Check It Out
Hare, H. H. Early Pioneer of Elk City
Around Town
Carson Masonic Lodge held their 45th annual Whole Hog Sausage and Waffle Supper on a nice evening in February. A nice crowd and great all you can eat supper was served along with lots of visiting with friends.
BINGO has been held the second Saturday of each of the winter months, a good crowd attended depending on the weather.
What a long cold, icy winter, spring hopefully is just around the corner. P.s. spring got here in April.
Pete Whistler celebrated his 94th birthday and then Pete and Jean celebrated 68 years of marriage, both dates took place in February. Norma Foster celebrated her 90th Birthday in January.
Rural Fire Department hosted a Monterrey Supper followed by the last BINGO for the year.
The Senior Citizen Community Building will be closed for most of the summer due to remodeling and ADA accessible additions, will have updates in the next newsletter.
Margie Warren celebrated her 102nd birthday in February with a nice open house. It was one of those icy, dicey days but everyone enjoyed helping her celebrate.
PRIDE Awards Soup supper
Annual PRIDE Soup Supper and Awards Banquet was held in February at the Community Building. There were approximately 40 in attendance despite a nasty ice storm creating icy roads and sidewalks and sleet coming down at the time. We had a great variety of soups and desserts and lots of fellowship. The PRIDE committee honored Community U and the young women of Elk City that are showing PRIDE motivation in community events. This group of young people put on BINGO, 5K run, Easter egg hunt, trunk or treat, Fair, Christmas Parade, toys for kids Supper and a few I am sure I have forgotten. These young women are the future workers to keep Elk City improving and moving. PRIDE appreciates all the community involvement from these young women. Thank you!!
Tid Bits by Jane
January
Now that 2019 is here, I wonder as I wander. First, I wonder where is the SUN!!! Too many cloudy dreary days. Second, I heard a radio commentator talking about living a fulfilled life…. Then there is the pursuit of Happiness. Are we in the pursuit of Happiness to live a fulfilled life? What is a fulfilled life? As I sit and think, Oh I haven’t done this or I should have done that… would those things have
made me feel anymore fulfilled? I would imagine the meaning is something different to everyone. Some would say Travel to places you have always dreamed of, going to famous places and sites all across the world, like the Grand Canyon, Great Wall of China, and national parks in Africa for a safari. Engage in extreme sports like mountaineering, skydiving, rock climbing, white water rafting and bungee jumping. Visit an ocean and engage in all the activities there like deep sea fishing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling or whale watching, all these sites are wonderful to see, but do you have to do them to be happy? Spending your free time developing a new hobby, volunteering with a local group, or joining your local church. Have lunch with someone who did something that annoyed you and work out how you can improve your relationship with them and also forgive them. Throw a huge party for all your friends to have fun together and show them how much you appreciate them. Now, I love a good party, I receive happiness from visiting and being around people. Then there are those who feel their life is fulfilled by just simply enjoying the small pleasures of life like watching the sunrise and sunset from their porch swing. Reading a good book or looking out for shooting stars, Dancing in the pouring rain with someone you love and play in the mud. Planting a garden, growing flowers, playing with the kitties, hunting with a new puppy, enjoy spending time with your children and grandchildren and growing
old with your spouse. Whatever makes you happy, go do it, but it doesn’t always have to be the wild adventure that makes us happy. Most of all, on your quest for a life fulfilled, make sure that in your pursuits, life includes Christ and that you lived in such a manner as to Honor Him and love one another. Happy New Year to all!
We went on our annual farmer trip, 30 couples from the area that farm. There were lots of farmer tans walking the beach. It doesn’t take long for the hotel employees to recognize us and remember us! We went to Dominican Republic, sea, sand and sun. That’s my kind of life. not snow, rain and mud! They are happy people, very poor and hard working. We should all be grateful for what we have because comparing Elk City to Punta Cana, we are a very rich community! The young man that was assigned to keeping the refrigerators in the rooms stocked with pop and water asked me how I was everyday and when I asked him the same, he responded, “I am excellent thanks to God”! There’s been chatter lately on the Elk City Facebook page about options for different carriers internet/phone. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to use what works for them, but my opinion, which I freely give to some s dismay; We have a local company, Totah Communications that has given this community excellent service over the years and with the possibility of fiber in the future. Yes, they might cost a little more, but you pay for what you get! What I learned this month: It’s fun to travel, especially when it’s cold here, but I like my home and my country.
February
Out my window I see the birds at the bird feeder, the wind blowing the top off my feeder, seems like wind blows all the time! Certainly, has been a cold winter so far for us, even the snow didn’t last long and the ice didn’t accumulate too thick. We could have had a tremendous
ice storm and were spared. We’re so lucky in this area not to have double digits below! I thought the day the wind chill was 1, was cold enough! The wheat has had enough moisture, unlike last year when we were wanting rain. A little rain goes a long ways this time of the year.
