quarters of a mile from our homestead. On arrival, we found that most homesteaders lived in sod houses or dugouts, so we finally built a sod house somewhat larger than most found in the vicinity. We even had a wooden floor and most earlier settlers had tamped earthen floors. by Bell Winter grow very rich. Our house, being larger than most houses nearby, was the meeting place for Sunday School, literacy and singing school. So, people came to our home, from miles around, all lonesome and needful of some social life. Later, when the school district was formed, the meetings were held there and also church services; a union church and Sunday School. Rev. Willis from down near Peconic or old Carlysle, held services at the new sod schoolhouse one half mile south of our home. Rev. Hackenberger from a farm southwest of us, also preached there; finally a Methodist Church was started and ministers from Burlington came out to preach; Rev. Yersin was a well remembered one. My first teacher was a Miss Doty. There was a dugout south and west of our place, where school was held there during the summer months. The next teacher was Viola Campbell, who later married Dr. Gillette. During Miss Doty's term, I remember an awful rain and hail storm. She gathered all of us in one corner of the room, with all of us crying, as was she also; I think I remember this so vividly because my first reader was ruined from the hail breaking the window and rain beating into and on the desk. Abraham McElfresh was the first teacher after our school house was built. He later married and was the father of our local citizens Milton and Stewart McElfresh of Kanorado. There was no railroad when we moved to Colorado; the old stagecoach trail was north- WALLET AND WINTER FAMILIES F723 I remember before the house was built, when we were still living in a small shack and covered wagon, we had some very heavy rains, mother and Fred were extremely sick until the rains stopped. No barns to shelter the stock and one horse choked to death from west of our home about three quarters mile toward Cheyenne Wells. The last buffalo killed in Kit Carson County was killed about one mile northwest of home on old stage trail, about one year after we moved on claim. When sickness came to the settlers near home, mother was nearly always called, along with Dr. Gandy or Dr. Gillette; if it were a confinement, my Aunt Mary would then be called to take care of babv and home for a couple of weeks. distemper, during the rain. Having cattle and other stock presented a great problem for by Bell Winter water, which had to be hauled by wagon and barrels from a pay well, owned by Mr. Messinger. He lived where the James Farm is now. Making a trip of ten miles or more each day, and being a bucket well - one bucket up and the other down - by hand, was not an easy task. Mother and Fred did this most of the time, while father, with neighbors helping built our sod house. A sod cutter was used to cut the virgin sod, and laid up like brick, but no mortar was put between, as the grass on sod filled in. Finally the well was begun. John Messinger, a well digger, dug ours, with father helping; very few homesteaders had a well at that time; some or all hauled, as we had done. Later, the ones who stayed to prove up on their homesteads dug wells. Since father had a well and a windmill, he pastured cattle and watered them now, at home. We had no fences those days, and so my younger brother, Maurice, and my Aunt Mary Fleming, mother's sister, had to herd the cattle. So many single men had homesteads near us, and mother did washing and ironing and baked bread, and made butter and sold chickens and eggs to them, to help eke out a living; by the way eggs were 7 cents per dozen and butter 19 cents per pound, so she didn't WALLET AND WINTER FAMILIES F724 seemed eternally grateful for the privileges of that citizenship. Mr. Hawthorne was the second person to pass away and was buried near the Hook claims. In a diary, kept by my mother, she recalls that his wife and daughter came to mother and they all made paper flowers for Mr. Hawthorne's casket . . so went the lives of the earlier settlers. This plot, where he was buried, is now called Beaver Valley Cemetery and is located north of Emil Stalgren's home. Father was County Commissioner in the '90's. During those years when crop failures were so bad, many moved away. Others who stayed on were sent aid from Colorado Springs. This aid was county wide, and out in our part of the county, our home was distribution station of such aid, mostly in the form of boxes of used clothing and such. Women came and helped make over clothes and used mother's sewing machine. Flour and food were also sent to county for distribution. Mother kept a dairy from 1890 to 1895. She kept temperature and rainfall and direction ofwind every day for five years. Father had a government rain gauge all the years he had the post office, but of course all reports were sent to Washington, D.C. each month. After Beaver Valley Schoolhouse was built, Rev. Thompson who lived just north of our home, held services there and also farther north in the Buchanan and Cody neighborhood. I remember a baptizing one half mile north of the school house in a stock tank owned by a Mr. Swallow (where Reuben Anderson now lives). A girl named Eliza Myers, rather well proportioned for size, was helped into the tank. Rev. Thompson was an older man and quite thin; when the time came for the actual baptism and the Reverend attempted to dip her into the water, she struggled and drew him under. Hysteria followed as the crowd rescued the Minister - such memories! One winter, there was an outbreak of scarlet fever, one family lost four children and there were many more deaths throughout the county. Mother was called to Charlie Peterson's who lived across the school section from us, where Earl James now lives. Emma, a girl of twelve, died from complications of the disease. My mother was there for many days, because all of the family was stricken. I recall that as the funeral procession was on its way to Kanorado, a fire which had started at Salma Shaw's broke out of control and was burning down near the road. The first death near us was Hattie Rook. She, a sister Florence and brother Alfred, staked claims cornering each other. One claim was located in the section we lived in. They had built a house on one corner of land and lived together. She died oftyphoid fever. My father drove to Burlington for a casket. F.D. Mann kept caskets also in his hardware store. Father mortgaged his team and wagon for $50.00 for the casket. Mr. Rook came the next day from her home in Kansas and released mortgage, and took the body of his daughter back home for burial. My parents were never known to turn their backs on anyone's need when they were able to perform some act of kindness. A medicine man or moving van, or anyone traveling across country always found hospitality in food or lodging or both, if necessary. My father was extremely proud that he was an American citizen, though born in France and WALLET AND WINTER FAMILIES F725 The procession had to race their teams, since the fire was moving so fasttoward them. Later, the neighborhood helped Mr. Shaw build another barn, which had burned that day having caught fire from a manure pile igniting, burning back to the building, thence to the road. Another neighbor was the Seaman farnily, composed of Mary, Linda and younger sister Maggie, brothers Will and Tom. A younger brother, Myrtie, died from typhoid fever while on the farm. The father was almost blind. but he used to walk four miles to our �place for the mail and he lived to be almost one hundred years old. In later years, due to so many coyotes, the men hunted them on horseback, in wagons and carts, for bounty money, received from the county for the pelts. The revenue was used for oyster suppers, usually held at Link White's, the men prepared the soup or stew, and girls served and washed dishes. May, Minnie, Earl, Laura and one more whose name I can't recall, were all nearly grown, and their parents were always charming hosts. Andrew Love, younger brother ofJacob Love, one time played the harmonica for our crowd to dance to, because the fiddlers didn't arrive. He was ill for several days afterward, because we danced so long and wore him out completely. In 1920, father sold the farm and moved to Kanorado, where in 1923 mother passed away at the age of81. Father died in 1926, aged 86. My personal family consists of a daughter, Irene Nutting, Holbrook, Arizona, and two sons, George Winter and Wayne Winter, both of Kanorado, Kansas, ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. by Bell Winter WALSTROM McCALMON FAMILY F726 The Walstrom story started in Sweden when in 1871 a boy of fifteen, Charlie Carlson, left home as a stowaway on a ship headed for New York. He was discovered at mid-sea and given work for his board, then turned loose when he landed. After several years of working numerous places, he settled at Swedehome, Nebraska, working for others and sending for his brother and two sisters. Then in 1890. Charlie sent a ticket to Hilda Carlson, a girl his sisters knew but was only horses. It was hard work and his health later told of it. In 1933, Clarence and Velma McCalmon were married in Goodland, Kansas, and began their married life on a farm thirteen miles south of Burlington known as the "Hawthorne Big White Barn" place. They lived there four years and then moved to the McCalmon farm two miles north and one mile east, living there for twenty-five years. Clarence and Velma became the parents of two sons, and two daughters. The daughters died at birth. The sons are Charles and Dean (Hoss). They are both married and have five children and one granddaughter. Clarence, Velma, Charles, and Dean (Hoss) all attended our good old Smoky Hill School at one time. Velma, Charles, and Dean (Hoss), and four of the grandchildren also attended Burlington High School. Velma and Clarence moved to Burlington in 1962. At that time. Clarence's health failed and he passed away in 1976 after a long fight with cancer. Maurice and Olla McCalmon, who were of Scottish-German descent, came to Colorado in 1928 from Almena, Kansas, in Norton County. They had been earlier settlers in Cheyenne County, Kansas in 1906. They had a family of four sons and three daughters. Velma McCalmon Walstrom was the middle child of the McCalmons and was the only one that remained in Kit Carson County. The McCalmons bought the farm l2t/z miles south of Burlington, better known as "South Eighth Street", living there until 1938 when the drought and depression made every one move out. Clarence and Velma Walstrom moved on the McCalmon place, Iater buying it and then selling it to their sons, Charles and Dean (Hoss). In 1982, Dean (Hoss) sold his share to Charles and Roberta. It has been in the Walstrom-McCalmon family since 1927 for a total of 60 years. There has been a lot of changes in the a crawling baby when Charlie bid his parents countryside with neighbors and friends coming and going. The town has grown but the biggest change was the planting of the trees. good-bye twenty years before. Prior to sending for Hilda, he went to court and had his by Mrs. Ted Eberhart name changed from Carlson to Walstrom. The price of the ticket was $49.30 from Kaknlan, Sweden, to Osocala, Nebraska, but at that time it was like a thousand dollars now. Charles and Hilda were married in 1891 and were the happy parents of six children, three sons and three daughters. They went through lots ofhardships as all people ofthat time did. WALTERS - SHAW FAMILY The following are excerpts pieced together from a diary kept by Samuel Penn, a rado, buying a section of land three west and childhood chum of Albert Walters, when the two young men traveled together to eastern Colorado in a covered wagon in 1886 from Lowder, Illinois; from letters written between 1890-94 by Mrs. Albert (Leila Shaw) Walters; from memories typed up by their daughter, Mabel Parke, and from material gathered or written by her friend, Avis Bader Schritter, married by then. The oldest son, Julius, was in World War I, and sons, Elmer and Clarence, came with them to Burlington. Clarence went to country school in people's homes as there wasn't yet any schoolhouse in that part of the country. Later Elmer was called to the service so Clarence was left at home to help his father with the farming and cattle. That was when this was open cattle country. Long days were spent riding the range, rounding up cattle. The cowboys were real, not the "drugstore" ones of today. As the country changed, so did the style of the people. Clarence beco-e a farmer and cattleman and worked on a lot of eommittees for the betterment of the community. He also worked for years as a road builder with his . . (Sept. 3) near Stratton, Neb . . . camped . in the midst of a Prairiedog town . wolves, rattlesnakes, prairie dogs, owls, and bugs . . . (Sept. 7-9) Kingston, Colorado (north of Burlington) We crossed the south fork ofthe Republican. . drove around the prairie, the duce only knows where. There was no road . . so we had to. . guess . . Albert wanted to go one way and I wanted to go another . . We ate dinner out in the open prairie, not a track ofany kind . . lots of nice land today. We saw quite a number of wolves, wild horses and antelope. Finally saw a house . . water for our horses and camped seven miles from Elberton . . (Sept. 11) Burlington, Elbert County, Colo. Got up at 4:30 . . . and started to select -Tree Claims . . . We traveled over acres and acres of as fine plowland as anyone ever saw . saw many (new) things. . . The mirage . of the plains . . . Buffalo bones bleached white in the sun lay scattered thickly over the prairies . . . Not a house to be seen after we left the settlement . . . (Sunday, Sept. 12) We did not intend to break the Sabbath but were compelled to travel some . . . We had not yet labored six days, so we had to travel today and rest tomorrow drove to Kingston, arriving at 2:15 A.M. . . . but we wanted to get the papers on our Tree Claims started to Denver so . . drove in the night . . . (Sept. 17) At Home! We arrived "at home" today about 9:00 A.M. with our load of provisions and lumber. After hauling some water, we cooked our first meal on our new stove. It burns Agots splendidly and bakes well. After eating dinner, we went to work on Albert's house but got little done. I am now sitting in his "Sitting Room" writing this. The room has no top to it, other than the wagon sheet, stretched over a hole in the ground. This makes quite a comfortable house for Colorado. (Sept. 18) We have been at work all day on Albert's house and have not yet got it completed. Our stove is out of doors yet and every time we cook we have to turn the stove around for the wind changes forty times every day and blows forty times harder than it does in any other state I have been in . . . (Dec. 31) Kingston, Colo. I am sitting in my parlor which is nice and warm. Have been building my barn today. Albert is inHaigler (Neb.). . . Julyg, 1887. . . Well, Albert, if you can read this you will do very well . . . we will someday look over this with pleasure. F.727 In 1916, they came to Burlington, Colo- three south of town. Their daughters were . copied by Irene Willcox and edited by Georgeanna Hudson Grusing. "We (Albert and I) started Tuesday (Aug. 3, 1886). The first day we traveled about 20 miles . . . (Aug. 20) We traveled 30 or 35 miles today, camping within about 10 miles from Wymore, Neb. . . We passed through Pawnee County. The land . . . is rich and rolling . . . (Aug. 29-30) Bloomington, Neb . . . traveled up the Republican River all day. Had good road . . Saw very fine country. Very Truly your Friend, Samuel Penn" (Apparently Penn made a copy of his diary and sent it to Albert, who had moved on, soon taking out a homestead 10 miles SE of Burlington, later increasing his holdings to 5000 acres and running Aberdeen Angus cattle on his ranch.) "Dear Grandpa and Grandma (grandparents of Leila). We always try to go to town every Saturday so as to get the mail. That way we have something to read on Sunday . . . the mail is very uncertain due to a strike . . Bur- lington did not have any coal, sugar, salt, soap, and a good many other necessities, but the freights are running now. . . . Owing to the drought many people have left the country . . One man . . . went by moonlight . . . left his cattle and farm machinery that were mortgaged . . . His horses were so poor that they had to be helped up and one died the next morning . . There �are twenty-five families on the county for support now and if they keep on increasing, the county will be bankrupt by spring. WALTERS, LErLA SHAW . . . Yes we enjoyed our trip very much. We were gone five weeks . . . We started Monday, Sept,3 (from Burlington) and arrived in Colorado Springs the following Monday . . . We had a covered wagon and a gasoline stove to cook on . . very convenient . There were so many people going west. Sometimes we would get in a wagon train of 5-10 moving wagons, they were so thick . . . Peyton is potato country. . . . We se-ped . . . in the west part of town near the street car connecting the Springs with Colorado City and Manitou . . . went horseback up Ute Pass to Cascade . . . up Old Pikes Peak wagon road, 3-4 miles, but it seemed ten, it was so fearfully steep . . . light air affected us all. . . . back to the Springs and then to Denver, a four day drive over hilly roads . . . we camped on 31st and Stout Street . From Denver to Greeley (a two day drive) . . . to Fort Morgan, a desolate country Saw many range cattle . . . over a thousand in one herd . . . The cowboys are not the rough characters which the newspapers report them, but all that I saw and have met are genteel and appear very nice in society. From Fort Morgan . . . to Haigler, Nebraska, we met 15-30 wagons every day going west . . . From Haigler we came across the corner of Cheyenne County, Kansas . . to Kings- ton, Colorado, forty miles north of Burlington, where Albert had some land . . . I liked the country there . . But it is 27 miles to any store and I should hate to have to spend two days to go after a spool of thread or a paper of pins. So I guess we will not move for the present. . . We were glad to get home after five weeks . . Write often. for we always enjoy your letters. Lovingly Yours, Leila I. Walters Mabel remembered, "When I was nine . . the folks got me a new three quarter sized bed . . . My dresser was two large cracker boxes . . My grandmother had papered (her) stair wall with magazine paper and I would sit on the stairs and read them . . . We didn't have curtain rods for years, just used strings. Prairie fires were numerous . . we had smelled smoke for a few days . . . I looked out and there it was burning over east of us . . Papa went in west and backfired . . . It came within one half mile of our buildings and on east to the Kansas line. . . There were many rattlesnakes . . we had 3-4 (horses) bitten at one time . . . folks said they could tell which was #1, 2, 3, from the poison they had. . . About 1898 or 1899 a number of people had typhoid fever from the old wooden tubing rotting in their wells . . . We got telephones about 1902 . . . mail delivery . . sometime in the 1920's. In 1908, when Mabel was about 16, her mother passed on from a lingering illness. Mabel kept house for her father for many years until he died in 1936 (aged 74) nearly fifty years after first homesteading here. Thus ended the Albert Walters-Leila Shaw union, one of the first pioneer families in the Burlington area. by Georgeanna Hudson Grusing F728 Leila Shaw Walters was born April 6, 1875, in Nickelson County Penn., and died in Springfield, Ill., June 22, 1908. She moved with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Dana Shaw to Colorado in 1887. Leila attended high school in Goodland, Ks., in 1890 and the preparatory at Denver in 1900. She was married to Albert Walters, Dec. 14, 1901. For several years, she was a teacher in the schools of Kit Carson County. She was faithful in the duties of her vocation. attending the institutes and associations, availing herself of all aids for advancement. Never Charles Henry Ward II had come to us in Jan. of L947. We moved from Redding, Calif. with just one pickup loaded with our belongings. We arrived in the snow and cold and had to clean out the chimney before we could build a fire in the old coal stove in the kitchen. Elvin went to a farm sale a week later and bought enough furniture for us to get by comfortably until we got a good start in the farming. We raised wheat, feed crops and pastured cattle. We had good crops some years and bad years as far as making money goes, but we loved the outdoor life and enjoyed the animals that we had - cats, dogs, chickens, and the cattle. Over the years our family grew. Linda Sue came to our home in 1949, Elden Paul in 1953 and Daniel Lee in 1959. In 1952 when electricity came to the farms strong she was watched and guarded as a frail treasure by fond parents and a loving hus- in our area, we put in a new well with a pressure pump and piped water into the band untiring in devotion and care. house. Also with great thought and work we remodeled the house, adding another couple another distinguishing characteristic was bedrooms, a bathroom and new kitchen. In the years we lived on the farm in Kit Carson County, from 1947 through 1964 we remember the terrible dirt storms of the fifties. Also we remember the enjoyable times we had with our neighbors and the many card parties and family gatherings we attended. Reliving those years bring back memories. In March of 1960 Elvin had suffered a bad heart attack. so when the doctors told him to leave the farm we moved to Limon in 1964. Here Elvin became the manager of Limon Farm Equipment (John Deere). He and Alice had worked together as Manager and Bookkeeper for 11 years, when Elvin's second heart attack took him in May of 1976. But our years in Kit Carson County on the farm were ones we loved. This farm is now owned by the Richie's - Jim, Lavone and their sons Dean and Robin and families. They run a dairy as She was helpmate to her husband and manifested in the care and rearing of her daughter. by Editors WARD, ELVIN E. F729 After World War II. Elvin Ellis Ward decided to return to farming. He had been involved in farming all his life for he had been born on the family farm near Satanta, Kansas in 1918. Elvin had gone into the service early in 1941. He signed into the new 10th Moun- tain Infantry Division in November 1941. After training in Fort Lewis, Washington and Paradise Valley near Mt. Rainier, he was to be sent to Camp Hale, at Pando, Colorado. We met in Beverly Hills, Calif. in Sept., 1941. Our dating was interrupted by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Elvin and Alice M. Onley were married in December of L942. While Elvin was stationed in Camp Hale, high in the Colorado Rockies, Alice lived in Glenwood Springs. Elvin was sent with his division, the 87th, to the Aleutian Islands where they took Kiska Island. Alice worked in a bank in well as farm much land around the area, south of Seibert and north and south of Flagler. They have built some new buildings and made many changes. Alice was remarried in 1982 to Ben Raines, cattle buyer and seller in Lincoln County. by Alice M. Ward Raines Westwood Village, Calif., while he was gone. When he returned to the States we were again WARRINGTON, in Camp Hale. Alice lived in Leadville until the transfer to Fort Hood. Texas. From there the 10th Mountain Inf. was sent to Italy. When the war was finally over, Elvin was released to come home in Sept. of 1945. He joined Alice and baby daughter, Margaret in Garden City, Kansas. While Elvin tried several jobs in Kansas and California, he decided that the farm was the place for him. So he came to Eastern Colorado and finally purchased the farm known as the 'Old Conarty Place". It was located 10 miles south and 3 west of Seibert. Colo. This farm had been homesteaded in the early part ofthe 1900's. The old adobe house had walls 18" thick, and was divided into three rooms, bedroom, livingroom and kitchen. It had an old sink with a hand pump in the kitchen, added in the 1930's, and had cement block walls added to the outside of the house and stuccoed in the 40's. The only bathroom was at the end ofthe path near the huge old barn. By the time we moved in in Dec. 1947 there were four of us, as a son ADELINE F730 Adeline Warrington was born in Clarence Center, New York on October 4, 1884, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Garehime, who came to Colorado and homesteaded northwest of Stratton in 1906. Adeline was four when they moved to Allen, Nebraska. Then they moved to Kit Carson County and in 1906 she homesteaded northwest of Stratton where she continued to live for many years. Adeline had a daughter, Margaret, better known as Peggy. Peggy attended Stratton School and graduated from Stratton High School. Many can recall the many times Adeline walked to town from her home and marveled at the hard work she did to maintain the farmstead. In her later years she spent part of the time in Denver and in Longmont. She passed away at the Foot Hills Nursing Home �Federated Women's Club, the Burlington Branch of American Association of University Women, Burlington Extension }Iome- in Longmont at age 87 in 1971. She is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery. makers, Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and Comet Rebekah Lodge. She was also a by Editors lifetime member of the National A-;sociation of Extension Home Economists, and the Colorado State University Alun ni Association. She enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, WATERS, STEVE, WILLIAM AND ROBERT collecting antique glassware, gardening, and traveling. Just fifty years after her trip to northern France she again visited some ofthe areas in which she had demonstrated 4-H canning. She also traveled in Alaska, the Caribbean, and many European countries. Bertha Boger Wear was born on February 15. 1904 and died on October 25.1987. F73r Steven Waters and his wife, my great grandparents, William Waters and his wife, my grandparents, Robert Waters, and wife, my great-uncle, all came from Humbolt, Nebr. in the very southeast corner of the by Irene Boger state. They took two 160 acres homesteads, eight miles west of Colby, Kan. in 1886. William Waters plowed with oxen and a walking plow, later they had horses and WEAVER, JIM AND JOSIE mules. They herded the cattle, for Kansas is a herd state. They sold cream and eggs, had goats and hogs. By 1917, the William Waters F733 family had all modern farm buildings, running water and a 32 volt light plant. The Rock Island R.R. put a side track in to load wheat on. My grandmother picked geese and made feather beds and pillows. Grandma lived only 63 years. We thought for one thing she worked too hard. I have 2 pictures of a sod house where my grandmother ran the post office in Levant, Kan. Cora Waters lived,24 yrs, died April 1924. Floyd Waters lived 30 yrs. died April, 1928. William Waters lived about 84 yrs. Ventie Waters lived 90 yrs. Aunt Fern was 83 in 1984, and still is going. N.R. Waters proved up on 320 acres, less than Vz mile south of the south line of Kit Carson County. N. R. Waters lived 73 yrs. Our mother, Nettie Waters King, lived to be 91, passed away April, 1982. I think Walter Hammond took our mother to Colo. General, where the doctors took a brain tumor off the inside of her skull, Jan. 1940. Earl Waters and my dad, Clarence King, proved up on 320 acres, 1 % miles south of the Kit Carson County Line, on the edge of Cheyenne County. Earl Waters was born 1893, and lived till Dec. 14, 1984. by Morris King WEAR, BERTHA BOGER F732 (February 15, 1904 - October 25, 1987) Bertha Boger Wear was the first of six children born to Wyatt Boger and Mabel Frankfather Boger in a small house in East Burlington. A year or two Iater the family home was built on the block just east of the courthouse. She was a member of 4-H for six years. After graduating from Burlington High School in L922, she attended Colorado Agricultural College (now Colorado State University). During the summer of 1923 she was in northern France as a member of a Bertha Boger Wear. delegation of 4-H canning demonstration teams from Iowa and Colorado. These four girls showed canning and food preservation methods to French homemakers in the devastated area of World War I. She graduated in 1926 from Colorado Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. The Colorado Extension Service appointed her Home Demonstration Agent to teach foods and nutrition, clothing, home management and home furnishing, child develop- ment and community services in the counties of Mesa, Delta and Montrose, and later in El Paso County. After a number of years she was appointed State Home Agent which involved traveling to every county in the state supervising county home demonstration agents. She was married to William T. Wear of Delta on July 20, 1930, at the home of her parents in Burlington. After taking leave of absence from the Burlington Service, a son, James Wyatt, and a daughter, Barbara, were born in Colorado Springs. The family moved to Burlington in L944 where she was County Extension Home Agent from 1945 until her retirement December 31. 1965. She had 32 years of employment with the Colorado Extension Service. In December 1947, Bertha was named Colorado's outstanding woman agent for the year at the national meeting of County Agricultural and Home Demonstration Agents Association in Chicago. After retirement Bertha became involved in community activities. She was a member of the City of Burlington Zoning and Adjustment Board, Burlington Housing Authority, Library Board, Museum Board, OId Town Jim and Josie celebrated their Golden Anniversarv on June 6, 1961. The Weavers, like so many others had dreams and visions of a prosperous farm of their own. So James L. (Jim) and Josiphine (Josie), with their six small children, Myrtle, Pauline, Harry, Melvin, Glen, and Dannie packed up their possessions and headed west. Leaving Palmyra, Nebraska in a Model T side curtain car and a Model T truck, they arrived in Burlington on April 1, 1921 (April Board, and Burlington Schools Accountability Committee. She also served as Chairman of the Board of the East Central Colorado Fools Day), which was subject to many jokes in the years to follow. They found the soil to Committee, and a member of the State Social Services Advisory Committee. She was also of the railroad tracks, just off the main Mental Health Clinic, Chairman of the Kit Carson County Social Services Advisory a member of the State Extension Service Advisory Council. She held membership in the Burlington be rich farm land and so flat that thev could see for miles. Purcha sing a Vz section of land 3 miles west of Burlington on the north side highway, they erected two tents for a temporary shelter until a home could be built. The first few months were rather traumatic. Spring had not yet arrived on the plains and �Second home south of Peconic. Weaver family photo taken on December 5, 1950. L to R. Glen, Melvin, Harry, Myrtle, Laura Jean, Dannie, Donald, and Gordon. Front, Josie and Jim. it was much colder than anticipated. At that time Dannie was only four months old. The Homer Pickerill's kindly received Josie and the baby into their home until a better shelter from the cold could be provided. When spring arrived, the digging of the basement began. It had to be dug with horses and scrapers. It was a big basement with an upper story that was never finished into individual rooms. Never the less, it was a jubilant move from the tents into the new home. In this home there were three more children born into the family, Donald, Gordon, and Laura Jean. After the house was built and the family settled, it was time for the tilling of the soil. Crops of corn, barley, pop corn, and sweet stock kaffer were raised. "Some times they raised Ned", too. Ha! Jim also did custom corn shelling and hauling all over the country. The boys had their own way in contributing a share to the family's welfare. No one could have foreseen the dust bowl days nor the depression which was to follow and shatter every one's dreams. Times became harder with each year to scratch out a living. Jim started making Good home brew and sold it to help make a living. It was sold at sales, dances and such. One time when Jim was cleaning the 50 gallon crock, he told the boys to take the sediment out and throw it away. Since they were on the way to watering the pigs they poured the sediment in the trough Wedding picture of Jim and Josie Weaver on June 6, 1911. and finished filling it with water. A while later Jim went out to see what all the racket was and saw the pigs laying on their sides, some il ,:l. ,,';":l Jim. Josie. and children beside their home and side curtain car in Palmvra. Nebraska. sticking their noses through the fence and all squealing loudly. Jim immediately thought the pigs had cholera and called the vet. The vet arrived and gave th pigs a thorough examination and reported that nothing was serious. The boys were then questioned and the truth came out. One evening the authorities sent a decoy to the house to buy some beer. When Jim went to get it, the fellow gave the signal to the authorities who were waiting at a distance. When they arrived on the scene, they drank all the beer they could consume, then broke the remaining bottles and destroyed the still. Jim was taken to jail where he remained for 52 days. That was the end of the beer making venture. In 1927, the �The Big Catch. Jim's tractors and Model T truck loaded and ready for the move west to Burlington. family all went to Bird City, Kansas and picked potatoes for Jim's brother, Albert Weaver. They received potatoes for wages and then returned home and sold the potatoes for a small profit. In 1941, the family was forced to move due to Jim's failing health. This time to a farm 6 miles east of Burlington and Vz mile south of the Peconic elevator' About this same time, World War II broke out. Five of their six sons, Melvin, GIen, Dannie, Don, and Gordon were called into the Armed Service. The oldest son, Harry, having lost an eye previously was disqualified for service. During the next few years, four of them saw active duty over seas' While the sons were serving our country, the farming continued on with the help of the youngest daughter, Laura Jean, who now was the only one left at home. At the end of the war, all five sons returned home safelY. Jim and Josie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 6, 1961. An open house was held at the home of Dannie and Laurine Weaver. Many friends and relatives joined in the celebration with reminiscing of the bygone years that had slipped by so quickly. The sons and daughters all married and now reside in California, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, and Colorado. Two sons, Dannie and Glen, still reside in Burlington as well as several grandchildren. Dannie continued to farm and became a successful farmer, farming on a much Iarger scale. Ryan, a grandson, is continuing on with the farming as Dannie has semi-retired. Glen specialized in equipment maintenance and also did some farm- ing. He is now retired. Jim departed this life in 1962 and Josie in 1978 and both were layed to rest in the ,,.rr,,,,,rrt,,,,,,1,,.r,,l. ,; ,#l The first home being built. Burlington cemetery. Burlington had become their home and they no longer desired to return to Nebraska. by Mrs. Melvin (Verda) Weaver and Mrs. Don (DorothY) !9eaver �i'lil'llii, i t:it:,iliiri:'ii ,..1i,. ri,',r .: 't:f" ' "::r ": ::t'l i,aat' ,iu' .r.:::. *q4,,+ 'r:;, r. * l William Jacob Weber, known as ,,Billv" spent the early years of his married life ln Hartington and Norfolk, Nebraska. He movedhis family to Colorado in 1908, settling on a homestead 14 miles north-west of Burlington. They moved to Colorado with 3 small daughters, Minnie, Margie and Opal in an immigrant rail car, with 3 horses, 2 cows and a few chickens. They built a one room frame house to start with. It was necessary to haul water in barrels for some time until a well could be drilled. Billy broke sod and planted corn using a gallon bucket with holes in the bottom of ihe bucket fastened to the plow. Billy would go to Kansas to work in the harvest fields, then to Nebraska in the fall to shuck corn till nearly Christmas time, then come back home for the rest of the winter. Their first barn was dug into a large bank of a hill. The Weber Children all attended the Blue View and Prairie View Schools. For manv years the Weber's boarded the School Teach- Jim, Josie and two of their children, Dannie and Glen, plowing the fields. ers. Lela Wellman and Harvey Jensen were a couple by name. The Weber Family remember well when Billy bought his first car; a 1916 Ford Touring. He drove it into the garage and hollard WHOO but the car kept right on going thru the garage. Billy and Iva were staunch Republicans and always enjoyed working for their choice candidate. Back in the days when voters went to Country Schools to vote; they stood outside the fence campaigning for their candidate, no matter how cold and disa- it si greeable the weather was. Billy and Iva Weber operated their ranch for 34 years; upon selling their ranch they moved into Burlington in 1942 for retire- ment. They had the opportunity of celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary Novembei L2, 1948, with all of their children in attendance. It was a great festivity for them. by lva Gross WEISS - STADEL/STATLE FAMILY Family members picking potatoes. F735 WEBER - COAKLEY FAMILY Carl Weiss was born 9 April, 188? in Old Areis, Russia. His parents were Johann George Weiss, born 23 April 1801 and Karlina F734 Salzsiedler born 1808. He was married three times, first to a Jingling, 2nd to Katerina Stadel/Statle and finally to Yukhon, Apolone. By the 1890's and early 1900 changing conditions and pressures in Russia led manv William Jacob Weber, son of Martin and Frances Weber, born August 22,187L in Iowa City, Iowa; departed this life September 17, 1956 at age of 85. of the German Lutheran families living in thi Black Sea area of Russia to begin immigrating to the United States. In 1902 when Carl Iva Maud Coakley, daughter of Samuel and Miranda Coakley, was born in Hillsdale, Iowa, January, L2, 1882; and departed this made the decision to immigrate, he already had several relatives living in the Lutheran settlement area north of Bethune. Colorado life October 8, 1960 at age of 78. William Weber and Iva Maud Coaklev were united in marriage November 12, 189-8 including, John Schmidke, a son-in-law. The at Hartington, Nebraska. To this union Z children were born; Minnie Lasher, Margie Knapp, Opal Towers, Katherine Tuttle. Almond Weber, Faris Weber and George Weber, (George passed away November 25, 1972). Iva Maud Coakley and William Jacob Weber on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Picture taken November L2, 1948 in their living room in Bur- lington, Co. family made the move in 1902 leaving from the port of Bremmen, Germany on April 22, 1902 on the ship S.S. Frederich Wilhelm. In his immediate family were six children and his third wife. They were apparently fairly well to do since the shio's manifest lisLq them �as having $650.00 in their possession. Travel- ing through Ellis Island, the family encounteied problems with the medical examinations. One brother, Ludwig, was refused entry because of "pinkeye". Two of the children John age 9 and Jocobina, age 18 were held in quarantine while the authorities decided whether or not to admit them. The rest of the family could not afford to wait for them and continued on to Colorado not knowing what the children's eventual fate would be. Happily they were both released two weeks latei and rejoined the family in the settlement. Arriving in Colorado they stayed with a Fred and Gottlieb Stahlecker. While there Carl was bothered by arthritis and frequently buried himself in warm sand on the south side of the house to get relief. In 1904 he applied for a homestead in Kit Carson County. His first crop in 1904 consis- ted of 25 acres of corn. By 1910 when he "proved up" on his claim, he raised a crop of 55 acres corn, 12 acres cane, 33 acres of wheat land and stated that he usually raised a crop. He listed his improvements as "Adobe buiidings as follow: house 19 x 26 feet (2 rooms); kiichen 17 x 19 feet: barn 15 x 40 feet: barn L7 x45 feet: pumphouse 7 x 1? feet: henhouse 13 x 19 feet well with pump, windmill and tank, the whole track fenced with posts and wire fencing. Value of improvements $600.00. It cost him $16.00 to file the claim papers. Carl Weiss died 10 Years later on 11 November 1920 at his home. He was survived by 6 natural children from his second marriage. They were: Martin, Gottfried, Johannls, Bertha Schmidke, Wilhemania Stahlecker, and Jacobina Stahlecker. Martin Weiss was born in the settlement on 30 October 1890, his parents were Carl and Katerina Statle. He married Lydia Schmidke (b. 7 October 1890) whose parents were Sam Schmidke and Anna Margareta Hauser. She was a small, black-haired soft-spoken lady. Martin was only 20 years old when he was married on the 16 of March 1911. He and Lydia like many other families homesteaded on 160 acres and proved up on it. Their children remember many good times growing up on the farm, sleigh rides to church in the winter, and rides at home at night with the lantern's glowing. Winter time was also the time to take grain to town to sell. They used wagons and walked beside the wagon to stay warm. Martin had a full length coat and cap made of horse hide that went clear to his ankles; it was split in back to the waist to allow him to get into the wagon seat. School was only % mile away. The small children played "fox and goose" and the older kids played baseball. The girls had a basketball team that would go to Bethune and play the town team. The kids would trap rabbits around the corn piles and use the back legs to make jerky and add to the pork for sausage. Planning for Easter celebration began weeks before when Lydia planted wheat in a small crock or kettle for each child. When Easter arrived she would place the children's colored eggs in the kettle ofgrowing wheat for Easter morning. Just before Christmas the girls'porcelain headed dolls would disappear a month or so before Christmas to be returned on Christmas morning with new clothes. The 4th of July was celebrated in Bethune with pie-eating contests' races, games and bands. Martin's oldest daughter Anna was given by Robert and Linda Coles WEISS, MARTIN AND LYDIA SCHMIDKE F736 a young coyote to raise by her father. When the coyote was full grown the pelt was sold to buy green dress material that was used to make a new dress' Discipline was administered by Martin and backed up by a leather strap 2" wide and 14" long which the kids remember as rarely being used. When Lydia died on 29 June 1936' Martin was left with 5 children still at home to raise. Martin was not only a farmer but also a local veterinarian that was well known throughout the area. Later on in life, after the death of Lydia he still did veterinary work but the person needing help would frequently have to wait until his bread dough was through rising and sometimes even baked. He was also known for making excellent dill pickles. Martin and Lydia had seven children that reached adulthood, Carl, Anna Schlichenmayer, Irene Adolf, Hulda Kniss, Amanda Hull, Daniel and David. One child, James, died at age five. by Robert and Linda Coles WEISSHAAR FAMILY I.737 In 1885 my parents John and Christina (Wilhelm) Weisshaar arrived in the United States. They were both born in Russia, but their parents migrated from Germany to Russia to obtain a better living opportunities Martin and Lydia Weiss and two children. offered them by the Russians. This was a great disappointment so they came to the United States and took up a homestead claim here. They landed in Saracuse, Nebraska where they both worked for a farmer. In 1886 my father obtained a homestead located two miles east and two miles south of Idalia' Colorado. They had worked in Nebraska long enough to earn money to move on their homestead. They brought one horse, a cow, one ox and a few chickens. Several families from there loaded all their belongings in a freight car and came to Idalia together. The closest County Seat was Weld County in Sterling but Akron had a small office where my father walked to get his homestead papers. He said it was his fastest means of travel and the cheapest. Building materials were hauled by ream and wagon from Haigler, Nebraska and water was hauled from the Republican River for family use and also for the stock. After building a soddy and a barn for the animals and breaking sod for spring planting my father went to work in the smelter in Denver in the early fall to earn money for winter supplies and windows and doors for the house. At first heavy materials and quilts were hung to keep out the wind rain and rodents. In the absence of my father my mother had to care for the family and stock and haul water from the river, 6 miles, away. Those were hard and trying times as no one had much money and most all had large families. At one time during my fathers absence a prairie fire swept through our place. My mother got the horse in the barn but the cow was severely burned and could not be milked for a while. In 1889 my father dug a well 220 ft. deep. The dirt was drawn out with buckets tied to a rope. A lantern was kept in the well and as soon as the oxygen got low the lantern would go out so Father pulled on the rope to alert the helper outside who would pull him out of the well for a while. It was a long and worrysome and tiresome job. This was their home until 1901. My father could not obtain grassland for his horses and cows so they moved to Kit Carson County then known as Yale, Colorado. My youngest brother Karl still lives on the old home Place. By then they had two boys, Jake and John and six girls, Lena, Tina, MarY, Frieda, Margaret and Pauline. A son died in infancy and is buried in the Idalia Church Cemetary. It was hard leaving all their friends and especially their church of which they were charter members. The old soddy Church is now the United Church of Christ. After they moved to Kit Carson County two boys and one girl was born. Karl and myself, William, and Anna. My parents visited friends in the Idalia Community quite often in later years. One I remember real well was at the old John Brenner place. We kids played hard so we decided to get a drink in the old well house where we found some bottles cooling in the water barrel so we indulged. Needless to say I slept all the way home in the family buggy.We had discovered the bottles contained some of John's homebrew. In 1916 my father passed away. I was then only fourteen years old and my brother Jake was twenty years old but was soon drafted in the army so in order that we could all stay together on the farm I had to take a lot of responsibility for the farming and all the care and work for the family. My youngest brother Karl was only six years old, so with the help �of my Mother and Anna and Pauline we carried on somehow but it was a rough time for us all. The responsibility for one so young was hard. I stayed with my Mother until I got married in 1929. By then Anna, Pauline and Jake were married too and only Karl was left at home. by Freida Weisshaar WEISSHAAR SCHAAL FAMILY F738 had us stay over at his home since my arm was very swollen. I slept with his mother and she gave ice-cream as she felt sorry for me. The next morning after he set it, we returned for another 3 hour ride back to the farm. Two weeks later I started school with my cast, in the old adobe 1 room school house across from the Sam Schaal Sr. place. Also in 1914-15 when most telephone exchanges were limited to only fair sized cities, there were about 22 farmers of the Russian - German settlement that met in the Prairie View school house to organize a phone company. After numerous meetings and information as to type and costs, they decided on the least expensive system that was being used in different parts of the country, namely earth for a ground and top wire of a well mended barbwire fence that criss-crossed the area for the transmission line and had to be insulated. As rubber was scarce, all old rubber boots and overshoes were gathered and cut into I r/z inch squares. They removed the top wire staple from the post, wrapped the rubber square around the barbwire and restapled it back to the post. After insulating some 20 miles in this fashion, "presto!" they had a phone system on their very own. This cost each farmer $19.2b and included a wall phone with crank generator, 2 batteries, 1 lightening arrestor, 4-L6 ft.2 x 4's and enough phone wire to bring the line over entrances and section lines. They had no phone contact with the outside world. but this alone saved many trips and time and kept them in touch with each other. Each family had its own combination of long and short rings as its own private number. Though all bells rang on all phones, your private ring told everyone the call was for you. Listening in on a private conversation (called "rubbernecking") was forbidden but Joseph and Margaret (Schaal) Weisshaar and grandson Richard Carpenter. Taken in Loveland, CO, April 24, 1949. In the late 1880's, John and Christina Schaal came from Gnadendahl. Russia and homesteaded North of Bethune. Colorado in the German settlement. To this union was born my mother, Margaret, Chris who died in 1906 ofblood poisoning being injured from a windmill accident at age L7, John, Emil, Bill, and August. In 1904 after serving 4 years in the Russian army, Joseph Weisshaar came to America from Lichtenthal Russia and homesteaded in Bethune. Harold Weisshaar still lives on the old place today. In 190? Joseph married Margaret Schaal in the old stone Immanuel Lutheran Church and from this union came myself, Margaret (Strobel), Gottlieb (Johnny), Magdalena (Dolly Wardona), Paul, and Lydia (Carpenter). In 1915 when I was Z, my brother Joseph and I were playing in the full grain bin and crawled up in the windows where I fell to the ground below and broke my elbow. Mother called father who was working in the harvest at the Schlichenmayer place to come home at once. They placed many blankets and hay bales in the back of the old wood buggy drawn by 2 horses. That night after 3 hours driving to the town of Burlington 14 miles away we got to the Dr's who other and attended the same church. John stillremembers going to my parents wedding in 1907 when he was 8 years old and having a wonderful lamb dinner. He didn't know then that some day he would marry their first child. John played the trombone in the Burlington Band and on Saturday nights they would place the bandstand in the middle on the street and we would have a good time listening to the fine music. December L5.Lg27 we were married in the old white church in the settlement. We went on a honeymoon by train, my first time away from the settlemeni. to Denver. We moved into Johns'place and lived there until 1936. John had a general repair shop and worked many long hours making equipment and repairing broken equipment for the farmers in the communitv. I raised turkeys and the usual things most farm wives did in those times. __-In 1928 my parents Joseph and Margaret Weisshaar had a public sale and movedlrom their home to Loveland, Colorado where thev contracted work in the beet fields for a number of years. They bought a farm in Wellington, Colorado where Joseph and Paul, their sons, farmed until recent vears. The three sons, Joseph, John (Gottlieb), and Paul all served in the armed forces over seas during the second World War, as did their son-in-laws George Wardona and Elton Carpenter. They all returned safely except Gottleib who was wounded in the back in France. In 1936 after our daughter Esther was born, we went to California where we still reside today. We returned many times to our place north of Bethune to visit and work..Ihis we did by motorcycle, car, train, airplane, and bus. We returned to Bethune in 1977 and had a wonderful time at our b0th wedding anniversary with many friends and old-timers we knew and grew up with. We celebrated not always observed. They system functioned very well except when a cow jumped over the fence or a storm severed the top wire with tumbleweeds blown against the fence. After several years the barbwire was replaced with phone wire on top of 10 ft. 2 x 4's nailed to every 4th post. As more families connected our 58th anniversary this past year. Hopefully, God willing, we may live to celebrate our 60th with all the dear folks in Bethune and Burlington again in 1987. and a certain switch at Christina Knodel's house % mile north of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Each member paid her g1 a year to WEISSHAAR - to the line it was necessary to divide into B sections with about 20 phones in each section take care of the switch board. For this amount she had to stay around the house closely. In the 40's the line was replaced with regular poles and 2 wires. This connected them to the outside world at the cost of $15,000. In 1960 as upkeep and maintainance got more complicated and people had more money, a deal was made with the Mountain States Telephone Co. and they sold out for a total of $1.00 or 2 cents per shareholder and other considerations. Now they take care of the line but for considerable more than g1 per year. So from the barbwire phone to -he present dial-system connection millions of phones all over the world which can be reached in minutes without centrals or operators, we see one of our modern miracles. And some day this system will also be obsolete. While working for Rev. Chris Headche family at the Congregation Church, I was invited out to the school Christmas Program by John Strobel who was the son ofJacob and Catherine Strobel. We grew up in the settlement together as our families lived near each by Margaret Strobel WILHELM FAMILY F739 The Weisshaar-Wilhelm families were originally from Germany but had emigrated to Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great, lured there by promise of free land and other benefits, as she wanted the expertise of the industrious Germans to strengthen the country. These promises were kept until her government was overthrown by the Bolshevik political power and she and her family were assassinated. Under the new rule things did not bode well for the Germans, and those young enough, and able, began to immigrate to America. Some of their relatives and friends had already come to America by the time John Fredrick and Christina (Wilhelm) were married in 1883. Soon after they said goodbye to relatives and friends and started the long hardjourney to America. They got as far as Talmage, Nebraska, when their funds ran out, so Grandad worked for a cattleman in the area for a year in order to earn enough money to finish their iorrrnev Tn the mpqnfimp laffaro �that Imkea (Carrie) Westerbur was helping sister Frieda with her harvest cooking. Having now met his future bride, he stayed on after harvest, working, and then renting a farm near Republican City, Neb. On Dec. L2,L92l my parents were married. They later moved to near Hildreth, Nebraska, where they continued to farm. Three children were born to the family, Harold, Lee, and Alvina. In the latter part of 1930 Dad's Uncle Joe, who had homesteaded 1 mile east of his brother John's place but had moved to Loveland, CO. some years earlier, wanted a reliable center for his homestead with the option to buy. He asked Dad to move to Colorado which they did, arriving here March 1, 1931. This was the beginning of the big drought, times were hard but with perseverance and much self sacrifice they managed to hang on and raise their family. When the drought broke, and they were able to raise some crops and had increased their cattle herd, and in general got ahead a bit, they felt they were able to buy the farm, doing so in the early 40's. My parents were both active in their Wedding picture of Jakob (Jake) Weisshaar and Imkea (Carrie) Westerbuhr. They were maried December 12, L921 at Hildreth, NE. were exchanged with Grandad's sister Lena and her husband, Jacob Hasart, who were already established in the Settlement of eastern Colorado, and they were able to find a homestead for them near Idalia, Colo. In 1885 they came to Colorado. The Hasart's and new neighbors helped them build a house on their claim, and they settled in to farm and raise a family. As the family increased the quarter section was not large enough to support them, and as no other land was available near by Grandad sold the land for $500.00 and was able to buy a half section in the Settlement from a Mr. Bevere for the same amount of money. They moved in 1901, acquiring more land later. Thirteen children were born to this family, 2 dying in infancy. Magdalena (Schlichen- mayer) 1886, John 1887-1967, Christina (Fisher) 1889-19?8, Freida (Fisher) 1891, Eva Marie (Mary Adolf) 1892, Margaret (Stah- lecker 1894, Jakob 1896, Pauline (Schlichenmayer) 1900, Wilhelm 1902, Anna (Adolf) 1904, and Karl 1910. Grandad died in 1916. Grandmother remained on the family farm until her death in February, 1946. The youngest son Karl still owns the family farm at the present time. The oldest child, Lena Schlichenmayer, celebrated her 100th birthday June 1, 1986. After Grandad's death, the oldest son, John, having already married and established his own home, it fell to my father Jake to head the household, do the farming and help Grandma raise the younger children. In the fall of 1918 my dad was drafted into the Army, taking his basic training at Camp Pendleton, California. He was already aboard ship, ready to sail, when the Armistice was signed bringing an end to World War I. He was shortly discharged, and returned home to the family farm, helping his mother until the summer of 1921 when brother Bill was old enough to take over the responsibility and Dad went to Republican City, Nebraska to help his sisters Tina and Frieda and their husbands with their harvest. It so happened church and community affairs, and always found the time to help friends and neighbors as needs arose, setting a good example for we children to follow. In 1946 my brother Lee and Leona Ziegler were married and Lee took over the family farm. The folks built a house in Burlington and moved there in May of 1947. Dad' still not quite ready to retire, went to work for McArthur Implement as parts salesman keeping this job until the early 50's. When Lee decided to quit farming and take up the barber trade, Dad again resumed farming until 1961 when he retired. Harold, his wife Esther (Adolf) and family took over the farm. My folks are in reasonable good health, still able to care for themselves and their home' Dad still drives his car. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary and Dad's 89th birthday Dec. 12, 1985. Mother was 90 in March of 1986. They transferred their church membership from Immanuel Lutheran of Bethune to St. Pauls of Burlington when they moved to town helping to build the church there. They remain faithful members to this present day. by Alvina Guy WELLER, W. E. of where Flagler is now. Dad's cousin decided to put up a general store in a large tent - supplies were hauled from a distance as far as Denver. Later Will Lavington started a lumber camp, which my father ran. During this time he met many new settlers and helped them settle on homesteads. Most of the homes were of sod, or dugouts in hillsides. Will Lavington then built a frame building on the site of Flager and started another store and also another Iumber yard - Dad worked in both. By this time Ella Lavington, Will's wife, came out from New York and she and my father looked after both store and lumber yard. Will had started both sheep and cattle interests and spent his time with them. A few years later, a school house, a church, and boarding house had been built. The Quinns occupied the Section house for Rock Island Railroad. My mother, Alice Bishop, had lived in Penn Yann, New York, and decided to come to Flagler to visit her sister and brother-inlaw in 1891. They had a homestead eight miles northwest of Flagler. George Gates, her brother-in-law, prevailed on her to file on a homestead adjoining their land. He built a small one-room shack on the land and she and her little niece walked there each night for six months. This entitled her to the land. She later went in to Flagler to work in the Lavington home. Here she met my father and they were married November 15, 1893. My father had previously filed on a preemption of 160 acres and had built a small one-room soddy. After their marriage, they decided to build two more rooms. My mother sold her homestead to a Mr. Geo. Reinemer for $2.00 per acre. In building more rooms, my father decided not to use the upland sod, but to go to the Republican River four miles east. Long grasses and weeds growing on river sod made it stronger. The house stood many years. The project was long and back breaking, as the sod had to be cut with spades and it was heavy from water content. No floors or gcreens could they afford their first year. Burlap sacks were nailed to the ground floor and my mother washed them often. Mosquito netting, sent to her from aunts in New York, covered the windows. In time, my father laid heavy plank floors. Heavy wooden shades were made to swing open and these shut out the cold in winter and kept the hail from break the windows in summer. Sod houses, with walls two feet deep, were warm in winter and cool in summer. The walls provided deep window spaces for flower plants in winter. F740 My father, W.E. Weller, and his cousin, Will Lavington, arrived in the Flagler Area in 1888. They were both raised in Liverpool, New York. They were among the many young men who had the urge to go "West". At Fremont, Nebraska, they experienced the "Blizzard of '88". Later they pushed on with covered wagons drawn by oxen - a few horses were led behind the wagons. They worked on the Rock Island Railroad, a new trail thru Colorado. Seventy miles north, the Bur- lington was building a line. Other crews had arrived earlier. I well remember my father telling of a big burly man, Mike Quinn, who was in charge of the Railroad Camp. He was section boss at Flagler for years later. His wife cooked for the men in the camp. This camp site was at Bowserville, about 1 7z miles east The walls were plastered and brown wrapping paper was used to cover the walls until later years when wall paper was available. My parents raised a family of nine children: Robert, Alma, Homer, Glenn, Bill, Doris, Stewart, Elsie and myself. All were educated in the Flagler schools. In 1912, my father was elected County Clerk of Kit Carson County. He served four years. The Rock Island Railroad issued passes to all County officials - this allowed him to come week-ends and supervise the boys in the farm work. Much credit goes to my mother in the raising of the fanily - directing work indoors and out-of-doors. She did not always get to church but each Sunday we children were sent; the older brothers and sisters staying for church. Evening services were held. and Christian Endeavor of the �Congregation Church attracted lots of young people. Previous to my father being County Clerk, he did carpentry work and helped build many of the houses and some of the business buildings. He and my brother hauled the bigger share of the sand used in building the school built in 1916. He had helped build the old frame building used before that, and also a one-room school house - the first Flagler had. Several of our family finished High School. Most went to Denver, like many other young people, to find work. My younger sister and I taught schools in Lincoln and Kit Carson Counties. In 1931, she had a very harrowing experience when a sudden blizzard, came up and the strong winds forced her car off the road. This was about 9:30 in the morning. The next afternoon she was found by a posse of forty men on horse back, led by my brother. The car was in quite a deep ditch with only a small bit of the top showing. My sister had frost bitten hands, feet and face. She was taken to Denver hospital for a few days of treatment. As I grew up, the church, the school and lodges provided the Flagler people with worship, education and social life. A Country Club, consisting of twelve families, originally provided a social time for young and old. I moved from Colorado to Nebraska in 1926, after marrying David Way in 1925. He had moved with his folks to Aniba, Colorado, where they farmed for six years. We farmed at Milford, Nebraska, for two years and then moved to Syracuse, Nebraska, in 1929 to operate an automotive shop. He was appoint- ed Postmaster in 1943, and served f.or 25 years, when his age made retirement mandatory. We spent our winters in California with a son for ten years, but health problems do not allow us to travel now. Flagler and Kit Carson County as a whole holds lots of wonderful memories for me and I took eagerly for each week's Flagler News by Frances TVeller TVay The family moved to Cozad, Nebraska, in 1937 and Albert was Ford and Mercurv automobile dealer until 1964. He and son BoL were then associated with dealerships at Kearney, Neb., Clovis, N.M., Burlington and Fort Collins, Colo. Albert and Ruth moved back to Cozad from Fort Collins in 1981. Bob was married to Beverly Block in Cozad on April 9, 1950. They were parents of five children, Victoria, twins Rhonda and Rochelle, Valerie and Robert Eugene II. Bob died in Fort Collins in 1979. Marilyn was married to David Zimmerman in Cozad in 1957. Two sons were born to them, Williem Douglas and Bryan Dale. Bryan died at age 4 in Breckenridge, Colo. Marilyn now resides in Boulder, Colo. Albert died in Cozad on March 8, 1982. Ruth still resides in Cozad. by Marilyn Wells Zimmerman WHIPPLE, CLAIR ALAN AND GLADYS MAY F742 Alan Clair Whipple, son of IraJ. and Hattie Whipple was born September 9, 1890 on the ranch originally homesteaded by his parents and which he later owned. The ranch was located north ofStratton on the Spring Creek where it junctions with the Republican River, just up stream from the Pugh ranch. They had land on both sides ofthese rivers and hill land for pasture. He and Gladys Alma May were united in marriage, October 13, 1918, at Burlington with C.A. Yersin the officiating minister. They made their home on the ranch until after the 1935 flood forced them to move. Gladys May, daughter of Hollis K. and Sarah Jane May, was born at St. Francis, Kansas, and spent her early life on the family farm near Armel, Colorado. She received her education there in the country school and later cared for her parents until their deaths. Clair attended the Tuttle school and WELLS, ALBERT AND RUTH F74l Albert E. Wells was born August 1, 1903, in Goodland, Kansas, to Bert P. and Alta Standish Wells. Another son, Dale, was born June 25, 1906, to Bert and Alta. Ruth Adaline Augusta Pischke was born Jan. 9, 1905, in Princeton, Wisconsin, to Gustave and Ida Pischke. Ruth had four brothers and sisters, Lewis, George, Evelyn and Alice. Albert spent most of his youth in Burlington, and graduated from high school there in 1922. Ruth moved with her family to Stratton when she was a girl. Albert and Ruth were married Sept. 25, L927, at the home of her mother in Stratton. Albert worked as a Ford salesman for Cecil Reed in Burlington until 1933, when he went to work for Bill David Motor Co. in Goodland, Kans. A son, Robert Eugene, was born Feb. 23, 1929, in Burlington, and a daughter, Marilyn Yvonne, was born Nov. 22,1934, in Goodland. attendance was scheduled around the ranch and home work. The story is told of him hiding in the school attic either as a prank or to tease and disturb the other students. Once while "walking the rafters" he slipped and fell astraddle the rafter and both feet crashed through the ceiling. He had a hard time getting out of that predicament. Gladys and Clair were the parents of five children: Forrest Alan, Clifford Kendall. Maxine Mae, Mildred LaVerne. and Mavis Jean. Clifford died of leukemia and Maxine died from pneumonia following scarlet fever. Both were in their teens. Mildred died as an infant with "summer complaint" or dysen- tery. Mavis married Albert Scherrer and they lived on a farm near the old Bar-T ranch until moving in 1960, to Crawford, Colorado. Forrest married Regina Scherrer and they raised their family on his farm in northern Kit Carson Co. until ill health forced him to retire. The principal livelihood of the Whipples was from farming, and raising cattle and horses. Being active members of their community there were often called upon for their ability to help out in time of sickness and death. Clair, a self taught veterinarian, was sought after to treat livestock, especially horses. He was a skilled horseman. In his younger years he broke and trained horses for saddle back use and for teams. His children were provided a saddle horse for their own use and they spent many hours horseback, either as helping with cattle or for fun. Clifford was quite a trick rider. The Whipple brand was W quarter circle open A W. Forrest still owns this brand. Social life at that time consisted of familv or community visiting, dinners and picnics. The Whipple grove was an ideal place to gather and for children to play. The children could climb a tree at one end and scremble from branch to branch and tree to tree until they reached the other end of the rows of black walnut and elm trees without touching the ground. Another popular and important source of entertainment during the depression years was the literaries. These were public get togethers, usually held in the local school house, at which anyone who desired was welcome to take part. There were plays, musicals, and recitations, with spelling bees being the most popular. Maxine Whipple was a champion speller and frequently spelled down the adults in the competition. When some of the students could better the elders in the area it was a source of real pride. One crop Clair raised was broom corn. The crop was harvested by hand, being cut with a corn knife. It was then trucked to Pueblo for sale at the broom factory there. The man who would inspect the load for quality was blind. He would run his hands over the ends of the stalk and say, "I see. I see. This is good." or "I see. I see. This is too knottv." or "I see, yes, I see. This is straight and str-ong." or "I see. This is too crooked!" Whenever Forrest was sent with the load of corn. he enjoyed watching the blind man see with his fingers. Clair raised and used mules as well as horses for work. At one time, while working on a crew that was building local roads, he used a team of mules with a fresno to move dirt. When it came close to noon one of the mules would bray and the foreman would call out "unhitch". He had learned that those mules would not do any more work until fed and watered. Mules have peculiarities of their own. Forrest and Clifford were taught how to farm with mules. Forrest tells about the time he was weeding with a team consisting of two buckskin mares and two mules. He was about 1% miles from home and planned to finish by noon so he could move the machinerv home. But just as he started the last round one mule brayed and no matter what he did he could not finish until he unhitched and took the mules home for their noon feed and rest. He even unhitched and led them in a circle and hitched up again, but that didn,t fool the mules. He was glad when they bought their first tractor. Gladys was the typical farm housewife and raised a great deal of the family food. She was a beautiful sewer and did not let any scrap wasted. Her son still has a quilt she pieced by hand. She used Bull Durham tobacco sacks. dyed them, and worked them into a beautifui design. Since Clair did not smoke, saying that if the Good Lord had meant for man to smoke he would have built a smoke stack on his head, it is questionable where she obtained all those tobacco sacks! After the 1935 flood left their farm virtually destroyed, Clair moved his family �several times before buying a farm near Bethune. After a long struggle with diabetes he died on January 29, 1946. In 1949' September 3, Gladys died from complications following surgery. Both are buried in the family plot at Armel cemetery as are their three children who preceded them. by Regina Whipple WHIPPLE, FORREST AND REGINA F743 Forrest Alan Whipple was born to