I feel sorry for all the animals during the cold rain and ice I’m so ready to play in the dirt and there’s still a month or more of winterish weather. Meanwhile in Florida it’s 80 and we keep having ice, sleet & wind chills! Did your team win the Super Bowl? Mine was one of the teams cheated by bad calls in the playoff! Go Chiefs next year! We had a gathering for the Super Bowl (cheater’s bowl). What a boring game and Half-time show. So, how did your Valentine’s Day stack up in the world of Love? The average American spends $106 on
flowers, candy, dinner or other ways of saying I love you and 73% of all flower sales are on V-day. My Love was good to me. I heard recently that Valentine’s Day is for the unmarried that are trying to get a Valentine, the married already have one and don’t need to celebrate. Do we really need a special day to be nice and say I Love You to our significant other or special people in our lives? Jesus says, Love everyone!
Out here on the hill there are varmints killing my chickens and until recently it has been a mystery. But discovered a pair of foxes living here and they sure were fat and bushy! Well now we know why my chickens are dead or traumatized! The ones that are left won’t lay or come out of the hen house. And no, we haven’t caught them as of yet! What I learned this month: There is a whiskey spout and toothpick manufacturer south of town. That would be important to you IF you lived in Daniel Boone.’s day.
March
I’m pretty sure March came in like a Cold LION! The Wind and Snow was WILD! Then comes a week of monsoon rains! You can count on
spring break being cold and nasty most of the time! March sure had one day cold and one day warm. I spent one of the nice days raking and burning leaves and sticks. If it wasn’t for tree debris, spring cleanup would be easy. The daffodils, tulips and fruit trees are in full bloom and very pretty. The farmers are behind in the spring work, but they are back in the fields spreading fertilizer & planting corn. Gardens are worked up and planted around town in anticipation of a bountiful harvest. The Mason Breakfast was back in full swing the 24th. It’s always good to gather, eat good food and visit with friends and neighbors and meet new people. Did you remember to spring ahead on March 10th for daylight savings time? It’s Armadillo season and Daniel Boone is on the hunt, who knew there was such a market for them! It was warm and sunny in Florida and we had lots of beach time. All the while it was freezing and raining at home! We picked a good time to be gone and a bad time to come back. \
FIRE SEASON started early, with someone feeling the need to intentionally start fires on property other than their own. Deputies from Elk and Chautauqua were out looking for those individuals. The men and women that are fighting fire after working hours or the middle of the night and still go to work the next day need to be appreciated. Anyone who intentionally starts a fire and then doesn’t stay around to watch it, should go to bed without supper and sleep in a smoke-filled room!
It was fun to celebrate Margie’s birthday, she is such a bright and beautiful woman! Here’s to 103! Now a truly “great” grandma is one who keeps three great grandchildren for 4 days! The community lost a wonderful woman this month as Juanita Newton went home to be with her
Lord on March 17th. She’s happy now, even though her family and friends feel a tremendous loss. What I learned this month: Joe is full of wisdom: If you want to be treated like a KING, you have to treat them like a QUEEN! I also learned my new granddaughter was born
March 26th, who will be treated like a QUEEN!
Church News
Church of the Nazarene held a community women supper in February. Abundance Quartet is scheduled to be at the Nazarene church in April with good old southern gospel music. Freedom Sunday is being planned again this year with fireworks before the 4th of July.
Past Alumni Minutes
1953
The Elk City Alumni Association held its annual banquet on May 29th 1953 at 7:30 p.m. with over 200 members and guests present.
An excellent dinner was served by the W.S.C.S. of the Methodist Church. Following the invocation by Mrs. L. W. Davis, Dick Lessmen led in group singing with Mrs. Vada Wright accompanist. Mrs. Nannie Mae Henderson, President,, called the meeting to order and introduced Brice Durbin, who served as toastmaster. Short informal talks were given by several members of the Alumni. They were;
Noel Hayward class of 1922 - Alva, Okla.
Manie Weber class of 1925 Coffeyville,
Allen McDowell class of 1916 Wichita, Ks.
Eda Faler class of 1922 Indp. Ks.
Maude Clingan class of 1900 Coffeyville
Lyle Mason class of 1935 - Enid, Okla.
The nominating committee composed of Irma Horton and Willa Widick presented the following officers for next year. Mrs. Ellen Smoot President, Mrs. Ruby Loether Vice Pres., Marilyn Moore - Sec. & Trea.