Clair and Gladys Whipple on March 6, 1920, at his Grandfather May's home near Armel, Colo- rado. Clair and Gladys were spending the winter there because their house on the farm/ranch north of Stratton was not yet completed. They then made their home at this ranch that Clair had obtained from his father, Ira Whipple, and Forrest spent his childhood there. Forrest, his brother, Clifford, and two sisters, Maxine and Mavis, attended school in the local schools, Coyote Ridge later named Sunnyside, and for a short time at Hell Creek and Midway school. They remember playing in the caves along the river banks and finding Indian beads and other objects in them. One of the family pastimes was arrowhead hunting in the pastures on the riverbottom where they believed it was an old Indian battleground. Arrowheads were also hunted in the blowouts nearby. Another pastime, at least it seemed to be, was fixing 13 fence crossings. Much of their productive land lay on either side and between the Spring Creek and Republican and the rivers meandered through the lowlands, causing the fences to be washed out at only a slight rising of the waters. After the 1935 flood, his mother, Gladys, refused to rebuild on the home place and the family moved several times before buying a farm near Bethune. So Clair could be closer to medical care, he lived there until his death but Gladys and Mavis spent part of their time with Forrest on his own farm southeast of Kirk and 25 miles northeast of Stratton so that Mavis could attend school at Kirk. Regina was born at Agate, Colorado on October 18, 1921 to William and Helen Mattingly Scherrer. In 1929 the family moved from Agate to the ranch on the Republican River northwest of Burlington. The ranch had been purchased from Will's cousin, Dr. Elmer Shcerrer, and was at one time the site of the Hermes post office and store. Regina attended grade school at the Ritzius School on the river in Kit Carson Co' and graduated from the high school in Kirk, after having spent two years in Denver at Holy Family High School. She graduated from the Seton School ofNursing at Glockner Hospital in Colorado Springs in 1944 and joined the Army Nurse Corps that spring. After two years of overseas duty she worked three years with the Indian Service at Santa Fe, New Mexico. After her marriage she continued her nursing work and was employed by Grace Manor Nursing Home in Burlington for 13 years before opening the Mode O'Day store in Burlingt<,n. On October 18, 1949, Forrest and Regina were married at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton. They continued dry land farming along with cattle and hog raising until 1964 when they put in an irrigation well. In 1974, Forrest retired due to ill health, and the family moved into Burlington. Five of their eight children graduated from the Liberty High School and three from Burlington High School. Regina and Forrest are the parents ofeight children. They are: Gladys Elizabeth (Liz) who is Director of Area Agency on Aging of this area through the Council of Govern- ments at Stratton. David, married to Gabrielle Snelling, and works for K.C. Electric. They have two children: Greg and Jennifer. Stephen Edward, married to Kim Doris and parents of three children: William, Bradley and Stephanie. He owns Steve's Truck and Tractor. Gerald Alexander, husband of Judith Kramer and father of two boys, Gerald and Johnathan. They live and work in Denver. Clifford James, who is in the Marines stationed in North Carolina has two children: Maria and Loyd. Regina Marie married Dennis Oldham, they have two girls: Hailey and Rachael. Dolores Ruth married James Ford and has one daughter, Crystal. Lenora Anne who is married to Scott Winslow, lives and works in Wray and they have three children: Grant, Lydia and Angelee. by Regina WhiPPle WHIPPLE, IRA AND grove of walnut and elm trees on the home- stead and the grove was known for many years as the Whipple Grove, and was the site of many community picnics. All the trees are now gone. They lived in a sod house and cut Iime rocks to build a barn and pump house/milk house combination. Ira J. was well known for the way he had with horses. He is credited with introducing (or breeding) Appaloosa horses into this area. He loved buying and selling, and was a clever free hand artist with horses and Indians being his best subjects. He rented the use of some of his mule teams to be used by the railroad crews when building the railroad through here. His brand was IJW under the horse's mane and on the cows it was IJW across their ribs. In 1902, Hattie and Ira J. moved to Jaqua, Kansas, located on the Republican River, on the Colorado-Kansas border. His land is now part of the State Lakes in southern Yuma county. Hattie died on May 14, 1919, at 57 years of age with a ruptured hernia. Ira J. continued to live near Jaqua. In 1935, when he was 80 years old, the flood caught Ira J. and he spent 14 hours on the roofofhis house before the waters receded enough and someone could get in to him and get him out via horseback. All of his household belongings and most of his machinery were lost. After the flood, Ira J. visited relatives in Ayer's Cliff, Quebec. In 1939, his daughter, Ethel, and her son, Harold, brought Ira J. home. He passed away on January 25,1940 at 85 years of age. He and Hattie are both buried in the Armel Cemetery. Ira J. and Hattie were the parents of three children, all born in Kit Carson County. r.744 Their oldest son was Dallas Dunbar Whipple, born August 23, 1888. He married Alma Juhl on July 5, 1914. They were the parents offive children: Edith Laverne, Delvin LeRoy, Ira John Whipple was born December 30, Allen. Dallas passed away on September 14, IIATTIE 1854 in Hatley, Quebec, Canada, to John and Euphrosyne Standish Whipple. His father was a farmer around the Hatley and Ayer's Cliffarea. Ira often told ofplaying around the shores of beautiful Lake Massawippi. Around 1870, he moved to the Lowell, Massachusetts area where he worked as a teamster. On September 29, L874, he was married to Irene L. Stephenson who was born in Calais, Maine in 1852 to Luke and Elizabeth Hammond Stephenson. One son, Leon Wellington Whipple, was born to this union on February 29, 1876. In 1876, Ira J. was working in Lowell as a watchman. Shortly after Leon's birth, Ira J. moved to Creston, Iowa where he sold Bibles in 1877, and later operated a dairy business. He made his deliveries with a horse and wagon, which was equipped with a bell. On February 17, 1885. he was married to Hattie Amelia Dunbar, daughter of Reverend Otis and Abigail Gooden Dunbar. She was born Jan- Authur Dunbar, Perry Donald, and Philip 1956 at Parsons. Kansas. and is buried at St. Francis. Kansas. Alan Clair Whipple was born September 9, 1890 and married Gladys May on October 13, 1918. They had five children: Alan Forrest, Maxine May, Clifford Kendall, Mildred LaVerne, and Mavis Jean. Clair died January 29, t946 at Burlington and Gladys died September 3, 1949. Both are buried in the Armel Cemetery. Ethel LaVerne Whipple was born October 16, 1895. She married Bill Armknecht, and they lived north of Kanorado where they farmed. They were the parents of six children: Harold, Howard Alan, Raymond Henry, Wilda LaVerne, Richard, and Wanda Loraine. Ethel passed away on September 27, 1952 and is buried at St. Francis. Kansas. by Liz Whipple uary 1, 1862 in Springfield, Illinois. Hattie and Ira J. moved all their belongings in wagons to Colorado in 1886. They home- WHITMORE FAMILY to live on the Spring Creek and Republican River near where they merged, near the old Early Recollections of Eastern F745 steaded north ofStratton, later moving north Tuttle ranch. Hattie brought with her several tree saplings. One was a black locust tree, which planted near the house, brought shade and beauty to the home place. Others were black walnut trees and Ira and Hattie planted a Colorado Cheyenne County, Nebraska, had an ex- hibit at the Nebraska State Fair in the fall of 1886. A number of us neighborhood boys at Emerald. Nebraska saw the exhibit and �planned a trip to Cheyenne County with a view of taking up land. We started out that same fall. Those making the trip were McFarland, Wilson, Shipe, Snyder, Sinclair and Whitmore. Our tickets took us to Cambridge, Nebraska. McFarland's brother had lived at Emerald but had moved to Wilsonville, Nebraska, in 1885. He met us and took us to Wilsonville. We looked around there for a few days, but decided to go and see what Eastern Colorado was like. We hired a man with a good span of mules and a wagon camp outfit, going first to Oberlin, Kansas, west to Atwood then southwest to Sherman Center (now Good- land), the county seat of Sherman County, then west to the Colorado line. There was no settlement in that section of Colorado at that time. There were large ranches on the Republican River and its tributaries. We found large areas of level land still open to homestead entry. We looked around for one day getting corners located and range and township numbers. Our teamster then took us to the railroad at Haigler, Nebraska, on the Burlington line 50 miles north. We paid him off and took the train to Denver, Colorado. Our filings were made at the land office. We were sure pleased with the good level land. The winter of 1886 and 1887,I helped with the farm work at home in Emerald. In the spring of 1887, father gave me a team of rather aged mules. Wilson, Snyder and I loaded a car, each ofus taking a team, wagon, breaking plow and feed. McFarland loaded a car of household goods, stock and feed. George Shipe went with him as helper. George's claim joined McFarland's on the north. All shipped to Haigler, just a few miles from the Colorado line. We had good weather for our 50 mile drive to our claims. We found. however, that March weather can be very uncertain. We camped the first night at a crossing on the South Fork ofthe Republican River, unrolled our blankets on some hay in a stable. The next morning we crossed the river with the water up to the hubs on the wagons. I had the grain deck of my wagon loaded with lumber to make a 12 x 16 stable, something to get into until we had time to dig a dugout. We reached our land the next afternoon. We made carnp. The first night was cold but not stormy. We got our water from a buffalo wallow the first few days. We soon had our stable up with the stove in one end and one team in the other end. The other team stood outside blanketed. The elements favored us. We got our dugout built before any storms came. We found water holes in a dry creek about a mile west. The middle of April, 1887, found us with our house, 12 x 16 finished. It was three in the ground, half windows, board roof with tar paper and blocks of sod to hold the tar paper on. Our bed and stove were up and we were ready for any spring storms and we had a few before summer. We, Wilson and I, broke about 35 acres each on our own claims; the law was five acres broken the first year, and five the second year. We had to plant ten acres of trees, cuttings or seeds on our tree claim. by C.J. YVhitmore WHITMORE FAMILY F746, Early Recollections of Eastern Colorado Wilson returned to Nebraska late in Julv. He had an interest in a threshing machine and operated it the balance of the summer. I stayed and in August got work with my team on a Republican River ranch, the Double Wrench, their brand, helping put up hay. I was there for six weeks. I then returned to my claim and plowed sod for a 12 x 16 hours and a 12 x 16 stable. I laid up the walls then and put on the roof the following spring. Then in the latter part of October, 188?, I started for Nebraska driving my mules. I camped out each night. The following spring I returned to my claim. There I exchanged work with the neighbors, and got my house and stable roofed. Then in July of 1888 I went back to the ranch on the Republican River and helped with the haying. I remained on the claim that winter. In the summer of 1889 I went to Colorado Springs looking for work. I had answered an ad in the paper regarding a ranch cook job. Mr. Thurlow, the president of the Thurlow Livestock Co., also president of one of the Colorado National Banks, was the man that I had to see. I was timid about approaching a bank official, especially about ajob I knew nothing about. I was directed to his private office where by direct questioning he soon learned I was not a cook. He asked if I cared to work as a ranch hand. I sure did, so he gave me a letter to the ranch foreman directing him to put me to work as cook until a real cook showed up. The ranch was located 60 miles east of Colorado Springs, out on the plains of El Paso County. The railroad ran within 35 miles of the ranch, then I could catch a ride with a freighter hauling supplies to the ranch. The driver, Bill Skinner, made three trips a week. He drove four mules, single line, That was the first single hitch I had ever since since leaving Ohio years before. Skinner used two wagons, the lead wagon loaded heavy and the trail wagon somewhat lighter. The load was about a ton per mule. In crossing sand creeks, if necessary, he would drop the trail wagon, pull across then pick up the trail wagon again. We drove 15 miles that afternoon to Holtwald. a sheep ranch. This ranch was his regular stopping place, then the next day we went on to the ranch. They had a shearing crew at work (this is describing the Holtwald setup) and Bill took me around after we had gotten our supper. The shearers and other employees would gather in small groups, two, three or four, spread a blanket and gamble for the shearing tokens. Each man got a token for each sheep he sheared. The token represented 5 cents, the price for shearing at that time. A good man could turn out 80 to 100 per day. Bill said that professional gamblers got most of their money. All in that crew were Mexicans. We were on our way by sunrise the next morning. We arrived at the ranch at 3 p.m. and that gave Bill time to unload his wagons, grease them and prepare to leave the next day. I started cooking. I didn't do too bad because when the real cook arrived I had a job. The post office, Sanborn, Colorado, was located at this ranch. The post office itself was a cubby hole in one end of the kitchen, and when the foreman was not around. I had this small job also. by C.J. Whitmore WHITMORE FAMILY F747 Early Recollections of Eastern Colorado I soon foud out that the main part of cooking was to prepare plenty of good solid food and not to let anyone get up from the table not satisfied. They furnished plenty of coffee, potatoes, ham, bacon, rice, and canned goods of all kinds. Our meat mostly during hot weather was mutton. I had to do my own butchering. It usually took two a week. When fall came they would kill a beef. The boys never kicked to me about so much mutton. I would roast the hind quarters, and make stew of the neck and ribs. Late that summer the outfit bought 5,000 mixed sheep from New Mexico. These were tailed up, and it was about October when they arrived. It was really too late for dipping but it was very necessary. The men hastily fixed up the dipping plant about a half mile up the creek from the ranch buildings. Everything went fine until they were almost through and then a late October rain started and before dark it had turned to snow. The wind came up and a regular blizzard raged. Our ranch buildings were protected by a large grove of cottonwood trees, and just south was a hay meadow. Everybody was out and excitement raged. Nearly all those sheep that were recently dipped were still wet and had to have shelter. They were taken down to the meadow out of the direct course of the wind. We stayed up all night. I kept coffee and lunch on the table all night long. The men kept the sheep moving about so none piled up. There was hardly a loss. Reports came in later from other outfits where the herders had no extra help, that the losses were heavy. The sheep had piled up and smothered. I stayed there cooking for almost six months. I just gave myself time to get back on my own claim before the six months expired. They offered me $35.fi) per month. I was getting $30.00, the ranch hands 925.00. They also offered to turn over the proceeds from the post office, which was about $60.00 per year, if I would stay but I had to decline and get back to my claim. I had spoken to Frank Gilpin, the manager of the Maryland Land and Cattle Co. They got their mail at Sanborn Post Office. I was interested in the work for the next summer. 1890. He said that he might need help and to write to him when I got foot loose. I did not go to Nebraska that winter. One met some curious characters in those days. We had a Mr. Vanderpool from Glen Falls, New York. He was red-bearded and looked in perfect health, but had come west for lung trouble. Then there was George and Steve. George was English and in his fifties and had been in the English army. He said that he had served in India and he had a big �scar on his face. The foreman told me they were both good workers, but when they were laid off in the fall would get drunk as soon as they hit town and their money would be gone cook and I were the only white employees. The rest were Mexican herders. I was my own boss after we got the hay in the stack. My work was fixing up winter camps. The winter camps did not demand much water. I would kitchen at night while I was cleaning up and take a team and scraper and make temporary dams to catch snow water and sometimes a shallow well with a pump. With snow on the ground the sheep did not get water, so they told me. When this was finished I loaded my in a few days. George would come in the tell long tales about fighting in India. I liked outside work better. The new job with the Maryland Company gave me a lot of riding, and I got almost to the Kansas line. This round up was to bring back cattle to the home range. Settlers had come in and the cattlemen had to get out. There were over fifty riders in the round up. I counted five grub wagons and camp cooks. by C.J. T[hitmore WHITMORE FAMILY F74a Early Recollections of Eastern Colorado I shall attempt to give some description of the men and women who were owners and managers of the different companies that I worked for in Colorado, during the closing days of the free range. The Cap Rock Cattle Company range on the South Fork of the Republican River in Eastern Colorado. A Mr. Ed McCrillis was the manager and part owner. He was born in New England and was in business in Boston prior to coming to Colorado in 1876. His wife lived at the ranch in the summers, in the owner's house. He had a boy hired to tend the yard and to act as houseboy. He saddled her horse, hitched it to the buckboard, etc. I was told that the hard winters broke him. In 1889 the old Elbert County was divided and Kit Carson County was formed. Ed McCrillis was elected County Clerk. The Thurlow Livestock Company's foreman told me that they made money. Mr. Thurlow came from New England. He told me himself that he came to Colorado laying on a cot in a baggage car. He had had lung trouble. Their range was the Big Sandy, Big and Little Horse Creek, and Steels Fork Creek in Eastern Colorado. They had a reported 20,000 sheep and 1,000 cattle. The Maryland Land and Cattle Company was incorporated under the laws of Maryland. Barney Gilpin was the President and his brother, Frank Gilpin, was manager. Pete Henis was the round up foreman and Frank Summers was the ranch foreman. Their range was both Horse Creeks, Big Sandy and Rush Creek. Barney stayed in Maryland, but I saw him once in awhile when he came to the ranch to visit. He looked prosperous like a good businessman should. Frank spent his winters in Maryland. He was a good polo player. He married an eastern girl in 1890. They spent the summer at the ranch, and had a colored housekeeper and chore boy. They had a lot of house guests the summer I worked there. I understood they ran into financial difficulties later and lost the ranch. I worked for Mr. llamp and Silsbee, sheepmen, for three months after the Gilpins exploded. They were on Rush Creek, fifteen miles west of Hugo, Colorado. Hamp was an Englishman and Silsbee was a Yankee from Connecticut. The old gentleman who was a WICKHAM FAMILY F749 camp outfit and went down to the ranch. They set me to hauling their winter grain from the Rock Island Railroad to the ranch. The name of the station was Resloes and it was 15 miles to the ranch. We used four mules and two wagons. I would make a trip a day and a long day it was. The sorting was completed and the remaining sheep in winter camp, so the bosses were leaving; Mr. Hamp to New England and Mr. Silsbee to Connecticut. They bid me good-bye. I left for Resoles and got to town about 11:30 a.m. The town was composed of a section house, depot and one store. I contacted the agent and located the car and found that the freight hadn't been paid for. No paid freight bill, no feed. I knew that the bosses were leaving from Hugo that day and wouldn't be back, so the agent telegraphed Hugo. The bosses paid the bill and I lost over an hour. That hour was important. I would leave the ranch before sunup, and get into town about 11 a.m.. water and feed the mules, then start to load. The grain was in 100 Ib. sacks. The grain was in the middle of the car and coal at both ends. It took a bit ofwork to load four tons. I had one sand creek to cross and had to drop the trail wagon. I would eat my lunch on the way home, arriving there about dark. This meant unloading after supper, greasing the wagons, and loading mule feed for the next day. I would be about ten before I would hit the hay. I have often wondered who the cook was; if I knew his name I have forgotten. That was in 1891. The next spring I got a letter from a ranchman living near River Bend, Colorado, offering me a job, but I had a job in Wyoming doing some surveying work. For the next several years I remained in Wyoming doing a number of different jobs during the summers, but always returned to my claim in Kit Carson County in the winter. I always received my mail at Lamborn, Kansas, as that was the name of the town at that time. It later was changed to Kanorado. During the summer of 1894 I had the Rev. Willis care for the trees on my tree claim. He had homesteaded not too many miles from me. As it was a dry year he was glad to receive the extra income. I paid him $25.00 for the gummer's work. I married Miss Gertrude Bartlett of Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1895. She had been a schoolteacher at Taymond, Nebraska. We made our home in Lincoln, Nebraska, until we moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Copied from the records of the late C.J. Whitmore. Written in 1950 bv Whitmore, 85 years old. by C.J. Whitmore William McKinley Wickham, Jr. and Lorris I.A. Wickham married on December 25th, 1933. Picture was taken on November 25,1970. William M. Wickham, Jr. John Foster, born September 5, 1942, and Samuel Paul, born August 18, 1945, graduat- ed from Flagler High School. They too worked in the store and for various farmers around Flagler. They joined the Army and served in Viet Narn. Sam spent a second term in Viet Nam. When they returned home they enrolled and graduated from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, then transferred to the University of Northern Colorado. John married Sandra Lynn Schulz of Holyoke on December 14, 1969. They built a home in Greeley and she taught at Windsor and he was Assistant Manager of the Univer- sity Book Store. They moved to Colorado Springs where he was Manager of the Colorado College Book Store. He later went into Real Estate business, and then joined Fitzgerald, Talman, Inc. as a Senior Account Executive Stock Broker. Sandra taught Special Education and kindergarten, and is currently teaching third grade in District 11. They have 2 sons: Jason Todd, an eighth grader. He played football, and has been accepted into the Pikes Peak Youth String Orchestra with his cello. Gregory John is in the sixth grade. He enjoys Science projects at school, and is interested in becoming a cartoonist. Both are becoming accomplished pianists. Sam worked as a master carpenter in the construction of homes in Greeley and Limon. He married Karen Lynn Shamburg of Burlington June 21, 1975. Construction work became slow so he joined the staff of Lincoln Community Hospital at Hugo, in the mainte- nance department, and was honored as "Employee of the Year" for 1986. They have a son Robert William, in the fifth grade and a daughter Samantha Pau- �line, a first grader. The children of William, Jr. and Lorris Wickham still hold fast to their "roots" at Flagler. Orris Lee, born November 13, 1936, graduated from Flagler High School in 1955, and from University of Northern Colorado in 1959. He worked in his parents' hardware store and for different farm families during summers. In 1960 he graduated from Navy Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island. and served aboard the aircraft carrier "The Oriskany". In 1963 he started teaching Industrial Arts and Chemistry at Kremmling, Colorado. Alice Barbara Raymond from 9airfield, Iowa was teaching Home Economics there. They were manied December 27, 1964, and in 1966 moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming where he has taught Industrial Arts in Carey Junior High for 22 years. Alice has done substitute teaching in the Cheyenne schools during these years. They have 3 sons: Clayton Douglas, in his second year at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, majoring in Fire Fighting Sciences and Law Enforcement. Brent Dirk is a senior at East High, and is anticipating becoming a pilot, perhaps at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Ted William is a freshman in high school, and is very interested in computer science. Orris became deeply involved in the Naval Reserves at Fort Warren, Cheyenne, and worked on military projects at various points in the United States. He retired in 1986 with the rank of Commander. He continues to serve as Blue and Gold Officer in recruiting for the Naval Academy. His extra-curricular activity now is Manager/Secretary of their Laramie County Fair Board. Alice has been very active in exhibiting in the culinary arts division of the fair, and has won Grand Champion numerous times. by Lorris T9ickham WICKHAM FAMILY F750 William M. Wickham, Sr. The winter of 1931 is remembered as the "Towner School Bus Tragedy". Mr. Wickham had 3 school bus routes to Second Central. He, Foster and Bill each drove a route. The morning of the storm all 3 buses got to school before the storm broke in full fury - they turned back home. Mr. Wickham got the Helmes children home and to the Orris Sloans when he could get no further. He put the bus in the big barn and stayed with them 3 days before he could ride Orris'horse Trixy to his home. It was after dark when he got to the draw south of his house. He called and called to get the attention of those at home. They brought a lantern so he could see to get across the bridge. Foster got all of his bus children, including the George Blancken youngsters, to their hohes, and when he got home Ione was making supper. Bill took Bruce Stone home - a small adobe house at "uncle Sol Stone's" place. He then got the Hamilton and Berry children, cousins of the Hamiltons, home (on the Ackerman place). His bus got stuck in the draw between Hamiltons and Matzkes (on the Wilson place). They braved the storm and he walked the Matzke children, Evangeline and Emogene Wickham to Matzkes, then walked home, a mile east. Bill had a 1928 Ford roadster. He put chains on it and started to go pick up the girls. The snow blew into the motor and it stalled in the yard gate, so he was forced to give up. When the storm subsided after 2 days there was nothing but the very top of the car to be seen. Tom, just a little tot asked, "What's that black thing in our gate?" Mr. Wickham, Bill and Foster made their way afoot to the stranded bus. They started scooping and were soon joined by Frank Matzke, Walter Hamilton and Elmer Buffum. They were then able to get the little girls home. Following the Towner incident when the driver and some of the children froze to death, all school buses were required to carry blankets. Mr. Wickham also put a portable kerosene heater in each bus, but never used them. Another incident found Mr. Wickham with a team hitched to a sled, horse blankets over the students' heads and a kerosene lamp under that to help keep them warm. Mr. Wickham stood at the front of the sled, driving the team, icicles 6" long forming on him. There was an understanding that if a bus motor conked out - just drain the radiator and walk to the closest farm house. It John Wanczyk, a student, tried - at to watch out the side to help Bill stay on the road, but they slipped off into the ditch, and the motor died. The "self starter" was out in front - they cranked and cranked, but no spark! - Iifted the hood - water was pouring offthe overheated engine - so - drain the radiator and walk to the Van Wanning place! Bill took the lead and Julia Wanczyk happened! brought up the end of the line. Van Wannings were having dinner, invited the group to join them at the big pot of beans and she made another huge batch of biscuits. Bedtime, and all the kids bedded down on the floor with their coats. Mr. Van Wanning put a big chunk of coal in the heating stove - and again during the night. Next morning the boys helped milk or put hay down out of the mow to feed the stock. The sun came out clear and bright, and with a 5 gallon can of water and a scoop Bill walked back north to the vehicle. It started easily. The Wanczyk and Joe Short children walked home. Bill got the Ben Short kids home, and more water for the radiator, and also at Fred Griffiths, and eventually got himself home. Foster got his bus to Fred Martins (on the Bill Conarty place), and she too made biscuits by the dozens to go with beans. One bitter cold morning when Foster arrived at school with his bus load Mr. Finley, teacher who lived at the school, asked if he'd like tojoin them for breakfast. Foster replied, "No, thank you, Mr. Finley, I had breakfast this morning." The Westover boys would come to Wickhams with rocks in their pockets to play. They once brought gourds which they threw and broke. Seeds started unwanted gourd plants around the farmstead. by Lorris Wickham WICKHAM, LORRIS AND WILLIAM, JR. F75r William McKinely Wickham, Jr. 1-25-1907 at West Plains, Mo., son of William McGlinchey and Susie Alberta (Brisbin) Wickham. Lorris Ida Agnes Sloan 7-13-1915, daughter of Samuel Wesley and Gertrude Mae (Kious) Sloan, married 12-25-1933. Children: Orris Lee 1936, John Foster 1942, and Samuel Paul 1945. Lorris was in college at Ft. Collins and when school was out they moved to Lavington Ranch SE of Flagler. Wages 930 mo., a cow to milk and grain to raise chickens, and a pig to butcher. $5 a mo. went for a Montgomery Ward gas motor washing machine - the envy of neighbors, but utilized by many. Bill's father and younger children lived 2 mi. NE. They came Saturdays to bake bread and wash. The drouth, depression and dust storms were devastating to the whole community. The May 31, 1935 Sand Creek flood brought destruction in its path and death to neighbor Gesnens. The prairie dog town N. of the house harbored rattlesnakes and one afternoon Bill and Lorris dug out and killed more than 150. They joined Ladies' Social Circle (LSC) which his mother had helped organize in 1915. Ladies took turns entertaining - a delicious dinner, then patching, embroidering or quilting, etc. for the hostess, and the men played pitch. There were school func- tions, family gathering, card parties and pooling ofration stamps to have cake refreshments. The family moved in 1937 to 25 mi. S. of Flagler to work for Carl Bledsoe. Bill helped with cattle, and sheep, while Lorris cooked for the crews, and Mrs. Bledsoe bottle-fed bum lambs. A rattlesnake coiled beneath the baby's high chair was a frightening experience. In 1938 they moved to Swink and worked for Ora Dunavan on his dairy, in the watermelon, cantaloupe, and tomato fields; 1940 to the Sloan place SE ofFlagler, and in 1941 bought the Renken place 3 mi. E. of Flagler. They farmed and milked 20 cows, and delivered cottage cheese (a ton one summer), dressed chickens, and baked goods to stores and cafe. Ed Fanselaus, Schuyler Shorts, Roy Tarpennings, Eddie Fullers, Slim Goodwins, Gene Nicholses and other neighbors exchanged farm, and household work, and had many exciting pitch games. The farm was traded for a hardware in town in 1948. Bill and Orris maned the store. John, Sam, and their little dog Snooks were constant shadows of Grandpa Sloan. Lorris kept books at the store, and worked at the Flagler Hospital - from nurse aide, to assistant in surgery, to full time cook, and 'gal Friday' until it closed. The store was sold at auction in 1955 with about 91000 clear and much more out on bills never collected. Bill worked for Oliver Blancken at John Deere. He, and his sons, Kenneth Mort, Red, Miller, Elmer Joy, Pat Burgess, and others enjoyed big game hunting. Bill also enjoyed school and community activities, and held offices in Odd Fellow Lodge - including District Deputy Grand Master. He took great pride in his gardening, assembling, delivering machinery, or any task he performed. The hospital closed in 1963. The boys were in collese or Militarv Service. Lorris went to �: w '":i; : I t l:, a& r. 11 The children of William and Susie Wickham taken in 1982. (7 of their 12 children): Back row: Tom, Ted, John. Front row: Evangeline Holtzinger, Irene Stinton. Ione Tolton, and William, Jr. Taken at the p mountain cabin on Evangeline and husband, Gerald Holtzinger. ""aa a Back row: Alice and Orris Wickham, John and Sandra Wickham, Brent and Ted Wickham, sons of Orris. Son Clay not present. Front: Karen and Sam Wickham with their children Samantha and Robert, Bill and Lorris Wickham, Jason and Greg, sons of John. Taken at our 50th wedding anniversary at Flagler Baptist Church, December 1983. organize Flagler High Alumni Assoc. in 1949, and served as secretary, and as President. Was a 4-H and Cub Scount leader. She enjoyed canning, baking, cooking, and was culinary Grand Champion at the county fair at Burlington. There were college extension classes from Greeley, Bible classes from their seminary in Kansas City, Cake Decorating classes, and teaching cake decorating classes. Orris, John, and Sam. Bill and Lorris Wickham. Taken at our home, the house my father built in Flagler, CO on our 25th wedding anniversary, December 25th, 1958. Baking, decorating wedding and anniversary cakes (from scratch), and catering receptions is still a hobby (from 1941). Since retirement, has baked at their church camp, in Black Forest north of Colorado Springs. Church and Medical Mission Tours have also been a part of her retirement - to China and Central America twice each, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Zaire, Europe (Vienna, Munich, the Passion Play at Oberamergau, Geneva, London), India and Nepal. She enjoys sharing those experiences through colored slide presentation, and artifacts. bv Lorris Wickham Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Denver - baked weekends for school faculty and made a Hospital anniversary cake each year to pay tuition. She graduated in 1966' and worked as office nurse in Limon 15 years' She brought what medical services she could to Flagler to save people a trip to Limon. Bill retired in Jan. 1972, but worked part time at John Deere for Tom Kennedy, and John Coryell. Oct. 19, 1973, while picking the last of his tomatoe harvest, he suffered a stroke, and entered Prairie View Nursing Home 1-12-'74. Lorris moved to Limon. They moved to Aurora in 1979, Bill to Camellia Care Center. All family members were baptized in Flagler Baptist Church, and were active in its program. Lorris served as Sunday School teacher, on the church board, as clerk, and offices in American Baptist Women including President of Eastern Assoc. Later of Rocky Mountain Assoc. in Denver, and was on the state board 22 yearc. She helped WICKHAM, WILLIAM M., SR. F752 William McGlinchev Wickham t874 - 1943. Susie Alberta Brisbin 1875 - 1915. Married 12-25-1896, Syracuse, Ill. Children: Harold T. 1898 - 1978, Myrtle Irene 1900, Foster Samuel 1904 - 197?, William McKinIey 1907, Malvina Emogene 1910 - 5 mo., John Milton 1914. Will and Susie first lived in Mich., he was a telegrapher. Moved to Mo., but heard of a 50 A. farm in Howell Co. Scraped together money to buy it and moved in 1905. It was a Garden of Eden! - but rocks, rocks! Red clover the only cash crop' Raised corn to feed horses, cows, and pigs. Garden, orchard, woods provided vegetables, fruits and nuts for the cave. Apples made into apple butter over an open fire or taken to cider mill. They dried corn, apples, made hominy, and molasses. Lived near White Church, community center. Fourth of July and Fall Festival celebrations with horse-powered merry-gorounds, Iemonade stands, bands, fire crackers, baseball, horse shoes, and basket dinners. Homesteading in Colo. sounded like Paradise - 320 A. of Free land just for living on it and cultivating the land. Grandma Brisbin had come from Ill. the spring of 1911 to claim her homestead 10 mi. SE of Flagler, and had a cement black house built. Wickhams came in Oct. Will and Harold came by emigrant car with the stock, machinery, and'goodies'from the cave. Susie and the other children were met at the train by Grandma Brisbin with borrowed team and wagon. No rocks - to build a house, No trees - for fuel, nuts or fence posts, No springs - for water for home or stock; just wide open prairies - beautiful in spring when buffalo grass was green and prickly pear cacti in bloom - but treacherous on bare feet! Very little rain - so gardens and crops meager. Sod house built for the family and a well drilled on Grandma's land, later a frame house and well on the Wickham homestead % mi. north. Children herded cattle, carried a hoe to kill rattlesnakes, picked up cow chips for winter fuel supply. Eventually posts and barbed wire bought in Flagler and fences built on some property lines. Sears Roebuck phones were connected to wire fences. Children walked LVz mi. to Albright school - Iva Reynolds a teacher. 1915 small school districts consolidated and Second Central School, 10 grades, opened. Susie died when John was 10 mo. old. Irene was'mother'for the family, till WiU married Anna Rose Valenta 1886 - 1929, on 6-24-'16. Children: Anna Rose 1918-1958, Geneva Jane 1919, Theodore Roosevelt 1920, Evangeline Veronica 1922, Ruth Emogene 1924, Thomas Lee 1927. Gertrude Sloan, Minnie Blancken, neighbors, and Dr. H.L. Williams delivered the babies. Will and Rose had pride in community, and school. They, and the older boys drove school buses, and experienced stalling in snow storms, walking children to closest house to stay overnight - or longer. They bought a new �Chevrolet truck chassis, and built wooden bus bodies. Will had many terms on the school board. Family gathered evenings around the kitchen range while Will read books to them, and Rose crocheted edgings for the little girls' dresses, which she made Smoky Hill was located seventeen miles S.E. of Burlington, Colorado. After a four month "whirlwind courtship", Leona and I were married on September 2, 1934, at Immanuels Lutheran Church eleven miles N.E. of Bethune. We heard that two people could live as cheap as one and our possessions included love and a dime. The time was during the great depression of the mostly from flour sacks. Entertainment: school programs, debates, students by bus to Flagler to shows such as Ben Hur, box suppers, card parties, summer parties, Lost 1930's and the drouth of the Midwestern Springs to dances, Ladies' Social Circle (Grandma Brisbin and Susie were charter members in 1915) for a bountiful dinner. They patched overalls, and socks, tied comforters on quilted for the hostess while the men played pitch or horseshoes. Rose was noted for delectable Bohemian foods - poppy seed biscuits, breads, and at butchering time the souse, blood pudding, sausage stuffed into the cleaned intestines. They rasied a big garden and put up lots of foods for winter. Had lots of pinto beans, sorted seed corn kernel by kernel (rats played havoc with it one year). The youngsters herded cattle, were rivals in collecting rattlesnake rattles (jerked snakes out of their holes by the tail for the dogs to kill so they could capture the rattles), trapped skunks, and sometimes got to go to town on Sat. with their folks to ship 5 gal. cans of cream to Beatrice Creamery, trade eggs for groceries and went to free shows provided by merchants. Rose died in 1929 - Tom was 2. Will took the 6 children to Texas that Christmas to see their maternal relatives - a memorable trip in a new 1929 Chevrolet car with no heater, and inclement weather. Anna Rose stayed home from school the first year, and Jone the next to fill the role as 'mother'. Mrs. Fred Martin baked bread for them until the girls learned. Weekends they washed (hand pow- states. In February 1935, following a public sale, the Gottlieb Adolf family and us moved to Newberg, Oregon. Many families from the Midwestern states migrated to the west coast in search of work to support their families. George and Leona Fanselau Wiedman married September 2,1934. three months old and mother and I lived with attended and graduated from Burlington High School. Darrell graduated from Wart- Stahlecker until March 25, LgL4, when my mother married Gottlieb Adolf. We moved to mothers farm, which became burg College of WAverly, Iowa where he met and married Darlene Petrek. At the present time he is on his 27th year of teaching in the Denver Public Schools. my grandparents Martin and Katherine hers following my fathers death. As a stepfather, Gottlieb Adolf, was special to me, and I shared equally with my brothers Gottlieb Jr. and Herman and sister Leah. I attended a one room adobe elementary school at Yale, Colorado. Eight grades were They rasied turkeys, and in the fall the family picked and pinned them (innards remained) taught by one teacher. Our earlier mode of transportation was a top buggy or spring wagon until 1917 when our family purchased a new Model T. Ford touring car. The immediate community was mainly of German Lutheran decent and worship ser- Hugo. vices at Immanuels were taken seriously. The church yard on Sunday mornings was a ered machine), ironed, baked break, and cleaned house. Later they baked and washed with the gas motor machine at bro. Bill's home - 2 mi. by cart and'Old Nig', the horse. and took them to the marketing center in The younger family all attended Flagler High School - stayed with Strohmeyers, Rowdens or brother Bill. Tom enlisted in the Navy after graduation. He was not yet 21 so brother Foster signed for him. Will moved to Flagler in L942.He became ill and spent some time in Brush with Irene and in Denver with Foster and with Evangeline, and died ?-121943. by Lorris Wickham WIEDMAN, GEORGE AND LEONA (FANSELAU) F753 I was born on December 9, 1910, near Yale, Colorado, sixteen miles N.W. of Burlington, Colorado on the farm homesteaded bv mv father. I was named George Martin foilotit of my grandfathers. My parents, Jacob Wiedman and Barbara Stahlecker were manied February 3, 1910. My father died March, 1911, at the age of thirty. At the time of his death I was only Going wages for a man, were $.25 an hour. and no coffee break. Even then jobs were scarce. Our two sons, Darrell Orin and Garvin George, were born in Oregon. In February, 1939, we moved back to Colorado to our original farmstead. The plains states had received some moisture and some crops were being raised. From 1989 until 1962 we lived on our farm located twelve miles N.W. of Burlington. Following eight years of elementary education at Emerson School, Darrell and Garvin spectacular sight with varied types ofwagons and buggies drawn by teams of horses. Some young men rode their saddle horses, sporting elaborate saddles, and bridles. They were envied by those with lesser gear and horses. Sunday afternoons were the highlight of the week. Following church services, we entertained or were entertained by relatives or friends and families. The elders would visit and rest while the children improvised their own entertainment, which varied from foot racing and tug of war (for the boys), to drowning out gophers and catching them. The girls made mud pies and played with paper dolls cut out of Sears Roebuck and Company catalogs and etc. At the age of eighteen I bought my first car, a 1926 Model T. Ford Coupe, which was next to impossible to start when the temperature got much below freezing. Anti-freeze was unheard of and keeping a radiator from freezing became a chore in winter. I lived and worked with my parents until my marriage to Leona Fanselau. Leona Gertrude was born April 30, 1916, the second daughter of Henry and Lillie Fanselau nee Bamesberger. Mildred and Geneva were the other two daughters of the family. Leona attended Smoky Hill School for ten years, graduating from there in 1931. Garvin married Sherry Kleweno in 1961 and they took over the family farm. Darrell and Garvin were both drafted and served in the U.S. Army. On September 2, Lg84, Leona and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary, which was sponsored for us by our sons and their families. by George Wiedman WIGTON, DEAN AND ARLENE F754 John Wigton was born in Kansas and lived most of his early life South of Kanorado. Kansas. He was one of a family of ten. Here he worked on the family farm until he was married to Florence Bogart. Florence came from a family of five. She spent her early years on her father's farm Southeast of Burlington. After Florence and John were married in January 1930, they moved twelve miles south of Bethune. While living here Dean was born and later Florence taught school in the surrounding communities many years and then she was County Superinten- dent of Schools. They moved eight miles Southeast of Vona in 1934. Later. thev had another daughter, Nadine. The Joirn Wigtort family farmed and raised cattle. Most of the cattle roamed for miles as there was free range and all fields were fenced. Leander Becker was born and raised South of Vona in the German Settlement. There were ten children in his family and they all helped on their parents farm. The family attended church regularly at the Mennonite Church. Leander attended eight years of schooling at the Pleasant Valley School. In 19BB he � https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/509/Families-W2.pdf 59b6e6d2172cfa80cdbd1970cd170ab9 PDF Text Text married Madeline Ott. Madeline attended Plainview School North of Vona and then attended Seibert High School. They lived and farmed South of Vona for a short time and then moved to Monte Vista, Colorado where Arlene was born. A few years later they moved back to Vona where they ran the Vona Telephone Exchange. After a short time of living in Vernon, Colorado, they bought their present farm in 1938 and moved back to Vona. Arlene attended the Pleasant Valley School for seven years. The school then consolidated with Vona. It was on this farm that Donna and Douglas were born and attended Vona School. Arlene Becker and Dean Wigton were married in 1954, and lived at Smoke Angle for four years while Dean taught. They bought their farm southwest of Stratton and started a dairy and Dean also taught at Vona for eleven years. They had seven girls Radean, Charlene, Shirley, Janell, Kathy, Rhea Kay, native lime and we never had prettier walls than those were for when the lamp was lighted the walls sparkled as though there were sparks of gold or silver in them. were born: Nellie Jane Yale, 2/12/1886 2/4/1978; Charles Seward Wilcox, 6/13/1889 We lived 3 years on this place and hauled water all the time. We got water from a man 8/18/1893; Earl Dewey Wilcox, 1/18/1898. 7 7/10/1926; William Wallace Wilcox, /I5/L89L - 2/2/L96a; Eva May Gergen, by Irene Wilcox called Way and also from the old well in Burlington. When there was no wind or repairs for the wells we got our water from the lagoons. I remember one family that lived a mile from us and had to get water from us because they had no team or wagon. They would come with their buckets and cary the water home. There was a well east of us, where Peconic is now located, and we thought if we could get there early, we (my brother and I) we would get our barrels filled and get home early. So we rose at four o'clock in the morning and when we reached the well, there were twenty barrels ahead of us, so we decided to go to the well in Burlington. We drove the six miles and when we got to WILCOX, WILLIAM WALLACE F756 William (Billy) Wilcox was the only one of the five children of Wallace Hose and Mary Margaret Wilcox who stayed in the Burlington community. He was born in Burlington, Colorado on July 15, 1891 after his parents gave up their homestead and moved to town. Burlington we found others there and deci- As a young boy, he attended the Burlington and Judy. Dean has been active in Boy Scouts and they have both been active in 4-H. Radean married Allan Mattson. They now live in Lawndale, California and they have ded to wait our turn. Just before the last man got his barrels filled, the two men at the pump came down a bit hard on the handle and it snapped in two. There was no way of fixing Charlene married Randy Gorton. They live Southwest ofStratton and now run the dairy. They have two boys, Rodney and Bryan. Shirley married Larry Squire. They live in Colorado Springs and have one son, Benjamin. Janell married Jay Pettibone and they presently live at Kanorado, Kansas. Kathy is attending college studying nursing. Rhea Kay and Judy are still living at home and Well, we inquired around a bit and learned that there was a rancher nearby by the name of Bevelheimer who had a well about LVz miles west. So we drove there. We found no one at home but we hitched our team up to the windlass and it did not take long to fill our 4 barrels. But we did not get home until about 8:00 P.M. that night. A number of wells were dug by hand and it cost about $40.00 to put in curbing which was needed to keep the sand from filling in. So you see not many could have wells. We are still using the chairs we brought out school and helped his father with the dray business. He always had a love for animals, especially horses, and for many years was responsible for the livestock for the fairs and rodeos. He would travel to all the surrounding towns to pick up the stock horses and cattle and then deliver them back again after two daughters, Anna Lee and Bethany. attending school. by Rhea Wigton WILCOX, WALLACE IIOSE F755 I was born June 6, 1853 at Courtland, Illinois. I spent my youth in Illinois 65 miles W. of Chicago. When 18 years of age I moved with my parents into Champagne County, Ill. There I married Mary Margaret Seward on March 26, 1885. (Mary Margaret was born to Samuel and Ophelia Seward on Aug. 25, 1861 in Rantoul, Ill.) She died April4, 1985 at age of 96 yrs., and 7 months. She was baptized at age 10 and was a life-long member of the Methodist Church and a charter member of the Burlington Methodist Church. I came to Colorado on March 7, 1887, with my wife and baby. We cnme by train to Stratton, Nebr.. Then, after buying a wagon and team, we went on to Benkleman where I left my wife and baby with my brother-inlaw, then I came on out to Burlington. My brother. Alvin N. Wilcox (later the first sheriff of Kit Carson County) located me on a pre-emption adjoining his. My claim being the NW% of Sec. 15-8-43. When I first came to my claim, there was not a thing in sight and one could see ten miles away. After staking my claim, I returned to Nebr. to bring my wife and baby and was gone about a week. When I ca-e back to my claim, I counted sixty shacks and dugouts from the high point ofmy land. My brother had a frame house on his claim, so we lived in that until we had our sod house built. We plastered our houses with it and no repairs this side of Haigler, Nebr. with us. We had no roof on the house so the first night they had to be left out in a storm. My wife was in tears. But it didn't hurt them and today even our great-grandchildren have played on them. One of the first nights, a very heavy rain storm came up and the roof of my brother's shack leaked so we rolled up mattresses, covered them with oilcloth and my wife and daughter sat on top of them. She held an umbrella and kept fairly dry. The water ran down a cowtrail and into a dugout, it soaked my brother's books and trunks. I have often wished for such rains since then when we needed them so much. The first year I paid taxes in Kit Carson County, I paid just 700. Rolled Oats were selling at two cents a pound so I bought a dollar's worth. When I got home I found worms in them. I haven't been able to eat oats since. My wife ordered stove polish and the storekeeper wanted to know what it was like and how one used it; anyhow, I could not get it. The only meat we had was salt "sowbelly" which we bought in large slabs at 40 a pound. We would get so tired of eating it. For a while we bought milk from a neighbor, then we bought a cow. But we never kept a herd of cows or horses. My team was a pair of sorrel broncos and they were light for farm work, but I did manage to break up 40 acres, which I put into corn. After living here almost four years I bought the dray line in Burlington and carried the mail from the post office to the depot. I was engaged in the dray business for a number of years. I served on the town council from July 3, 1893, to April 14, 1895. I was also town marshall for 13 years. To this union 5 children the fair or rodeo. At the age of 19, he married Lillian Mather Jan. 5, 1910. Lillian was the daughter of Arthur and Maude Mather. (Maude Mather will be better known as Maude Smith). Lillian died 10-23-1915. Around 1912, he took a homestead out on the river but stayed only a couple years moving back to town. To this union was born three children: Kenneth George Wilcox 7-zI-LglD L223-t952. Hazel Grace Wilcox 4-13-1912 - 3-7-1915. Elmer Wallace Wilcox 7-5-19L4 L974. - 1-9- On Oct. 2, L919, William married Ella Esther Homm. (Esther was born 8-25-1899 and came to Colorado from Gove Co. Kansas 1-7- 1919.) Billy worked for Hugh Baker in the elevator from 1923 to 1926. At that time. he started work for Sim Hudson who owned the Cities Service Oil Station. The station was then sold to Standard Oil and Billy worked for Standard until his retirement 715-1956. To this union three children were born: Dewey Eldon Wilcox 11-26-1921. Betty Jean Wilcox 4-L9-1924. Russell Dale Wilcox LL-5-L927. William (Billy) Wilcox passed away on February 2,1964. by Irene \ililcox WILKINSON FAMILY F.757 In the spring of L922 my parents Roy and Margaret Wilkinson and their children, Lloyd, Thelma, and Arlene moved to eastern Colorado to a farm northeast of Vona, where they made their home for many years. My father, the eldest son of John and Abbie Myers Wilkinson, was born June 23, t894 near Atwood, Ks. He had four brothers, Virgil, Jesse, Guy and Herschel and five sisters, Florence, Grace, Gladys, Opal, and Ruby. Two sisters, Opal and Ruby, and one �brother Herschel are still living. My mother was born at Everest, Ks. Sept. 8, 1896, the eldest daughter of Aloys and Susan Sobba Zuubek. She had five sisters, Agnes, Barbara, Evelyn, Bessie, and Ethel, and three brothers, Alex, Henry, and Chris. Four sisters, Barbara, Evelyn, Bessie, and Ethel are still living. Margaret, along with her parents, brothers, and sisters moved to western Ks. where she grew to womanhood. She was united in marriage to Roy Adelbert Wilkinson on March 24, 1915, at Beardsley, Ks. After moving to Co. two daughters Wilma, and Helen and two sons Earl and Loren were born. Lloyd was married to Virginia Havens; they lived at Vona for awhile, then they moved to Goodland, Ks. They were the parents of four children, Ferma, Lloyd Jr., Larry, and Sandy. They have 10 grandchildren. Thelma married Wayne Cushing; they have two sons; Gary, and Roy. Thelma and Wayne lived north of Vona after they were married. They moved to western Nebr., near Stratton where they lived many years, before retiring from farming and moved to Max, Nebr. They have six grandchildren. Arlene was married to John Fredrich; they had five children; four sons, Gene, Bud, Lowell, and Roger, and a daughter JoAnn. They lived in the Vona and Seibert areas, where they farmed. They divorced. Arlene then married Raymond Andrewjeski; they moved to Lakewood, Co. Two sons and three daughters were born; Rick, Mike, Shelley, Sue, and Teresa. Arlene has sixteen grandchildren. Wilma married Carl Woller on Dec. 5, 1948, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stratton. Co. They farmed north of Vona until 1952, when they sold their farm and moved to Vona. Carl started working for Kit Carson County in November. I have worked in the Vona School cafeteria now, Hi-Plains Elementary, seventeen years, the last nine years as School Food Service Manager; a job I enjoy very much. The students always brighten your day. I have belonged to the Kit Carson County Carousel Association since it was started. I have really enjoyed working on the cookbooks and the other things we have done to raise money for the restoration of the Carousel so it can be enjoyed by everyone now and for the future generations. We are the parents of five children; Sharon was married to Roy Trimm in 1971 in Fl. They have one son, Scott; they live in Jacksonville, Ar. Carlton, Jr., better known as "Ace", married Kathy Monroe July 23, L972; they have two sons and a daughter, Fred, Justin and Jeanie. Ace and Kathy lived in Vona for a while, then moved to Stratton. Stanley was married to Nona Eisenbart on Aug. 12, 1972. They have one son, Brian and three daughters, Michelle, Kristine, and Victoria. They live in Stratton. Cathleen lives at home. Susan was married to Allen Eden, June 27,1981. They lived in Stratton, then they moved to Moore, Ok. Susan now lives in Stratton. Helen was married to Raymond Rose; they lived in Stratton, moving to Wichita, Ks. where their son Raymond was born. They were divorced. Helen then married Dale Gyer. They had a son, Randy. Helen has two granddaughters. Earl married Gloria Chapla; they moved to Denver after he returned from the army. They have one son Jeff and two daughters Monica, and Mona, and two grandchildren. Loren was married to Prisilla Shanks; they live in Colo. Springs. They have two daughters, Rhonda and Debbie, and one grandson living and one grandson passed away at four months. Some of the neighbors I remember the folks speaking of were the Godfreys; the Finleys, parents of Eula Browning, a very dear friend; the Gulleys, parents of Opal Boger; the Crists and the Kechters. I went to a country school. I have many fond memories of those days. We never went to school on busses. The teachers had to do everything; bring in the wood and the coal even cow chips to heat the school room. I remember when going to school north of Vona, Mrs. Helen Herrell was our teacher. We went out on the prairie on weekends picking up cow chips. The teacher sometimes had to haul water to school. They also had to keep the school clean as we didn't have janitors then. We rode horses, walked or drove a buggy maybe; sometimes in the winter when there was snow we would use a sled pulled by our faithful horse Ben to take us to school. It seemed like the road was pretty long when you were small and had to walk to and from school. Some of the teachers I remember were Alvina Becker Esarey, Miss Elva Richards, Mrs. Virginia Felch, Mrs. Grace Clark, Miss Jennie Tressel, and Mrs. Helen Herrell. by Wilma Wilkinson Woller WILLIAMS FAMILY F758 In the excitement of his birth to Marion Phillip and Doris Anne Williams at 12:30 p.m. on September L4, 1922, the intended name of Lowell Lawrence Williams was recorded as Lawrence Lowell. Thus he became known as "Lary". His grandfather, Dr. Hany Lawrence Williams, delivered him with a Mabel Gray as the attending nurse. He had a special kinship with his grandparents and when they died in 1933, he was eleven years old . . he chose not to attend their funeral. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Denver for two years majoring in chemical engineering. His fraternity was Sigma Phi Epsilon. His college career was interrupted when he enlisted in World War II. He served in the United States Army with much of the three years spent in Guam. He was discharged March 6, 1946, a day he recalls better than any family birth date or anniversary! In 1947 he graduated from Capitol College of Pharmacy in Denver. Vivienne E. Stauffacher, born September 10, L924 in Tonica, Illinois, came to Flagler December 8, 1945, as a registered nurse to work in the hospital for Drs. McBride and Straub. Larry and Vivienne were married on September 2, L947 at the First Plymouth Congregational Church in Denver. Marion Justin Williams was born to them March 19, 1958 and died March 25, 1958. The following December 12, Lisa Louise was born on her great-grandmother's birthday . . . Jenni Hawn Williams. Lisa graduated valedictorian of her high school class in Flagler and then went on to the University of Northern Colorado where she graduated Magna cum Laude with a BA degree with majors in Acoustically Handicapped and Elementary Education. The following year she completed her master's and now teaches the hearing impaired in Grand Island, Nebraska. Lisa married Rick Allen Ward, son of Donna Stone Ward and Ed Ward of Flagler on December 19, 1981, in the First Congregational Church of Flagler. Linsay Susan Ward was born in Grand Island. Nebraska on August 3, 1985. Larry Williams has worked in the family drugstore for forty years. Vivienne has been Flagler town clerk since 1979. by Vivienne Stauffacher Williams WILLIAMS - FOSTER FAMILY F759 Andrew Allen Williams and wife, Alma (Foster) and two sons, Albert Ross and Ellis Lee, came to Colorado for health reasons in 1888 and settled near Cope. His was the first immigrant car coming into Seibert, the railroad having just been completed to that point. With the exception of one year spent in Missouri, he resided on a ranch near Cope for 16 years, where he was appointed U.S. Land Commissioner and moved to Cope. This position he resigned in 1912 to move to Flagler where he resided until his death in 1917, age 73. Alma died in L924, age 78. Both are buried in the Flagler cemetery, along with their son, Ellis and his wife, Maude. Andrew was a Civil War veteran (Co. G 55th Illinois Infantry). He was wounded during the assault on Vicksburg, from which he recovered. However in 1864 due to general poor health he was medically discharged. Many years later, a doctor in Bernadotte, Illinois advised Andrew or "Uncle A" as he was referred to by many, "to move to Colorado for the benefit of my health." At the time of his death he was a stockholder in the Flagler State Bank and a stockholder and director in the Farmers State Bank of Flagler. Andrew joined the Baptist Church when a young man, so it was natural for him to assist in building the Shiloh Baptist Church. He also helped organize the Congregational Church at Cope and was Sunday School Superintendent for more than ten years. Two Foster progenitors were Methodist ministers. In reading the Foster history, religion was an important part of their life. John Lewis Dyer, known as Father Dyer the "Snow-Shoe Itinerant." is a Foster cousin. Andrew Allen's grandfather, John Williams, Sr. was born about 1766 in Maryland. He married Mary Duncan, who was born about 1767, the daughter of Charles and KeziahDuncan. John and Marywere married in Queen Anne Parish, Prince George's County, Maryland. They had six children. Andrew's father John Jr. was born in 1802 in Adams County Ohio. He married Nancy Smalley in 1831. Nancy was born in 1813 in Adams County Ohio, the daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Wikoff) Smalley. Both are descendants of old American families. John Smalley of Devenshire England cnme to America aboard the "William and Francis." He arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts in June 1632, (New England Historical Regis- ter, Vol. 14). Pieter Claesen Wyckoff (Wikoffl of Amsterdam Holland came to America aboard the "Renesselaerswick." He arrived �4 r Alma and Andrew Williams with their first grandchild, Ruby. Taken October tvur. Maurine (Bill) Williams, daughter of Ellis and Maude Williams. Probably taken in 191?, when they lived in Flagler. per article of their marriage and reception states the place as Cope. However, my mother always told the story that her parents were married out on the prairie in a snow storm. Ellis finished his teaching term at Boyero that school year. He also taught at Cope and Hugo. Then he and Maude settled down on ; a homestead a few miles from Cope. They had ;a:.::::. iii':'l:'l :riai:r..r. U::ii. l:r"' b & V I Ellis and Maude Williams with their daughter, Treva Williams, daughter of Ellis and Maude Treva. Taken in 1909. Williams. Probably taken in 1913. New Amsterdam, New Netherland (New York) March 4, 1637 (Hoppin, Washington Ancestry and forty other families, Vol. III' pg. (Neil) Cope. They had three children: Alma Ruby, Bira Maxine and Doris Alice. According to Andrew's obituary, Ross was a stockholder and director of a bank in Ignacio, 103). Alma was the sixth generation Foster to be born in America. Her great-great-grandfather, Rev. John Foster was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. Her grandfather, Thomas served in the War of 1812. Alma's maternal grandfather, Jonathan Alder was captured by the Mingo (Iroquois) Indians when he was a boy of eight. He lived with them for twentyfour years before returning to his mother in Virginia, year 1805. Albert Ross Williams, oldest son of A'A' and AIma, (my mother, Treva, told me that grandmother AIma, called Andrew, A.A.), married Grace Ann Cope. Grace was the daughter of Jonathan Calvin and Mary Ann two children, Treva Wilma and Maurine Lee (Bill). My grandfather, Ellis, wrote, "President Teddy Roosevelt forced us to take down our fences off the Government land. As I did not think I had enough pasture to run my cattle, I sold out and moved into the store business with my brother, Ross. I owned stores in Joes, Kirk and Limon." Aunt Bill told me that she, Treva, and their mother moved to Flagler to enroll Treva in school. Ellis ran the store at Joes. There were other relatives who also lived in Flagler; namely, Dr. H.L. Williams and family, parents, A.A. and Alma, Maude's mother, Rosella Nourse and sister-in-law Bertha Nourse. Bertha, widow of Frederick Ray Nourse, Jr., owned and operated the millinery shop located on the main street in Flagler. Another cousin and family, Clyde O. Williams lived in Arriba. According to Lhe Flagler Nea,s, "Thursday, October 5th (1916), was the 51st wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Williams and was celebrated at the home of their son, Ellis Williams. The occasion was planned as a surprise for these good old people and there Colorado. AIso a stockholder in the new bank was no mistake about this feature. They were engaged in the mercantile business. Ross owned a store at Thurman; Ellis owned a the house filled with friends and relatives and the table spread for a dinner that only Mrs. Ellis can prepare, with a huge wedding cake banked and surrounded by carnations, as a of Kirk and in the Farmers State Bank in Flagler. He and his brother, Ellis were store at Joes and had joint ownership in another at Kirk, which Ross Iater sold to Ellis. Ross then moved to Denver where he died in 1954, age 88. Grace died in 1964, age 86. Flagler became home for the Ellis Williams family in 1914. On January 17, 1900 Ellis married Maude Nourse of Jericho, Missouri. Their marriage license states they were married in Kit Carson County. The newspa- invited to dinner and on their arrival found center piece." Maurine Lee married Jacob Lee Barnett and they have four children, namely Gary Lee, Thomas Ray, Mary Maurine and Viki Lynn. Bill and Lee have spent most of their married life in Sterling, Colorado. They are both retired school teachers and have always been active in their communitY. Treva married Joseph Henry Mclaughlin �and they have three children, namely Richard Ellis, Treva Jane and Margaret Maurine. The author, Margaret Maurine, married Martin Emery Clark and they have three children, namely Dale Martin, John Joseph and Theresa Jane. Theresa married Gary Dean Flynn and have one daughter, Allison Maurine. This author has lived in Montana most of her Iife but has visited Flagler several times. The visits have given me a warm close feeling. I think of my great-grandparents, grandparents, mother and aunt, going to church, to school, to the grocery store, shopping andjust generally living, working and playing. A memorable part of my heritage is from Flagler, Kit Carson County, Colorado. by Margaret M. Clark WILLIAMS, BOYD AND LYDIA F760 Very little was raised that year due to lack of moisture. The neighbors said that Swadley corn was the best for dry land farming so that was what they put in. That fall, when it was ready to be picked, the ears were next to the bottom of the stalk and half buried in the soil. Our close neighbor was a real early homesteader and was a great help to us, telling us what and when to plant. Jeff Huntzinger and family were such good people. They kept flour, sugar, coffee and such and we often had to rely on their help. Our school was only % mile away, which we called the Huntzinger School. Our mother was a good helper with everything. She planted the garden, sewed and patched and was midwife for the many babies born which was always a good crop. She gave us girls organ lessons while father gave the boys violin lessons and many a night was spent playing and singing. Later she organized a Sunday School class which was held at our school house. For enjoyment they took us to dances in a wagon. The seat was reserved for our parents with us kids in the back which was lined with straw and blankets. Later on and later Gordon Parrot, living in the Denver area before her death. Claude and his wife, Barbara, lived in the Arriba area where he worked for the Rock Island. They raised a daughter and two sons. by Ivy Stevens WILLIAMS, DR. HARRY AND JENNIE HAWN there was "Literary" which the older people enjoyed. Even though the school was only Vt mile from our home, a blizzard, came up and was so bad that we could not see Father who had started after us until we were right by him. He had a lighted lantern and was waving it around and calling our names but it was so bad, we neither saw nor heard him. Blizzards were our dread and also rattlesnakes, too, but Sod house built about 1908. Back Row: Boyd Williams (father), Lydia Williams (mother); Ivy Williams Stevens holding baby Cecil Stevens; EIsie Williams Hosmer; Viola Williams: Everett Williams; Earl Hosmer, husband of Elsie; John Williams. Husband of Viola; Charley Stevens, husband of Iqy. Front Row: Claude Williams, Clarence Hosmer, Ralph Hosmer, Alvin Stevens, and Gladys Williams Parrott. Taken about 191?. Our parents were L. Boyd Williams and Lydia Eliza (Largent) Williams. It was the year 1907 that our parents decided it was best to try their luck homesteading. At that time, many people were having the same notion so there were 2 or 3 other men from that locality who were interested in going out to Colorado to look the land over. They went by train, landing at Seibert where they got transportation to ride out and see the land. They ended up by each filing on some land, some at Seibert, but father wanted closer to Flagler and also close to school where we could finish our education. Finally finding what he thought our mother would like, too, he filed his claim which was 12 miles north and 2 miles east of Flagler in Kit Carson County, Colo. On returning home, all of us spent the winter at Oneida, Kansas, getting things ready to move. The next spring, March, 1908, we were all packed and ready to go. The men had chartered an immigrant car and had it full of farm implements, household goods, a dozen chickens, fruit, 3 or 4 cows, horses and hogs, so as to have things to start with. First they must find water, then a sod house had to be laid down and after that ground broken for farming. they never bothered us much. Once though, one of the boys was starting after the cows when a rattler was seen curled up in a snake weed. He called back and Father ran to the house to get his old shotgun and did away with the snake. The plains were beautiful hardly any - would fences. So many times people drive from corner to corner to shorten the way. At that time there were no mail routes. and we got our mail by the neighbors passing our place no electricity or phones. Later - also on those who were lucky enough to have a fence, put the telephone wires on it so they could enjoy visiting. Oh yes, and no cars either. One 4th of July we celebrated by taking our lunch and going to Flagler. Now Dr. Harry L. Williams that was a treat! We had hard times and good times, too. Most everyone was no better off than we were. When our parents could no longer tend the farm, they moved into Flagler and remained there the rest of their lives in more comfortable circumstances, never complaining. They took life as it came. There were seven of us children Clair. Elsie, Ivy, Everett, Viola, Gladys and-Claude. Clair, Everett and Gladys are deceased. Clair taught school a few years but returned to Sabetha, Ks., where he and his family owned and operated the Williams Cleaning and Pressing Establishment. He married and had two children. Elsie married Earl Hosmer and lived in Keenesburg where she spent her life. They had six children. She now lives in a nursing home. Ivy married Charley Stevens and had three sons and a daughter, living mostly in Limon and Denver, returning to Flagler about 16 years ago. Everett spent most of his life in the Flagler area. Villa married John Williams and had four children. They spent their life mostly on a farm or ranch. Gladys married Harry Blair Jennie D. Hawn Williams F76l �$50.00 payment on fixtures and stock, The Flagler Drug Company from a Dr. C. Schroyer. He moved his family into the building on Main Street and from here he conducted his medical practice and the drugstore. Art Clark served as driver for Dr. Williams both in the horse and buggy days and later when he acquired a car. Even after the purchase of the car Dr. continued to use the horse and buggy when roads were unsui- table for travel by car. He had a great fondness for horses. When the family home was built in 1915 a barn was built on the north side of the garage; it still stands today. Marion told of accompanying his father to Denver for medical supplies. His duty was to get out and open and close the gates as they crossed private property. Art Clark had many experiences with Dr. Williams which he enjoyed relating. They grew to know each other well for they spent much time together on calls that took them miles into the countryside in all kinds of weather. There were times they spent from one to Dr. Harry L. Williams Dr. Harry Lawrence Williams was born November 10, 1870 at Bushnell, Ilinois to Frances Marion and Sarah Elizabeth Foster Williams. There were four brothers and five sisters. Chalmer, the last survivor of the family, celebrated his 100th birthday on January 5, 1986 at his home in Beverly Hills, California; he died August 10, 1986. Dr. Williams received his Teacher's Certificate from Fulton County, Illinois February 13, 1893. He taught school one year in a rural area near Bushnell, illinois. Jennie D. Hawn, born December 12,L870, received her Teacher's Certificate from Fulton County, Illinois July 1, 1893. They were married at the home of her parents, Phillip and Sarah Hawn, in Remington, Indiana May 6, 1896. To this union was born four sons. The first son died at birth. Marion Phillip was born March 9, 1898, Arthur Justin born July 7, 1901 and Lowell Lawrence born July 28, 1905. After his marriage to Jennie Hawn, Dr. Williams engaged in farming on his father's farm for two years but was forced to quit because of ill health. In the late 1800's he took his wife and young son, Marion, and moved to Denver. In 1902 he entered what then was known as the Denver and Gross College of Medicine at Denver University; he graduated in 1906. He was a member of the Delta Chapter of Omega Upsilon Phi F raternity. During his years in medical school he was fondly known as "Old Abe" because of his similarity to Lincoln in appearance and character, so his obituary reads. In November of 1906 he was returning to Illinois with his family when the train became snowbound in Flagler. He purchased, with a three nights at an isolated home because the patient was too sick to leave or the weather locked them in. Dr. Williams died in Presbyterian hospital in Denver February 22,\933. Jennie left Flagler soon after to be with her son, Dr. A. Justin Williams, in San Francisco. She died at his home November 7. 