A social hour followed adjournment. Those present who graduated 50 years ago or more were: S. A. Davis - 1892, Maggie Chrisman - 1893, Mrs. C.C. Cox - 1894, Mrs. Maude Clingan and Mrs. G. B. Shaffer - 1900, Mrs. Edna Owen - 1901, L.W. Davis - 1903.
Financial Report:
Balance forwarded 20.52
tickets sold 261.88
total 282.40
Expenses
Methodist Ladies 153.00
Ned Davis (printing) 28.40
Reporter add 12.60
Stamps & Cards 15.44
Crepe paper 1.05
paper for tables 1.00
Total Expenses 211.49
Balance on hand $70.91
signed Irma Goodwin Lessman sec. & Trea.
Meal served was Chicken Loaf, Parsley Potatoes, Fresh Frozen Peas, Sliced Tomatoes, Spring Salad
Hot rolls, Jelly, Pickles
Strawberry Shortcake and coffee.
Pioneers of Elk City, Kansas
Hare, H. H. Early Pioneer of Elk City
Ellis, Abraham (Bullet Hole) Pioneer of Elk City
obituaries
Newton, Juanita Rachel age 91, graduated from Elk City High School, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery
Dodson Marion Dale, age 76, graduated from Elk City High School, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery
The Good Old Days
This article was written in 1902 about what the future would be like in 1952. It appeared in the Elk City Enterprise dated 10-10-1902
Kansas in 1952
Last week's Mail and Breeze published a page of letters from contributors giving the writers ideas of Kansas fifty years hence. The following is one of them, written by Homer Harvey, of this township:
What will Kansas be in 50 years? Oh, ask me something easy. Probably a conversation will sound something like the following: "Augustus get in the automobile and go after the mail. It isn't time for the free delivery."
"Can't, dad, there is a place between here and the corner nearly 10 feet long with three rocks and a pint of mud in it."
"Well, then, I will telephone for it to be sent out by pneumatic tube." This done the farmer goes out for a look at his crops. His land is all prepared by an improved system of harrowing and packing, so that drought holds no terrors for him. The results of crop rotation and scientific farming are plainly seen. His average corn crop makes 100 bushels to the acre, his wheat 40 bushels.
Of course he belongs to the "farmer's trust," by means of which he is enabled to have his say about the price of his produce.
The country districts all have graded schools and competent, well paid teachers. The pupils are gathered up every morning by an automobile. Every county has its county high school. In fact, the school system is all that can be desired. Coal merchants are going into bankruptcy on account of the abundant supply of natural gas found in many parts of the state. Nineteen hundred and fifty-two will see Kansas the center of manufacturing industry, owing to her cheap fuel and natural resources.
Center of population, geographical center, center of industry, center of the swim. This will be Kansas' showing in 1952. The whole state will be a maze of railroads, telephone lines and corn rows.
Every farmer owns an automobile, holds stock in the Aerial Navigation company and takes the Mail and Breeze, which enjoys a circulation of 850,000. On Tom McNeal's monument is this epitaph: Here lies the champion prevaricator of the champion state of the champion nation. May he R. I. P." Homer Harvey
appeared in the South East Kansas Tribune Illustrated Edition July 31, 1901
Elk City Thirty Years Ago
In 1869, Eugene and Will Baird opened a store at Elk City. Alexander H. Baird then living at Mound City invited me to join the Elk City colony and engage with him in the drug business. In March 1870 we left Mound City for our new home. The Journey made with loaded teams occupied four days. The "city" consisted of three store houses, a blacksmith shop, half a dozen cheaper residences and a saw mill run by "cockeye" Brown. Besides the Baird store which did a large business, there was the store of Sherman & Southard and a vacant store designed for drugs. After a few days inspection, Will Baird and I drove two teams to Lawrence and returned loaded with drugs and groceries. Not withstanding the presence of many hard citizens who often "painted the town red " in defiance of the city marshal, the town prospered so did horse thieves until their occupation was discouraged and they fled.
In the spring of 1870 a town company was organized. I was elected secretary and it was voted to call the name Elk City. Space will not permit reference to many of the early settlers of this Elk Valley. John Hans, John Davis, Denton, Sam Houselton and a few others located some of the best land as early as 1867. Messrs Uri Coy, Bert Quigg, Wright, Turner and Seward B. Davis are remembered as reputable citizens of the metropolis.
Of the early physicians, Dr. Southard and Dr. Woodring were the most prominent. Dr. Southard was a man of superior natural abilities, a successful practitioner and much beloved. Of the early settlers of Elk City, Alexander H. Baird will long be remembered for his hospitality for "the latch spring was always out".
In November 1871 I sold my interests and removed to Independence. by H. W. Miller M. D.
Note: the rest of the article is about Independence and the Beardsley ring.