1933. The youngest son, Lowell, died at the family home in Flagler on November 28,192L at the age of 16. Arthur Justin Williams graduated from Denver University with an AB degree in 1923. His fraternity was Sigma Phi Epsilon. He taught school for one year in Bethune. He graduated from Colorado University in 1928 with a degree in medicine. He married Carolyn Helbig of Denver June 26, 1928. He then continued his education by specializing in radiology. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Dr. Williams went on active duty, returning from Europe after 3-Yz years of service with the rank of colonel. He and Carolyn had two children; Dr. Justin Lowell Williams, a radiologist living in Fresno, California and Lynn Williams Pfleuger of Ross, California. Marion Phillip Wil- liams graduated from Denver University School of Pharmacy; his fraternity was Sigma Phi Epsilon. He served in the army in the first World War. Doris Lane came to Flagler after graduating from Normal School in Michigan. And, after teaching second and third grades in 1920, she and Marion were married August 7 , I92l at the home of her parents in Gentry, Mo. Their children are, Lawrence Lowell, "Larry", Williams of Flagler, Florence Louise Lloyd of Albuquerque, Betsy Riegel of Lakeland, Florida and adopted daughter Cindy Cochran of Lakeland, Florida. by Vivienne Williams WILLIAMS, JOE AND GOLDIE r.762 Joe and Goldie Williams moved to the Millisack Place in the Spring of 1941. The Dr. Harry L. Williams (Three sons in car & Jennie to right of picture) place was badly run down and so Joe got busy and did a bunch of remodeling to make it into a home they all loved. He rented some farm ground and pasture, and ran some 200 head of cattle every summer for many years. �Doug and Mary Lou went to Smoky Hill School in 1941, where Doug graduated as 26 years, as well as with church activities and the RSVP since 1973. Near neighbors while valedictorian, and then on to Burlington High School. Classmates there were Verna Butterfield, Joe Daniel, Mary Hahn, Dale and Dixie Sparks, Lawrence Schaal, Kenneth Butterfield, and Evelyn Drager. JoNell started to school at Smoky Hill. Her teacher was Leatha Dickinson and her husband was the Principal and High School on the farm were the Kellers, Duncans, Sittsworths, Morts and Blanckens. Jake Browers now own the place. On Feb. 15, 1946, Agnes and Virgil Short were married at home with the Rev. Millie Gibbs officiating. Agnes and Roberta both taught school on war permits with Agnes finishing the Victory Heights term and teacher. Bob Williams worked on a cattle ranch for C.A. Buetel, who lived on a ranch about 2 miles north of Smoky Hill. Times were hard and most farmers milked a bunch of cows and raised chickens. They ordered 500 baby chicks every Spring. The cream and eggs were hauled to town in the back seat of their car and sold to buy groceries. Joe farmed with a team of horses until early 1950 and then bought a used John Deere tractor, which he hand painted. Henry Drager was a neighbor and was considered a good John Deere mechanic. During the war years there was very little to do for entertainment. There was a family named King who lived in Cheyenne County and they were all musicians. They would gladly come to the Williams home to play for dancing. They would move all of the furniture into other rooms and spend the evening dancing. Lots of people came from Burlington and Stratton. Lester Pierson was an excellent square dance caller. Those who didn't dance would play cards. Most of the women belonged to a community club called the Willing Workers. They would meet at different homes and make something for the hostess. One year the made mattresses in the Smoky Hill basement. Another year they met with Flora Drager and made cheese. Saturday was always shopping day for almost everybody. This was a chance to visit with neighbors and the kids often got to go to the matinee which cost just 50. Years later Joe bought the Millisack house and moved it to town. He remodeled it and made a lovely home. by Bernice Eberhart WILLIAMS, VIOLA AND JOHN F763 Viola A. Williams came with her parents, Lincoln Boyd Williams and Lydia E. Williams from northeast Kansas in 1908. Her father had filed on 160 acres. 2 miles east and 12 north of Flagler in 1907. He returned to Kansas and in 1908 he and his son, Claire, came in a box car with their belongings while Mrs. Williams and the family, Elsie, Ivy, Evert, Viola, Gladys and Claude came by train. Jim Quinn met them and drove them to the Mose Wright house, one mile east and 10 miles north of town where the family lived until a water well was drilled and a shack the family could live in was built. A sod house, L4 x 28' was built with their father laying every sod with help from the family and neighbors. Elsie went to Denver and Claire returned to Kansas while the rest of the children Roberta, one year at Shiloh. Maxine and Albert Koleber were married Nov. 20, 1947 in Denver by Rev. Robert Allingha-. The sons-in-law were all in World .., ...,':.,,. , t ,. .t - i, .' rlir' :: r ': War II. 1]' :i'. .1 The Williams' 50th wedding anniversary in 1967. L. to R.: Agnes Short, Virgil and Roberta Martin, Viola and John Williams and Maxine and Al Koleber. attended the Huntzinger School. John Williams was born in Cameron, Missouri. He came to Colorado with his parents, Daniel and Arcenia Williams, Lou, Nett, Ione and Aileen, during the 1913 blizzard and were stranded in Seibert awhile before going to the place they had purchased which the Leroy Jones now own. Mrs. Williams operated the Blake Restaurant, then the Hotel where the Legion Building is now and Mr. Williams ran a meat market in Seibert. Later Mr. and Mrs. Williams moved to Denver where they lived their final years. All are now deceased with the exception ofhis sister, Net Gelick, who lives in Sterling. In 1916, John filed a claim on a'go-back' piece of land, 3 miles east and 4 north which the Gene Nichols'now own. John and Viola were married on Feb. 15, 1917, by Judge C.A. Yersin in Burlington, and lived on his father's place, until Mr. Fisher and he could get the one-room house on the land repaired and moved there that summer. John helped A.C. Fisher with his farm work as well as with his own. This home is where the family was born. Near neighbors were the Fishers, Searcys, Chases and Brandenburgs. With school so far away and John not well, the farm was sold to Mrs. A.C. (Stella) Fisher and the Williams moved to town in 1926 where John was employed by the Farmers Union and Viola worked in the creamery. In 1936, the Williams moved 17 miles northwest ofFlagler, and lived there until the end of 1942. Their daughters stayed in town to finish high school. Roberta and Virgil Martin were married at home on Feb. 15, 1942, Rev. Millie Gibbs officiating. After they left on their honeymoon, the neighbors came and helped celebrate the Williams' 25th wedding anniversary. They were the Michals, Elricks, Larues, Millers and Holdens. The Williams purchased the Dr. O.S. Neff place and moved there on Jan. 1, 1943. John was not in the service due to an injury when young. He was a 50-year member of the Flagler IOOF Lodge 135. Viola has been a member of the Crystal Rebekah Lodge 130 since 1.930, and a member of the Flagler Congregational Church where the daughters were also members. She was also a member of the Welcome Club, Home Demonstration Club, the Gingham Girls, a charter member Connie Janel came to make her home with Agnes and Virgil Short on Dec.24,1955 when 6 days old. On July L2,L9il,Patrolman Short of Castle Rock was shot by Dean Spooner of Des Moines, Iowa, near Kremmling. Agnes passed away in 1973. Connie Short and Clint Nix were married in 1973 in the LaForet Chapel in the Black Forest. They have a daughter, Colleen Gayle, 3 years old and live in Montana. Roberta and Virgil Martin lived in Salida. Their son, Robert, his wife, Marcia, Rob, Mike and Kenny live in Pueblo. Their daughter, Cheryl, passed away in 1970 and Virgil Martin in 1982. Maxine and Al Koleber lived in Pasco. Wash., where their sons, Gary and Ron, also live. Their daughter, Joyce, and husband, Steve La voie and daughter, Donna, live in Okinawa. Al passed away in 1983. John Williams died in 1970 and an infant son, Clarence in 1917. Maxine lives in Prosser, Wash., Roberta in Salida, Colo. Viola's sisters, Ivy Stevens in Flagler, Elsie Hosmer in Brighton and brother, Claude Williams in Arriba, Coio. by Viola Williams WILSON FAMILY F764 My parents, Frank Herbert (Bert) and Maggie Wilson, moved from Lexington, Nebraska, in March 1921. They had purchased one quarter of land located 7 miles south and 1/z mile east of Stratton in the Bethel Community. The family made the trip in an Overland car. Livestock and family possessions came via train. At that time there were six children: Vivian, Elvin, Ruth, Clair, Virginia and Dorothy, who was three months old. Later another son, George, was born to them. There was a tiny two room frame house on the land when the family arrived. I was too young to recall what other buildings, if any, there were. My father said he was a "jack of all trades and master of none." Soon after becoming settled and planting the crops, he started making adobe blocks in preparation for building a house. The outside walls for a five room house were completed in 1922. When the family moved into the house the interior was not completed. The original house was used for a granary. In the following years more adobe blocks were made and a garage and chicken house was built. We children walked two miles to the West Bethel school. During some rainy, muddy weather Elvin wore high rubber boots to �school and a classmate, Floyd Whitmore' nicknamed him "Boots" a name he kept throughout his life. As well as farming for a living, Dad had a flair for carpentry and built several homes in the county, including the former Henry Wilson and Harve Hughes residences in the Bethel Community, the Frank Lesher house in the First Central area and the E'R. Deakin home near Vona. My father died October 17, 1929, and Mother was left with the family of seven children to carry on. Much of the farming responsibility fell to Boots who continued living at home until 1936. The family kept the land until about 1947 when it was sold to Kenneth Scheierman and Mother moved into Stratton, Colo., where she lived until she could no longer care for herself' She then went to the nursing home in Burlington where she died April 14, 1966. of '35. The dust lodged in the animals' coats and when the rains finally came the seeds sprouted on the cows'backs. Also large spots of the cows' hair fell out. Pleasant memories are: Mother picking and canning wonderberries, making preserves from ground cherries and yellow pear tomatoes, making braided and hooked rugs, piecing and quilting quilts, tatting and crocheting, making many of our clothes. Dad putting new soles on our shoes, braiding new halter ropes for the horses, using the forge for sharpening tools, seeing the portulaca (rose moss) blooming on the cellar roof, the hollyhocks along the garden fence, hearing the coyote howl at night, hearing the singing mockingbird perched high on the windmill, people searching for arrow heads on Rock Hill north of our house after the dust storms in 1935. As a family we often played dominoes and Elvin lived in the Stratton area until his a card game came Flinch. Our SundaY death January 19, 1978. Vivian died January 5. 1933. Ruth Nowak and family moved to papers we received at Sunday School. Some- Idaho Springs, Colo., in 1,937 and she still resides there. After serving in the military in World War I[, George and Clair and families lived for a time in Nebraska and later moved to Missouri. After World War II, Dorothy McFarland, her husband and son moved to Everett, Washington and then to Crescent City, California, where she died in August 1959 Her child, Harold, also is dead. Harold's afternoons were usually spent reading the times as a special treat we would pop homegrown corn and make taffy. by Virginia Wilson Foster Elvin and Lois Wilson. WILSON - BOWKER FAMILY widow and daughter reside in Tacoma, Washington. I moved from Stratton in 1950 and have lived in Denver since 1952. At the present time my family is in Denver or F766 nearby. As a child I was fascinated by the butchering process. We looked forward to the time when the weather would be cool enough so that the meat would keep. Through the summer months we would have fried chicken. We had pork more than beef. At the butchering time, a fire would be built under a 50 gallon gas barrel to heat the water which was used for scalding the animal so that the hairs could be scraped. The fat would be rendered into lard which was stored in stoneware jars in the cellar. The "cracklins" would be used for making laundry soap. Hams, shoulders, etc. would be salted down and put into a 15 gallon stoneware jar and kept in a cold place. Some parts would be trimmed and used for Denise, Barbara, Myrna, Lois and Elvin Wilson. "Boots", a name that remained with him all his life. His father died at an early age and Elvin being the oldest son had to go to work to help his mother take care of his four sisters and sausage - oh, how good that tast€d with pancakes on a cold morning! Also there was some meat that was made into mincement and canned to be used later in Pies. We had a cellar where canned foods, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, etc' were kept in the winter so they wouldn't freeze. In the summer it was cool, and butter, cream and milk had to be kept there. Part of our land was pasture but as the cattle herd increased, the open range was used for grazing. We younger children were responsible for watching the cattle' The range was 1/z mile over the hill to the south and sometimes we could see the animals by climbing to the top of the windmill. Other times it was necessary to walk or ride a pony to check on them. This chore seemed to us to require a tremendous amount of our time. The very dry summer of 1934 brought a complete crop failure. We cut and stacked the green Russian thistles for the cows. Even though they were green, they were "stickery" and I wonder how the cows managed to eat them. This was followed by the dust storms two brothers. Lois lsabelle Bowker was the oldest of eight children born to William H. and Mabel O. (Judson) Bowker. She was born July 22,L914 in La Vern, Oklahoma. As a young girl, she recalled many times riding their horses in the sand hills of Oklahoma. When she was ten years old they Maggie and Bert Wilson, Elvin's parents. At the age of thirteen years, Elvin Frederick Wilson came with his family to Colorado where they homesteaded. Their home was located seven miles south and two east of Stratton, Colorado. Elvin was born November 6, 1908 at Lexington, Nebraska. He came to Colorado in 1921. Here he finished his education, through the eighth grade in the Bethel Schools. Elvin wore a great big pair of overshoes to school and his schoolmates called him moved to St. John, Kansas. There she completed her education. From there, the family moved to McCook, Nebraska. They came to Colorado in 1934. They lived on a place two miles north of the Wilson place. As young people, Elvin and Lois met at Sunday School. They started dating and they recalled many times the times all the young couples got together at church on Sunday evening for parties. They were married on April 24, 1936 by Reverend Ray Hooper. They moved to the Walter Hooper place where they lived for three years. �To this union three daughters were born. Florence Denise and Barbara Jean were born in the grandmother's home. Myrna was born five years later in the Maternity Home in Stratton run by Rena Borders. Lois and Elvin moved to the J.H. Hoot place where they lived and farmed for thirteen years and then to the Rex Zurcher place formerly the old Truman Hazen place. He farmed many years with horses and then he purchased one new Oliver tractor that he farmed with until his death. Elvin enjoyed his life as a farmer and rancher. He loved the land. He enjoyed the companionship of one son-in-law for twentythree years. They spent a lot of time helping each other with their farming and also helping the neighbors thrash their crops. The special memories of childhood shared by their daughters was that they always had a real Christmas tree and Dad always bought them a box ofcrayolas and oranges and candy for their stockings. Lois had a dream of someday taking up nursing. She completed a correspondence course in nursing. They saw to it that their daughters had an education. All three girls graduated from Stratton High School. After her daughters were grown she took up cake decorating as a hobby, which grew into a full-time business. She spent many hours baking and decorating over one hundred wedding cakes plus birthday cakes for the young and old alike. Elvin and Lois together enjoyed belonging to a card club. He also loved to spend time playing cards with his family. One thing he always did through the years was to take his girls to the Kit Carson County Fair. Our one great thrill was riding the merry-go-round. Lois also spent many hours making and quilting quilts for her loved ones and friends. Elvin lived to see his youngest daughter Myrna marry in 1977. She married Ronald Bill who works for the Denver Broncos and the family all became interested in football. We were all excited the Christmas of 1978 when the Broncos won the right to play in the Super Bowl. They enjoyed the birth of a granddaughter, Debbie and a grandson Jerry and three adopted grandchildren, Raymond, Garrett, and Donna McConnell. Elvin loved to garden and always raised a big garden and Lois spent many hours canning food for her family. She also spent time teaching her daughters how to cook and sew. Lois was baptized into the Evangelican United Brethren Church in 1955. which merged into the United Methodist Church. She served seven years as President of the Methodist Women. They retired from farming and moved to town in November, 1977. Elvin got to enjoy problems. She underwent open heart surgery in 1976. After Elvin's death she lived alone and kept herself busy with her hobbies. Through the years she suffered several more attacks. In 1983 it became necessary for her to enter Grace Manor Nursing Care Center in Burlington. Lois passed on in November 1983. Elvin and Lois are buried in the family plot in Fairview Cemetery, Burlington, Colorado. by Florence McConnell WILSON, BESSIE F766 Mrs. Bessie (Peggy) M. Wilson, daughter of Emma See Lamon and Uriah M. Lamon, was born Sept. 10, 1884, in Lincoln, Ill. On Feb. 6, 1907, she married Arthur Wilson. They immediately moved to Burlington, where her husband was the editor of the Kit Carson County Record. She taught school briefly, before sharing the operation of the Racket Store here. Mrs. Wilson lived in Burlington all her married life, except for eight years, which she spent in Denver when her husband was in business there. When they returned in 1918, they established the Burlington Call and she helped operate the business until Mar. 1, 1944, when the local papers were consolidated. She also operated a gift and clothing shop at the corner of 14th and Lowell for many years. For many years she was the county vice chairman of the Republican Party and thru her political and social activities made a large circle of friends extending from her home town of Abilene, Kansas, to the capitol of Colo. at Denver. She took an active part in all elections and one ofher greatestjoys was to see a hometown acquaintance, Dwight D. Eisenhower of Abilene, become the president of the United States. The Burlington Library was founded by Mrs. Wilson in 1921 and she served as president of the board until her retirement in 1966. During this time a new library building was erected to house the collection of books and pieces of art and a room for a museum of pioneer relics. In 1928, she with two other women founded the Burlington Garden Club, which was responsible for many plantings, including the hospital grounds, as well as the roadside pines and evergreens on Highway #24. Organiza- Liskey Brothers near Lower Klamath Lake. Most of the land they leased from the Federal Government, and the Government decided to make some of the land available for homes- teaders for war veterans. Leo was not a veteran, so he lost hisjob. Since Leo's parents lived on a farm about 12 miles south of Burlington, and his grandparents, a sister and an uncle also lived some 9 miles south of Burlington, they packed up what few things they had and headed for Burlington. Times were hard and they would at least have a place to stay until spring work began. They certainly did not intend to make this their home for the rest of their lives. The drought and the dirt storms had played havoc with the whole country, and with all of the dust piles, it looked like a "jumping off place." Leo thought he could find work in Colorado Springs or Denver, but C.A. Buettel owned a ranch 3 miles north of the Smoky Hill School and he offered Leo a job at $50. per month, also a small house in which they lived. Some of the out-buildings were partly buried with the blow dirt, up to the eaves and it wasn't a very pretty sight. Bessie was born in Oklahoma and Leo in north central Kansas, where there were lots of trees. It took some getting used to when there was not a tree or even any growing things in sight. Leo worked for Mr. Buettel until the fall of 1940 when he had a chance to rent a farm owned by John Reuter, who was moving to Burlington. This farm was located 3 miles west, l south and % mile west of Smoky Hill School. In 1947 they bought that farm. The rains had come and crops and prices were good, making the economy boom. The Windscheffels rented some more ground, settled in for good and were raising their family. They had three children, Phyllis, Eldon and Gary. Leo served on the school board at Smoky Hill and then continued on the board after the school was consolidated with Burlington. In 1974 the family moved into Burlington because of health problems, and then in 1981 the farm was sold to Lewis Nider. Gary tried to keep the farm going for a while, but decided to seek employment in Burlington. Leo passed away in March 1985. What they thought in 1938 would be a temporary move, turned out to be not so temporary after all. Bessie, Phyllis and Gary are still making their home in Burlington in 1987. by Bernice Eberhart tion of the Burl cemetery district, its financial support and the landscaping of the plot was due in a large part to her endless hours of determined effort. Mrs. Bessie Wilson passed away on June 15, 1971, at the age of 87 years. by Janice Salmans his retirement only a short time when he was stricken with a heart attack and died in January of 1979. Elvin missed seeing his second daughter, Barbara, many. She and Glenn Edmunds were married May 5, 1979. Lois got to bake them a beautiful cake. She also baked her daughter Myrna's wedding cake and a beautiful cake for her oldest daughter Denise and Jim's Twenty-fifth Wedding Anniversary. Lois was stricken with health problems in 1975, learning she had diabeties and heart near the Oregon line. Leo was working for the WINDSCHEFFEL, LEO AND BESSIE F767 Leo and Bessie Windscheffel moved to the Smoky Hill Community in March of 1938, after being manied in Merrill, Oregon in January. They were living in Tulelake, Calif, WINFREY HARDWICK FAMILY F768 John Robinson Winfrey, son of Henry Winfrey and Nancy Edwards Ballenger, was born in Boone county, Missouri May 30, 1863. He was named after the Baptist preacher, John M. Robinson, who had married his parents in 1860. In 1880 when John was 17 years old, he moved with his parents to Carroll county, Missouri, near Wakenda. On Wakenda Creek the Hardwick family had built the "Hardwick Mill" about 1821. Anetta "Nettie", daughter of James E. and Teresa A. "Tracy" (Gosnell) Hardwick, was married to John Robinson Winfrey at the �home of her parents on February 2, 1885' John & Nettie farmed in Carroll county' Mo. for several years. During this time six children were born to them: James "Jimmie" Warren born Nov. 21, 1885; Virgie Lee was born Sept. 4, 1888 but died the following year on Oct. 11, 1885; Oscar Robinson born May 31, 1891; Edward Newton born Mar. 4, 1893; Grace Florence born Apr. 27, 1895; and Nora Hasseltine born Aug. 13, 1897. It was difficult to make a living on the small upland farms and the bottomlands were infested with mosquitos and fever. About 1898 they took their children, moved to Cedar County, Mo., but found the situation no better there' One more child, Cecil Otto, was born Dec. 24, 1899, while they were there. Grain and cattle prices were being pushed up because of the United States involvement in the Spanish American War, so in 1900 they moved back to Carroll County, Mo. Cecil Otto passed away with an attack of scarletina on Jan. 9, 1902. On Oct. 13, 1902 their eighth child, Floyd, was born but died with complications following whooping cough on Dec. 17, of that same year. On Nov. 26,L902, they bought 40 acres of land for $1,000 and on this farm their ninth child, Hurley Estel, was born Apr. 28, 1904. Their crops and prices had been better since moving back to Carroll County, but John was beginning to feel restless again and wanted something better. They sold their farm on Feb. 11, 1905, for $1,500, had a farm sale and loaded their household furniture on an emigrant car or box car and headed west. John, at 42 years of age, was full of enthusiasm as having paid all his debts he still had what to him was a large amount of money, $528 cash, to start the journey to a new home. On March 3, 1905 they unloaded in Atwood, Ks. Their tenth and last child. Mildred Ruth, was born on a farm about 6 miles west of Atwood on Nov. 25, 1906. During the summer of 1906 John went west to St. Francis, Ks., and followed the South fork westward into Colorado. After looking around the area a few days, John chose a plot just 3 miles south of the Cook ranch which was located about 4 miles up the river west of Hale. John's homestead application was made on June 18, 1906, 3394 and the land description was Lots 1 & 2 and N t/z of the SE % of Sec. 33 inT 5 1/z S., R 43 W. Except for a few years in Arkansas, they spent the rest of their lives in the Burlington, Kit Carson County, area of Colorado. When the family got notice that their application was approved, John, Nettie, and 6 children ranging in age from 16 years to 3 months, loaded up their belongings into a caravan of 3 vehicles and started their 3-day trek to Colorado. John and his son, Ed, led the way in a wagon with sideboards loaded with farm tools and machinery, next came Oscar and Nora in a hayrack loaded with furniture, straw ticks, feather beds, etc', and then Nettie with Grace, Hurley and baby Mildred brought up the rear in a one-horse top buggy. Their oldest child, Jimmie, had stayed in Atwood where he was working. The first night out the spent with an old bachelor where they made their first acquaintance with the prairie dweller's heating fuel, the lowly cow chip! They became well acquainted with it during the next several vears, The second day they got to within a few miles of their destination when it began to snow. Darkness set in quickly so they drove into a farmyard. The good people who lived there, the Haywards, took them in for the night, even though their house was already overcrowded. The next morning they traveled on to what was to be their home. It was a dugout 36 x 16 ft. A "dugout" was made by digging an excavation into the side of a hill so the back and side walls would all be formed by earth and only the roof and front needed to be built with lumber and tar paper. Their dirt floor usually sloped gently toward the front so any water leakage would flow out the only door. John's "dugout" was only one room but it did boast a crude wooden floor and a glass window in the front. Before the family moved in, John had made arrangements for a well to be dug by a horse-powered drill which was in use at that time. It was 120 feet to water at his homestead and they pumped water by hand for several years until they could get a windmill. Shortly after they settled into their new home, John got a job at the Cook ranch and soon was making $25 a month as foreman. The older children started to school, walking 3 miles north to the old sod school house known as the Cook School. Families had many difficulties to overcome such as loneliness, as neighbors were usually 4 or 5 miles away, frustrations of trying to raise feed for the stock, and there was always the dread of prairie fires. The dry weather and open range law made it extremely difficult to farm, but the Homestead Act required that a certain amount of land be cultivated. Cow chips from the prairie were gathered to use as fuel for cooking, as well as heating, until they began to raise enough corn so they could burn the corn cobs. The cobs made good clean fuel but burned very rapidly. Even though coal could be bought in Burlington, it was too costly for most farmers. When John filed his claim, his land was in Yuma County but on June 9, 1910, the commissioners of Kit Carson and Yuma Counties decided that the land in Township 5 % South should be in Kit Carson County, so this placed all his land in Kit Carson County. In the fall of 1914, John decided to build a new house of adobe bricks. They made wooden forms to mold the mixture of mud and straw into 12x12x16 inch blocks. When thoroughly dried, they could be used like concrete blocks in building a house. The house could then be plastered on the inside and was a big improvement over the dugout. John's house was about 24 x 24 f.eet square and had a shingle roof. Several years later, John plastered the outside with concrete to stop the wind and water erosion, and it stood until about 1978 when it started crumbling into the cellar and was pushed down. Necessity is the mother of invention and certainly that is true when you live on a farm which is 20 miles from town and your only transportation is a team and wagon. John could do about anything that needed to be done and do it well. He always had a small blacksmith shop which boasted an anvil, a shoe horses, make hinges and fasteners for barn doors and gates, and do almost anything with malleable steel. He could also build a house or other building from foundation to roof and chimney and out of whatever material, sod, frame, adobe, concrete block or brick. Since there was no veterinary within miles, John also did all doctoring of his Iivestock. About 1920, John bought his first Ford touring car. It was one of the few in the neighborhood with an electric starter and demountable rims which made it practical to carry a spare tire. Some of John's other endeavors were taking orders for "Tailor Made" suits; carrying the mail from the Bonny Post Office to meet the carrier from Burlington. In the early 1920s he bought a little grocery store from Warner Johnson; but after a year or two, sold it back to Mr. Johnson. He took a franchise to sell Lange products. These were patent medicines like Raleigh products. He bought a Model T Ford roadster, built a cabinet on the back for his products, and drove around the area selling the Lange line to farmers. The Winfreys came from a long line of Baptists and on February 18, 1916, with the help of Rev. E.M. Ayers, a Baptist preacher from Alma, Nebr., organized the Liberty Baptist Church. Rev. Ayers then held meetings in various homes and school houses. Eventually the church started holding Sunday School and sometimes Church at the Happy Hollow School, which served as their meeting place until the First Baptist Church was organized in Burlington in 1952. John and Nettie's son, Jimmie, was a predominate influence in keeping this church active so long. Everything went along well for John and his family for several years, and he was 67 years old when he raised a good corn crop in 1930. Since the price for corn was low he decided to feed it to his hogs and see if he couldn't do better by the time they were fattened in the spring. He and Nettie were both in good health but John needed a new set of teeth and planned to use the money from the hogs for that purpose. The hogs had started catching chickens, so he built a small pen with corncribbing on the south side of his blacksmith shop to keep them in until they were ready for market. He had,24 head of hogs so he thought he could not only get his new teeth but pay all his debts and have a little money left. When they were ready to sell he made arrangements with Floyd Crites, a neighbor who owned a truck, to haul them to Burlington on Saturday, March 21, 1931. John was up early but waited most of the day before Floyd sent word he had truck trouble and could not make it that day and promised to be there early the next Saturday. The next Thursday, March 26, it started to snow. All day and night and the next day and night it snowed fiercely, the wind velocity was as high as 70 miles per hour. It was one of the worst blizzards the country had ever experienced and it took more than a week to get the highway cleared to Denver. Corncribbing was used a lot for snow fences because it would cause the snow to drift on forge, a few blacksmith hammers, and a post drill for drilling holes in steel straps and bars. the side away from the wind. This is what happened to John's hog pen. The snow replace broken ones, sharpen plow shares and completely. Since it was just a temporary pen, He could improvise parts many times to drifted deep inside the pen covering the hogs tol �there was no shed for them to get away from it and despite all the shovelling he could do, belongings, loaded the rest into a box car, and the family, Jimmie included, headed west for Kansas. They arrived at Atwood, Kansas on March 3, 1905 and moved to a farm John had rented. John soon homesteaded about 70 miles west of Atwood in Colorado. Early in 1907 Jimmie homesteaded 142 acres which bordered his fathers farm of the west. His homestead entry No. 4868 and the legal description was Lots 3 and 4 and N % of SW 7+ Sec. 33 Township 5 W S. R 43 W. This land was in Yuma County at the time, but a later survey in 1910 moved the county they got wet and cold. Before the roads cleared enough to get a truck to Burlington the hogs were noticeable ill. John thought they had cholera but the Vet pronounced it "flu" caused by the exposure. Instead of improving they just kept losing weight and looking worse until finally they all died but one and it never did seem to fully recover. After working with the sick hogs for several weeks he was not able to save any ofthem and the 24 fat hogs that were supposed to get John t completely out of debt and buy his new teeth and pay the taxes, had to be piled up in the corral and burned. This was quite a blow to John and he began to talk oftrading his place for a farm in Arkansas so they could move to a place where it didn't get so cold. In the fall line to the north border of his homestead. thus placing his land in Kit Carson County. He built a small 3 room sod house on his claim less that 300 yards from his parents dugout so he could use his fathers'well and barn. The following yetr, Jimmie got a job at the Cook Ranch 3 miles north of his claim. That ranch is now covered by the Bonny Reservoir. It was there that he met Jessie Mae Biggs, a of 1933, just after the drought of the 1930s had started, John managed to trade his homestead for a small farm near Bentonville, Arkansas. They moved to the Ozarks but found the farm there pretty well run down, they were a long way from all the family, and at 70 years of age, John knew he was just not able to start over again. In 1937 when John was 73 years old he and Nettie bought a small house in Burlington and probably spent the most pleasant and carefree years of their lives in this home. Nettie had always enjoyed good health but after a short illness she passed away Jan. 6, 1953, at the age of86 yrs., 11 mo., and 6 days just 27 days short of their 68th wedding anniversary. John remained very active and mentally alert. He walked downtown about every day young lady who was helping Mrs. Myrtle Buraker with the cooking for the ranch hands. Jimmie said he thought she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen and the one he would like to marry. She must have shared his feelings as on Oct. 31, 1908 they drove to Burlington with a team and buggy and were married by the Rev. C.A. Yersin. Jessie Mae was born in a sod house on the Cook Ranch 3 miles west of Hale. Colorado James W. Winfrey and Jessie Mae (Biggs) Winfrey. Taken on their wedding day, Oct. 31, 1908. on June 16, 1890, the first child of Jessie Grant Biggs and Lillian E. (Taylor) Biggs. Both of her grandfathers were veterans of the Union Army in the Civil War. Shortly after they were married they went to Atwood and got ajob shucking corn. They both worked and by Christmas had accumulated enough money to start farming their land, so they returned to their homestead. They lived in the sod house for 7 years and the first of their 9 children were born there. In February 1909 the "Homestead Act" was liberalized to allow people in this area to and as he walked he was nearly always whistling one of his beloved old religious hymns. Many of his friends affectionately called him "Whistling Winfrey". On Nov. 29, 1956, a neighbor stopped by to see if John wanted to ride to town with him. As John bent over to pull on one of his overshoes, he gasped, slid gently offthe chair, and was gone at the age of 93 yrs. 5 mo. and 27 d,ays. Both John and Nettie were buried in Fairview Cemetery, Burlington, Colo. Two of John and Nettie's children are still Mr. and Mrs. James Winfrey and children, (left to right) Virgil, Everett, Iva, Clifton, Mabel and Lola. r !," , living, Nora Crews of Wray, Colo., and Mildred Smith of Lakewood, Colo. Information for this article was extracted ftom "The Winfrey Family", a book written by James Clifton Winfrey, who was a grandson of John & Nettie. by Alice M. Jacober WINFREY, JIMMIE AND JESSIE F769 James Warren Winfrey "Jimmie", the oldest child of John Robinson and Anetta "Nettie" Winfrey was born in a log cabin 6 miles east of Carrollton, Missouri, on Nov. 21, 1885. He received most of his grammer school education in Carroll County and attended one semegter at William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri in 1904. He accepted the Lord as his Savior in 1902 during a revival meeting at the Wakenda, Missouri Baptist Church. In 1905 his father sold their farm, had a sale to dispose of the livestock and some personal Children of Jimmie and Jessie Winfrey taken March 30, 1972, the day of Mom's funeral. Left to right Ray, Everett, Mabel, Irvin, Iva, Floyd, Lola, Jim and Virgil. �homestead 320 acres instead of the original 160 A. Jimmie was fortunatc that there was 160 acres bordering him on the west which new church building was built at 250 Cherry St. As the membership grew, they were able to build on to the building and it is now one Hale School House Jessie accepted the Lord as her Saviour. In 1915 Jimmie built a new 5 room frame house 26 ft. by 28 ft. with a cellar underneath just Yz mile west of the soddy, had a well dug and put up a new windmill and on Nov. 21, 1915, which was Jimmies'30th birthday, they moved into the new house. The other 6 children were born there. Jimmie and his parents had always been church going people while in Missouri so they missed this association very much for there wasn't a church within 10 miles of them in any direction, so in 1916 they managed to get a young Baptist preacher, Rev. E.M. Ayers from Alna, Nebraska to come to the Hale school house for a series of meetings. Meetings were held for 12 nights and 18 people just 2 months later on March 26, Jessie had been abandoned so he filed on it immediately. Legal Description was SE % Sec. 32 T5 Vz S R43 W. In 1912 during a revival meeting at the accepted Christ. They decided to try to organize a Baptist Church so they called a meeting to be held at the home of John of the many active churches in Burlington. Jimmie sold the farm in 1954 and bought a home at 293 Cherry St., in Burlington. He passed away Jan. 17, 1972 at the age of86 and passed away at age 81 leaving to mourn their 9 children: Clifton "Jim" and wife Mildred (Bain), Kansas City, MO.; Rev. Everett L. and wife Hallie (Miser), Gadson, AL.; Iva and husband Leonard Barnhart of Edgewater, CO.; Virgil and wife Iris (Degler) of Yates Center, KS.; Mabel and husband Wade Davis of Burlington, CO.; Lola and husband Reuben Rhoades of Burlington, CO.; Irvin and wife Maxine (Lohr) of DesMoines, IA.; Ray andwife Beth (Miller) DesMoines,IA.; Floyd and wife Ellen (Magee) Independence, MO.; along with 24 grandchildren and 32 great the Liberty Baptist Church. Rev. Ayers stayed on for a year during which time take care of her ailing parents. Their first child (Emma Matilda) was born on 20 June 1864 in Canal Dover, Ohio. While in Worms, Germany three more children were born. Andrew Albert was born 31 Jimmie and Jesse are buried in Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, CO. This was written by their son Clifton October 1867, Katherine Elizabeth was born 6 May 1869, and Ludwig Edward was born 4 May 1871. During the 1870's they returned to the New Philadelphia-Dover area and lived there until the untimely death of Margaretha 15 January "Jim", who is now deceased. by Lola Rhoades WINKLER - REISS FAMILY I.770 meetings were held at various school houges, Happy Hollow, Pleasant Hill, Beaver Valley, and Plain View and during that year 32 more persons accepted Christ. They first had church and Sunday School in the Hale school and then eventually decided to uge the Happy Hollow School which was 4 miles south of the Winfreys. They called several pastors through the years but never could rally enough support to keep one steady. They would try to raise $600 a year for a preacher but sometimes could not even get that much, but even though they didn't have a pastor they continued to have Sunday School every Sunday until about 1952. When the military draft started for World War I in 1917, Jimmie was exempt because 1878. Solmon stayed in the area till about 1882 and then migrated West, settling in the late 1880's on the south side of the Republican River, which was in Arapahoe County at that time. It was on this land that he built his rock house which is still standing on the Ebeler Brothers property. Although the house is located in now Yuma Co., his mail was delivered to the Landsman Post Office in Kit Carson Co. in 1901 and maybe even before that. Just about all his business was conducted in either Burlington or Claremont. He established what is called the Winkler ditch in 1894 and during the early 1900's established a tree nursery business. Emma Matilda died very young on the 18 June 1881 at the age of almost 17. Andrew Albert married Esther Alice Bailey on 16 February 1903 and to this union ten children were born. Daughter, Mary Rosetta (1903-1974) married Emery Allen Hovermale. Children: Dorothy Helen, Earnest Elmer, Robert Leonard, Emmett Orville, Betty Maxine, Esther Virginia, Eva Lucille, Ruth Marie, Emery Jr., Ruby Darlene, and Minnie Catherine. Son, William Andrew (1905-1972) married (lst) Louise T. Riggle. Children: Frederick Lewis, Kathleen Ma- he was 31 years old, had 4 children, and was engaged in farming. All 9 of their children completed their first 8 grades at Cook School, Dist. 86, 3 miles north in Yuma County, and attended several different high schools, tilda, Mary Louise, Evelyn and George. (2nd) Alice Merty Bearnan. Children: James Lee married Letha L. Womack, Janice Marie manied Larry L. Whomble, Jerry O. married Nancy R. Neil, and Jackie Lynn married Donald D. Churches. Daughter, Clara Per- Happy Hollow, Burlington, Idalia, Wray and Bruning, NE. Like most farm families they milked cows and raised chickens for added income. Jimmie bought his first tractor in 1930 and the wheat he sowed that fall produced the best yield he had ever had, but the price cilla (1907-) married (1st) HeneryE. Geesesy. (2nd) Frank Standifer. (3rd) George Wood. Daughter, Hannah Francis (1910-) married dropped to below 50 cents a bushel. The next 7 years were rough. With the drought and dust bowl days many farmers just gave up and moved away, leaving their land to be gold for taxes. Jimmie had borrowed $3000.00 from the Federal Land Bank in Wichita, but things got so bad it was impossible for him to keep up the payments and eventually the bank foreclosed, then rented it back to him ifhe would stay there and keep trying to farm it. Before the '30's were over he managed to buy it back along with more gtass land. Two of their sons, Irvin and Ray, served in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War IL In 1952 they helped to organize the First Baptist Church in Burlington and in 1954 a The house was built in the late 1800's. grandchildren. Winfrey on Feb. 18, 1916. Those present were Rev. Ayers, John and Nettie Winfrey, Jimmie and Jesgie Winfrey, and Ed Winfrey (Jimmies'brother). It was decided to organize as Rock house built by Solomon Winkler. The house is still standing on the Ebeler Brothers Property. Solomon Winkler. (tst) WiUiam McCloskey. Child: William. (2nd) D.E. Long. Child: Bonnie. (3rd) C.L. Faulkner. Daughter, Mable Edna (1912Solomon Winkler was born January, 1842 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio to Joseph and Katherina (Neiger) Winkler who migrated from Canton Bern, Switzerland to New Philadelphia, Ohio in 1835. Solomon met Margaretha Reiss (who migrated from Wollstein, Germany) in New Philadelphia and was married 29 October 1863. They had a saloon, grocery, and dry goods business in Dover, Ohio until returning to Worms, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany to 1945) married (1st) Joseph McCloskey. (2nd) Leslie Stage, Children: Nancy, LeRoy, Geraldine. Daughter, Edith Viola (1914-) married (lst) Lorine (Tracy) Horton. Children: Walter, Everett Owen, Bertha May, Russell, Peggy Loraine, and Sharon Jean. (2nd) Monte Benson. Son, Edward Solomon (191?1972) married Christa Whaley. Children: David, Betty Jane and Edward Stanley. Three children, a baby boy (1908), Irene Alberta (1916), and Albert Eugene Maine �(192a) died in infancy. Katherine Elizabeth married John Martin Lee Yount on 6 February 1892 and to this union eight children were born. Daughter, Hazel Loretta (1896-1980) married (lst) Mr. William Bauder. Child: Ruthie. (2nd) Walter Riggle. (3rd) William Claussen. Son, Clay R. (1902-1983) married Geneva Fletcher. Children: Virginia and Norma Jean. Son, Frank F. (1902-1980) married Myrtle May Webb Hetzel. Son, Jacob S. (1907-1959) married Hazel McClure. Child: Jerry. Son, Harry G. (f907-1959) married Louise Phillips. Daughter, Margaret (1910-) married (1st) Louis Denny. (2nd) Irvin Lavier. Children: Sharon, Jackie and David. Two children: Baby boy and Howard died in infancy. Ludwig Edward married Anna M. Click on 2 July 1899 and to this union two children were born. Son. Sirvester Solomon Jefferson (1902-1980) married Mildred Weaver. Child: Shirley. Daughter, Phila Mina married Rudolph Poletti. Children: Regina, Richard, Dennis. David and Yevonne. Solomon passed away on 16 April 1917 and is buried at the St. John's Evangelical Cemetery at Idalia, Colorado. by Jackie L. Churches northwest of the present Peconic elevator, Within a short time, 2 of the family's 4 milch cows bloated and died, thus prompting the family to seek a place with good grass. This they found on the "Correction Line" 12 miles south and 3 miles west of Burlington. This place was to remain home to Dean until 1961, except for a period of time when he attended college. Dean grew up with farming and ranching, Iearning under the able leadership of his father. With cows to milk, calves and hogs to feed, tractors to drive, and a variety of other jobs to be done, the family always kept busy. Before Dean was old enough to attend school, the southwest district consolidated with the Burlington School System. He therefore started and attended school in Burlington all 12 years. Just before Christmas during his first year, the cloth topped bus he rode each day had the misfortune of having a mechanical failure and rolling over into the ditch of the then gravelled Highway 51 (now 385) south of town one morning. Several of the children were seriously injured, but fortunately they all recovered. Dean enjoyed school and took full advantage of all the opportunities it had to offer. One of his favorites was sports, especially football. During his junior year he met a senior girl by the name of Bonnie Joy Dobler. Following a 2 year WITZEL, DEAN FAMILY him home to a small house located 1 mile F77r courtship she became his bride. Bonnie was born in Sterling, Colorado on Nov. 19, 1938, to Theodore Herbert Dobler and Lydia Lebsack Dobler. Her entry into the world was made at St. Benedict's Hospital. On the cold frosty night of Oct. 10, 1939, Donald Dean was born to Franklin Leroy Witzel and Julia Lenore Pettibone Witzel at the Gieshonor Maternity Home in Goodland, Kansas. He was their first child and thev took Her parents were irrigated farmers near Proctor, Colorado because the Dust Bowl afforded no mercies to their little farm northwest of Burlington. In 1941 things began to look better and the family returned to the little adobe house 4 miles west and 5 miles north of Burlington. In this family too, there were cows to milk, eggs to gather, calves to feed, and corncobs to gather for heat. Cleaning the chicken house was one of the least favorite jobs. Bonnie rode the bus to and from school and loved going to town to school and meeting new kids. She too became active in the various activities, especially enjoying music. During this time she also became involved in the 4-H program, with Carl and Gerry Dvorak as leaders of Sunshine 4-H Club. During her senior year she fell for the football captain, Dean Witzel. Upon her graduation she accepted a secretarial position at the Kit Carson County Department of Social Services. On August 18, 1957 we were married at First Christian Church in Burlington in a very pretty summer wedding, going on to Gunnison to attend Western State College and for Dean to take advantage ofhis football scholarship. However, his love for farming was greater, and after football season was over (He played 1 season) we returned home to farm with his parents. In 1961 we moved to the Franke place, which was the original headquarters in 1900 of the Chicago Land and Cattle Company. We milked cows, raised hogs, irrigated corn, pinto beans and wheat. After a few years we changed the milch cows to a beef cow/calf operation to go along with the irrigation. Each spring for a number of years we did custom fertilizing for Western Fertilizer, applying Anhydrous Ammonia as well as dry fertilizer in later years. In the fall we did custom bean harvesting for various other farmers in the area. During these busy years we were also blessed with three children; Doug born Nov. 22,1958; Dena born Sept. 6, 1960; and Donn born Nov. 25,L964. Even through their young years they went with us to do whatever job there was to be done. Running siphon tubes out of an irrigation ditch proved to be the most "fun" job. Everybody always helped carry tubes, which meant mud from head to foot, losing an occasional shoe, and only once did someone fall into that cold water. Our children all attended the Burlington Schools. They too discovered the many new opportunities afforded to "country" kids. With a little encouragement they became involved in at least trying music, (not always with success) then sports (which we all seemed to thrive on), drama, and any kind of competition. We all worked hard at home in order to be able to go whenever the kids participated in something. This proved to be very rewarding when we attended state football playoffs (especially in 1976 when Burlington won the state championship and Doug played center on the team), Dena directing the band in her position as drum majorette and twirler, or Donn playing varsity football or wrestling in the State Wrestling Competition two years in a row. During these years Bonnie went to work in town again as a secretary to help pay for the extra driving. However, it was certainly all worth it. We also became involved in 4-H, first just the kids, and then Dean and I becams lssdsls in various capacities. We held these responsibilities in my former 4-H Club, Sunshine, for most of the next 10 years. These times were Dean and Bonnie Witzel. 1987. special when club members excelled in projects and activities and were rewarded �with trips to Chicago to National 4-H Club Congress or catching a calf at the National Western Stock Show or county fair, or just square dancing at Camp Tobin at Colorado "%r. girls. A cattle ranch had always been the dream of this young couple, but the availability of enough grass had always been a problem. State Fair. March of 1940 afforded the opportunity to Also during this time Dean served two terms on the RE6J Board of Education. In 1974 we were named Outstanding Young Farmer by the local Jaycees and placed third in a lively state competition. move to the ideal place for this dream, a farm 12 mi. south and 3% west of Burlington. Here there was lots of grass and go-back, no fences for miles, and the correction line was still only a trail. Moving day dawned bright and sunny, June of 1981 completed the transition from irrigated farming and cattle to mostly dryland farming and sheep. We began a new farmstead of our very own, located 12 miles south, 2 west and 3/ south of Burlington. We have designed and are working on an earth sheltered home (hopefully in the near future). After several years of being employed, Dean with 4-Corners Fertilizer and myself at The Burlington Record, we are once again working for ourselves. but by evening a real eastern Colorado Doug is married and has blessed us with a grand daughter, Maggie. He is employed at Herman Construction and is also getting into the sheep business. Dena is married and has blessed us with a grandson, Brian, and lives in Greeley where she is a computer operator. Donn, after attending 2 yrs. at Fort Hays problem was soon taken care of with straight State, is employed at Home Center in Burlington, and also has several other busi- ness ventures going. Involved? Yes, we remain involved. We are active members of First Christian Church in Burlington, have a feed business, work at the county fair and help out in the 4-H program whenever we can, and are members of Colorado Woolgrowers. Bonnie enjoys the Burlington Garden Club. Sometimes the schedule seems impossible, but it keeps life interesting. When you stop to realize the sacrifices made by generations before us so that we are able to be citizens of the United States of America, it is only a small favor to ask that we remain involved and continue to help make this world a better place for the next generation to enjoy some of the privileges we have had in our day. This land, despite hailstorms, drouths, and other disasters, has certainly been good to all of us. by Bonnie Witzel WITZEL, FRANK AND LENORE F772 A sod house located 9 miles north and 1 mile east of Kanorado, Kan. (in Colorado) was the birthplace of Lenore Pettibone on Nov. 9. 1916. She was the second of 4 daughters born to Clarence and Celia Smalley Pettibone. Her parents met when Celia taught at the Bert McCall School. Clarence, while transporting his younger brothers and sisters to and from school, became acquainted with and later married the local school marm, and together they raised their girls, Leah, Lenore, Maxine and Thelma. During this time they also built a new farmstead 7 miles north and Vz east of Kanorado. Frank Witzel was born in Gurley, Neb. on Oct. 8, 1915. He was the third of 5 children born to William Henry and Martha Krueger Witzel. In 1923 William and Martha brought their fanily and possessions by horses and blizzard had set in. The following morning there was a herd of range horses backed up against the house to find shelter. One of the many other experiences facing this family were the bedbugs who had already taken residence in the 3 room house. Extermination was a problem, especially with a new baby in the house. Lenore remembers setting the Iegs of the baby bed in tin cans full of kerosene, to keep them from getting on the baby. The gasoline. The first calves for the ranch were bought at the Stratton Sale Barn and hauled home in the trunk of the old Chrysler car. Gathering a reputable Hereford herd took several Frank and Lenore Witzel'on their 50th wedding anniversar5l. wagons, from Sidney, Neb., and became temporary residents of the now vacant sod house. William, also a lover of the land, farmed and raised livestock. Martha served as the community midwife, which kept her busy along with their children, Margaret, Ezra, Frank, Della and William. Frank and Lenore grew up in the same community, attending the same Sunday School, which was held at the District 76 School. Fun times were the basket dinners, neighborhood dances, and other neighborhood gatherings at various homes in the community. As the Witzels and the Pettibones neighbored back and forth, it came as no surprise when Frank chose Lenore to be his bride. They were married Jan. 22, 1934, in Goodland, Kan., and moved into a small 2 room house on Frank's parents' place. During the first years of their marriage, Frank worked along with his father. He and Lenore also ran a trapline in the area during the winter, trapping badgers, skunks, coyotes, and rabbits, selling the hides to Ebert Lynn at the barbershop in Burlington. April of 1937, they rented the Charlie Hansen place near Peconic, from Henry Hoskin. Frank's father gave them a 1020 McCormick Deering tractor on steel wheels with lugs. Farming land on both sides of the "Golden Belt Highway" (now Highway 24) they had to lay planks across the highway before crossing with the 1020, so as not to damage the roadway with the lugs of the tractor. They always had a few cows to milk and chickens for eggs. This was when you could trade a 30 doz. case ofeggs for enough groceries to last a while. During the off season of farming, Frank worked for Maynard Pratt and Abe Ratzlaff for $1.50 per day. In the fall of 1939, he worked under county boss, Jake Schlichenmayer, when the new bridge was built near the Rell Morrow place. Teams of horses were used to pull the slip or fresno during the construction. Oct. 10, 1939, their first son, Donald Dean, was born. This was a special occasion for the Pettibone family after raising a family of all years, during which they also purchased milch cows from Kenny Scheierman. Then the chance to purchase 60 head of Herefords from Charlie Gergen came along, and the numbers of the cattle operation began to increase more rapidly. Frank and Lenore continued the cow-calf herd until 1980. Nov. 17, 1944, brought the anival of Eugene Leroy, their second son. Two sons, farming, a cow herd, and custom work kept them busy year around. Frank worked on threshing crews for Frank Barber and Guy McArthur. As soon as the boys were in school, Lenore worked along side him, leaving when the school bus came in the morning, and being back home when the boys returned in the afternoon. Drought, hailstorms, and blizzards played a big part in the lives of this family. They recall butchering chickens all night July 4, 1946, following a devastating hailstorm. After a day of branding and working cattle, the storm came up, killing chickens, breaking windows, etc. Thanks to whole family working together, they were able to salvage at least part of the damage. The irrigation well in 1955, and machinery were among the many changes during their farming career. A 4440 John Deere tractor is a far cry from the 1020 McCormick Deering or teams of horses. One of Frank's favorite pastimes though is still horses, and he still has a few for his own enjoyment. In 1967 they purchased their new home in Burlington where they now reside, but are still actively engaged in farming, occasionally slipping away to enjoy some trout fishing. They followed and supported both their sons as well as 6 grandchildren as they attended and graduated from the Burlington School system, and have been active church members. In 1957 Dena married Bonnie Dobler and Doug, Dena and Donn became another generation of Witzels. In 1962 Gene manied Barbara Hayden and added Tom, Laurie and Greg. Now 2 great grandchildren have begun yet another generation. This past January Frank and Lenore celebrated 53 years of married life or, as they put it, "pulling together in a double harness". A busy but enjoyable life, with many many blessings; the smell of the freshly turned �earth, a beautiful Eastern Colorado sunset, the winter there were hot lunches. Different to mention only a few, but each new day is still al challenge for this ranching and families took turns preparing the lunches. The kids ranged from first graders to eighth farming family. graders. During a bad dirt storm, the kids had to stay at school till early morning when their parents finally picked them up. In 1943 Will, Martha, and Bill bought a by Bonnie Witzel WTTZEL, WILLIAM DON (BrLL) ranch south of Bethune for their cattle operation. Bill was drafted in 1945 and came back home the last part of 1946. The blizzard of 1946 left the family stranded for about 5 weeks. The food supply was almost exhausted F773 Frederick Witzel was born February 15, 1857, at Dolle, Germany. At age 11 he came with his parents to America, settling at Moline, Illinois. Fredericka (Guenther) Wit- zel was born at Burgstal, Germany on September 5, 1861. She met Frederick and they were married in 1881. They had 7 daughters and 3 sons - one being William Henry Witzel. "Will", as he was called, was born January 31, 1884, in Brainard, Nebraska. Herman Krueger was born on May 23, 1862, in Germany. Herman came as a stow- away aboard a ship bound for the U.S.A. when he was 17 years old. Augusta Henrietta (Wehsener) Witzel was born April 1, 1865. Herman and Augusta were married and had 3 sons and 2 daughters - one being Martha Marie (Krueger) Witzel. She was born on September 23, 1889, in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Will and Martha met in Nebraska when their two families were neighbors. Martha's family moved back to Minnesota. While in Minnesota, Herman Krueger died when he was 44 years old. He was working on a windmill and his hand became caught in the wheel. Herman turned the wheel backwards to free his hand. Infection set in and killed Herman. Augusta moved to town with the kids. Martha was sixteen and went to work for other people to help support her younger brothers and sister. Will was farming with his Dad in Nebraska. Although Will was in Nebraska and Martha was in Minnesota, they kept in touch. Will proposed to Martha on a postcard. One day Will put on his best overalls and boarded a train. Everybody thought Will was going on a business trip. Will arrived in Minnesota and found Martha. Will told Martha they were getting married, he couldn't wait any longer. They were married September 22, 1908, in Blue Earth. Minnesota. When Will returned to Nebraska, he had a wife. Will and Martha lived in Nebraska. To this before they finally got to town. Betty Lou (Bovd) Witzel was born November 25, 1928, in Polk County, Nebraska, to Pete and Ida Boyd. When Betty was 3 years old, her family moved south of Burlington. She attended one-room country school, First View, with her 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Bill and Betty met at a country dance. On February 18, L947, Bill and Betty were married in Goodland, Kansas. The next day they went home and fed cattle because of a blizzard. They lived with Bill's folks for a year. Times were hard in 1948 so Bill drove a school bus for First Central. Roads were through pastures to some homes. In 1948 Will and Martha moved to Arvada where they lived until Will died on June 23, 1963. Martha moved back down to the farm and lived with Bill and Betty until she died at home on February 26, 1986. Both Will and Martha are buried at Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, Co. Bill and Betty continue to live on the farm south of Bethune. To this union 3 children were born. The older son - Kenneth Paul and a set of twins Daniel Ray and Donna Fay. Ken is married to Donna (Thompson) and 5 children were born - Wendy, deceased, Kip, Todd, Lance and Kyle. Ken lives by and farms with his dad. Dan is mamied to Patty (Schwieger) and they have 4 sons - James, Kelly, Ryan and Scott. Dan farms southeast of Stratton. Donna is married to Dave Gwyn and they have 4 children - LaDawn, Amber, KaTina and Andrew. The Gwyn's live south of Stratton where Dave is involved in ranching. by Bill Witzel WOLFE - MATHEWS FAMILY F774 up there and graduated from the Kinsley high school. Clyde D. Wolfe, my father, was born on the Robert A. Wolfe farm at Lewis, Kansas, June 20, 1889. He attended country school Number 13 near there. He grew to manhood on the home farm learning to be a farmer, the occupation he followed all his life. Clyde and Alice met when she later beceme the teacher ofthat same country school. They were married in Kansas City, Kansas, December 15, 1914. Land was cheaper in Colorado than in Kansas. Clyde made his first trip to Colorado on a motorcycle in 1915 or 1916. He bought a quarter section of sod land two miles east and a fourth mile north of Flagler. He paid $1800.00 for the quarter section. A well was dug and a two room frame house and a frame barn were built. The weathered barn and wind mill still stand northeast of Flagler. In the spring of 1916, Clyde hired a young m€rn to drive a team and wagon loaded with supplies from Kansas to Colorado. The trip took about three weeks. The stock, machinery and household goods were brought in one end of a railroad car, the other end being used for the stock. Clyde traveled in the railroad car with the stock. Alice, with their first baby, came by passenger train in May of 1916. Clyde started farming in Colorado with horses, a moldboard plow, a disk, a single row lister and cultivator. About 1922, he bought a Case tractor, a three moldboard plow, a disk and a drill so that he could grow wheat. Horses were still used extensively. Seven children were born to the union Jack, Charity, Opal, Ruby, Betty, Robert and Clyde William. Our family lived on four different places in the Flagler area the home on the original quarter and then -the Ball place two miles east of town. In 1928, the Nielsen place, one mile east and four miles north of town was purchased. In 1934, we moved to the Henry Kliewer place one mile east and three miles north of town. We survived the depression, the drouth and the dust storms of the thirties. During the worst years our cows survived by eating thistles. We burned our share of cow chips and if we were lucky we had corn cobs. In good years we had coal. We raised, butchered and cured our own meat. We raised a big garden, canned the produce and over the years our mother hatched and raised thousands of chickens. My mother tells this story. It was about union were born 2 sons and 2 daughters. Will and his father, Frederick, sold their land in Nebraska and bought land in Colorado. They could get two acres of Colorado land to every one acre of Nebraska land. The families moved by a teom of horses and wagons in 1923. Frederick moved northeast of Bur- 1922. Silent movies were shown in Seal hall. As a special treat the folks decided to take in a movie. We all contracted small pox at the show. Fortunately we had light cases and we all survived. About 1924, radios became available. Our father bought a Crosley with a big metal horn for a speaker. It had A batteries, B batteries lington. Will moved 23 miles northeast of Burlington. Frederick died May 20, 1923, and Frederick died April L2, 1935. Both are buried at the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, Co. While living here Will and Martha had another son - William Don Witzel (Bill) on January 9, t927. Bill was born in the sod house. Bill went to Plainview School District 33, a one-room country school 5 miles from his house. Different families each week took turns hauling kids to and from school. During My mother, Alice May Mathews Wolfe, was born on the Mathews Hereford ranch at Kinsley, Kansas, October 31, 1890. She grew Wedding picture of Alice May Mathews and Clyde D. Wolfe. married December 15, 1914 in Kansas City, Kansas. and a storage battery. It required an outside aerial from the house to a pole in the yard. Neighbors often came in the evening to listen to the radio. We also enjoyed an Edison record player with cylindrical records and a great tin horn. The great-grandchildren consider it a treat to hear that record player today. In 1938, the family moved to a farm four miles south and a half mile east of Elizabeth. �Y ,,iiffil] ' i.; i' t,lirra ',llll,:;ll''j was born on my Mother's birthday, Sept. 21, 1955. When we would move Dad would look f, :- : -t-.. for jobs in the want ads in the papers. Then we'd sell the larger household items, pack our personal belongings in a truck and car and we'd be off. When we got to our new homlre'd buy what ever we needed to get by on. I guess to some it might look like we never had much but we were always well fed and well clothed. Mom always said we got good educations too because we had to learn to get along with all kinds of people. On most of the ranches Mom would cook 3 meals a day for 10-Jp ranch hands, and still do the laundry, an{.jleaning, care it took to raise 5 children. Dadlnew and loved horses and cattle, he took good care of them and taught us to do the same. We always had a good dog, too! We were trained to care for all the animals before we ate or came in for the day. Dad was very particular about building a good fence and keeping a neat yard. Some of the states we lived in were: Nebraska, California, Idaho, Texas, and Colorado. Dad came from Herndon, Ks. and Mom from Culbertson, Nebr. We were living on a ranch at Roggen, Colo. when Gene and Jan Hadacheck from Vona cntne and asked us to work for them in 1959-60. I can Golden wedding celebration of Alice and Clyde Wolfe taken at Opal Wolfe Mauldin's home, Lakewood, Colorado in 1965. s* father stayed up all night and about 2 A.M. awakened her to view the celestial spectacle. by Charity Wolfe Clement WOLKENSDORFER FAMILY F775 My parents Urbin Raymond "Shorty" Wolkensdorfer, and Mary Louise "Marylou" Fish were married in 1941, in McCook, Nebr. My father served in W.W. II, where he was awarded the Purple Heart for a wound he Weathered barn built by Clyde Wolfe about 1916' Picture was taken in 19?9. Colorado. Jack and Charity graduated from the Flagler high school. Opal, Ruby, Betty, Robert and Clyde William graduated from the Elizabeth high school. The children all survive. All are married and have families. Jack served overseas as a marine in World War II. Clyde William served overseas in the Korean war. My brothers all reside in the Lewis, Kansas area. Opal and I live in Lakewood, Colorado. Ruby and Betty live at Elizabeth, Colorado. Our father passed away in 1978 at the age of 89. Our mother survives at the age of 95. She lives alone in her home in Elizabeth. She goes to church, writes her own checks and still raises chickens. She has twenty-six grandchildren and thirty great grandchildren. She recalls seeing Halley's Comet in 1910. Her sustained in battle. My mother kept a scrapbook of the happenings of the War as it spread across Europe. When us kids were older we always wanted to show off with the medals etc., but Dad wouldn't let us; he'd say, "put those away (or) throw them away" he, (understandably), wanted to put those dark days far behind him. I, Janice Louise, was born the eldest of five children on Feb. 3, 1947, in St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver. My mother recently gave me a copy of the bill, it was only $62.89, but I suppose that seemed Iike a lot then. My father worked on ranches, some were far from any towns. There was no elecricity, or telephones, I wonder how they did it? Dad worked hard. I can remember one cattle roundup where the men branded and worked the calves out in the pasture, and Mom brought the meal out to them. On Dec. 8, 1948, my sister Margie Kaye, was born in McCook, Nebr. and then on May 4 1950, my other sister, Theresa Raye was born in McOook also. Then we moved to a ranch called the Tausig Ranch at Kremling, Colo. where my brother Dennis John (Jack) was born on Dec. 10, 1951. From here to the Kilpatrick Ranch at Imperial, Nebr. where my younger brother Joseph Raymond (Joe), remember the blizzard of that year, the snow was so bad we missed school for two weeks. We had to make the days up by attending on Saturdays. We moved away in 1960 only to return again in 1963-64. At this time Dad worked for Roy Wasson, and Mom worked at the Kit Carson County Hospital. Then we moved back to the Reed Ranch and worked for Gene Hadacheck again. It was here that my husband Lyndell Salmans and I |.egan dating. Our house was on the correctionjidtrth of Vona, and I can still remember how excited I'd get watching for him to come down the Vona road in his brand new 1964 Chevrolet car. We graduated from High School together in 1965 and were married in 1966 at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton by Father Edward Dinan. We lived in Canon City, Colo. for 3 years, then returned to the Salmans farm north of Vona. I hope to never move again because I love this Kit Carson county and the people in it. But . . . if my husband said "Let's go" I've have enough practice at moving so I'd say "I'm ready". Although my pioneer spirit had been quenched back in 1957 or '58, when I had decided to do like I'd heard tell of my forefathers and walk home from school. The one mistake I had made was, not telling anyone where I was going, and the other mistake I had made was, not taking a direct route home! I walked over the Dam, (I don't even know the name of it today, but it was near Minetare, Nebraska). When I didn't get off the school bus, my mother (very worried of course) went to search for me, and had to return empty-handed only to find me sitting there very smug. Well needless to say she took the pioneer spirit right out of me!!! She said "I'm tired of the "roughing it days", like the time when I'd killed several snakes (and she was scared of snakes) and piled them bq the burn barrel to show Daddy and there-you were right in the middle of them playing with the old dead things and the other time when Theresa was a new baby and nearly died of pneumonia, and you and Margie were playing at a stock tank you came screaming in to tell me Margie wasswimmingin the tank, I didn't know what to do, Theresa was turning blue �Henry Wood and his son Harvey Wood in the 1940's. The Gordon Burr homestead was a sod house, a barn with a stall on one end for his buggy team and a rock corral with part ofthis covered with a thatch roof of soap weeds, etc. Some of the corral rock foundation is still visible today. This is west of where my trailer house sets. The Burr homestead was known as the "horse ranch" because during this time many horse traders headquartered here. Henry Wood built a two story, four room rock house which still stands, raising his family of 6 boys and 1 girl; Lucy, Art, Haivey, Ted, Earl, Ralph, and Ivan. In 1916 they built a barn 20x80 feet which is still in good shape. In 1930 my parents Harvey and Dale Wobd moved on to the place and have operated it, later buying the place in May of 1940. They added to the old rock house in the late 30b and late 40's to its present structure and raised their family of 3 boys and 3 girls here; Lois, Bud, Merna, Bill, Bob and Audrev. From 1940 until April 1962, Harvey Wood put together some homesteads of Rosser Davis, Alfred Clair, Leah Glass Davis. Flovd Shields, John G. Davis, Johnny Jay, Elias Davis, John Glass Davis, Joseph Newberry, Jrbin Raymond and Marylou wolkensdorfer taken in Mccook, NE on May 81, rg41. tnd another kid of mine was drowning, and ;hat you'd better learn to appreciate things ike telephones and school-buses" . . . I ;hought (at the time) she'd made a little nuch of a "little ole walk" home. but todav vith raising children of my own I see hei loint very clearly. I always tell people I went to 20 schools refore I graduated and lived in 5 states. but like Colorado the best. My sister Margie narried Rodney Davis and they live south of /ona; my sister Theresa lives in Greeley, and s about to be remarried. My brother Jack is narried and lives in Shallow Water, Kansas, .nd my brother Joe is married and lives in )enver. My parents now have 10 grandchilden. They now live in Denver, but have never ost the knack to move around and Mother 98 says she's gotten quite used to it and can do it pretty well by now. by Janice Salmans William Wilcox, Morton Davis, Charles Woodard, Frank Rich, Homer Hightower, Carrie Root, Taylor, Carl Andrais, I.D. Messenger and the last piece of land, the Knoll place, making the ranch approximately 6000 acres. The late 20's and early 30's took a drastic WOOD FAMILY toll on the homesteaders due to finance, F776 Wood Ranch My grandfather, Henry Wood came here in 1909 and bought a relinquishment from Gordon Burr and moved his wife. Rachel. and family here in 1910 from Hill City, Kansas and later homesteaded the NW %, sec. 18, TW 6, range 46. moral, the "dust bowl" days. grasshopper plagues and the 193b flood. Rosser Davis moved his family after the 193b flood southeast ofthe ranch. Others moved to other parts of the country some leaving in the 1920's. While Harvey and Dale Wood were raising their family, they worked hard and long hours. Chores consisting of milking cows-, feeding calves and hogs and putting up hay and feed. In the summers of the B0's and 40's putting up the hay was done by horses stacking the hay loose. This always took from �7 to 12 hired men each summer and Dale always cooked for these men and still took care of her families needs. The hay fields on the Wood ranch have seen many changes from horse drawn machinery to the modern tractor, swathers and balers. Irrigation on the hay and alfalfa land has been a big change. My mother, Dale, and brother Bob still live on the home place, and my wife, Eva, and I live in a mobile home, moving on the place in 1960, raising our 3 children, Devin, Janet, and Lance here on the Wood Ranch. by Edward (Bud) Wood WOOD - ADOLF FAMILY r.777 ,,,;',, ,:': :' "Bud" Edward C. Wood was born Dec. 19, 1931, in a rock house twenty miles northeast of Stratton, Co., near the Republican River, to Harvey W. and Iona Dale Baker Wood. The second child of six children: Lois Wood Adolf born Jan. 8, 1930, died Feb. 26, 1955, Merna Wood Benton, born Aug. 29, 1934' William H. Wood born Oct. 9, 1936, Robert S. Wood born May 21, L940 and Audrey Wood Smith, born Nov. 30, 1943. Bud attended South Tuttle School District # 39 for six years, one year in Stratton school, then back to South Tuttle for his eighth grade. He stayed home one year then attended Kirk High, graduating in 1950. Bud was drafted into the armed services in 1952 during the Korean War. He served the ,';]:'l' Eva and Bud Wood on their wedding day June 5, ;.t:: 1955. Bud and one of his saddle horses in 1976. education. Bud and I both are members of "there's a snake out here." Bud and Philip went out and killed a big rattlesnake. They got to looking and killed 19 more! So there was enough of us as the rattlers had been bad for several years. We bought a mobile home and moved to Bud's folks' place in 1961. We still live there. Along with his Dad and brother, Bob, they raise cattle, horses, hay, wheat and corn, Their father passed away July 27, 1987. Bud enjoys raising top quality cattle and good saddle horses. Bud gets a great deal of Immanuel Lutheran Church. and our children were baptized and confirmed into the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Janet graduated from Colorado State University in 1980, Lance from the Nor- theastern Junior College, in 1979 and Devin will graduate from Utah State University in 1988. 29th Division with the 519th Engineers, being When we were first married we lived on a place belonging to Ed Stahlecker, 5 miles discharged in Oct. of 1954. Bud married Eva Marie Adolf on June 5, 1955. We had three children, Devin C. born Aug. 3, 1956, Janet M. born Sept. 3, 1958, and Lance D. born Sept. 29, 1959. All three graduated from Stratton High School. Two of our goals for our family was church and south from where we live now. We lived here for 5 years and this is where all three of the children were born. In the fall of 1960 Philip Waitman and two of his sons stopped by for a visit. The children were out playing in the yard pulling a wagon up and down the road. One of the boys came running in and said, enjoyment raising and racing thoroughbreds and running quarter horses. One of our highlights in our life has been a trip to Ireland in 1984. While there we got to go the Ireland National Stud Farm. This was a real thrill to Bud as he got to see some of the top National Studs and their young colts. They were very beautiful animals. I, Eva Marie, was born on Dec. 4, 1933 to A.W. and Mary Weisshaar Adolf. My younger brother, Allan, and I were often referred to as their "second family", as there was several years between us and the older children. I had 5 sisters and 1 brother older: Hilda (Ziegler), Amanda (Richards), Leona (Hefner), Gladys (Patterson), Art Adolf, Della (Pugh). With the exception of Della the rest were gone from home. When the kids were in school we enjoyed going to sports and activities, they were involved in. I like to sew, knit and like to be outdoors, gardening and raising calves. Bud was a 4-H leader for 8 years and I was a 4-H leader for 10 years. Bud served on the F.H.A. board for 3 years, and six years on the Stratton School board. I worked for one year at Duckwalls and 2 years as bookkeeper for J.M. McDonald Co. Our youngest son Lance married Teresa Admas on Aug. 22, L987. by Eva Wood Our family, L. to R.; Janet, Devin, Eva, Bud, Lance Wood and seated A.W. and Mary Adolf on their 60th wedding anniversary in L972, �WOOD - STORER FAMILY r.778 Henry and Rachel in Corpus Christi, Texas. Winter of 1929-80. Henry Harrison Wood, Rachel Haws "Storer" Wood, daughter Lucy Charlotte and son Arthur about 1900. at least once in the early 1900's from Vz mlle south of the farm to Vz mile north.) The south, or lower half, of the farm was purchased from Mr. Floyd Burr and the upper part was homesteaded by Henry and Rachel and it was on this part they built their home. (This home is presently owned by Harvey and Dale Wood and sons.) Besides raising the family of seven children there, Henry and Rachel bred and raised saddle and work horses, hogs, cattle, and always a large garden. The cash crop was always baled hay, eggs, and cream. Ag were all of the pioneers of the area, they were very frugal, inventive, and either "made do or do without". Ralph Wood relates the time when a "Merry-go-round" came to the old "Tuttle Store" (located only about a mile northwest of the farm adjacent to the "Messenger Farm"), that was powered by an old steam boiler. Shortly after its arrival the gates burned out and fell apart. His father, Henry, was an old hand at steam-powered threshing machines, and using some mud from a bog down on the river, fashioned some Henry H. and Rachel H. Wood around the year 1900. Henry Harrison Wood was born November 28,t870, in Shelby County, Iowa to James M. Wood and Celia Ann Harris. He married Rachel Haws Storer, daughter of Aaron Storer and Charlotte Minniss of Bloomington, Osborne County, Kansas, on Sept. 25, 1894. To them were born 1 daughter, Lucy C. Wood, and 6 sons: Arthur, Harvey, Lester (Ted), Earl, Ralph; The youngest, Ivan, was born at "Tuttle", Kit Carson County, Colo, on the 17th of June 1912. During the 15 years of residence in Kansas, Henry H. Wood was a farm laborer or share cropper, and plied a trade of following the harvest and running a threshing machine and crew. In the spring of 1909, Henry and family arrived in Burlington, Colo. by railway, and a Mr. Jake Pierce took them out to the site that was to become their new home. Located on the north side of the Republican River, approximately 20 miles NE of Statton, Colo. and within a Yz mile or so of the old "Tuttle School" (even though the school was moved grates and repaired the boiler. All of the Wood children got to ride "Free" for their Dad's services in fixing the engine. Rachel Wood was a saintly woman with a heart full of charity. She served as midwife to two-thirds of the babies born in this area (as the doctor had to come from Stratton at least an 8-hr. buggy ride away), as well as stepmother to several young women who were befriended by their only daughter "Lucy". They had been either maligned or abused by their own fathers. I'm sure Lucy enjoyed their company as well, being the only girl with 6 younger brothers. Henry and Rachel struggled hard to be sure all ofthe children had a good education, with most of them going to high school in Burlington. Art and Lucy went to college in Grand Island, Nebr. for 2 years; Ralph and Ivan both received college degrees. Harvey started to high school in Stratton, but after a couple ofdays walked home and stated that he 'didn't need that hassle'. That has been proven by his making the old homestead into one of the largest and successful ranches in the northeast corner of Kit Carson Countv. Harvey and Lucy were the only children who stayed to make their lives a part of Kit Carson County history. Lucy married EArl D. Messenger, and they resided first on the old Messenger Homestead, then in Stratton. until her death in 1948. Henry had some wanderlust in his veins, inherited from his father. As the boys grew older and departed, Henry and Rachel were driven to Corpus Christi, Texas, in fall/winter of 1929-30 by their son, Ralph; the lower, warmer climate would help with their health problems. They stayed in some cabins owned by an old sea captain, with whom Henry went fishing a great deal. They obviously were successful as the photo will attest. When his beloved Rachel passed away in May, 1933, Henry pretty well turned the ranch over to Harvey and Dale and spent his remaining years traveling throughout the Western states, fishing and hunting in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, and around Salida, Colo. He returned each witner to the ranch and to his daughter Lucy's home in Stratton. He passed on June 4, 1950, and he and Rachel are interred in the Burlington cemetery. by C.W. Messenger WOOD, HARVEY F779 Harvey Wood came to Colorado in 1910 as a child from Hill City, Kansas, with his parents, Henry and Rachel, sister Lucy, brothers Arthur, Lester, Earl, Ralph and Ivan. Harvey was the third child. They lived 20 miles northeast of Stratton on the Republican River. On November 11, 1928, Harvey married Dale Baker. Six children were born to this union: Lois, Edward, Merna, William, Robert and Audrey. All married but Robert. Lois and Ralph Adolf, her husband, had a pair of twin boys, Wayne and Wesley and a baby boy, Junior, two weeks old when Lois passed away in 1955. Each boy has children. .our great grands. Wayne and Vernie have two boys and orre girl, Shawn, Shadd and Shannon. Weslev and Katherine have two girls, Jamie and Kim. Junior and Debbie have one boy, Brian. Edward (Bud) and his wife Eva Adolf have �two boys and one girl: Devin, Lance and Janet. Devin is going to college in Utah; Lance and his wife live and work in Yuma, Colorado; and Janet lives in Sterling where she works for Farmland Industries. Merna and husband, Lee Benton, live 1/z mile north of Joes, Colorado. They have one girl, Lynn Benton Hill, whose two children are Brandon, 5, and Breanna, 3. Currently, Lynn is in Kansas city, Missouri, going to college. William's three boys live in the area. Mel and wife Debbie with baby Tyler, 16 months, live north of Vona. Darwin and wife Denise have two boys, Nathan, 5 years, and Niklas, 18 months. Marvin, youngest, is at Kansas to take care of Raymond's mother. After her death they returned to Burlington where they are now living in one ofthe houses moved into "Old Town", and they are both employed there. Old Town is getting to be quite an attraction being flashed on the T.V. news every evening. The huge restored old red barn, the little Methodist Church, the one room country school house, and the house the Woods family is living in, is only the beginning. Hopefully it will be a tourist attraction in years to come. by Mrs. Ted Eberhart Greeley, Colorado working and going to college part time. Grant is going to college at Rolla, Missouri. Darcy is in his second year of high school, at home with his parents. Harvey's wife, Dale Baker, was born in Kansas near Downs. In 1908 at the age of 17 months, she came to Stratton, Colorado, with her parents, John and lona Baker, a sister Olive, two brothers, Ed and Vean. They lived five miles northwest of Stratton. On the 27the day of July of 1987' Harvey WORTHINGTON FAMILY F78l Dad passed away Feb. 17, 1966 in Denver when I was 13. Ron was in the Navy and Lynn was a senior. My brothers and I farmed until I graduated from school. Lynn farmed for a few years and we leased the land for a period of time, but eventually we sold the farm. While in high school, we enjoyed going to the movies on weekends, going to the pool hall and cruising. The Phillips 66 gas station on the highway was a favorite place to hang out and work on our cars. Larry Kennedy bought a '57 Chevy from his cousin and we used to go to the drag races to watch Larry race. We also had a lot of fun going to Denver on weekends and skiing. School activities included band trips, ball games, and special programs like the Junior and Senior play. Homecoming was always one of the major events of the year, and I still enjoy attending when I can. The homecoming game in 1965 when Flagler beat Seibert 103-0 was one to remember. My brother Lynn had intercepted a pass and was running for a touchdown when F780 Raymond and Leah Woods came to Colorado from Beloit, Kansas in 1945 with their three children, Latry, Alva and Helen Ruth. Raymond went to work for Hinkhouse and Ersch on the Beverage Ranch, in the Smoky my Grandmother Cronkhite, who I don't believe had ever been to one of our gnmes, started calling to Lynn that he was running Hill Community. The children went to the Smoky Hill School, where Ruth Lengell was Larry and Alva's first teacher. Helen, Ruth's remembers her well because she spanked her Tina, Ralph, Karen, Geoff and Bard Worthington in front of their Midland, Texas home, Oct.1987' Bentley was her favorite teacher. Linda Rose was born in 1947 and Susan in My parents, Robert Riley and Shirley The Woods family moved from the Bev- erage Ranch to the Smoky Hill School where Raymond was employed by the school. Leah was one of the bus drivers and also worked in the hot lunch room. All of the Woods children went to Smoky Hill school except Susan until the school was consolidated with Burlington. The Woods moved to the Joe Lindsey place and then back to Smoky Hill, where Raymond was a mechanic and helped everybody with such problems. They bought the ground and the buildings there and later sold them to Barry Walters of Florida. Larry Woods and his family live in Oklahoma, Alva is in Wyoming. Helen Ruth, Linda and Susan are all in Colorado. After leaving the Smoky Hill Community Raymond and Leah went back to Beloit, got a lot of use hunting with Kerry Rich, Bob Polzin, Jay Fellers and other friends. The big ski. WOODS, RAYMOND 1955. off walks, and other odd jobs around town. I had a 4-H calf when I was 12 and used the money I had earned to buy a shotgun, which going to the lake and swimming or finding someone with a boat who would let us water by Dale Baker Y[ood for not spelling the word "this" . . Mrs. various organization get-togethers and card parties were always a chance to play with friends. My brothers and I were in band and played football and other sports. When band started in the 4th grade and we were able to bring instruments home, Odis Goodwin and I would stand on our porches and blow our horns at each other across the street. always be remembered. We always enjoyed - his mother still away in fact. Now Robert and live there. Edward and Eva also live across the driveway from the old home. first teacher, was Mrs. Statler, and she Legion, scouts, church and other functions and enjoyed visiting and playing pitch. The flood in '65 which filled the new dam will passed away. He and his wife had lived on the until he passed Wood place for many years AND LEAH town. Dad sold the farm house and part ofthe land and built a house at 725 Rufner. Dad and Mom were active in the American My brothers and I would earn money selling things, mowing lawns, shoveling snow home. Robert is living with his mother, Dale, at home. Audrey and husband, Doyle Smith, who live in a Kansas City suburb, have three boys: Shane, Grant and Darcy. Shane lives in when the school year was over, we moved back to Flagler, only this time we lived in the wrong way. After graduation in 1971, I went to Morgan County Community College in Ft. Morgan where I met my wife, Tina Marie Wray of Scott City, Ks., and we married in 1973. Mother married Sylvan Morris in 1971 and Margaret (Cronkhite) Worthington, came to they moved to Littleton, where they still live. brothers, Ronald Riley and Donald Lynn, in 1952. Dad had bought a half-section of land 20 miles north of Arriba at Shaw to farm. For a while they lived in Arriba where Mother's parents, Casey and Opel Cronkhite, lived. The family goon moved to a farm northwest of Flagler and I was born soon afterwards on Jan.20, 1953 in the Flagler hospital. Shortly after that, Dad bought a farm seven miles northeast of town from Mother's oldest brother, Kenneth Cronkhite Jr., where Dad farmed and raised cattle. Our nearest neighbors were Gene and Dorothy Nichols, Glen City, IA. in 1981 where I earned my M.S. degree in Geology from the University of Colo. from Seiling, Okla. with my two and Lannie Rutter, and Slim and Zoe Goodwin (who had the only phone in the area). We lived there just a few years and when I was four years old, we moved to Colorado Springs for the rvinter. However After getting a degree in Radio Broadcasting at MCCC, I served four years in the Navy as an Anti-submarine helicopter crewman. After being discharged from the Navy, I went back to college in Colorado Springs and then attended USC in Pueblo, where I earned my B.S. in Geology in 1980. We moved to Iowa Iowa in 1982. I began working as a Petroleum Geologist with Atlantic Richfield (ARCO Oil and Gas Co.) in Denver where we lived for two years. In 1984 we transferred to Midland, Texas, where we currently live at 1700 Cimmaron. Our children are Geoffrey Allan (Dec. 15, 1976, Jacksonville, FL), Karen Ann (May 27, 1981, Iowa City, IA.) and Bradley David (Feb. 5, 1984, Longmont, CO). Growing up in Flagler was a special time �because of the friends and relationships developed during that time which continue even though we have grown up and gone our and her brothers walked to school B miles, playing on the way. There was not too much time to play at home, as they were always busy with chores. They would meet the Rodwell kids on the way and would all sit down and share their lunches. Rodwells would have large cookies in their lunches and the cookies always went first. When noon came no lunch. different ways. by Ralph E. Worthington WORTHINGTON, ROBERT FAMILY In -the fall of '21, Grandad's nephew Cliffard recollects, that he and his Dad and brother stayed with Grandad and said "Nathan knew the Riemenschneiders and E7a2 talked about Mary alot. As Grandad was 24 years her senior he was cautious. but he dressed sporty and he didn't show his age." On their first date he was driving a horse and Robert and Shirley Worthington cnme to Colorado from Oklahoma in September, 1952. We had two sons, Ron and Lynn. In January of 1953 Ralph was born. We lived at that time two miles west of Flagler in the old Dragoo house. While living there the state was in the process of building Interstate 70 buggy. To keep their feet warm he brought along a hot stone and some woolen blankets. Great-grandma told them that one of Gran- ny's brothers would go along and Grandad said, "That's alright, the more the merrier." After that it was ok for them to go along by themselves. Grandad was known to sing to Granny on almost every date. Some of his favorites were "Whistling Rufus", "Doris", "My Little Girl", and "She's more to be so detoured the traffic by our house. We had lots of dust storms at that time. In 1957 we purchased a farm from Kenneth Cronkhite, 9 miles northeast of Flagler. We also purchased the Bonham place further north. We were still having dust storms and at one time the dust came in so thick it was pitch black at 8 o'clock in the morning. We had to put wet sheets up at the windows to try to keep the dust out. That was about the time farmers began to strip farm which helped. In 1960 we purchased the half block north of Charley Kellers at 8th and Ruffner in Flagler and built a house on it with the help of Babe Goodwin. We lived there at the time of Robert's death in 1966. I stayed on till all the boys graduated from high school at which time I married Sylvan Morris and we moved to Littleton, Colorado. Ron and his wife Paula and two children, Robert and Opel, now live in Kingsburg, California. He drives a truck for an insulation company. Lynn and his wife Barb and two children, Pam and Robin, live in Loveland, Colorado. He is a postman for the town of Loveland. Ralph and his wife Tina and three children, Geoffrey, Karen, and Bradley, live in Mid- land, Texas, where he is employed with ARCO as a geologist. by Shirley TVorthington Morris WRIGHT REIMENSCHNEIDER FAMILY F783 On my Mom's side: Great-great grandad William Wright lived in Maryland. He married a girl that worked in a factory. It is said that his parents didn't have too much to do with him after that. He and his bride went to lllinois for a time. then on to Galena. Iowa where my Great-grandad, Charles Other (Ollie) was born, on Feb. 26, 1850. Fire ravaged the house in Galena to destroy a lot. Great-grandad wasn't known to speak of his parents much, but at one time the family lived near Epworth, Iowa, where he met Great-grandma Catherine (Dolly) Cartnell. After they were married they lived in Dubuque, Iowa, close to the railroad tracks. Great- Grandad and Granny Wright (Mary and Nate) grandma was said to have used to feed the hoboes, as well as to trade with the Indians. She was born in Minnesota in 1852. My Grandad, Nathan Perry was born Aug. L3, L877. He had 2 brothers, Charles and Fred. Completing 4 grades of school in Dubuque he moved to Fairbury, Nebraska to begin his manhood. Later on the family moved to Oberlin, Kansas. Grandad recalls on a taped recording at the age of 84 that he and hie Dad used to come out to Colorado to hunt buffalo. He said "When the Indians were savages yet, they were traveling along one time, when they came across a covered wagon. A dog was tied up to a tree, looked like he didn't have anything to eat for a couple of weeks." The horses were still hitched to the wagon so they took the harness off and threw them across the tongue ofthe wagon. He said, "We suspected that the Indians stole the horses after they got out on the pasture. Then we saw someone coming from the East, who told us to be careful, Indians are just over the next rise." Asked if Indians were there Grandad replied, "Yeah, several of them, they must have come in trains." 1917 brought them to settle in Colorado, filing a claim on a homestead 1% miles south of Thurman. It was there they stayed until both their deaths in 1932 and 1934. Great-grandad George Frederick Wilholm Riemenschneider was born on July 31, 1861 in Edaness, Germany. Making the move to America he and his parents settled in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1873. During 1891 he moved to Denver and worked on the B and M Railroad. Great-grandma Fredrika Carolina Kalisch was born Aug. 17, 1873 in Wisconsin. Aug. 11, 1894 marks the wedding date of my Great-grandparents. While living in Denver they had 4 kids, George, Fred, Edward, and my Grandma, Mary Augusta Amelia. After Granny was born on .Apr. 9, 1902 the family moved to a place where they purchased land, near Thurman. Then 7 more children were born, Herman, Alma, John, Aaron, Louise, Simon, and Emma. Attending school at Capitol Hill near Thurman, Granny completed 6 grades. She Pitied than Censored". Wedding bells rang on May 3, L922 for Grandad and Granny Wright. When they returned from the cere- mony in Akron, a delicious banty rooster dinner with all the trimmings was waiting for them. Great-grandma gave them a cow for a wedding present. My mother was born Mar. 2,t923, Marjorie Luceil. After Mom was born they moved from the Henry Clayton place to the Dean Place. It bordered Kit Carson, Lincoln and Washington Counties. A 2 room house part sod and part frame built sheltered the 5 more sisters that were to be born, Elma, Delphia, Rose Marie, (whom died shortly after birth), Mildred, and Darlene. Later on another section of sod was added onto the house. In the winter of '35-'36 Grandad became very ill, which left him with rheumatism and pernicious anemia. The children picked up Scarlet Fever in school and Granny was pregnant. The doctor whisked her out of the house to a neighbors'so that she and the baby wouldn't get it. That left Grandad and my mom to tend to the rest of the children and battle quarantine and then fumigation with burning sulphur. Rough times hit hard when the bank foreclosed on them and took everything they had except the cow they had received as a wedding present. In 1939 they moved to the Davies Place about 5 miles south east of Thurman. It was here that they lost a flock of turkeys to wild coyotes. Nathan Edward was born in the Flagler Hospital and the youngest girl, Ardis, was born in Hugo. Great-uncle Fred lived with them until his death in 1956 and would always stick up for the kids when they got into trouble. The farming and milking was a way of life, with the farming done by a tenm of horses. Keeping milk cows and hogs kept food on the table. (When there was money to buy them.) Granny took the cream and milk to the Flagler Depot to be shipped to Denver. Sometimes when she couldn't get to town because of bad weather the mailman, Rube Sparks would cariy it to town for her: Grandad always had a garden and raised potatoes as his favorite. Granny also raised chickens and sold eggs to the store in Anton. Grandad was well known for his love of fiddle music, and entertained friends and neighbors � 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- W Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of Kit Carson County founding families whose names begin with "W." As found in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Subject The topic of the resource History Kit Carson County Biographies 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:510 2020-03-23T10:00:17Z 16

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/510/Families-X_Y_Z.pdf 061d158c54d01f629e9365b94e7d1af6 PDF Text Text for miles around and often times played at barn dances. by Dolly Mae Elliston not suffer the hardships that others did. Mrs. Sarah Yale, whose maiden name was Sarah D. Bevier, was a native of New York oldtimers have stayed on, because there was no better place for us to go. being born in Ulster county on June 18, 1853. While still a small child she moved with her by Roscoe Conklin Yarnell parents to Illinois. She was united in YALE, WILLIAM HENRY marriage to Sherman Henry Yale on December 25, 1874. They had two children, Lillian Mae and William Henry. Lillian Mae married YERSIN FAMILY F786 A.N. Corliss. F784 William Henry Yale was born in Iowa on December 23. 1882 and came to Colorado with his parents in the fall of 1886. This is his story. Father took up a pre-emption in Sec. L2-7-45. There were no railroads here then and we traveled in a covered wagon and brought our household goods with us. Father plowed the land with a tenm of oxen. Father came our in February, 1886, filed on this homestead, and built a small sod shack. Later he built a sod dugout at the back ofthe soddy, and this gave us more room. The lumber needed for our home was hauled from Benkelman, Nebraska. Water was hauled from Lostman (Landsman) Creek, two and one-half miles east of us. Later we had a well dug with I.D. Messenger and his brother doing the work and digging the 170 feet with shovels. Then water was hauled up by a windlass. We used this well almost two years before we put up a windmill. Father got a contract to carry mail and did this for the first three years for $300.00 per year. Tho route was from Jaqua, KS, to Friend, CO. In 1889 a Post Office wag established in our home and named the "Yale Post Office." Then the mail route was from Burlington to Goff, then to Landsman, and then to Yale a distance of fifty-two miles. He made three trips a week using a horse and buggy and in all carried the mail for eleven years. When father got busy at farming, mother would carry the mail. Later Mother was appointed Post Mistress at Yale Post Office, a position she held until 1906 when the post office was discontinued at Rural Routes established. I went to a sod school house one and one- half miles from where we lived. Jas. T. Gilmore was my first teacher and I rode horseback to school. When thirteen ye{us of age I started riding for the BAR-T Ranch and worked we lived. Burt Ragan was foreman at that time and we had about one Thousand head ofcattle on the range then. I helped drive a herd of One Thousand Texas longhorn steers from Ln-ar to the Bar-T Ranch. I remember we had quite a time finding water for such a herd as the only water to be had was in the lagoons. It took us about ten days to make the trip. Our supplies at that time was brought from Bird City, Ks. We made about two trips a year so always got enough to last awhile. We were always fearful of prairie fires for the prairie was always so dry. I well remember one fire that came in from the north and burned elear down to the river. We had such hard working keeping it away from our hay stacks and we ruined a good team of horses plowing fire guards to turn it. My father was elected County Assessor in 1902 and I helped him for awhile in the office. I think my family was 4mong the earliest settlers here. But father having the mail contract gave us money to live on and we did She was a member of the Christian Church in Burlington in 1896 and later moved her membership to the Seven Day Adventist church at Stratton. She died October 22, 1929. Sherman Henry Yale died in 1922. by Marlyn llasart YARNELL FAMILY F785 I was born in Shelby County, Illinois, on July 19, 1873, and when eleven years of age came with my parents to Nebraska in a covered wagon. Father came to Colorado in the spring of 1888, and took a homestead and in the fall of the same year my two brothersin-law, V.H. Chandler and James Sparks, built a sod house on the claim and in the spring of 1889, we went to Haigler, Neb., by train, and there bought a wagon, five head of horses, three cows, and a calf, four hogs, and two dozen chickens. and came overland to Burlington, Colorado. We went at once to the sod house prepared for us, and soon got settled in our new home. Water was hauled from Lostman's Creek. about four and onehalf miles away, for about a year. Then we dug a well 130 feet deep and got 16 feet of water, which was hauled up by a windlass until we got a windmill. We did little farming, but could not make a living by doing this, so I did whatever work I could find to help the family. I hauled hay, plowed tree claims, helped run a threshing machine, did whatever I could. I remember the first Fourth of July Celebration I ever attended in Burlington; there was dancing, horse-racing, (I had a pony in the pony race) and it won and I got a prize of $3.00. This little pony had been caught on the prairie by Jim Sparks, and was about a year old that spring, the prettiest little thing I ever saw. There was a big tent Charles Albert Yersin was born in Switzerland in 1847 and came to America with his parents when he was four years old and settled in Missouri. He lived with his uncle, Henry Yersin, who allowed him to go to school "when the work on the farm was done," hence did not get much education. But by studying at home he fitted himself for a teacher. He came to Colorado, accompanied by his father-in-law, in October of 1886 with his wife and three children by way of the Union Pacific railroad to Cheyenne Wells and then by wagon and team to Burlington, Colo. After receiving a permit to teach on trail he taught school in a one room sod building for several years. After studying day and night he received certification to teach the first grade. And in 1870 he was ordained a Christian minister of the Gospel and at times was the only minister in the county who could perform a marriage service. On July 29, LgI4 he married his son W.H. Yersin to Alta B. Schaeffer of Montpelier, Ohio who came to Bethune in 1909 to teach school. W.H. Yersin opened a combination general store post office on Sept. 19th, 1910 in Bethune, Colorado. The Yersins homesteaded north of Bethune. Colo. after their marriage and in 1914 purchased the Red Front Market in Burlington, Colo. On Nov. 15th, 1916 Alta B. Yersin gave birth to a son, William Yersin, who through boyhood attended school in Burlington and after graduation received his degree from Denver University and New Mexico University in anthropology. William later went on to serve in the Colorado legislature from 1948 to 1952 and in 1948 married Naomi R. Thompson of Denver, Colo. William and Naomi had a son, Kenneth Yersin. Kenneth Yersin, aftcr attending Burlington Schools, married Della K. Webb in 1959. Of this marriage were born two sons Lincoln B. Yersin and Sullivan A. Yersin. put up on the corner where the Standish Drug is located, and that is where the dancing took place. It was a popular corner. I forgot what music they had, but am sure there was a Kenneth Yersin joined the family business in fiddler present. and attended Metro State College in Denver, Colo. graduating in 1985 with a degree in Business Administration. Sullivan A. Yersin received his grade and The year 1894 was a bad year, so dry that no crops or feed was raised anywhere, so we moved to Burlington and mother operated the old "Burlington Hotel", then located on the west side of Main Street. In 1899, I built a livery barn, and ran it till 1902 and then I traded it for the old Montezuma Hotel, and since that time I have been engaged in the hotel and restaurant business. The old barn still stands on the same location. and is the only feed barn in Burlington. I built the new Burlington Hotel, and several houses here; I have seen Burlington grow from a few little houses to the nicest little tov"n in Eastern Colo. Now in Jan. 29, 1934, many have come and gone but us 1960. Lincoln B. Yersin received his grade and high school educations at Burlington, Colo. high school educations in the Burlington School system. He attended Colorado Institute of Art in Denver, Colo. and will receive his degree in Photography in 1988. by Ken Yersin �YERSIN, CHARLES ALBERT w87 Born 1847 in Switzerland. Came to Missouri with parents when four years old. Lived with a uncle who allowed him to go to school "when the work on the farm was done" hence his education was limited. but by studying at home he fitted himself for teaching. Came to Colorado in October, 1888, with his wife and three children. Came by Union Pacific railroad to Cheyenne Wells, then the next morning hired a man with a small wagon and tea- of ponies to drive the forty miles across country to their new home on the plains. They brought with them clothing, bedding, cooking utensils, and about a thousand pounds of pork, for they butchered five or six hogs before leaving Missouri. He always liked plenty of meat at every meal. The road was heavy and the weather was threatening and at that time there were but two houses on the forty mile trip. At the six-mile house we got our first sight of the prairie dogs and snow birds, about the only living things we saw on the lonesome road. No trees, fences, not even grain of any kind. It seemed a most desolate and dreary land. We wished we were back in Missouri and had we been at the depot, we would have been tempted to take I had taught one short term of school and never expected to teach again but when crops failed year after year, and one of our horses wandered out of the barn one stormy night and died in the cold, we wondered just how we were to live. So I got out my books and spent some time studying and then got a ponies were becoming very tired and we did not want to be out on the prairie if they became unable to travel on. When we reached this house the owner informed us that he did not keep a hotel and could not take us in. Then he told us of a settler who had built a long sod house about two miles northeast of the "half-way house" and that he had plenty ofroom and he would take care ofus. Though it was getting very cold and storm clouds were threatening us, we had to drive over a rough, hilly route, the hardest part of the trip. However, we made it just as a regular blizzard struck us in all it.s fury. The owners of the home came out and welcomed us and took us in for the night. The sod house was thirty-five feet long and twelve feet wide, and was divided in the center by a canvas cover, one end ofthe house being used by the women and the other by the men. We all slept comfortably and well. The next morning the storm had abated and although it was very cold, we started for our homestead on the SW% of Sec. 19-9-44. This was eight miles away and by piling our boxes in the front end of the wagon to form a windbreak for my wife and children, we got through without anyone freezing. My father-in-law, Mr. Reed, who had accompanied us from Missouri, had taken a Yersin. by Ken Yersin permit to teach. The school was a sod building some ten miles southeast of our home. I took a supply of "grub" and some bedding and moved into the two roomed building, using the one room as a living room and the other as a school room. Teaching during the day and studying half the night, I completed four month term. I little later I got my First Grade Certificate and after that taught two or three terms in the county. I was ordained a Christian minister on the Gospel in 1870 and have been at times the only minister in the County who could perform a marriage service. I have driven many miles over the prairie in a lumber wagon to preach, to perform a maniage ceremony, or to speak the last words over the dead. I am proud of Kit Carson County and proud of Burlington, which I have helped to build. I have been here since I heard the first bell ring on the first engine of the first Rock Island train through Burlington. by Jayne Hubbell the first train east. The weather continued threatening and we discussed the possibility ofstaying over night at the "half-way house" for it seemed that the He died in January of 1980 survived by his wife, Teddy, his son, Kenneth and his wife Della; two grandsons, Lincoln and Sullivan YERSIN, \M. H. F788 William H. Yersin was born in 1916 in Burlington, Colo. where he attended grade school and high school. He received his college education at Denver University and the University of New Mexico where he majored in anthropology. At the onset of World War II he enlisted in the army and YOCUM, JESSE FAMILY Jesse Yocum started railroading ofthe age of 15 years in 1894. He was in Colorado Springs when Manitou and Colorado City were separate places, with the railroad as telegrapher and agent. He worked in many stations in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. Jesse and Gertrude Page were wed November 9, 1902 and were located in Almena, at the time of their marriage. They transferred to Flagler in 1916 accompanied by their sons, Edwin Laclede, and Howard Page. Jesse retired in 1937 after 57 years of service. He passed away August of 1948. Gertrude died in January of 1952. The boys attended grade school and graduated from high school in due time. LaClede went to work for the Flagler First National Bank and served as an officer and director most of 52 years, retiring in 1975. Howard attended Colorado University as a civil engineer. He was associated in Utah Construction International as consulting engineer. Howard passed away September 1976 in Burlingame, Calif. by Betty Yocum YONTS AND served four years. Upon his return from the service he became involved in the family grocery business. In 1948 he was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives F789 SAWHILL FAMILIES F790 where he served three terms in the House and was minority leader of the House during his last two terms. In 1956. he was elected to the Burlington City Council and served two twoyear terms. In 1968 he was elected mayor of Burlington for a two year term, and then served for eight continuous years on the city council again. In addition to his municipal duties, Bill was a member at one time of the Colorado State Parks Board and belonged to the volunteer fire department, VFW, Chamber of Commerce, Masons, Izaak Walton League and the Burlington Housing Authority. Bill carried on a family tradition started by his father of planting trees, and might have been called the "Johnny Appleseed" of Zella, Lester, Everett and Kieth Younts, Christmas Day 1971. eastern Colorado. His hobbies were anthropology, geology Africa. In the early 1800's five brothers came to America from Switzerland. The name was spelled with 4 "2". The five brothers changed the "z" to "s". Any "Yonts" spelled with an "s" is related some way. My father, Wythe Yonts was a relative of one of the five brothers. He married Lydia Codner in Phillip's County, Kansas in the late 1800's. Their He was married in 1949 to Naomi "Teddy" Yersin at the First Baptist Church in Denver, Colo. while serving in the state legislature in Blonnie, Ruth, and Lester. My parents homesteaded on a farm in Logan county, homestead just across the road from where we and lapidary. He had one of the largest and located so we lived in their sod house until ours was built. We hauled water from the nearest neighbor's home. Later we tried to dig a well on this land, but found it impossible owing to the innumerable small boulders and sandy condition of the soil. All wells were dug by hand in those days, which often proved difficult and costly. Later a well dug on my father-in-law's claim, furnished both families best private collections of Indian artifacts with plenty of water. 1948. and anthropological items in the area. He was familiar with all the digs in the area and during his four-year stint in the service had the opportunity to search for artifacts in children were Claude, Blanche, Bessie, Mae, Kansas near Russell Springs in 1906. We �people drowned two and one-half miles west Gesners. Their house was of Seibert - Themiles washed to three north of Seibert on to the Sawhill place. Mrs. Gesner's body was found down in Nebraska and his was found north of Stratton. In the same flood another home, owned by Roy Minter, four miles south Lester and Zella Younts Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary, Dec. 17,1977. Taken at Vona Liona Hall at their Open House. lived in a sod house until the C K & O Railroad came through and built the Logansport Depot near the homestead. My folks and one-half east of Seibert on the Republican River bank, the bank was washed away and the house floated out into the middle of the river and was left standing in the middle ofthe channel when the water went down, the people living there escaped to safety. by Lester Yonts ZIEGLER - BOEPPLE FAMILY ran the depot and post office and lived in the depot. I was eleven years old when we moved to Colorado in 1917. My mother and I came F79r by train and my father in a wagon. He brought the horses and furniture. We lived in a one room cement house the first year nine miles north and one-half east of Vona. Then we moved two miles west and one mile south of Vona. We raised corn and feed, milked Neely and Martha (Weaver) Sawhill until 1942 when we bought the farm ten miles north of Von a. Zella remained on the farm as long as she was able. She passed away Dec. 25, 1981. I still live on the farm. Our son, Keith Marion Yonts married Bernice Jane Redmond of Chicago, Illinois Oct. 15, 1956. They have one son, Keith Marion Yonts, Jr. Our son, Everet Lee Yonts married Carol Breen of Bismark, North Dakota Nov. 25, 1960. They have one daughter, Tracy Lee Yonts. There was a flood in (I think) 1935 that pushed the rails and ties off a twenty foot grade of the Rock Island west of Vona. Ten inches of rain fell overnight. There were three Richard, born in 1898, migrated to eastern Colo. by train and homesteaded in the socalled Russian-German Settlement, north of Bethune. They lived in with the Martin Stahlecker family until they had a building put up to live in. Not fully satisfied, in 1903, they moved to Oklahoma, near Covington, where some of my mother's family had moved to after living a short while in Tennessee and then had moved to Okla. also. After a year there, my parents returned to their home- were wheat, corn, oats, barley and some dryland alfalfa. In later years, we also raised 1927. Denver and I worked at construction work My father's parents remained on their farm, or homestead near Scotland until their deaths. Their home was made of adobe, a long building with mud floors, a grainery, horse barn, and a cattle shed, all under one roof, of which much of it is still standing. My parents worked and farmed in the Scotland area with my father's parents. I remember my mother saying that she sewed the suits for the men folks of the family and other clothing. In April 1899 the Zieglers, with a small son, (Mrs. Albert Strobel), Otto, Fred, the twins, Emma and Elma, (Mrs. Art Dobler and Mrs. Ralph Stahlecker), and Esther, (Mrs. Carl Arends). Richard died from a stationary engine accident, age 19, and Clara drowned, at the age of 6 years, when my mother and the three smallest children were returning from a visit in Okla. via train. There had been a cloudburst near Belleville, Kan. In the dark of the night, as this train came to this place, the train bridge was washed out, they tried to stop, but many of the train cars went down in, Many passengers were drowned including my little sister at the age of 6 years. My parents had a family of 8 to support, but when us kids were old enough to work, they kept us all busy. Dad and the boys did the farming with the horses; the various crops a new school house, depot, five stores, five cream stations, hardware store, two hotels, three garages, livery barn blacksmith shop, three filling stations, post office, two elevators, lumber yard, bank, real estate office, and two churches. For recreation there was Sunday picnics when everyone took pot luck lunches and made ice cream from the ingredients donated by the different ones. Everyone ate together and played games of baseball, horse shoe, and crocket. I, Lester George Yonts, and Zella Irene Sawhill, daughter of Neely and Martha Sawhill, were married in Burlington Dec. 17, during the dust storm years. We went to 50th and 60th anniversary celebrations. stead near Bethune again, where I, Anna was born in 1911. Here the rest of the family were born and raised; there were: Bill, Clara, Lena, cows and sold cream and raised chickens and sold eggs and raised a garden. Vona was a good town when we ceme with married Feb. 8, 1878 came from Iowa in 1906 and homesteaded three miles north of Seibert on the Republican River. Their children were Bert, Maggie, Lena, Ben, Lawrence, Reva, and Zella. The latter four came to Colorado with their parents and graduated from the Seibert school. The Sawhills farmed, milked cows, and raised several hundred chickens and sold eggs. Zella and I had three children: Eldon, Keith, and Everet. Eldon died in 1939 of paralda hyde poisoning at the age of eleven years. We resided in the Vona communities most of our married life except in the 1930's marriage. They were blessed with a long wedded life of 68 years. Highlights were their some hogs and cattle. Mom and the girls hand-milked as many as 25 cows, separated the milk and bucket fed the calves, raised chickens, ducks and geese, always had a large garden and with not much running water, John and Christina Zeigler on their farm in the 1940's. My parents, John Ziegler and Christina Boepple, were both born in Dennivitz, Russia; my father, Aug. 20, L872, my mother on Jan. 14, 1876. Both came to America with their parents; my father and his parents, William and Barbara (Friedrich) Ziegler in May of 1877, at the age of 5 years; my mother and her parents, Christian and Johanna (Kramer) Boepple, in the fall of 1876, at the age of 1 year. Both families settled on farms near Scotland, S.D. (Dakota Territory), where they grew up and spent their youth, and here they met and were given christian training through their church and family homes. Both were baptized in the Lutheran faith as infants. They were also confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Scotland; my father, April 3, 1887, my mother on March 30, 1890. In Nov. 14, 1895, they were united in Dad built a two-wheeled barrel cart with which we hauled the water to the garden. We sold the cream and eggs and that was my mother's money to feed and clothe the family. I must say, she managed quite well. For meat, they did their own butchering, mostly pork, cured the bacon and hams, fryed the other meat and put it in a crock and covered it with the rendered lard and kept it in a dug out cellar. Poultry was dressed as they were used. Mother baked the bread, sewed most of the clothes and she was always busy knitting mittens and stockings for the smaller children. All of us children received our education in the one-room "IJnion School" of 8 grades. We usually walked the 2/z miles to and from school, unless it was bad weather, then they took us by horse and wagon and later by car, which was not very often. For entertainment the various country schools took turns of inviting another school in on Friday afternoons for baseball games, cypher down contests, (spelling and arithmetic), etc. Box suppers and literaries with all the family attending were always fun. On Sunday we �l::.irlu. -, -' John Zeigler and daughter Esther Zeigler standing on a 7'high wooden windbreak by the cow shed in corral on the Zeieler farm. This windbreak is covered with dirt from the dust storms of the 1930's. always attended Sunday School and Worship services at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Settlement. My parents were the first to have electric lights in the Settlement; also were among the first for running water in the house. Most of the houses in the Settlement were made of Adobe. In 1935, after enduring several of the "Dust Bowl" years, my parents had a farm auction and sold out. but retained the land and went to Oregon and Washington, worked in various fruit and hop harvests for a short time, along with the four younger ones of the family and my two married brothers and their families, Bill and Otto. Once again they returned to the family farm near Bethune (no place like home). In 1950, when all their children had married and on their own, they moved to Burlington, Colo. and my younger brother Fred continued farming the home place. In 1933, I married Emil Strobel who lived on a farm 5 miles north of my folks; he inherited the home place from his parents, which was also his birthplace and their homestead. We lived and farmed there until ZOOK, JONATHAN S. February 6, 1876 AND BARBARA REBER Jonathan and Barbara Zook's wedding picture, F792 name "Zook" was originally spelled "Zug" and that Jonathan's ancestor, Motitz Zug. immigrated from Germany and arrive in Philadelphia on September 2t, 1742. Jonathan and Barbara Zook were married February 6, 1876. In 1885, they took up residence in Nebraska and three years Iater moved in a covered wagon to Thurman, Washington County, Colorado, and established their "homestead". To this union were born two sons and seven daughters. Their second youngest daughter, Fanny (Faye Pangborn Ferguson), was born April 14, 1895, Barbara Reber was born April 23, 1856, in Johnson County, Iowa. She was the third child. Her father, John Reber, was of Swiss descent and was born in France in 1819. The family was Amish Mennonite. John Reber was an ordained minister. by Mrs. William E. Pangborn in Thurman and at this writing is the only surviving child. At the age of 92, she currently resides in Grace Manor Nursing Home in Burlington, Colorado. Jonathan S. Zook was born September 12, 1847, in Belleville, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and died on his 87th birthday, Septem- FAMILY STORY PICTURE SECTION F793 ber 12. 1934. The records reflect that the our son Leland was married in 1982. Then we moved to another farm house of Lelands, just 1% miles away and let him have the whole works there, farm, debts, work and all, and retired. This was the only move we had in our 53 years of married life, and Emil in his lifetime, outside of a few years in Burlington, Colo. to get our three children a high school education. Besides a son Leland, we have 2 daughters, Florence Scott, and Julia Liufau, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. My parents lived to the age of, father 98, mother 87. My mother's funeral was the day that President John Kennedy was assassinated. A sad day, but looking back over the years, I must say God's blessings were numerous, E:, 1 _:;.: "-: .:_i: :, :- by Anna M. Strobel The Zook homestead. Jonathan Zook is pictured left ofthe well. In the background is their sod home and the milk house. �Lisa 2, Kathleen 3, and Christina 4 are daughters of Tony and Susie Paintin and granddaughters of Garold and Jean Paintin. Lisa's dress was made by her maternal grandmother, Ruth Knodel. Borders family, three generations. Standing: Donald and Wesley; seated: Floyd, Rebecca, Shannon, and Dick Borders. George W. Blancken Sr., Helen, George W. Jr., Harriet, Madge, Richard, Velma, Eunice, Nona and Minnie E. Blancken, 1950. ['[.ay 24, 1959 Joe and Edna Doughty at Colby, Kansas. George W. Blancken Sr. (middle) and sons George Jr. (left) and Richard (right), July 1959. �:a:.a ;::t: & ,&3 w & :ry r,.::..at:-aa.:.. ''i" w .,i Wg 'aa:a: tq !f! li:t,l;.. W, raa *t#t .r .a ,ln ;t;a. ....,a tt:.: { t*t 1J ft t,;::1.,&&: ,,;:,.:..,' George William Blancken holding pictures of his parents and grandparents, June 1980. George, Dad Blancken, John Nordine, Mom Blancken and Arthur K., sons of Velma Blancken Nordine, July 19, 1962. Dietrick F. Blancken, George W. Blancken Sr., daughter Madge C. Blancken Martin holding first grandchild, LaVern Delmar Martin, 1942. William McGlinchey Wickham and Susie Alberta Brisbin married December 25, 1896. Mabel Walters Hudson Parke standing in front of her home in Burlington. Many of her family keepsakes and furniture are on display at "OId Town." 3iY w 9' {fr William Scott, age 10 months, and Julie Marie Cranmer, age 2, are children of David and Marilyn Cranmer and grandchildren of Garold and Jean Paintin. The rocking chair is over 100 years old and belonged to their maternal great-great grandmother, Carrie Mae Mast. Avirene and Bill Henry, 1970 at Disneyland � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Families- X, Y, & Z Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of Kit Carson County founding families whose names begin with, "X," "Y" and "Z." As found in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Subject The topic of the resource Kit Carson County History Biographies 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>

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:728 2020-03-23T12:26:51Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/728/00000001.jpg 99788493ba9bfa474291dba2aa0c60a2 https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/728/William_Abbott.jpg bc959825e668775c9e479e32c4e213f1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries for William Abbot and Arthur Buchanan Description An account of the resource An obituary for William Abbot and Arthur Buchanan as taken from the Burlington newspaper 1906 and 1912. Subject The topic of the resource Abbot, William 1827-1906 Buchanan, Arthur 1873-1912 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:729 2020-03-23T12:26:44Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/729/00000002.jpg 1ca774c43c95960c26fe0850586a335d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for Clarabell Borton Description An account of the resource An obituary for Clarabell Borton as taken from the Burlington newspaper in 1915. Subject The topic of the resource Borton, Clarabell 1860-1915 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:730 2020-08-26T14:58:32Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/730/00000003.jpg 22203847c3fd5e781e090100b962cb9d https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/730/kccrecordobits0031.jpg 1dfb68404c43c84d9ec754154a53db06 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for John J. Pugh Description An account of the resource An obituary for John Pugh as taken from the Burlington newspaper and the Kit Carson County Record in 1913. Subject The topic of the resource Pugh, John 1856-1913 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record and the Kit Carson County Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1913 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Burlington Record and the Kit Carson County Record

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:731 2020-03-23T12:26:29Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/731/00000004.jpg 4165c27e94f2509403e195cd9a72ab72 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for William McNeill Description An account of the resource An obituary for William McNeill as taken from the Jamesport Gazette, Jamesport MO. Subject The topic of the resource McNell, William 1871-1915 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:732 2020-03-23T12:26:18Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/732/00000005.jpg 3ab9dc7c6f8e6392ca006f9ee8b947f7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries for Jacob Scherrer and Elizabeth Chandler Description An account of the resource An obituary for Jacob Scherrer and Elizabeth Chandler as taken from the Burlington newspaper in 1918 and 1920. Subject The topic of the resource Scherrer, Jacob 1838-1918 Chandler, Elizabeth 1861-1920 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:733 2020-03-23T12:27:18Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/733/W.H._Hargis.jpg 3376528d0f95c27b77ead6e070c572e2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries for W. H. Hargis, John Stott, Emilie Brown and E. C. Lloyd Description An account of the resource An obituary for W. H. Harris, John Stott, Emilie Brown and E. C. Lloyd as taken from the Burlington newspaper in 1923, 1926 and 1959. Subject The topic of the resource Hargis, W. H. 1847-1923 Stott, John 1850-1926 Brown, Emilie 1862-1926 Lloyd, E. C. ????-1959 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:734 2020-03-23T12:27:24Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/734/00000007.jpg 904f16f2347e25c6fd261cfc4d95d506 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries for Jacob Scherrer, Elizabeth Chandler, John Dwyer and Frank Mann Description An account of the resource An obituary for Jacob Scherrer, Elizabeth Chandler, John Dwyer and Frank Mann as taken from the Burlington newspaper in 1918, 1920, and 1921. Subject The topic of the resource Scherrer, Jacobe 1838-1918 Chandler, Elizabeth 1861-1920 Dwyer, John 1852-1921 Mann, Frank ????-1921 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:735 2020-03-23T12:27:31Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/735/00000008.jpg 0e4d37f03ddb82a1035ee2875b2f740c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for Marie Anderson Description An account of the resource An obituary for Marie Anderson as taken from the Burlington Record in 1926. Subject The topic of the resource Anderson, Marie 1872-1926 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:736 2020-03-23T12:27:38Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/736/00000009.jpg 9a15bef41d3af9b4bc05ac9e0a834387 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for Harold Barrett Description An account of the resource An obituary for Harold Barrett as taken from a handwritten letter in 1926. Subject The topic of the resource Barrett, Harold ????-1926 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:737 2020-03-23T12:27:44Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/737/00000010.jpg f5a5f2a0cbbb83a30e917e6b1eb9eab1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for Frank Mann Description An account of the resource An obituary for Frank Mann as taken from a handwritten letter in 1926. Subject The topic of the resource Mann, Frank 1861-1926 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:738 2020-03-23T12:27:51Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/738/00000012.jpg 6e05deef42f5e325132e6d06bdd61043 https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/738/00000013.jpg eb71ef7d5796ce65553ade28b022e2be https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/738/00000062.jpg ed0669192a7d404b9ea58aa7ddf4459a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for Dr. Paul Godsman Description An account of the resource An obituary for Dr. Paul Gosman as taken from a handwritten letter in 1926. Subject The topic of the resource Godsman, Paul 1860-1926 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:739 2020-03-23T12:27:58Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/739/00000014.jpg fa0fd82b8f30e21f8f1d6cba918c9de7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries for Sarah Yale and E. H. Haynes Description An account of the resource An obituary for Sarah Yale and E. H. Haynes as taken from the Burlington newspaper in 1929 and 1942. Subject The topic of the resource Yale, Sarah 1853-1929 Haynes, E. H. 1862-1942 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:740 2020-03-23T12:28:05Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/740/00000015.jpg 5c23811944bac30d9548987437f80678 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries for Paul Godsman, Mrs. Dana Shaw and Jacob Hasart Description An account of the resource An obituary for Paul Godsman, Mrs. Dana Shaw and Jacob Hasart as taken from the Burlington Record in 1926 and 1948. Subject The topic of the resource Godsman, Paul 1860-1926 Shaw, Mrs. Dana 1855-1926 Hasart, Jacob 1885-1948 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:741 2020-03-23T12:28:11Z 11

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/11/741/00000016.jpg acbc7d3240ba5579431e94042976955b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries Pre-1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from before the 1930's for Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries for Wilhelmina Bogart and Ellen Youtsey Description An account of the resource An obituary for Wilhelmina Bogart and Ellen Youtsey as taken from the Burlington Record in 1926. Subject The topic of the resource Bogart, Wilhelmina 1842-1926 Youtsey, Ellen 1864-1926 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries Pre-1930's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:742 2019-11-15T12:38:46Z 15

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/15/742/00000018.jpg 607fd2fd2893f954bf27982575e89460 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries 1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from the 1930's, from Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries for Dolly Hudson, W. H. Wilcox and Albert Walters Description An account of the resource An obituary for Dolly Hudson, W. H. Wilcox and Albert Walters as taken from the Burlington Record in 1938. Subject The topic of the resource Hudson, Dolly 1901-1938 Wilcox, W. H. 1853-1938 Walters, Albert 1862-1938 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries 1930's

oai:kccarchives.cvlcollections.org:743 2019-11-15T12:38:46Z 15

https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/15/743/00000019.jpg 87a7ea07d7f138b8aa5eaa9982d3a95c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries 1930's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from the 1930's, from Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for Charles Yersin Description An account of the resource An obituary for Charles Yersin as taken from the Burlington Record in 1935. Subject The topic of the resource Yersin, Charles 1848-1935 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/JPG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries 1930's 40391